In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) (6 page)

Not to mention whoever was stalking her now.

And just like that, he was in over his head. Again. One night with her, that’s what he’d told himself. Granted, it was a night he’d fantasized about for most of his adult life. But that was all it took to make him realize that he’d never really gotten over her. Never completely hardened his heart against her.

Shit
, he still loved her.

He didn’t shy away from the truth. And it didn’t matter that so much time had passed. And he knew why he’d never taken any other women seriously. Beth was his whole heart; there just wasn’t room for anyone else. Never would be.

He finished his shower and dried off, berating himself for letting himself get distracted. Today was about the job, but his gaze strayed to the bed.

Beth had been incredibly responsive to his touch. His body hardened at the memory. This client was the biggest one they’d ever had, otherwise he’d be tempted to blow off the meeting and take Beth back to bed.

Maybe stay there for the rest of his life.

Instead, he changed into black fatigue pants, a black T-shirt and black hiking boots. His burglar outfit. He’d be breaking into a warehouse with some fairly decent surveillance equipment. Nothing like Jesse could build, but Zach was always prepared.

When he left the room, he found Beth standing at the back door, looking outside. Her shoulders were taut and her sexy mouth was a thin line. She looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.
 

“I have to head out,” he said.

Beth jumped and let out a little squeak. Eyes wide, she turned to face him. “Sorry, I was miles away.”

The fact that she relaxed immediately sent satisfaction through him. It pleased the hell out of him that she felt safe here with him. The evidence was there in her eyes and the ready smile that meant everything to him.

“When will you be back?”

Her face and that smile had gotten him through some tough times in even tougher countries while he was in the service. He could admit that now.

“It’ll probably be several hours, but I’ll be back as quickly as I can. Try not to burn the house down.”

Beth laughed and that was the response he wanted. She’d always been such a serious little thing. He liked that she’d learned to smile and laugh. Besides, he was serious enough for both of them.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

Because he couldn’t be close without touching her, he reached out and laced his fingers through hers. “Come with me. I want to show you how to use the alarm system.”

“Don’t worry so much. I’m not planning on moving from the couch until you get back.”

At the alarm panel, Zach showed Beth how to punch in the code to arm and disarm the system. When he was satisfied that she was comfortable with the codes, he turned her around and pressed her back against the wall. He leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers.

Beth’s lips parted on a sigh and he used that opening to tangle his tongue with hers. She tasted like coffee and cream and a goodness that lightened his soul. Running his hands around her ribcage, he smoothed down her back and cupped her ass. A perfect fit for his hands, everything about this woman fit and completed him.

“Don’t go,” she whispered.

Damn, but he wished he could stay. “I have to.”

“Well, if you promise to pick up where you’re leaving off…”

Zach smiled. Beth trying to be bold was cute. “I want you to think about something today. Something serious.”

Chocolate brown eyes gazed into his with an expression of trust so beautiful that he almost didn’t say anything more. He knew how his question would hit her, but he needed it to be out in the open. The more time she had to think, the better his chances of having her in his life would be.

“What is it?”

“I want more, Beth. More of you, me, this. Think about staying here for the summer and giving this a real chance.” He’d bring up marriage and kids later.

Her faced paled instantly and she pulled her hand away from his. “W-what?” Beth sucked a breath and held it, clenching and unclenching her hands. “I thought we were clear about what this is.”

Zach could feel his jaw clench. “I thought we were clear too. I wanted it to just be sex, Beth. But it’s not. It never has been with you and me and I can’t pretend that it is. So at the risk of having my pride and my heart stomped on—again—I’m asking you to think about it.”

“You know I can’t stay. I have a book to write, a life in Phoenix. I can’t just put it all on hold.”

“I’m asking you to give me a few months, see where this goes. Not put your life on hold. We belong together. I’ve known it our whole lives, and, if you’d let yourself, you’d see it too.”

“Zach—“

“Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking.” He kissed her quickly on the lips and then opened the door. “Set the alarm. I’ll be back soon.”

Then he left and prayed that she had the courage to start thinking past her fear of commitment. This was his only shot at a normal life with the woman he loved. It was Beth or a life alone, but he was willing to take the chance. He just hoped to God that he could convince her.

Chapter 7

Elizabeth set the alarm and walked on wooden legs to the couch. Sinking down onto the leather, she pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. Move in? He wanted to live together for the summer? What was he thinking?

Chills raced down her arms and nausea rolled through her empty stomach. The only thing that kept her rooted to the spot and not running for the hills was Zach. Big, sexy, irritating, incredible Zach. Her bastion against the world.
 

But what he was asking was something more permanent.

That kind of life wasn’t for her. That led to emotions, entanglements, commitment, all of which lead to marriage. She still had nightmares from her so-called family life, before the crash. Marriage was unstable. Better to be single and able to walk out at any time, before everyone involved got hurt.

And what about children? That came with marriage.

He deserved kids. Zach would be a wonderfully loving and patient father, but she wasn’t even sure she would know what to do with a child. She’d never been one herself. Growing up, she had to be quiet for Daddy, because he didn’t like noise. No running and playing like a normal kid. She had to dress a certain way and was only allowed to speak when asked a question. She and her mother could only eat after he’d eaten.

 
Her mother said marriage was forever – for better or worse. It was marriage and a child that kept her mother in that hell. If it hadn’t been for her, Elizabeth believed her mother might have left, instead of settling for a life of submissive servitude.

All she knew for certain was that her father had killed her mother. Oh, not literally. A drunk driver had done that for both of them, but he’d killed her spirit long before her body had died.

No man would ever be able to have a say in her life like her father had. Somewhere, deep down, she’d thought Zach understood that. Understood that sex was just that—sex—with no agenda.

She needed some air.

She turned off the alarm so she could step out onto the back porch, a gentle breeze caressed her face. She inhaled strongly, closing her eyes to savor the scent and the calm that washed over her. Then she shoved the anxiety out of her head. At least for now.

Not wanting to go far, but eager to focus on something else, she stepped off the back porch for a better look at the house. An enormous bay window caught her attention. Excited with her discovery, Elizabeth made her way over to the window to snoop.

“Damn!” The entire window was covered from the inside.

She jumped when her cell phone buzzed. She’d forgotten that it was in her back pocket. Gingerly extracting the device, the caller ID said “Unknown.” She answered anyway.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Russell? It’s Detective Wolfe, do you have a minute?”

“Sure, Detective, and please, call me Elizabeth.”

“Alright, Elizabeth. I was calling to give you an update. Unfortunately, I don’t have any new information or suspects yet, but I wanted you to know that we’ve released your apartment. The crime lab has processed everything they need for the investigation, so you’re welcome to come home at any time.”

“That’s good news.” Elizabeth tried to muster up some enthusiasm, but just couldn’t face the prospect of her ravaged apartment.

“It’s really only a matter of time before we catch this guy. I’ll make sure of it,” he said, confidence radiating through the line. “If you like, I can meet you and escort you home. I understand it’s unsettling to go in alone for the first time.”

“That’s very kind of you Detective, but—“

“I’d like it if you called me Daniel,” he interrupted. “Unofficially, of course.”

“Thank you, Daniel, but I’m actually with a friend. He’s helping me out and letting me stay until this whole thing is resolved.”

There was a long pause and then, “You never mentioned him in the report. Maybe I should interview him.”

“He isn’t involved. Believe me.” Elizabeth felt guilty about not mentioning Zach to the detective before. “I
am
glad you called, though. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t think I’ll come back until this over.”

“That’s understandable. I do need an inventory of items missing and I need to get your signature for the victim statement.” His voice had subtly changed into a more professional tone.

“Is that something that needs to be done immediately?”

“Why don’t you give me the address of where you’re staying and I’ll drop off the forms.”
 

“Okay.” She gave the address and Zach’s name.

“Flagstaff, huh? I guess I won’t be stopping by to give you the forms then. I’ll stick them in the mail for you. Just make sure you get them back as soon as you can.”

“No problem. Sorry for not telling you where I went; it was a last minute decision. I feel safer here. Stupid, I guess.”

“Not at all. And it’s only natural to want distance between yourself and the violence you’ve experienced.”

“I appreciate the understanding.”

“I’ll be in touch. You have my card with you?”

“Yes.”

“My cell and home numbers are on the back. If you need anything, or just want to talk, call me. Anytime.”
 

***

Zach was on his way back home from the meeting when his phone rang. Seeing Jesse’s number, he answered, thinking it was something to do with the business.

“What’s up?”

“Got some news from one of my sources. It’s not good.”

“Just spit it out.”

“Well, Detective Wolfe has an interesting past. And a tie to your girl.”

Zach could feel his teeth clench as he stepped on the accelerator. Damn it, he knew he should’ve blown off the meeting and just let Jesse handle the clients.

“He was the first officer on the scene at the accident that killed Beth’s parents and he’s from Casa Grande. He moved to Phoenix about three years ago and moved up to Detective with Phoenix PD.”

“Why don’t I know him?”

“He’s at least five years older. You probably wouldn’t have crossed paths.”

“It’s not a big town, Jess. And now he’s in the middle of another case involving Beth. That’s one helluva coincidence.”

“You don’t believe in coincidences,” Jesse reminded him.

“Damn it, I know. You got anything else on this guy?”

“Not yet, but I’m still digging. I don’t have anything on the other names you gave me yet either.”

“Let me know when you do. This bastard is clever.”

Zach hung up and pushed his truck faster. He needed to see Beth and make sure she was exactly how he left her. And if even a single hair was out of place, there would be hell to pay.

He pulled up to the house and was up to the steps when he froze.

Singing.

Beth was singing. Outside. Alone.

Zach was pissed. Finding Beth outside made his skin crawl. He’d only left the house because he was sure she’d be safe and he’d be notified immediately if one of the alarms was tripped. But not if the damned woman disarmed them herself.

He rounded the corner at the back of the house and there she was, sitting in the sun as if she hadn’t a care in the world.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Zach. I didn’t realize you were home.”

“Because you should be inside sitting innocently on the couch.”

If steam could actually shoot out of a person’s ears, Zach was mad enough to make it happen. Didn’t she realize that anything could have happened? Her stalker could have easily attacked her. More than anything, he was angry that he’d left her at all. It wouldn’t happen in the future.
 

“I-I’m sorry.” Beth took a deep breath and then that stubborn chin lifted a notch. “Damn it, no, I’m not. I’m not a prisoner here. Stop acting like I am.”

He advanced on her, making her back up a step. “You are not a prisoner here. But you put me in charge of your safety.”