The hairs on the back of Crystal Kincaid’s neck tingled. Goosebumps puckered her arms. She stopped dead in her tracks, right there on the main street of one of the small, Texas Hill Country towns west of Austin and San Antonio. A few steps later, her companions paused and looked back. Curiosity and concern furrowed their brows.
So much for a relaxing shopping trip with her cousins’ wives.
“Crystal, what’s wrong?” Lauren asked, reaching out her hand.
“Sweetheart, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Ashley closed the gap between them and slipped an arm around Crystal’s waist.
“Is it him?” Fiona asked as she scanned the street.
The pressure binding Crystal’s chest lessened. How had she gotten so lucky? Her friends—family by marriage—were ready to do battle for her. She’d grown up with their husbands Nate, Zach, and Josh. Her dad and their dad were brothers, and the two ranches shared a property line.
“It’s nothing. I just had a funny feeling. Nerves?” Crystal lifted one shoulder and hoped her smile looked rueful. “Ever since Jonathan started his campaign to win me back, I’ve been jumpy. Maybe I shouldn’t have put so much jalapeno salsa on my enchilada?”
“You make light of it, but Jonathan’s behavior worries me. And that campaign… is called stalking,” Lauren, Nate’s wife, said. “Even though you only dated him a few times, he’s not taking no for an answer. I still think you should contact the police.”
“It’s stopped since I changed my phone number and moved to Austin.” Crystal shifted the shopping bag she carried to her other hand. “If it starts up again, I promise I’ll alert the police. Most likely, he’s lost interest.”
“Hmmm…” Lauren didn’t sound convinced.
“You’re welcome to stay with Josh and me whenever you want,” Fiona said. “We’ve got plenty of room and would feel better knowing you’re not alone.”
Crystal squeezed Fiona’s hand. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine.” She smiled at each of her friends. “Really.” Casually brushing her golden-brown hair from her face, she glanced up and down the street. The feeling she was being watched hadn’t gone away, and her stomach tightened.
Unable to suppress a gasp, Crystal swallowed hard as she spotted the man across the street. Like marionettes, her friends’ heads swiveled to follow her gaze. Together they eyed the tall, dark-haired man with the military cut. No sharp angles or chiseled features formed his face but there was nothing soft about him. He possessed a body that had obviously seen tough conditioning, and an attitude that screamed ‘don’t mess with me’. He was leaning against the wall across the street.
Ashley, Zach’s wife, placed a hand on her very pregnant belly and whispered, “Who is that?”
“Cam.” Crystal’s voice sounded like she was in church. Hushed. Reverent. She couldn’t see his deep brown eyes from this distance but sensed them boring in to her with the intensity of the business end of a gun. She’d heard her childhood friend—and the boy she’d had a crush on for as long as she’d been interested in boys—was back in the area but seeing him caught her by surprise.
“Wait a minute,” Fiona leaned close and their cheeks brushed. “That’s Cam? Josh’s best friend Cam? Josh and Dave had drinks with him the other night.”
Crystal’s knees felt like mush and butterflies batted against her heart. “Yes. One third of the triple threat.” A chuckle escaped past the hand covering her mouth. “Josh, Dave, and Cam. They were inseparable.” Raising her arm, she motioned him to join them.
Pushing off from the wall, he crossed the street, his gait not as smooth as it used to be.
Her throat constricted. She knew he’d lost a leg in Afghanistan and hadn’t been out of Walter Reed that long. Hearing about his injury was one thing. Seeing him made it real.
Stopping in front of her, she thought at first he might hug her but he shoved one hand in the pockets of his well-fitting jeans instead. “Hey Caramel, how’re ya doing?” In what she read as an involuntary movement, his knuckles gently grazed her cheek, and his smile actually reached his eyes. That lasted about two seconds before his expression shuttered and his hand fell to his side. Still treating her like a kid sister.
Fiona mouthed, Caramel?
The raised brows of her three friends told her she might as well explain. “From the time I was little, I followed Josh and his friends around like an awkward puppy. Cam kept a supply of caramels, my favorite candy, in his pocket, doling them out when I needed cheering. He started calling me Caramel, and the nickname stuck.” She shook her head and smiled as pleasant memories flowed past, slow and easy like a summer creek. Cam had always been her knight in shining armor. “I don’t know how you guys put up with me all those years.”
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth and he ducked his head. “You and your million questions were a burden.” He grunted when she punched his arm. “But you kept us out of trouble…” He grinned. “Mostly.” His face sobered. “You haven’t answered my question. How’re you doing?”
Ashley put a hand on Crystal’s arm. “It looks like you two have some catching up to do, and I need to get home.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Ashley, Zach’s wife. I hate to run, but it was nice to meet you.”
Lauren and Fiona each introduced themselves and which Kincaid brother was their husband.
Cam shook each of their hands. “Nice meeting each of you. Those Kincaid men are lucky bas—” Cam cleared his throat. “Devils. Fiona, I’ll see you this weekend. Josh invited me over for a barbeque.”
“He did, did he?” Fiona put a hand on her hip and pointed a finger at Cam. “Someone who has his buddy’s back would text his friend and suggest he pick up flowers for his wife.” With a final wave, the trio turned and strolled off.
Chuckling Cam said, “Josh has his hands full with that one.”
The warmth of the affection she felt for each of her cousins and their wives, created a warm bubble in her chest. “None of my cousins are going to get anything past their wives.”
Nodding, Cam stepped closer and hooked one finger with hers lifting her hand. “Let’s go get some coffee and talk.”
His touch sent a jolt of electricity up her arm, and heat tinged her cheeks. “I know you’ve talked to Josh so assume you’ve heard about the unwanted attention I’m getting.”
“I’d say unwanted is an understatement.” He took the shopping bag she carried. “You moved from San Antonio to Austin. You changed your phone number, got a new email address, and deleted all your social media.”
She felt his scrutiny and offered a feeble smile. “I was going to move anyway because I got a teaching job with the Austin School district that I’d applied for last year.” Sucking in a cleansing breath, Crystal continued, “I’d be lying if I said this situation didn’t spook me. The uncertainty of never knowing when he’d show up, the creepiness of constantly being tracked…” She shuddered, and Cam slung an arm across her shoulders just as he stumbled.
Every muscle in his body coiled tighter than the spring on her garden gate—the one that slapped her in the butt if she didn’t move quickly enough. Helplessly, she watched his face contort into humiliation and anger before he schooled it into determination.
“Sorry, I’m still getting used to this thing.” He slapped his left leg. “My physical therapist says it will be a while before I can run a full marathon, but she swears I can do it.”
“You’ve always done anything you set your mind to.” She paused, “You rarely let anything stop you.” This must be killing him. He’d always been so athletic. Horseback riding. Helping her cousins herd cattle on her uncle’s ranch, as well as her own. Even a little bronc riding thrown in because that’s what Texas boys did.
His jaw clenched then he worked it like someone had punched him. “I’m not going to let this,” –again he slapped his leg— “slow me down. I’m jogging up to three miles a day now.” He held the door and ushered her inside the small, old-fashioned coffee shop. “Also got a motorcycle, so I can ride with Josh and Dave.”
Her head whipped around. “Isn’t that dangerous? The three of you horsing around?” She clamped her mouth shut because she’d almost added, given your situation.
Cam shrugged and he held out a chair for her. “You still take your coffee with lots of cream… or are you in to those fancy latte things?”
“Regular coffee is fine and yes, I still like lots of cream.” She started to rise. “Can I help?”
He put a hand on her shoulder and eased her back. “I can do it.” His voice held an edge, sharp and pointy as a spear.
“I know you can.” She patted the table. “I’ll wait right here.” Sighing she watched him walk toward the counter. Unlike her father, Cam hadn’t given up. He seemed determined to figure out a way forward.
****
Cameron Rodriguez, you’re an idiot. He wanted to bang his head against the wall and let the pain consume him. He should have kept his distance like he’d planned. But there she’d been. Soft curls hanging to the middle of her back, tousled by the mild breeze. Her sweet oval face pinched with worry as she talked to her friends. She’d tried to be casual, but he’d seen her scanning the street, that lithe body of hers ready to take flight. What else could he do but go to her? Look after her, like he’d done all his life?
Who was he kidding? He’d lost his leg over a year ago. Now he was half a man. Was he still capable of protecting her? He’d have to do what he’d always done… love her from afar and remind himself that she deserved so much more than someone whose own father had left as soon as he was born. A disappointment from day one.
After placing their order, he stepped to the side to wait. Watching her, bent over her phone, he admired the understated beauty she’d become. No longer the gangly kid, all arms and coltish legs. More than anything though, it was her empathy and basic decency that drew him to her. After her dad’s accident, she’d stepped up—probably more than she should have at her young age—and shouldered a big chunk of responsibility for running her family’s ranch. He’d done what he could to ease her burden. Helping with roundups and small repairs when he could. She’d let so much of her childhood pass her by. He’d seen her stoic in the face of her father’s bitterness but also saw the pain and guilt she’d tried to hide.
The mugs clinked as he removed them from the tray and set them on the table along with a piece of blueberry pie and two forks. “It looked too good to pass up,” he said, feeling like a randy teenager trying to impress her.
“I probably shouldn’t splurge on the calories, but you always could talk me into stuff. Remember when you guys went cliff diving at the old quarry?” she asked picking up a fork. “You held my hand and jumped with me. That was the only reason I had the courage.”
Cam chuckled. “Yeah, I do. I’m sure they heard your scream in the next county.” He wrapped his lips around a bite of pie. “Josh said he talked you into riding with him on his motorcycle. Gotta say that piece of news shocked the hell out of me. You’ve always played it so safe.”
She turned a pensive gaze on him. “I knew Josh wouldn’t take any chances with me on his bike.” Her lips lifted in a grin. “Once I relaxed, it was exciting. I realized how much I’ve missed. Maybe it’s time to live with a little more boldness.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You deserve to have fun.” He took a sip of his coffee. “So why were you shopping here today? Isn’t this a little out of the way?” Watching her smile disappear into the shadows, he gripped his fork until his knuckles whitened.
“Jonathan owns an insurance agency in our hometown and lives nearby. I didn’t want to chance running into him. Since we all came from different directions, this was a good middle ground.” Her lips pinched together as she shrugged. “Besides, Ashley wanted to visit a furniture-maker here to talk about something for the baby’s room.” She chased a bite of pie around the plate.
Cam’s pulse pounded in his ears and anger burned in his gut. “So, basically this guy has turned your life upside down.” He put down his coffee and covered her hand with his. “What’s he doing that scares you so much?”
She shrugged and a surge of protectiveness swept over Cam. “Crystal.” He squeezed her hand and gentled his voice. “I’d like to help. Talk to me.”
Inhaling deeply, she looked down at the table. “At first, it was just annoying. Constant phone calls—like twenty a day—begging me to take him back. When I stopped answering, he left messages. Those messages and emails became more desperate. When he showed up at the preschool where I worked, I got really nervous. I’d die if anything happened to one of the children.”
Her voice came out on a sigh. “According to Lauren—she’s a psychologist—Jonathan’s behavior is typical of an obsessive stalker. Even though we only dated a few times, he fixated on me.” She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. He felt the familiar pull of longing, the one he needed to suppress. “I’d always assumed a stalker had a relationship with his victim, but apparently that’s not always the case. Stalkers have been known to pick their victims at random because there’s something about them that triggers the stalker’s desire to possess.”
Her free arm gripped her waist and Cam wanted to toss a chair through the window. His army training pushed those emotions to a place where he could deal with them later. Now, his mind focused like a diamond cutter on the issue at hand. “Even though you haven’t heard from him in a while, you’re afraid he might have found you?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling in the last few days. Like I’m being watched.” Crystal pinched the bridge of her nose.
Crystal moistened her lips and Cam’s gut clenched as he tracked the movement of the tip of her tongue.
“Enough about me,” she said. “How in the world did you end up here today?”
“My mom’s set to retire soon, and I’m looking for a house for her. A couple of friends live here, and it’s close enough to Austin that I can visit often. I’d just finished looking at a few properties and was mulling over which to show her when I saw you.” He smiled and when she returned it, a weight lifted off his chest. She didn’t have to know he’d heard she’d be here today and wanted to make sure she’d be safe.
“Your mom is lucky to have you,” Crystal said.
“I’m glad I’m in a position to do something to make her life easier. She’s worked hard all her life and sacrificed so much for me. It’s hard being a single mom.” He heard the gruffness in his voice but was pleased that Crystal thought well of him.
Crystal glanced at her watch as he put the last bite of pie in his mouth. “Wow, it’s getting late. I need to get going.” She slid her hand from under his. “Since we both live in Austin now, we should get together sometime.” They exchanged phone numbers and emails.
Cam stood and held her chair for her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. When they reached her car, Crystal gasped. His arms instinctively went around her, and she buried her face in his chest. Scrawled on the hood of her car in thick, black marker were the words, You’re Mine.
“I’ve been so careful. How did he track me down?” The pressure felt like she’d dived one hundred feet below the ocean’s surface. If Cam hadn’t been here, she’d have taken off and kept running until her lungs couldn’t draw another breath and her legs couldn’t move. She wiped her tear-stained cheeks against his soft cotton t-shirt, feeling the hard muscle beneath as she drew Cam’s scent deep into her lungs. If only staying in his embrace could make Jonathan disappear.
“He probably followed one of your friends, figuring they’d eventually lead him to you.” She felt him raise his head and look around. “Small town like this… hopefully someone noticed something.” Cam placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face until the only thing she could see was his dark eyes. “You do know we need to go to the police?”
Crystal nodded, pulled her cell phone out of her purse, and snapped a few photos. By the time they’d visited the police department, the sun had set. While the police understood her concern and sympathized with her plight, legally, it was only a case of vandalism. She couldn’t prove Jonathan did it and not some kid.
“I’d hoped to be home before dusk,” Crystal glanced at the darkening sky. “I try to avoid being out after dark by myself.” She smiled and tried to put on a brave face, even though her stomach had turned in to a hard ball.
“You’re not going to be by yourself. I’m following you home.” Cam’s tone brooked no argument.
“You really don’t have to go to all that bother. I’m sure you have a million other things to do.”
“It’s no bother. It’s what friends do. Chances are he’s around hoping to follow you home.” Cam lightly grasped her upper arms. “If I’m trailing you, it will be much harder for him to go undetected.” He bent his head so his face was even with hers. “Let me do this.”
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Thanks.” She drew a deep breath and set her chin. “My insides are quaking, so I appreciate the company.” She put a hand to her stomach.
Slowly his lips met hers. Gentle. Careful. Reassuring. The kiss was hardly more than a breath, but it was everything she’d ever dreamed a kiss from Cam would be. The power and integrity of the man touched her soul in that brief moment. “My truck’s on the next block. Drop me off there and I’ll follow you.”
A car did try to follow them, but on the two-lane country road, it was easy to spot. Cam flashed his brights behind her and slowed. The car turned off at the next crossroad. No way to tell if it was Jonathan. The sedan wasn’t the SUV he usually drove, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t behind the wheel.
Crystal was a bundle of nerves by the time she reached the driveway of her small rental house. She pulled into the garage and waited. Was it Cam’s intent to simply escort her and ensure no one followed, or did he plan to come in and check for bogeymen? She hoped for the latter. She wasn’t looking forward to going into a dark house by herself.
When he got out of his car and limped toward her, she sagged with relief. A quick stab of guilt dulled that relief. His leg was obviously hurting, yet in typical Cam fashion, he’d ignore it if it meant helping someone.
“I’m glad to see you’ve got a garage and park your car in it. Do you keep the door into the house locked?” he asked. He must have seen her scowl because he added, “People with garage door openers often figure that’s enough protection.” Arms crossed and stance wide, he surveyed the area.
“Yes, I keep the inner door locked. Josh insisted. He also added a deadbolt, as well as the regular lock.” She captured her bottom lip between her teeth. “Do you want to come in and look around?”
His face softened, and he smiled. “Still worried about little green monsters under your bed?”
“No.”
He raised one brow and she sighed.
“Okay. Maybe.”
“I don’t see any exterior security cameras or lights. Do you plan to get some?”
“I’ve been meaning too. The landlord said I could, as long as I don’t make any structural or wiring changes.” Cam must think she was a complete incompetent and maybe he was right. “Josh said he’d help me figure out what I need.” She shrugged. “It’s been over three weeks since I moved and last heard from Jonathan. I guess I hoped this would all go away.” She pushed the button to lower the garage door—with it open, she felt too exposed.
“You’re in luck. Security systems are my specialty.” He paused, and she didn’t like the set of his mouth. “You had to know he would find you. It’s not like you moved three thousand miles away and cut off all ties to your family and friends.” He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “You can’t ignore this.”
“I know.” With her hand in his, she let his warmth and strength seep into her. “It’s all so overwhelming.”
His big hands framed her face, his fingers tangled in her hair, and his lips meeting hers promised tenderness and safety. Everything tingled where he touched—the most delightful, arousing sensation she’d ever felt, and his taste… intoxicating. His fingers worked magic on her scalp and a blinding light filled her vision. Even after her eyelids fluttered shut, it was there. She was drifting out to sea on a riptide, lost, yet buoyed by a life jacket that let her know she was secure.
This was exactly where she was meant to be.
Slipping her arms around him, her fingers ranged over his back, testing the contours and ridges of his corded muscles. Power and restraint greeted her touch. She was tired of him holding back. She wanted to be the kind of woman who inspired his wildness. By the time the tip of his tongue traced her lips, her knees had grown weak, and her heart beat to a hypnotic, sensuous rhythm. She’d waited so long for him to respond to her as a woman—not Josh’s younger cousin.
When he raised his head, he stepped back, all business, but the color in his cheeks indicated he wasn’t unaffected. “Let’s go inside so I can get a count of windows and doors. Then I’ll walk your perimeter to identify any bushes we might want to trim and how many cameras and motion-sensor lights you should have.”
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