It Takes Two Book 4 (The Matchmaker Series, Book 4): An Alpha Billionaire Romance

It Takes Two
(The Matchmaker Series – Book Four)
(An Alpha Billionaire Romance)

by Ellie Danes

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental

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Third-party websites addresses listed in this book are accurate and age appropriate as of the time this book went to press, but are beyond the publishers control. The publisher cannot guarantee that the content of these sites will not change.

I squinted as the sun’s rays hit my face full force on the freeway. I pulled down the driver’s side mirror, glad when it blocked what looked like a huge ball of light, so I could see the road. It was getting late, but I had almost made it home, miraculously. My car groaned beneath me, as if she knew how far the apartment was from her current position and was ready to settle down in the parking garage for the night.

“You can do it,” I told her, laughing.

The sound of my own laugh startled me. Butterflies still fluttered in my stomach, although I had been out of Mason’s presence for a while now. I couldn’t get the image of him out of my mind; the way he had stood there, holding my hand, telling me I’d be perfect at the job while at the time the only thing I could really think about was my fantasy with him.

Had he even noticed how much I had been affected by that fantasy, or that the fantasy had been about him? He’d hardly given any indication of emotion other than curiosity as we had sat in that parlor room, with the camera rolling. But the look he had given me right before I had left; I couldn’t wipe it from my memory. The way his blue eyes had quite literally danced in anticipation, how he looked down at me, the warmth of his smile, and the smell of his body encompassing me even from where I had stood by the doorway—I had to stop myself, already feeling my leg muscles tighten. I kept both hands firmly on the wheel, happy to have something to hold onto, this time. What I would have given for him to move his hands to my waist, to press the length of his body against mine.

My phone rang with a synthetic tingle of bells that echoed throughout car. I looked down, then back at the road. Most of the cars had gone for the day, leaving only a few stragglers like myself to navigate back home down the road.

I attempted to stay focused on the road as I picked up my phone and flipped it on, looking down briefly to find a text message from Sandra, one of my co-workers at the bar.

Hey, can you take my shift 2nite? :) ;)

I sighed. This wasn’t the first time Sandra had wanted me to cover for her, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last. For over a year I had dealt with waitressing to the patrons at the small, smelly bar, bringing dirty men their drinks and avoiding the glares of some of the women who went there regularly.      

Yes, but now you have a new job
. I smiled to myself as I thought about working with Mason and the leaving it all behind for something better. Something pleasant.

The statement was true. I
did
have a new job, one that would pay probably more in one night than what I could make in a week toting drinks and beer from the dirty bar to the half intoxicated patrons. Plus, I’d be around Mason. Although I hated to admit it to myself, the prospect of having his eyes scanning me again, looking my body up and down like he had at the doorway to the mansion, exhilarated me. More than exhilarated me, actually. He
had
said we’d be working closely together. I smiled to myself, throwing my phone onto the passenger seat and gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands again.

My smile faded a little as logic began to settle in. Of course, I couldn’t quit my job completely. As much as I wanted to believe working with Mason would be perfect, I knew from experience that things rarely went according to plan, and losing my job could set everything back. I hardly
knew
Mason, after all.

I wouldn’t fill in for Sandra, at least not tonight, but now wasn’t the time to quit either. This new job would be a calculated risk; I had to make sure I was making the right move.

I took the exit toward Birch street, speeding a little, wanting to get home and relax for the night after such an exciting day. Avery shouldn’t be home since she was on her date. Although I loved her dearly, sometimes being in the apartment without her was a breath of fresh air, a chance to catch up on things and take a break without having to listen to her talking about men and drama.

The stoplight that Avery always called the “dickhead dud” was, as usual, red. I smiled as I remembered her using that phrase. “It’s such a dick!” she complained to me once. “It’s always red, I swear to God.” As I approached the stoplight, I shifted the Camry into neutral, revving the engine a little, my spirits still soaring after my date-thing with Mason, or whatever it had been.

Bright headlights blasted into my rearview mirror, even though it wasn’t completely dark out yet. The familiar shape of the lights of the late model Mustang gave me an immediate sinking feeling. 
Jake
.
How long has he been following me?

Thoughts raced through my head as I began to panic. Why was he following me? What did he want? I had already made it clear I didn’t need him in my life. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him and going home to an empty apartment suddenly didn’t seem like such a good idea. I glanced at my phone, but didn’t know who I could call. I considered calling Avery, but I didn’t want to mess up her date. I’d have to deal with Jake on my own. I took a deep breath, and stepped on the gas pedal as the stoplight turned green.

I pulled into the parking lot, taking the first available spot I could find. Every other night there seemed to be plenty of people around the complex and in the parking lot, but not tonight. It was virtually empty. I fumbled with my purse, phone and keys, attempting to get out of the car as quickly as possible, but it was too late. As I turned to get out of my car I froze, the dark hoodie filling my vision through the window.

Jake stood over the car, bending down slightly to open the door for me. “Hey!”

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t know if I were more afraid or angry, but suspected that the sinking, hot feeling of adrenaline in my chest was the product of both emotions.

“I was just wondering where you were hurrying off to earlier today. Now I know. Quite the mansion, isn’t it?”

“Why were you following me? I told you we were done. It’s none of your business.”

Jake didn’t say a word and only stared. He moved so his entire body blocked my way out of the car. I felt trapped as the lump formed in my throat. I could feel the scream building deep inside of me, but I held back for the moment.

“It’s been a whole…what… two days… and now you have a sugar daddy?”

“What?” I asked, dazed. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. “Move,” I ordered, my voice raw. “Please move, Jake.”

I stared at him hard, meeting his harsh stare with my own until he finally backed up a little, still holding onto the door, but leaving me enough room to get out of the car. I stood, but he still blocked my way. “I’m sorry, Harper, I made a mistake.”  Jake shut the door to the car as he stood in front of me, making it impossible to move past. “I never meant to compare you to my ex, you have to believe me,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and stepping to the side. “I just want you back, baby. That’s the reason I followed you. I had to make sure you weren’t seeing anyone else...”

“So what if I was?” I snapped, feeling a little stronger now that he wasn’t blocking my way. “We’re through. Get the
fuck
away from me.”

“Harper...” he muttered, coming a little closer. I took a step backwards bumping into the car. The thought of screaming and then running to my apartment crossed my mind, but it was too late he was on me, grabbing me roughly around the waist and tangling his fingers into my hair. “Baby, please,” he whispered.

I pushed at him, hitting his chest with the flat of my hand, loosening his grasp on me a little. “Get the fuck off of me!” I yelled as I clutched my purse, ready to use it as a weapon. It didn’t stop him. He moved in closer, this time more aggressively. I squeezed my purse and prepared to swing.

I didn’t have time to evaluate my car options as I jumped into the car in pursuit of Harper.  The new 6-series BMW was closest and that would have to do. The wheels squealed as I darted out of the garage, down the short driveway and pulled into traffic, desperately trying to keep an eye on the Mustang following Harper’s Camry. I weaved in and out of traffic, trying to stay close, but not too close as I wondered exactly what her pursuer was after.

My heart pounded as we stop briefly at the stoplight and then continued into Harper’s apartment complex. I watched as she quickly slid her car into the first space and attempted to jump out of the car. Everything was moving in slow motion as I jerked the car into an adjacent space and made my way over to the ensuing action.

By the time I had made it over to where the stranger had Harper pinned between her car and his body, the rage had boiled over, seeping through my very being as my fingers wrapped roughly around his arm, tossing him aside easily.

I looked at Harper, analyzing her appearance. Her face, flushed, her hair, a little tangled and falling around her face. She looked scared, frustrated and angry all wrapped into one. My attention immediately turned to the dark hoodie clad attacker.  I heard him huffing and puffing as he came at me, fist raised. I side-stepped, grabbing his arm again, twisting it around his back, and slamming him up against the beat-up car just as Harper got out of the way. Leaning in close, I could smell cigarette smoke on his hoodie. I spoke right into his ear, my tone much calmer than the beast inside of me felt. I gritted my teeth as I gave my warning. “I would advise that you leave Miss Browning alone.”

He laughed, trying to struggle against me. I could feel his muscles pop with the effort, but I didn’t let up on the arm I had pinned behind his back. He was immobile. “Who the hell are you? Her bodyguard?”

I smiled, twisting his arm a little bit further back until he panted. “You bother her again, follow her, or even breathe in her direction, you’ll regret it. Got it?”

He let out a short, clipped sound as I dug my fingers into his wrist before spinning him around, releasing him. I placed myself in front of Harper, crossing my arms, willing my hands to remain under control. Beating this guy in front of Harper wouldn’t do any good, and I didn’t want to bring her into any more trouble.

The man didn’t look in Harper’s direction at all. He met my eyes briefly. “This isn’t over,” he snapped, spinning on his heel and walking back to his mustang.

Harper and I watched as he drove off.

I felt the vein throbbing in my neck and the adrenaline still pulsing through my veins as I attempted to calm myself. I exhaled, releasing the tension as I smiled at Harper. “Hello,” I managed, still struggling with my emotions.

“Hello, “ she smiled. “I guess you just met Jake.”

Asshole. I remembered her little joke from earlier. I tried to smile, finding it difficult. I had thought the thrill of the chase was exciting with Harper, but it was nothing compared to the hunt I wanted to have with Jake. “You were right.”

“What?”

“You were right,” I smiled, letting out a small laugh. “He is an asshole.”

“Tell me about it,” Harper rolled her eyes, stepping a little closer. “Are you okay? Your face is all red.”

“I’m fine,” I shook my head side to side as I wondered what Jake had hoped to accomplish by his confrontation.

“Well—thank you,” she said. I could see her shift her weight from side to side. “How did you know I was here?”

“I saw that man—
Jake
,” I spat the word, “sitting in front of the mansion when you left. I don’t have your phone number, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Despite everything, she smiled. I felt my body relax at the sight of it. Suddenly she was next to me, bringing her lips to my cheek. “Thank you,” she breathed, “Again.”

As she pulled back, I could feel my fingers twitch, wanting to fold my arms around her and bring her in for a real kiss. Her lips against my skin had set me off, transferring all the heat I had felt in my chest and head down to lower, less angry, regions. My eyes involuntarily traveled down her body again, taking in the small amount of cleavage her dress revealed, and her long, smooth legs.

If anything had happened to her...I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked me. “I’m sure you have quite a few bruises. Jake really had the upper hand for a second, there. I can get you some ice.” My body tensed at the comment, and I searched her face as she winked and smiled.