Endless Obsession (26 page)

“I did not snore!” I protest.

He shrugs and chuckles. Reaching over my lap, he unbuckles my belt as he says, “If you say so.”

Maybe I should just go ahead and paint my face red, because it seems to stay that color whenever I’m near him. Only now, it’s so much worse.

Asher stands and grabs his jacket. I grab my purse and stand as well. Looking around, I no longer see Seraphina. I wonder if Asher’s already fired her. We couldn’t have been on the ground long, but maybe he was in a hurry to get it done.

“Ladies first,” he says, gesturing with his arm that I should lead the way.

Captain Hayes is standing at the door when we walk up.

“Miss Lexington. How was your first trip?” he smiles and asks kindly.

I smile in return, but answer him honestly. “I’m sure your flying skills are excellent, but I definitely won’t be making any unnecessary trips that require traveling by plane. I think I prefer to stay on the ground.”

He chuckles, and I’m grateful he takes no offense. “I’m sure it’s something you can get used to. Unfortunately, the winds were somewhat heavy today, so there were a bit more bumps along the way. Hopefully, the return trip won’t be so bothersome for you.”

“I hope not. See you in a few days, Captain Hayes.”

“That you will. Have a good weekend, Miss Lexington.”

Asher stays behind to speak with Captain Hayes as I walk down the steps to the tarmac. It’s hotter than Hades here. I knew it would be hot, but Jesus, it darn near takes my breath away. I can already feel sweat beading on my forehead and my arms feel slick from the instant humidity. Even though we’re still at the airport, excitement at being here in Texas has me smiling.

I feel a hand at my back and look over to see Asher standing beside me. He leads me to a sleek black car, where a man in a black suit is waiting with the back door open. I don’t see how he can stand there, wearing what he’s wearing. He has to be roasting. I slide into the car and am immediately met with blessed cool air. I slide over and Asher climbs in beside me. It’s quiet as the car starts rolling forward. There’s plenty of room in the backseat, but it still feels cramped with Asher sitting next to me.

He pulls his phone out of his pocket, reminding me I need to take mine off airplane mode, and then sets the jacket beside us on the middle console. I grab my phone from my purse, just to give myself something to do. It feels awkward sitting in silence. As soon as I switch my phone over, it dings with an incoming text. My heart jumps when I realize it could be from Sterling. I cast my eyes to the side to see what Asher is doing, before checking my messages. I need not have worried as his eyes are focused on his own phone. I pull my missed messages up. One is from Liv, and the other is from a private number.

Liv:
Has Mr. Knight put his dick in you yet?

I nearly choke on my own spit when I read her message. I manage to play it off as a cough when Asher looks at me. This girl is going to be the death of me. God love her, but she is so far off base it’s not even funny. I hold my phone closer to my face and turn my body slightly so he can’t look over and see the screen. I feel like a teenager trying to hide notes from my neighboring desk mates. I type out a quick reply.

Me:
You’re lucky Asher didn’t see that message. Are you trying to get me fired? And I’m not answering your question because it’s ridiculous. Now go hump Tony or something and leave my sex life alone.

I still can’t believe she blatantly asked me that. But then again, we are talking about Liv here. There’s nothing she wouldn’t say or do.

I pull up the private number’s message.

Unknown:
Do you know who your secret admirer is? Sterling you say? Oh, I know. Enjoy your time together while it lasts, because yours is running out.

A shiver of fear races down my spine at the cryptic message. I fumble to catch my phone before it falls when my palms become sweaty. Who could have possibly sent this, and what do they mean?

Enjoy your time together while it lasts, because yours is running out.

Is that some sort of threat? Why would someone threaten me? And what is at the end of that threat? How does he know who Sterling is? My heart races as I look back down at my phone, trying to get more from the message than what was given.

“What’s wrong?” Asher asks, and I jump in my seat, completely forgetting that he’s sitting beside me. When I look over at him, I find him with a frown on his face.

Should I tell him? It’s really not his concern, but maybe someone else should know. Maybe he can help me figure out what to do or what it means. But then again, it could just be a prank or some kind of scare tactic. I could just be overreacting. I’d hate to make myself look like a bigger fool than I already have.

I decide to hold off for now, and hope whoever sent the message has had their fun and moves on.

I back out of my messages, place my phone on my lap and answer. “Nothing.”

He doesn’t believe me. I can see it in his eyes. I hold his stare, not backing down in hopes that he’ll drop it. Obviously, I have zero luck today.

“Give me your phone,” he demands, holding out his hand.

I grab my phone and lean back a little in my seat, away from him.

“Why?”

“Because obviously something’s on there that has you upset. Your hands were shaking as you were reading whatever you were looking at. Now, hand me your phone.”

I inwardly cringe at the scowl marring his face. I don’t back down, though. It’s none of his business what’s on my phone. If I wanted him to know, I would have told him. I may be acting stubborn, but I’ve had enough of today. Asher already has my nerves on edge. It’s time I grow a backbone, and now seems like the perfect time.

“No.”

He arches a brow, surprised at my blunt refusal. A second later, I let out a squeal when he reaches across me and snatches my phone from my hands. I don’t even try to grab it back, knowing it’s useless. So much for my backbone. It lasted all of two seconds. It’s obviously frail and brittle.

I’m pathetic.

I bite my lip as I watch Asher thump my screen to bring up my messages. Lord, please don’t let him open my conversation with Liv. This day has already been stressful enough. I’m not sure how much more I can take. I can’t see which one he’s reading, so I watch his face closely for clues. A tic forms on his jaw and when he turns to look at me, I shrink back in my seat at the unconcealed rage I see.

“Do you know who fucking sent this?” he growls, the timber of his voice causing me to quake in my seat. I’ve never seen this look on Asher before. It’s intense, and scary as hell.

I shake my head, then say for good measure, “No.”

My eyes flicker down at his hands. One’s balled into a fist sitting on his thigh, while the other is clutching my phone, gripping it so tight I’m surprised it’s still in one piece.

“Have you gotten any other messages like this?”

Again, I shake my head. “That’s the first, but it has to be a joke, right? Someone’s just fooling around with me. They have to be. I know a handful of people, and that’s it. None of them would send me something like that.”

His eyes narrow slightly when he asks, “Do you really believe that?”

From the hardness of his jaw, he certainly doesn’t.

“I don’t know what to believe,” I tell him honestly, with a slight wobble in my voice.

“And you’re willing to take the chance this isn’t real?” he asks, but doesn’t give me the opportunity to answer. “What if it is? What if this person comes after you and does God knows what? What then, Poppy? You don’t take chances like that, ever.”

The fierceness of his words and the way his body is locked tight has my anxiety growing. His eyes blaze so hot there’s not much green left in them. He’s scaring me, but I’m not sure if it’s from his reaction to the situation or the reality of it. I’ve watched TV shows and movies where the female disregards threats, thinking it’s fun and games for some asshole or young punk, then ends up being tortured or raped. You never think that it could happen to you, but some of those shows
are
based on real life stories.

All the color drains from my face when I realize I could be one of those women. I could be the next innocent female with her body found in a ditch somewhere. Then I think of Sterling, and the possibility of him being one of those men that does sick things to women. My chest gets tight at the thought. I don’t want to think of him like that, and I really don’t think he is, but in reality, there’s no way for me to know.

I drop my eyes from Asher’s intense green ones. My fingers are starting to cramp from twisting the strap on my purse. I loosen my grip and notice the leather now has creases in it. It’s a shame. This purse is one of my favorites. I try to smooth it out, but it doesn’t work.

Asher’s voice breaks into my unimportant thoughts.

“I’m texting you over a phone number and cell phone company name,” Asher says to whomever he’s talking to on his phone. “Break into the cell company’s system and see if you can find out who the last private number was from the last text message.” He’s silent for several seconds, listening. Then, “I don’t give a fuck. Make it priority. I want this person’s info by this evening.”

He doesn’t say good-bye, just hangs up his phone and begins to fiddle with it, I assume sending the person my information, before setting it down on his jacket.

He’s quiet for several minutes as he looks forward. He’s grinding his teeth together and his nostrils flare each time he exhales. The hands that are on his thighs are still balled into tight fists. I can see the pulse in his neck hammering away.

I watch him, confused at his reaction. Why is he so upset about this? He looks like he’s having to physically restrain himself from losing control. I understand he may be worried; I’m his employee, after all. Any decent boss would be worried about their employee if they received a threatening message like I just did. But his reaction seems to be extreme and over-the-top. It’s also sending a warm feeling straight to my stomach. I like that he’s so concerned about me.

I take a calming breath before I ask him, “Who was that?”

The eyes that slide my way almost has me shrinking back further in my seat. He must sense my apprehension, because he takes control and relaxes his features. The look is still there, but not as profound. He closes his eyes for a second and opens them again.

“That was Eric. It may not seem like a big deal to you, Poppy, but I’m not taking that chance. We’ll find the ass who sent that message.” He pins me with a look. “And if you get anymore, you need to let me know.”

I shiver at the vehemence in his voice. This side of Asher appears dangerous. He’s not the controlled businessman sitting here in this car with me; this is a complete stranger. One that’s making my insides cringe while also making my body tingle. I thought businessman Asher was attractive, but this protective Asher is ten times more so.

And someone really needs to check my temperature, because I shouldn’t be having these thoughts under these circumstances. Or ever, really.

“Why do you care so much?” I ask, ignoring his demand. I haven’t decided yet if I’ll tell him if I get more. Dread seeps in at the thought of getting another.

For a split second, his eyes drop to my lips, and before I can stop myself, my tongue peeks out to lick them. He closes his eyes briefly and scrubs his hands down his face before looking at me again.

“I think you know the answer to that, Poppy.”

His voice is low and husky. I swear it feels like a caress every time he says my name. I love the way it sounds coming from his lips. I want to reach up and feel the vibrations in his throat when he says it.

I shake my head, denying his claim. I don’t know the answer because he can’t be implying what I think he is. It’s not possible. I’m his assistant, and he’s never shown interest. Yes, I’ve noticed his appreciative eyes on me lately, but it’s never been anything more than that. For him to imply that there’s something more is preposterous.

However, the look in his eyes right now says otherwise. He looks like he’s undressing me in his mind and wants to devour every inch he reveals. The look is carnal and one I’ve never seen from him before. My body’s reaction to it says it wants to be part of whatever he’s fantasizing about—desperately. He has his elbow against the door and his thumb is rubbing back and forth on his bottom lip, which is currently quirked up into a smirk. I watch, mesmerized by the little action and wonder what that smirk would taste like.

The car jerks to a stop, bringing me out of the sexual haze he has me in. I force my gaze elsewhere when I remember Sterling, guilt eating away at me. I shouldn’t be thinking about another man, even if it is a man I’ve fantasized about before. I may not know Sterling and still harbor some doubts about him, but I do care about him in a way. I still feel loyal to him. He brings out a side of me I never knew existed, a side that I’m growing to like and wish to explore more of.

I don’t look when Asher hands me my phone. I’ve got too many emotions whirling around in my head, and I worry he’ll see them. When the door opens, he slides from the car. I take my time slipping my phone in my purse, before a hand appears inside the car. I look at it a moment, swallow through my dry throat, and slide across the seat. The hairs on my arm stand up when I place my hand in Asher’s warm one and he helps me from the car.