Legacy Found: Legacy, Book 3 Read online

  The older woman sighed. James figured she must have decided he was okay because she began talking. “She asked me if I knew of a place to buy used clothing. I sent her to the shop around the corner.”

  “Thank you.” James’s gratitude was heartfelt. He left without a backward glance and strode down the sidewalk.

  He turned the corner and thought he caught a whiff of Shelley’s scent. Wishful thinking or reality, he couldn’t be sure. But she was close. He could sense it.

  He scanned the store signs and found the one he was looking for—Second Time Around. The words “gently used clothing” were in smaller print on the large glass window.

  He pulled open the door, ignoring the tinkle of the bell above him. He scanned the shop. It wasn’t overly large, but it was packed with racks and shelves stuffed with clothing.

  Shelley wasn’t anywhere to be seen. But he could smell her. This time there was no doubt in his mind. He knew her unique scent now. It was a part of him.

  He sniffed and followed his nose, skirting several other shoppers. He was almost to the back of the store when Shelley stepped out from behind a change room door and stood in front of a mirror.

  He stopped dead in his tracks.

  She’d been pretty in her faded dress and sweater. Hell, she’d even been pretty in the awful pink polyester uniform she’d been wearing when he’d first seen her. But in jeans and a form-fitting turtleneck sweater she was a knockout.

  The faded denim cupped her heart-shaped bottom, making his fingers itch to touch it. Her legs were long and slender and seemed to go on forever.

  As if sensing someone was watching her, she slowly turned.

  When she saw him, she smiled. That smile of welcome slowly faded and her nostrils flared as he slowly walked toward her. The sweater was a deep chocolate color and matched her eyes to perfection. The soft wool hugged her breasts. She might be slender, but her chest was substantial.

  His cock sprang to attention. Oh yeah, Shelley wasn’t just pretty. She was smoking hot.

  She tugged subconsciously at the hem of the sweater. “I was hoping to be back at the truck before your meeting ended. I guess I lost track of time.”

  He stopped in front of her, unable to speak. He was afraid if he opened his mouth, the only thing that would come out was a growl. He was so turned on right now, he could barely think. He hadn’t felt this way since he was young. Not since Leda.

  And even the thought of his dead wife and all the pain he’d suffered after her death couldn’t stop him from wanting Shelley.

  “James?” Her voice quavered and he could hear the fear in it.

  He inwardly swore at himself for frightening her. “You look amazing.”

  Pink tinged her cheeks and she glanced at herself in the mirror. “You think so?”

  It struck him that she wasn’t just being coy and hoping for more compliments. She truly meant it. She had no idea just how sexy and beautiful she was.

  He stood behind her and turned her so their reflections were both visible in the mirror. His hands rested lightly on her shoulders. Her hair flowed free around her shoulders, not really much longer than his.

  She watched him as he hooked a lock of her hair over her ear, his fingers caressing her cheek. Her skin was soft and beautiful. Her eyes wide and wondering. The blush added some much needed color to her face.

  “You’re incredible.” His voice was rough with pent-up desire. What he really wanted to do was back her into the small dressing room and strip those jeans down her legs. Then he’d nibble his way back up to her sweet pussy, part the slick folds with his thumbs and taste her.

  He barely suppressed a groan and was glad she was standing in front of him so she couldn’t see his erection. If she moved back, she’d certainly feel it.

  As if she’d read his mind, she swayed, her butt grazing him. Her eyes widened and then half closed. She nibbled on her bottom lip, a sign he was quickly coming to recognize as something she did when she was nervous or thinking hard.

  “It’s okay, Shelley.” He ran his hands down her shoulders and over her arms. She shivered and he barely resisted the urge to wrap her in his embrace. He was close to making a spectacle out of them as it was.

  “James?”

  He shook his head. This wasn’t the time or the place. He knew better. He dropped his hands and took a step back. “Did you find any more clothes that you liked?”

  She shuddered and smiled ruefully. “Truthfully, I found too much.” She laughed then and it made his entire body clench. He pretended he couldn’t see how her nipples were standing out in relief against the soft sweater. She was aroused, but she was also nervous. He could wait. He was good at that.

  “Show me.”

  Shelley went back to the dressing room with him close behind her. Her “too much” ended up being two more pairs of jeans, a T-shirt and two additional sweaters. His heart ached at how little it was.

  “What about a coat and some boots?” There was a rack of ladies coats off to his left. He fished through it and found a lined leather jacket whose color matched the turtleneck sweater she was wearing. It was slightly battered, but that only added to the character of the coat. He tugged it off the hanger. “Try this.”

  She didn’t take it, looking at the tag instead. She shook her head. “It’s too much.”

  “Just try it on,” he encouraged. James swallowed his anger. What had her life been like that a twenty dollar used coat was too expensive? He already knew she hadn’t had an easy life, but he was afraid the truth was going to be even worse than he imagined.

  Reluctantly, she took the jacket and slipped it on. It fit her to perfection. James stepped up beside her and zipped it closed. She watched him, an unreadable expression in her eyes.

  “There. It looks great.” He eased her in front of the mirror again and was pleased at the delight in her eyes.

  “Oh, it’s gorgeous.” She ran her hands up and down the leather before doing a little twirl. Her pleasure in such a small thing made his heart hurt even as it made him smile.

  She shook her head. “But I can’t. It’s really too much.” She shrugged out of it and handed it back to him. He tossed it over his shoulder.

  “Do they have any boots or shoes?” She needed something more than thin canvas sneakers. If he had his way, he’d take her to the nearest department store and outfit her from head to toe. He could easily afford it. But he knew she’d never allow it. Whatever she’d been through in her life, she had pride and wouldn’t accept what she saw as a handout.

  “Over there.” She motioned to the corner.

  “What size do you wear?”

  She shook her head. “Size nine.”

  James left her and went over to check out the footwear. He found a pair of slightly battered, lace-up boots. They weren’t in the best of shape, but they were better than what she was wearing.

  He went back to the dressing room and knocked on the door. “Shelley?”

  The door opened a crack. She was dressed in the jeans and her bra. The sweater was back on a hanger. James swallowed hard as it became difficult to breath. The bra she was wearing was plain white cotton and it was barely large enough to contain the bounty of her breasts. He’d never seen anything sexier in his life.

  “James?” His name was little more than a breathy whisper.

  His heart pounded as he shifted closer. He had to have her. Now. He took a step closer.

  “Find everything you were looking for?” The woman’s voice shocked him back to reality. He clamped down on the need swirling like a maelstrom inside him and slowly turned to face her.

  “We’re good.” He glanced at Shelley and back at the woman. “Can she wear the jeans, sweater and boots instead of the clothes she came in?”

  “Sure,” the sales clerk nodded. “We do that all the time. Just wait a second.” She hurried back toward the front counter.

  “James,” Shelley whispered his name loudly. “I’m not sure what I’m buying yet.”


  He shoved the boots toward her. “Try these on. They’re warmer and sturdier than your sneakers.”

  She automatically took the boots, holding them against her bare stomach. God, her skin was so smooth. He wanted to go down on his knees and bury his face against it.

  He shifted uncomfortably. He was sweating now and his pants were way too tight. Thankfully, the clerk came back before he could do something stupid.

  “Here we go. I’ll just cut off the tags.” She quickly snipped the tag from the jeans, the pair of boots, and the turtleneck James pointed to.

  Shelley said nothing as he gathered up the rest of the clothing hanging on the hook in the dressing room. “Get dressed, honey.” He closed the door before she could say anything. He knew he’d get an earful when they left the store, but he didn’t care.

  He plunked the clothing and the jacket on the counter. Shelley was heading toward him, her own clothing in a bundle, as the clerk finished totaling everything. “That’s seventy-five dollars even.” James took four twenties from his pocket and laid them on the counter.

  “I’m not buying all that, James,” she said as she reached his side and dumped her clothing on the counter. She was stiff with anger and, if he wasn’t mistaken, shame. That was the last thing he wanted her to feel.

  “I know you’re not. I am.” He took the jacket, from which the clerk had already snipped the tags, and slipped it over her shoulders. “Please, Shelley.” He leaned down, his lips near her ear so the clerk couldn’t hear. “Let me do this for you. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Here’s your change.”

  James took the money the saleslady handed him and stuffed it in his pocket. Then he picked up the large bag she’d put all the clothing into.

  “Ready?” He asked Shelley.

  She nodded and silently headed toward the exit.

  Shelley wasn’t quite sure what to think. She’d been happily trying on clothing when James had suddenly appeared. The way he’d looked at her had made her heart skip a beat. When it resumed beating, it was pounding so hard and fast her chest had hurt.

  Her breasts had tingled and her nipples puckered. Not to mention the soft, liquid feeling between her thighs. She still couldn’t quite believe she’d become aroused in the middle of a store.

  It was astounding for her to become aroused at all. It had never happened to her before. Never.

  Okay, that was a lie. It had never spontaneously happened before. But she had been completely aroused once before. And that time still shamed her. She’d been in her early twenties and she still wasn’t quite certain what had happened to her. She’d had sex with a complete stranger, a man she’d only seen that one night. It was all a blur and not something she liked to remember.

  Since then, about once a year she’d go through a period of feeling hot and needy. She hated it. It was a part of her animalistic nature that Tom had always berated her for. During that time, her body had craved sex even though emotionally and mentally she’d wanted nothing to do with a man. Not that she’d had much choice in the matter.

  Whenever Tom wanted her, he took her. He owned her. Body and soul. He’d told her that enough times over the years. Then he’d laugh and tell her she didn’t really have a soul. Animals didn’t.

  She paled and swayed, hating that she’d even thought about that time. It was behind her now.

  “Shelley? You okay?” The bag crinkled as James shifted it and wrapped his free arm around her.

  No, she wasn’t okay, but she was working on it. And that brought her back to the here and now. “You can’t buy me clothing. I’m going to pay you back.” It would eat into her small reserve of money, but she didn’t have any choice. In her experience, you didn’t get something for nothing. And she wasn’t going to owe a man anything.

  James didn’t say anything as he unlocked the passenger door of the truck and opened it for her. She climbed in and he stood there watching her for several long seconds before shutting the door.

  She let out a shaky breath as he went around to the driver’s side and let himself in, stowing the bag from the shop behind his seat. He shoved the keys in the ignition and started the truck, but he made no move to pull out into traffic. Instead, he peered out the window.

  Shelley dug into the pocket of her jeans where she’d stuffed her money. Dragging out a handful of bills, she counted out enough to pay for her clothing and repay the twenty James had given her to buy something to eat. She didn’t want to owe him anything.

  “Here.” She thrust the crumpled bills at him.

  Slowly, he turned to face her. His expression was blank as he glanced from her face to the money and back again. “No. I won’t take your money, Shelley.”

  She ignored the little shiver of pleasure that rocketed through her when he said her name and placed the money on the seat beside him. “I can’t let you buy me clothes.”

  “Why?” His voice was even and unthreatening, but she sensed the underlying anger in him and put one hand on the door handle just in case.

  She wasn’t sure why he was angry with her. “Because it’s not right.”

  He laughed, but it was a bitter sound with no pleasure. “What’s not right is you having nothing but a few ragged dresses to wear.”

  Her face heated and she knew her cheeks were red with shame. “It’s all I had.” She squared her shoulders, refusing to be embarrassed by her clothing.

  “I know.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

  “Maybe I should leave.” Her hand pulled the handle and the door popped open.

  James leaned across her and yanked it closed again. His large body was pressed against hers. He was too big. Too close. Her chest tightened and she couldn’t drag enough air into her lungs. She grabbed her throat, unable to breathe. The blood vessels in her temples pulsed until her head felt as though it was pounding. Her hands shook and her eyes began to water.

  She was having a panic attack.

  James jerked back and took in the situation at a glance. He cupped her face between his large, calloused palms and gently spoke. “You’re okay, Shelley. Everything is okay. Just calm down and take a deep breath. You can do it.” He kept up the patter, speaking softly until she was able to suck in some air. “That’s good,” he crooned. “You’re safe with me. I will never hurt you.” He rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks in a circular pattern. “Just breathe, honey.”

  Another wave of humiliation washed over her. It seemed she was always going to be at a disadvantage around this man. She felt mortified by her lack of control. She’d thought she’d passed this stage several months ago.

  James hooked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and smiled. “Feeling better?”

  She nodded. “I’m sorry.” She still felt lightheaded, but not as though she was in danger of passing out. “I don’t know what came over me.” That wasn’t quite true, but she wasn’t about to go into details.

  “Nothing to apologize for. These things happen.” He eased back and Shelley felt bereft when he was no longer touching her, which was crazy. She didn’t want him touching her. Did she?

  Neither of them spoke and she took those few minutes to compose herself. She swiped at the tears in her eyes and took another deep, cleansing breath. Her heart was no longer racing, but her headache was getting worse. She needed time to think, to make a plan.

  Her entire life had been unexpectedly turned upside down only a few hours ago. No wonder she was emotional and off-kilter.

  “I really think you should come to Wolf Creek with me.” He held up his hand before she could object. “No, listen to me. You can stay with my daughter and her husband and take a few days to figure out your next plan of action.”

  He shifted and something crunched beneath his thigh. He swore softly as he yanked out the money she’d tried to give him. “I can’t take this. If anything, I owe you. I cost you your job, remember?” He caught her wrist with his free hand and pressed the money into her palm, closing her fingers around it.

 
His hand was warm where it touched her. It was also gentle. She wanted to go with him, but couldn’t take a chance. She didn’t trust anyone. Couldn’t afford to.

  She shook her head. “I can’t.”

  Rather than get frustrated or angry, one corner of his mouth kicked up in a wry grin. “You’re a stubborn little thing.”

  She just gaped at him, knowing her mouth was wide open. She really didn’t understand this man at all. He wasn’t reacting like any other male she’d ever met. That made him unpredictable.

  He yanked on his seatbelt, put the truck in gear and pulled out of the parking spot, merging into traffic. “Buckle up. I’m going to stop for gas, then we’ll leave town. You think about my offer for a bit longer before giving me your final answer.”

  Shelley pulled at the belt and realized she was still clutching the money in her hand. She stuffed it back into her pocket for now and then snapped her seatbelt into place.

  James was such a strange man. He’d bought her clothing and food, refusing to let her repay him for it. Nor did he seem to want anything in exchange for his kindness.

  Not yet anyway.

  She hated the mistrust that ate at her, but she couldn’t stop it. Nothing in her life thus far had disproved her theory. Nothing was free and men always wanted something from her. If she didn’t give it, they took it.

  Fear nibbled at her psyche, but she shoved it back. She would not give in to it. She’d faced her demon and come out the winner. She was alive. The demon wasn’t.

  But that didn’t mean her ordeal was over. There were men out there looking for her. She knew it as well as she knew the sun would rise tomorrow morning and every morning after. It wasn’t fair to drag James into that mess.

  She’d get him to drop her in some town with a bus depot once they left Tennessee. She could buy a bus ticket to California where it was sunny all the time.

  For some unknown reason, the thought depressed her.

  She rubbed her finger up and down the soft denim of her jeans and snuggled into her warm coat. She’d never owned such fine clothing before, clothing she’d picked out for herself. Okay, maybe she hadn’t chosen the coat, but she couldn’t fault James’s taste. She loved the leather jacket. It was stylish and the lining was warm and cozy, like a soft blanket.