Shit. Shit. Shit. “Does Tom know?” I asked nervously, apprehension making my heart quicken.
“No. He has no idea. And I doubt he reads online gossip tabloids,” she reassured me.
“Oh God. This is going to end up blowing up in my face.” I dropped my head into my palms.
“It’ll be fine, Ava. Tom won’t care as long as he gets to brag about the house he did in Malibu. Don’t stress about it.” I nodded, not sure I felt as confident in everything working out. “So…what’s the deal with you two? Are you back together? Why were you in New York?”
“Yes. We worked things out on the plane.” Yep, definitely “worked” things out. I grinned as I thought about the plane ride over. Joce raised a curious eyebrow. I suppressed my delicious, dirty thoughts.
“The whole thing was more of a ploy to get me to go on a trip he had promised me years ago. He was just using work as an excuse. Tom can never know that, Joce. I’ll lose my job if he finds out.”
“I doubt that, Ava,” she laughed as if I just said the most ridiculous thing in the world, “Tom loves you. But either way, your secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you.”
“Just don’t ever keep shit like this from me ever again. We are supposed to be friends.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just panicked that night. I didn’t expect to see him and Riley there. I had barely come to terms with the fact that he was our new client.”
“You’re forgiven,” she smiled at me. “Oh, that reminds me…speaking of your love life…Owen stopped by Friday afternoon, looking for you. I guess he hasn’t heard you’re off the market?”
“Ugh…Owen,” I threw my head back momentarily to look at the sky. “I feel horrible about him. I meant to call him when I got back to town to let him know. I completely forgot.”
“Well, you should probably let him know soon. He seemed pretty disappointed you weren’t back, yet.”
“I’ll call him later. For now, let’s stop talking about my messed up love life. What is the deal with you and Riley?”
Her cheeks blushed a bright pink at the mention of his name. “I don’t know. I really like him. We talk pretty much every night. He came to see me last weekend and promised he would come back out soon. He also asked me to come visit him in Boston,” she paused lost in her thoughts, “I don’t know…I feel like this is all so crazy. I mean, how is this supposed to work?”
I gave her a sympathetic look, understanding her dilemma. I had been there only a few days ago. Our server came back, interrupting our conversation. We ordered our usual entrees.
Once he was gone, Joce continued, “Sorry, to complain. I guess you’re in the same boat as me. How are you and Rhett going to make it work?”
“Well…actually… Rhett is moving here,” I said cautiously, not wanting to rub it in her face. “I wish I could offer you some sage advice. I was feeling the same way as you a few days ago. The only wisdom I have to part on you is to talk to him about it. I know Riley is a good guy. I also know, he’s the type of guy that wouldn’t go through all this effort to fly across the country if he didn’t have true feelings for you.”
“I hope you’re right, because I’m already falling for him. I have only known him for a few weeks! I’m freaking out. I must be losing my mind,” she laughed nervously.
I smiled, knowing exactly how she felt. I had no room to judge. Rhett stole my heart the same way. We spent the rest of the lunch with her filling me in on her time with Riley and things that had happened at work, while I told her about London and Carrara.
We walked back to the office after lunch. The café was only a few blocks from where we worked, making it one of our frequent lunch spots. We chatted about random things while we walked.
My steps faltered. Unease unsettling my stomach. We were only a few feet from the entrance of our office. From the corner of my eye, a figure stood eerily still across the road. I turned to look at the person, but the passing traffic blocked my view. By the time the cars cleared, there was nobody other than the normal, moving herd of people.
I must be seeing things. I absentmindedly rubbed the goose bumps from my arms. “Ava, you coming?” Joce was standing a few feet from me, holding our office door open. My phone buzzed in my purse, causing palpitations in my chest. My mind going to the creepy call I had received the other night. I pulled my phone out slowly as if it were a grenade about to detonate.
I could feel Joce’s questioning eyes on me as she waited. I looked at the screen of my phone. It was Rhett. My body relaxed. I must be losing my freaking mind. I looked back up at her, “I’m just going to take this. I’ll be inside in a minute.”
“Okay,” she said without a care in the world as she disappeared into our office. I pushed the green button, connecting the call.
“Hey,” I attempted to disguise the unease I had felt seconds earlier. I was becoming a paranoid idiot.
“Hey, beautiful. Is everything okay?” I guess my attempt didn’t work.
“Yep! I’m good,” I over exaggerated the state of my well-being, “Just getting back from lunch with Joce. How is your day going?”
“Terrible. I needed to hear your voice.”
I smiled, “Same here. I miss you already.”
“Miss you too, babe….I should be home on Wednesday night.” I loved the way he called my place home already.
“I can’t wait. What time? I can make us dinner.”
“It may be pretty late. I’ll let you know for sure on Wednesday.”
I heard a female voice interrupting him in the background. Jealousy exploded. Calm down. “One minute, Celeste.” I heard him say to the female before turning his voice back to the phone. “Beautiful, I have to go. I’ll call you later tonight.”
“Okay,” I tried to hide my insecurity and disappointment.
“Ava. Only you,” he reassured me.
“I know. I love you.”
“Love you too, beautiful.”
I ended the call, took a deep breath and then walked back into the office.
CHAPTER 12
I picked up my pace, the rush of a second wind coursing through me, energizing my already tired and burning muscles. Sweat beaded down my forehead, stinging my eyes. My feet sank in the dense, damp sand as I ran along the water’s edge, underneath the pier I typically stopped to rest at. It was my usual turn around point.
I didn’t normally run past the pier. I didn’t normally run at night. I didn’t normally ignore every instinct I had. But tonight wasn’t normal. Tonight, I was needing to release the stress, jealousy and anger I was filled with. Rhett hadn’t come home on Wednesday. It was now Thursday night.
He was still in New York “working.” I know I am being irrational. I know he loves me. I know he would never cheat on me. But I stupidly googled him, looking through the latest tabloids, only to find him pictured with who I assume is Celeste at dinner in a restaurant.
He had told me Wednesday he needed to stay another night for a business dinner. And I had believed him. I still believe him. I just can’t get that stupid voice out of my head. The one that makes me feel insecure.
In my defense, I only googled to make sure there were no more incriminating pictures of me that had the potential to make me lose my job. There wasn’t. Knowing that now, I wish I had never googled to start with. Damn you Google.
My lungs tightened in my chest. My breaths were strained. My already screaming lungs ready to burst. I pushed myself through the pain, surrendering myself to the angry pounding of my feet, letting the energy free from my body.
The cool, night air cleared my head. I was feeling better, and I knew I should turn around. I slowed my sprint, coming to a stop on the beach. I dropped my head between my legs as I folded my tired body forward. I stood bent over while I caught my breath. After my breathing slowed, I raised myself back into an upright position, putting my hands behind my head, staring across the dark ocean as the moon glistened over it. The cool breeze from the ocean felt good on my s
weaty, heated skin, helping me with my cool down.
I needed to get back to my apartment. I hadn’t bothered bringing my phone, not wanting to be interrupted on my run. And if I was honest, avoiding Rhett. I needed to get my head straight, and if he had called, I might have said things I didn’t mean.
I turned back in the direction of my apartment. My body was aching. It was going to be a long walk back. I wish I had brought my phone now…if only to call an Uber to take me home. I cut across the beach towards the paved running and cycling trail. It would be an easier walk than the sand.
It was late and there were very few people around. A drastic contrast to the normally busy, crowded beach and trail during the day. I continued to walk. My mind wandering. I needed to talk to Rhett about Celeste if only to ease my active imagination. She was pretty. Why did she have to be pretty? If she wasn’t, I probably wouldn’t have been as upset. Right?
I was a few blocks from my apartment when heavy footsteps fell in behind me. I didn’t look back. They sounded like they were a ways behind me. Likely, someone going for an evening stroll.
My building came into view ahead of me. The footsteps picked up their pace, closing the distance between us. My blood turned cold and the hairs on my nape stood. My heart pounded in my chest. Instinct kicked in. Run. I bolted like a deer being chased by a hunter, letting the paranoia take over my body.
I didn’t look back. My legs carried me wild with fear. Adrenaline rushed through me, numbing my previous worn out body. I hit the street pavement, headed for the safety of my apartment. Rounding the corner of my building, I looked back to see if they were following me, not slowing my stride.
I collided with a hard figure. Strong arms wrapped around me. A piercing scream ripped through my throat. My arms instinctively thrashed out punching, fighting to get away.
“What the hell?! Calm down! Ava!”
My arms ceased. My body froze. My mind tried to catch up to what was happening. Rhett. Tears burst through as I clinched my fists on his shirt, burying my face in his chest, heaving and shaking. He continued to hold me close.
“Ava, what’s wrong? What happened?” He forced his voice to stay calm as he interrogated me, but I could hear the stress.
My tears slowed. I shook my head as my breathing came out hitched. I was crazy that’s what’s wrong. I’m losing my freaking mind. “Nothing.” I mumbled. My face still pressed to his chest.
He peeled me away from his body, holding my shoulders as he peered down at my tear stricken face. “That wasn’t nothing. Tell me what happened.”
I shook my head, no. He looked over my shoulders, past my weak body, scanning the dark street. When he didn’t see anything, he looked back at me, worry written all over his face. “Let’s get you inside.”
He picked up his luggage that he must have dropped when I collided with him, and then wrapped his arm around me to escort me into the apartment.
I leaned back on my couch after taking a shower. Rhett was in the kitchen, getting me a glass of water. I pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them protectively. I was still shaken up, even though I told myself that it was my overactive imagination. Nobody was chasing me.
He joined me in my tiny living room, handing the glass of water to me. He sat on the coffee table in front of me, still wearing his rumpled suit minus the jacket and tie. He looked tired. I’m sure he wanted to come home and go to bed, but instead, he was having to deal with me being an emotional mess.
“Are you ready to talk now?” he asked softly as he rubbed my arm, comforting me.
“Are you?” I accused him.
“What’s that supposed to mean, Ava?” His hand stopped its movement.
“Nothing.” Everything. I needed answers. Answers and truths he has been avoiding. He released a frustrated sigh as he rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair.
“Why were you running at night?”
“I needed to burn off some energy and clear my head.”
“By yourself? You know I don’t like you doing that.”
“Well, maybe you should’ve been here,” I snapped at him. His face dropped with remorse. I didn’t mean that. I was lashing out at him for no good reason. He ignored my comment.
“You should’ve at least had your phone with you. It wasn’t smart or safe, leaving without it.”
“I didn’t want to be disturbed.” I was being hateful. Defiant. I needed to let it go. I knew he was right.
“So turn it to silent. Damn it, Ava!” His aggravation was breaking through his calm, controlled façade, “What are you so pissed about? Tell me what’s going on.”
I turned my head away from him, angry tears making an unwanted appearance. I hate that I’m an angry crier. I took deep breaths, getting them under control.
“I’m sorry. I’m being stupid. I know I’m being stupid. I’m mad at myself, not you.”
“Why? Talk to me, beautiful,” his deep voice softened. He moved his hand to my chin, turning me to face him.
“I saw a photo online of you and another woman having dinner last night,” I sighed defeated. He nodded his understanding.
“Celeste. She’s the one I’m in the process of putting in charge of the New York office.”
“It was just the two of you in the picture.”
“Ava, babe. I haven’t seen the picture, but I assume it was taken early in the evening before the guy we were meeting with arrived. She’s working on a deal for me. He wanted us both present to discuss it. Otherwise, I would have come home and let her handle it on her own… You have nothing to worry about. You’re the only one for me. I don’t see anyone else.” His thumb rubbed back and forth across my chin as he spoke. “Is that why you decided to run at night and leave your phone behind?”
I nodded.
“Will you tell me what had you scared?”
“It was nothing. Just my imagination.” His hypnotic, blue eyes pierced my soul as he searched for the truth. He watched me as if he knew what I was hiding from him.
“I don’t want you running alone anymore. I’ll go with you.”
“And if you’re not here?” I challenged him.
“Then someone from my security team will go with you. I’ll have someone permanently assigned to you.”
“Rhett, no,” I said stiffly. “I don’t need a body guard. You’re being ridiculous.”
“It’s not up for discussion, Ava.”
“It most certainly is!”
“No. It’s not. Don’t argue,” he warned.
“This is absurd! Why are you insisting on this?”
“Why were you running scared?”
Damn it. He wasn’t going to let this go, until I told him. “If I tell you, will you call off the guard dogs?”
“I’m not making any promises until I know why.”
“You’re so fucking frustrating, you know that?” I rolled my eyes, looking away from him.
“Mouth, beautiful. Tell me.”
I shook my head exasperated with the man sitting in front of me, but so freaking in love with him. He would do anything to protect me and keep me safe.
“I thought someone was following me.”
“Why would you think that?” His question was expected but there was a cautiousness in his voice, which told me he probably already knew. I turned my eyes to his, looking for answers while I spoke.
“I don’t know… I think I’m probably just crazy.” I paused thinking about the last few weeks. “I keep feeling like someone is watching me or following me. I haven’t actually seen anyone. It’s literally just a feeling. I’m being paranoid. It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
He stood, moving to the other side of the living room. One hand on his hip and the other rubbing the back of his neck as he paced the small area, deep in thought. My eyes followed him.
He looked so sexy, brooding across the room. My mind and body telling me I was done with talking. I wanted to be distracted from the last few hours and forget they e
ver happened. I wanted him in my bed. It’s been days, since we have seen each other.
Before I could make my move, he turned, facing me with a determined look. “I’m assigning a security detail to you.”
“Rhett-”
“Ava, we aren’t discussing it any further. I’m not willing to take risks when it comes to your safety.”
“I’m not comfortable with a stranger following me around.”
“What about Jim?”
“Jim? I thought he was a driver.” Jim had never come across as a security guard to me, like the other intimidating ones I had seen at the Blackwood residences. Sure he looked built and fit, especially at his age, but he was much more approachable.
“He’s both,” he smiled, knowing my thoughts. “Don’t let his kind demeanor fool you. He’s lethal. A former Navy Seal and MMA fighter. My father chose him to be my driver and security guard because of it. The others were a little too scary looking for a young child.”
“I don’t feel right about asking Jim to move across the country.”
“He’s already moving here with me.”
“I feel like your overacting to my paranoia.”
He moved back towards me, taking his place in front of me on the coffee table. He grasped my hands with his, pulling them away from where they still wrapped around my bent knees.
“Humor me, babe.” A small smile pulled at his lips. I couldn’t help but smile back at him. His sexy smile has a way of doing that to me, no matter how infuriating he was.
“Is this only because of what I told you?” I was opening the door for him to tell me whatever it is he knew.
“No. I always intended to assign Jim to you.”
“Why?”
“Ava, you being with me comes with certain exposure. There are a lot of crazy people out there. I know you like your independence, and I hate that us being together takes some of that away. But it’s necessary. As much as I want to be, I can’t always be with you to protect you at all times.”
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