Destined (The Rangers of Ridge County #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

EMMETT

M illie was quiet the entire ride to her house. Each time I glanced over to check on her, she was staring out the passenger’s window.

As we pulled into her driveway, the idea of leaving her alone in the old farmhouse made me regret not siding with Rory.

Not that Millie would have listened to me. She seemed set in her decision to come back here.

“Thank you, Emmett,” she whispered, her voice too small. “For saving me.”

The fact she even had to say those words was like a knife to the chest—flaying me and leaving a gaping wound that wept hatred for the man who left her feeling this way.

No woman should have to feel like this but certainly not my Millie.

She was radiant in a way I couldn’t quite describe. Like warm sunlight illuminating my life that recently felt too overcast.

“No thanks necessary,” I insisted. “I would battle time and time again if it meant keeping you safe.”

She gave me a weary smile and looked up at her house.

Fuck . I really did not want to leave her here alone tonight. So, when she went to grab the door handle, I panicked.

“Stay with me tonight,” I blurted out.

I think we were both a little surprised by my outburst, but she didn’t immediately say no.

“I don’t think you should be alone after what happened this evening,” I continued, hoping to persuade her. “And my house has plenty of guest rooms.”

She hadn’t rejected the idea yet, so I kept going.

“I can help grab whatever you need to feel comfortable at my place,” I proposed.

The look she wore had me worrying she was going to pass on my offer.

So I said the last thing I could think of that might get her to agree.

“I won’t get any rest tonight because I’ll be worrying about you here by yourself, and I am exhausted,” I admitted. “Please, do me this favor because I could really use some sleep.”

“My guilt trip from earlier is coming back to bite me in the ass,” she chuckled halfheartedly.

I got out and rounded the front of my cruiser. “I’m taking it mine is working just as well as yours did then,” I joked as I opened her door.

“Better, actually,” she mumbled.

I smirked as we made our way up her front steps.

“Whatever it takes,” I said as she slid her key into the lock and pushed the door open. The staleness of the house hit us before we could cross the threshold, and her black cat sprinted out the door and into the night.

Stepping through the doorway, I realized this was only the second time I had been inside despite being neighbors with the Bennett family my entire life. The first being the day Millie arrived in Ranger Ridge.

Frank’s brother, Arlo Bennett, was the original owner and lived here with his wife and son—who was a couple of years younger than me.

They were a nice but odd family.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Bennett passed away when I was in high school, and a few years after, I had to accompany Dad to inform Dustin of his father’s death.

Arlo had been an avid hunter and was fatally wounded by a wild animal while trapping on a lesser-known trail. By the time his body was found, it had been in an advanced state of decomposition. Dustin moved shortly after that, and the house sat empty ever since.

Until Millie.

We entered the living area, and I could tell she had tried her best to bring life back into this house. A tufted cream couch faced the fireplace adorned with an array of fluffy throw pillows and a fuzzy blanket. Matching lamps on the end tables cast a warm glow across the vibrant Persian rug covering the original hardwood flooring.

Pictures lined the mantle and gauzy curtains hung on either side of the large window that looked out into the front yard. And despite it all, this house still felt…desolate.

“What all do you need for the night?” I asked, focusing my attention on her.

“I’m going to grab a few toiletries and a change of clothes,” she said. “Would it be all right if I showered back at your place? The hot water here can be finicky, and I could really use a steamy one.”

Assaulted by a vivid fantasy of her covered in nothing but soap suds, I cleared my throat and took a step in her direction.

Then she whispered, “Maybe it will help wash away this night and the feeling of his hands on me.”

And like being doused with a bucket of water, the illusion washed away.

Reminding myself Millie needed a friend more than anything right now, I changed directions and moved toward the stairs.

We made our way up, and she pushed open the door to her room. I was instantly enveloped in that vanilla and citrus scent that was uniquely Millie. It overpowered the staleness of the rest of the house and had me bewitched.

When she bumped my shoulder, I realized I was staring at her bed like a creep.

Pulling myself together for what would hopefully be the last time tonight, I stepped into her room and watched as she hauled an oversized bright red bag out from under her bed.

I smiled at the color because it fit her so well.

Unsure of how to help, I simply stood there observing as she opened her dresser and tossed clothes into the bag. “I’m not packing much,” she said, then proceeded to stuff the bag full. “Just the essentials.”

“Bring whatever you need,” I replied and meant it.

As we exited her room and stepped into the bathroom, I outstretched my arm and Millie looped the bag around it.

She added a few more items, then we were back downstairs and locking up.

I still had her bag, and as I placed it into the back seat, it fell open and exposed its contents. I quickly turned away but not before catching sight of red lace.

I was hard in an instant.

She was planning on wearing that.

Tonight.

Under my roof.

In my bed.

Guest bed, I corrected myself.

Fuck. It was definitely going to be a long night.