In Zach's Arms (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 1) Read online

  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.”

  He let his eyes roam the curves that his hands had explored. The fire in her eyes only stroked his need. Zach’s body stirred, overriding his anger.

  “It’s safe here, Zach. And I wanted to be outside for a few minutes to clear my mind and get some fresh air. Jesus, I’m on the porch.”

  Knowing he was scaring her a little, he took a deep breath and willed his calm to return. It wasn’t her fault that someone had targeted her. And she didn’t have the new information that he had.

  “It’s not as safe as you think.”

  “You’re pissed because you told me not to leave the house and I did.”

  And that was something her father would have done. Zach wasn’t winning any points here and he knew it, but he couldn’t necessarily control his possessive personality either.

  He sighed and shook his head.

  “There are bears up here in the mountains, you know.” He was under control again and he was sorry he yelled. But the thought of anything happening to her, well, he didn’t even want to think about it.

  “You’re the only grumpy bear around right now,” she said, crossing her arms and glaring at him. It was her tough look, one she’d perfected in high school.

  He towered over her when he stood close. The smell of the peaches and cream scent that clung to her skin reached him, calming him further.

  “You know what happens when you poke a bear?”

  “He grunts and grumbles and growls like he’s got a thorn in his paw?” She sh
rugged. “Who can know with bears? I hear they’re stubborn.”

  Zach growled low in his throat and snaked his arms around her body to cup her ass. Up close, her feminine scent created an instant response. He could be ninety and half dead and she could still get him to respond to her.

  “They take what they want, when they want it.”

  She stood rigid in his arms, refusing to look up at him.

  “I’m sorry, Beth.”

  Beth toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck. It took her a few minutes, but gradually, she forgave him for being hotheaded. Her eyes softened and she lightly dragged her nails against his scalp.

  “Tell me more,” she whispered into his ear.

  He moved closer, feeling her soft body yield to his stronger one. It would be so easy to pick her up and take her back to bed. Satisfaction guaranteed, for both of them. But that wasn’t going to happen. He needed to focus and keep his mind on the prize: Beth’s heart, not just her gorgeous body.

  And the first step was getting her over the irrational fear of living together and her instant reactions to anything that sounded like a command from him.

  “Did you think about what I said?”

  Her restless fingers stilled in his hair. “Why can’t we just stay in the moment? Why does this have to be defined?”

  Zach hugged Beth close, trying his best to comfort her and ignore his body demanding he have his way with her. He was not sympathetic to her plight, however; this was about both of them, not just her past.

  If she walked away from him, it wasn’t going to be pretty.

  “Living together makes sense, Beth, for both of us. We could be with each other all the time, in all the ways your father never let us. The sex is great. Hell, it would even be better for tax purposes.”

  The tax thing was spur of the moment, but she laughed a little when he said it, just like he hoped she would. Beth was terrified of love and marriage. Taxes were a universal fear and, as irrational as it was, she was more comfortable with that than love.

  “Like a business arrangement?” She pulled back and narrowed her eyes. “No mushy emotional entanglements?” Biting her lower lip, she dropped her eyes and then her hands. “What about kids?”

  “We handle whatever comes our way, together.”

  “I just don’t know. You know how I feel about commitment. What if I can’t do it?”

  “You’re the only woman I will ever be with like this, Beth. If you say no, I’ll live and die alone.”

  She looked into his eyes for a long moment, maybe searching for the truth or hoping that deep down he was kidding. But he wasn’t. It was her or no one.

  “Who can resist the allure of sticking it to the IRS?” she said after a couple of moments.

  It wasn’t the answer he wanted, but at least she wasn’t running away either. It was a start. Something to build on. He wouldn’t stop trying until she finally agreed to be his wife.

  Chapter 8

  Elizabeth hugged Zach, knowing that he was only trying to ease her fear by suggesting this so-called business arrangement. It was sweet and the least romantic thing someone could possibly say while talking about moving in together. But coming from Zach, it was beautiful.

  She would think about it, even if it terrified her. She owed it to him to at least consider it. The last time he’d suggested anything like this was when he’d proposed to her. She’d been seventeen and finally free after her father’s death. She’d hurt Zach deeply by her instant refusal back then, but there was no way she was willing to even dwell on the possibility of binding herself to someone.

  “Let’s go back inside and have some lunch. I’m starving,” he said, tugging her up the steps.

  Elizabeth couldn’t help her instant relief at the change in topic. “Can we go into Flagstaff for lunch and a bit of shopping?”

  His brow furrowed a bit. “What do you need in town?”

  “Clothes and girl stuff.” She held back her smile when Zach immediately grabbed his keys. Girl stuff was as mysterious as a woman’s purse. He was a guy and guys were terrified of lengthy explanations regarding feminine needs.

  “Got it.”

  The ride into town was wild and a lesson in white-knuckle dashboard clutching. Zach drove an older model truck with a lift. She liked him cupping her ass to get her up into the cab. Otherwise, she’d have needed a step stool. And once they hit the main road, it was nice being up so high.

  Zach told her that Flagstaff was still growing and was home to the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. It looked like an old west boom town mixed with newer, more modern architecture. Small Mom and Pop businesses were squashed up against each other with old-fashioned shingles out advertising the names of the businesses and old west facades sported new paint. Then, on the next block, a strip mall offered chain fast food restaurants and stores.

  It was late afternoon and the streets were filled with people going about their day and throngs of college students who packed up their cars with bags of laundry and backpacks. Probably heading down the hill to Phoenix for the weekend.

  Zach found a spot to park on historic Santa Fe Avenue and came around to open Elizabeth’s door. He reached up and grabbed her around the waist, slowly dragging her from her seat.

  Zach still had her suspended above the pavement when he leaned in and began nibbling on her lips. She wound her arms around his neck and, when she sighed, he took that opening to kiss her thoroughly.

  Her eyes drifted closed and her world narrowed to Zach and his kiss. Her nipples hardened into points against his chest and her last pair of clean panties got wet.

  “Maybe we should just go back home,” Zach said.

  “Maybe you should put me down and let me shop. And I’m pretty sure those guys over there are staring.”

  “Let them.”

  Zach brushed his lips gently against her nose and set her on her feet. That’s when she noticed they were parked in front of the freshly-remodeled façade of one of the older buildings on the street. The window was ornately designed and boasted the name J.Z. Alarms and Consultation.

  “Well, that’s one way to attract business,” Jesse said as he came through the door.

  “Shut up, Jess,” Zach said. “You’re embarrassing Beth.”

  “Oh, I’m embarrassing Beth. I’m sure it had nothing to do with you mauling her on the front steps of the store.” Jesse chuckled and winked.

  “Hi, Jesse,” Elizabeth said, emerging from Zach’s embrace.

  “Hey yourself. It’s been too long since I’ve seen your beautiful face. Come on in and let me show you around our baby.”

  “The location is fabulous. I love how it looks fresh from the 1800s.” She allowed Jesse to sweep his arm around her and lead her inside. When she glanced over her shoulder, Zach was scanning the street while he locked up his truck. He shot a glare at the guys who’d been staring and got a bunch of thumbs-ups before they turned back to loading a keg.

  ***

  “What’s going on with the investigation?” Jesse asked Zach an hour later.

  Zach stared out the front window as Beth walked into a dress shop across the street. He hadn’t wanted her going out by herself, but he also didn’t want to smother her. She may not think she was in danger here, but Zach wasn’t taking any chances. If she moved out of sight, he was ready to leave the store and follow along.

  “They have a few leads, but Detective Wolfe has closed ranks and is keeping everything under wraps. Our conversation was less than pleasant. I’m not worried though; Little Mike’s got friends in that office, so I’ll know what he knows.”

  “Wow, Little Mike’s a cop now? He’ll either make Chief or end up in jail,” Jesse said. “When did he get out? I lost track of him when he got orders for Bagdad.”

  “He’s been out for a couple years now.”

  Zach knew Mike wouldn’t let him down. He was a bulldog when he had an assignment.

  “When are you going to marry her?”

  “As soon
as I can find a preacher willing to perform a ceremony with a handcuffed and gagged bride,” Zach replied grimly.

  “Gun shy, huh? Well, maybe she’s looking for someone with a gentle nature and better cooking skills?”

  Zach didn’t bother to look at Jesse, just kept an eye on the street for anything suspicious. Beth hadn’t left the dress shop yet. “You’re my best friend, but I will kill you if you even think about it.”

  Jesse let out a loud laugh and walked up beside Zach. “She’s something special, but I don’t envy you,” he said in a quiet tone. “She’s jumpy as hell. It’s obvious that she’s got baggage. Are you sure she’s what you want?”

  “I’ve been sure since I was eighteen years old.” Zach’s tone was final. There was no hesitation. No doubt. She was his to love and cherish and she always would be. Even if she never married him.

  “Does she love you?”

  “Yeah, but she’s going to fight me on it.” Zach relaxed his stance. He’d never been a talker, but Jesse was his closest friend and would never betray his trust. “She doesn’t like to talk about her home life. She’d kill me if she found out I’m telling you, but I have a clear picture of her past and why she shies away from just about anyone but me.”

  “Sounds bad.”

  “You have no idea.” Zach closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about the sad little girl Beth had been. It had taken months before she would speak a single word to him. She’d been a freshman in high school and he’d begun sitting with her at lunch, just to try and get a response out of her. Something about her pulled at him, even in the beginning. She wouldn’t even smile at him for the first year.

  “I followed her home one day after school, trying to figure out what was going on. It was spring and the house was wide open, so I just sat in the bushes by the back door, listening. Didn’t take long to understand why she hates even the thought of commitment.”

  Beth stepped out of the shop and walked to the next one. She stood there staring into the windows, looking lovely enough to break his heart. She wore low-rise blue jeans and a silky emerald-green tank top that showed off glimpses of creamy skin between the jeans and the top when she moved. Her long blonde hair hung loose around her shoulders, shining brightly in the sun.