The scene that greets me inside the dingy apartment takes my breath away. Evie is tied in a chair with her stepbrother hulking over her.
He turns at my loud entrance and points a gun in my direction. As a quiet librarian, I’ve never had a gun pointed at me before, but my years of training at the dojo immediately take over to help me remain calm and focused.
The man yells at me. “Freeze!”
I ignore his warning and hurl myself in his direction, unwilling to take any chance that Evie might be hurt.
The man gawks at me with wide eyes as my leg does a flawless roundhouse kick that flings the gun from his hand and sends it spinning across the floor. It all happens in a fraction of an instant. He appears bewildered by the sudden power change.
I see his beady eyes turn toward the kitchen and anticipate his next move. As he lunges for the chef’s knife, I use the momentum and weight of his own body to sweep him off his feet. He lands facedown with a hard thud.
He shakes his head, obviously stunned. I am standing just behind him with my hands ready to thwart him if he makes a move, when the cavalry arrives. A couple of uniformed police officers run in with Gabe just behind them.
I let them handle the criminal because I only have eyes for gorgeous, frightened Evie. After rushing over to her, I work to release the bindings around her arms.
She rubs her wrists and blinks up at me as if she’s struggling to take it all in.
Marco shouts about this not being fair and asks the police if they have a warrant.
One of the uniformed officers informs him the door was open with signs of forced entry, and they had reports of a disturbance.
As he places Marco in handcuffs, the other officer says, “I see drug paraphernalia and a kidnapping victim. It looks to me like you’re going to be locked up for a very long time.”
Gabe walks over to the gun on the floor. He’s careful not to touch it as he points it out to the officers and says, “Be sure to check if this gun is registered. I’m guessing it’s not.”
The officer holding Marco hisses through his teeth and says, “Ooh, it just keeps getting worse for you, man. I hope you look good in orange.”
As soon as the officers take Marco away, Evie’s gaze locks onto mine just before she lunges into my arms. “You saved me. Thank you!”
“Of course. I’d do anything for you.” I respond, fully meaning it.
I grasp the sides of her lovely face with both hands as I look deeply into her eyes, trying to make sure that she’s truly okay.
“I was so worried about you. You mean everything to me,” I whisper.
Gabe seems to sense that his presence is no longer needed. He heads to the stairs and calls out over his shoulder, “I’ll give you two some privacy.”
Evie only has eyes for me as she asks with a worried look on her face, “Aren’t you furious with me for deceiving you?”
“I could never be furious with you. Just don’t ever leave me again. My heart can’t handle it,” I admit.
“I won’t,” she promises with fervent sincerity ringing true in her voice.
“Have I earned the right to a kiss on the lips?” I hold my breath as I await her answer.
Rather than speaking, she tips up on her toes to give me the kiss to end all kisses, leaving no doubt that we are meant to be.
Epilogue - Evie
We’ve been working hard to revamp Marco’s bar. Our friends have pulled together to help rebrand the establishment into a place where women feel safe and able to enjoy a lovely night out with their friends, while avoiding any frilliness that might make men uncomfortable. We’ve done it all on a shoestring budget, too.
Adam and I have moved into the apartment above the bar. I never thought I would feel comfortable living here, but we have removed all traces of Marco’s presence, and Adam has helped me create marvelous new memories to associate with this place.
I stretch and turn my head to face him in bed. He’s just beginning to stir, but hasn’t yet opened his eyes. He’s beautiful inside and out, and he’s the perfect mixture of nice guy and bad boy. I still can’t quite believe he’s mine.
As is my habit, I begin tapping the back of my hand along the sheets, seeking a cool spot.
Opening one eye, Adam says, “I have your cold spot right here.”
He places my hand on the tent his morning wood creates in the covers.
I chuckle before saying, “That feels like a hot spot to me.”
“It’s a hot spot for you,” he says as he rolls on top of me.
He slides inside me and we move together in perfect tandem, like our bodies have been made to fit together. I wrap my limbs tightly around him and grip his ass, urging him on. Soon, we’re both panting and crying out with sweet release as pleasure builds and soars between us.
We snuggle together afterwards, shivering with the lingering aftershocks of our orgasms.
I don’t ever want to move, but know that we must, so I say, “We have a big day today.”
“Huge,” he agrees before reluctantly moving to stand. His face brightens with an idea just before he says, “We’d save time and water by showering together.”
Unsure about the accuracy of his words, but loving the way his mind works, I take off for a head start before I yell over my shoulder, “I’ll race you.”
After we enjoy a steamy, sudsy shower, jitters about this evening begin to flutter in my stomach. I look at his reflection in the mirror as he shaves and I comb my wet hair. “Do you think everyone will have fun tonight?”
“Of course. You are opening a comfortable, relaxing, and safe place for people to hang out. What’s not to like about that?”
His confidence is contagious. I push my worries aside and set about finishing the final, last-minute preparations to open Evie’s Bar & Grill.
The day goes by in a blur of cleaning, decorating, and making sure every last detail is perfect for our friends and family, invitation-only, open house.
Adam’s friend, Fiona, and her husband, Beau, are two of the first people to arrive. I’d been insecure about Adam’s close friendship with the other woman until he assured me that I’m the only one for him. In case I had any doubts left, he spent that entire night after I found out about Fiona showing me with his body how much I mean to him. That was the first night he told me that he loves me. I no longer have any concerns about his relationship with Fiona.
The woman is open, friendly, and impossible not to like as she raves about everything from the décor, to the food and specialized cocktails. Her husband is a bit more standoffish, but my guess is that he just isn’t thrilled about his wife’s relationship with Adam, or perhaps his local celebrity status makes him more aloof.
Fiona mutters something about never getting a night out with a little one at home. “Here’s to having a babysitter until midnight!” She holds her glass aloft before taking a giant slurp from the straw of her pink, frozen drink.
Other people begin trickling in, so I start to go greet the newcomers. Fiona makes me pause by saying, “May I give you two some advice?”
Super-curious what she has to say, I smile up at Adam before answering, “Of course.”
“You guys are fantastic together, but perhaps you should avoid having kids,” she suggests.