Chapter 2

Natalia stood there with her arms folded, refusing to move or hear anything else this interloper had to say. “Leave now or I’m calling the police.”

He laughed at her and moved a little closer. “Lady, I am the police. Besides, I don’t see a phone of any kind near you. Do you plan on sending smoke signals or screaming your head off?” 

Natalia looked up at the fool standing in front of her but didn’t bother to respond. Instead she walked to her purse, picked up her iPad, and was about to dial 911 when it was ripped out of her hands.

“Okay, I wasn’t aware that thing could be used as a phone, too.” As he said that he tossed the iPad onto the chair and moved closer. 

“Don’t move any closer,” said Natalia as she slowly backed herself up against the kitchen wall. 

“Or what?”

“Or I’ll slug you,” said Natalia as she put both hands in a fist and got ready for the intruder to move closer.

He stood there and folded his arms across his chest watching her with interest. “Really? Is that your defense?”

“Yes.” 

“I’ll move away but first I have something to ask you.”

Natalia squinted at the tall man staring at her, “Anything to get you out of here.” 

The stranger took a step back and paused for a moment before any words came to mind. Looking at her messy blond hair, his eyes slowly moved down her body. Feeling a knot in his stomach, he finally managed in a horse voice, “How did you get all those bruises?” 

Natalia looked up at the stranger and immediately closed her eyes doing her best to come up with something fast. In a rushed voice she muttered, “I fell down the stairs.”

Watching her eyes, the stranger barked, “You’re a horrible liar.” As he said that he moved a strand of hair out of her face. “I’m Jackson O’Malley and I mean you no harm.” He raised her hand to his lips bending over slightly while placing a moist kiss on the back of her hand bringing it old school style. Feeling a chill up her spine, Natalia immediately pulled her hand away thinking of what to do next. 

“Natalia, now please leave.” 

“I can’t, I rented this place and have nowhere else to go, besides this place is big enough for the two of us and splitting the rent will save us both money.”

Natalia carefully got up and took a good look at Jackson O’Malley and inhaled sharply slowly lettin out her breath. He appeared to be approximately 6’ 3” with thick brown hair longer on top and shorter on the sides. His eyebrows matched his hair color, outlining his chocolate brown eyes and giving them depth. His nose was perfectly sculpted, reminding Natalia of a Greek god, with his full, lush, moist, and ready to be kissed lips. His face featured high cheekbones and a 5 o’clock shadow, adding even more sex appeal to his ruggedly handsome good looks.

Natalia made her way over to her iPad and put it back on the table and slowly turned towards Mr. Interloper. “You’re actually serious, aren’t you?” 

“Why not? We can make this work,” said Jackson walking into the living room and turning on the television. 

“I can think of a few reasons why not,” said Natalia as she walked to her purse and took out her journal and sat down in the family room and began writing. Once she finished she wrote out a shopping list, googled the nearest supermarket. 

“I’m going out for a bit, don’t make a mess.” She grabbed her coat, gloves, purse, and keys and made her way to the front door and headed out to her truck, started it and drove away. 

Jackson watched her leave and walked into her bedroom and took a look around. “What are you running from Miss Natalia? Who put those bruises on your body and made you leave New York and settle in such a small town in Maryland?” asked Jackson walking back into the living room and sitting down. “I intend to find out. Someone as beautiful as you shouldn’t have a single mark on that sweet smelling porcelain skin.”

Natalia made it to the supermarket and soon began filling up the cart with all sorts of goodies making her way down each isle. She wanted to make sure the cottage was equipped with all the things she was used to. Once she was satisfied she had everything, she made her way to the register and began putting all her purchases on the counter. She packed her groceries, paid, and made her way to the truck and loaded it. 

As she was getting into her truck she noticed a shopping center across the street and was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. She walked into a clothing store looking at all the wonderful things she could buy. There was nothing better than a little retail therapy to cheer her up. She walked around the store and filled a shopping cart with items and made her way to the try-on room and began trying everything on. 

Once finished she walked over to the shoe section and found three different pairs of high boots she loved and added them to her already full cart. She continued shopping and was just about to try on a jacket when the manager walked over to her. 

“Sorry Miss, we’re getting ready to close, please bring your purchases to the register at the front of the store.”

“Oh, okay,” said Natalia tossing the jacket into the cart and walking to the front of the store and put all her purchases on the counter and handed the sales clerk her credit card.

Making her way into the cool night air, Natalia shivered while she put all her items in her truck. Putting the heat on full blast, she decided to take a drive and get familiar with the area surrounding her new home. Looking around, she noticed a bunch of little shops scattered around and knew she’d have a very happy time getting acquainted with them. After about forty-five minutes of driving around, she decided to go home.

The second she pulled into the driveway there was a figure moving back and forth. Natalia didn’t want to get out but as the figure moved closer she realized it was Jackson.

He ran to the truck and opened her door the second she shut the engine. “I was getting worried about you.” 

Natalia looked up at her new roommate and folded her arms across her chest. “Worried? You don’t even know me long enough to worry. Now make yourself of some use and help me carry this stuff inside.” 

Jackson grabbed a bunch of bags and brought them inside and found himself doing that over and over again. When he finally finished he walked over to Natalia. “Seriously, did you leave anything for anyone else? Geezus you must have bought out the entire store.”

“When you’re hungry and you find food to eat, remember to thank me,” said Natalia putting everything away.

Jackson’s assistance made things a little easier for Natalia, helping her to find a home for everything. She made her way outside and walked over to her truck and grabbed all the clothes she bought and brought them inside and put everything away.

Satisfied with her first day in her new home, she closed her bedroom door and dressed for bed and made her way to the bathroom to brush her teeth. On her way back to her room she turned off the light and bumped into something firm.

“Oh god, are you okay?” asked Jackson while turning on the light. “Maybe the next time you go on a shopping spree you can get us some nightlights so we don’t cause an unwanted accident. Not that I mind or anything.” 

Natalia looked up at Jackson with an odd look, “I don’t think this arrangement is going to work. Tomorrow I’ll go to the real estate office and see if anything else is available.” 

“You didn’t even give it a chance,” said Jackson frowning at Natalia. “I’ll be at work tomorrow so let’s not make any rash decisions yet. Give this a chance.”

“I’ll think about it,” said Natalia in an exhausted voice. “Goodnight.” 

“Goodnight,” said Jackson making his way into the bathroom.

Natalia turned and walked to her bedroom being sure to close the door and quickly got under the covers but soon began screaming. 

Jackson came barreling into her bedroom in a pair of Scooby Doo boxers and a Louisville Slugger and turned on the light. 

“Jackson! Help! There’s a tarantula on my left. It’s vicious and scary and ready to attack any second,” cried Natalia as she squeezed her eyes shut. 

“Tarantula? Where?” asked Jackson as he did his best to keep his cool. He moved closer and noticed a tiny spider marching towards Natalia’s pillow and hit it immediately but missed.

“Did you get it?” screamed Natalia as she opened her eyes and saw the thing even closer. “Ewww! It’s got fur and ugly teeth! Get it! It’s gonna get me.” 

Jackson looked for something, anything in her room to kill the offending spider and finally found a book and swatted with all his might. The second he did that Natalia jumped from the bed and began jumping all around and screaming. 

Natalia began taking off all the beddings and screamed again when she saw the brother to that spider. Jackson immediately killed it. 

“Oh my god! I’m not sleeping in that bed tonight,” cried Natalia while slipping on her robe and walking down the hall and into the living room. Making her way over to the couch, Jackson stood there while Natalia frantically took apart the couch checking every nook and cranny even bending down to look under the couch. 

“Natalia, you can sleep with me, I promise to stay on my own side of the bed. I’ll even make sure there are no tarantulas anywhere,” said Jackson as he walked in his bedroom and took everything apart.

“I need to take a shower and decontaminate.”