Stolen Heart - By Bennett, Sawyer Page 0,22

finish this.” She took off walking again.

With just a few paces, Kieran caught up to her again and fell in step beside her. She glanced at him but kept walking. Neither of them said a word.

After two more blocks, Annika stopped and turned to him, glaring. She blew out a frustrated breath. “Get lost, Kieran. I don’t want or need your help.”

“Too bad. You’ll have it. I’ll be right by your side tonight. So you might as well tell me what we’re doing.”

“Are you always this much of a pain in the ass?”

Kieran grinned. “Not always.”

Annika looked up and down the street, as if she was trying to come to a decision as to what to do with him. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. You can help. It can’t hurt to have some muscle.” She took off walking again and Kieran followed.

“So what are we doing tonight?”

“We’re rescuing someone.”

“A damsel in distress?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. We’re going to help a very special woman start a new life of peace.” The look on Annika’s face was priceless when she said that. It was a mixture of hope and joy. Her passion for helping women is what made her happy.

“You make me a bit jealous, you know,” Kieran said.

Annika gave him a startled look. “Why?”

“Because you have such passion for what you do. You’re a very lucky woman. Most people just slog through their days, counting the hours until it’s over so they can start the same thing over again. They work, only to work. With no fulfillment. What you have here is special, Annika.”

As the sounds of their footsteps echoed off the sidewalk, Kieran could see Annika considering his words. She pulled her lower lip in between her teeth and her brows were scrunched in consternation.

Suddenly, she stopped walking and turned to look at Kieran. Her lavender eyes were wide and luminescent. “Thank you for pointing that out to me. I thought I did this type of work because…well, because I had to. But I think you’re right. I do this because I want to… and I love it.” She gave him a full smile then and his breath caught. Had he ever seen a more beautiful woman? He didn’t think so.

Kieran couldn’t help himself. His hand reached out and cupped Annika’s face. His thumb gently traced her cheekbone. He watched as her eyes widened in surprise, then closed as if relishing his touch. It was the perfect opportunity for him to lean in for a kiss, but before he got the opportunity, her eyes flew open and she batted his hand away from her face.

“Hey. Watch the hands buster. This isn’t a date night, you know.” Annika was scowling at him and it caused Kieran to burst into laughter. “And stop laughing. It’s not funny.”

Kieran’s laugh turned into chuckles. “I’m sorry. But you’re such an enigma, Annika. It keeps me on my toes. But don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy my touch.” His last words were seductive yet taunting. He expected her to blush and look away.

Instead, she actually took a step in closer to him, placing her hands lightly on his chest. She leaned up on her tip toes, placing her lips by his ear. “I’ll tell you a secret,” she whispered softly. Goosebumps broke out on his arms. “I do enjoy your touch. But I’ll tell you when and where you can touch me.”

Stepping back from Kieran, she reiterated. “Now is not the time.” Then she winked at him and took off walking again.

CHAPTER 9

Sheila Williams lived about another ten blocks away and Annika used that time to explain her situation to Kieran. She told him it would be a quick in and out. Sheila’s boyfriend would be gone for the night, she would only bring with her a small bag, and they’d escort her to Saving Grace.

Didn’t sound too complicated to Kieran. “What happens when her boyfriend comes home and finds her gone?”

“He’s a real mean son of a bitch. He’ll go crazy. She tried to leave him once about a year ago. She went to stay with a friend. He beat her so bad she was in the hospital for a week.”

Kieran was astounded. “Why isn’t this fuck-wad in jail?”

“Because Sheila refused to press charges. He threatened to kill her and she believed him. So she got out of the hospital, and went home to him. It’s the pattern an abused woman goes through. A vicious cycle.”

“Is there any way he can find her at