Dolby(8)
Author: Maryann Jordan
“What the hell, Marcia?” Angela screeched. “Are you sure you’re okay? I can get someone to come to get you!”
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. There’s no way someone can get here easily, and I don’t want to put anyone out. I’ll be fine.”
“Marcia, honey, I’m glad you’re doing so well, but I don’t think spending the night alone in an abandoned lighthouse is the best thing for you. If you—”
“I’m not alone,” she blurted.
A few seconds of silence ensued. “What?”
“Another hiker is here, and he’s going to stay as well.”
“He? What the hell?” Angela shrieked again.
“I have his ID and his phone number. I’m texting his number to you, as well as all the other information. He works for a security company. Lighthouse Security Investigations… um… West Coast. And his name is Jonathan Dolby.”
There was a slight pause. “I’ve heard of them,” Angela replied. “The security company.”
A rush of relief filled her. “Really?”
“Yes. They’re reputable. Send me his information. And tell him that if one hair on your head is harmed, I’ll cut off his balls and feed them to the vultures!”
She looked over to see Jonathan smiling. “Um… my friend—”
“I heard her. Tell her that I’m calling my people as well, and you’ll be safe.”
“Angela, did you hear that? Good. Okay, sending you his info now. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She disconnected the call and then sent a text. Handing his phone and identification back to him, she offered a little smile. Suddenly, it struck her that he might want her information as well. Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she croaked, “Do you need my info, too?”
He held her gaze for a long moment, then shook his head. “No. I only want you to share what you’re comfortable with.”
A shaky breath left her lungs. Nodding, she said, “Thank you. Um… I think, for now, we’ll just stick to Marcia. And I promise I’m not a serial killer.”
Her chest deflated with another breath as his grin widened, morphing his handsome face into the gorgeous zone. Before she could fall down into the hole of what-if and I wish, he turned to bend over his large backpack. Her gaze dropped to his ass and thighs, perfectly sculpted by his jeans that were slowly drying although still slightly muddy. He was huge, yet she didn’t feel afraid. He could break her in two if he wanted, but she felt safe in his presence.
While she was still musing, he pulled out a tightly rolled sleeping bag and held it out to her. Giving it a little shake, he said, “I know you don’t want to get into the bag because it would make you feel trapped, but I thought you could wrap it over you so you won’t become chilled.”
She hesitated, then reached out and held it in her hand, the thick, soft material immediately bringing thoughts of warmth. The rain clouds obliterated the sunset, and darkness set in even earlier than expected. “It’ll be dark soon,” she murmured, her hands still clutching the sleeping bag, holding it to her chest.
Squatting, he reached inside his pack again and pulled out a battery-operated lantern. He flooded the inside of the lighthouse with soft light when he switched it on.
“Oh!” She smiled, thrilled to be able to have the darkness chased away. “What else do you have in your Mary Poppins bag?” She winced, hearing her own words. God, can I be any more pathetic?
“Well, this light will have to do even if it’s not a floor lamp. And I don’t have a tall mirror,” he said, placing the lantern on the concrete floor.
Her mouth dropped open as she stared, and he looked up, his eyes twinkling.
“What?” He laughed. “Mom always had us watch the Disney movies when they came out of the vault. And that was after she made sure we read the books.”
“That’s right. I had forgotten, but before streaming, Disney would only re-release some of their older movies in different years!”
They smiled together, their eyes pinned on each other. And standing in the center of the small lighthouse with the night creeping in and the rain pelting against the exterior, she was drawn to him and filled with an easy longing that didn’t frighten her.
“Why don’t we share the sleeping bag?” she suggested. Seeing his lifted brows, she hastened to amend, “I mean, we can place it on the floor and sit on it. That way, we’ll be warmer than just sitting on the cold concrete.”
He stepped back a foot and shook his head. “No, that’s okay, Marcia. I want you to be comfortable—”
“I can’t be if you’re over there getting cold.” She winced but refused to take back the words. “Really… I… well, I trust you.”
“And your friend will cut off my balls if you’re not safe,” he reminded.
She blinked, her gaze dropping to his crotch, the unmistakable bulge making it obvious that he was big everywhere. A longing spread throughout her body, one she hadn’t felt before. Now blushing for more reasons than just Angela’s words, she lifted her gaze to find his lips quirking upward and his brows lifting. A little gasp escaped, and her blush deepened. She quickly pressed her lips together before turning to spread the thick sleeping bag next to one of the walls away from the wide doorway and not under a window opening. Sitting down, she groaned at the comfortable cushion under her tired ass, trying to ignore the sexual tension that had risen in the small space.
Dolby watched her, then settled his large frame down on the bag, leaving room between them. “God, that feels good.”
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
“I’ve got more ass-padding than you,” he joked, “so I know it must be better for you. I should have thought of this earlier.”
They dug into their packs and tossed their combined energy bars, water bottles, cheese crackers, and a chocolate bar into the middle. Without any fanfare, they both ate and drank as an easy camaraderie settled over them.
She sighed as she wiped her fingers on her jeans since she’d used her napkin to clean his head wound earlier. She glanced to the side to look at the bandage. As strong as he appeared, it must have taken a hard hit to his head for him to have dropped earlier.
“Do you think you have a concussion? I didn’t even think about that earlier.”