Here With Me Read online

  I shake the thought away and try to focus on making Allie something to eat. My dad had taught me to cook at an early age and it was something else that we had enjoyed doing together. He was forced to learn when my mom left us, and found he was pretty damn good at it. I always told him if he didn’t have the winery, he should get his own show on Food Network.

  I busied myself in the kitchen as my mind raced. I was more scared of what Claire would do to Allie once she found out about us. The one poor girl that tried to befriend me was nearly run out of town by Claire’s harassment and anger issues. She dropped out of school and last I heard had moved back home to South Carolina. I shudder at the very thought of that batshit crazy woman coming back into my life and destroying everything that I have worked so hard for.

  Donovan, maybe she’s over you, I think, only hoping on false hope. I know it’s not true, but it does make me feel better. Maybe it was just a wrong number. Yeah, that’s it. A wrong number. If lying to myself makes me functional, then that’s what I’ll have to do. I finish up my girl’s breakfast and make two plates. I make my way back to my room to find her gone. She wasn’t in bed and I didn’t see her at all in the room.

  Panic sets in as I think the worst. I put the plates down and rush to the bathroom. No Allie. Beads of sweat form on my brow as I frantically try to find her. My heart sinks deeper when I don’t see her in the hallway. Where the hell is she?

  “Allie?” I tried not to sound worried, but I know my cracking voice has failed me. I hear some noise from the spare bedroom down the hall and I race towards the sound.

  My heart finds my throat as I finally see where Allie is; she was only getting her clothes out of the closet I let her use. She looks at me, confused.

  “Something wrong?”

  “No, no. I just didn’t know where you were. I…uh…made you breakfast.” My blood pounds in my ears. “Just didn’t want it to get cold.” I put on a fake smile as I walk over to her, just to hug her. I know it sounds so stupid, but I just wanted to feel her in my arms, to know she’s real and not a figment of my imagination. I can’t believe I was so scared that somehow Claire got in my house and got to Allie.

  “Donovan, I love you dearly, but you’re weird.” She giggles and it’s music to my ears. Her laugh sounds like angels singing—at least, that’s what I think.

  “Take the good with the bad, sweetheart.” I nuzzle her neck and inhale her delicious scent. “I may be weird, but you can’t resist my charm and witty sense of humor.”

  “I suppose so. The sex isn’t bad, either.” She winks at me and kisses the corner of my mouth.

  “Oh, baby. I know the sex isn’t bad. It’s fucking amazing.” I place my hands on both sides of her face and bring her in for a much deeper, longer kiss. I can feel her melt into me as her body leans into mine. I run my fingers down her bare arms and I can feel the chill bumps my touch leaves on her skin. “You know, the offer still stands.”

  She looks up into my eyes through her long, dark lashes. “What offer?”

  I already feel myself getting hard just thinking about laying her down again. “The offer where I give you incredible orgasms over and over, all day long.”

  “Don’t tempt me,” she purrs into my ear.

  “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do,” I whisper back. “I’ll make it worth your while, I promise.”

  “You drive a hard bargain,” she says as she runs her fingers down from my chest to my waistline. I get the irony.

  “Want to find out how hard of a bargain it really is?”

  “Damn right I do,” she squeals as she takes my hand and practically drags me back to the bedroom.

  Chapter 3

  Allie

  “People shouldn’t allowed to have such great sex,” I say, laughing after we finish round three. “No one would ever leave home, or go to work, or do anything at all.”

  Donovan laughs along with me, as he rolls up on his left side, facing me. His toned chest is so hard to keep my hands off of, and the sheets barely cover the sexy “V” under his waistline.

  “I told you I would make it worth your while.” He gives me that sexy, cockeyed grin of his and I instantly swoon over him. Why is he so damn hot? “Well, since we spent half the day in bed together, what do you want to do with the other half?”

  “Ha, I don’t know if I could take another round with you, baby. I want to do something outside today.” I roll over to look out the huge window that faces the duck pond in his backyard. “Why don’t we go to Lake Lanier? There’s still a lot of daylight left.”

  “Sure, if you want to, let’s go.” He rolls out of bed and I turn around to admire the view of his perfectly firm ass. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at that. He stops, turns around, and smiles at me.

  “Enjoying the view?” he asks, then flexes. I laugh and throw a pillow at him.

  “As a matter of fact, I am. But if you don’t get dressed quick style, we’re never going to leave the house.” I roll out of bed on the other side and look around the room to find any article of clothing that was thrown off in that fit of passion we just had. I see my bra and panties laying on the floor, so I put them on and then rummage through the closet to find the new sundress Donovan just bought me. I pull it off the hanger and snatch the price tags off. I don’t even want to see the price, because I know he paid way more than I would have. I slide it on over my head and the pale blue goes with my slightly tanned skin. I slide on my white flip-flops and throw my hair up in a messy bun. My hair still hasn’t learned to cooperate with this Georgia humidity, so I surrendered weeks ago.

  Donovan has changed into a pair of khakis and green t-shirt. He slides his feet into his dark brown Polo flip-flops and grabs my hand. “All right, baby, let’s go to the lake. Grab your swimsuit and towel.” I grab my pool bag and we head out the front door. He walks us over to his black pickup truck and he opens the door for me. As I step in, he slaps me on the ass and I squeal.

  “You ass!”

  “Yeah, but you like it.” He laughs as he shuts the door. I narrow my eyes at him when he slips into the driver’s side. “What? You don’t like it? I thought you liked it rough.”

  I burst into a girly giggle and shrug my shoulders. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right about that one.” After he roars the engine he places his hand on my knee. “Redneck Crazy” is playing on the radio and I imagine the poor cowboy whose girl was cheating on him, so he threw beer cans at both of their shadows. Country music has gotten much better than when my parents used to listen to it. Well, I had a few favorites, but I was into hip hop at the time. Not anymore. I turn the volume up and belt out along with Tyler Farr.

  “I didn’t know you could sing,” Donovan says, surprised. “I had no idea you were that good.”

  I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks as I stop. “Thanks,” I say sheepishly. I usually don’t sing in front of anyone. I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I fold my hands in my lap, embarrassed.

  “Please, don’t stop. Don’t be embarrassed to do anything around me. Besides, your voice is beautiful,” he says as he gives me a quick, reassuring smile. “But could you pick a different song, please?” I know what he means even if he doesn’t say it. Being that Claire is crazy, like “redneck” crazy. So I flip to another country station and wait for a song to start.

  “My dad used to sing to me when I was little.” I smile at the memory of my father sitting on the porch swing, singing to me and with me. “We used to sing all kinds of songs, but his favorite was Garth Brooks. He could really belt his lyrics out. He should have gone pro, but he was content being a family man.” I look up to the sky and miss him so bad it hurts. “I wish you could have heard him.”

  “I’m sure he was great.” He grabs my hands and links his fingers through mine. I shake my head, not wanting to talk about him. I didn’t want to cry. Thank goodness for Miranda Lambert coming on the radio. So, instead of speaking of Dad, I try to remember the songs we sang. So I started to sing “Onl
y Prettier.” I start soft, hardly audible. Then I could feel my heart unfold, remembering my daddy and his angelic voice. The lyrics came stronger and I could feel my vocal cords vibrating, keeping time with the music and matching the tone. I stare out the window the entire time, still embarrassed about actually singing in front of him.

  Donovan didn’t make a peep until the song was over. I didn’t say anything, waiting for him to say something. I also didn’t realize we had reached the lake already. I turn to look at him and he’s staring at me and it makes me a bit insecure. I cast my eyes downward, then he tilts my chin up so I’m looking into his sparkling blue eyes.

  “That. Was. Amazing. Absolutely amazing.” He gently kisses my lips. “I could listen to you all day long. You’re better than anyone I’ve ever heard on the radio. Please promise me you’ll sing for me again.”

  I nod my head and give him a shy smile. “Okay, I promise.”

  “Good. Now, let’s go swimming!” He grins like a fool--an adorable fool, that is. We both hop out of the truck and race towards the beach. Surprisingly, for a hot end of summer day, there’s practically no one here. We both neglected to put on our bathing suits beforehand, so we have to stop off at the restrooms to change.

  I slip into my hot pink bikini that Donovan picked out and put my clothes neatly into my bag. I head out to meet him when I stop short. He’s on the phone and he looks like he’s just seen a ghost. His usually tanned face is pale white and his expression looks pained. He slides his hand from his forehead down to his chin, like he’s trying to wipe off the look he has with no success. I stay right where I am, not wanting to interrupt what’s going on in front of me.

  Chapter 4

  Donovan

  “Son of a bitch!” I mutter. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, very. I wouldn’t lie about this, Donnie.” My father’s voice was low and serious. I knew my Pops wouldn’t lie to me, especially about something that was mind shattering like this.

  “I can’t believe it. I mean, I can, but I can’t.” My mind was going as fast as a damn NASCAR winner. “She was at my house?”

  “Yes. The security company called me when they couldn’t get through to you.” I had listed my father to be the next number called if I was unavailable, thank God. “Claire was snooping around the first story windows before she started knocking on the door.”

  “Shit, shit, shit!” I run my free hand through my hair. I feel like my world is slowly unraveling, or maybe it’s just my mind. The bitch is back. I knew deep down she was going to come back for me, whether it be to end my life or throw herself back into it. I’m starting to prefer the first option, except that would mean I’d lose Allie. I can feel her gaze and I glance her way. Funny, but looking at her calms me, makes me feel a little better. I wave her over and I can tell she doesn’t want to come. I’m pretty sure she’s terrified about what’s going on, with good reason. She slowly walks over, and damn it if my body doesn’t respond to that hot bikini she has on. Leave it to her to get my mind off the worst of situations.

  “I wouldn’t go back right now, Donnie. Not yet. I’ll have my security guards come down there ASAP. But right now, don’t return. I’m worried about you. And Allie.” My father has a dozen bodyguards, being that he’s one of the richest men on the East coast. I’m glad he does, especially with that nasty bitch he married, Donna.

  “All right, Pops. Only trouble is that we don’t have any extra clothes or anything with us. We’re at the lake now,” I say as I wrap my arm around Allie’s shoulders. Her expression is confused and scared. I kiss her forehead lightly. “I guess we have to do what we have to do.”

  “I’m sorry, son, but I can’t trust that she won’t return. Especially at night.” I shudder at the very thought of Claire creeping around my house while I’m sleeping. I’m more frightened of what she may try to do to Allie.

  “Yes, sir. I’ll call you when we get where we’re going.” I hang up, then look down at the sweet, innocent girl that I have dragged into my own personal hell. “I’m sorry, babe, but we need to leave now. Pops called and said Claire was at the house.”

  Her green eyes widen and her arms encircle me. Her grip becomes tight, almost to the point of pain. “Oh my God. Do you think she was there before we left?”

  “No, Dad said he saw us leave about five minutes before she was caught on camera.” If we hadn’t…who knows?

  “Can we get her for trespassing on your property? Can you get a restraining order on her?”

  I laugh, which is completely inappropriate timing. “Baby, a restraining order doesn’t do a single thing. It doesn’t ever work. And trespassing? That wouldn’t do anything but piss her off more.” Her look drops and I know my tone was rigid. “Baby doll, I’m sorry. I’m just…just so stressed out right now. I don’t want her anywhere near you.” Just thinking about Claire and Allie being in the same room is enough to make me look over my shoulder.

  “I told you, I’m not worried about me. I’m worried about you. Now, what are we supposed to do?”

  I honestly have no fucking idea. I’m winging this as I go.

  “We need to find a safe place until Dad’s bodyguards get to Atlanta, but until then, I say we check into a hotel and chill for awhile. I have some time off that I can use and since you don’t work at the golf club anymore, we’re good.” My dick twitches just thinking about being in a hotel with this girl. All the things I could do to her…there goes my mind wandering again. I should be focused on getting us the hell out of dodge, not getting into those pretty panties of hers.

  “What about clothes? We don’t have anything with us.” She gives me a perplexed look, then it dawns on her. “We won’t really need clothes, will we?”

  I give her a sly grin, giving her the answer she now knows. “Did you want to stay here, or get on the road? I say we don’t stay in the city.”

  “No, let’s get going. I’m not in the mood for swimming anymore.” She turns to go back to the bathroom. I pull her back to me.

  “You should wear that.”

  “Then you would be all over the road and get in an accident, silly boy.” She flashes a sexy smile as she turns back to the changing rooms.

  “Okay, fine. But you should put it back on when we get to the hotel, so I can take it off of you.” I see the goosebumps rise on her arms and I smirk. “Very slowly.” I can tell she contemplates the notion of wearing that barely there bathing suit, then decides it’s best that she put on regular clothes. I’ve never been ridden as I’m driving…again, I try to shake off the thoughts of laying her down until we get to the hotel.

  I wait patiently for her as my phone rings again. The number shows up “Private” and against my better judgment, I answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “I know you’re at the lake with your whore.” The voice sends me into near cardiac arrest. A voice that I haven’t heard in years and I never thought I would have to worry about it ever again.

  “Claire.”

  “Yes, baby, It’s me, aren’t you happy to hear my voice?”

  “How did you get my number?” I’ve changed it more than once since she was in prison, due to her damn sister calling me constantly. I can almost feel the steam coming out of my ears.

  “Doesn’t matter. I have it now. Now, as for your whore, you can drop her off and meet me back at your place. I must have just missed you,” she hisses into the other end and it causes me to take the phone away from my ear.

  “First off, she’s not my whore. She’s my girlfriend. And second, you don’t control what I do anymore. So no, I won’t go meet you. Don’t call me again. Don’t come by my house anymore. I don’t want to see you ever again.” I emphasize the last sentence.

  “Oh, sweetie. You haven’t seen the last of me, I can promise you that. Now, again. Drop off your whore and meet me at your place in an hour. You better be there, Donovan. If you know what’s good for you.” Then the line goes dead.

  Oh fuck.

  Allie comes out a
nd stops as she sees me. “What’s wrong?”

  “Claire just called me. She knows we’re here. We have to leave. Now.” I grab her hand as we race to the truck. This bitch is crazy enough to do something in broad daylight. I have no idea whether she’s here or not, but I’m not about to find out. I will not put Allie’s life in danger, and that’s what I believe it’s become. This very well could be a matter of life and death. She’s killed once, so she can kill again. I feel our feet flying underneath us, guiding us towards the truck.

  We make it to the vehicle without incident. As soon as we shut the doors, I take off, spinning tires out of the parking lot, constantly looking into the rearview mirror. I can’t believe my life has gone from damn near perfect to straight up screwed in ten seconds flat.

  “Donovan, slow down! You’re doing seventy and we aren’t even on the interstate yet!” Allie’s voice snaps me out of my dark thoughts. I immediately slow down. “Geez, I don’t want to die today.” Her voice sounds exasperated, and the irony of her statement is not lost on me.

  “Sorry.” I try to make sure I stay within the sound barrier as we exit onto the interstate. “I guess we’ll head to Macon for a few days. We can’t really go to Savannah. I want to get far enough away from home, but not too far out.” I slip my hand into hers, linking our fingers and give her a reassuring squeeze.

  “Okay.” I know she’s just as worried as I am right now. She uses her right hand to support her chin and just stares out the window at the passing cars. My heart breaks for us, having to run as that crazy bitch roams free. I start thinking about Claire, at my house, probably waiting for me in her car. If she thinks for a minute that I’ll show up, she’s got another think coming. It starts to really piss me off that she thinks she still has some sort of warped control over my life and that we have maintained some sort of warped relationship. I debate on calling my father to tell him what happened, but I don’t. I don’t want to burden him with anything else right now.