Page 3 of Protect Me

“Back at you.”He disconnects the call.

I glance around me on the highway and realize there is nobody behind me.I pull into the right lane, slow a bit, open the window, and with an apology to my life’s information on that cell phone, toss the piece of metal onto the side of the road.

A little while later, I’ve left the car in a dark corner of long-term parking, walked quickly to the nearest taxi stand in the airport, and given the driver Shane Landon’s address.

I ought to be nervous about seeing him again, but I can’t concentrate on anything but the stranger who wanted to trap me in my lab—and wonder what he’d have done with me if he had.

I shiver in the back of the cab, touching the locket on my neck for comfort.

“Want me to turn on the radio?”the driver offers.

“No.Thank you.”I just want to get to my destination so I can have the time to think and sort out the situation in my mind.

Finally, he pulls in front of a gorgeous home that is obviously new construction.I pay the driver the money I pulled out of my wallet—all the cash I have on me, and I am grateful I didn’t have to ask the man to wait so I could get money from Shane.

I step out of the cab, shut the door, and the taxi speeds off, leaving me feeling open and exposed.I rush to the front door, looking over my shoulder constantly, and ring the bell, followed by some banging with my hand.

A car door slams in the distance, and I jump a good ten feet, immediately banging my knuckles on the door again.

Obviously, Shane isn’t home, but just as clearly, I can’t stand out here, causing a scene.Nor do I want to be out in the open.I don’t think anyone followed me from the lab.They’d have shown themselves by now if they did, right?But still, I don’t want to take any chances.

I saw a gate around the side of the house when the cab pulled up, so maybe I can hide in his backyard until he returns.I glance around.Still no sign of cars or neighbors.

I follow the walkway toward the driveway, then head to the gate around back.Tall wooden fencing blocks anyone from seeing in—or out—which affords me the protection I need, as long as the lock is open.

I reach for the latch…and bingo.I expel a long sigh of relief as I push the heavy slats open and step inside, shutting the gate and clicking it closed behind me.

Alone in the big backyard, with a large in-ground pool in front of me, I feel my shoulders sag at the respite from the panic that has been accompanying me for the last hour.I’m not out of danger, but at least I am marginally safe.

I exhale hard and start for the patio chairs, planning to sit and catch my breath, when a deep thrum of music coming from the other side of the lawn catches my attention.The tunes play from speakers attached to the house.

I follow the sound to an outdoor shower stall.The swinging door is open wide, and Shane Landon stands inside, water sluicing down his tanned, muscular, completely naked body.His face is turned up toward the shower head, eyes closed, as he soaps up that glorious skin with his hands.

For a brief moment, the fear I’ve been running from evaporates, and all I can concentrate on is him.His dark hair, wet from the shower, his biceps bulging as he rinses off, the tattoos on his chest, and as my gaze travels lower to his impressive package, my own body comes to life.My nipples pucker into tight points, arousal pulsing through my veins.I stare unabashedly until—

“What the fuck?”He slams the shower off and storms toward me, dripping wet, no towel in sight.

Obviously, my brother hasn’t been able to reach him.He’s been indisposed… and the events of the morning come flooding back.Chris’s frightened call, finding my lab empty, my work gone, hiding from a man who wanted to trap me.It is like a thriller movie, but I am the one on the run, and this is my life.

The adrenaline that guided me this far leaves me in a rush.

“Shane,” I say, my voice shaking.

“Talia?”He stares at me in disbelief.

“I need you.”I take one step, and my knees buckle.

He steps forward and catches me before I hit the ground, his big, hard, naked body protecting mine with strength and heat.

Chapter Two

Shane

Igrab Taliabefore her knees give out and pick her up, carrying her to the reclining chairs where she can sit…and I can wrap myself in a towel.My dick is already reacting to having her in my arms, a warm, soft woman who smells damned good.

She isn’t passed out cold, she just collapsed due to falling adrenaline, something I’ve seen many times before on the force and in my work with security firms.

But why the fuck is she here now?