by Redrae Gunn
Tayen had just rinsed the dishes and was grabbing another beer for both her and Caleb when the front door opened. She looked wide-eyed at Caleb.
“It’s Theresa,” Caleb explained softly when he saw the panic flash across Tayen’s face.
“It’s like one in the morning,” Tayen said, and Caleb checked his watch. It was 1:04. He held it up for Tayen to see. She defended herself. “First I said ‘like,’ second, I am usually within fifteen minutes.”
Caleb held up his hands in a surrendering gesture.
“Okay, Mr. Wilson, you leave in a couple hours, so I have no idea what you are still doing up,” a woman’s voice echoed through the living room. “You are going to be tired tomorrow, so I hope that it was worthwhile.”
A short, thin, blonde woman walked into the kitchen and noticed Tayen immediately. She smiled an appreciative smile at Tayen and then scowled at Caleb. “I guess it was and still is. So I’ll start packing.”
The woman couldn’t be more than five two and maybe, soaking wet, a hundred pounds. She turned her eyes to Tayen. “I’m Theresa Dawson,” she said extending her hand.
“Tayen Lone Wolf,” Tayen replied, gripping the woman’s hand in a firm handshake.
Theresa laid several sheets of paper on the kitchen island in front of Caleb, and then she headed up the stairs. “I want a piece of whatever is cooking in that oven. It smells delicious.”
Tayen grinned and looked at Caleb. “Thank you,” Tayen called after her.
Caleb turned to look at Tayen. “I’m leaving…”
“…in a couple of hours,” Tayen finished.
Caleb nodded his head. “I’m sorry.” Caleb wrapped Tayen in a tight embrace and kissed her forehead. He didn’t want to leave. At all. He hadn’t wanted to leave before they had negotiated, and he certainly didn’t want to leave after the night that they had shared.
“How long will you be gone?” Tayen asked, lowering her eyes, already feeling Caleb’s impending departure.
“I want to be back next Sunday,” Caleb said softly, stroking Tayen’s shoulders. “Will you Facebook stalk me while I’m gone?”
“I don’t have…” Tayen started.
“With David’s account? Will you please?” Caleb asked. His intense, green eyes burned into hers.
“Maybe I’ll set up my own account,” Tayen said. She’d have to do a fake name. She didn’t need her ex-husband looking in on her new life. “It’ll be under a different name.”
“Can I call you?” Caleb asked.
“Are you going to be upset if I don’t answer, Caleb?” Tayen asked. “What if I’m working, or out with David, or in the shower?”
Caleb looked at Tayen intently. She truly didn’t want him to be upset. The stress of Tayen missing his call was probably worse for her than her not answering the call was for Caleb.
“Text then,” Caleb said, and Tayen smiled a little.
“An hour time limit though,” Tayen said. “I’ll text back within the hour. I promise. I just don’t want to be eating a lonely dinner and hear chicks in the background and you having a great time.”
“I understand,” Caleb said appreciating both her honesty and her limits.
“I can trust you right, Caleb?” Tayen said, meeting his gaze. “I signed the contract. You trust me right?”
“Yes, Tayen,” Caleb replied. “You can trust me, and I trust you.”
Theresa came back into the kitchen. Two bags were packed and sitting in the living area near the door. “I packed those awesome firework cuff links, too,” Theresa said to Caleb. “Those are sweet.”
Tayen had pulled the dessert out of the oven and was scooping it into three bowls that had scoops of vanilla ice cream in them. She poured her homemade frosting equally between the three bowls and served both Teresa and Caleb. The two were going over his itinerary for the next week.
Theresa motioned Tayen to sit at the stool in between her and Caleb, but Caleb gave Theresa a sharp look and he slid to the middle stool and had Tayen sit on his other side. Caleb snapped his fingers at Theresa as she looked around Caleb to get a glimpse of Tayen licking the brownie dessert off of her spoon.
Theresa apologized quickly and returned to the itinerary.
Tayen cleared the dishes and sat back down next to Caleb. She tried to pay attention, but it was too late. She was exhausted. Tayen yawned and leaned her head against Caleb’s shoulder.
“I’m sorry, Theresa,” Caleb said sharply. “This can be continued in a half hour.” Caleb turned to Tayen. “Come, papoose,” Caleb gently pulled Tayen out of her chair and led her to the door.
“I should be going,” Tayen said. “I’m sorry, Caleb.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” Caleb said, squeezing Tayen’s shoulders as he walked her home. He unlocked the door to her condo and led her upstairs to her room. “It’s my fault you are up this late. It’s my fault you are tired. I leave in less than an hour now, and I want to know that you are sleeping safely in your bed. I’d prefer you in mine, but I know that David would prefer you to be home if I am not with you.”
“I had a great time, Caleb,” Tayen said as he tucked her into her bed.
“Where’s your movie?” Caleb asked. “We are on Aliens.”
“I don’t…” Tayen started.
“Where’s the movie, Tayen?” Caleb said sternly. Tayen widened her eyes fighting the sleep.
“Um…SanDisk,” Tayen said, getting out of bed and heading to the top drawer of her dresser. She pulled out the USB flash drive and handed it to Caleb, heading back to bed, falling asleep instantly.
Caleb finally managed to get her system turned on, the movie in, playing softly. He went to the side of the bed, leaned over her, and he kissed her forehead. “What are you doing to me, Tayen?” Caleb whispered softly.
“Am I loving you?” Tayen yawned through her dreams and answered his question with her own question.
“You are,” Caleb whispered and left the room. His chest squeezed so tight against his heart that he had to take a moment to gather himself before he continued into his own home.
Theresa opened the door for him. “Are you okay?” she asked, noticing the pained expression on his face. “She’s beautiful by the way.”
“I think she’s going to kill me.” Caleb grimaced. The thought of just leaving Tayen alone for a night was painful. Leaving her alone for a week was nearly unbearable. What if she had nightmares again? What if she really needed a workout? What if she needed some of that sexual tension relieved?
“You met her on Thursday, Caleb,” Theresa said as she smirked before she noticed the look in his eyes. Theresa’s expression changed into one of understanding. “Maybe next time you go out of town we can make arrangements for her to join you for a couple of days.”
“Mmmm.” Caleb considered this.
“Just something to think about,” Theresa said as she made sure that everything was off in the apartment and headed to the door with Caleb’s bag. She handed Caleb his briefcase and grabbed the keys for the Navigator. “I’ll keep an eye out for her while I’m here through the week if you’d like.”
“Not too much of an eye,” Caleb said sternly.
“That whole Dominant thing doesn’t work on me,” Theresa reminded Caleb. “That said, I would never interfere with a partner of yours, and you know it.”
“I know,” Caleb sighed. “I’m tired and cranky.”
“How can you be cranky?” Theresa shot him a wicked smile. “I saw what your bedroom looked like.”
“Jesus,” Caleb groaned. “I forgot.”
“I would’ve, too,” Theresa said. “That brownie dessert was fabulous. Made me forget why I was at your place in the middle of the night.”
“You know what I mean,” Caleb said.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Wilson,” Theresa replied. “It’s about time I start earning my keep. I’ll clean up and keep an eye on things.”
“Thank you,” Caleb said softly. “I won’t need full-time, just a daily syn
opsis if that’s not too much to ask. I don’t want you to really follow her. I mean she has David, too.”
“Gay neighbor David?” Theresa asked.
Caleb nodded.
“I’ll see if she establishes a routine and go from there,” Theresa said, and Caleb nodded again.
When they pulled into the airport, Theresa handed Caleb his suitcase and made sure that he had everything he needed. She advised him to get some sleep and keep her updated on any itinerary adjustments.
Just before Caleb walked through the doors Theresa called to Caleb, “Do you trust her?”
“Her honesty seems genuine,” Caleb called back, “but I want proof.”
“That’s not trust,” Theresa reminded him.
Caleb turned and walked into the terminal. He hated this part of his self. He wanted to trust. He really did. But trust had to be earned. “I know,” he said to himself.
Chapter 11
Tayen woke and stretched her aching muscles. She rolled out of bed and noticed a yellowish tone to her skin on her wrists and ankles. She groaned as she remembered the previous night’s massive orgasms. She usually didn’t bruise too easily, and if the current coloring of her skin was any indication, she was probably going to bruise badly. She skipped the morning work out and decided on some gymnastic quality stretching instead.
Cindy was already busy in the kitchen, and Tayen coughed before she sat down at the kitchen island. She didn’t want to startle the woman who was making her breakfast. Tayen had just sat down when David and Sean came downstairs.
David was dressed in business attire while Sean was in casual clothes. David and Sean looked at Tayen. She smiled at both of them and shook her head. She was not spilling any of the juicy gossip they were searching for. She did want to know why David was dressed like he was going somewhere.
“David took a job in Minneapolis, and then he can follow me home, so I can get the final details sorted out,” Sean said, grinning at David. Tayen couldn’t help but smile with him. Sean looked incredibly happy.
The three of them sat down for breakfast, and David turned to Tayen. She looked satisfied, happy, unstressed. “Do you have a problem with me leaving so soon?” David asked her.
“Of course not,” Tayen said. “You have your life, David. I’ve got to get some suppliers together for some stuff at Wild Hearts. I want local suppliers, so it might take some time, but I really need to get started on that. Meri and I got rid of the stinking candles and soaps, so I guess now all I have to do is play around.”
David eyed Tayen. Her sense for business and making money was better than his. He knew that Wild Hearts’s profits would only increase with her at the helm of the ship, and David wanted Tayen to take control. David had enough on his plate at the moment.
After breakfast Tayen saw the boys out the door. Chad had come from his room and helped David and Sean with their bags. When the door finally closed, Tayen felt some excitement and relief. She was alone, in a new city, with no one watching over her. This could make for an extremely good time.
When Tayen tried to help Cindy clean up the kitchen, she was politely excused.
Tayen went upstairs, fired up her computers, and admired her setup. David had bought her two laptops. Both laptops each connected to another monitor. The computers sat on two separate desks in the area overlooking the lower living quarters. The computer screens faced her secluded corner. Tayen searched for and contaced local suppliers until Cindy came upstairs around noon.
“I made you a sandwich,” Cindy said to Tayen when Tayen looked at her. “It’s in a container in the fridge. I know David said you’ll fend for yourself, but can I make something for you to eat tonight?”
“Ms. Bergan, thank you for lunch. I do apologize,” Tayen began and then she shrugged her shoulders. “I’ll be fine for dinner, thank you though.”
“My number is in your phone if you need anything,” Cindy assured Tayen.
“Thank you.” Tayen bowed slightly. “I do appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome,” Cindy said and then with a wave she was gone.
Tayen clicked over to Facebook and created her account as Flowenol Neyat. She thought that the name could pass as foreign yet David and Caleb would know that it was her. She sent messages to both Caleb and David advising them that she had friend requested them. Then she logged off both computers and went to Wild Hearts.
* * * *
Tuesday morning Tayen was dressed and downstairs when Cindy and Chad arrived. She advised Cindy not to make breakfast and proceeded to dry heave into the sink. She also informed both Cindy and Chad that she had a doctor’s appointment, hated doctors, and didn’t want David to be concerned about her vomiting.
“We have been instructed to call David if you are sick,” Chad said, and Cindy glared at him.
“Some stranger is going to look at the woman’s crotch,” she said to Chad. “I get nervous, too, especially because the doctors want blood work and we can’t eat for twelve hours before the appointment. If you call David, I swear to God…” Cindy trailed off.
Chad held up his hands apologizing profusely.
“Just get her there and back,” Cindy said handing over the address to Tayen’s new gynecologist. Cindy also gave Chad the keys to Tayen’s Jeep.
When Tayen returned from her appointment, she headed straight to her room. Cindy slid a note under Tayen’s door before she left for the day.
Ms. Lone Wolf,
I will not apologize for my behavior in front of my brother. I convinced him to leave David out of your business when it comes to “down there.” He has agreed. I had to threaten him a little, even used the fact that you would kill him in his sleep. I guess I do apologize for that little bit.
Your lunch is prepared and, please, call me if you need anything. Otherwise, I will see you in the morning. Breakfast burritos since I’ve heard you have a love for spicy.
Good day,
Cindy Bergan
Tayen spent the rest of the day in bed, remembering, forgetting, drifting in and out of sleep as she watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy. She was so close to a deep sleep when her phone rang.
“’lo?” Tayen said as she shook her head trying to focus on the phone.
“Very clever,” David said. “The name on the Facebook page. I want to tell you I love you, warrior, and I will see you soon. Sleep tight.”
“Thanks, David,” Tayen replied, “I love you, too, paleface.”
She hung up the phone, and it rang again.
“I said, ‘I love you, too, paleface,’” Tayen said louder into the phone.
“I really hope, for your sake, you just hung up with David,” Caleb’s deep voice reverberated through Tayen’s phone, and she sat straight up in bed, blinking her eyes.
“Holy fuck, Caleb, sir,” Tayen stuttered. “I was, I did, he said clever, with the Facebook name thing. I’m so tired I didn’t check the caller ID. I’m sorry. I don’t cheat or lie.”
“Tayen,” Caleb said firmly. When there was no answer he paused. “Are you paying attention?”
“Yes, Caleb,” Tayen breathed as her hormones sprang from their slumber.
“Good.”
Tayen waited for him to continue. “Yes, Caleb?” Tayen asked when he didn’t answer.
“Get to sleep, papoose,” Caleb said. “I accepted the friend request. I got the name thing. Very clever, like David said. Now get some sleep. It’s long past sunset.”
“I will, Caleb,” Tayen said. “Thank you, and I promise.”
“Good girl,” Caleb said and hung up the phone.
A ripple shot through Tayen’s belly at Caleb calling her a “good girl”. She placed her phone on her nightstand and drifted into the land of Mordor, where Sam and Frodo journeyed closer to their destination, be it demise or success. In her dreams the face of Mount Doom was ever looming, casting the shadow on the rest of Middle Earth.
* * * *
By Thursday Theresa had called Caleb several times complaining
about Tayen.
“She’s a kid in a department store,” Theresa said exasperated. “She uses no discernible pattern whatsoever. She doesn’t even use the same doors to enter and exit, unless there is only one way in and one way out. Completely random, even backtracking. It’s hard to watch her from a distance when she keeps heading back my way.”
Caleb was silent for a little bit. “Is it deliberate?”
“What?”
“Does she backtrack deliberately?” Caleb asked. “Is there a pattern there? Like she’s watching her ass? Could she have seen you?”
“She didn’t see me,” Theresa said. “I don’t think there’s any pattern. I told you, she’s a kid in a department store.”
When Caleb was silent, Theresa continued, “I’ll send you the summary of my observations on Sunday.”
“That’s good.” Caleb withheld emotion from his voice but thanked her and hung up.
* * * *
By Friday afternoon Tayen was tired of being trailed. She had several pictures of Theresa trailing her. It was time to go in for the kill. Tayen had her plan perfect. She wanted to be able to get Theresa out of her hair for the weekend. Tayen had reserved a cabin in the Loess Hills and really needed to get out of town.
Tayen had wanted to just roll out with the Jeep, but she had noticed the chalk marks on the underside of her tires on Monday morning. Checking her tires was a habit from Tayen’s past. She always checked under her vehicle for sleeping cats.
Earlier in the week, when Tayen had taken the Jeep out, she had replaced the chalk mark so that Theresa had to be going crazy knowing that Tayen knew.
A stroke of luck had the motorcycle ready early, and Tayen knew that if she was going to fly the coop she would have to do it on the bike. Theresa had been watching the elevators. Tayen had tested it because she had gone to the garage and back several times. Theresa had stopped following her to the basement because of it.
