Free Stacy's Destiny by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Page A

there were no fingerprints left on the packages he sent her. Not on the lingerie, the sex toys, or pictures he sent her. He had followed her everywhere or had someone following her. There were pictures of her in the supermarket, at the gym working out, then ones of her at a party where she was talking to a nice guy she met and thought about going on a date with. Immediately the next morning, those pictures were delivered to her apartment with a warning. The thought caused that feeling of anxiety to creep into her belly again. But the worst were the pictures of her with Millie and Anna and of course the items that were left inside of her apartment. Barry was letting her know that he could get to her wherever she went. There was no place to hide.
    “You hit that spot any more, and you’ll be replacing siding.”
    Stacy whipped around at the sound of the male voice and struck Eric with a spray of water. It hit him hard in the chest for a few seconds, sending him ducking for cover before she realized what she was doing. “Oh my God!” she yelled as she switched off the sprayer and dropped the hose. When she looked at Eric, he was soaked from head to waist.
    She ran to him and froze directly in front of him. His facial expression looked serious and as if he were about to reprimand her as her mind spun out of control. She thought about what she was thinking of and how badly her heart hammered in her chest. She was breathing rapidly as she tried to console him. “I’m so sorry. I totally spaced out and I was lost in thought when I heard a strange voice. It was instinctive and I didn’t think.” She carried on as she looked at his face and the water dripped from his head, over his nose then mouth, and off his chin. She had soaked him thoroughly She locked gazes with his big brown eyes and waited for him to say something. When his face broke into a smile and two adorable dimples winked at her, she began to laugh. So did Eric as he shook his head, causing shots of water to hit her. She covered herself and crouched down just as he wrung his wet shirt over her neck and shoulders.
    “Eric!” she yelled as she stood up and attempted to step away from him. He caught her hand, and they locked gazes for a moment before they both laughed.
    * * * *
     
     
    Eric couldn’t believe it when he walked up to Stacy’s cottage and saw that she had power washed the entire thing. Then he watched her as she sprayed one side of the house, not moving but obviously lost in thought. Her facial expression changed from pleasant to that of fear. Whatever she was thinking about had upset her, and he couldn’t help but feel concerned. He also felt protective, and that was an instinct he wouldn’t ignore. If she was in some kind of trouble, then he would protect her and so would Max.
    “I am really sorry,” she stated one more time then began to walk toward the machine as if there were nothing more she could do or say about it.
    He wasn’t going to let her off that easily.
    “How about a towel or something?” he asked, and he pulled his shirt off and began wringing out the material. When he looked up he locked gazes with a very stunned and adorable-looking Stacy and she obviously liked what she saw. He was shocked at how relieved he felt. It was a first for him. He knew he had a good body. It was the kind of body that men who did hard labor work like him wound up with. Women drooled over it, but for some strange reason, that confidence and cockiness he had with other women wasn’t present with Stacy. He actually was concerned that she may not like him or find him attractive.
    “Um…let me just run inside and get you something to cover up.” She sounded as if she stuttered, and he found that to be appealing as well. He winked at her then followed her toward the cottage’s front door.
    He stood on the front porch, not wanting to get water on her rug. He could tell as he peeked through the screen door that she was going to redo the rooms as