Protecting Lyndley

by Amanda Bennett

  I could barely hear him over the loud music blaring in my ears, so I chose not to acknowledge him and keep running. When the next song came on my legs were warmed up and I knew I would be able to push my body harder to get away from him. I glanced behind me and caught a glimpse of him straining to keep up, and I smiled. Just as I smiled, he rolled his eyes and shook his head. At least he knew I was a challenge.

  When I got to a bridge that took me to the other side of the park, I was almost sure that I had lost him. Unfortunately, Ky was a liar. As I came to a stop and looked around me, his face popped up right next to me, not winded in the least.

  “You lied.” I pulled the earbuds from my ears and started jogging slowly.

  “About what?”

  “You said you weren’t a runner.”

  “I’m not, but I never said that I couldn’t run.” He laughed. “I used to run track in high school and all throughout college. I even hold some records.” He was now running backwards, mocking me as he rambled on about his glory days.

  “I never said I cared.” I raised my eyebrows as his face fell with, hurt?

  “Well then, I guess we should keep running and not talking.” He ran in place so I could pass him. I felt bad. I wanted to apologize, I really did, but the look on his face was no longer a friendly one so I ran past him and stuck my earbuds back into my ears, closing out the rest of the world.

  I wasn’t exactly sure how long we had been out here, but I was starting to get tired and that’s usually when I knew it was quitting time. I slowed to a fast walk so I could start my cool down. When I felt a hand against my lower back, I smiled and turned thinking it was Ky who I would come face to face with, but I was sadly mistaken.

  A strange man was at my side, smiling. It was a menacing smile and I was finding it hard to catch my breath. I tried to glance around for Ky, instantly regretting the decision to go against him this morning when he asked me not to go. When I saw no sign of him, I counted to ten in my head and looked back at the man beside me. I needed to play this cool and not panic.

  “Hi there.”

  “Hi.” I smiled as I answered.

  “How are you this morning?”

  “I’m good.” I answered hesitantly. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

  “I don’t think so. I think I’d remember meeting someone as beautiful as you.”

  Cue the cheesy pickup lines. I should’ve known that in this city, going for a run and expecting not to get hit on was impossible. “Well I hate to run, but my husband is around here somewhere and I should find him. See you around.” I made sure to wave with my left hand so he could see my wedding ring as I took off in the direction I had just came from.

  I turned a corner on the path a few seconds later and found myself quickly running out of breath. As much as I liked to think I was a strong person, I was finding myself intimidated by the male species as of late. No thanks to the assholes that were coming after me.

  “Hey, what happened to you?”

  I looked up as Ky’s voice rang through the crisp air. Without hesitation, I went running into his arms. He graciously accepted me, picking me up and wrapping my legs around his waist. Once in the comfort of his strong arms, I gave him a strong squeeze and tucked my head into the crook of his neck.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  I nodded into his neck before unlinking my legs from behind his back and placing my feet back on the ground beneath me. My arms slowly followed, but my eyes were locked on his and I couldn’t bring myself to look away.

  “Sarah, you don’t look okay. What happened?” His voice was laced with concern and my heart fluttered a little knowing he cared even if he didn’t want to admit it.

  “I’m okay. Where the hell did you go? There was a man. He, I don’t know…I just got scared.”

  “Tough as nails, Ly…Sarah get scared? I don’t buy it. You told me to leave you alone, so I took off in a different direction for a bit.”

  I thought he was joking, but when I looked up at him I could see the sincerity in his eyes. “I know you may not buy it, but I do get scared sometimes. Not often, but still.” I glanced down at my feet as I toed the dirt, when his finger slid beneath my chin, pulling my face up level to his.

  “I told you I’d protect you.” His voice was strangled and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was having the same reaction that I was to our close proximity. “I’m sorry, I won’t leave your side next time.”

  Every breath caressed my skin, sending goose bumps down my arms a shiver down my spine. My hand was pressed firmly against his chest and I could feel his heart beat accelerate beneath my touch. With every breath, I found myself inching closer to his mouth. The tension between us was palpable and with every second that passed with us this close, it brought me that much closer to wanting to seal my lips against his.

  Our lips were merely inches away from one another now and I found myself being drawn in like a tractor beam. My eyes fluttered shut as I prepared for what I had been wanting to happen basically since the first time I had laid eyes on him. But that was short lived when suddenly my eyes shot open at the sound of the stranger’s voice.

  “Looks like you found him, huh?” The man chuckled as he spoke and jogged away from us.

  Both of our heads shot in the man’s direction and then back at each other. “The guy that scared you, I’m assuming?”

  “You would be assuming correct.”

  “Maybe we should get going.”

  I nodded in agreement as I realized my hand was still pressed against his chest. I quickly pulled my hand back and looked up at Ky apologetically. I was waiting for him to make a smart-ass remark or resort back to being a prick. But I was pleasantly surprised when he simply smiled and grabbed my hand, intertwining our fingers just as a normal couple would hold hands, and led me out of the park.

  Fourteen

  Ky

  Lyndley seemed to lighten up quite a bit by the time we got back to the brownstone. We didn’t talk a whole lot, but she seemed at ease once we were away from the park. I wasn’t quite sure who the guy was or even if he was someone we needed to worry about, but I made sure to get a good look at him so I could further investigate him, if need be.

  As soon as we got home Lyndley and I both headed up to take showers so we wouldn’t be late for work. Now here I stood, towel clad staring at her closed bathroom door across the hall, wishing I had it in me to break the code and go after what I wanted. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel the intense sexual tension between us in the park earlier. And now I could think of nothing but taking her and claiming her as mine.

  Lyndley was a mystery to me, and even more of a challenge, and that in its self, had me yearning for even just a small piece of her. I was instantly brought out of my revelry when I noticed her bathroom door crack open a smidge. I was leaning back against my counter, hands propped up on either side of my exposed upper body, just waiting for her to catch a glimpse. Maybe that would be all she needed to finally succumb to her desire for me.

  When she didn’t emerge from the bathroom, I decided to turn around and do my hair. I could see into her bathroom in the mirror, and a few seconds later, I got a little bit more than I was bargaining for. I was in the middle of running some pomade through my hair when I caught sight of her gorgeous exposed backside.

  She was running the towel through her long tresses and my eyes couldn’t help but stare at her toned muscles moving against her taut skin. Her hair fell to her back, settling just above her ass, and oh what a glorious ass it was. You could definitely tell that she worked out on a regular basis. My eyes were scanning down the length of her legs when she suddenly turned.

  My mouth dropped open as my hands fell to the towel wrapped around my waist. Her perfectly large breasts were the first to catch my attention, and I traced every curve, committing them to memory for later if need be. My eyes fell below her belly button, slowly making their way to her lady bits, but before I could get a good enough view, I heard a gasp. />
  My eyes shot up to hers and her face flushed every shade of red I could imagine. Before she had a chance to react badly, I turned back around and went about my business. I could feel my erection press against the counter as I finished doing my hair, and it was taking everything in me to not close my door and finish myself off before work. But truth be told, I was almost positive I would be referencing the visions of Lyndley at a later date.

  I glanced at my watch and realized that we didn’t have much time left to head out, so I quickly dressed and made my way downstairs. Lyndley was nowhere to be seen, and I could only assume that she was embarrassed and wasn’t quite ready to come down just yet. Fortunately for me, I was wrong. While I poured both of us a cup of coffee, Lyndley came strutting into the kitchen wearing an outfit that left very little to the imagination.

  “What are you wearing?” I growled. My possessive nature immediately took over.

  “Would you prefer I wear what I just had on?” She laughed.

  God, her laugh could brighten any day and I loved hearing it. “Um, no. I would prefer you to wear something less revealing though.”

  “Well then, I guess it’s a good thing you’re not really my husband, huh? Maybe then, I would have to listen, or at least take your opinion into consideration.”

  My face fell in shock. I had no idea where her playfulness was coming from, but I liked it. “Guess it’s a good thing I’m not then.” I whispered just below her ear as I passed by her, coffee in hand. I could see her body physically react to me and I took pleasure in knowing that I was responsible for that with just a few little words.

  “You ready to go?” She was already halfway out the door when she asked.

  “I guess so.” I muttered.

  I was expecting a mundane and silent car ride as usual, but to my surprise she started up a conversation with me.

  “Hey, you never told me where you were this morning.”

  It wasn’t really the question I was hoping for, but I guess it would suffice. “Oh. I ran over to the store to make sure it was safe, seeing as you’ll be by yourself.”

  “Oh.”

  “You look nice today, Lyndley.” I was hoping that paying her a compliment would bring out more conversation.

  “Thanks. You don’t look too shabby either, Wakely.”

  I pulled up to the curb next to the boutique smiling and shaking my head. “Have a good day, dear.” I joked.

  “You too, honey.” Her laugh filled the car before she shut the door and that in itself would make my day decent.

  I waited long enough to make sure she made it inside okay, before I headed to the office. Going to work was the absolute last thing I wanted to do today, but it would appear that the things I wanted to do, weren’t necessarily the best things for me. On top of wanting to get to know Lyndley better, I was also dying for a drink. I had been trying to be a good boy for Lyndley’s sake, but deep down all I wanted was to get drunk and forget it all.

  I made sure to head straight back to my office without even glancing in Sheena’s direction. As much as I loved pissing off my “boss” there were other things I needed to be focused on today. I thought I was clear from her, when suddenly she poked her head into my office.

  “Morning, Mr. Parker.”

  Here voice was like nails on a chalkboard. “Good Morning, Sheena.” I tried to pay her no mind as I went about pretending I was answering emails. Unfortunately, she didn’t catch the hint. Instead, she sauntered over to my desk and sat very provocatively on the corner.

  “So, you and the wife have any plans for the weekend?” It took everything in me not to roll my eyes at her blatant flirting.

  “Not sure yet. I think we might get out of the city for a few days.” It was a lie, but the idea was enticing to me nonetheless.

  “Sounds romantic. Your wife is one lucky lady.”

  “I’m sure she would agree with you.” Or not, I honestly didn’t know. “Well I’ve got a ton of work to do, so if ya don’t mind.”

  She slowly and deliberately uncrossed her legs so I could see up her skirt before she stood to leave. “Guess I’ll let ya get to it then.”

  Once my office door was firmly closed behind her, I let out a loud sigh of relief. That girl was trouble with a capital T, and after the threat from her husband, I really wasn’t willing to blow my cover just to deal with his old ass. I grabbed my phone from my inside jacket pocket and dialed Tom.

  “Wakely? What’s going on?”

  “Just wanted to let you know that I went to the boutique this morning and installed some private security cameras. I now have a live feed that I can check anytime on my phone.”

  “Good work, Wakely. Now we just sit back and wait to see if anything happens.”

  “Tom?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Have you heard anything about Lyndley’s family?” I knew Tom would question why I was asking, but for now the less he knew, the better.

  “I have a police detail on their house, watching them around the clock. So far, nobody has shown up and all seems good. Why the sudden interest in her family?”

  “No reason, just covering my basis and keeping her informed.”

  “Let’s hope that’s the only reason. You know better than to fall for a witness.”

  “Trust me Tom, that’s the last thing on my mind. I can barely stand the girl as it is.”

  “For your sake, I hope so.”

  “I’ll check in with you again tomorrow. See ya.”

  As I hung up the phone, the sudden urge to chuck it across the room hit me, but I restrained myself from doing so. Like I didn’t know what was at stake if Lyndley and me were to get together. If Tom only knew that her safety was my first priority.

  The rest of the day passed by at a glacial pace and I found myself counting down the minutes until I had to pick up Lyndley. I had been checking my phone periodically throughout the day to see how she was doing at the boutique, and so far nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Just as the clock hit six, I packed up my briefcase and headed out of the office.

  Sheena was no longer at her desk, so I took this as my chance to get out of here without another run in. I pressed the elevator button and waited impatiently for the doors to open. Just as they did, Sheena suddenly appeared at my side.

  “Mind if I ride down with you?”

  I knew there was a far bigger meaning behind her words, but I was determined to stay away from her. “It’s not my elevator, so by all means.” I waved for her to step in before me. Once the doors closed, I silently prayed that she would keep her distance. I kept my focus straight ahead, but found myself startled when I felt her hand grabbing my ass.

  “Just as tight as I suspected.”

  I backed away from her and put my hand up for her to stop. “Look Sheena you’re a very beautiful girl, but your husband would have my ass if he caught us together.”

  She slowly walked towards me as she began unbuttoning her practically see through blouse. “I see the way you look at me, Mr. Parker. I know you feel it between us too. Sometimes you have to just give yourself over to the desire and feed the hunger that I know consumes you.”

  She took her finger and slid it down her neck and into her cleavage that was now staring me in the face. I could smell her jasmine lotion that she used on a constant basis, and as much as I didn’t want to, I couldn’t help but fantasize about what it would be like to push her up against the elevator doors and have my way with her.

  I moved a step closer to her, closing the distance between us, as I looked her right in the eye. “You wouldn’t know what to do with a guy like me, Blondie.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. I would know exactly what to do with a man like you. You have no idea what I’m capable of, Mr. Parker.”

  I could feel her warm breath against my skin as she pressed her breasts to my chest, her hardened nipples poking through her blouse. I lowered my lips below her ear and wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her flush against my se
mi-hard erection. “I would break you in two. Don’t tempt me.” I growled.

  Just then the doors slid open to the parking garage. “You’re not thinking about leaving me this way, are you?”

  I had already gone limp just thinking about how easy she was. Little did she know that I needed a challenge when it came to women, and she most certainly was not a challenge. “I believe I am Mrs. Moore. Have a good rest of the evening.”

  Before she could respond, I was already halfway to my car and all thoughts had turned to Lyndley. As I pulled out of my parking space, I glanced back to see if Sheena was still standing there. Sure enough, there she stood, blouse still undone and a look of disgust on her face. I smirked in her direction as I drove past her and out of the garage to go pick up my wife.

  Fifteen

  Lyndley

  All day Ky had consumed my thoughts. I was surprised I was actually able to help customers due to my lack of concentration. Every time I closed my eyes, visions of his bare muscular chest and toned abs took over and I found myself struggling to bring myself back down to reality. Since last night the lines had been blurred and every word he said since then, just further confused me.

  I glanced up at the clock behind the register as I headed back to the fitting rooms, realizing that it was almost closing time. A wide smile settled in across my face and I hoped it was a permanent expression that I would have from here on out. I knew the dangerous situation I was in and the negative ramifications if anything were to happen between the two of us, but I was slowly getting to a point where the risk would be worth it. At least in my eyes it would be.

  I was busy gathering clothing when the bell above the door chimed, alerting me to a customer. I quickly grabbed the rest of the empty hangers and clothing and made my way back out front.

  “Hi, welcome to Fashionably Yours. I’ll be with you in just one second.” I couldn’t see the person that had just walked in, so I shouted my greeting as I placed the clothing in my hands down on the far counter towards the back of the store. I turned and started making my way back up front when I stopped dead in my tracks.