Page 3 of Stalking in the Holidays

Three

Bonnie

I'm enveloped in soft warmth when I wake up. I snuggle down deeper into the blankets before my eyes suddenly snap open as I remember the stormy gray eyes I saw before passing out.

I sit up, wide awake, and blink as I look around the dark space that I don't recognize.

My heart starts to beat frantically in my chest. I look down at myself to find that I'm no longer in my wet clothes. Instead, I'm completely dry and warm, and I'm in a huge T-shirt. A man's T-shirt.

My eyes frantically scan the space again just as a voice sounds from the corner of the room.

“It's okay, Bonnie. Nothing is ever going to hurt you again.”

I pull the covers closer to my chin in a protective gesture. “How do you know my name?” I’m instantly on guard.

A tall form unfolds as the man stands. I have to tip my head up to see his face because good lord, he's tall. He must be over six feet tall, and he's nothing but bulging muscle. I can tell all the way from over here through the black T-shirt and joggers he's wearing like a second skin.

And there they are. Those piercing gray eyes and that dark hair that I noticed last night before I passed out, but now I notice so much more.

He has a strong jawline covered in stubble. It’s the kind of stubble that makes men look sexy as hell.

He pulls my bank card from his pants pocket and holds it up by way of explanation.

I feel my shoulders instantly relax, and then my cheeks turn red when I realize that I barged into this man's business and then collapsed right in his floor.

“I'm so sorry,” I stammer. “I didn't mean to intrude on you.”

He closes the distance between us in a flash before he sits on the edge of the bed looming over me. I swallow audibly as I look up at him and bite my lip.

His eyes flick down to my lips and darken before they come back up to capture mine. “Who were you running from, princess?”

I don't know why but hearing this man call me princess instantly sets me at ease. “My stepdad,” I whisper.

His jaw firms, and his nostrils flare. “Did he hurt you?” There’s a steely note in his voice that makes me feel safe, like he would destroy the world of anyone who ever hurt me.

I shake my head adamantly. “No. I got out before he could.”

He gives a curt nod before his eyes roam over my face again. “How old are you, princess?”

“Eighteen,” I admit.

“Where were you going last night before you stumbled in here half frozen to death?”

I bite my lip again and look away from him, suddenly feeling shamed and like a stupid little girl. “I don't know,” I whisper. “I was just going away.”

I suddenly feel a strong finger under my chin, tilting my head up to meet his swirling gray eyes. His touch sends little tingles running up and down my spine. I stare at him wide-eyed, unable to look away even if I wanted to. His gaze is commanding, and his voice is even more so.

“Here,” his deep voice rumbles with absolute certainty. “You were running to here. To me.”

I don't even have the desire to protest his strange statement because in an odd way, it makes sense. I feel like my entire life has been leading up to this moment, to meeting this man, whomever he is. I don't know anything about him, but I feel safe here with him.

“You took care of me last night?” I whisper.

“I did,” his deep voice rumbles. “I'll always take care of you, Bonnie.”

I let his promise wash over me like warm sunshine. I don’t know why, but I believe him. “What's your name?”

“Bryan. Bryan Lane.”

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