Hidden Fates (Hidden Heroes #4)

Chapter 12

Reese read and reread Garrett’s note at least a dozen times by the time he got home. It wasn’t so much what it said, but just the fact that he’d bothered to make her breakfast, and write her a note.

Ever since finding her in that motel room, he’d really gone out of his way to help her, protect her, and just see that she never felt like a burden or unwanted guest.

If it wasn’t for the gadget with the GPS locator, and if the van didn’t have a trap door in the floor, which she still found to be an odd thing, everything could’ve turned out so different. Reese had no idea where she’d be right now, or who she’d be with. She hadn’t recognized her kidnappers’ voices, and she didn’t get a good look at the driver, but she’d never seen them before. She could only assume they’d been hired by Russell, but she couldn’t even be sure of that because her pursuer was refusing to talk.

Reese put away the groceries Garrett brought home while he took a quick shower and changed. Then they sat in the living room watching a movie while eating pizza. Reese couldn’t get over how domestic it all felt, and she absolutely loved it. The man she’d avoided even talking to for over a month was now sitting next to her on the couch with his arm around her, and she’d never felt more at ease or at peace.

When the credits rolled, Garrett turned off the television, and she sensed there was something on his mind. Probably that kiss she hadn’t stopped thinking about since it happened. He hadn’t brought it up yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time. She didn’t regret it. Not even close. But what if he did? What if all the kindness and care he’d shown her was just that?

“What are you thinking about so hard over there?” Garrett asked.

Reese sighed. If she put off bringing it up another second, she was likely to explode. “I was just thinking about the woods, and how you found me, and I…” She let her voice fade, not sure how to say it without sounding desperate or corny.

“Kissed me?” He offered.

Reese nodded. “We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” she rushed to say, but then heard a soft chuckle coming from Garrett. “What?”

“I think you’re forgetting that I kissed you back.”

She had definitely not forgotten that. Though there were moments she thought she might have imagined it.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I was just so overwhelmed and terrified and then relieved and happy to see you, and my head was just so all over the place, and I didn’t know what I was doing all alone out there, but at the same time I knew you’d find me, and then you were there and I just -”

Her rambling was interrupted when Garrett pressed his mouth to her lips, sealing whatever else she was going to say with a kiss. She tensed, not sure if this was a dream or reality, but then his familiar scent and that taste of safety and home hit her, and she melted into him just like she had in the woods. He took his time, kissing her, caressing her mouth, and when she opened for him, he carefully explored her tongue and every inch of it, like she was the most precious thing to him.

By the time he pulled back, she was breathless, senseless with need, and had no idea what she’d been saying just moments earlier. “I -”

“I think we should do that more often,” Garrett said, still holding her close.

Reese couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her. “So, you don’t regret it?”

“Do you?” He asked, concern lacing his tone.

“No. Not even a little.”

Garrett let out a relieved sigh. “I’ve been wanting to kiss you for a long time. I just didn’t want to scare you or pressure you into doing something you didn’t want to do.” He leaned in and kissed her again, this time being a little less ginger about it. A soft moan escaped her throat as he deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her. Before she knew it, he had her on her back with him hovering over her, his body caging her in. But she didn’t feel trapped. She felt protected. Excited. Desired. And she wanted more. She nearly groaned in protest when Garrett pulled back and kissed her forehead. “You’re still recovering, but I’m glad you want me as much as I want you.”

Did she ever! All the nerves in her body were going off like a fireworks show, and if the wetness between her legs and the large, hard form she felt pushing into her lower belly was any indication, she and Garrett would be incredible together. “I do,” she breathed.

Garrett lowered his forehead to rest on hers. “You’re good for me. Probably too good. But you’re still sore, and I didn’t miss all those yawns you tried to hide.”

Reese smiled sheepishly. “I don’t know why I’m so tired. I swear I napped like half the day away.”

“You need your rest. Go get ready for bed. I’ll clean up.”

Reese sighed. She wanted to insist on helping, but she was oddly exhausted, and definitely still sore, though not as bad as yesterday. “Okay,” she agreed.

Garrett sat up, freeing her to stand. She winced as she came to her feet, her sore muscles not appreciating the small stretch. “Have you been taking the over-the-counter pain killer?” He asked, obviously not missing the discomfort she tried to hide.

“Yes, and it really helps. I’m just due for another dose.”

“Okay, don’t forget.”

“I won’t. Good night, Garrett.”

“Good night, Reese.”

Feeling Garrett’s gaze on her as she left the room, she swung her hips just a little, enjoying the little sigh he gave off as she turned into her bedroom. The kiss in the woods might’ve felt like a dream, but making out on the couch with him had definitely just happened.

And she couldn’t wait to do it again.

***

Reese had no idea how much time had passed when her eyes flew open and she sat straight up in bed. The room was just how she’d left it with the bathroom light still on and her door to the hallway slightly ajar. But something had woken her up. Her breaths were coming out hard and heavy like she’d been running for her life. And that’s when she remembered - it was the same nightmare that had woken her up twice last night. She was in the woods, running, but there was no branch, no escape. She couldn’t keep going and then the faceless man who she assumed was the driver found her before Garrett did.

“Reese?” Garrett’s voice came from the hallway, and then he was there, in her room, sitting on the edge of her bed. “Are you okay?”

“How did you know I was awake?”

He took her hand in his, giving it a gentle, reassuring squeeze. “You screamed. I would’ve come sooner but I was in a dead sleep. I think my brain thought it was part of a dream at first. Are you okay?”

Reese shook herself mentally. “I’m fine, I think.” Her nightmare had been too vivid, and she wasn’t even sure if this was real right now. The night before, her nightmares had been about her running through the forest. She’d been lost and scared, but the faceless man had only appeared tonight, and his presence made everything feel ten times worse.

“Can I get you anything? Maybe some water?” Garrett asked.

“No. You should go back to bed. I don’t want to keep you up.” She loathed the idea of him leaving, but he needed his rest.

“How about I stay and keep you company. Just for a few minutes,” he offered.

“What time is it?” She asked, trying desperately to orient herself.

“Just after midnight. Lie back, I’m right here.” A ding sounded from the other room. “That’s my phone. It’s probably Blake. I’ve been waiting for him to get back to me about the van. I’ll be right back.” Garrett stepped out of the room and Reese felt her body tense. She fought the urge to follow him, but thankfully he returned just moments later.

“Well, no surprise there. They got the plates on a traffic cam, but they were reported stolen two days before you were ever in it.”

Reese nodded. “The plates? Not the van?”

“Looks that way. There’s something else,” Garrett said.

“What? What is it?” she asked, hoping they found the driver, or linked her kidnappers to Russell.

“Marcus Dowell made bail today.”

Reese looked at Garrett with a bit of confusion, and then realization set in. That was the man who’d chased her through the woods. “Really? He’s free to go?”

“No, not free to go, but he is out on bail.”

“But he kidnapped me. He pulled me off the dock into that freezing cold water, and he chased me into those woods, and -” Her voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes. She hadn’t cried once since Garrett found her in those woods, but the control she’d been holding onto so tightly was about to break. “- He would’ve - I don’t know if he meant to kill me or not, but if I hadn’t - I wouldn’t be here with you tonight. I don’t know where I’d be. Or with who.” The last of her words were spoken softly, through tears.

Garrett listened and let her get it all out before moving closer to her. Without hesitating, she came up onto her knees and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. He held her tight and said, “that’s why we’re going down to the police station first thing in the morning to get a restraining order filed against him. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but it will be on the record and make it easier to prosecute him if he violates it.” His hand was rubbing soothing circles on her back, and he pressed a soft kiss to the side of her head. “You’re safe, Reese. I swear it. And I’m not going anywhere.” He seemed to be answering a question she never asked, but that wasn’t what she was afraid of.

She pulled back, desperately wanting to look into his eyes, but deciding against it at the last second. “I’m terrified that I might.”

He let out a ragged breath and pulled her close again, holding her firm and tight. “Not on my watch. Not ever, if I have anything to say about it.”

The weight of his words sank deep into her gut and lodged in her heart. It was more than just a promise. It felt like a vow. And a threat to anyone who dared try to take her away.