Morning After (A Reynolds Security Novel) (15 page)

"Erica, my business is security, do you understand what that means?" He could tell by her expression she didn't. "I protect people, I protect them from crazed fans, stalkers, would be kidnappers."

"I'm not famous, I don't have any fans."

"Don't be naive Erica. You don't have to be a celebrity to have a stalker." He looked at her for a long moment. When he spoke again his voice had dropped an octave. "If you think that I won't use all of my skills, all of my resources to protect you, you have another think coming." She snorted trying to cover a laugh and he raised one eyebrow.

"That amuses you?"

"No," she giggled. "It's that expression, 'you have another think coming'. Most people mess it up and say 'another thing coming'. Another think sounds kind of goofy don't you think?" He smirked and she grinned. She stood up and closed the gap between them wrapping her arms around his waist.

"If I ever see pictures of the Wizard of Oz performance Zoe and I were in freshman year, you are going to be in so much trouble!"  He squeezed her tightly and whispered right in her ear.

"I make no promises."

"I do want you to promise me one thing." The uncertainty in her voice and the serious undertones caused him to pull back so he could see her face.

"What's that?"

"Promise you won't lie to me; that you won't keep things from me. It's important to me that I know I can trust you."

"I promise." He cupped her face in his hands looking deep into her eyes. "You can always trust me." He stared into her eyes for a moment. "And while we're on the subject, I am going to ask you to use that trust." She frowned and he could tell she wasn't following what he meant. "I want you to let me take responsibility for your safety. I want you to listen to me and do what I tell you too." She looked at him for a long quiet moment. He watched as her eyes scanned his face.

"I will offer a compromise. You can give me your expert opinion on the safety measures I should take. I will consider the advice as I would that of any expert. Then I will make my own decision." He made a face and she went up on her toes and kissed him. "I know you want to call the shots, but in this case you're just going to have to be happy with having an input."

"Okay." He sighed. "Will you at least let me call you 20 times a day to make sure everything is okay?"

"You may call me ten times and text the other ten but you cannot get mad, peeved, annoyed, frustrated or in any way upset if I can't answer immediately."

"You drive a hard bargain." He grumbled and she smiled. She ran her finger down the line of buttons on his shirt.

"You drove a long way."

"Yep."

"
You planning on staying?"

"Was that an invitation?" He smirked.

"Maybe." She grinned loving the way that sexy smirk sent shivers through her body.

"I didn't bring my
jammies." His eyes twinkled with mischief.

"I think we can make-do." He watched the emotions play across her face. He loved that he could see everything she was feeling but he didn't like where her expression settled. She was biting her lower lip. Her eyes lowered to his chest. She looked conflicted, maybe guilty. He braced himself certain be was about to hear something that was going to hurt.

"I have a confession."

"Okay." He forced himself not to move away.

"I ah..." He watched the color rise in her cheeks. "I've ahh never been in a... relationship that was... intimate regularly." She was stammering, clearly embarrassed he just couldn't figure out why. She moved away looking down at her hands. "I was... embarrassed."

"Embarrassed about what we did? What we shared?" She was surprised that he almost sounded hurt.

"No." She said quickly. "That was... wonderful. But since it was wonderful, I assumed that if we were together it would happen again."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Of course, it's just well I had issues."

"Issues?"

"You know, female issues." He frowned for a second and she saw the comprehension enter his eyes.

"Oh."

"Yeah. I was trying to avoid, well this conversation. This actually worse than I thought it was going to be." She sighed and moved away but he caught her wrist and pulled her back.

"Hey don't be embarrassed. It's just a part of life."

"That's easy for you to say." She grumbled and he laughed.

"
Listen, there is nothing that you can't tell me, nothing we can't talk about." He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. "Don't be embarrassed, not about anything. Not with me."

"Okay." She mumbled against him.

"You know," he said after a moment, "most couples don't let that stop them." She lifted her head and looked at him wide eyed as if she were trying to gage whether he was serious.

"Really?"
She wrinkled her nose slightly and he found the expression incredibly endearing. "Have you? I mean in previous relationships?"

"No." He sighed and released her allowing a little space between them.  "I really haven't had those kinds of relationships either." She frowned again and he took a deep breath. "I've had one night stands, a couple of casual relationships that were more friends with benefits. No serious relationships."

"Is that what this is? Friends with benefits?" Her voice was soft.

"No. Does this feel casual to you?"

"Then why? Why now?"

"I just told you." He ran his hand down her arm until he was holding her hand in the palm of his. "I've never felt this way before."

"What way?"

"Like it's important, life altering, earth shattering." He tugged her against him. "Wonderful." He whispered against her lips she smiled.

"I think we should order a pizza."

"Um okay."
He laughed.

"I'm hungry and I don't want to go out."

They sat on the love seat in front of the fire while they waited for the pizza to be delivered. She was curled up against his side with her head on his chest and she felt like that was exactly where she was supposed to be. In the back of her mind she knew there was a good chance that they still wanted different things in the future but she wouldn't think about that now. Instead she would dwell on the happiness she was feeling right now and let the future take care of its self.

"So should we have that awkward conversation now?" He asked, lightly running his fingers up and down her arm.

"No we're fine for now. We'll put off the awkward conversation until next month."

"All right."
He chuckled.

"Did you bring condoms?" His hand froze on her arm.

"I think I might have one in my wallet."

"You think?"

"Well that's not exactly what I was thinking about when I headed this way."

"I guess you better check because I might just jump you the minute the pizza is out of the way." He grinned and kissed her.

"Have I told you how hot it makes me when you get all aggressive like a she cat?"

"No." She laughed.

"Well it makes me extremely hot." He stood up and headed for the door. "I'll be back in ten."

"Where are you going?"

"There is a gas station across the street."

"Don't you want to see if you have one?"

"One isn't going to be enough."

Chapter 15

This time when she woke her body was still tightly intertwined with Ethan's. The steady thump of his heart was beneath her ear. His arm held her tightly to him. She was beginning to appreciate why people didn't like to sleep alone. Memory flashes from the previous night flowed through her head. It had been every bit as wonderful as the first night. His hands, his mouth, everywhere he touched her and everything he did, sent pleasure coursing through her. Even now the memories had the power to send warmth flooding though her. She stretched unable to resist rubbing herself against him like a cat. She felt him surge to life against her thigh and smiled.

"Good morning beautiful." His husky voice tingled over her sensitive nerves.

"I like seeing you first thing in the morning." A smug self-satisfied smile lit up his face and she hated to admit, it made him look even sexier than usual. "Yeah with that morning stubble you look like this college professor I had a big crush on." She tried hard to hold a straight face but it was hard when his mouth dropped open in surprise. She broke and giggled and his eyes widened.

"Let me show you what my stubble can do." Before she realized what he was doing he rose above her pinning her to the bed. He rubbed his whiskers against the soft skin at her collar bone. She screamed and squirmed but he held her. She laughed and fought against his hold and he brought his chin back for another pass.

"All right I surrender!" She was still laughing and squirming but he eased up. She got her legs free and wrapped them around his waist. The movement brought his fully erect cock against her. They both felt the
intimate contact. His eyes met hers and he leaned down sucking her lower lip into his mouth. He nibbled lightly along the edge and she let out a breathy moan and squeezed her thighs in invitation. He slid into her in one smooth glide, like coming home. She felt so good his brain ceased its function. All he could do was move in the age old rhythm that would drive them both wild. She lifted her hips changing the angle. This time when he surged forward she gasped. The next time he could feel her clench around him. The feel of her climax while he was inside her silken heat was the single most pleasurable experience of his life. He clenched his teeth fighting the burn building at the base if his spine Erica continued to clench around him. She moaned and twitched and it was all too much for him he let go pushing as deep as could shuttering and jerking while she held him tight. He held his weight on his elbows it was just enough to keep him from crushing her but not enough for their bodies to be separated.

"Oh my god."
Erica whispered. "That was... Oh my god!" Ethan chuckled at the breathless sound.

"I have to second that." He rasped. She ran her hands up and down his back loving the feel of his chest hair rasping across her nipples as she moved.

"I finally understand why the French call it the little death." Erica giggled. Ethan didn't want to move, not ever especially now when she was so soft and warm, sated. Her hair was fanned out around her on the pillow. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was a sight he wanted to wake up to everyday for the rest of his life. As he eased out of her he suddenly realized why it had felt so good, why she had felt like she was made exactly for him. There was no barrier between them.

"Oh man." He groaned. "I have good news and bad news."

"Oh don't ruin my afterglow." She giggled but sobered slightly when she saw his expression.

"The good news is we found your G-spot."

"I thought that was a myth."

"Did it feel like a myth?"

"No." She giggled, "What's the bad news? Did you lose it?"

"No." He tried to smile but the more the idea sank in the more his tension built. "We didn't use anything that time. I forgot the condom. Erica I'm sorry, I promised..." His apology was cut short when she put her finger over his lips.

"We were a little caught up in the moment."

"That's no excuse." He sat up putting his feet over the side. "I want you to know I am clean. I get regular physicals and though it seems hard to believe right now. I've
never not used one. As far as the pregnancy issue, I know there is a pill..."

"No!" He looked up at her sharp response and she forced a smile. "I just had my period remember. The timing for getting pregnant is pretty bad." She put her hand over his on the bed.

"It's okay, we're both clean and healthy the timing isn't good. We'll remember next time." She squared her shoulders hoping she looked confident. "I'm going to jump in the shower, then I need pancakes. You gave me a workout last night." She dropped a kiss on his cheek before she headed for the bathroom. Once she had the door closed she took a shaky breath. The morning after pill. He wanted her to take a pill to stop any life they might have started. Tears stung her eyelids. Never mind that birth control did basically the same thing. She could wrap her brain around prevention but she wanted to be a mother too much to ever stop a life that already started. Unfortunately, Ethan's reaction was a painful reminder that they had an expiration date.

Ethan was fully dressed and surprisingly clean shaven when she emerged from the shower.

“Look at you all made up.” She smiled hoping to lighten the mood to her relief he smiled.

“I keep a bag in my truck, clean clothes, shaving kit, just the essentials in case I end up all night on a job somewhere.”

“Always prepared, like a boy scout.”

“Like a Marine.” He admonished and she laughed.

“So, pancakes?”

“Before pancakes, how ‘bout that negotiation you promised.”

“Man, I knew you let that go too easy.” She sighed and sank down into chair.  He ignored her comment instead launching into the argument he had prepared in his head.

“You rented a car?”

“Yeah left mine with the body shop.”

“Good, you can just turn it in and ride back with me.” One of her eyebrows rose but she didn’t disagree so he considered that a win. “When we get back I want you to take one of the fleet cars. They are reinforced, safer than the average car and definitely safer than your little car. We can park your car in my garage where there are cameras on it. Or we can leave it in front of your apartment as a decoy. I want you to always let someone know where you are. Preferably me, but at least Zoe.” He paused and looked at her for a moment. “I would like you to come and stay with me until they catch this guy.” He looked odd, strained maybe and she wasn’t sure if he was hoping she would agree or disagree. “I would like you to let me put a man with you at least at the shop. And definitely when you do the bank runs.”

“Is that all?” She asked calmly and for some reason that made him nervous but he nodded. “Don’t you think that is a bit of over kill?”

“No.”

“Ethan, if I was one of your clients would you advise me to do all the same things?”

“Yes.”

“Really you let your clients move in with you?”

“Erica…”

“Ethan, you’re being ridiculous. Maybe I have a stalker.”

“Maybe?”

“Okay probably, but he hasn’t tried to hurt me. He hasn’t threatened me it’s probably some disgruntled competitor that will just go away.”

“Erica, listen to me. I don’t want to scare you but this is serious. Stalkers do not go away. They are obsessed, disturbed individuals and they only get worse.” Ethan sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He really hated what he was about to do. “Erica, you are a sunny, glass half full kind of person and I love that about you but this is serious. Stalkers don’t give up the object of their obsession. They kidnap, they rape, they maim, they kill.” Her face paled at his frank statement and he hated having to scare her. “He robbed you, he trashed your apartment, he broke in your bedroom window, he vandalized your shop, vandalized your car. This is not a secret admirer this is a dangerous violent person who is fixated on you.” Erica’s eyes were wide and her lip quivered slightly before she tucked it between her teeth. “You asked what my professional opinion would be, well I will tell you. If I wasn’t personally involved I would tell you that you need personal protection. Someone with you all the time. I would tell you to get a dog, maybe a gun. I would tell you to change your numbers, and your car. I would tell you to vary your routine in every possible way. As long as you don’t know who is stalking you, you have to suspect everyone.” Erica managed a shaky nod and he felt like a heel. He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. 

“I don’t want you to be scared. I am going to protect you I promise. I just need a little cooperation.”

“Okay.” She said softly squaring her shoulders and trying to be tough. "I'm not going to move in with you though." She insisted and he smiled. She was trying to stay in control of her situation and he couldn't blame her for that.

Erica expected that after they dropped off her rental and ate pancakes they would head towards home so she was surprised when Ethan turned his truck up the coast instead.

"Where are we going?"

"Just a little side trip. I will have you back in time for curfew, I promise." She smiled and sat back to enjoy the ride. She had a lot to think about. She hated to admit it but Ethan was right. She was being naive. She knew better, she knew what people were capable of and yet she had chosen to bury her head in the sand instead of face reality. Ethan had sworn to protect her but the fact was it wasn't his responsibility to protect her. She needed to protect herself. When she got back home she would invest in a personal alarm and a bottle of pepper spray at least. She was also going to give some serious thought to who might be behind this.

"You're pretty quiet over there."

"If the offer still stands I would like you to teach me some self-defense moves. Just a refresher for the class I took in college." Ethan looked at her for a moment, she thought he might be about to refuse but then he nodded,

"Sure. We have a gym in my building we can do it there."

"Thank you," she said, but then lapsed into silence again.

"Do you think Marco is behind this?" She asked at last. The question had been nagging at her but voicing it sounded like an accusation.

"Do you think Marco is behind it?"

"Before I would have said no.
But now..."

"Now?"
He prompted.

"Now, after the other night that is, I am not so sure. He seemed so... off... maybe a little desperate, maybe a little disturbed.
Definitely not like I have ever seen him before. When we were dating he was never possessive or controlling... And yet all this seems to have started just after I broke it off." She turned and looked at him. "Now answer the question. Do you think he is behind this?"

"I think the easy answer is yes, he is the obvious suspect. However he has an air tight alibi for the night your shop was vandalized and he certainly doesn't match the build of the person on video climbing up to your window."

"What is his airtight alibi?"

"He was in jail."

"Really." She gasped, "What for?"

"Drunk and disorderly.
It was a fight in a bar. He spent the night in jail but no charges were filed." Erica frowned and turned back toward the window. When the silence stretched a few minutes Ethan reached over and touched her arm.

"I'm sorry."

"What for?" She looked up surprised.

"I shouldn't have... I mean I don't want you to be scared. I just want you to be cautious." She put her hand over his.

"I know." She smiled. "Let's talk about something else."

"That's a good idea, we are away from home. No one knows where we are. So that makes you relatively safe. Relax, have a good time."

She did have a good time. He took her to a public park high on a bluff overlooking the water. Being the prepared man he was he had a blanket in his truck. He spread it in the grass and sat down behind her allowing her to
lean against him. After a few minutes she realized what he brought her to see.

"Oh
my gosh are those whales?" She pointed excitedly and he chuckled.

"Yep."

"Wow, that is so cool!" She leaned back against him resting comfortably in his arms. She began to talk then. Becoming the Erica he was accustomed too. She told him all about her love of Sea World as a child. He listened and laughed as one story led to another. They moved from the bluff to a seafood place up the road and discussed the merits of New England style clam chowder over Manhattan clam chowder. 

After the initial tension, they talked all the way back to
Edgepark. Erica wasn't ready to say goodbye.

"You want to come in? I don't know what I have but I can make us some dinner,” He looked at her for moment and she watched the corners of his mouth slowly tilt up.

"I'd love to."

When Erica let herself into the apartment she found Zoe dressed to kill. She was wearing a black dress that while not all that short still showcased her incredible legs.

"Damn girl you look hot." Erica grinned. She was shocked to see Zoe blush at the complement. She had to be really unsettled to blush.