Saving Sophie: Book Seven In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series (31 page)

She balanced herself with her hands on his shoulders and put her feet through the openings one at a time.

He slid the sexy underwear up her firm calves and thighs, trailing his thumbs over her smooth skin, settling the bands on her hips as he looked up into her gaze, thrilled as hell when he noticed her flushed cheeks and eyes hot with desire. “Do you want your shorts?”

“Yes please,” she said, clearing her throat.

He took the pink-striped shorts from the bed and repeated the process, making certain to take his time, biting his cheek to prevent his grin of satisfaction when her breathing grew unsteady and she shivered. “Looks like you’re all set.”

“Uh, yes. Thank you.”

Sophie certainly wasn’t as indifferent as he’d feared. “Ready for bed?”

“Mmm. I’m tired.”

He pulled back the covers. “Do you need help?”

“Maybe a little. If I can hold onto your arm while I lay myself back.”

“Yeah, sure.”
Finally
, she was letting him give her a hand. He helped her ease herself down to the pillow and leaned in closer than was necessary as he gently slid her hair out from beneath her neck the way he’d seen her do several times. “How’s that?”

“Great.” She sighed, smiling, closing her eyes with a small moan. “I miss this bed so
much
.” Her eyes flew open as her smile vanished.

She missed their bed—now he just needed her to miss him too. “How about the compress?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Only if I have to.”

“You definitely do.” He pulled the covers up to her hips and grabbed a folded towel from the laundry basket that had been sitting in the corner since she left, wrapping it around the frozen pack. “I guess my black eye was good for something, or we wouldn’t have this.” He held her gaze, knowing she thought of the kiss in the kitchen as he did.

“Yes, I guess so.”

He sat on the edge of the mattress, frowning as he stared at the dark-purple bloom of bruises. “Damn, Soph.” He traced his fingers over her warm, battered skin.

“I couldn’t stop. The light turned yellow, and I was in the intersection.”

He continued sliding his fingers over her ribs, moving to her stomach, desperate to touch, trying to make up for the weeks he hadn’t been able to. “You remember.”

“Parts, I guess. It happened so fast. I dreamt about it last night when I was actually able to sleep—the blinding lights coming at me, and I think I screamed. Then when you and I were on our way here just now, we went through the intersection where the accident happened and I remembered that the light had been yellow.”

“What do you mean you couldn’t stop?”

“I pressed on the brake, but it didn’t work.”

His fingers paused on her skin. “They didn’t work?”

“No, I pushed them all the way to the floor. I tried my emergency brake, but I didn’t slow down.”

“Did the engine accelerate?”

She frowned, clearly trying to put herself back in the moment. “No, I don’t think so.”

“I had Ethan get me a copy of the police report. I was surprised to read that you were only a couple of miles from here. I thought you said you were buying furniture.”

She shrugged and sucked in a breath.

He stroked again, automatically trying to soothe her.

“Murphy and I were on our way to do some shopping, but we ended up here at the house.”

He tried to focus on the fact that something was off about her story, but he couldn’t ignore the small stirring of pleasure that she’d come. “Why?”

“I—I don’t know. I love it here. I love this house. I guess I needed to say goodbye.”

The glimmer of pleasure vanished. “You don’t have to say goodbye. You can come up here whenever you want.”

“No.” She shook her head carefully. “No, I can’t. I can’t move forward if I keep going back.”

He looked away as her words stung. She was talking about moving on when he wasn’t sure he ever could. “Yeah, I guess.” He stood.

She grabbed his hand. “I’m sorry if that makes you upset.”

He shrugged. “I’m not upset.”

“Stone, I know you.”

He wasn’t about to admit that no one had ever crushed him the way she had when she left. “I just don’t understand. We had a few disagreements. I contacted Jeremiah when I should have talked to you about it first. The next thing I know you’re leaving and some cop’s handing me papers for a divorce.”

“It’s the right thing.”

“So you’ve said.” He tried to pull away.

She gripped him tighter. “I just—”

“You’d rather suffer on your own in an apartment furnished with a
couch
than let me help you,” he spewed, no longer able to hold back the anger.

Her eyes watered. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. This is what you want. You’re happy.” He stared at her, wanting her to tell him she’d made a mistake and she was as miserable as he was.

“I don’t know what else to do. I think this is for the best.”

He clenched his jaw. “Yeah, you’ve said that too.”

“I gave you back your life.”

He pulled away, unable to take any more. “This is exactly the part I don’t understand. You got mad at me for making decisions without talking to you first. When did you talk to me about this, Sophie? I didn’t get a say one way or the other. You just walked away.” Turning, he left as a tear trailed down her cheek. He didn’t have time for this crap. He didn’t want to care about her sad eyes when this was her damn fault. All he wanted to do was pick up a hammer and take out his frustrations on the guest room, but instead he grabbed his phone and dialed Ethan as he walked down the hall and sat on the couch.

“Cooke.”

“Hey, it’s Stone.”

“How’s Sophie?”

“Sore, but she’ll make it.”

“Good.”

“Thanks for switching me up. I owe Jerrod and Hunter for splitting the concert tour.”

“Family first.”

He grunted. He and Sophie were only family by a technicality at this point. “I’m hoping you can use your connections to look into something for me.”

“What’s up?”

“Sophie remembered bits and pieces of her accident last night and a little more today. She said she couldn’t stop. She pressed the brake to the floor and even tried the emergency brake, but nothing happened.”

“Huh,” Ethan said.

“Exactly. I want someone to check the brake lines. I also want to know where Eric Winthrop is.”

“You think it was him?”

“Absolutely. I took care of that car. There wasn’t a damn thing wrong with those brakes. They were brand new. I changed them myself.”

“Give me a couple hours to see what I can find out, and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks.” He hung up, walking back to the bedroom when he should have gone to the trailer or basketball court or anywhere else but there. He glanced in at Sophie breathing deeply as she slept on her side of the bed. “Damn you, Soph,” he murmured, clenching his jaw as he moved to stand next to her, staring at her gorgeous face despite the cuts and bruises, wishing he could turn his back as easily as she had. But he couldn’t. He loved the hell out of her.

She’d come last night to say goodbye, but she was here now. He could give up and let her move on with her life, or he could fight for the woman lying in his bed. Sophie seemed more comfortable with the idea of being friends. If he needed to play the friend card for a while to win back what he wanted most, he would do it.

Sophie opened her eyes in the dim light, surprised by
how well rested she felt. She gave her shoulders a cautious wiggle, finding herself slightly less achy than she had been before she fell asleep. Frowning, she sniffed at the air, breathing in something spicy and delicious. Fried chicken maybe? Did Stone
cook
? She sat up slowly, taking several deep, agonizing breaths as she’d been directed to do in the hospital, and inched her way off the mattress, looking out the window at the sun sinking in the evening sky. How long had she been asleep? She glanced at the clock. “Seven
thirty
?” She’d slept for
hours
. Shadows replace bright sunlight, and the house was quiet. “Stone?”

He didn’t answer.

She moved down the hall, treasuring the familiar surroundings she’d missed—the pretty living room. Even with dead plants and dust everywhere, it still felt like home.

She moved into the kitchen, stopping abruptly, taking in the transformation. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, smiling sadly. The tile flooring, high-end white cabinetry, glossy granite counters, and intricate backsplash behind the range top was perfect. She walked to the shiny double ovens, brushing her fingers over the stainless steel handles. It was the dream kitchen she and Stone had designed together, and it wasn’t hers to use.

Murphy yipped somewhere down the hall. “Murph?” She turned, making her way back toward the bedrooms, giving a quiet tap on the closed guestroom door. “Murph? Stone?” She twisted the knob and stepped in, staring at Stone rolling a warm, sand-colored paint over the last exposed area of wall. “This looks great.”

Stone whirled with the roller in hand, shirtless with his hair tucked behind a kerchief. “Jesus.”

“Sorry.” She moved further in, stepping on the cardboard protecting the new hardwood floors. “This is really nice, Stone.”

He pulled the ear buds from his ears. “Thanks.” He finished the spot, his muscles flexing with his movements, and set the roller in the bucket. “How are the ribs?”

She gently touched the bruising. “Not too bad.” They were still awful, but complaining wouldn’t fix it. “I feel like I have a little more energy.”

“Good.”

She wandered to the newly installed closet doors, glancing out the window toward the basketball court. “You’ve been busy. Everything’s just about finished.”

“Yeah. I wanted to get the last of it fixed up.”

“The kitchen’s amazing.” She smiled. “It’s everything I thought it would be.”

“It’ll be a good selling point. I’m putting the place on the market.”

“What?” She stepped closer to him, her brows furrowed. “No. Why would you do that?”

He shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind a change of scenery. Maybe I’ll start flipping houses—live in them while I fix them up in my spare time, sell them, and move on to the next place.”

That sounded awful. This was Stone’s
home
. He belonged here. This secluded spot was perfect for him. “You’ve worked so hard. I hope you’ll change your mind.”

He rubbed at the paint drop on his finger. “Probably not.”

“Oh.” Why did the idea of Stone not living on the cliffs make her want to cry?

“We should get you another pill, and I’ll dish up some of the grub Sarah’s mother dropped off.”

“Aw, Janice cooked?”

“No, she said the lady at the gourmet store across from her shop made it, so it’s guaranteed to be delicious.”

She smiled. “That was very sweet for her to think of us.”

“She dropped off a Caesar salad for tomorrow night from Sarah.”

“I’ll have to call them both and thank them.”

“Your friends have spared us pizza deliveries and peanut butter and jelly for the next couple of nights.”

“I’ll go pull the stuff out of the fridge and get us drinks.”

“Uh no.” He moved to stand in her way. “You can go lay back down.”

“I don’t want to lay down.” She hurt all over, but she would go stir crazy if she lay around endlessly. “Pulling a couple of containers out of the refrigerator isn’t a big deal.”

He blew out a deep breath, holding her gaze. “You know, Soph, for as sweet as you are you sure as hell have a stubborn streak.”

She frowned. “I’m not stubborn. I can help out around here. I can’t just stare at the ceiling forever.”

“So sit on the couch and stare at the TV for a while. I’ll bring you some dinner and a pill.”

He was being so kind, and she’d upset him earlier. “What if we eat at the table?” She’d missed their cozy evening meals. “Then I can admire all of the work you’ve done in the kitchen. The glass-fronted cabinets are so pretty.”

“Why don’t we save that for another night and eat on the couch so you can rest?”

Lying down would be better, whether she liked the idea or not. “Okay,” she conceded. “Dinner in the living room it is.”

His cell phone jingled with a text. He pulled the phone from his pocket, glanced at the readout, and cleared his screen.

A loud boom echoed down the road, and color filled the sky in the distance as the sun sank deeper. Today was the Fourth of July. What if Stone had plans he’d canceled because of her? “You know, now that I think of it, I’ll probably have a quick bite to eat and head back to bed if you want to go out and enjoy the evening.”

He shook his head. “I’m staying right here.”

“It’s a holiday, Stone. Ethan and Sarah are having a get-together. I’m sure Amber and Shane will be there. I know Abby and Jerrod were planning to go.”

His gaze sharpened as he looked at her. “I’m not interested in seeing Amber tonight.”

She still remembered how carefree his smile had been when he and Amber smiled at each other at Smitty’s. “I’m really fine. I don’t want to keep you from your life.” She stepped around him on her way to the door. “In fact, I’m pretty tired again already.”

He snagged her uninjured arm, stopping her. “You look wide awake to me.”

“Nope.” She looked away, aware that she wasn’t a particularly good liar.

“I don’t want to see Amber, Soph.” He brushed his thumb along her jaw. “I want to stay right here with you.”

She stared at the floor, trying to ignore the way his touches sent her heart rate soaring, as they’d done when he helped her dress earlier.

“Let me put some food on plates for us while you relax and watch TV. Let someone take care of you for a change.” He slid his palm down her arm.

She stepped back, needing her space. Being here was hard enough. Breathing him in and sleeping in their bed was almost more than she could handle. If he kept stroking her and staring into her eyes… “I’ve never done anything but let people take care of me.”

He frowned. “That’s bullshit.”

“No. My mother took care of me, then Eric in his sick way, and you.”

“Didn’t you take care of your mother? And I’m pretty sure you kept this house running when we both lived here. If anyone took care of anyone, you took care of me.” He took her hand, playing with her fingers. “I want to return the favor. Let me take care of you, Soph.”

She had little resistance to Stone’s sweet side. She pulled her hand from his, stopping his tender movements. “All right, but just for tonight. If you change your mind about going out—”

“I won’t.”

“But if you do—”

“I won’t, Soph.”

She nodded remembering a similar conversation the night he asked her to marry him. “Okay. I’ll try to find something action-packed on TV.”

“Sounds perfect.”

~~~~

Stone set the last of the fixings Janice had brought by on the small table he’d made out of a piece of plywood and some two-by-fours. He put the napkins down, placing the silverware on top to keep the paper from blowing away in the wind, and stepped back, examining the bowls of fried chicken, potato salad, cantaloupe and watermelon balls, and plate of brownies for the makeshift picnic he’d put together on the fly. Nodding his approval, he lit the wood in the fire pit and sat down in the reclining lawn chair, adjusting the back for Sophie, making certain her view of the water in the distance would be nothing short of spectacular. “Awesome,” he muttered. Good food, fireworks, and the ocean waves Sophie loved so much—the makings for a perfect evening for two.

And tonight would be perfect.

He sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck, remembering the conversation he and Sophie had in the guest bedroom just a few minutes ago. She thought he was interested in Amber. When Abby brought up the stupid idea at the office last night, he hadn’t realized Sophie was the one who believed it. Ethan’s former temp was hot and nice enough, but she wasn’t Sophie, the only woman he wanted.

Sophie’s abrupt departure was starting to make sense. More than once she’d told him she left to give him back his life. Apparently she thought she needed to move out of the way for Amber. And he couldn’t necessarily blame her. He’d ignored Sophie at Ethan’s party to talk ball with Amber, then the night at Smitty’s when they won the pool game clearly left the wrong impression. Tonight he planned to set the record straight…subtly. He got to his feet, looking at Murphy konked out on the blanket from the meds the vet had given them to keep the puppy comfortable for the next couple of days, and walked inside through the French doors he’d installed in the kitchen. “Soph.”

She struggled to sit up. “Yes? Do you need help?”

“Nope, but I want you to come with me.” He took her hand, helping her to her feet, grabbing the pillow she’d been resting her head on.

“Come with you where?”

“You’ll see.” He snagged the flip-flops she’d forgotten in her rush to be gone all those nights ago. “Here. Put these on.” He slipped one shoe on her foot then the next.

“Stone, what are we doing?”

“Enjoying the Fourth of July. Come on.” He took her hand, leading her outside.

“
Wow
.” She smiled. “This looks so nice.”

“We can eat and watch the fireworks if you want. They light them off on a barge not too far from here.”

Her smile turned into a grin. “That sounds great.”

He let loose a small sigh of relief. “Good. Let’s get you settled on the chair.”

She hesitated. “There’s only one. What about you?”

“That’s what the blanket’s for.” He carefully hooked his arm under her armpits, taking the brunt of her weight as he helped ease her down in the seat. “You doing okay?”

“Yes.”

He settled the pillow behind her head. “You good?”

She nodded.

“So, do you want a little bit of everything? I didn’t heat up the chicken. I guess it’s good cold too.”

“Cold friend chicken is delicious.”

“All right then.” He heaped a leg, breast, potato salad, and fruit on her plate. “Is that enough?”

Her eyes went huge and she chuckled. “That’s more than plenty.”

“Too much?”

She shook her head slowly, looking at him the way she used to before everything changed. “It’s perfect.”

“Okay.” He put a fork on her plate and handed it over.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” He filled his own plate and dug in, groaning as he took a bite of crispy chicken that had just a hint of spicy heat.

“Good?”

“Delicious. Try.” He picked up the chicken leg on her plate and held it to her lips, noting her struggle to balance her plate in her lap and eat.

She took a bite and rolled her eyes. “Mmm. Yum.” She smiled, her lips shiny from the grease.

He grinned, relaxed in a way he hadn’t been in too long. “You want more?”

“I can do it.” She took the chicken piece from his hand, helping herself to a huge bite. “See?”

He chuckled. “I guess you showed me. Do you want your drink?”

She shook her head, still chewing.

“How about ice? Do you need another icepack for your ribs?”

“I need for you to eat your dinner and stop fussing over me.” She reached out, touching his cheek.

“This is round-the-clock care, Soph. Your wish is my command.”

“Such a good nurse.” She grinned. “Maybe you could get me one of those bells.”

He chuckled, loving that everything seemed right again. “I don’t think so.”

“I love the sound of the water,” she sighed, staring out in the distance.

“It’s nice.”

The minutes passed in comfortable silence while they both ate their meals.

“I didn’t realize I was so hungry.” She wiped her hands and mouth on a napkin, “But now I’m stuffed.”

“No brownie?”

She gave him a pained look. “Only if I want to be sick.” A loud pop echoed in the air and she jumped, then laughed as the sky lit up with bright white sparkles. “I guess it’s time for the fireworks.”

“Here, let me have your plate.” He set both on the table and moved closer to her side, leaning back on his hands as another burst of color filled the night.

“You look uncomfortable.”

“Nah, I’m good.”

“I can make room for you if you want.”

She was offering to share. He wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to be close to her. “Only if you’re sure.”

“Of course.” She sat up, scooting forward carefully.

He snuck in behind her, settling her between his legs. “Here, lean back.”

She rested her head in the crook of his neck, and he closed his eyes, savoring Sophie’s warm body snuggled against him.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For taking such good care of me. This would be pretty awful if you weren’t helping me.”

“I’m happy to. I
like
taking care of you, Soph.” He kissed her temple, wanting to wrap his arms around her, but took her hand instead, rubbing his thumb along her knuckles, watching the sky light up again and again as the breeze played with her hair, tickling his chest.

“This is a perfect way to spend the Fourth of July.”

“Maybe next year we could give this a try without broken arms and bruised ribs.”

She chuckled. “That would be nice.”

He thought of her accident, knowing Eric was behind the whole thing, even though Ethan had yet to call him back with any new details. There were questions to be asked. Sophie had the answers he needed, but they would have to wait until tomorrow. Nothing was going to mess this up.

A large spray of fireworks, one after another, burst into life in a riot of colors as cheers erupted on the beach a hundred yards away. “I guess that’s the end,” he said.