Ellie had just pulled her keys out when the front door swung open and a man tried to dart by us. It was obvious the man had expected Ellie to be alone and no threat to his escape. Ellie’s cry of alarm told me this was no friend.

  The stranger took one look at me and ran back into the house, attempting to slam the door. I followed, shoving the door open hard, chasing the man into the living room, and tackling him from behind. We both fell to the floor hard.

  The man tried to escape, but I was hopped up on anger and adrenaline, and I kept him pressed against the floor. This fucker wasn’t getting up until I said so.

  I heard Ellie talking behind me and realized she’d called the police. I listened as she gave directions to her house.

  “Trey,” she said, crouching next to where I sat astride the stranger, holding him facedown against the floor. My legs had trapped the man’s arms at his side, making escape impossible, though he was kicking his legs like a pissed-off mule.

  “It’s okay, Ellie. I’ve got him. I’m not going to let him go.”

  She walked over to turn on a light in the living room and as I watched, she bent down again to look at the man’s face.

  “Who the hell are you?” she asked.

  The guy glared at her and I could tell he wasn’t completely in his right mind. In fact, he looked strung out. “Just wanted some money. Lemme go and I won’t fuck you up, bitch.”

  Ellie gasped as I shoved the man’s head against the floor hard.

  “Looks like you’re the one who’s fucked.” My heart was racing, adrenaline pulsing through my veins. I knew exactly how dangerous a man could be while under the influence. God knew what chemical this man had flowing through his blood system.

  Sirens sounded in the distance and the man began to struggle anew, kicking his legs with renewed force. I used all my strength to keep him under his control, but it was becoming more difficult.

  Suddenly, Ellie’s foot appeared in front of me and she applied just enough pressure to hold the man’s face to the floor. Unable to move his head or arms, the fight left him and he lay still beneath me.

  Heavy footsteps sounded on the porch and soon the living room was filled with police officers. They cuffed the robber and took statements from me and Ellie. A thorough investigation of the house proved the man had pried open a window in the basement. He’d made a mess of the upstairs—emptying drawers and closets looking for anything of value to sell for drug money. It appeared he’d only just started his destruction downstairs when we’d arrived home. The bag on the porch contained Ellie’s laptop, some jewelry and the small television from her bedroom.

  Shawn showed up when he’d heard Ellie’s name blasted over the police scanner. As Ellie checked the house with another officer to confirm that nothing else was missing, Shawn pulled me aside.

  “The other cops seem to think you helped us nab a man suspected of robbing several houses in town. Description of the suspect definitely fits. Lucky thing you were here, Trey. Guy is fucked up on some serious shit. Put up a hell of a fight when they tried to put him in the police cruiser. They found a switchblade in his pocket.”

  I struggled to breathe as I considered what could have happened if Ellie had returned home alone. The guy’s threatening comment as well as the weapon confirmed exactly how much force he might have used in order to get money from her. The anger I had beaten down once the man had been taken into custody reappeared.

  I wanted to punch someone.

  Hard.

  “The robbery MO only partially fits. Guy we’ve been looking for usually stakes out a house, familiarizes himself with the occupant’s schedule, comings and goings. He finds an obscure way into the house, one someone wouldn’t notice right away. He’s in and out with as much as he can carry on his back before the homeowner returns. This hit seems a bit closer to home for him, though. His last few hits have been in more upscale neighborhoods. I’m wondering if he was desperate for money and knew Ellie was a single woman living alone. Might have made him braver.”

  “Jesus.” I dropped down onto the couch and Shawn knelt in front of me.

  “Fuck, man. I’m sorry.” Shawn stared at me for a long, quiet moment before speaking again. “I have a bad habit of thinking out loud. The guy was obviously just here for money. Chances are good he would have grabbed Ellie’s purse and run off. You said yourself he looked like he was planning to escape when he saw you blocking his path.”

  I knew Shawn’s words for a lie, meant to comfort me. I wasn’t so sure the robber would have left easily if Ellie had been alone.

  Shawn grinned crookedly. “What’s up with you, anyway? You got a thing for the white chick?”

  I rolled my eyes and started to answer, but Ellie walked into the living room. I rose quickly, walking over to take her hand. “Everything else where it’s supposed to be?”

  She looked around absentmindedly. I was worried about her pale complexion.

  Was she going into shock?

  Should I take her to the hospital?

  She’d seemed so calm and clear-headed during the actual attack that I’d failed to consider how deeply frightened she must be.

  “You hanging in there, Ellie?” Shawn asked, coming up behind me.

  “Yeah,” she answered, though her voice sounded strained, weak.

  I hated the sound. Ellie was tough, self-confident. No asshole druggie was going to rob her of that confidence, that inner-strength.

  “Grab some stuff, sweetheart. You’re going to spend the night at my place.”

  She looked for a moment like she wanted to protest, but I narrowed my eyes. I’d toss her over my shoulder and drag her to my house if I needed to. There was no way in hell she was staying here alone tonight.

  When she didn’t answer, I cupped her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Ellie.” My tone must have broken through her reticence and she realized that I wasn’t taking no as answer.

  “I need…some stuff.” She turned toward her bedroom. Then, glancing over her shoulder, she gave me a determined look. “Only for tonight, Trey.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief when she walked away. She might be beaten, but she wasn’t down.

  Shawn placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Your friend chose a shitty place to live.”

  “I know,” I said. “I intend to see that she finds somewhere safer. And soon.”

  “That’d be a good call. Gotta admit I’m looking forward to watching you chase your own tail trying to impress a woman for once. Landing the ladies has always been too easy for you. Looks to me like this one’s gonna be a little tougher to convince.”

  “Very funny,” I mumbled, wishing there wasn’t so much truth in Shawn’s words.

  There was an uncomfortable, unfamiliar voice inside my head demanding that I storm upstairs, pack up every possession she had, and drag her to my place forever, so I could keep her safe, protected, happy.

  I shut the voice down. Ellie was hell-bent on a platonic friendship and there was no point in torturing myself, hoping for something I couldn’t have. Right now, I was playing the waiting game, giving her time to get her sea legs under her, to figure out that her and me…well…we were inevitable.

  Shawn said his goodbyes as Ellie walked into the living room with a small overnight bag.

  “A couple of the cops boarded up the window in the basement for you. They said the place should be plenty secure once we lock it behind us. Shawn said he’d make sure a patrol car drives by every hour tonight just to be sure.”

  She nodded but didn’t speak.

  Her silence was unnerving.

  I led her to the car and we didn’t talk as I drove to my house. I was lost in thought, fighting like mad to forget how badly this night could have turned out. I clenched the steering wheel tighter, trying to still my shaking hands, as the adrenaline began to give way to exhaustion.

  Ellie broke the silence as we pulled into my driveway. “I just realized I’ve never seen your home either.”

  I grinned. “Lots of firsts tonight.”

  She nodded and followed me into my house.

  “Nice place,” she said, looking around.

  “It’s Jamie’s house,” I confessed. “I took it on as a rental when he moved in with Grace. Beat the hell out of sharing a townhouse with two other guys.”

  “It’s very cozy. I like the pictures. My family’s home burned down when I was sixteen. We lost everything. I think I miss the photographs the most.”

  “I’m sorry. That must’ve been tough.”

  She shrugged. “My family wasn’t home at the time and I guess when all is said and done, the most important thing was we were alive.”

  She walked around my living room, studying the pictures of my family and friends. Briefly I told her who everyone was. I could tell she was on edge.

  “My bedroom is at the top the stairs. The bathroom adjoins it. Make yourself at home.”

  She turned to look at me, wariness in her gaze.

  I pointed to the couch. “I’m sleeping here.”

  I thought she’d be relieved by the sleeping arrangements, but she didn’t respond. She’d been still as a statue since discovering the stranger in her home and I was starting to seriously worry about her. I prayed she hadn’t considered what could have happened beyond the man merely robbing her. I certainly didn’t plan to tell her about the switchblade the cops had discovered.

  “Ellie. Are you okay?”

  She nodded stiffly. “I’m fine. I don’t mind sleeping on the couch. I don’t like the idea of you—”

  I cut her off. “The couch is mine.”

  She shrugged and headed up the stairs. I grabbed a blanket from the end of the couch and unfolded it. As I lay there, I followed Ellie’s progress, listening as she walked from the bathroom to the bedroom, climbing into my bed. For several minutes, the quiet was absolute.

  Then I heard it.

  A soft cry.

  Would she want to cry alone or did she need consolation?

  Finally, I gave into my own needs.

  There was no way I could let her cry alone.

  I climbed the stairs and opened the door slowly. I could barely make out her trembling form on my bed through the darkness.

  “Ellie,” I whispered, walking toward the bed. “It’s me.”

  She sniffled and I listened to her try to hold back her tears.

  “Shit. Don’t do that, baby.” I pulled the covers down and crawled in next to her. She froze for a moment and then she curled into my embrace, freeing the tears she’d been holding back.

  I held her tightly, letting her cry out her fears, her anxieties. I whispered soothing things, knowing nothing I could say would change the fact that she’d just dodged one hell of a scary bullet.

  “It’s going to be okay. You’re safe here, Ellie. I’ll always protect you. I promise.”

  She didn’t respond.

  Instead, she clung to me tighter. I stroked her soft hair, rubbed her back consolingly.

  After several long minutes, her crying grew softer and soon her breathing evened out. I tilted my head until I could see her face. She’d fallen asleep.

  I considered heading downstairs to sleep on the couch, but I dismissed the idea as soon as it popped into my mind.

  Instead, I tightened my grip on her and closed my own eyes, letting the slow rise and fall of her chest lull me to sleep.

  Chapter 4

  Second Quarter

  Trey

  I watched the last car pull out of the parking lot and released a loud whoop. Ellie laughed at my response.

  “You’re insane.”

  I shook my head. “Not insane. A winner.”

  I picked Ellie up and spun her around as she giggled and demanded I put her down. To say our basketball season had gotten off to a rocky start would be an understatement. We’d lost the first three games in a row—miserably.

  Tonight—finally—something had clicked for our girls and we’d managed to come back from a twelve-point deficit to win during an away game. I’d known going in to the season, my team wasn’t likely to see the level of success we’d enjoyed in previous years. My players were too young—three of the starters were only sophomores—but they had raw talent and drive.

  With Ellie at my side on the bench, I was starting to think the season wouldn’t be as abysmal as I’d feared. She was a great teacher, but she was an amazing coach.

  “Come on,” she said. “It’s getting late.”

  Alone in the parking lot, I followed Ellie to her car. She didn’t chastise me for it. In fact, I was fairly certain she’d gotten used to my over protectiveness.

  It had been a month and a half since the break-in at her house. Since then, I’d insisted on following her home every single night and escorting her to her door. I’d spent an entire Saturday installing stronger locks on all her windows and doors.

  I’d promised to pack her up and move her myself if she’d sign a lease on an apartment in a better neighborhood, but she’d stuck to her excuses for staying put—claiming lack of money and time as her main reasons.

  She’d just reached her car when I decided fuck it.

  Unable to resist, I turned her around, pushed her against the car and kissed her. It was meant to be a friendly, quick kiss, but once I got there, I found myself lingering, her lips too irresistible.

  “I’m pumped up. Too excited. There’s no way I can go home and go to bed,” I murmured against her lips. “Let’s celebrate somewhere. Go dancing.”

  Ellie pushed away and for a moment, I thought she was going to reject me. I hadn’t kissed her in months, not since that night at Bristols at the beginning of the school year.

  “It’s a Tuesday night. There’s nowhere in town to dance. Besides, I have an idea. The perfect way to celebrate. Can we go to your house?”

  I nodded, shocked by her request. “Sure. What’s the plan?”

  She gave me a grin that was somehow sexy and mischievous at the same time.

  I liked it.

  “It’s a surprise. I’ll follow you there in my car.”

  I agreed, breaking every speed limit on my way through town. My cock was rock hard and my mind was wallowing in the gutter. She hadn’t given any indication that her plans involved sex, but that didn’t stop me from hoping.

  My dick was nothing if not an optimist.

  I’d abided by her damn “can’t date a colleague” rule, remaining firmly ensconced in friendship hell, but I wasn’t going to pretend it wasn’t getting harder by the day. I’d deleted my damn booty call list earlier in the week, knowing I’d never call another woman for hook-up as long as Ellie was around. The only woman I wanted in my bed was the one currently pulling into my driveway behind me.

  As we walked into the house, Ellie pulled off her coat and hung it on the hook by the door. She’d been to my house several times since the night of the break-in—to watch football on Sundays with the gang or to meet for a quick dinner before a late practice.

  I liked having her in my home. She fit here.

  “Do you have any playing cards?”

  I looked at her and wondered for a moment if I’d heard her correctly. “Cards?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. You know, ace, king, queen. Cards.”

  “Very funny, smartass.” I walked behind the bar in the corner of the room and pulled out a new pack. “I want to celebrate and you want to play rummy.”

  She laughed. “Not rummy. Blackjack.”

  I opened the cards and led her into the living room. “Didn’t realize you had a gambling problem. Though…if you want to play a game of chance…how about strip poker?”

  I expected her to laugh at my joke, so her response caught me by surprise.

  “Hmmm. I think you’ll find my idea runs along those lines.”

  “Sounds interesting.” I gestured for her to take the couch, while I pulled a chair opposite her, putting the coffee table between us. “So maybe you should lay out the game plan.”

  She smiled, reaching for the cards and shuffling them like a Vegas dealer. “I like the sound of that.”

  “Of what?”

  “Me—laying out the game plan. You realize I’ve offered quite a few suggestions to you about things the girls should be doing on the court.”

  I released a long, slow breath. I’d been expecting this.

  Ellie was used to being top dog and deciding exactly what happened with her team at Harper’s Ridge. No doubt it was difficult for her to take direction from me. It had been my main concern about her taking the assistant coaching job.

  So far, I’d thought things were working out fairly well. She’d made a couple of proposals of different ways to handle things and I’d listened.

  Tonight she’d advised me that we should move from zone to man-to-man defense. I’d made the switch and the tide had turned in the game. I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I always knew the right way. However, she needed to understand that as far as decisions about the team went, the buck stopped with me.

  “Ellie,” I started.

  She raised her hand to stop me. “You’re the head coach, Trey. I knew that going in and I’ve worked hard not to step on your toes. Not to usurp your authority.”

  I nodded. She’d been absolutely professional. Always deferring to me whenever we had a disagreement. “I know that. And I know it’s not easy for you, but—”

  “Let me finish. You said you wanted to celebrate and I know exactly how I want to do that. For tonight, I want a chance to be equals. To get my way. No questions asked.”

  I swallowed heavily. What the hell was she suggesting? “Um, okay.”

  She laughed. “Don’t look so grim. I’m not going to put you before the firing squad. Just a simple game of Blackjack.”

  “What’s the wager?”

  “Winner gets to do whatever they want to the other person, but the loser can't join in. When I win, you have to sit there and take whatever it is I do to you.”

  I frowned. “What exactly are we talking about here? Give me an example of something you might do.”

  She rose and my mouth went dry as she walked around the coffee table to stand in front of me.

  “For example,” she said, bending over until I could smell the coconut scent of shampoo in her hair. “I might do something like this.”

 

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