Chapter 33
Chapter thirty-three
Anna
Anna
Keaton knows.
I
’ve been on edge all week waiting for Keaton to go off the rails and hunt Daniel down.
I know he was furious when I told him about the messages and why that fucking box was in my closet, and it’s awful to think this, but my goodness was he hot as hell in that moment.
Knowing he was mad for me. That he wanted to avenge me.
That he would do anything for me. It got me all kinds of hot and bothered to see how much he genuinely cares.
But now I need some advice, so I turn to the girls who help me through it all.
Jasmine
Oh good, Keaton knows. I’m so glad HE knows. Do you mind letting the rest of us know?
Skyla
Calm down, Jaz. Grab a Snickers. You sound hangry.
Penny
Everything okay over there, Jaz?
Jasmine
Ugh, sorry guys. It’s just that I’ve been dealing with this new client who is absolutely driving me insane. I didn't mean to take over your conversation with my problems, Anna.
Penny
But now you've got us all curious. What does Keaton know?
Anna
About Daniel. He found something that Daniel gave me and I told him everything.
Well, not everything. I haven’t told anybody about my last day in his office and that’s a memory I want to completely block out and forget it ever happened. Denial may be a river in Africa, but it’s also my current residence.
Jasmine
Wait, other than the creeps, what did Daniel give you?
Anna
Let's just say it was a goodbye "gift" I definitely didn't want.
Penny
Omg, how did Keaton take it?
Anna
He was livid.
Jasmine
What? Let me see the earliest flight I can get so I can come dickpunch that son of a bitch.
Penny
I cannot believe he got angry at you for what that creep was doing. Get me a ticket, too, Jaz. Sounds like I owe him a dickpunch, too.
Anna
What? No! He wasn’t mad at me. He was livid with Daniel.
Anna
And stop with all the dickpunching. Nobody is getting near my husband’s dick but me.
Skyla
Yes! Those are the spicy details we want. Tell us what you’re doing with your husband’s dick!
Jasmine
For the love of Dolly Parton, do not talk to us about your husband’s dick.
Anna
Absolutely not.
Penny
No thank you!
Skyla
Party poopers.
I shake my head at my friend’s silliness. God, I miss them so much. One big trip and a handful of get-togethers throughout the year is just not enough time with these ladies.
Penny
So, is there anything he can do to help you stop him? Did the two of you talk about solutions?
Anna
Well, Cam told us that we could press charges, but that Daniel is likely to blow things up and cause a scene. So now we’re looking for strategies that won’t have everything blowing up in my face.
Skyla
Is Cam the grumpy, tatted Daddy? Or is he the Clark Kent looking one?
I smirk at the description she gives Keaton’s brothers. She’s not wrong.
Anna
Clark Kent
Skyla
Ooo, smart and sexy! Hook a girl up!!
Jasmine
For crying out loud, Sky. Can’t you keep it in your pants?
Skyla
Ugh, that’s the only place it’s been. I’m in a dry spell because I’m cute, but chubby and nobody wants to love me. So, leave me alone and let me daydream about Superman.
I’m once again shaking my head at my friend when Keaton walks by my desk. “What’s so funny?”
“Just talking with my friends, I answer. “By the way, have you ever noticed how much Camden resembles Clark Kent?”
“Huh. I’ve never thought about it, but I guess I can see it. Good to know that I’m the superior superhero.”
I crinkle my nose at him. “Oh, and who is that?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He lowers his voice and puffs out his chest. “I’m Batman.”
Ugh. It’s been a long ass week and even though it’s Friday, there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
Keaton has had to work late the past two nights and has let me take his truck home early while he caught a ride with Lincoln.
I’ve dozed off before he has made it home both nights now, and I miss him.
It looks like another late night is in store for us, though.
My phone buzzes on my desk and with a yawn I pick it up and flip it over.
Unknown Number: It’s been weeks, and I can’t get your taste off my mind, sweet girl.
My mouth goes dry, and a rush of nausea comes over me.
I make it to the bathroom just in time for my lunch from Pizza Papa to come up.
Thankfully we have private bathrooms here, so nobody can see what a mess I am right now.
Walking over to the sink, I wet a paper towel and put the cool, damp cloth on the back of my neck.
It’s one thing for Daniel to send me the messages he does.
But why did he have to send one that reminds me of the worst moment in my life?
It takes several minutes for me to regain my composure and be ready to go back out and sit at my desk, but just as I’m about there, I literally run into my husband.
“Anna, Baby, what’s wrong?” He whispers, a reminder that the staff doesn’t know about our nuptials yet.
I sport a fake smile and in a high pitch I don’t think has ever left my mouth before, I shriek that I’m fine. It’s clear Keaton doesn’t believe me, and I can’t say I blame the man, but before he can demand the truth out of me Lincoln comes up behind us. “Keat, we need to go over these numbers.”
My husband looks at me with a pained expression and this time I give him a real smile, albeit a very tiny one.
He motions for his brother to go into his office and then he shuts the door.
I sit at my desk and delete the vile message before blocking the new number.
Soon. I tell myself. This will all be over soon.
“Miss Keith, can I see you in my office, please?” Keaton’s voice is a bit louder than usual, and I note a few of our colleagues, well my colleagues, his employees, giving me the ooo girl, you’re in trouble look.
When I hear the click of the door closing, horrible memories pop up. He isn’t Daniel. He won’t hurt you. He loves you.
I repeat the words I know are true in my head, but it doesn’t stop me from jumping when Keaton’s voice booms in the small space. “Bend over, put your hands on the desk and pull that skirt up, Baby.”
“What? Why?” I ask, confused about what’s going on.
“It’s been too long since I’ve been inside you. I’ve missed you so much. I can’t wait until we get home. I need you now.”
I can hear the desperation in his voice, and any other time this would be hot as hell, but after the message and the memories, I can’t help but see myself in Daniel’s office.
“I…I can’t.” I stammer out. “I want to, but I can’t do this, Keaton.” Tears get stuck in my throat as I choke out his name.
“Hey,” he comes over and pulls me to him in a hug. “Baby, shh. I’m sorry. I just wanted you so bad, but I didn’t know trying something here in the office would make you upset like that. If you’re not into public sex, that’s fine. I’ll wait. I’ll wait for you, Anna.”
His sweet understanding has me crying harder, drenching his crisp shirt that fits his impeccable body just right.
“Is something else wrong, Baby? Do you want to talk about it?” His hand strokes my hair as I cling to him like a fucking koala that can’t be bothered to leave the tree. I shake my head and the incredible man I married just continues to hold me and tell me everything will be okay.
God, I hope he’s right.