Keeping my eyes closed, I let the heat of the water and the smell of the lavender completely take all my troubles away as I listened to Stoney LaRue sing in my ears. My body slowly began to relax as images of Dodge popped into my mind. I wasn’t sure how long I was in the tub, but when my body started to chill, I knew I had been sitting in there long enough. Pulling the plug, I stepped out of my claw-foot tub and grabbed a towel. Wrapping it around my body, I headed into my bedroom. Stopping dead in my tracks, I sucked in a breath as I looked at the red rose laying on my pillow. Spinning around, I quickly began going through my house. Walking up to the front door, I noticed it was still locked. Running into the kitchen, I checked the back door.
Locked.
My heart began pounding as I walked back to the bedroom; tears began streaming down my face as I stood and stared at the rose.
Someone had been in my house.
Wiping my tears away with my shaky hands, I walked to the side of my bed and grabbed the rose. Dropping the rose back onto the bed, Robert popped into my head.
Covering my mouth, I fell onto my bed and began sobbing. Oh my god. Oh my god, he was in my house! Robert was in my house.
Sitting up, I wiped my tears away shook my head and tried to calm myself down. “No. You will not make me afraid to be in my own home. I will not let you.”
Quickly getting up, I made my way to the dresser and grabbed panties, a T-shirt, and sweatpants. Getting dressed as fast as I could, I grabbed the rose and headed to my car. I wasn’t sure if I should even be doing this, but he was the only person I knew to turn to.
Before heading over to my car, I lifted the lid to my trash can and threw the rose away. Getting in my car, I attempted to control my shaking hands. Reaching to turn my car on, I jumped when my phone started ringing. Picking it up, it was an unknown number.
Taking in a deep breath, I said, “Hello?”
“What are you doing, Sierra?”
My body tensed and I instantly began sweating as my heart dropped to my stomach.
“R-Robert? How in the hell did you get in my house?”
Robert let out a small chuckle. “Sierra, please. We both know I’m capable of getting to you if I want to. But, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Is this your latest tactic, Robert? Trying to scare me? It won’t work. You’re never going to win and you will never lay a hand on me again. I swear.”
“Is that a threat, Sierra? Are you threatening my life, sweetheart?”
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. “Why, darling, I would never threaten your life. Remember, if I wanted to, I’d have your ass sitting in jail for hitting me. Do you remember that night . . . sweetheart?”
Robert let out a laugh that ran through my body like a thousand pins were poking me.
“A moment of weakness on my part. I already told you I was drunk and not thinking straight. I didn’t call to talk about that unfortunate night.”
Letting out a gruff laugh, I said, “We have nothing to talk about, Robert. All communication will now be going through my lawyer.”
Robert let out a loud laugh. “Sierra, you do realize by changing lawyers, it’s not going to help your case. He isn’t going to be able to help you. At all.”
Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes. “He is going to be able to help me, Robert, and I promise you, he won’t let you near me ever again.”
Jumping when I heard something crashing in the background, I let out a small scream. “Fuck him, Sierra. You are mine, do you understand that? You think you can do better than me, you damn whore? I was the best thing that ever happened to you.”
Covering my mouth with my hand, I attempted to hold back my sobs. Why is he doing this? What happened to the man I fell in love with and married?
Taking the phone away from my ear, I dragged in a few breaths to calm myself down. Placing the phone back against my ear, I concentrated on speaking clearly.
“Robert, you bore me with your childish actions. The only person in this scenario who is a whore is my ex-friend who was shacking up with a married man. I suggest you stop calling me, and if you ever set foot in my house again . . . I will kill you. And Robert? That is not a threat . . . that’s a promise.”
Pulling my phone back, I hit End and let my tears fall as I looked for Dodge’s number. Oh. My. God. Robert is having me followed. He’s breaking into my house and having me followed. What in the hell is going on with him?
“Hello?”
All I could hear were people talking and what sounded like a band playing in the background. Then I heard a female voice, “Aaron, let’s dance again!”
My heart slammed against my chest as I realized Dodge must be out on a date. Shit. Attempting to keep my voice from cracking, I failed big time. “Dodge? Umm . . . sorry . . . is now a bad time to talk to you?”
“Sierra? No! Wait, give me two seconds to get outside so I can hear better.”
Smiling slightly, I liked the idea he would stop in the middle of a date to take my call.
Taking in a deep breath, I waited for Dodge to start talking again. Dropping my head back on the headrest, I let out a frustrated moan. This was stupid to be calling Dodge first. I should be calling my father. But Dodge did tell me if I got anything from Robert to send it his way. So I was doing the right thing . . . I think.
The moment the music stopped, Dodge started speaking again. “What’s wrong?”
You’ve got this, Sierra. You are not a pussy. Taking in a deep breath, I tried to talk. “You said . . . um . . . to call you if . . .”
“Sierra, did Robert do something? Did he call you or text you again?”
“He was . . . well, I mean I think he was in my house, Dodge.”
The line remained silent for a few seconds. “Where are you?”
“Sitting in my car in my driveway.”
Dodge covered up the phone and said something to someone in a muffled voice. “Sierra?”
“Yeah?” I hated how weak my voice sounded.
“Meet me at Hyde Park Bar and Grill in fifteen minutes.”
He’s leaving his date? For me? Holy hell, pull yourself together, Sierra. You’re his client for Christ’s sake and that’s it. It didn’t matter that I had fantasized many a lonely night about Dodge’s lips or his hands moving over my body.
“Dodge, are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt anything; I mean if you’re on a date or something. I can call my father and we can wait until tomorrow to talk.”
“No, Sierra. I want to talk to you now. If your ex is breaking into your house, it can’t wait until tomorrow to talk. Karen will understand.”
Karen? Who in the hell is Karen? Balling my fists, I fought the urge to pound this girl’s face into the ground.
“Sierra? Are you still there?”
Closing my eyes, I let out a small breath as I whispered, “Yes, I’ll meet you at Hyde Park Bar and Grill.”
Fifteen minutes later, I walked in the restaurant and looked around. Dodge wasn’t there yet so I made my way over to the bar.
Sitting down, I smiled as the bartender approached me. “Hey there, beautiful.”
“Flattery will for sure get you at least a smile,” I said with a purr. Laughing, he wiped the bar down in front of me.
“What will you have?”
“She’ll take a water, she’s driving.”
The hairs on my body rose as I slowly looked over my shoulder to see Robert standing there.
“W-what in the hell are you doing? Following me now, Robert? Is my life that interesting to you?”
I was stunned by how calm I sounded, when really my heart was beating so incredibly fast I was sure Robert would hear it.
Robert sat down as the bartender handed me a bottle of water. “Excuse me, I’ll take a lemon drop please.”
Glancing at Robert quickly, I looked back to the bartender, laughed, and said, “Hello? He’s not my father and the last I checked I was twenty-one and able to order my own drinks. I’ll have a lemon dr
op. Please.”
Smiling and giving me a wink, the bartender said, “Yes ma’am. One lemon drop coming up.”
Pushing the water over to Robert, I slowly took in a deep breath as I smirked and said, “What’s wrong, Robert? Feeling bored with Lisa’s pussy power tonight?”
Clinching his jaws together, Robert closed his eyes and shook his head before opening them and glaring at me. “Let’s stop making this difficult and sign the damn paperwork my lawyer sent your lawyer and we can move on.” Lifting his hand up, he brushed the back of his hand down my face as I quickly jerked away.
“Do not touch me, asshat.”
Leaning in closer to me, Robert placed his lips up to my ear. “Now now, Sierra. You damn well know how your spunky attitude turns me on. I believe you told me once my touch lit your body on fire.”
Pulling my head back, I gave him my best smile. “That was before I was touched by a real man.”
Robert’s eyes turned black as he grabbed my leg and began to squeeze it. Holding my smile firmly in place, I tilted my head and bit down on my lower lip. Not because I liked him touching me, but because I was fighting like hell not to show he was hurting me.
“Who have you been fucking, Sierra?”
Attempting to talk, I fought like hell to keep my voice from shaking. “Wouldn’t you like to know? According to you, Robert, it’s Jeremy.”
Robert was about to say something when he was quickly jerked back. “Excuse me, if you wish to speak to my client, you’ll have to communicate through your attorney who will in turn contact me.”
Letting out the breath I was holding, I closed my eyes and thanked God quickly that Dodge showed up when he did.
“Who might you be? Her fuck-buddy?” Robert said as he glared at Dodge.
Dodge smiled that smile that made my insides melt and my lower body explode with desire.
Leaning in closer, Dodge said, “I’m her lawyer. When my client calls me after hours to tell me the husband she is legally separated from has broken into her house, I come running.”
Robert let out a gruff laugh as he looked Dodge up and down. “New lawyer or not, I’ll get what I want. And as far as breaking into her house, you’re delusional. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to call my lawyer; we need to get our game plan together to win this case against my cheating wife.”
Dodge practically had steam coming from his ears as he leaned in closer. “I wouldn’t count on it, asshole.”
Robert turned to me and said, “Got yourself a real professional lawyer there, baby. I’ll be seeing you around, Sierra.”
Smirking, I grabbed my lemon drop as I said, “I highly doubt that. Tell Lisa I said hey.”
Robert glared at me, and if looks could kill, I’d be flat on my ass right now. Turning on his heels, Robert left. Slumping a bit in my chair, I closed my eyes and counted to ten. I couldn’t talk just yet, or I would sound like a baby. Finally opening my eyes, I smiled at Dodge and said, “Thank you so much for co—”
And that’s when I saw her. Dodge’s date. Who also happened to be the receptionist at Dodge’s law firm. Oh my God. He brought her with him? He didn’t leave his date for me. Looking away, I felt the tears building in my eyes. How stupid am I? Digging my nails into my hand, I plastered on a fake smile. Reaching into my purse, I pulled out a twenty and threw it onto the bar.
My eyes traveled to the brunette standing in front of me. She had her hand wrapped around Dodge’s arm and was smiling like she knew something I didn’t.
Bitch.
Standing up, I cleared my throat as I looked into Dodge’s eyes and shook my head. “Why am I not surprised? The receptionist huh? Seems to be the common thing with men.”
The brunette’s smile faded some as she looked at Dodge. Rolling my eyes, I pushed past them as I whispered under my breath, “Fucking men.”
I began walking toward the exit as fast as I could. Dodge called out my name as I practically began to run. “Sierra! Sierra, wait.” Holding up my hand, I made it out the door and to my car. Quickly opening the door, I tried to get in before Dodge caught up to me.
“Sierra, please stop for a second,” Dodge said as he slammed my car door shut.
Feeling as if I would break down in tears, I looked away. “Dodge, just let me go. I’ve had a hell of a day, and now I need to find a hotel because I’m scared to death my crazy-ass husband is going to walk into my house at any moment.”
“Sierra, let me just explain. Karen and I were just—”
Letting out a sarcastic laugh, I held up my hands and said, “It’s your personal life, sport, and you’re free to do what you want with it.” Anger quickly filled my body as I looked back at him. “How foolish of me to think you would actually be going over my case this evening like you said.” Slowly shaking my head, I continued, “The only thing you were going over was the brunette’s body. I guess it makes no difference, does it?”
“What?” Dodge asked frustrated.
“Whether you’re a bartender or a lawyer, you still like having fun with the girls. Is this a rebound fuck, Dodge? Maybe just one of the girls in the office you’re fucking.” Holding my hands up, I shook my head. “Right, listen it’s none of my business.”
Pushing him away, I attempted to open the door. “I do have a personal life, Sierra.”
Nodding my head, I whispered, “Yep, you sure do. I’ll be requesting a new lawyer first thing tomorrow.”
Dodge grabbed me and spun me around. “What? I don’t think so. You can’t dump me just because you see me with another woman. You haven’t even given me a chance on your case. What I do in my spare time is my business.”
Smiling, I shrugged my shoulders. “Call me sentimental, but men sleeping with their receptionists kind of turns my stomach. You know . . . brings back bad memories. I think this time I’ll ask for a female lawyer.”
Dodge pressed me against my car and got closer to me. “The fuck you will. My father gave me this case, and I fully intend to win it and prove to him I’m a good lawyer. I will not let our personal relationship get in the way. You’re my client and nothing more.”
The moment the words were out of his mouth I felt like it was the last blow my heart could take. My body slumped as I fought to hold back the tears. There was one thing I never wanted another man to see ever again, and that was the hurt they caused. I knew the moment Dodge sucked in a breath he had seen my moment of weakness.
The single tear rolling down my face.
HURT MOVED ACROSS SIERRA’S FACE as I sucked in a breath at the sight of her tear. Moving her hand and wiping it away, she gave me a weak smile. “I see. So this case is just a way to prove to daddy you’ve got what it takes to win one, right?”
Shaking my head, I whispered, “No.”
Tilting her head, Sierra glared at me. “I mean, yes and no. It’s not just about winning this case, Sierra. I . . . I can’t stand to think what all that fucker did to you, and I want to take him down.”
Nodding her head, she looked down. “So, is your receptionist helping you with my case at a bar or something, Dodge? Is that how you review files? Is that your idea of going over my file? I mean I am the client, so I expect certain things from you. Or maybe you and the receptionist were hitting your old stomping grounds. I heard you liked to fuck girls over your desk.”
Holy shit. Sierra was jealous I was out with Karen. What the fuck? She’s the one leaving to go spend time with her new boy-toy.
“We were having dinner and a drink and then I was heading home, if it’s any of your business.” The sad thing was, that was exactly what was going to happen. Once Karen opened her mouth and began talking, I was instantly turned off and the only thing I could think about through dinner was Sierra.
Swallowing hard, Sierra glanced back to me. “No, it isn’t any of my business. I’m sorry.” Shaking her head, she looked at the ground. “It’s just been a really shit-filled day, and knowing Robert was in my house while I was in the
bath just kind of has me freaked out. Listen, I’m sorry I even bothered you, but you said to call you if Robert tried anything.”
My mouth dropped open. “What? You were home when he was there?”
Sierra’s eyes looked lost and that threw me. I’d never seen her like that. Her guard was down and her eyes were filled with sadness. “I just want to go find a hotel, Dodge. I’m tired and I can’t deal with all of this right now. I rushed out of my house without anything.”
Panic set in for some reason. Not wanting her to leave, I grabbed her by the arms. “Sierra, look at me.”
Closing her eyes, she whispered, “I can’t.” Shaking her head, she pushed me away and quickly got into her car as I stood there and watched her pull away. What in the hell happened just now? She went from completely pissed off to . . . defeated.
“Is everything okay, Aaron?”
Closing my eyes, I let out a frustrated sigh. “Yeah, Karen, do you mind if we call it a night? I’ve got to get caught up on Sierra’s case.”
Karen licked her lips as she walked up to me and said, “You sure you don’t want to go back to my place?”
The hurt that washed over Sierra’s face crept back into my mind. Looking at Karen, I smiled. “Listen, it was wrong of me to ask you out. I think you’re a knock-out and believe me, if I wasn’t working at the law firm I’d have no problem . . . well . . . let’s just say it’s best if we keep our relationship professional.”
Pouting, Karen nodded her head and said, “Of course. I understand.” Placing her hands on my chest, Karen smiled. “Aaron, may I offer a bit of advice?”
Smiling, I nodded my head. “I’ve seen that look before on a man’s face. The look you gave Sierra. Are you sure you should be handling her case?”
Pulling my head back, I let out a nervous laugh. “W-what look?”
Raising an eyebrow to me, Karen chuckled. “I’m going to take a cab home. Go make sure she’s okay. I saw the fear in her eyes when her husband was talking to her.”
Leaning over, I kissed Karen on the cheek. “Thank you for understanding, but you will not take a cab home. The least I can do is take you home.”
Unforgettable Love Page 3
