Chapter 9
Arlo
Tiernan didn’t say a word about what happened this morning. Not one fucking word. He just went about the day as if nothing had happened, while I was over here having a continuous anxiety attack. I mean, I’m not fired, so that’s a positive. But also … what the fuck?
I can’t decide if I feel rejected or relieved. Or maybe both. The shower scene keeps playing through my head and I can’t seem to control it. To top it off, I’ve been half-hard all day, which has been its own special kind of torture.
Now it’s late, everyone is gone, and I can’t sleep. My mind is a hamster on crack, jumping around and refusing to settle down. I can’t get comfortable. I keep flopping around on the couch like a damn fish.
Why did he leave?
I could see the heat in his eyes.
Yeah, but what if he’d stayed? What then?
I kick the blanket off. It feels rough against my overheated skin.
I don’t know what to think. I’ve never felt like this with anyone else. Even in the beginning, Derek could never evoke a response like this. There’s no doubt at all that I’m attracted to him. Who wouldn’t be?
I’ve already jerked off twice thinking about this morning, so there’s that. Not that it helped. The thing is, it’s not just attraction with him. There’s more. More that I’m not brave enough to look at right now. My track record with men isn’t exactly stellar.
Restless thoughts drive me up and out of the office. I stroll into the break room, topping off my water bottle even though it’s mostly full.
He just left afterward. Not a word.
That part just keeps popping up. Did I make a fool of myself? I can’t ask him. Can I? No. No asking.
I can’t stay still, so I start up a treadmill. Maybe exercise will help.
I’ve been walking for a while, obsessing over every second of the shower scene again when I hear it. A faint banging sound. I shut down the machine, freezing mid-step.
Rattle, rattle. Bang, bang.
Fuck! Is someone trying to break in? It’s far too late for it to be a gym member.
I hear it again, only louder.
I flinch, my head snapping toward the front of the gym. Sweat beads on my forehead, trickling down the side of my face. Why isn’t the alarm going off? It should be going off right now.
Did I set it? I can’t remember. Why can’t I remember? Oh, God! What do I do?
Tiernan. I need to call him. He’ll know what to do.
With trembling hands, I reach for my phone. I’m shaking so hard it takes me a few tries to get to his contact. It rings and rings until finally I hear a click.
“Arlo? What’s going on?”
“Someone’s here, Tier. At the front door. I can hear them.” My voice is high and wobbly.
“Where are you? In the office?” His voice is a balm, deep and even.
“No..in the main gym.”
“Okay. Good. Did you call the cops?”
“No. Uh… I just called you.” Oh shit? Was I supposed to call them?
There’s a slight pause, then he answers. Steady. Calm.
“That’s good. I can get there faster than the cops anyway.”
There’s a fumbling noise in the background, then the jingle of keys before he’s back.
“I’m coming. Stay where you are. Can you do that for me?”
“Yes. I will.” My voice is shaking as badly as I am.
“Good. I’ll be there soon, ‘Lo. Just sit tight. I’m not far.”
“Okay.” There’s another rattle at the front door and I practically jump out of my skin.
“It’ll be okay. I promise.”
“Hurry, Tier.” My voice squeaks at the end as panic flares with every additional noise I hear.
I’m panting in shallow, quick breaths. My vision swims, and I sink down on the treadmill, my legs weak and shaky.
You just have to keep it together until he gets here. You can do that.
The silence in the gym is pervasive, and I start to hope that maybe the intruder’s left.
The rattle-bang sounds again, and I startle. The urge to run and hide is almost irresistible, but somehow I stop myself.
Then I hear it … the distant rumble of a Harley, and I know it’s Tier.