by Bloom, Nikki
I didn’t know how badly I needed a drink until a glass was pressed into my hand. Months of refraining from strong drinks just to keep a clear head at all times, I all but gulped down the contents of my glass as if it were water. The liquid burned its way down my throat and I sputtered and coughed.
“Take it easy.”
Erik plucked the glass from my hands and took a seat beside me. I turned to him, determined to get everything out. “I was doing fine on my own for six years, Erik. I was happy. I had a normal life, friends; I was going to school, working. Then, the feds started sniffing around my family. I guess they were becoming too sloppy. I got a visit from my brother one night, demanding I return home because I was a risk to the family’s operation, and it was better for everyone if I returned to the fold. After working so hard to cut ties with them, I was still being sucked back in.”
“Is that why you left then?” Erik asked. “You felt threatened?”
“I didn’t just feel threatened, Erik, I was threatened,” I affirmed. “I was told that if I didn’t return home so I could be monitored properly, my father would have no problem eliminating the risk to his business. I assured my brother that I wouldn’t say a word about anything concerning them to the police, but he wasn’t satisfied. I couldn’t go back home. And I couldn’t believe that my own father was threatening to kill me. The minute my brother left, promising to return, I didn’t even think about it. I ran.”
“Why didn’t you go to the police?”
“I did at first. As it turns out, plenty of cops in the city were on my father’s payroll.” Letting out a trembling breath, I tried to keep my tears at bay, though futile as it was. “I’m so tired of running. But I have no choice but to keep moving. They found me four times before I landed in Seattle. This is the longest I’ve gone without incident. I’ve been here for four months and I started to get comfortable.” I gave him a sad smile. “Big mistake.”
Running a hand over his face, Erik let out a long sigh. “I’m sorry for putting you through this. I just… I was desperate to know more about you and you refused to give me anything.”
“I bet now you’re sorry you met me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
I shrugged. “You don’t need me and my secrets complicating your life. I really wish you’d stayed out of it. I’d never forgive myself if you or anyone else got hurt because of me. But I have to admit, I feel pounds lighter talking to someone. I’ve felt so alone for so long.”
“You don’t have to be alone anymore.”
His softly uttered words made my heart skip a beat. I dared myself to dream for just a moment, before putting an end to that hope. “I have to be. It’s the only way to keep everyone around me safe. I never should have gotten this close to you.”
His expression hardened. “This is a first. No woman has ever expressed regret sleeping with me to my face.”
Seriously? “I didn’t say I regret being with you. The only thing I regret is dragging you into my mess.”
“I believe I jumped in on my own. I could have left you alone when you told me to. But I couldn’t, and I regret nothing.”
I could only stare, tempted to throw myself into his arms and at the same time wanting to get the hell out of his apartment. I chose the latter. It was for the best. “That’s sweet, but you really should forget about me after tonight. I’ll have to move again. My fake identification can work for so long at my job and everywhere else... you easily found me out.”
“Crystal...Ava…”
“Crystal.”
“Let me help you.” He reached for my hands, but I quickly pulled away.
“No. It’s only a matter of time before my father finds me. I don’t know how he always does, but he will, and when he does, I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire. You have Mason and your sister... just stay away from me. You said you won’t call the cops. Thank you.”
I stood up and moved toward my dress and he followed. “Why the hell would I call the police? You’re not guilty of anything.”
“Fake identity. Remember? I’m working at a school. If they find out...”
He huffed and reached for me again, which I effectively dodged. “Will you just stop and think? I’m the perfect person to help you with your father. Whatever resources he has, I guarantee you I have more.”
It was incredibly tempting. The chance to have someone in my corner for once, someone to share my burden. But it just seemed so selfish. I wasn’t dealing with something minor where I could accept his help. I’ve seen my father and his gang of misfits hurt people. They’ve killed. I gazed at Erik, his eyes on me, imploring me to accept his help. He was good. In a short time, I discovered that he was no irresponsible playboy. He was caring and understanding, and that was just brushing the surface.
“You’re sweet, Erik. Thank you for wanting to help, but allow me to protect you from yourself. It’s best if you stay away from me. I... I like you and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
With a resigned sigh, he took a step back. Relieved, I grabbed my dress and shoes, and I ran in the direction of the bathroom.
“You said you wouldn’t run from this time,” I heard him shout.
I froze and glanced at him over my shoulder, swamped with regret. “Things have changed. It’s for your own good, trust me.”
14
Erik
Crystal was adamant that I stay away from her. Fine. I never chased after women. They came to me willingly. I’d leave her alone... at least, that was my stance two days ago. I spent all of two days determined not to humiliate myself over a woman who wanted nothing to do with me before I started going out of my mind. I called her several times to no avail.
That was why I found myself standing outside of her apartment, pissed at myself for giving in to the urge to see her. I had resorted to questioning Mason about his teacher like a desperate fool. The poor kid was so confused about why I wanted to know if Miss Scott was present in class and if she looked okay. Boy, had I reached an all-time low, fishing for information about a woman from a six-year-old.
Anyway, I’d learned from Mason that Crystal wasn’t at school for the past two days. Had she packed up and left? The thought of never seeing her again sent me into panic and I sped to her place. If she was gone, it would be my fault. I should have kept my mouth shut about the background check a little longer.
I pounded on Crystal’s door, hoping like hell she was still there. She didn’t answer immediately, but just when my heart started to sink, the door opened. I didn’t see her, so I stepped inside.
“What the—”
Had my reflexes not be good, I would have taken a blow to the head with a lamp as Crystal lunged from behind the door, swinging her weapon. Luckily, I was able to block the blow and confiscate the lamp. Placing the would-be weapon down, I scowled. “I know you told me to leave you alone, but you don’t have to try and kill me.”
“Erik! Oh, God. I’m sorry. I thought you were... what are you doing here?” Crystal’s chest heaved and her eyes were wild with fear. She looked frazzled as if she hadn’t slept since last I saw her, but she was a beautiful sight. Ava… Crystal... she’d insisted I stick to Crystal. Whatever, I was just relieved to see her.
“I was worried. Mason said he hadn’t seen you around for a couple of days.”
“You questioned your nephew about me?”
I shifted uneasily from one foot to another and rubbed the back of my neck. I lifted a shoulder. “You must have known I’d be worried after learning your life is in danger.”
Her eyes darted from me to the still open door. “Come in and lock the door.”
I hurriedly did as she asked, relieved that she hadn’t kicked me out instead. “How are you?”
“Angry that you refuse to listen to me. What if someone’s been watching me and they saw you come in here?”
“It isn’t my first time here. If that were the case, I’ve already been seen.”
She closed her eyes and let out
a breath. “And that was my mistake.”
Staring at Crystal, my irritation began to rise. This back and forth between us about me staying away was getting tiresome. I didn’t want to stay away, and I was accustomed to getting what I wanted. Grounding my molars, I barely refrained from taking her by the shoulders to shake some sense into her. I wanted to help her, damn it, and she kept shutting me down. “Look, I get that you want to protect me, and I’m touched. Really, I am. But, I’m a big boy. How about you accept my help and let me protect you?”
Crystal’s gaze fixed on me. She didn’t say a word, just stared. As if trying to see through me. Challengingly, I held her gaze. After a while, she huffed. “I think I know what’s going on here.”
“You’ve finally realized that I’m trying to help you, and you’re being unreasonably stubborn, so you need to quit playing games?”
Folding her arms under her breasts, Crystal hit me with a glare cold enough to freeze body parts—particularly my testicles. Despite my annoyance, I had to try hard to keep my smile from surfacing.
“No, Erik. I have you figured out. I’m not the one playing games. You’re usually the one who plays games with women—with your rakish ways—and you always win. You always get whatever woman you want in your bed without effort for as long as you wish until you’re ready to move on. Now that the tables have turned, it’s driving you crazy.”
I hit her with a glare of my own. Her words certainly struck a chord because hell, she was right about me playing games. I’ve been an out of the closet rake for most of my adult life. I’ve never lied to myself nor the women I’ve been with about that. But hearing those words from Crystal did something to me. “I believe I’ve already had you in my bed...and on my couch.”
Her cheeks slowly turned bright pink but her expression remained severe. “But I ran out on you. Twice. You’re just annoyed because you weren’t the one to break things off. And that’s why you’re here, chasing me.”
Anger, hot and raging, swirled in my gut. The woman was by far the most difficult human I’d ever encountered. I stepped closer to her and felt a sliver of satisfaction when her eyes widened. I bet I could have had her melting with one kiss, but I was done with the games.
“Alright, Crystal. So, you’ve got me all figured out. I won’t deny that everything you said is true, except the reason why I’m here. I am peeved by the fact that you keep running out on me, but I’m here right now because I care. You tell me your life is in danger and you expect me to just leave you alone? Hell no!”
Her hands fell to her side, apparently, along with her hostile defense because her lower lip began to quiver. “You care about me?”
“Of course. I wouldn’t be chasing you around like a fool if I didn’t.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh. What, did you think I was so shallow and incapable of caring about anyone but myself?”
She bowed her head. “I never once thought that. I’ve seen how you are with your nephew. You care about your family. I’ve depended on myself for so long... been running on my own for so long. It’s strange having someone in my corner.”
Every ounce of my chagrin fizzled out as Crystal’s tough facade slipped, giving me a glimpse of a forlorn and defeated woman. I sighed. “I am in your corner. The fact that I have feelings for you aside, I truly do want to help you.”
Her lower lip began to quiver again, and I hoped like hell that she didn’t start crying. I didn’t think I could bear to see her tears. “You know, Erik,” she said and sniffed. “When you put aside your arrogance, you’re really an amazing man.”
“You had to get one last jab in, didn’t you?”
Her eyes shone with laughter. “Of course.”
The smile that spread across my face, couldn’t be held back. I wasn’t surprised at all when I blurted out, “Come home with me, Crystal.”
“Erik—”
“I know, you want to protect me.” It warmed my heart to know that she cared. I looked around her apartment. “But you have to admit, my place is much more secure. I’ll give you your space, I promise.”
She nibbled her lower lip and shifted from one foot to the other. “Okay. Maybe for a couple of days.”
15
Crystal
Three weeks later…
Peace. I had forgotten what that felt like. For a while, I’d also forgotten what it was like to sleep through the night and not wake up drenched in cold sweat after a terrifying dream. But for a few weeks now, I felt peace when I woke up after a full night’s sleep. The warm body beside me had everything to do with how good I’d been feeling lately. Sure, the shadows of my past and the uncertainty of my future still loomed in my mind. But the instant Erik touched me, smiled at me, kissed me, those shadows were driven away.
I opened my eyes to look up at him from where my head rested on his chest. He was still asleep, his striking features relaxed and his long lashes creating half-moons on his cheeks. I didn’t think I’d ever seen a more beautiful man. Of course, I was totally biased. Waking beside Erik was an incredible feeling, one I really shouldn’t be getting accustomed to, but I suppose it was too late.
After accepting his invitation to crash at his penthouse, I’d spent all of two nights in the guestroom before I fell into Erik’s arms and his bed. I got comfortable. Why did I allow that to happen? I was going to ruin both of our lives, eventually.
“Freaking out so early?” The deep, gravelly voice made me jump and my eyes flew back to Erik’s face to clash with sleepy blue ones. “You usually wait until evening to do that.”
“How do you know I’m freaking out?”
“You have a very expressive face when you think no one is watching,” he spoke with a sleepy grin. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” I grumbled and moved to get up.
His arm tightened around me. “Not so fast. What were you thinking about just now?”
Relaxing in his hold, I sighed. It sure felt good to be in his arms. “I was thinking that I’ve gotten too comfortable, and things aren’t going to end well.”
He watched me for a few seconds before erupting into laughter. “You’re aware that it’s only seven o’clock, right? It’s way too early to be so morbid.”
“It isn’t a laughing matter.” I managed to crawl out of his arms. Shoving my hair out of my face, I huffed. “I can’t stay here shacked up with you forever.”
He reached for me, pulling me back across his chest. “Says who?” He nuzzled my neck and snagged my earlobe between his teeth. Instantly, my resolve faded and I moaned, feeling myself already getting moist.
“We really should talk about what’s going to happen next. I’m serious; I can’t stay here forever.”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I already know all of your secrets,” he mumbled, kissing his way down my neck.
He really was the master of distraction. “Do you now?”
“Uh huh.” A hand slid between my thighs, making my breath hitch. Fingers traipsed upward. “Even the dark little secret that you’re a natural blonde.” His fingers tapped my mound. “You didn’t think I’d notice?” When I gasped, he dissolved into laughter.
My face was probably fire engine red, but I found myself laughing along with him. Again, he’d managed to help me laugh away my worries. Gazing at him from beneath my lashes, I felt my heart stutter. That was the moment I knew I’d fallen head over heels for Erik. Sobering, I gulped, knowing that leaving was going to tear my heart to shreds.
He leaned forward and planted a kiss on my mouth. “Come on, let’s shower and go out to grab breakfast. Let’s pretend that we’re a carefree couple and enjoy the weekend. After breakfast, we’ll stop at Whole Foods and grocery shop like normal folk.”
I stared at him. Carefree couple? Normal folk? “So we’re a couple?”
“Yes,” he answered matter of factly. His expression was serious, but his eyes danced with amusement as he studied me silently, waiting for my response.
I didn’t hate th
e idea for sure. I’d always wanted someone to call mine. “We’re quite the unconventional couple then,” I muttered but smiled. “I guess I could go the rest of the weekend without being a Debbie Downer.”
“Good girl.”
“Grocery shopping, huh? I never pictured you as the type to push a shopping cart around Whole Foods, like a normal person.”
“You think I’m abnormal?” he said on a laugh.
“Well, you’re a gazillionaire. I figured you had someone else do your shopping. I’ve been here three weeks and the place is always stocked with groceries and clean as if some fairy appears to do everything when we aren’t here.”
Erik grinned sheepishly. “That fairy’s name is Abigail, my housekeeper. We changed her schedule a bit to accommodate you.”
“Me?”
“I figured you wanted your privacy, and Abigail is a stranger to you, so I have her come in to do her thing when you’re at work.”
My heart melted. He was so thoughtful. I couldn’t believe I’d thought him anything less than the perfect gentleman when we first met. “You don’t have to change your life to accommodate me. I noticed you haven’t had Mason or your sister over. I know that’s my fault and I feel so bad―”
“Hey, don’t start. We just agreed to put everything aside and enjoy the weekend. Since you love to worry so much, we’ll go back to worrying about the heavy stuff on Monday. Deal?”
