Chapter 4
My breath caught when I stepped inside the Manor hotel and found Carlisle.
The man who gave me butterflies was standing facing the entrance.
He wore dark trousers and a crisp white shirt, looking very male and sexy.
His hands rested on his hips, and my eyes finally moved from his body to his face.
Dark hooded eyes watched me with a mix of amusement and interest.
A throat cleared, and that's when I realized he spoke with one of the detectives from the café. Riley.
Oh, lucky me!
"Tallulah," Riley said, holding his hand out toward me. "Small world."
I shook his hand and moved in beside Carlisle, who placed a hand at the small of my back. "I hoped you enjoyed your break at the café,” I said to be polite while inside I freaked out.
"We did. We'll sure be back again while we're in town."
I smiled and nodded. "Carlisle, I need a word when you're free."
He briefly studied me. "Go back to my office. I won't be long."
"Okay." To Riley, "It was nice to see you again."
Carlisle caught me against him and pressed a kiss to my lips. "Jessop is back there," he whispered, a small smile playing on his lips.
A bit dazzled that Carlisle would show me affection in public, I tried not to stumble over my own two feet. Placing a hand on my stomach, I inhaled and centered myself. Carlisle Hallen made me giddy. I was soon to be twenty-eight, and I acted like a schoolgirl when around the man.
"Someone is sure spaced out," Jessop Hallen drawled, leaning against the doorframe leading into Carlisle's office.
"Ugh!" I muttered, pushing past him. "Why are the Hallen men sexy as heck?"
When I turned and faced the man, he had a huge grin on his face. "You think I'm sexy, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "I need to talk to you about Penelope." I winced.
Becoming serious, he sighed and joined me on the couch. "You've noticed something is going on with her."
"I have. So has Lionel." I winced. "I don't think she'd be so happy if she knew we were talking about her."
"No, she wouldn't, even though we're doing it because we're concerned.
" Jessop sat back and ran a hand through his overlong hair.
"She's been avoiding me," he admitted. "I thought we'd become," he glanced my way and then averted his gaze, "close while I was helping her get the house painted. Now, she's gone back to avoiding me."
I reached out and patted his thigh. "You know she appreciated that, right?"
"I know Pen, so yes, I'm aware she's hot and cold, but this time, she's like the North Pole,” he grunted.
"I need to talk to her away from others. I haven't pushed her because I didn't want to cause her to break down. Now though, I don't think I have a choice. She needs to get it out so I can help her rebuild."
"She spends too much time in my fucking head." Jessop got to his feet. "Just like you do with my brother."
I grinned widely. "I daydream about him all day too."
"Tell me more," said Carlisle as he entered his office, snapping the door closed behind him.
I jumped to my feet and crushed myself against him and squeezed around his waist. I sighed in pleasure and felt content when his arms came around me. Jessop muttered something about leaving us alone, and then I heard the door close behind him.
Carlisle kissed me on the head and tried to put me at arm's length. However, I clung to the man. "Not yet. I love being in your arms."
He chuckled. "Babe, I love having you close." He cupped my face in his large hands and tilted my face upwards. “I know you, and something is wrong?"
My eyes suddenly filled with tears. “I need to tell you something, but you can’t get mad.”
He brushed my lips with his. “Let’s have it.”
“Well, I think we better sit down first.” There was a slight tremble to my hands as I led him to the sofa.
A frown creased his brow, but there was a softness to his eyes, which gave me courage.
“So,” inhaled and a slow exhaled, “you remember when I was hit by lightning, right?” He nodded.
“Since then—” I explained what had been happening since, and when I finished Carlisle had taken hold of my hands.
“You honestly know when someone is about to die?” He asked, incredulous.
“Unfortunately, yes. There was George Forester. Then there was the whole business at the wedding of Marshall Westcott. I saved him. I couldn’t save my own brother, though.
” My face felt damp, and Carlisle was so sweet as he grabbed a tissue and dabbed at my wet face.
“I got a sensation that the mayor was going to die as well, but I’m not sure what that was about because he’s still alive and kicking.
But I promise I’m not making this crap up.
Penelope knows. I didn’t want to tell anyone because it’s crazy. ”
Carlisle snorted. “Babe, what is crazy is how many times you’ve tried to take a man’s balls out while playing pool.”
That made me feel better and I giggled. “Pure accidents.” Becoming serious I added, “I really am going crazy though because, well, I’m sure I heard someone’s thoughts earlier.
Now that, really is crazy, but I swear I did.
I think that’s why I’ve been dizzy and out of sorts.
I mean, I can’t hear your thoughts. Nor could I hear Jessop’s.
But I heard that Detectives. Riley. He kept thinking filthy things about me. ” I shuddered.
Carlisle stiffened. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“It doesn’t matter. He was just using, um, bad words to describe what he wanted to do to me. Death wasn’t included so I think I’m safe.”
“Stop talking!” He stood and I was sure he growled. “You’re talking about Detective Riley?”
“Maybe.”
He pressed a finger and thumb into the bridge of his nose while he inhaled deeply.
I chewed on my lip while I waited for him to speak.
He must think I was crazy. I mean, I would have to agree.
It was nuts. But “Hang on a minute!” I got to my feet and stood in front of him.
He gave me his focus. “Why did I only hear the cop? That’s it.
No one else. Well, I think I heard Lionel.
” I shrugged. “I mean, I am so very glad I can’t hear your thoughts.
” My eyes widened and Carlisle’s narrowed.
“I wouldn’t want to get distracted with all those naughty thoughts you have about us. ” I waggled my brows.
Carlisle burst out laughing. “Hmm, think how I could tease you.”
“So not funny.” I swatted him on the ass.
His eyes were dark and smoldering as he said, “Remind me to swat your ass when I have you naked.”
I quickly backed toward the door. “That is not happening in this office.”
He smirked. “I agree. I want you in a bed, Tallulah. Spread out for me to feast on.” He winked. “For now, I’m struggling to get my head around the hearing thoughts bit of what you said.”
“Me too.” I frowned. “So, you don’t think I’m crazy or weird?”
“Oh, I do. However, I find that you can only hear the one cop bizarre.” A calculating look appeared on his face.
“No way. Carlisle Hallen, you can stop thinking right now.”
He raised a brow before his eyes narrowed. “You said you can’t hear my thoughts.”
“I can’t but they were written across your face. I will not spy on the cops.” I huffed out a frustrated breath. “Besides, all I’ve heard so far is how much one of them wants to fuck me.”
“Tallulah!” He shouted, which had me taking a step back. “I think I need to have a word with Riley.”
“What?! No! You can’t do that. He’ll want to know how you know what he was thinking. Just leave it.” I shrugged. “At least I told you.”
“You didn’t tell me what’s been going on since you wrecked the car and got hit by lightning.”
“We weren’t exactly seeing eye to eye, were we?” I shrugged. “You told me you love me, and I love you. So, I didn’t want to keep it to myself anymore. Plus, you can’t help me deal with it if you didn’t know.”
“For now, let me know if anything happens again.” He held my gaze. “Tallulah, you tell me.”
“I promise.”