"I think he suspected us back at the wedding or he hoped, because he was all about me asking you out. He's also realized that I joined the military for my country and not to spite him. I'm not a diplomat, I'm not an executive, but I am a soldier. He worried I'd not come home, so he felt better to push me away he said. After losing Mum, he doesn't handle loss very well. You know all about that." He smiles at me.
"Yes, I know about pushing people away. I'm glad you're who you are. I wouldn’t be with you if you were a businessman." I laugh at him.
"Come on, baby, let's head up."
We unload our purchases from the Rover. Duncan even bought decorations for the tree. He's carrying the tree, a small but full one. I'm carrying the other bags. We're heading toward the elevator when my cell starts ringing. I look at the caller ID, knowing who it is from the ringtone.
"Hey, Derek," I say as Duncan makes a face. I whisper for him to be nice and he nods.
"There’s been another delivery. This one better be a joke. You promised me you wouldn’t go back to him." I can almost feel his anger through the phone.
"What're you talking about, Derek?" I'm actually nervous; Derek and I have been through so much and for him to be this angry with me isn't common.
"Well, your ex-boyfriend Carl sent you a dozen roses. You promised me I could kick his ass if he came sniffing around again. With everything going on, and you having Duncan, why would you go back to him? Wasn't his behavior on the unit toward you enough?"
"I ran into him once after he left the unit. I told him I had aboyfriend. I'm not interested in Carl and I want you to get rid of those flowers. Was there a card?"
"Yes, it said he’d always love you. Jeez, girl, you went from no men but me and Dad in your life to two stalkers, one hang on, and a boyfriend. What the hell?"
"Derek, I'm only with Duncan. I'm not with anyone else or trying to see anyone else."
"Damn it, Maya, we need to get control of this. Have you noticed anything there? Has your stalker started sending you stuff there yet? I'll get rid of Carl and his flowers."
"No. I haven’t gotten anything like the last time I was here."
"Seriously?" Duncan hisses, he's looking at me carefully and watching the emotions cross my face. Why would Carl do this? I didn't tell him I wasn't going to be home.
"By the way, the doorman told him you were out of town, too. You need to talk to that dumbass," Derek says, distracting me from my thoughts.
"Motherfucker, I'll call the condo association as soon as I can. Take the flowers to the hospital and donate them. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. Hate the holidays. Thanks for all the distractions, but enough is enough."
"No problem, that's what partners are for. Call me if you need to talk." I hang up the phone and step into the elevator with Duncan. He looks pissed.
"Maya, who's sending you flowers now? And why would your partner need to talk to you? Is that not what his father is for?"
"First, don't get jealous, I told you I ran into Carl and told him I was seeing someone. He still sent me a dozen roses to mycondo. Second, my partner doesn't do this holiday very well. It brings him bad memories. He and his father don't discuss this time of year. He's also condo sitting for me to keep away from the celebrating."
"Bugger me, why does every man feel he needs to take what's mine?"
"Excuse me? Yours?" I ask as I raise an eyebrow at him.
"Maya, you're mine. Like you, I don't share. I'm getting tired of these blokes coming out of the woodwork. Come on." He still looks upset.
Well, I'm going to show him he doesn't have to worry about any other guy.
CHAPTER THIRTY
MAYA
We walk into the flat and Duncan goes to set up the tree in front of the windows. I put the bags down and help him. When he acts as if I'm not there and seems angry, I decide to take matters into my own hands.
"Duncan, I'll be right back."
"Okay." He doesn't even turn around to look at me.
His jealousy is in full force. I know he wants to mark me up like he did yesterday but is mad at himself for taking me that way. He's also upset about me hiding us for so long.
