by Amie Nichols
“Lilly,” the voices are now screaming in unison. From what I can tell it’s Luke, Jacob, and Emma all shouting my name.
Jogging toward their voices I answer their calls, “I’m here, I’m coming.”
“Over hear guys!” Jacob shouts when he hears me, and I run smack dab into his hard chest.
“For Christ Sake, Lilly, you trying to give us all a heart attack,” Jacob says wrapping me in his arms giving me a huge bear hug.
Luke and Emma reach us in seconds. Luke takes me from Jacob’s arms and I am up in his embrace so tight that I can hardly breathe. He takes one of his arms hooking it under my knees then he carries me to the house and sets me on the counter with my legs dangling free. He places his hands on the counter at my sides and leans down to stare into my eyes breathing heavy. His eyes are dark, and I can’t tell if he is really scared or really mad. I’m not sure if he knows either.
“What on earth were you thinking wondering off like that?” Miss Finnegan yells coming around the counter to scold me.
I sit there in silence for a moment and I am just glad that I am safe.
“We’re waiting,” Luke, snaps still staring at me. I think he is a little madder right now than scared. Ten eyes stare at me waiting for an explanation.
“I heard something moving, so I tried to get a closer look,” I start to explain myself. Jacob is already shaking his head at my stupidity. “I didn’t mean to go that far, and I know it was stupid,” I plead now feeling even more stupid when I see the disappointment in all their eyes. Luke still hasn’t moved from his protective spot. His arms have me caged in on the counter. I’m avoiding his eyes, not able to stand the look he is giving me.
“Before I knew it, I was too far and couldn’t see the house,” I continue my explanation. “I was trying to get my bearings when whatever I was following started following me,” I say and I feel Luke’s body tense up, and he finally moves from his position as he walks to the doors looking out into the darkness.
“Did you see anything?” Luke speaks finally, his voice very monotone.
“Yes, it was a man, I think. Much like what I saw last night.” Before I can say anything else, I’m startled when Luke punches the wall. The walls being hard plaster, all it does is leave a dent.
“Damn it, Lilly, what if…” Luke stops his voice full of fear and anger.
“I’m fine, he ran away when he heard your voices,” I finish and look around at all of the faces staring at me.
“Stupid, Lilly, really stupid,” Emma says shaking her head.
“Was it Simon?” Jacob asks the question and all the eyes turn to me.
“I don’t think so. I mean he seemed taller maybe.” I struggle trying to remember anything that would help.
“I can’t believe after what you just learned in the truck today that you would go traipsing off in the dark,” Luke turns toward me now rubbing his knuckles. They are red from the impact on the wall.
“Can you tell us anything else about him, any identifying information?” Jacob pushes me for anything.
“It was so dark, I didn’t really see anything,” I say softly and hang my head. Everyone is so disappointed in me and I can’t look in their eyes.
“He’s probably the one who left the note,” Jacob whispers to Luke, but I’m still able to hear it. Luke gives Jacob a shut-up-you-idiot look.
“What note, what are you talking about?” I hop off the counter and stand next to them.
Emma, Jacob, and Luke all exchange looks and I know they are hiding something again.
“You might as well tell her now,” Luke looks angrily at Jacob for saying something.
“Tell me, tell me what?” I’m in the dark about something again and it is really starting to get old.
“Yesterday when I asked to speak with Luke…” Jacob starts his confession and looks extremely guilty. “It wasn’t about a mountain lion. I found a note taped to Georgia’s stone,” Jacob admits
“What did it say?” I ask becoming furious at their lie and hiding yet another thing from me.
“All it said was, “SHE’S MINE,” Jacob explains the note. “I went through the security footage and all I could make out was a shadow. He knows where to avoid being seen.” He runs up to his room and brings me the note in a plastic bag. The handwriting is cursive and squiggly.
“She’s mine?” I read the note. “Me, is he talking about me?” I’m confused to who would write a note like that.
“That’s what we are trying to figure out,” Jacob says now sitting at the table. “In my experience with stalkers, they are usually fine for awhile just watching. But something changed to trigger the more aggressive behavior,” he says folding his hands in front of him on the table.
“Stalker…wait a minute since when do I have a stalker.” I sit at the table across from him. I am glancing from him and then up at Luke who still looks furious.
“Since you’ve hired me, I mean the reason you hired me,” Jacob’s expression tells me he’s known this all along.
“You said it was just a random intruder, a vagrant that was probably just passing by,” I repeat his own words that he used when he explained it to me four months ago.
“Well, I wasn’t sure until recently, but I suspected it all along,” he says looking up at Luke.
“Did you know?” I ask Luke who is standing there with his arms folded at his chest and his jaw tense.
“I knew what he suspected, but we weren’t for sure until the note and then last night,” Luke explains.
“And you guys too?” I notice Emma, Jeffrey, and Miss Finnegan all sitting at the island just observing our conversation. The looks on their faces tell me they did.
“Nice, thanks guys,” I scoff slapping the table in frustration. “So you said something triggered the more aggressive behavior. What would have triggered it?” I turn to Jacob, the expert on stalkers I’m now finding out.
“My best guess would be him,” Jacob says pointing to Luke.
“I’ve taken his place, at least what he thinks is his place,” Luke explains seeing the confused look on my face. “The note was probably meant for me,” Luke says and shakes his head. I can see he is furious.
My mind is a whirlwind and I have a splitting headache.
“I’m going to bed,” is all I say and I head out of the kitchen. No one says a word as I walk past them and head up to my room. I take a hot shower and let the water run on my head to soothe the pounding. I’m so mad at Luke for being mad at me. How was I supposed to know there was real danger, it’s not like I was told any of this, and everyone knew. “We have to protect poor fragile, Lilly,” I can just hear them saying.
After my shower, I throw pajama bottoms on and a cami. My day has been so emotionally draining that I can barely keep my eyes open. I lay on top of the comforter too tired to crawl under the sheets. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I’m out.
I wake up and notice the clock says four a.m. I’ve been covered up and I feel Luke’s arm resting on my waist. I feel his breathing and his face is buried in my hair. A lamp on the dresser is still on and a warm glow lights up the room a little. I roll over gently, so as not to wake up Luke, and stare at his beautiful face sleeping so peacefully. Any anger I had has disappeared.
I place a soft kiss on his lips and run a finger down his cheek. I place another kiss on his lips when he doesn’t stir and repeat. This time he responds. He is kissing me back soft at first then with more intensity. His hand travels up my back and he pulls me to him with my body pressed into his. He takes my lips again and this time his tongue enters my mouth as he rolls so he is on top of me with his weight supported on his elbow. One hand moves under my cami and he cups my breast.
My body tingles as he gently caresses me, his lips move down to my throat, and I groan with pleasure. He moves down to my belly pulling my cami up over my head. Trailing kisses up, he takes my nipple in his mouth. That now all too familiar tug between my legs makes my hips rise. I feel his erection through
is boxers. His hand runs down my back and slips into my silk pajama bottoms as he cups my butt.
His lips move down my belly again and he grabs my bottoms with both hands. He removes my clothing. His boxers are off next and he enters me. My hips meet his thrusts and I let out a little scream of pleasure. Luke smiles and takes my lips to keep me from screaming again. I run my fingernails down his back and I can feel his muscles ripple under my touch. With one more deep thrust, I can’t help but to moan loudly as my body quivers with pleasure. He reaches orgasm seconds after me and falls next to me, his breathing hard and fast.
I roll on top of him laying flat. I rest my hands on his chest, and with my chin on my hands, I look up at him. My body goes up and down with his heavy breathing. His arms are wrapped around me when he finally speaks.
“I’ve never been more scared than I was tonight,” he says softly as he tucks some hair behind my ears. He rests his head on the arm tucked behind his head to see me better. His biceps flex and the sight of him makes me gasp. With his other hand, he traces my lips with his finger so gently. There’s a look of pain in his eyes that rips at my heart.
“When I looked and you were gone…” he stops and shuts his eyes tight, as if to get an image out of his head. “If anything ever happened to you Lilly,” his voice cracks as he tries to speak, but he can’t seem to finish his sentence.
“It’s okay. I’m fine and I always will be.” I try to comfort him as he rolls me off of him and props himself on his elbow.
“You have to be more careful now, promise me.” There’s intensity in his voice. “I’m sorry we kept this from you, but you will know everything from now on,” he pledges to me and places his palm on my chest over my heart. “I will never let this guy touch you. I couldn’t protect you from Jane, but…” he says staring at his hand over my heart. I see tears well up in his eyes. “I finally have you and I am not going to lose you,” he whispers and rests his head on my chest with his ear flat against me where his hand just was.
Without saying a word, I gently stroke his hair as he lies on my chest. Before I know it, I am out again.
Chapter 29
When I wake up, Luke has his legs and arms wrapped around me and I’m sweating from the heat radiating off of him. I try to wiggle my way loose of his grip without disturbing him, but with no luck.
“Good morning gorgeous, are you trying to escape.” He’s smiling when I am finally able to wiggle around to face him.
“I’m sweating, I need some space for a second.” With that, he removes all is body parts from me. “Damn, you are hot!” I say fanning my self.
“So are you baby,” he teases still laying there staring at me. I lay back down, punching his shoulder at his joke.
“Ow,” he says rubbing his arm. “Damn girl, you pack a punch,” he says and rolls over tackling me.
“I’m glad to see you are in a better mood,” I giggle at him as he places fast kisses all over my face and neck.
“Every morning, when I wake up with you in my arms, it is a good morning,” he says smiling down at me. “You are so beautiful,” he whispers, rubbing the tip of his nose on mine.
“I love you,” I whisper back at him.
“I love you too,” Luke replies as he gets up for the bathroom. “We’ve got a lot of stuff to do today gorgeous,” he says as I hear the shower starting.
I have a couple of interviews set up for today to find my personal assistant, but I rollover on Luke’s pillow and hug it to me. It smells of him and I close my eyes. Just a few more minutes I say to myself. I hear Luke humming in the shower, and before I know it he’s out and dressed. I must have dosed off again. He’s wearing some khaki shorts and a light green t-shirt. He looks absolutely yummy. I want to rip the clothes right off of him.
“Get up sleeping beauty. I think your first interview is in an hour,” he says slapping my behind through the sheet.
“Uggg, what do I know about interviewing someone?” I am dreading this so much.
“You’ll be fine. Just hire someone that you think will do the job well,” he encourages me.
“How do I know who that will be?” I roll my eyes at him.
“I have every confidence in you.” He gives me a wink and opens the door. “I’ll see you down stairs,” he says as he walks out of the room and closes the door behind him.
I walk into the kitchen after my shower. I decided to wear something casual instead of dressy like I had first planned. Might as well be myself. I’m wearing white jean shorts and a purple v-neck t-shirt.
Luke is just finishing up breakfast and Miss. Finnegan is busy making cookies for all the people that we are going to have in and out of the house today.
“Are you hungry sweetie?” She asks me pointing to a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
“No just coffee for now.” I climb on the stool next to Luke and lay my head on his shoulder.
He leans over and kisses the top of my head. His eyes never leave the book that he has in front of him.
“What’s that?” I nod at the book, taking small sips of my coffee.
“Jacob is bringing a couple guys from his security group by so we can be more prepared,” he says showing me the front of the book.
The front of the book is black with gold lettering that reads, “Militant Security Group.”
“What do you mean more prepared?” I question him as he goes back to flipping through the manual.
“This is some of the services they offer like fencing, cameras, stuff like that,” he says turning toward me while he studies my face.
I must have an annoyed look on my face because he rolls his eyes and turns back to his reading.
“We are doing this, so don’t even think about arguing with us,” he says not taking his eyes of his book.
“Lilly, please don’t tell me you are fighting this already,” Jacob says as he enters the room hearing what Luke had just said. “Luke’s right, this isn’t up for discussion,” he says sitting on the other side of me and grabbing a plate to dish up some eggs on.
“I didn’t say a word,” is all I mutter sipping my coffee. I sit between the two men I trust more than anything, who also happen to be a couple of hot heads, so arguing I do not plan to do.
Luke looks over to Jacob and gives him a knowing grin. I know he thinks he just won. They start talking about surveillance, electromagnetic locks, and a bunch of other stuff that doesn’t make any sense to me.
I am saved from their boring talk when the doorbell rings and Miss. Finnegan makes her way to let in our visitor. Moments later she appears at the kitchen door with a small mousey haired woman who looks like she is in her early twenties. She’s very cute, but I can tell she is also very shy because her eyes stay on the floor. I jump off the chair and realize this is my first interview. I walk over to her and she stares at my bare feet before finally looking up at me.
“Hi, Marcy is it?” I make my way to her extending my hand to shake hers.
“Yes, Miss Sumnor, Marcy White. We had an appointment at ten,” she says very quietly and shakes my hand.
“Glad to meet you,” I greet her and turn to Luke who is standing next to me now. Marcy’s about five feet tall so Luke must look like a giant to her. “Marcy this is my boyfriend, Luke.” I motion towards him. “He lives here so if you get the job you will be seeing a lot of him.” I tell her as Luke extends his hand to her to shake it. Her cheeks flush pink, as she looks up at the stunning man that is Luke. “This is Jacob my, ummm…. head of security.” I look at Jacob who raises his eyebrows at his new job title.
“Glad to meet you,” Luke says his hand still extended to her but she doesn’t take it. She nervously looks from Luke to Jacob and back at the ground.
“Okay then,” Luke puts his hand to his side looking at me with apprehension. “I guess we’ll let you ladies get to it.” He leans down pecking my cheek. He gives Jacob a look that says wow and the two of them disappear out the French doors into the back yard.
“Shall w
e?” I motion my hands and I walk out of the kitchen. She follows me into the study. “Come sit,” I tell her as I make my way to the couch and sit down with one leg under my behind. I motioned for her to sit there too. She is awkward and uncomfortable as she sits on the other side as far as she can up against the armrest. I already know that I won’t be hiring her, but decide to go ahead with the interview anyway for practice.
After I’m done asking all the questions I have prepared, I know for sure she is not going to fit in here. All of her answers are short and when I would try and joke with her a bit she just looked at me like I was an alien.
“Well, thanks for coming, Marcy. I will be in touch.” I end the interview and show her out. I look at my cell for the time and still have a half an hour before my next interview. I head outside to see what Luke and Jacob are up to. They are on the back patio just sitting around the outdoor table with three men whose ages seem to range between late twenties to late thirties. They are all dressed the same in khaki pants and black polo’s with a gold emblem on the left corner pocket that reads Militant Security Group.
I recognize the older of the gentlemen as being Jacob’s boss Shawn. The other two I have never seen before. When they notice me they all stand as I walk up to the table.
“Miss Sumnor, very nice to see you again. I hear we have a bigger problem on our hands than we initially first thought,” Shawn says greeting me with a hand shake. I’ve never really liked this guy, very arrogant. He gives me his best look of concern, but I can tell all he really cares about is the money. He’s nothing like Jacob at all.
“Shawn,” I shake his hand nodding at his statement.
“Lilly, these are a couple of the guys that you will be seeing around here. Luke and I decided to have a couple more men on hand,” Jacob says to me and gives me a look and I know that I should not argue, especially in front of Shawn.
“This is Sam and Max,” Jacob introduces the other two guys at the table. They are both taller than Jacob, but just as built. I can tell instantly that they are also nothing like their boss.
