Stripped Defenseless (11 page)

* * * * *

Poppy
perked up when she saw Kade stepping out of his hotel room with a duffle bag in
his grasp. It was hard to tell if he looked guilty or innocent from across the
street, but his head was bowed and his step was quick.

He
shoved his bag onto the floor of his shiny, blue truck and relocked it. Next,
he traveled two rooms over and disappeared inside.

Where
was Ava?

She
hadn’t answered the door.

The
same overpowering curiosity Poppy’s mama used to warn her about was rearing its
ugly head, and there was nothing she could do about it.

She
exited the car and made her way across the street.

* * * * *

Kade
found a backpack and a plastic grocery bag in Ava’s dresser. He grabbed them
and opened the second drawer. Inside were an array of panties, one pair of
jeans, two skirts, a sweater, tennis shoes, a tattered novel, and a T-shirt.

He
scooped up everything and shoved it into the backpack.

The
bathroom contained a sparse amount of makeup and personal items. Everything
went into the plastic bag. He wasn’t going to leave any scent of her behind.
Not even the stupid brown contacts.

He
scanned the entire hotel room, but there was nothing else. Not even a picture
of a family member or an old friend, and Kade couldn’t help but wonder if she’d
had any. And if they missed her.

Like
he was going to. How could he not?

He
took a moment to roll his tense shoulders and then locked the door behind him.
A flash of blonde hair and long legs from the corner of his eye startled him
out of his stupor. He turned quickly to see Poppy standing in front of the soda
vending machine that stood between his and Ava’s room.

Shit.

It
wasn’t like him to be so careless by not scoping out the area beforehand. Thank
God it was only the scatterbrained blonde from the club.

She
pressed the button on the machine but nothing came out. “Oh, shoot. I think
it’s broken,” she said, clearly lying. She turned toward Kade and her gaze
swept over him. “Do you have a dollar so I can try it again?”

 Annoyed,
Kade cleared his throat and dug into his pocket to pull out a crinkled bill.
“Here.” He handed it over and tried to walk around her.

“Where’s
Ava?” she asked, stopping him in his tracks.

“Sleeping.”
The less he said the better.

“Why
do you have her stuff?”

“She
asks. I deliver.”

“That’s
nice of you. Are you sharing a room then?”

“Yep.”
He nodded and took another step away. “See you around. Good luck with the
soda.”

“Wait.”

Damn
it. This unexpected delay was beginning to get on his nerves. It was the last
thing he needed before the long drive home.

Poppy
closed the small distance between them. “I can see why Ava likes you.” She
reached out and slipped her hand under his T-shirt, resting it on his stomach.
“You’re hot.” She stared up at him with large green eyes and a pink-glossed
smile.

“Thanks,
but I have to go—”

“Why
the rush? She’s sleeping. We can have a lot fun before she wakes.”

“Mmm...tempting,”
Kade said, trying to sound sincere. “But—”

One
of her cold fingers dipped inside his jeans. He cringed and was about to step
back, but an older model sedan pulled up beside his truck and slammed on the
brakes.

Jarred.
What the hell did he want?

Kade
soon found out when Poppy hurried to yank her hand back.

“Pop,
get the fuck in the car. What are you doing?” The large white bandage on his
nose made him seem even more pathetic, and Kade almost felt sorry for the guy.
Nah,
he got what he deserved.

Seeming
flustered, Poppy slipped the dollar into her bra and sprinted to the car,
leaving Kade to finish business.

Thank
God.

Ava
was still sleeping soundly when he returned. Considering the dose he’d given
her, she’d be asleep for at least another ten hours.

More
than enough time to get them to his cabin.

* * * * *

Poppy
didn’t know what bothered her more—not finding out what was really happening
with Kade and Ava or getting caught by Jarred with her fingers in Kade’s pants.

She
figured she might as well deal with the issue at hand.

“I
wasn’t going to do anything with him” She leaned toward Jarred as he sped down
the street.

He
shrugged and kept his eyes on the road. “Why would I give a shit?”

She
ignored him. His words didn’t sting like they used to. “I think he’s going to
do something to Ava. I was just trying to find out what.”

Jarred
began to laugh but winced and brought his fingers up to his nose. “Goddamn it.
I hope he does do something to that bitch, and whatever it is, I hope it hurts
like a motherfucker.”

Poppy
sat back in her seat. “Why didn’t you call the police on her?” she asked in a
soft voice. The question was sure to anger him, but she needed to know the
truth.

“And
tell them that a hundred and nothing pound woman broke my nose so they can
laugh in my face?” He hit the steering wheel with his fist. “Fuck that.”

“You
hit her back.” Poppy dared to remind him and braced for war.

He
glared at her from the corner of his eye. A small threat from a large man.
“Drop it, okay?”

“Sure.”
She knew his breaking point and had no intention of crossing it. Not tonight.

Instead,
she allowed herself to wonder if this man was really who she wanted to spend
the rest of her life with. Sure, he’d practically saved her life. And he could
afford a nice ring...and that house on Bluebird. But did she love him?

She
shook the recurring cynical thoughts out of her head. Love was a distant
fantasy. It didn’t happen to people like her.

He
pulled up in front of the club and hit the brakes. “Let’s go inside. I’ll show
you what a real man feels like.”

Poppy
doubted it, but she followed him in anyway, thinking maybe it was one step closer
to getting what she wanted.

* * * * *

Kade
was exhausted when he finally pulled up to the cabin at dawn. A snowstorm must
have blown in ahead of him. There was at least two feet up against the log
walls and the front door.

Inside
was probably freezing. He needed to get in there and start a fire before Ava
woke up.

He
looked down at the petite, bundled up body stretched out on the seat next to
him. Her long auburn hair splayed across his lap. He’d had the urge to run his
fingers through her tresses for most of the trip. The act was soothing...but
stupid. Very stupid.

If
he wanted to move on with his life and his career, he’d have to keep his
distance from her. Which was easier said than done.

He
was so exhausted, all he wanted to do was carry her to his bed and wrap her in
his arms. Feel the warmth from her body against him. Run his fingers over the
soft suppleness of her skin. Inhale her fresh, lively scent.

Lord,
he wanted to make love to her again, but he couldn’t.

He
left her in the heated truck while he went inside and prepared a fire in both
the living room and bedroom.

There
was only one bed. It was king-sized and large enough for the both of them. She
couldn’t deny him that. Besides, she was already going to want to kill him for
everything else he’d done.

Lying
to her, drugging her, kidnapping her, and now holding her against her will.

It
was pointless to try to salvage his morality now.

He
trudged back out into the snow and gathered her in his arms. Her body was limp
as he carried her inside, to his bedroom, and placed her gently onto the bed.
His bed.

His
heart constricted at the sight of her there. He never brought women to his
bedroom, not even Lucy, but somehow this seemed right. He could easily imagine
waking in the night and drawing her close, wrapping her up safe in his arms.
Protecting her. Feeling her soft flesh bumped up against him, her warm steady
breath on his skin.

One
beam of light from the rising sun pierced the room and lit it up. It was too
bright so Kade pulled the shade down, instantly darkening the room enough to
create shadows on the wall from the crackling fire.

He
spread her dark coppery hair out on the white pillow and wondered for a moment
what she looked like with her natural blonde color. Too bad he wasn’t going to
be able to see that. After everything was said and done, she’d leave here angry
and hating him, never wanting to see him again. Which, of course, was for the
best.

At
least she would be safe. At least she’d be alive and well and not at the hands
of some maniacal dickhead. But for now, while she was in his home, he’d take
care of her, make sure she was comfortable.
Protect her.

The
room was warm enough to get her out of her jeans and sweater. He worked with
the tiny buttons and slid her top off, exposing her bare breasts.

She
stirred slightly and one of her hands brushed her budding nipple.

He
grew hard at the sight.
I’m such a bastard.

But
he couldn’t stop now. She needed to sleep comfortably, he told himself as he
tugged her jeans off and then took in the full view of her body. Creamy skin.
Ample, perky breasts. Rosy pink nipples. Supple, curvy hips. Flat, smooth
stomach. Her skimpy red panties that barely covered her—

Snap
out of it.
Kade
tucked her under the safety of the comforter and forced himself to the bathroom.
He splashed his face with ice-cold water but still couldn’t relieve himself of
the desire that was imbedded in him.

It’s
not right.

He’d
known that from the very moment he’d realized she was his target. But that
hadn’t changed his feelings for her, how she tempted him. How he never wanted
to let her go.

He
showered and brushed his teeth, trying to erase the image of her body lying
naked on his bed.

Nothing
could happen. Not tonight. Not again.

Chapter Six

The
fire was slowly burning out, but Kade didn’t dare move, afraid he’d wake her.
He’d tried with all his might to keep to his side of the bed, but after all her
tossing and turning, she ended up with her supple, curvy backside butted up
against his swollen cock.

He
was cornered and growing more lustful by the minute.

So
much for getting some sleep before she woke up.

After
wiping the beads of perspiration from his forehead, he attempted to ease her
body away from his aching erection. He gripped her hips and slowly urged her
forward.

“Mmm.”
She moaned and smiled in her sleep. “Don’t stop.”

Oh,
shit.

Her
fingers intertwined with his, and together they slid slowly up to her breast.

Stop.
Wake her up. Tell her what’s going on.

Her
skin was soft, her nipples hard. She pressed her hand against his, and Kade couldn’t
help but cup her supple flesh. She moaned again.

Breathe.

“Touch
me,” she mumbled and pulled his hand down, down, down. She opened her legs
enough for both of their hands to fit cozily up against her lace-covered pussy.
Warm, inviting.

And
mine.

He
couldn’t let her go. Wouldn’t. She’d have to forgive him. God, he hoped she
would.

Eagerly,
he shoved her hand out of the way and slipped his fingers under the elastic
band of her panties. He spread her smooth folds, and dipped two fingers into
her wetness. She was cream and silk at his fingertips. So wet and hungry for
his touch, even in her hazy state of sleep.

“
Yes
.”
Her bottom angled back against his throbbing cock. Her juicy walls clenched
tightly against his fingers while he kneaded them into her.

She
maneuvered her hand under his arm and into his boxers, rubbing against him
lightly, making him pulse with want. All blood drained from his brain and shot
straight to where she massaged him.

Small
moans mixed with pants rose up in her half-asleep body. She must have thought
they were still in the hotel room...and he was still a normal guy she’d simply
stumbled upon. Unfortunately, neither was the case.

He
removed her hand from his throbbing cock, and she quickly moved it up to caress
his face.

“I
need you, Ava,” he whispered into her ear as he circled his fingers along her
clit. “I want you so much it’s killing me not to have you. Do you understand
that?”

She
grinned and sluggishly tugged at her panties. “Take them off.” Her voice was a
husky whisper. “Please.”