Bounty's End (Bounty for Hire) (3 page)

“I’m sure you’re right, but honestly, why? Why would I feel like I am in danger? I work at a freaking antique’s store, for Christ’s sake.”

“I don’t know, baby, but I will tell you that I’ll find out what’s going on, and I will keep you safe,” he declared.

“Thomas.”

He finished speaking just as Wen said his name and threw herself into his body once again, knocking him down flat on his back against the couch.

“I’m sorry this is happening, Wen,” he murmured against her head while he rubbed his hands up and down her thin white cotton shirt.

They stayed there together on the couch with his arms wrapped tightly around her small body, not saying word.

What could be said at a moment like this? Thomas wanted to declare to her that everything would be all right, or at least tell her that it was a car looking at houses in the area. Which could be a possibility. He held all this back because somewhere she was frightened and he believed in what he told her. If you feel frightened, then there is a reason to feel that way.

So he gave her what he could at this moment. He gave her his warmth. Holding her close, silently letting her know that all would be okay.

* * *

Wen didn’t know what made her throw herself onto him, but lying on top of his body, with his large warm arms engulfing her made her feel wonderfully safe.

They had only known each other six months, but really, they didn’t
know
each other. Nonetheless, it didn’t stop her from feeling the warmth and care he was passing onto her. There was something about him holding her that made her skin tingle with need. Yes, Thomas did this and so much more. She needed his hands on her, never leaving her.

It took all she had not to make the first move. Was it a bad thing to start kissing a guy just after calling him and freaking out? Yeah, it probably was, but it wasn’t as if their tension had not been building.

“You think I could use this as our coffee date?” She decided to ask, as a way to stop thinking about getting naked with the sexy man under her body.

“I don’t think so, Wen. I am taking you out for a date. A date where I can pick you up, enjoy your company, bring you home and kiss you goodnight.”

“That’s not really a coffee date, and I know I agreed to coffee
only
,” she emphasized teasingly.

“That was earlier, baby. All that changed when you called me and you said you needed me here.”

Wen heard his words and the command in his voice.

Was it a bad thing to get turned on by a man’s commanding voice? Oh well, as much as she wanted him, she had other things she needed to think about.

Wen was ready to push herself up when she suddenly let out “oomph” as Thomas pulled her back into his body.

“Hey, I need to get up,” she nearly whined.

“No, you don’t. Besides, I’m comfortable, and you and I are going to talk about this date of ours.”

“Oh, I don’t—”

“Wen, yes we are.” She felt his hands come up to her head, lightly brushing her hair with his fingers. “First, we are going to order some pizza, talk, and get to know each other. And guess what, babe? I am spending the night.”

“Oh, I don’t—”

“Don’t argue. I’ll stay the night and be a perfect gentleman. I’ll even sleep on the couch, unless you want me closer to protect you.”

Thomas watched as Wen quickly picked up one of her bright colored red pillows from the couch before she launched it at his head.

“Jerk,” she said with laughter.

“Order the pizza, babe.”

He watched as she left the living room and strolled into the kitchen. Reaching down into his pocket to make a call, he was caught off guard when it rang and he saw that it was Keylee calling.

“Hey, sis.”

“Back at you. Wanted to let you know that I made it. Since it’s late, I’m crashing at some little bed and breakfast, that I have to tell you is the cutest place I’ve ever seen. The lady even told me at check-in that they had Andes Mints on the pillows and I have to say they totally did.”

Though he was glad to hear from his sister, he however, was not interested in her rambling as she oftentimes did.

“That’s great, Keylee. Keep me updated.”

“Okay, love you, you dope.”

“You too, baby dope.” And he hung up.

As he put the phone away, he lost his thoughts as he watched Wen come back into the room with a couple of pillows and some blankets.

“I put a pizza in the oven instead of calling out. Give it fifteen and it should be done.”

“Works for me. I take it that your armload is for me.”

“Yes.”

“Set it down for now. While we wait for pizza, let’s talk.”

The rest of the night wore on as he and Wen talked about college and dreams as kids. They talked about being an only child verses having siblings. They laughed most of the night and that was exactly what he wanted for her.

When she said goodnight as she walked toward her room, she left him there in the darkness of the living room. All he could do was force his body to stay still and calm as he fought to go to her room. To lay down beside her and hold her close. Nothing needed to happen; he just needed to feel her in his arms. As he rested on the couch, his last thought was of her in his arms just before sleep overtook him.

Chapter 4

Hearing light footsteps from the other side of the couch made Thomas wonder if Wen thought he was still asleep. Deciding that was the case as he continued to hear her light steps, he sat straight into a sitting position, watching as she came around the couch to place her cell phone and what looked like a small cup of coffee on the dark mahogany coffee table.

Thomas stared sleepily at her for a moment before rubbing his eyes trying to get the sleep out of them. He then stood up from the couch and stretched his body. From raising his arms above his head, he was able to get some of the kinks out of his muscles he’d gotten from sleeping on the couch.

Smelling the coffee made his mouth water. There was nothing like a strong cup of coffee first thing in the morning. It was also a great time when there was silence in the house. Nothing but you and that cup, before the chaos of life intruded.

Turning his body, he made his way to the kitchen, willing his morning rise to go down before Wen got a good look at him. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, but still, those dreams he had about Wen between his legs and riding him hard… Well, needless to say, those dreams were presenting themselves bright and early this morning.

When he reached the silver and black Mr. Coffee pot, Thomas saw that Wen had already placed a cup in front of the pot for him. All it needed was for him to pour and start drinking. After taking his first drink, he sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out before he made his way back into the living room. He heard the ringing of her phone.

There was a sense of worry in her tone. As much as his instincts screamed to rush to her and offer her comfort, Thomas decided the best course would be to hang back and be here for her.

Standing back, he allowed her the time and privacy for her to take the call.

* * *

“Wen?” When those words came through the phone, she had to pull the phone away from her ear. Wow, that was loud.

“Yes, Dad?”

“Oh, thank goodness, darling.” There was something in his voice that made her stop from asking what was wrong. Which happened to be a good thing, seeing as her father proceeded to talk.

“Honey, don’t come in to the store today. There was another break-in. Looks like it happened sometime last night.”

Man, this was getting to be too much. “What do you mean, there was another break-in? Seriously, Dad, this is becoming too much. Do you need me there? Screw that. I am coming to you. You better hope there is a new cop there, because I plan on giving those stupid, good for nothing police officers a piece of my mind. I mean, what kind of atrocity is going to have to take place for them to find this sick ass who is doing this?”

“Wen, enough.” Her father’s voice was sharp and final. Yeah, she better shut up now, but how could she not worry?

“Dad?” Her voice was small.

“Honey, there is nothing you can do that your mother and I can’t take of. I’m just glad that you were home and not here at the shop.”

She just could not believe this. Her poor parents. She went to sit on the couch and listen as her father proceeded to explain about how the display cases were smashed and it looked like a few bracelets had been taken. Those that were what he considered valuable. She looked up to see that Thomas was strolling in, concern marred on his face.

“Dad, I will be right over. Give me five minutes and I will be there.”

“Stay home. Look, the police are here now and I need to talk to them. I will call you as soon as I can. Love you, flower.”

“Love—” was all Wen got out of her mouth before her father hung up on her.

She just looked at her phone.
He’d just hung up on me
.

“So?” Wen heard Thomas, but she just could not bring herself to speak. Her parents’ store had been trashed yet again and to top it off, her father, of all people, hung up on her. Seriously, what was going on?

Putting the phone down on her ottoman, she turned her body to face Thomas.

“Looks like the store was broken into
again
. From what dad says, it looks like they came in some time last night. I can’t help but feel, I don’t know, responsible.”

“What? How?”

“I left early yesterday, Thomas. What if I did something wrong. I mean…”

“Wen, baby, don’t take that path. First, you need all the facts before you go jumping to any type of conclusions. Second, never blame yourself. If they wanted to get in, no matter the precautions you took, they would have found their way in.”

“I suppose you’re right, but—”

“You want to go there and your father wants you to stay home?”

“Yeah, exactly. The thing is, Thomas, I can’t be home. I need to be there.” She felt his hand on hers before she saw his movement.

“Get your things. Let’s go.”

“No, Thomas. You can’t do this. I took you away from work last night. I can’t ask for you to help me with this. I will be okay. I’ll just take Peaches with me.”

“Yeah, honey, take a dog to a crime scene. Sorry, not going to work. Get your stuff and let’s go. I am taking you and while I’m there, I’ll make some calls. Heck, while we’re at it, baby, you and I can also have a coffee date just like you wanted.”

“What!” she screeched.

“I am not taking any chances of something else happening. Sorry, pizza last night does not say date. Coffee, that is all on you, baby. But-we-will-go-out-today,” he enunciated.

“Fine, you big bully.”

She was about to walk off when she suddenly found herself in his arms once again.

“Man, if I knew that this was all it took to get you in my arms, I think I would have formulated a different plan a long time ago.”

She felt him laugh through his words. As much as she had been holding back from him, she was so glad that he was here with her.

Was she capable of taking care of herself? Sure as shit, she was, but that did not take away from wanting someone to share this with.

“Well, don’t let this go to your head, buddy. I am just using you.”

“By all means, Wen, use me. But just so you know, that will not be the end of us. We started something and I will be damned if we don’t see where this goes.”

Her head was up against his chest. As he spoke, she felt not just his heartbeat, but also the rumble of his words. It was deep and comforting. Something she didn’t want, something she was not ready for. Greg had broken her heart, hence her staying away from Thomas. She didn’t think she could handle another heartbreak, and with Thomas, all Wen could see was her heart in his large, massive hands. Shaking her head ever so lightly, she pulled back and looked at him. Yep, pure heartbreak.

“Thank you, Thomas.” With that, she got up from the couch, checked on Peaches in the yard and then went to grab her things.

Chapter 5

Thomas wanted to ask her why she said she was just using him. But it was her tone that held him back from his question. Even though he thought it was a bad idea for her to be at her parent’s store, he figured it would be better if he was with her just in case some more shit went down. He needed to talk to Alek and find out the name of his cop friend, but he wanted to do it when Wen was not around.

As she went and got ready to leave, Thomas checked in with Jefferson, who of course didn’t answer his phone, then called Alek, who stated that he couldn’t talk but would explain later. As he disconnected with Alek, Wen came out ready to leave.

“You mind if we head to my house? I could use a shower,” he said.

Like a really cold shower
.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

As they walked out of the house, he looked around the neighborhood just as the sun was rising. With Wen behind him, Thomas walked to the bike and got it ready to move across the street into his driveway.

“You just going to walk it over?”

“Yeah. Why would I start it when I live a few feet away?”

“I don’t know. It was just a question.”

“Wen, everything is going to be fine. Take a deep breath, okay?”

Thomas took a side-glance at her as she was walking on the other side of his bike, making sure she nodded in understanding.

Inside the house, Thomas informed Wen to make herself comfortable. He ran upstairs and took the fastest shower known to man.

Within ten minutes, he was showered, dressed and walking back down the steps. He found Wen standing in the living room glancing out the front window that looked upon her house.

She must have heard him, because she turned around quickly.

“That was fast,” she said.

“Yeah, well you wanted to get to your parents, didn’t you?”

The smile that graced him said enough.

“Let’s go, babe.”

With that, they left his house and walked to his truck. Though he wanted to take his bike, he figured the truck was a better option for right now.