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  Sabrina followed her down the steps with Conner at her heels, grateful that Katy seemed to have been briefed at least enough to not ask any questions. Sabrina couldn’t remember if Rafe had been at the gym that afternoon or not, but in any case, among this obviously tight-knit fight club, word would have gotten around.

  Katy flipped on lights as she went down a short hall. “Bedroom. Bathroom. Another bedroom. Living room.” She held out her arms to encompass the enormous comfortable space that contained a large-screen television, huge comfy couches, and a wet bar. “If you need anything at all, holler.” She squeezed Sabrina’s hand on the way by and left them alone without another word.

  Sabrina turned toward Conner, feeling slightly chagrined at the way she was treating him. But she was too exhausted to get into it with him. She needed to be alone. “I’ll take the smaller bedroom.” She passed him on her way by, grateful he didn’t try to stop her.

  After quickly changing into an oversized T-shirt, she slipped between the covers of the queen-sized bed and curled up in a ball.

  Her mind raced. Someone was following them. Hopefully they hadn’t managed to track them to Rafe and Katy’s home. Sabrina would feel awful if anything happened while they were guests in someone else’s house.

  It was a fact she felt better in a room with no windows. It was pitch dark with the door shut and the lights turned out. She listened as water ran in the bathroom next to her and then heard another door open and close.

  Tears fell again. She couldn’t stop them. This wasn’t her life. She was an editor, for crying out loud. The most excitement she’d ever had in twenty-six years had been the time she got a speeding ticket in a school zone. That was as close as she’d come to any interaction with the police. Filing a stalker report wasn’t on her bucket list.

  She buried her face in her pillow for a few minutes, fighting the urge to scream.

  Fighting the loneliness.

  Fighting the need to snuggle up next to Conner and let him hold her.

  Losing every battle.

  She was supposed to be mad at him. He stomped out of her house that afternoon, unwilling to take a threat from the Russian mafia seriously. Or maybe that was just how she perceived his reaction. Surely he wasn’t blasé about that Dmitry guy warning him about some Russian mob guy.

  She flipped onto her back and closed her eyes, inhaling slowly several times. If she could just control her breathing.

  In.

  Out.

  In.

  Out.

  Was Conner asleep? Did he have the same level of anxiety she suffered from? Was he even concerned? She couldn’t be sure. He’d treated her with kid gloves all afternoon. But was the threat as serious to him as it was to her? After the way he seemed to blow off their encounter with Dmitry at lunch, she couldn’t know for sure what he might be feeling.

  Time ticked by in silence while she stared at nothing in the darkness, unable to close her eyes.

  Finally, her bladder protested, and she eased out of bed, tiptoed across the room, and slipped into the hall as quietly as possible. A small night light in the bathroom led her way. She used the toilet, splashed water on her face, and took a drink from the spout.

  When she stepped back into the hall, Conner was leaning against the opposite wall. He wore low hung sleep pants and nothing else. He took her breath away. “You okay, baby?” His voice was deep, concerned.

  She nodded. They stood in silence for a long time. Finally, he reached out a hand.

  She stared at it for a moment. If she went to him, she would be opening herself up to incredible vulnerability. If she didn’t, she would never know if he was capable of handling her the way she deserved.

  She took a breath and stepped into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her and hauled her against his front. His chest smelled fantastic, and she took a moment to simply inhale his scent while he nuzzled his face in her hair. “I’m so sorry, baby. Please forgive me.”

  “For what exactly?” she asked his chest.

  “For walking out on you earlier instead of talking it out. For not being there when you opened that damn e-mail.” He smoothed his hands up her back, over her shoulders, and across her cheeks until he nudged her away from his chest and held her face back to look into her eyes. “For falling so hard for you I can’t find it in myself to let you go, even though I know this situation is ugly and could get uglier before it’s over.”

  She sucked in a breath. Wow.

  “If I were a better man, I’d tell you to stay away from me, but I’m not. I’m in so deep I can’t do it. I want you near me any way you’ll allow. If it means sleeping in separate bedrooms in Rafe’s basement for the foreseeable future, I’m okay with that. Whatever it takes to ensure you’re safe while keeping you close.”

  When he eased the grip he had on her cheeks, she leaned her forehead against his chest. “Would you mind if I slept in your bed? I can’t relax alone.”

  He squeezed her tighter and then led her to his bedroom. He didn’t shut the door to the hall, so the faint light from the bathroom was enough for her to make out the furniture.

  Conner held the covers back and helped her climb in. And then he slipped alongside her and hauled her back against his front, wrapping his top arm around her and setting his lips on the sensitive skin behind her ear. “Thank you, baby.”

  She closed her eyes, trying to relax her racing heart.

  She could feel his erection against her ass. There was no way to hide it.

  And contrary to what she would have chosen, her nipples hardened as they grazed against the cotton of her T-shirt where his forearm stretched across her chest.

  Conner kissed her neck gently. “Rest. We’re safe here.”

  He was a genius, coming up with this plan to hide out where there were no windows and she could sleep without worry of some photographer snapping a shot of her in bed.

  “Thank you,” she mumbled as she let sleep drag her under.

  •●•

  It was dark when Sabrina opened her eyes. For a moment, she was disoriented. And then the memory of what had happened slammed into her.

  How long had she been asleep?

  “You okay?” Her gaze shifted to the man hovering over her. Conner. He brushed a lock of hair from her face and cupped her cheek.

  “What time is it?”

  “About two.”

  “In the morning?”

  He grinned. “Yes.”

  She groaned. “I didn’t sleep long.”

  “No. You must have been having a bad dream. You startled me as you gasped awake.”

  She didn’t remember any dream. Probably a good thing.

  She closed her eyes and leaned into Conner, setting her cheek on his chest. “This situation is a disaster.”

  He threaded his fingers in her hair and let the strands fall between each finger. It felt good. Soothing. “I know.”

  “Have you slept?”

  “No.”

  She figured as much. “What time do you have to be at work?”

  “Nine. I have office hours and then two classes. Will you stay here while I’m gone?”

  She hadn’t thought that far. She sat up and faced him, taking in his expression from the dim light. “I can’t stay here forever, Conner. I have a life.”

  “I know.” He continued playing with a lock of her hair. “Stay today at least. Let me think. I need to figure this out.”

  “Okay.”

  “Thank you.” He let out a breath and pulled her on top of him. “I know we haven’t been together that long, and we’ve had a rocky start, but I’d feel better if you would let me keep you safe. I have no idea who’s behind this shit, but I intend to find out. If I had to worry about your safety on top of everything else, I don’t think I could function.”

  “Okay,” she repeated. She could work from here today. After she got more sleep.

  Conner hugged her tighter and seemed to loosen up. Had he been lying there worrying about her safety al
l this time?

  She felt bad about that. He didn’t need her being defiant and contrary on top of everything else. For once she vowed to play the obedient submissive for a day. She almost chuckled internally at the thought of not arguing with him or cussing in his presence.

  This should be interesting…

  •●•

  The next time Sabrina woke up, it was to the hum of a cell phone nearby.

  She glanced around. She was alone. The shower was running next door.

  A phone buzzed again.

  She reached for the bedside table and nabbed the phone before she realized it wasn’t hers. It was Conner’s. He had texts messages coming in rapidly. She tried not to look at them.

  The clock on the nightstand said seven thirty this time. At least she’d slept a few hours.

  Pulling herself out of bed as the water shut off in the bathroom, she took the phone with her and padded toward the bathroom.

  “Hey, baby.” Conner smiled as she rounded the corner.

  “Do you always leave the bathroom door open?”

  “I wanted you to feel like you could come in if you needed.”

  She held out the phone, warmed by the idea he’d been thinking of her. “Your phone’s been beeping. You have a lot of action this morning.”

  He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead as he took it. Shocking her, he grabbed her waist with both hands, even the one holding the phone, and lifted her onto the counter.

  “Conner… What are you doing?”

  “I have to leave soon. Sit with me while I get ready.”

  She squeezed her legs together. He smelled so good and he looked like a god standing there in nothing but a towel, his hair dripping onto his shoulders and running off the shield tattoo and across his chest. She licked her lips at the vision. It was too early to be turned on by this man. She wasn’t a morning person. But she wasn’t a dead person, either. He was hot.

  Conner scanned through the messages. “Jesus,” he muttered.

  “You’re popular before eight. No one texts me this early.” She grinned at him.

  “Yeah, well, no one wants to be this kind of popular. Three of them are from Tina Chang, that professor I told you wants in my pants.” He picked up his razor as he spoke. “The others are from the dean. I need to leave early and meet with her before my office hours.” He cringed as he spoke but didn’t glance at Sabrina.

  “Does the dean want a piece of you also?” she teased. At least she thought she did.

  He glanced her way for a second. “Yeah, for totally different reasons, however. I’m pretty sure she’s gay. I don’t think she wants to fuck me.” He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach far enough to be believable, and then he changed the subject. “Can you work from here today?”

  “Of course. All I do is read smut, you know. It’s not important.” She narrowed her gaze at him, hoping to get him at least a little fired up. She preferred him a little edgy over this new cool, fake nothing. Their morning banter was simulated.

  “Ha ha.” He set the razor down, rinsed his face, and then turned to step in front of her. “Spread your legs, baby.”

  His words made her arousal shoot sky high as he nudged her knees and slipped between them, tugging her closer until his cock pressed against her pussy from behind the towel.

  He took her face in his hands and tipped it up to meet her gaze. “I give in. You win. I’m sure your job is legit.”

  “You better say that. It’s possible I make more money than you. So don’t knock it. Plus, as an added bonus, I love what I do. Now, you need to get out of here so I can do it. I’m behind. I have clients waiting on me.”

  He brushed her hair from her face. “Do you think you can work comfortably here today without stressing?” His face was scrunched with concern.

  “We’ll see. Sometimes, even under the worst of circumstances, I can bury myself in a manuscript and block out the world.” She licked her lips. “Although, I will say, I’ve never been stalked before by a crazy person who took lewd pictures of me and then threatened to pass them around if I didn’t stop dating some guy.”

  One side of his mouth quirked up in a half grin. “Some guy?” He yanked her closer until her ass barely rested on the edge of the counter. His hands wandered down her body, grabbed the hem of her T-shirt, and yanked it over her head before she knew what he was up to.

  His lips landed on a nipple the next second, knocking the wind out of her, and she arched into his mouth.

  “Some guy?” he muttered against her chest, slinking down her body, leaving a trail of kisses along her belly until he reached her panties. He clamped his mouth over her pussy and sucked through the thin lace.

  Sabrina moaned as her need grew fast. How did he have this power over her? She was supposed to be ticked with him still. But it was impossible to be very angry when he reached under her panties and finger fucked her hard.

  “You mean the guy who has you on the counter with your legs spread open and your pussy dripping wet with need? That guy?”

  “Yes,” she uttered breathily. She gripped his shoulders to keep from falling backward and banging her head on the mirror.

  “Mmm.” He hooked his fingers in the sides of her panties then and tugged them down, forcing her legs together to get them off.

  And then she was naked…on the counter…in the basement…of some friends of his she barely knew.

  And Conner dipped his face between her legs once again, grabbing her thighs and pressing them wide. His tongue plunged into her pussy, his nose bumping her clit.

  She didn’t have any purchase to thrust upward with her legs hanging down the sides of the counter. Completely at his mercy, she gasped as his fingers teased her clit and then pinched it. And then he traded his mouth for the fingers, sucking her swollen nub between his lips and fucking her pussy with three fingers.

  “Oh, God. Conner…” She stiffened as her arousal climbed fast. She needed him inside her. “Please…”

  He didn’t stop. In fact, he increased his efforts and thrust his hand harder. His breath landed across her wetness as he mumbled against her. “Come for me, baby. I need to taste you.”

  That was all it took. Her clit pulsed as he covered it with his mouth again. She dug her nails into his shoulders, unable to keep from marking him.

  If he noticed, he didn’t care.

  When she finally relaxed against him, he pulled back and smiled up at her. “Good morning.” He licked his lips.

  Sabrina nearly collapsed. Thank God she was holding on to him still, or she would have. She felt like Jell-O.

  Conner steadied her with both hands at her waist and lifted her off the counter. “You okay?” he asked as he set his forehead against hers.

  “No.”

  His smile widened. “Good. Then I’ve done my job.” He eased back. “I have to go. I’ll call you between classes. Text me if you need me.”

  She nodded. He was going to leave her there… Naked… Legs wobbly… Nowhere close to sated…

  She could hear him chuckling as he walked away.

  Sabrina took a deep breath and stepped over to the shower. The room was still filled with steam. She flipped the water back on and then shut the bathroom door.

  Might as well get some work done as long as I’m up anyway.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Conner took his seat in the dean’s office at eight thirty. She was alone this time.

  Dean Sheffield cleared her throat. “We got another round of e-mails this weekend.”

  “I bet you did.” Conner stiffened.

  “What makes you say that?” she asked.

  “I’ve had a pile of problems myself this weekend. It appears someone is stalking me. I had to go to the police yesterday.”

  “Oh, God. I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah, you and me both. And my girlfriend.” He pursed his lips. “Please tell me you didn’t receive pictures of us.”

  Dean Sheffield gritted her teeth in a wince. She opened a f
older, pulled out the top paper, and laid it in front of Conner.

  Conner slumped back in his chair in relief. It was the shot of the two of them in his car at the arena. “Is this the only one you got?”

  “Yes.” She cocked her head to one side and narrowed her gaze. “Are there others?”

  “There are. This one is harmless, but some are not. I would appreciate it if you didn’t open any attachments in the future. Trust me. You would regret it if some of the pictures I’ve seen are sent to you.”

  “Conner? Who’s the woman? The e-mail claims she’s a student. There’s no way for us to determine that from this picture. It’s too blurry and taken from too far away through a car window.”

  “You’re going to have to take my word for it. She’s not a student.” There was no reason to admit she had been. He wasn’t currently breaking any rules, so the point was moot.

  “Is she your girlfriend then?”

  “Yes. And I have no idea why someone’s trying to convince you I’m breaking any moral codes here. I am not. I never have been. Believe me, these people have plenty of other pictures that would give you a much better view of her face. They’ve chosen this one on purpose for some reason, probably because they either know she isn’t a student or aren’t positive.”

  “It would help if you told me who she is. That way we could at least eliminate the possibility.” Dean Sheffield leaned forward.

  Conner stared at her, making a decision. “I’d rather not.”

  “Why?”

  “Because she’s been through enough dealing with this. I don’t want her dragged into another interrogation. I’d rather leave her out of this.”

  Dean Sheffield blew out a breath. “That’s not very forthcoming, Dr. Bascott.”

  “I realize that. But my decision stands. She isn’t a student at this university. I don’t want her name being dragged through the dirt.”

  A few seconds of silence passed before Dean Sheffield spoke again. “What’s going on, Conner?”

  Ah, so now she wanted to get friendly and switch to his first name. “I don’t know. And I’m being honest when I say that.”

  “Someone wants to get you fired.”

  “That seems pretty obvious.”