Read Online One to Protect (One to Hold Book 3) by Tia Louise - Free Book Online Page A

need him to protect me.
    It doesn’t matter if I tell him I’m strong, and I can take care of myself. I’m afraid. The terror holding me won’t let go, and all I want is my big man.
    It’s dark. My heart is thundering in my chest, and with a cold certainty, I recognize the sound of his footsteps, the spicy smell of his cologne. It stings my nose and makes my throat close up.
    Sloan.
    He’s here.
    I can’t catch my breath.
    The baby. I have to protect the baby…
    Footsteps pound louder, closer, and with a loud gasp, I bolt upright on the couch.
    But I’m alone.
    It was just a dream.
    “Oh, my god!” My trembling hand goes over my face, and I can’t stop the tears streaming down my cheeks.
    “Melissa?” Apparently the footsteps weren’t a dream. Derek bursts through the side door, and without hesitation, I fly off the couch into his arms. Instantly they surround me as he kisses my head, speaking against my hair. “You’re okay. I’m here now. You’re safe.”
    His voice is tense as he holds me tightly, and gradually, my shaking calms. He eases me back and bends down to look in my eyes. “What happened? Why are you crying?”
    Even though his voice is soothing, his entire body is on edge. His muscles seem larger, like he’s ready to fight. That’s when I find my strength. Shaking myself, I place my palms flat against my cheeks.
    “I’m sorry.” Breathe, Melissa, breathe. “I… I had the most vivid dream. I thought someone was here… I-It scared me.”
    My fingers curl, and he holds me close again. I bury my face in his chest, and the last of my terror slowly recedes.
    Derek isn’t satisfied. He covers me with the blanket. “I’m going to look around, make sure you weren’t picking up on something in your sleep.”
    He steps to the screen door and turns the little latch, locking it. My brow lines. “What do you mean? Did you see something?”
    His face is stoic, but it softens with a smile when he glances down at me. “No, but I want to check the place out just in case,” touching my cheek lightly, “you’re very attuned to your surroundings.”
    “For a while I had to be.”
    He continues into the house, his mouth in a firm line. I stay on the couch, pulling the soft blanket tightly as I wait.
    It’s later in the afternoon than I normally nap, but having Derek here causes my sleep patterns to shift. More specifically, I don’t sleep as much at night—even though he tries to let me. It’s hard to care about rest with him in my bed.
    The sounds of him moving around inside drift to me on the sea breeze. He’s opening closet doors and looking for any signs of disturbance. It’s very comforting, even though I feel silly worrying him so much over a bad dream, which was probably induced by all the preoccupation with my ex.
    Further down below us the waves crash against the shoreline. One of the things I love about my new home is how secluded it is from the rest of civilization, but I confess, Derek’s current obsession with Sloan’s whereabouts has me spooked.
    I can’t tell him what my nightmare was really about.
    Joining me on the side porch, he pulls me close against his chest again. “Nothing seems out of place, but I don’t know what all you did while I was gone.”
    “Just worked, came out here. Then I was tired and took a nap.”
    I can see him thinking, and I almost jump out of my skin at the very loud and completely unexpected roar of a motorcycle engine. We’re both up, but I beat him to the door.
    “Why is Patrick on a Harley?”
    Derek’s lips tighten, and he catches me by the waist, pulling me back and flipping the lock on the door. “Stay here.”
    Frowning, I watch as he stalks out to meet his partner.
    Patrick’s royal blue Charger is in my driveway next to Derek’s black Audi, and I can only assume they got separated somehow. But how? I can’t hear what they’re saying. Patrick’s expression wavers back and forth between irritation and relief, and they talk for