When the damsel in distress comes under His Safe Keeping

His Safe Keeping

Safe series #1

by Tina Bass

from Beau Coup Publishing

*****Blurb*****

Krista Avery moved to the sleepy town of Mt. Eve, Virginia, away from big city life, enticed there by a research doctor that is fascinated with her blood. Trying to build a life for herself after a horrific event in her past sent her into a spiral, she is a woman battling a rare blood disorder and the memories she has never dealt with. Returning home from the hospital after the Doctors experimental treatment, a dizzy spell forces her to pull over to the side of the road.

Lawson “Kade” McKaden is a State Trooper, ready to retire, returning home after a transport to a Federal Prison that wasn’t supposed to be his. After a stint in the Air Force and a satisfying career, he is ready to leave the uniforms behind for the life of a rancher. But a broken down car on the side of the road calls to his sense of responsibility and the sick woman inside calls to his heart. They have more in common than they know.

An escaped rapist turned serial killer is hunting her. She was his first and he has plans to be her last. Together can they beat back the demons from her childhood? Will Krista have to face the demon from her past alone, or is she Kade’s for… His Safe Keeping?

***Excerpt*****

Stepping out of the official cruiser, hand resting lightly on his weapon which was holstered at his hip, Kade walked to the open driver’s side window. Looking into the car, he saw her. She was bent over the steering wheel, her long chestnut colored hair pulled back with a clip.

“Ma’am, is everything all right?” She turned her head and his breath caught in his throat. A beautiful face, streaked with tears squeezed his heart. Without thinking, he abandoned all of his years of training. Without concern for his own safety, he yanked open the door. Squatting down beside the car and balancing on the balls of his feet, Kade spoke to her. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Are you hurt? Did you have an accident?”

Turning her head instead of raising it, Krista looked into the greenest eyes she’d ever seen. They were filled with concern. For her? No, she thought, they can’t be. He didn’t even know her. “What did you say? What accident?” Sitting up, she tried to answer and the whole ordeal came back into her mind full force. The nausea hit and this time it wasn’t going to pass. She was going to be sick.

“Oh, no!” she exclaimed, just before she covered her mouth with one hand and scrambled to get out of the car, knocking him out of her way. As she ran around the car, Krista made it to the grassy right-of-way just as she began heaving. Her whole body was shaking. The weakness brought her to her knees. When she finally finished, she scooted back against the back car tire, drew up her knees which were now throbbing with pain, and laid her head down on them.

“It never affected me this fast before,” Krista murmured to the big man as he knelt down beside her. Her eyes swept over him. Oh, crap! He was a cop! She was so not up for this. With a sigh of resignation, she held out her wrists, waiting for him to put the handcuffs on and arrest her.

Kade looked at her outreached arms and then at her pale face. Too pale. “What are you doing?” “Aren’t you going to arrest me?”

“Why would I do that?” he questioned, confused.

“Well, because I kinda’ knocked you on your booty and you’re a cop. Isn’t that like assault on a police officer or something?” Her voice was weak and she sounded resigned.

“Booty?” He smirked. “No, I’m not going to arrest you.”

.......................................................

“Irish?”

Straightening in her seat, looking around and then at him, she gave him a mischievous grin.

 

 “Always heard Irish cops were the sweetest ones of all.”

“Who said I was Irish?”

Looking right into his eyes, she answered his question, “With those beautiful green eyes, you’ve got to have some Irish in you.” Krista made the statement as though it was a simple fact. Then shrugging her shoulders she added, frankly. “Plus, your name is McKaden.” Kade was at a loss for words.

Clearing his throat, he spoke gruffly, “Let’s get you inside.” Leaning in, he scooped her up and out of the car.

“I can walk.” She protested.

Holding her tight to his chest, he strode across the yard. “And I can carry you,” he stated firmly.

“Okay,” Krista whispered as she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

Kade walked into her house and over to the small loveseat and sat down with her in his lap. In just a few seconds she was fast asleep again. He wanted to just sit and cradle her to him for the rest of the day. Or better yet, lay her down in that big king size bed he’d seen when he was checking to make sure her house was safe, and hold her until she woke up. His imagination started getting away from him, because he began picturing all kinds of things he wanted to do to her and with her. His thoughts were just starting to form a complete fantasy when she wiggled around in his lap, trying to get comfortable. Damn, he’d forgotten about his utility belt. Standing up, he placed her gently on the loveseat. She immediately found a comfortable spot and settled in. Picking up the blanket that had slipped off when he was moving her, Kade covered her up. Leaning over, he kissed Krista on the forehead.

“Sleep well, beautiful.” For a few moments he stood over her and just watched her sleep. Honestly, he could stand there forever and just soak in all that she was with his eyes.

 

Taking a step back, not wanting to leave her, but knowing he had to get back to the station, Kade finally turned and walked out, locking the door as he left.

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**Author's Bio*****
I'm a light erotic romance writer, who loves a happily ever after. I lives in a small town in Virginia with my three children. I am your normal everyday mom of one grown and two almost grown teenagers who has recently discovered the joys of writing. When not busy writing, I enjoys reading and shopping for vintage items. I came into writing later in life, after my characters decided to take over and I was able to hear the stories in my head.

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