“I have to go,” I interrupt her rapid-fire line of questioning before she corners me for the next hour.
“Hey, I told you on the phone yesterday I’d bother you tomorrow, which is today, so you should have been expecting—"
I stomp out of the office listening to her voice fading into the background.
Avoiding her questions is one thing, but also missing a meeting is no small deal; the Luccis might feel disrespected if I’m not there. But at this moment the only thing that matters to me is Esme and if she’s okay.
Getting into my Mercedes, my text tone goes off. I pull my phone out and start to read as I climb into the seat. Immediately my chest is tight, and my cock is growing harder, but relief washes over me.
Esme: Hi. It’s Esme. I’m doing fine. Got up then fell asleep again. Head isn’t hurting. Thanks for your help.
I close the driver’s door and then reply.
Me: Good girl. I’m on my way to your place now. I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.
Esme: No need to come back. I’m okay.
I shake my head. There is nothing more important to me right now than her.
Me: Too late, I’m headed your way. Is your friend still there?
Esme: Yes, she’s sleeping. She worked all night, so this is her sleep time.
I take a deep breath. I’m not angry, but I don’t want her sitting there while someone sleeps. She still needs to be watched.
Me: I’ll see you in fifteen minutes. Your friend should go home and sleep once I arrive, I’ll take over.
Esme: Hmmm okay but really it’s not necessary.
Me: It is. I’m driving now. See you soon.
Soon, I’m outside her apartment door. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself and tame my hard-on but failing completely. I knock, and a moment later I hear three locks clicking back. My teeth grind at the thought that she lives somewhere she doesn’t feel safe. That’s going to change.
When she opens the door, I’m immediately in awe of her innocent, sexy beauty. Her hair is loose around her fresh face, and her red lips turn upward, her blue eyes sparkling.
“Yes?” She opens the door just enough to poke her face out. “I already bought my Girl Scout cookies this year.” Her tone is playful—I see the little girl inside her more than yesterday, and it makes my heart leap.
“I like to hear you say yes. I want you to say yes to a lot more.”
Her eyes widen. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” I smile as she pulls the door back, letting me inside. I look over and see her friend sitting up on the couch, looking half asleep.
“You remember Karen,” she says, and we nod at each other.
“You can go.” I look at her friend. “I’ll stay with her now.”
As grateful as I was that she came to look after Esme, I just want her to leave so the two of us can be alone. The last few hours away from her only solidified for me that there is something big going on here and I need to push things forward.
“Uhhh…” Her friend looks from me to Esme. “You okay?”
“Yes,” Esme replies, her eyes dancing up and down on me, then back to her friend. “You need to sleep. Thanks for coming over.”
The girls finish up some chitchat, giving me sidelong glances as they do, and I wander over to the window, noticing she has no curtains and there is an apartment building across the way. Literally anyone could look over and see her.
Irrational anger heats inside me at the thought that someone has the ability to watch her. See her walking around. I don’t want anyone else looking at her.
She and her friend say their goodbyes, then she comes over and sits cross-legged on the sofa.
