Redemption Hills: The Complete Collection

2. Tessa

TWO

TESSA

Faint rays of sunlight bled through the edges of the drapes that covered the window, nudging me from sleep. My senses spun, touching on my foreign surroundings.

The cozy bed I was in and the quiet energy that hummed through the space.

Peace and safety.

It was so quiet, I could hear my pulse in my ears, could count each one, as if my heart were reminding me I still had a chance at a life I’d never believed I’d have.

I floated in it, trying to get my bearings, to rein my thoughts that immediately wanted to spiral out of control.

That was the thing about waking up to a new reality. You hadn’t quite taken hold of your direction.

Your new purpose remained hazy, and fears of pushing forward through the unknown to find a better destination tended to run rampant.

Knowing I’d made a decision that was going to change everything hadn’t been so easy to sleep on.

My sleep had come in fitful spurts.

Rife with a worry so intense that Bobby’s face had chased me into my dreams.

Still, there’d been a part of me that’d felt…light. A burden that had been eating me alive lifted.

How could my soul be so heavy but still feel as if pieces of my heart had been unchained?

Guilt at the choice I’d made threatened to consume, but I had to accept I’d come to a breaking point.

For years, my meaning in life had been my brother’s comfort, but last night, it’d become clear I couldn’t remain with Karl.

He’d always landed somewhere in the middle of being a petulant brat and a manipulative tyrant.

That I could handle. Bobby was worth it.

But when he’d struck me?

I’d seen something I hadn’t seen in Karl before, and I could feel that things were getting ready to splinter.

Then who would be there for Bobby?

There had to be another way. There had to be.

Blowing out a sigh, I pushed up to sitting.

The room spun, and a dagger pierced through my brain.

I rammed the heels of my hands into my eyes.

Freaking martinis.

They were dirty, all right.

But my nights out with Eden were my escape. My reprieve. My joy.

Karl didn’t get to ruin that anymore.

Tossing off what looked like a handmade, patchwork quilt, I sat up, fighting a blush when I realized I was wearing a giant T-shirt that swallowed me whole.

It smelled of him. Like the deep, dark woods.

Pine and cedar.

My palm slipped over the black cotton fabric.

I hadn’t been wearing a bra last night, and the only thing I had on underneath the shirt was a slip of satin that could barely be considered underwear.

Heat bloomed across my flesh as memories bounded.

Milo had insisted on taking me home with him when he’d found me in the Absolution parking lot after I’d been unsure of where to go. I had been drawn back there because within its walls had been the only people I could trust, though it’d turned out I’d been too upset to face them.

I remembered him placing me in his truck, and I’d barely stirred when he had carried me in after I’d fallen asleep—okay, passed out—in his truck, barely coherent when he’d pulled me back into his arms and rumbled all those reassuring words to the top of my head.

“It’s okay.”

“I have you.”

“You’re not alone.”

I bit down on my bottom lip as I remembered him changing me into his shirt.

The care he’d used.

The caution.

He’d slipped it over my head and fully covered me before he’d slid off my dress.

I was pretty sure I’d also mumbled something about him being beautiful.

Awesome, Tessa.

But he was. I was pretty sure in every way. Even though I’d done my best to ignore the fact since I’d met him. But there’d been something about him that’d been there in an instant. It was the type of attraction I’d never felt before, which had only made me feel guilty. I mean, it wasn’t like my heart had held any sort of devotion to Karl, but still…

Faint rustling echoed outside the room, and my thudding heart pounded harder. I slipped off the edge of the bed. My bare feet hit the hardwood floor, and I eased over to the door and pressed my ear to it, listening to the subdued shuffling and the quieted clanking of pans.

My senses were impaled with too many sensations.

Coffee and bacon and the man.

My stomach rumbled, and I took a steeling breath before I carefully turned the knob and cracked open the door.

It opened to a hallway that ran farther down to the left of me, and straight ahead was the opening to the main area of the house.

I tiptoed to the edge of it and peered out into Milo’s home.

Well, cabin.

Rugged and rough and gorgeous.

Rustic floors and wood-paneled walls. The living space had an over-sized maroon leather sofa and two matching chairs. Light infiltrated the space, blazing in from the huge bank of windows that seemed to take up the entire back wall of the cabin.

But it was the hulking shape of the man who stood at the stove that stole my breath.

He was on the other side of the long, butcher-block island, the top half of him exposed where he faced away. His hair was a thick shock of black, and he’d cut it so it was cropped on the sides and a little longer on top. I’d always had a really hard time not thinking about what it would be like to scratch my fingers through it.

His shoulders were massive and wide, and even from this distance, I could see the brute strength of him rippling from beneath the black shirt that stretched over his body.

As if he felt me there, he glanced at me from over his shoulder.

Intense eyes stared back.

Amber dipped in warm honey.

My stomach took a swooping dive.

A freefall.

He slowly shifted around.

Did the ground tremble?

No, that was only my stupid, wayward heart clattering in my chest.

Because he was looking at me with this harsh softness that made my belly tumble, his eyes dragging over me in a slow sweep, grazing over his shirt, down my legs to my toes before it leisurely dragged back up.

Energy crackled.

The man breathed contradiction.

His voice was always held low, his actions measured, though he glowed with a severity unlike anything I’d experienced before.

A volatility that writhed within him that he kept tapped.

Then he went and smiled this concerned smile that melted my insides, the weight of it twitching beneath his trimmed black beard.

“How’d you sleep?” His voice was a low rumble that skated my skin.

Flustered, I took a couple steps into the room. “Great.”

His gaze narrowed, those honey-dipped eyes taking me in from across the space like he could see straight through me.

Gah, why did he have to be so…everything?

Big and intimidating and rough.

Soft and kind and real.

He crossed the small area between the stove and the island, and he planted his palms on top. The position only emphasized his hulking muscles. The mass of them flexed beneath the intricate ink that rolled down his arms and onto the back of his hands.

I swore he was like looking at bottled mayhem.

His attention dipped to my lip.

Nerves had the tip of my tongue poking out at the spot.

His expression darkened. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I drank a gallon of vodka, then got smacked in the face by an asshole.” I attempted a joke.

Milo clearly didn’t think it was funny.

A dark sound rolled through his chest.

“I’m really okay,” I amended, coming forward. “It didn’t hurt that much, and it’s not going to happen again, so I feel…”

Terrified.

Exhilarated.

Freed.

Trapped.

“Better.”

He seemed to war, like he wanted to say something else, then changed his mind.

“Coffee?” he asked instead.

“Milo Hendricks, you are speaking my love language.” I couldn’t help but grin.

A soft quirk lifted at the edge of his mouth. “Happy to oblige. Have a seat.”

He gestured to a stool at the island.

I padded over and slipped onto it, trying to play it like this was all completely normal.

Like he didn’t make me shake.

Like I hadn’t sported a very scandalous crush on him since the moment I’d met him.

I wondered what he’d think if he knew I’d fantasized about waking up in his house before, although the previous night’s activities had looked quite a bit different from the way they’d actually gone down.

And on all things holy, was it a stunning house.

It was somehow everything I expected, but more.

Rustic and raw, but also warm and cozy with a touch of luxury.

My eyes wandered, taking it in.

It was one giant room, and the ceiling was pitched and had to be at least two stories tall.

Sunlight gleamed in from the windows that ran the backside of the kitchen, expanding out to run from floor to ceiling on the far-right side. The glass segments were framed in the same color of wood as the walls.

They gave way to an elevated porch and the forest beyond.

Tucked about a hundred yards back was a small lake hugged by the expanse of soaring trees.

Blue water rippled and glittered beneath the rays of morning sun.

My chest squeezed at the beauty of it.

“This is gorgeous, Milo,” I whispered in awe. “And I’m not just being polite. It’s…a dream. I can’t believe you live here.”

A soft grunt left his mouth as he moved to a cabinet, pulled out a mug, and poured me a cup from the carafe. “My grandparents left me the land when they passed. Spent a couple years building this place.”

Surprise unhinged my jaw. “You built this place? Like, with your bare hands?”

He slid the mug across the island in my direction, and I did my best not to gawk at those tattoo-covered mitts as he pushed them out in front of me.

But they were so big and nice, and he was so damned intriguing it was hard not to get lost at the sight.

“Yup.”

“Magician.”

He shook his head in gentle disbelief. “Hardly, but I do like to work with my hands.”

Redness flamed.

I wondered what else he could do with those hands.

“Creamer?” he asked.

I blinked myself out of the lust-induced stupor. “Is that even a question?”

He let go of a low chuckle and turned, moved to the refrigerator, and opened the door. “I think I should have known based on the drinks you typically choose at the club.”

Pleasure glowed in my stomach.

He paid attention?

“What can I say? I like sweet things. Which is why Eden is in so much trouble this morning since she swindled me into martinis last night rather than my go-to. If I have to pay for it, Eden does, too.”

Clearly, we were skirting the subject that sat in the room like a hot-pink, inflatable elephant.

“Oh, I’m sure she’s paying for it just fine,” he rumbled as he dug for the creamer while I sat, trying not to ogle him.

Talk about a miserable failure.

But who could blame me when he wore a pair of gray sweatpants that were really dangerous to my sanity? Holy crap, his thighs were thick, and his ass was this muscular, sublime thing.

Not to mention all those yummy muscles were bulging out from the tight black tee, his shoulders wide before his frame tapered down to a narrow waist.

He was so freaking tall that he filled the entire opening of the door.

A fortress.

The colossal kind.

Then he turned around.

Do not look, do not look. Do. Not. Look.

Yeah, I looked.

I gulped around the knot that formed in my throat.

Every inch of this man was magnificent.

“There you go.” He passed me the creamer like just looking at him hadn’t rocked my world.

My attention snapped up to his face. “Thank you.”

“You hungry?” he asked as he moved back to the stove where he removed the bacon, then proceeded to break eggs into the sizzling grease.

All mountain-man style.

“You don’t have to feed me.”

He peeked back. “What if I want to?”

My chest tightened.

“Then I’d say thank you…for everything.” I added that on really quick because this was obviously about more than him making me breakfast. It was time to broach the topic that simmered around us like a secret I didn’t want to share.

He slowed, his voice lowering in emphasis. “Was glad I found you, if I’m bein’ honest.”

Discomfort clattered around in my spirit, and I fumbled to pour a big dose of creamer into my mug.

I met his eye because he deserved the truth. “I’m glad you did, too.”

A grunt vibrated from his being. “What were you doing out there?”

Disquieted laughter rolled up my throat. “I don’t even know, Milo. I came back because I didn’t really have anywhere else to go. I waited for Eden and Trent to leave, but I just…couldn’t get up the nerve to come out of my hiding place and tell them what happened.”

Or really, I hadn’t been ready.

“You were in shock.” Milo said it like he’d plucked it right out of my brain.

My head dipped. “I think so. I guess that happens when you lose direction.”

“Or maybe you were just stumbling into it…the right path.”

Right into you.

I kept that to myself.

Tension bound the air as he plated the eggs and bacon.

Every movement he made was filled with caution, as if he knew he was treading into territory I was uncomfortable to visit. Or maybe he was just building up to something.

Easing over, he placed the food in front of me.

Then he planted his hands on the island as he stared me down.

Severity gushed from him on an unanticipated wave. “I want to destroy that bastard, Tessa. Have wanted to since the second I had the displeasure of meetin’ him. But after last night?”

Fury crawled across his ink-covered flesh, the muscles writhing and rippling, his jaw clenched in restraint.

He looked like he might actually commit murder.

“It’s not your problem to deal with, Milo.”

The last thing I wanted was for him to get himself in trouble because of me.

“No?” The word cracked in the air. A direct threat.

Shivers raced.

God, he was a lot to take in.

He might have been soft-spoken, but there’d always been a current that ran beneath it.

Explosive.

“I would never want to drag you into my mess.”

Air puffed from his nose. “Think I’m already there. Besides, life is made of messes. I’d be more than glad to clean this one up for you.”

“Believe me, I’m more trouble than I’m worth. You know what they say about redheads.” I tossed back a lock of my hair, going for light when everything felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.

“Guess it’s your lucky day because red just so happens to be my favorite color.”

Heat rushed up from the volcano that suddenly erupted in my stomach.

Note to self: Milo Hendricks was a stone-cold charmer. Who knew?

“He’s honestly not worth either of our time, Milo,” I told him, licking my lips and trying not to make too much of his statement. “I just want to be done with him.”

“Then why stay with him?” His question punched through the atmosphere.

Distress clawed its way through me, and my tongue stroked out to wet my dried lips. “Because sometimes, we have to sacrifice our own well-being for the sake of the ones we love most.”

Confusion pulled across his brow. “Who—” he started to ask before a phone started buzzing on the counter where it was plugged into the wall.

I frowned when I realized it was mine.

Milo shrugged. “Last night, it was beeping that it was about to die, and I figured you might need it this morning. Hope you don’t mind.”

“That’s really kind of you, Milo.”

“The least I can do,” he said. He ambled to the opposite counter to unplug it.

A disbelieving giggle got free. “I would say you’re doing plenty. Overboard, baby. A girl could totally get used to this…waking up to coffee and breakfast and the most breathtaking view I’ve ever seen.”

He grunted like it was no big deal.

“Here you go.” He passed me my phone, and I entered the code.

Instantly, I cringed.

There was a slew of waiting messages that had come in throughout the night.

Really, I shouldn’t have been surprised, but still, it sent a bout of anger rebounding.

Bouncing through my spirit because seriously, the freaking nerve.

Karl

I don’t appreciate the stunt you pulled tonight.

The stunt I pulled? My teeth ground. Was this douchenugget kidding me?

Karl

Where are you?

Karl

I don’t have time for your games, Tessa. If you aren’t home by 8:00 a.m., I’m calling the police.

It was 8:09, not that I cared. But it was the last text that had just come through that sent blood sloshing through my veins. A disorienting thunder. The very thing that had kept me tied to him for far too long.

Karl

You know what happens if you don’t come home.

For years, I’d nod and smile when Karl made his demands. I’d bent to his will that had grown uglier and uglier as time had passed because I hadn’t seen how there was any other choice.

And no, I still didn’t have a solution. An answer. But there had to be one, right?

I struggled to breathe through the sickness that clawed at my insides, a tacky qualm spoiling in a pit of dread.

“What is it?” Milo’s voice held a wicked cut of violence.

My hand shook as I set my phone on the island. “It’s nothing.”

“Don’t do that, Tessa. You don’t have to pretend with me. Have no clue why that asshole has you in a clutch, but I can see you’re scared. That you feel trapped.”

“I just don’t know how to move on from here. What I’m going to do.” The confession came rushing out.

“You want to stay with him?” Malice shook through the quieted question.

“No.”

Absolutely not.

“Then there’s your answer.”

“It’s not as simple as that.”

“It never is, but it’s on us to figure out how to work around our circumstances.”

I peeked up at this man who’d become a friend.

Someone I trusted.

But I’d never come to the place where I’d trusted anyone else with this.

“These circumstances might be too great to overcome,” I whispered.

“So, we deal with today and figure the rest out later.” His voice was gruff.

“Just like that?” I asked.

“Just like that.”

Affection gathered at the base of my throat. “Well, then, I guess the first step is finding an apartment.”

That obstacle?

Easy.

It was Bobby who haunted my mind. Bobby who made me wonder if I was committing the greatest act of selfishness.

But this had gone too far, and I would find a way. I had to.

Milo raked his teeth over his plump bottom lip. Crap, that was distracting. “Was thinkin’ maybe you should stick around here for a bit.”

“Don’t tease a girl, Milo. That’s just rude.”

“Not teasing, Tessa. This place is huge and empty except for me.”

Hold the phone. Was he serious?

“Milo.” The tone woven in his name held the thousand reasons this would be a very bad idea.

Mostly, the sound of him in the shower. Well, the thought of him in his bed. Hell, just standing in his kitchen he was dangerous.

Clearly, I was starving for a taste of the man.

But really, I’d meant it when I’d said I didn’t want to drag him into my mess.

“Would make me feel better, knowing you’re here, under my roof, where I can keep an extra eye out for you.”

Turmoil wound its way deep into my psyche, the ache that wanted to give in and let Milo hold a little of my burden.

That’s what friends were for, and all.

But I knew better than asking so much of someone else.

My smile came soft. “You’re so kind, Milo, but I can’t?—”

He suddenly shoved off the island and stalked around the side of it.

The words stalled on my tongue as he came to tower over me.

All that burly intimidation on display.

Beautiful Beast.

He grabbed the arms of the stool and swiveled it so I was facing him.

The man clutched them as if they were a life raft and he was in danger of going under.

Still, he angled down to get close to my face.

God, he was really freaking hot, and my mouth went dry as that dark intensity pulsed from him in shattering waves.

Stealing my breath and pounding my heart so frantically I thought it would bust through my ribs.

“You think I’m doing this for you out of obligation, Tessa? Because I’m a nice guy?” A growl filled the words, and I was getting sucked deeper into his mystery, into the deepest woods where the light couldn’t make it beneath the shroud of heavy, dense leaves.

A safe haven that whispered of destruction.

This man, who clearly wore a beautifully broken halo.

I struggled to draw oxygen into my thinned airways.

He dragged the stool even closer, so close I might as well have been in his arms. “I won’t sleep knowing you’re out there by yourself, and I’m already a flat second from rollin’ out that door, finding that prick, and showing him just what I think of him. Believe me, Tessa, that shit wouldn’t be pretty.”

He lifted one hand and ran the pad of his thumb over the tiny cut on my lip.

Gently, though it nipped with a current of rage.

His attention dipped to that spot for one second before his eyes cut to mine.

“So, no, Tessa, I’m not asking you to stay here because I think it’s the right thing to do. I’m asking you because I need you here. Just for a little while, until I know you’re safe and you’ve found your way.”

My tongue swept over my lips, every part of me shaking, my hands and my words and my unsteady heart. “I mean, because we’re friends, right?”

He peeled himself away, staring me down as he grumbled, “Yeah, Tessa, because we’re friends.”

Then he pointed at my plate. “Now eat, before your food gets cold.”