Read Louisiana Sky (Love in Belle Pont #2) for Free Online Page A

cocktail on him, which was just crazy. But apparently he’d gotten hooked up with a bad crowd down in Lafayette while he was gone.
    He just told me to watch out for myself and be careful, and told me I could get a restraining order if I needed to.
    I thanked him but didn’t feel like that was necessary. I doubted I’d be seein’ Corey again, and that was how I preferred it.
    I was stocking some lotions on the bottom shelf when the bell above the door dinged and gave me a fright. Ever since that night, that stupid bell had been settin’ me off every time I heard it, and I knew I was gonna’ have to replace it, which I wasn’t real happy about.
    “Hey,” Bentley greeted me with a concerned expression on his face. “Are you okay?”
    “Yea, sorry.” I let out a nervous laugh. “Just a little jumpy I guess.”
    “I heard about Corey.” He shook his head. “I just wanted you to know Rox, I’m always here if you need me. And well, actually that’s kind of the reason I’m here.”
    He looked nervous all the sudden, and I smiled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
    “What is it Bentley?” I asked.
    “Well I just don’t know how to say this without sounding like a controlling prick. But I have every intention on comin’ to pick you up from the store at night and take you on home until all of this is over.”
    I opened my mouth to protest when he held up his hand and continued.
    “And I swear I ain’t using this as an opportunity to try to weasel my way back in with you. Although, I can’t say I’m gonna’ hate seein’ you every day.”
    He was smiling, but I could tell he was still nervous. He thought I was gonna’ say no, and he was using humor to mask his feelings, just like he always did.
    “Do you really think that’s necessary, Bentley?” I asked softly. “I mean, Corey ain’t ever done anything like that before. I truly think it was just a one-time thing. He was high as a kite, apparently.”
    “Well from what Tino says, he’s been real tore up over losin’ you, Rox. Can’t say as I blame the dickhead for that, because you and I both know you were the best thing he’d ever had. But I sure as hell ain’t takin’ any chances, and if anything ever happened to you…”
    He trailed off, his gaze drifting off into the distance, and suddenly I realized what this was about. Why Bentley Daniels was always trying to save the day. To make up for the one person he hadn’t been able to save.
    “Okay Bentley,” I agreed. “If you want to do that, it’s real kind of you to offer. But no funny business.” I waggled my finger and he grinned, putting three fingers in the air.
    “Scout’s honor, Miss Hart.”
     
    ***
    Bentley
    I’d been picking up Roxy every day for a week now, helping her lock up Bits N Bobs and then taking her home. I fixed all the doors on her house with an extra lock, and the windows too.
    She just laughed and shook her head, but it made me feel a little better. Truthfully, I’d been goin’ a little crazy over the whole situation. Couldn’t believe the so called Justice system lettin’ a would be rapist out on bail.
    I’d woken up more than a few times during the night, my chest tight and full of panic. I drove straight over to Roxy’s to check out her place. It was always dark and quiet, which gave me some relief, but I just wished I could stay with her and take care of her. The way I should have been all along.
    Tonight though, when I drove up, there was a light on in her bedroom window, and my chest tightened even more, thinkin’ the worst. It was three am, and Roxy should have been asleep.
    I jumped out of the cab and raced up the steps, only to be greeted by Roxy as she swung the front door open and rolled her eyes.
    “I was expecting you,” she said, gesturing me inside.
    I gave her a confused look as I sat down on the couch and she went into the kitchen and started makin’ some tea.
    “Jesus Bentley, you got me so damn jumpy now thinkin’ Corey’s