Her Only Salvation by J.C. Valentine Page A

to the clock on the table. Somehow he had lost two hours. His heart slammed in his chest, a warning that it was time to leave, but he ignored it, sliding up to the window’s edge and looking out. The street was dark, but the porch light illuminated the driveway.
    Terri’s car was just pulling up the drive. Pausing, he watched as she waited for the garage door to rise, then drove inside. Where was—oh yes, there it was. On cue, the black car rolled up, but instead of stopping at the curb, it pulled right into the driveway.
    Eyes narrowing, Randy focused on that car, determined to witness this scene play out.
    Terri made an appearance first, the clicking of her heels audible through the closed windows as she approached the luxury car. Cutting the engine, the driver pushed open the door and stepped out.
    Definitely a man, Randy thought, sneering as he sized up the competition. Tall, at least six-foot, dark hair and a wide smile. He wore a simple pair of dark jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt. Aside from the car, the only thing that hinted that he was loaded was the platinum watch around his wrist and the diamond stud glinting in his ear. Other than that, the guy was pretty average.
    It must be the money, Randy thought with some irritation. That was a woman for you, though. His mother had been a gold digger, raised by a gold digger. It only made sense that Randy would marry one, considering what he was raised with.
    He couldn’t hear their conversation, only muffled voices through the thick glass. As they walked side by side up the walkway toward the front door, Randy experienced a moment of panic. It was too late to backtrack down the hall and out the back door where he had come in without getting caught. He didn’t know the house well enough to find an adequate hiding place, either, but as the front door opened and he heard the couple step inside, he visually inspected the room for the best option.
    The closet was tight, and would be the most likely place Terri would go first if she planned to change out of her work attire. The bathroom was a close second, and there was no way he would be able to duck into the neighboring bedroom without being caught on the spot, the living room being just feet away and in clear view of the short hallway.
    The bed was the only option he had left. Crossing the room, Randy dropped to his stomach and slithered beneath the bed, scowling over the fact that he had to hide from his own wife.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    It felt awkward, having her boss in her house again. Of course, since he had been here before, given himself the grand tour, she could skip that part. The problem was more his presence, how he seemed to overwhelm the room with his sheer size and strength of character. It made her feel out of place in her own home. Then again, that same strength made her feel feminine and protected, like she didn’t have to worry about anything when he was around.
    Giving herself a little shake, Terri slammed the lid closed on that thought. That line of thinking was exactly how she had gotten herself in such a mess with Randy. He had been the same kind of guy, strong in both body and mind. He was the kind of guy who commanded attention when he entered a room. Women loved him, men wanted to be him. In the beginning, he had been her protector, and in the end, he had become her attacker. Luke was exactly like that, and Terri refused to get involved with another man who fit that description.
    No, Terri thought next. Luke wasn’t anything like Randy. Luke showed compassion and understanding, whereas Randy had always been about himself. He never wanted kids and hated animals. Who hated animals? Serial abusers, that’s who. He hadn’t even managed one kind word to help her through the toughest time in her life, when her dad died of a brain aneurism. Luke? When she showed fear, he had wrapped her in his arms and assured her that everything would be fine, and he would not only shelter her