Sweet Heat Rising (Thoroughbred Men Series) (9 page)

15

Matt drove her home in silence. His emotions were conflicted. He felt concerned about her, and felt helpless that he could not do more for her. He wanted to make love to her. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to help where he could, but didn't want to overstep any boundaries or make any mistakes with Sarah.

To him, she seemed to be as interested. She was magic to him and made him lose control like nothing else ever had. He could not stop thinking of her and it seemed so natural and effortless just being with her. They just ‘fit’ like two puzzle pieces.

As he pulled up to Sarah’s condo, he noticed something in her yard. Sarah did too. “What is that?” she said to him, noticing several colored spots on her lawn and up the concrete pathway to the landing of the condo. Sarah wondered if her yard had been ‘papered’ by kids in town now too? At this rate, she felt she needed to buy a Powerball ticket because Karma was bound to swing her way eventually!

“Stay here,” Matt said and got out of the car. He walked into the small yard of grass, knelt down, straightened back up and came back to the car quickly. As he got inside, he locked the doors and called the police on his cell phone.

“What’s going on?” Sarah said panicked, and started to open the door. She felt him grab her arm aggressively to stop her. She swatted at his hand, panic setting in quickly. She knew he wasn't Josh but the way he moved, instinct took over and she tried to get away. Her buckle held her tight.

Matt released her immediately at the panicked movements, thinking he might have hurt her. He was trying to make sure she didn't leave the car and head up to the door. “Sarah just please stay in the car! - Yes, police? I think there has been a break in at my girlfriend’s home.” He held his hand up at her for her to give him a second while he talked to the station on the phone.

Sarah hesitated and comprehended what she just heard him say over the phone. “What?” Sarah screeched, and looked around wildly. What was in the yard? How did he know that someone had broken in? She could not see much in the darkness and the lamplight from the front porch was a bit blinding and cast shadows all over the front of her small place.

Matt spoke with the police, gave the address and hung up the phone. His face was grim. He did not like the fact that this was too much, too coincidental with her problems at the bakery and the tires. He had a pretty good suspicion of a couple of people that could be blamed, just had nothing to prove it.

He was not a detective or a police officer, but it was not rocket science to put two and two together. “Sarah, honey, your door is cracked open and I think that spot on the lawn is clothing. I am not sure if it’s yours or not but your front door is definitely open right now,” he said quietly. His mind racing as they waited for the police to arrive.

Sarah was stunned. “Oh my God,” she said breathlessly. “Can we leave or pull down the road? I’m scared, Matt.” She felt herself slide down in the seat a bit, as if to hide. Did she need to put in a restraining order against Josh again? She had not heard from him in years and thought for sure things had moved on for both of them. She was terrified and felt herself shaking.

Matt started the car, pulled down the street, turned the car around so he could watch the condo and shut the car off again. He unbuckled and scooted closer to Sarah, who mimicked him. She unbuckled and met him in the middle.  He felt her tremor of fear and wanted to save his princess.

Sarah could feel herself losing control and felt such despair. “I just cannot believe this! My store, my car, and now my house?” she said shakily and started to cry. She felt like such a baby crying again but this was simply too much!

Matt held her gently until the police arrived. He exited the car with his hands clear where they could be seen as the police headed up to the small unit. They searched her house and came back out, took photos and walked over to the car where Sarah sat in the car, doors locked.

Matt rapped on the glass, opened the door and held out his hand to Sarah, as the officer asked her to step out of the car. “Ma’am, we are going to need some information from you and need you to walk through the house to see if anything is missing,” Sarah nodded silently, as she fought back tears.

As she walked up towards the condo, she saw the detective picking up the pink item that was in the yard. “Oh my gosh, how humiliating!” Sarah whispered. The detective was picking up her panties out of the grass of her condo. Why were they in the yard? She continued up to the door slowly, without a word and dreading each step. Her little place she worked so long and hard for!

She pushed open the front door and gasped. Her things were thrown everywhere! Clothing was strewn, her couch had massive rips in it and the cotton batting was sticking out. Plants knocked over and dirt on the floor, the back glass doorway was shattered, the shower was running in her bathroom and her bed had been slashed. The drawers of her dresser had been emptied everywhere. Her feather pillow had been shredded and down was still floating in the air. This had not happened long ago, she was lucky she was not home!

Sarah gagged heavily and clutched at her stomach. Who would do this to her? Why would they do this to her? Was it Josh? Could he be back in town? Was he still angry with her? She had so many unanswered questions.

Matt put a comforting arm on her shoulder and turned her towards him, embracing her. “Ma’am, do you know who did this? Do you see anything missing? Do you have someplace to stay so we can investigate?”

Sarah was devastated. “I don't know” she replied. “Who would do this to me? I thought maybe I once knew someone who could have done this, but it’s been years…” she said, her voice breaking. She was crushed at the amount of destruction and debris littering the floor of her home. She told the officers everything. The divorce, the attack on the pier, including her restraining order she had on him years ago.

Matt broke the embrace and pulled the officer aside whispering to him. “Can you check this set of prints and compare it to the prints they just took over at her bakery? She was just robbed and had her tires slashed too.” The officer nodded, and looked sympathetically at Sarah. “Ma’am, you need to stay somewhere else for a while until we catch this person and this gets cleaned up.”

Sarah nodded.

Matt escorted Sarah back into her room and grabbed a bag. He began picking up clothes from the floor and hallway, stuffing them into the sack. Sarah sat dumbfounded on the end of the bed staring off into space. He gathered up several items, moved to the bathroom and picked up toiletries. He reached down to turn off the shower and an officer stopped him quickly. “Don’t touch it yet. Wait, there could be prints on the handle.”  

Matt stepped back and gathered Sarah, guiding her to the front door. He gave his number to the officer and explained he was heading out with her to take her to his place. Sarah never said a word. She walked over to the car, got in and just sat there.

Matt placed the bag of clothes in the trunk of his car and sat in the driver seat. “Princess, are you going to be okay?” He was concerned. How much a person could take before they broke down? Yes, she had her moment of tears but the silence was deafening.

Sarah felt raw. “No, I'm not okay. My house has been ransacked and my panties were in the yard for everyone to see. That detective that picked them up? That was Jacob who used to pick on me in high school. Do you know how embarrassing it is to have him, and God knows who else, handle your panties,” she said angrily. “That was my place and my things, I work damn hard for it too” and burst out, wiping angry tears of frustration away from her eyes again.

Matt gathered her up again and kissed her hair. “Cmon, let’s take you to my place and get you comfy... you can see how the other side lives now,” he said jokingly as he watched her wipe her red nose indelicately.

Sarah shook her head. She would not take charity. She had started with nothing, and refused to accept the help. She could start again except this time she had her store to rely on. “You don't have to do this, I can stay at a hotel for a few or--” 

“No, you can stay with me so I know you are safe and can see you anytime I please,” he said reverently. “The last few days have been a rollercoaster of heaven and hell, I would like to spend some time with you. You are my heaven,” he said softly and kissed her knuckles lightly. “Let’s take this time to get to know each other a bit more. Unless you would prefer to go elsewhere?” he asked suddenly unsure.

Sarah did not want to burden any of her friends and she felt safe with Matt. If it was Josh, the last thing she wanted to do was to be caught alone or to feel unsafe. She wanted to hide away.

Matt drove towards his apartment silently. He pulled into the light parking lot a few minutes later, pulled under a lamp and turned off the car. He went around the vehicle, opened the door for her and popped the trunk, gathering her things. “I am on the third level so there is not anyone walking around above me. My place is the far side overlooking the park area.” Sarah followed him wordlessly up the flights of stairs and as he unlocked his apartment.

16

Matt flipped on the lights and grimaced. He could only imagine how his sparse apartment must look to her. Sarah’s apartment had been cozy with pillows, throws, plants and knickknacks everywhere, even if demolished now. His apartment had a couch and entertainment center in the living room. No decor on the walls, nothing to make it home. It was just a place to relax and rest so far and he had not done much to change that lately.

“Let’s give you the grand tour,” he said with a mocking flourish. “This is the television, over there is the kitchen and down the hallway is your room.” He started down the hallway, prepared to change the sheets, picking up as he moved down the hall. He wasn't a messy person, but also hadn't been home much.

Sarah protested and said she would take the couch. It was too good of him to open up his home and he had really done a lot for her in the short amount of time she had known him. She did not want to be a burden, nor take advantage of his protective nature. She just needed to stay for a day or so and she could easily stay on the couch.

Matt refused. “I am completely offended,” he said clutching his chest and smiled. He tried to lighten the mood. He stripped the bed and remade it with clean linens, opened the closet and got out a fresh blanket for her. “Sarah, why don't you have Tyler open up tomorrow since it is so late and maybe we can see if we hear something from the police?” he suggested quietly. He did not like the idea of her reaching out to Tyler. He was just as interested in Sarah as Matt was, the last thing Matt wanted to do was to turn her towards the competition.

Matt called his work and left message that he would not be in for his shift in the morning due to emergency and left his number on the recording. He did not want to leave her alone just yet. She seemed vulnerable and upset. “Can I get you anything?” he asked as she was texting.

Sarah looked up from her phone. “Nah, I am okay. Honestly! I feel angry, hurt, frustrated, but I will be okay,” she said, “Tyler said he would open up the store and asked where I was.” Tonight just seemed surreal. She had such a wonderful time earlier, was just crushed about her home being ransacked and now was allowing herself to be led to Matt’s home… and she was happy to be here. That was the most surprising thing! She had a few friends she could call, but she did not want to. She welcomed the idea of spending more time with Matt.

Matt said quickly, “Do not reply. Just tell him thank you. I do not think anyone needs to know where you are other than the police until they catch the person.” He knew he was being overly cautious, however he did not want to take any chances with her safety, if his hunch was correct. He suspected Tyler had taken the money, but he could not see him slashing her tires or ransacking her house.

Sarah nodded in agreement and finished her text to Tyler. She picked up the bag and headed towards the bedroom, put the bag on the bed and started to unpack it. She looked for something to lounge around in or sleep in. She had shirts, jeans, socks, underwear but there were several items missing or still at her apartment. “Can I borrow a T-shirt from you and maybe some shorts?” she asked embarrassed. “My nightgown isn't in the bag”

Matt smiled at her shyness. “Sure,” he said opening the closet and gesturing to Sarah. “Pick yourself out one, make yourself at home. You are welcome to anything here. Take your time, baby.  I’m going to change and get a beer. You want one?” He felt he could use one and the glass of wine from earlier had been nice and relaxing.

Sarah joked, “Got anything stronger?” She was half joking and half serious. She never got tipsy intentionally, however, she would welcome the escape of a few stiff drinks. It would enable her to sleep heavily tonight instead of thinking of her home, tossing and turning.

Matt was surprised by her comment but understood completely. “Sure, but you might regret it in the morning,” he said evilly with a wink, especially after saying she was a ‘light weight’ when it came to having a glass of wine. It had been a rough few days for her.

Sarah pushed at his chest and shut the door quietly. She grabbed a T-shirt from the closet and pulled herself out of her dress. She draped it across the end of the bed. She pulled a T-shirt overhead. She dug in her bag deeper trying to find shorts or a robe ...and came up empty. She opened each drawer of the dresser and settled on a pair of boxers and blushed furiously at the intimacy of it all. She pulled them on and frowned. The T-shirt didn't cover her bottom and if she was honest with herself? Neither did the boxers. They were pulled snug across the bottom and rode up high on her thighs. Sarah straightened up, pulled the shirt down as far as possible over her bottom, and took a deep breath. “Chin up, girl! Go get a drink and relax,” she whispered to herself and opened the bedroom door.

Matt was standing in the kitchen, shirtless and in running shorts. He had changed quickly in the bathroom into something he would be able to sleep in. He had no intention of putting her on the couch. He had decided she would take the bed and he would take the couch for himself.

Sarah admired the view. “Lucky,” she said, “you have running shorts.” She thought he was impressive to look at and she loved the way his shorts hung low on his hips. She could see a hint of a tan line just above the edge of his shorts and it intrigued her. She wanted to touch the tan line, and grinned at her own thoughts.

Matt whirled around and shut his eyes tightly as he attempted to be a perfect gentleman, but that had become hard to do quickly. “Oh my gosh, Sarah! That is the best those boxers have ever looked. A drink may be a bad idea,” he said strained. He cracked one eye open and groaned again as he saw that they were pulled tight in all the right places.

Sarah grinned and blushed at the same time. Oh, she definitely liked his reaction and it made her feel bold and powerful, not shy and reserved. Sarah walked over, ran her finger along the counter and hopped up on the barstool. “Whatcha serving on the menu tonight?” she said saucily and winked at him.

Matt almost groaned in defeat. He was trying so hard to be on his best behavior with her, but if she wanted to play? Two could play this game, he thought. “Tequila,” and spun around to grab the bottle from the top of the fridge. If it was a bad idea to have a drink, but she was game? He was going all in! He would forgo the beer. He put the bottle down in front of her with a thud and grabbed two small juice glasses from the cabinet. “Sorry, no shot glasses and honestly the tequila was a house warming present from Jeff at work when I moved in.” Matt pulled off the plastic, pulled the cork and opened the bottle. He poured a smidgen in each glass and handed one to Sarah.

“A toast, to our chance meeting,” he said with a smile and clinked her glass. Best day he had in quite a long time, he thought. It was the happiest he had been, as he looked at her smiling face.

Sarah agreed happily. “To us meeting,” and threw back the tequila like a pro. She then began hacking loudly. “My goodness that is rough to drink!” The clear liquor scalded a path down to her stomach and sent warmth through her body. She shuddered and held her eyes shut for a moment, scrunching her nose.

Matt laughed at her expression. “Actually, this is a pretty good bottle, from what I understand, and it’s supposed to go down smooth,” and drank his with a shake of his head. He squinted, and cracked open one eye at her, winced and said, “Yep, that is a bit rough.” He laughed as she stuck out her glass again for a refill.

“A toast!” she said, “To our first and second dates...and third, fourth, fifth, sixth,” she said happily with a wink at him. She wanted to make her intentions known. She was very interested in keeping their relationship going. She was happy to see him grin broadly as he poured a serving again into both small juice glasses.

Matt was hooked. She was perfect for him. “Here! Here!” he said heartily. They clinked the juice glasses together again, took a shot and made faces at each other. They laughed at their expressions. Matt refilled their glasses with a splash in each and raised his own glass. “A toast! To catching the person who did all this tonight?” he said, meaning every word. He sincerely hoped it was sooner rather than later. He loved her company but feared for her at the same time.

She winced as she heard him bring up the night’s events, however she also heartily agreed! “Hear! Hear!” she replied, banged glasses with him again, and they both drank. She wanted the stress to end and she wanted the person who did it to be held accountable.

Matt refilled both glasses again. He was a bit unsteady, and smiled happily at her. He saw how the T-shirt clung to her body and admired it boldly. He was glad to see she had not taken offense to him looking at her.  She just beamed at him lazily and held her glass. He watched as Sarah started to take a sip and he said, “Oh no, you don’t!  You haven't toasted yet,” he said, teasing her.

Sarah gave a little snort. “Oh, I think I’m getting toasted all right,” she said with a giggle and held her glass up high towards him. “To hot dates?” she said saucily. She attempted to bump his glass and missed completely.

Matt chuckled at her confused expression. She looked stumped that she had missed his glass for the toast. “To hot dates, baby!”  He grabbed her wrist guiding her, held the glass carefully and tapped it for her. “May there be many, many more … and much, much hotter!” he said with a lecherous smile.

She said loudly, “Hear! Hear!” and threw back the tequila. Sarah started to ask for another refill, and stopped suddenly. Everything went lop sided. She was distinctly tipsy, if not bordering on drunk. That tequila was really strong and she honestly couldn't handle alcohol regardless of what kind it was. Sarah put the glass down and shook her head fuzzily to clear it.

Matt watched her carefully, feeling a slight buzz himself. He tried to steady her as she slid off the barstool and attempted to stand. Matt grabbed her and helped her stand as her knees started to collapse from the alcohol. She giggled against him, which in turn made him laugh at her expression. Her eyes weren't quite focused and she was definitely feeling the effects of the booze. She twined her arms around his neck and reached up to kiss him...and missed his mouth. He laughed again loudly and said, “C’mon, princess, you are gonna be feeling this in the morning.”

Sarah laughed heartily and pushed away from him, wobbly. “You’re gonna be feeling this.” She pulled back, mocked and grabbed her chest rearing back unsteadily. Matt just stared. Each hand held a globe, her fingers were fully splayed across each luscious breast. She held her chest naughtily and sashayed towards the couch. She attempted to toss a haughty look over her shoulder when she tripped over her own feet. She fell face first, whimpering.  Matt hurried over to help her. Sarah rolled over on the floor and looked blankly up. “I am not feeling so good,” she whispered and shut her eyes. “I am afraid I am gonna fall off the carpet,” she slurred.

Matt grinned at her response. She thought she would fall off the carpet? He moved to grab a trash can for her ‘just in case’ she needed it during the night. “Why don't you stay there for just a bit and make sure you do not fall?” he smirked lazily.

Sarah didn't respond to him, she just continued to just lie there with her eyes closed. “Sarah, are you okay,?” he asked carefully placing the can next to her and grabbed the comforter off the bed in his room. He draped the blanket over her still form lying on the floor in the living room and moved to put a small pillow under her head.

Sarah groaned loudly and whispered, “No moving.” Her eyes clamped tightly shut. “Did I happen to mention that I can’t hold my booze?” she muttered. Her stomach was rebelling and her mind was spinning.  She thought he smelled so good and felt so warm when he touched her. She sighed in contentment, eyes still pinched shut.

Matt sat down next to her on the floor and smoothed her hair back from her forehead. “You did mention that, I just didn't realize or think that it might hit you that hard. You are not going to be happy with me in the morning” he said with a wry grin. The bottle on the counter was halfway gone and she was an adorable drunk.

Matt leaned over and kissed her lightly, however, she did not respond. She was sound asleep and did not move at all. It was probably a good thing and she could use the rest. He was sure the anxiety and stress was affecting her cause she was beside herself with worry about the bakery and the tires... compounded with the break in? It was a wonder that she was not completely hysterical and showed that she was a fighter. She had a strong core to her.

Matt attempted to pick her up and move her to the couch. Sarah groaned in protest but did not open her eyes. He lifted her carefully and gently set her down. He placed the can next to the couch and tucked the comforter around her. He admired the way the shirt was snug across her breasts and he could see the outline of her nipples. He looked away, feeling like a creep looking at her while she was out. He wanted to see her expression when he took his time admiring and touching her body. He could be patient.

Matt could not leave her on the floor. That just went against everything in him. He wanted to take her to the bedroom and put her on the bed to rest, but was tipsy himself and the last thing he wanted to do was to drop her or bump into the wall with her bodily. Matt walked down the hallway to the bedroom, grabbed another pillow and the flat sheet off the bed and lay down on the floor, next to her on the couch to rest.