I nod, letting him know that I understand how serious this now is. “I just wish I knew who the hell he is and what he wants.”
“Leave that to me. I’m going up to my office. Do not leave this building today. Got it? Don’t go out to lunch.”
I nod, not wanting to even go to the bathroom alone.
He walks out and I lean back in my chair, too amped up to even think about working.
Someone knocks on the door and Julie walks in.
“Coffee?”
I shake my head. “Can you just fill up my bottle with water, please?” I pick it up from my desk and hold it out.
“Sure, but are you feeling okay? You never turn down coffee.”
“Just trying to get a handle on my caffeine consumption.”
“Okay,” she says, taking the bottle and leaving to go fill it.
With her gone, I let out a long breath and tell myself that I need to push this away and try to focus long enough to get some work done.
Julie is back, handing me my bottle of water and a stack of messages she has for me.
“Thank you,” I say, taking the items from her.
“You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything,” she says, walking out.
I take a long drink of water and check my email.
Lunch rolls around and my stomach is growling since I only had a bowl of cereal for breakfast. I head up to Theo’s office and knock on the door.
“Come in,” he calls out from behind it.
I walk in and offer up a smile. “Can we go to lunch? I’m starving.”
He smiles and pushes back from his desk. “I’d love to have lunch with you,” he says, standing and pulling on his jacket.
We leave the building together and stop just outside the doors.
“So, what are you in the mood for?” he asks, looking over at me.
“Anything at this point. I should’ve had more than a bowl of cereal for breakfast.”
“How about you take me to that awesome burger joint you know?”
I laugh. “Alright, let’s go.”
The two of us walk side by side across the street and around the corner. I glance around nervously for the man but I don’t see him. Theo must have noticed because he reaches down, linking his fingers through my own and giving my hand a soft squeeze. Something inside me jumps with excitement. I know it’s just to comfort me, but the feeling of Theo’s giant hand wrapped around mine feels good… too good.
“So, I’ve got a great investigator.”
“Do you really think that’s the best option? I mean, should I go to the police?”
He lifts a brow and lets out a long breath. “It’s going to be kind of hard to get anything done since you don’t know the man and odds are they won’t do shit until he’s actually broken a law or hurt you. My plan is to get my P.I. up to speed and figure out who this guy is. Then we take that name to the police, get an order of protection if we need, but most likely my guy will handle it.”
I nod in agreement. I’m sure he knows best in this case. I also know not to ask questions when it comes to Theo. He only shares what I absolutely need to know and the rest… he handles.
“I just hope this all ends soon. I don’t like imposing on you like this. I’m a grown woman. I shouldn’t need a babysitter.”
He waves me off. “You’re not imposing. We’re friends. That’s what we do for one another.”
I smile, nudging his shoulder playfully. “You’re too good to me, you know that?”
“It’s nothing, Wren. I just want to know you’re safe.”
And just when I think that the butterflies in my stomach were nothing more than a stupid crush, I hear him say half under his breath, “I can’t lose you.”
7
Theo
“Hey, Jeff, it’s Theo. Sorry to be calling so late but I wanted to catch up about that email I sent over to you earlier today.” Jeff is my private investigator, someone I’ve worked with countless times over the years on due diligence for mergers and acquisitions. He’s top notch, the best in his field, and there’s nobody I’d trust more with this issue.
“No problem, Mr. Carmichael. Pleasure to hear from you again. Seems like you’ve got an issue that needs a little investigative digging?”
I explain the situation to him in brevity. “I was actually hoping you’d come by tonight and meet with Wren, get more details from her if it’s not too late?”
“Sure thing. I can be there by eight.”
I thank him for his flexibility and hang up, turning back to my computer to finish up a few work items. I’m sure Wren won’t be thrilled with the idea of another strange man following her, but I’ll assure her that Jeff is discreet and trustworthy; she won’t even know he’s there.
I look up at the clock; it’s nearing six p.m. We left work a little early to stop by her place and pick up her things. I wanted to give her the time and space she needed to settle in to my guest bedroom before we have dinner and I explain to her about Jeff coming by tonight.
An hour passes and I don’t even realize it until Wren walks into my office. I glance up and a smile breaks across her lips. My eyes drop down to her delicious cleavage bouncing with each step and my dick shoots to life. Fuck. She’s changed out of her work clothes and into a tight tank top that dips low beneath her collar. A pair of gray yoga pants stretch across her full hips. Damn, this woman is going to kill me. I like that she isn’t frail or dainty. No, her body could handle a rough pounding. My mouth waters at the thought of stripping her hourglass figure bare, but my thoughts are interrupted when she flops down in the chair across from me.
“Ready for dinner?” I smile, embarrassed at the thoughts racing through my brain.
She nods. “Sure.”
“Shall we?” I ask as I stand up and lead her into the dining room where the table is set.
“What are we having? It smells fantastic!” She picks up the silver tray covering her plate and inhales. She doesn’t waste any time; she eagerly picks up her silverware, cuts a small bite of the fillet mignon, and pops it into her mouth.
“Ohhhh my God, this is good!” She releases an erotic moan as she lets her head lull back dramatically. I tell myself not to focus on the sounds coming from her mouth or the way her eyes are rolling back in her head. If a steak can do that to her, just imagine… No!
“Seriously, it melts like butter in your mouth!” she says, motioning toward my plate.
I can’t help but laugh at her ridiculous reaction as I slice my steak. “That’s because he’s a top chef that’s worked in many five-star restaurants. Worth every penny.”
“You should start sending me your leftovers.”
“Or you could just come over for dinner every night.” I shrug.
She laughs. “Don’t tempt me.”
“After dinner, we have a meeting.”
She frowns. “A meeting? I’m off the clock, boss.”
“Not work related. I invited my P.I. over to discuss this stalker situation. I wanted him to meet you and get more of the details directly.”
“Oh, okay.” She agrees a lot easier than I expected. “I can’t wait to try out that shower and tub.”