Free When You Were Mine [Second Chances 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Michelle Roth

the guard answered, he asked, “That man in the flannel shirt. Dark, crazy hair. Torn, dirty jeans. Did he leave?”
    The guard said, “He did. Why? What happened?”
    “He threatened Dr. Blanchard. Please make sure he’s not allowed on the property again.”
    “My god. Is she okay? Did he hurt her?” the guard asked as he typed furiously.
    “She’s okay. At night. If I’m not here, can you escort her to her car?”
    “Yes, yes. Absolutely. Just have her call me. I’ll stop where I am on my rounds to escort her,” the guard assured him.
    “Thank you,” he said as he disconnected the line.
    When he looked around, he saw she no longer stood in the lobby. As he moved off the edge of his desk, she stepped back into view at the end of the hallway.
    “Cora,” he said softly. The last thing he wanted to do was to frighten her any more.
    She turned to face him but, even in the dark, her face was too pale and her eyes were still too wide. When she swayed, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms.
    When she burrowed into his chest, he said, “Oh sweetheart. You’re shaking. It’s okay. It’s okay.” Silently, he stroked a hand up and down her back then continued to hold her until she eventually settled down.
    When she spoke, her voice was laced with confusion. “Jamie. I don’t have any idea who that person was.”
    “He was clearly not right in the head. Still, he made a threat. So, please let me walk you out on nights that I’m here. If I’m not, call the security guard downstairs. He said he’d walk you out to your car. And whoever that guy was, security is aware that he’s not allowed in the building anymore.”
    “Okay,” she said, nodding. “By the way, thank you. I just—I just froze.”
    “It’s okay. You’re okay,” he said, his voice carefully not betraying any of his concerns. “Do you carry pepper spray?”
    “No,” she answered, quietly. “I guess I should though.”
    Jamie nodded his head and agreed, “It makes sense.”
    She shifted slightly, tilting her head up to look at him and said, “I’m really glad that you were there.”
    Suddenly, there was a tension in the air that hadn’t been there before. Her mouth was centimeters from his. Both of them were silent as they studied each other now. Jamie wasn’t sure who moved first, but their mouths collided. When he felt Cora’s hands slide into his hair, he deepened the kiss. Jamie traced the seam of her lips with his tongue until she opened her mouth under his. When his tongue stroked across hers, they let out twin groans of pleasure.
    Jamie’s pulse was throbbing in his veins. It had been so long. It had been so goddamned long since he’d held her like this.
    They stayed that way for long minutes, mouths seeking. He froze, though, when her hands shifted down to the buttons on his shirt. As much as he hated himself for having to do it, he reached up and stilled her hands.
    “Cora,” Jamie panted, his eyes still closed. “I thought we were taking things slowly.”
    He was afraid to look at her now. Was this the adrenaline from earlier talking? He needed to be inside her like he needed his next breath, but the last thing he wanted to do was to take advantage of a purely emotional response.

Chapter Seven

    Cora gazed at him steadily, her breathing still erratic. She could tell from the hesitation on his face that he was concerned by her quick change in mood.
    “I want you. I’ve wanted you since I saw you standing in Taryn’s kitchen the other day. It’s not about what happened a few minutes ago,” she assured him. “Be with me.”
    Jamie only hesitated a moment before he wove his hands into her hair and crushed his mouth back down on hers for another searing kiss. He sucked and nipped at her lips until she let out an unsatisfied moan. She pressed herself tightly against him, wanting more.
    The hands that had held her so gently a moment ago, were now deliberate and seeking as they stroked over