by J B Heller
All too soon, reality sets in. A prickling sensation crept up my spine. He was back. I glanced over at my bedroom window; even if someone was out there, I wouldn’t have been able to see them. The shrubs were too thick. As I climbed out of bed, wrapping the sheet around my body as I stood, I suddenly felt raw and exposed. I held the sheet tight as I made my way to the window.
I knew it was locked and that the security screens were the best on the market, but I’d left the curtains open last night. I grabbed the thick fabric and pulled it across the window, blocking the view of the would-be peeping Tom. Not today buddy. I felt a little better with the curtain closed but I knew someone was still out there, I could feel it in my gut.
I couldn’t make myself get dressed in my room, so I grabbed my clothes and headed for the bathroom. I showered quickly, not bothering to wash my hair or shave my legs, I was too jittery and I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still out there. I dried myself and dressed in record time, choosing to wear a long maxi skirt and peasant top today, then I threw my hair into a rough bun and applied minimal makeup.
When I came out of the bathroom, I found Tessa waiting for me on one of the bar stools in the kitchen. I took the one beside hers and waited for her to speak. She was just as jumpy as me this morning going by the appearance of her usually perfectly manicured nails. She had picked off most of the polish, leaving a little pile of red chippings on the bench top where she sat.
“I didn’t sleep last night. I tried, but I couldn’t. I knew you wouldn’t have been able to sleep if you could feel someone out there, but that didn’t ease the fear eating me up inside. I don’t know if I can do this again, Ivy.”
How I had managed to get the attention of this psycho was beyond me, but it was unfair. I would get through it because I had to. I’d done it before and I could do it again. I knew I could protect myself this time if it came down to it; but I had my doubts about Tessa’s skills in that department. She knew how to fire a gun, but what if she couldn’t get to one. This whole situation felt all too familiar and I hated that Tessa had to go through it again too.
“I'm sorry, Tessie, I really am. I don’t know what I can do to fix this. Maybe you should go back home for a while, just until this blows over. Gabe will figure out who it is and deal with it soon enough and then you could come back.”
Tessa gasped and spun her stool to face mine. She had a look of pure shock and mortification plastered on her face. Her jaw was gaping wide and her brows were scrunched up. I glanced down to see her fists balled up in her lap. She was getting ready to slug me one.
“How could you even suggest that? You want me to leave you here to deal with this nutcase alone. No way, not happening. You’re out of your tree if you think I’m going to go running back to Mum and Dad’s and leave you behind,” she ranted.
“Well, what do you want from me? You just said you can’t do this again, so what do you want to do if not get out of town for a while?” I demanded.
Her shoulders sagged and her fierce expression dropped. She started rubbing her temples, a tell-tale sign she was getting a migraine. I got up to get her a glass of water and some pills for her head. While I pottered around the kitchen, she spoke up again, “Well, I have an idea, but you’re not going to like it.”
I rolled my eyes, “Just spit it out.”
“Okay, so last night when your arsehole of a boss was here, I felt better. You know, after the creepy poem and shit. I felt a bit safer having him here.”
I spun on my heels so I was facing her straight on. Narrowing my eyes at her, I could see where this was going and I didn’t like it, not one bit.
She cleared her throat and started picking at her nails again. “Anyway, so I was thinking maybe he could, I don’t know, stay here for a little while. You know, it might scare the creepy stalker off having the big guy around.”
My eyes went wide, Gabe, here? Staying here? No, oh hell no. I’m not ready for that. I wanted him to start paying attention to me and all but I don’t think I could handle having him here all the time. Could I stop myself from attacking him while he was sleeping? I had a hard enough time holding myself in check at work yesterday when I got an eye full of that massive erection straining to get free from the confines of his pants.
Just thinking about it now made my insides pulse with need. I couldn’t have him here, in my house. I’d end up raping him, and I would never be able to live with myself if I knew I had taken advantage of him. I knew he was still dealing with his Sloan issues. I wanted him to know how much I wanted him, but I’m not going to push him into something he doesn’t want.
Then Tessa pulled that face, the one that said she really needed this. The one she knew I couldn’t resist. How could I say no? If it would make her feel better, safer, who was I to deny her that? Especially since I was the one the crazy was after. I let out an exasperated sigh. “All right, I’ll ask him. But don’t get your hopes up. He could very well say no, and if he does, I want you to go home until this is over. Deal?”
Tessa was off the stool and bouncing on her toes like a schoolgirl. Her smile was big and wide. “Thank you! I’ll feel so much better having the asshat here. He may be an arse, but at least he’s pretty to look at. And you might end up finally getting’ some. It has been a while.”
Yep, Tessa was back to her usual self. She continued to bounce around the kitchen while I went to my room to get a pair of shoes. I chose some cute little brown sandals, with a zip that ran up the back of my heel to a strap that wrapped around my ankle. When I came back out Tessa had calmed down some, thankfully. She was still beaming though. “Remember, he could—”
“Say no. I know, but he won’t. The way you practically had to shove him out the door last night speaks louder than words. He wants you; he’s just not admitting it yet. I don’t know why though,” she blurted out as confusion covered her face.
“He has issues, but that’s beside the point. You don’t know anything about him, how would you know if he wants me? You’re no expert on men.”
She snorted, actually snorted, like a pig. “Oh he wants you all right. You don’t have to be an expert on men to see that.”
“Okay, whatever pig lady. I’m off. Gabe will think something’s happened to me if I’m late.” I walked out the door before she could throw an insult at me for calling her pig lady.
As soon as I closed the door behind me I felt it, he was still here, somewhere. Slipping my hand into my purse, I wrapped my fingers around Trixie and flicked the safety off. I stepped down the porch and walked to my car, sliding into my seat as if nothing was wrong.
I flipped the locks as soon as I was safely inside, then I scanned the shrubs and bushes but I couldn’t see anything. I’m thinking I’ll have to get someone to come cut them all out. I used to like the privacy they provided, but not anymore.
He didn’t follow me today; but instead of feeling relieved, it made me nervous for Tess. She works from home, writing kinky books. She’d be fine as long as she stayed inside. Besides, it’s me he’s after; he probably left soon after I did. I tried reassuring myself.
Still, I called Tess just to make sure she was all right. She was of course. The house was locked up like Fort Knox, nobody was getting in uninvited. She also reminded me to broach the topic of Gabe coming to stay. As if I could forget.
How do you tell the man (that you stupidly admitted to being in love with) you’re crazy cousin, who doesn’t even like him, wants him to move into your house to act as a virtual bodyguard? I couldn’t even think of a starting point for that conversation.
A few minutes after I pulled into the lot I found Gabe waiting for me at the door with an expectant look on his handsome face.
“Morning,” I said as I stepped through the door.
He nodded his acknowledgment, but didn’t say a word, he just kept staring at me. I narrowed my eyes at him, and looked him up and down. Was I missing something here? I went in to put my bag away behind my desk, and as I turned, I slammed right
into his hard body. The air whooshed from my lungs as I looked up into his dark eyes. He looked tired now that he was up close, I could see the dark rings under his eyes. “You didn’t sleep last night, huh?”
He shook his head but didn’t speak. This was all kinds of weird. Having him this close was doing things to me. I could see heat in his eyes, the kind I’d always hoped to see when he looked at me.
“Are you all right? You seem, tense?” I mumbled, not knowing what else to say.
He was still crowding my personal space and I didn’t know what to make of it. Darkness clouded the heat from his eyes before he stepped back from me.
“Gabe? What’s going on?” I asked.
“I think you and Tessa should come and stay with me for a while.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I blurted.
“You heard me, I can’t sleep knowing there’s some creeper out to do God knows what to you. You’ll be safe at my place. There’s plenty of room for you, and her too,” Gabe explained.
“Her? You mean Tessa? My cousin, who you can’t stand? She’s no fan of yours either you know. Surely, you can’t be serious. You two would end up killing each other. You are both, volatile, stubborn and impulsive. Shit would get real bad, real fast.” I held up my fingers as I ticked off each attribute they had in common.
His eyebrows pulled in and his perfect lips formed a frown. I raised mine for a moment then glared at him in response. He dropped his shoulders and rolled them back a few times, before twisting his neck either side to crack it. I hated that sound; it was disgusting. I cringed and he smirked. He knew I hated it. I nearly had a bitch fit every time he did it. It was gross. Yet he did it all the same, said it relieved the tension. Whatever, I think he just did it to stir me. Especially now, his eyes gleamed with mischief.
I glared at him. “What’s with that look? I don’t like it.”
His smirk turned into a full-blown grin. His dimples popped and his eyes brightened. “I already organised it with what’s her face. She’s packing your stuff today and bringing it to the house. What she can’t manage on her own I’ll help with this afternoon.”
My jaw dropped, literally. I stood there opening and closing my mouth, gaping like a damn goldfish trying to say something. God, say anything, but I had no words. That bitch! She knew about this, no, she planned this with him, and didn’t tell me, that conniving little spunk guzzler. Oh, when I get my hands on her, she will feel my wrath!
He was still smiling like the Cheshire cat, that damn cat freaked me out. I slammed my jaw shut and narrowed my eyes further. I could feel my fists balled up at my sides, but what could I possibly do to him? Nothing that would cause as much damage as I’d like to right now. Bastard, he looked so pleased with himself. “I wouldn’t look so smug if I were you,” I seethed.
His smile dropped at the tone of my voice. He glanced down at my balled fists then back to my face. He knew I was pissed. Sure, I was going to ask him to come and stay, but now he was taking over, taking the choice away from me. He’d gone behind my back! I worked too hard to gain my independence to have him come along and start telling me what to do.
The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. My knuckles turned white. Gabe noticed and took a step away from me, he instinctively covered his balls with one hand and lifted his other in front of him as he tried to calm me down. “Now, Ivy, this is for your own good. I can keep an eye on you at my place, and I can protect you from this psycho. Please, Ivy, don’t be mad about this. Let me help you. Let me protect you. You don’t have to do this by yourself.”
His pleading tone got to me. I let my anger flow out through my fingertips as I flexed my hands. He was right; he could protect me. Not that I needed it, but it also meant he could protect Tess. I exhaled a long, deep breath and shook my arms out a few times to relieve my tense muscles. “Fine, I’ll go with it but, there will be conditions.”
His smile was back in place and I watched relief flood his features. Knowing it meant this much to him, that I meant this much to him, warmed me. I smiled back.
CHAPTER SEVEN
That afternoon I helped Bitch Face bring their bags into my house. I showed her to her room and then showed her where Ivy’s room would be, directly across from mine. It was purely coincidental. I needed a bit of distance between me and Bitch Face, that’s why I’d given her the room furthest from mine.
How much shit could two women have? I’d already done four trips to the car and there was still more to come. “You know this is temporary right? Just until I get this sorted for Ivy.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Yeah, what’s your point?”
“How much shit do you need for a few weeks? It shouldn’t take longer than that for me to handle the situation.”
One of her perfectly shaped eyebrows rose as she glanced at me sideways. “Exactly this much shit. That’s how much we need okay, Big Man. Plus; I don’t want to have to go back to the house for anything in case Mr Psycho Stalker is there.”
I grunted in response as I continued to haul their stuff inside. She had a point. It was probably for the best.
I was finding it harder to keep my hands to myself when I was alone with Ivy. This morning when she’d been pissed with me, I just wanted to hold her. But I knew I wouldn’t have been able to stop there. I couldn’t let my guard down and allow my control to slip, especially now that she would be staying in my house.
Last night I’d put in a call to an old buddy of mine since I was going to need help with my other cases so I could focus on Ivy. Kai had agreed without any questions and flew in this morning, coming straight to the office. He and Ivy had met before and they got along, better than I would like. I left him at the office with her while I came to help Bitch Face.
When we finished bringing in all their crap, I realised I had no food in the house. Shit. I suppose we could have take-out tonight and I could get groceries tomorrow sometime. Kai would be staying here too; I didn’t want the girls to be alone at any time. And damn that fucker could eat, I’ll go broke just feeding him, but if it helps keep Ivy safe, it’s a price I’m willing to pay.
I left Bitch Face to unpack her shit and went to have a shower.
Kai and Ivy must have gotten back while I was showering. When I got out, I could hear the three of them in the hallway. I’d forgotten to tell Kai about Bitch Face staying too. From what I could hear, he must have walked in on her getting changed, assuming her room was his.
I opened my bedroom door and poked my head out. Sure enough, she was up in his face telling him off for being a pervy arsehole. He didn’t flinch. In fact, I got the distinct feeling he liked it. She wasn’t wearing much, a pair of red panties and a matching tank top. She had him backed up against the wall across from her bedroom door, her bony finger poking him in the chest.
Then he grabbed her hand as she went to poke him again. “If you insist on touching me, sweetheart, I’ll put your hands to good use.”
She gasped and pulled her hand back, spun on her heels and slammed her bedroom door behind her.
I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it; the outraged look on her face was priceless. Ivy, who was standing at the opposite end of the hall, had a smirk plastered on her beautiful face, while Kai was still staring after Bitch Face. He snapped his head in my direction when I started laughing. “What are you laughing at, fucker?”
“You.”
He grunted and turned back to Ivy. “Where are you bunking, Princess? So I don’t go busting in on you, too.”
Her shoulders lifted in a shrug as she peered around his large frame to see me.
“She’s down here, across from me. You got the middle room.”
A knowing grin appeared on his smug face. I flipped him the bird when Ivy wasn’t looking. Bastard. Ivy had disappeared into the kitchen but she was back again, heading towards me. No, not me, her bedroom. I stepped across the hall to open the door for her. Her shoulder grazed my chest as she passed through the doorway. Goosebumps covered my bare ch
est. Shit, I was standing there in my towel.
I excused myself, crossing the hall back to my room to put on some clothes. She’d only been here half an hour and I was already starting to lose my shit. I’d heard her voice when I’d stepped out of the shower and I’d wanted to see her. Completely forgot about clothes. Dickhead.
Slipping my arms into my shirt, I pulled it over my head. When I opened my bedroom door, I could see right into Ivy’s. She’d forgotten to close the door. I could see her rummaging through a suitcase looking for clothes, wearing nothing but a bra and panties. Holy shit. She was so fucking beautiful it hurt. I stood there, unmoving, just watching the way her hair slid forward over her shoulder as she bent further down. Her arse was right there, sticking up in the air. I ached to sink my teeth into it.
She seemed to have found what she was looking for. I could hear her muttering, something about Tess being a pain in the arse. I wouldn’t argue that point. She righted herself, slipping into a pair of black yoga pants and a tank with the words Books are Better than Boys across the chest. I smiled at that, it sounded like something she’d say.
When her eyes met mine, her face heated with embarrassment. “How long have you been standing there?”
Busted! I cleared my throat, “Not long. I like your shirt.”
She looked down at the words covering her breasts. A small smile touched her lips. “Yeah, me too.”
She was so fucking adorable. A few days ago she told me she loved me, and now, here she was, standing in my house and staying in my spare room. And I’m supposed to keep my hands to myself; I’m fucked.
Ivy cleared her throat, “Did you need something? Or are you just going to stare at my chest all night?”
