I am warm and comfortable. It is like I have a weighted blanket wrapped around me. I haven’t slept this soundly in a long time and I am having a hard time waking up. As things sharpen and come into focus, I realize the blanket is in fact a human.
At this realization, I try to remain as still as possible. The panic starts to set in.Do I get up first? What do I say to him after that epic session yesterday?I haven’t had many nights like the last one, so I don’t have a frame of reference to draw on. All of a sudden, I hear a low chuckle.
“Morning,” Sterling says, sleep still evident in his voice. I roll onto my back and look at him. Slightly frustrated.Was he awake this whole time?
My brain stutters at the sight of him, shirtless—again. His hair is mussed from sleep. How can someone be so attractive first thing in the morning? Usually my hair is sticking up on one side, I have crease marks on my cheek from the pillow. I put my hand up to my chin. At least I don’t have any evidence of drool. That would havesucked. Coming out of my stupor I finally respond.
“Morning,” I whisper quietly. Not exactly sure how to approach this new dynamic—or is it? Maybe this is just how Sterling does things. Maybe this isn’t anything special. The trouble is—how do I ask? I don’t want to make a fool of myself.That has basically been my motto my entire life.Don’t make a fool of yourself.
All of a sudden, I realize that my bladder is screaming. Sitting up quickly my eyes scan the room. I see what looks like a bathroom, the pocket door open. I stand quickly and mutter, “Bathroom.” Walking quickly towards the door.
After relieving myself, gawking at the splendor that was his bathroom, and washing my hands, I take the opportunity to look in the mirror. It isn’t as bad as I first thought. I mean, don’t get me wrong—it isn’t great. At least my hair isn’t everywhere. I look like I took a nap, so I’ll take it. The circles under my eyes are less pronounced too.
I don’t know where my oversized sweatshirt is. I like to wear it when I wear this outfit. While it is comfortable, not everyone wants to see ALL of me. So usually I layer something over it. Splashing water on my face, I brace myself for the next conversation. Looking in the mirror, I try to give myself a pep talk.You can do this. Remember you don’ t need anyone. This could just be fun.
Rolling my eyes at myself, I turn towards the door and slide it open. Stepping out I look towards the bed. Sterling isn’t there, and the blanket is folded. Looking to my left, I see he is in the kitchen. I start to make my way towards him. Hoping that the universe will at least reward my courage with a cup of coffee.
Approaching the counter, I studiously avoid the spot where Sterling had basically tormented me to the point of begging.Like you didn’t find it hot.My subconscious whispers. Sterling has that super attractive and super aggravating smirk on his face. I hate that he knows what he is doing.Hello! Want to clue me in on your plan? I’m in the dark over here.I want to yell at him.
“What do you want for breakfast,” he asks. Bless him for starting any conversation. I answer with my standard response.
“Coffee,” I mean, come on. It is a must in order to feel human. He crosses his bare arms over his chest and cocks his eyebrow.
“Coffee is not food, it is a beverage to be had along side food. I can make eggs, bacon, and toast,” he offers.
“Coffee is too a food, it is made from beans,” I argue. “As long as you serve coffee with the eggs, bacon, and toast I will be happy,” I answer him.
He nods in satisfaction. As if he thought I would fight him over the food. I’m getting used to his apparent need to feed me. I still analyze almost everything that passes my lips, but breakfast does sound good. The silence is slightly awkward.What the fuck is wrong with me? I am a business owner. I am in my mid 30s. I have successfully managed to navigate life so far, why would this be any different?
Trying not to overthink things too much, I press on. “So what is the game plan today? Are we planning out surveillance,” I ask.
“We are going to eat breakfast and wait for Carter and Holt to get here. Then one of us is going to stay here with you, while the other two head to your house to see if that asshole shows up again,’’ he states pointedly.
“I can help, I am a grown woman. I won’t get in the way,” I start to argue. However, the argument seems hollow even to me. I don’t have any fighting skills to speak of. Have never held a gun, let alone shot one. Aside from my unhealthy addiction to true crime shows, I’m pretty useless.
“It is too dangerous. We have enough people that we can keep you out of harms way, and do our job. Let Holt and I work the plan. Maybe we can wrap this thing up in a few days and then we can go back to normal,”
My brain translates that toand then we can go our separate ways. It sounds like he is over this arrangementalready. Trying not to let that bother me, I nod and keep a neutral face. He sighs.
“I didn’t mean it that way, stop thinking like that,” he says as he slides a cup of coffee in front of me. I reach out to take it and his hand lands on mine.
“Look at me,” he demands sternly. “Whatever you are thinking, you are wrong. Get out of your head,” he practically growls. Not knowing what else to do I just nod. I am not sure I understand what he means entirely, but maybe he doesn’t want to get rid of me.Maybe he does like you. The traitorous voice in my head whispers.
I try to ignore it. Thinking like that could get me into a lot of trouble.
Chapter 24
Sterling
Meg is in the shower after breakfast, and I am trying to restrain myself from barging in there. My mind wanders to the fantasy I had in the shower last night, but I quickly turn it back to washing the pan I scrambled the eggs in. Since I showered last night, I threw on a pair of jeans and a long sleeve thermal. I knew I would need to layer if Holt and I were going to sit outside at Meg’s house waiting for this creep to show up.
I couldn’t guarantee he would do it so soon, but the longer this went on the worse it would get. That is what I meant when I told her I wanted things to get back to normal. I could see this situation was wearing on her. It would do that to anyone. As soon as the words came out of my mouth I saw her retreat. It was almost a physical reaction.
She doesn’t know it yet, but she is stuck with me. Poor thing. I can be a moody and bossy asshole. I have no doubt she will be able to handle it. I know it will take time, and I’m going to have to show her that I am all in. I know that she won’t believe me at first. That is okay. I’ll enjoy proving it to her over and over again—in various ways.
We need to focus on the task at hand first. Holt is on the way with Carter not far behind. Carter will probably end up staying back here at the loft with Meg. Not only is he physically capable of handling any threat that may come her way, he will also be able to check into anything digitally that we may need.
Holt and I can handle the field work on this one. It seems like it will be two against one. If there is more, we could handle that too. That reminded me that it had been about a week since Holt and I had hit the boxing ring. We needed to get back into it soon.
