When my body starts to come alive, I reach down between my thighs and take my rigid cock in my hand. I pump up and down my shaft a few times, slowly at first as I imagine her lips wrapped firmly around the tip. I’d give anything to see her moan and toss her head back in pleasure at my cock like she did for that steak. I know I should stop. I want to stop but I can’t make myself. I don’t hold back; my movements grow quicker, panicked even as my breath grows jagged in my chest. It takes less than two minutes before my entire body is clenching in pre-orgasmic bliss before I release myself onto the shower floor.
Sleep comes easy but it isn’t peaceful or dreamless. Instead, I have a reoccurring nightmare about Wren.
Wren and I are sitting on my patio. It’s a clear night with a big, bright moon and a million stars overhead. There’s a fire burning in the outdoor fireplace and we’re sharing a bottle of wine. We’re talking and laughing and having a good time. That’s when the moment changes. I feel drawn to her more than ever before. I can’t stop myself from leaning in and kissing her.
My lips press against hers and she freezes. Wanting her to warm up, I place my hands on either side of her face and deepen the kiss. Her lips become softer, but they don’t move with mine. I take the hint and pull away, looking down at her, worried and scared of how badly this could end.
When I pull away, her brows are knit together and her eyes are cold. “Why would you do that?” she asks, seemingly repulsed.
“I… I’m sorry. We were having such a good time and I… I don’t know what I was thinking. Please, forgive me,” I plead.
She shakes her head. “Penn was right about you,” she says, storming off into the house. I chase her through the house and she runs out the front door. When I get to the door, she’s nowhere in sight. I rush out, down the steps, and into the circle drive. Nothing. Where could she have gone so quickly?
Sighing and shaking my head, I turn and walk back up the steps. Pushing the front door open, I step into my office. I’m confused. How did I get to work? I was just at home with Wren. Cheryl walks in behind me and nearly bumps into me.
“Oh, Mr. Carmichael,” she says, her hand covering her heart.
“What is it, Cheryl?” I ask, confused and looking around my office. This can’t be real, can it?
“Wren didn’t show up for work today. She didn’t call in either,” she tells me, worry lacing her voice.
I jerk my head back to her now. “What?”
She shrugs. “We’ve tried calling her phone several times, but it goes straight to voicemail.”
“Okay, I’ll call her,” I tell her, urging her out of my office.
I knew I shouldn’t have kissed her. I pushed her too far. Now she’s gone. I can’t believe I let my stupid feelings get in the way of our friendship. I hate myself.
I pull my cell out of my pocket and dial her number. The phone rings and rings and rings, but she never answers. “Wren, it’s Theo. I know I messed up, but everyone in the office is worried. Please, call someone and let us know you’re safe.”
The moment I hang up the phone, my door opens and two police officers walk in, getting my attention.
“Are you Theo Carmichael?” one of them asks.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and nod. “That’s right. What can I do for you, gentlemen?”
“We’re sorry to have to tell you this, sir. But Wren Adler was found this morning.”
“Found? Found where? Is she okay? Everyone is worried.” I start to step toward the door but the officer puts his hand on my chest.
“No, sir. I’m sorry, but she’s—she’s dead.”
What? How? Who? My blood runs cold. Her stalker.
I jolt awake and my heart is racing. I’m breathless and covered in sweat. I look around me and find that I’m still in bed. None of that happened. It was just a nightmare but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this than just a random stranger stalking her. I hate that I can’t protect her and make it go away. I feel tears in my eyes and when I lie back down and close my eyes, they roll out of the corners and into my ears. I don’t pay them any attention though. I’m too focused on shaking the dream, on regulating my heart and calming my breath.
I’m too amped up to go back to sleep; the dream felt so raw, so real and visceral. I need to get it out of my system. I push the blankets away and sit up. I rub my eyes and roll my head, cracking my neck. Turning on the light, I change into some gym clothes and walk down the hall and up to the third floor to get in some extra workout time. My watch says it’s only three a.m. but there’s no going back to sleep. I’m too afraid to at this point.
In my home gym, I stretch and then hop on the treadmill to do my warm-up mile. After that, I move on to lifting weights, jump rope, practice my swings on the punching bag, do push-ups, sit-ups, and then run five miles. I work out nonstop for two hours and by the time I’m done, every inch of my body is dripping in sweat and begging for relief.
Leaving the gym, I head back down to my room. Before I get to my room, Wren’s door opens and she steps out into the hallway wearing a soft-pink silk robe that ends just above her knee. I have to bite my inner cheek to keep myself in line. If I learned anything from that dream, it’s that I can’t let her know how I feel right now. If she runs, she’ll be running right to that stalker and I can’t lose her.
She looks me up and down and then frowns. “Have you been working out?”
I nod. “Why are you up so early?” I look at my watch and see that it’s just past five.
She shrugs. “I couldn’t sleep. Figured I’d grab a cup of coffee.”
“Why couldn’t you sleep? Was the bed too hard? Too soft? I can get a new one in here by tonight,” I offer, wiping the sweat off my face.
“No, no. The bed is fine. I guess I just have a lot on my mind.” She crosses her arms and shrugs her shoulders.
“Oh, okay then. Help yourself. I’m just going to get a shower.”
“Thanks,” she nods and offers up a crooked smile as her eyes lazily drop down my body. It’s only then I realize I’m shirtless.
Did—did she just check me out? I smile at the thought.
I nod and she turns to go down the steps. I watch her walk away until the darkness swallows her up before turning back toward my room to shower and get dressed.
Walking downstairs, the table isn’t set yet so I go into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee for myself. I come to a stop when I find Wren following my chef around.
“What are you doing?”
“Learning,” she replies with a shrug.
“Fresh coffee is brewing, sir. It was ready but this one drank both cups.” He flashes her a joking smile.
I laugh. “You already put away two cups of coffee?”
She bites down on her bottom lip. “No amount of coffee stands a chance against me.”
“Breakfast will be on the table in fifteen, sir. You’re early this morning.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t sleep,” I tell him, grabbing the fresh cup of coffee he’s handing to me. “I’m going to go enjoy this while I watch the news.” I look over my shoulder as I’m heading back out. “You might want to check the time unless that’s what you’re wearing to work. And in that case, I might have to write you up. That’s not exactly work appropriate.” I can’t help myself; I give her a wink as I slowly drag my eyes up her body one last time.