Kim’s fingers fluttered towards the raw scratch she knew he was referring to. ‘I got caught up in some brambles near the hedgerow,’ she said, her hand trembling as she wiped at a fresh tear spilling down her face. ‘I was trying to get away from him and—’
‘He was following you?’ Adam’s eyes darkened to thunder.
‘Yes,’ Kim said in a small voice. ‘I might not have noticed, but he started whistling behind me, as if he wanted to scare me. I started to walk faster, and then he walked faster. And then I panicked and ran, and he ran, and…’ She stopped, averting her gaze and swallowing hard.
‘And?’ said Adam.
‘He was shouting something. I’m not sure what,’ she went on, wrapping her arms around herself. Noticing her shivering, Adam tugged off his jacket.
‘I looked over my shoulder to see how far away he was,’ Kim went on as he draped the jacket protectively around her, ‘and that’s when I realised he was almost on top of me.’
‘Jesus Christ.’ Adam wiped a hand angrily across his mouth.
‘I was all tangled up in the thicket by then, and he…’ She faltered and drew in a breath. ‘He…’ Closing her eyes, she stopped.
Her eyes sprang open as Adam placed his arm around her. ‘It’s okay,’ he said softly, drawing her closer and guiding her towards the passenger side of his car. ‘Let’s get you inside and warmed up a bit, shall we? You’re shaking fit to rattle something loose.’
Helping her into the passenger seat, he closed the door with another reassuring smile, and then went around to the driver’s side. ‘Okay?’ he asked, climbing in.
Twisting towards him, she nodded. But she guessed from Adam’s furious expression as he swept his gaze over her that she looked anything but. She noted him looking again at her torn top, the flecks of blood on her breasts.
An agitated tic playing at his cheek, he pulled his gaze back to her face. ‘Did he…?’ He stopped, his hands going to the steering wheel, his fingers tightening around it.
Kim got the gist. ‘No. He…’ she wavered, ‘assaulted me, but he didn’t… He ran off when I managed to scream. He took my bag. My purse was inside it. That’s why I called you. I… wasn’t sure what else to do.’
Adam clutched the steering wheel hard. ‘Bastard!’
‘I’m all right.’ She reached to place a hand over his. ‘Honestly, Adam, I’m okay, I promise.’
He emitted a short incredulous laugh. ‘Have you called the police?’ he asked, his voice choked as he glanced at the phone she was clutching.
Kim shook her head. ‘I tried when I was running, but my phone was off. I couldn’t turn it on. The panic, I think.’ She looked at him uncertainly. ‘I’ve been in this kind of situation before,’ she said, her voice tremulous. ‘That’s why I was so terrified.’
His face paling, Adam eyed her questioningly.
‘This guy…’ she dropped her gaze, ‘he stalked me. I got away from him eventually, but… something similar happened.’
Adam sucked in a terse breath, held it. Then cursed again, half under his breath. ‘You should report it, Kim,’ he said, sounding sick to his soul – for her. ‘This bastard shouldn’t get away with what he’s done. Then there are the other women he might prey on, possibly already has.’
Kim looked back at him. ‘I will,’ she said, nodding. ‘Just… not now. All I want is to go home to my baby.’
Adam blew out a sigh, but nodded understandingly. ‘Do you want to talk about it?’ he asked her cautiously. ‘What happened before?’
Kim’s eyes flickered down again. ‘I would love to. I’ve never really spoken about it before, but I actually think I could, to you. Maybe not here, though,’ she added, with the tiniest of smiles. ‘Right now, I think I just need someone to hold me; no agenda, you know?’
Adam hesitated for a second, and then placed an arm around her, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. He held her for a while, until her sniffles subsided, and then eased gently away. ‘We should get back,’ he said, his eyes searching hers. ‘Are you sure you’re okay? Would you like me to take you to the hospital?’
‘I’d rather not. I’m okay. Just shaken,’ Kim assured him. ‘I really would rather get back to Samuel.’
Adam nodded, but didn’t look convinced.
‘You know, I’ve never met anyone like you, someone so genuinely caring,’ she said as he started the car. ‘Whatever happens in the future, between