Chapter Sixteen
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Stevie
I stared at the document on my computer at the end of the workday on Wednesday, studying all the various taglines the team for PureGlow and I had brainstormed for the client’s campaign. Having analyzed all of them a gazillion times, my tired mind drifted, and I wasn’t all that surprised which direction it chose to go…replaying that unforgettable Saturday night in Caleb’s bed.
My cheeks warmed when I recalled how relentless he’d been, his mouth and fingers doing things to my body no man had ever achieved. Sex with Caleb was always off-the-charts amazing. He was a generous lover, and I’d never been so thoroughly blissed out with orgasms, one after the other, in his incessant pursuit of my pleasure.
The chafe marks he’d left on my thighs kept the reminder fresh in my mind for a few days, but even now, with the tenderness gone, I couldn’t stop thinking about that night, beyond the physical gratification. How, after I’d shared my past with him, he’d taken his time like he never had before, worshipping my body, building the intensity and intimacy between us in a way that made me feel as though I’d been free falling through each and every all-consuming climax.
That night with Caleb had felt…different. He’d replaced our normal urgency with something slower, more personal, and caring. As if he’d been striving to establish a deeper trust between us after I’d shared my painful past with him. And, as hard as I’d tried to keep my guard up with Caleb, that vulnerable connection had chipped away at the walls I’d tried so hard to keep in place around him, because falling in love with a man as decent and kind and honorable as him had been incredibly easy to do.
But those deep-seated insecurities were still there, always lurking beneath the surface, refusing to be ignored. How could they not be when my biggest fears still remained, that despite everything, was I really a suitable woman who could mesh seamlessly into Caleb’s world beyond our agreement? Probably not, because Alyssa’s words that night at the gala, while cruel, held a lot of validity…
“Caleb’s money went a long way in making you look like you belong in our world, but let’s be honest. Trailer park trash like you will never fit in.”
Those words stung, but I couldn’t deny the bitter truth in them. Caleb’s wealth, his status, his influence…it all went a long way in making someone like me appear to belong. When in reality, all it did was mask the fact that I was an outsider with trailer park roots.
I was grateful that Caleb had Owen this week, which limited my alone time with him—and no more sex to convolute things even more. For the remainder of our time together I’d hold up my end of the bargain and keep up appearances, while making sure I kept my heart and emotions out of the equation as much as possible.
A knock on my office door startled me out of my thoughts, and I glanced up and saw Jack standing there.
“Hey, I just wanted to say that you put together a fantastic PowerPoint for PureGlow. They’ll be impressed at tomorrow’s meeting,” he said, then glanced at his watch. “Since everything is ready to go, why don’t you get out of here on time for a change?”
“Okay,” I said, and shut things down while Jack continued walking down the hallway, his next stop undoubtedly Valerie’s desk.
With my computer off and files put away, I grabbed my purse and followed Jack in the same direction. I had to smile when I saw him exactly where I’d suspected, talking to my sister, who smiled up at Jack in a way that told any onlooker that she was completely smitten with him.
“Are you ready to head out?” I asked Valerie, which was our normal routine, to catch the subway together back to the apartment.
“Jack and I were going to go and grab a bite to eat for dinner,” she said, looking torn. “Is that okay?”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course it’s okay for you to have a life of your own,” I said playfully.
I’d be out this evening myself, as well, since I had my own plans to have dinner with Caleb and Owen. I’d already skipped Monday and Tuesday with the excuse of working extra hours to perfect the PowerPoint presentation. Caleb had been understanding, even while I’d heard the disappointment in his voice. But for me, I knew it was the right thing to do to establish that emotional distance I desperately needed between us.
I smiled at Valerie. “You two enjoy yourselves.”
“We will,” Jack said, and grinned at me, a teasing sparkle in his eye. “And don’t worry, I’ll have her home at a decent hour.”
“You’d better,” I retorted cheekily.
I left the two of them and took the elevator down to the lobby, then walked out to the street. At five fifteen in the afternoon, the sidewalk was already busy with people heading in the same direction that I was…to the subway.
I’d only taken a few steps when a hand grabbed my arm and hauled me back toward the building. Startled by the unexpected manhandling, I gasped, and when I turned my head, I saw that it was Mark who’d stopped me. Surprise rippled through me, that he’d be so bold as to approach me so aggressively in public.
“Where the fuck is she?” he demanded to know. “I figure since I can’t find her and she won’t pick up my calls, then I’ll just get what I need from you.”
Surprisingly, Mark looked well put together in a tailored business suit, but my heart leapt in my chest at the anger blazing in his eyes, and the threat in his voice. It took all my effort to remain calm even while I yanked my arm out of his grasp, which wasn’t easy to do considering how strong his grip was. I was probably going to end up with a bruise.
I jutted my chin out angrily. “First of all, don’t ever touch me again,” I said, well aware that this confrontation could have ended very differently if Valerie had accompanied me out of the building. Even still, she was probably only a few minutes behind me with Jack, and no way did I want Mark to see her and know where she was working so he could stalk her here.
“And second of all, in case you need reminding, a restraining order means stay the hell away from her,” I snapped. “She doesn’t want anything to do with you or your so-called groveling or apologies.”
I tried to step around him, but he moved in the same direction, blocking me from moving away from where he had me backed up against the glass window of the building. A small twinge of fear took hold. The people walking by didn’t pay us much attention. It was New York City, after all, and most everyone chose to mind their own business, rather than insert themselves in a hostile situation.
“You’re such a bitch,” he hissed furiously. “If you don’t tell me where she is, I’m going to make life very difficult for you.”
I grasped all the bravado I could muster. “Fuck you, Mark. Leave her alone and get a life. Your stalking behavior is pathetic, and so are you.”
This time, I pushed my way past him, but I only made it two steps before I felt his hands on my back. Before I could do anything, he shoved me hard, propelling me forward faster than my heels could keep up, and I went flying. I tried to catch myself, but ended up landing on my hands and knees on the sidewalk, the impact jarring my entire body. The scrape of the concrete against my palms and exposed knees from my skirt had me crying out, along with the pain I felt radiating up my left arm from my wrist.
“What the fuck, man?” a deep, intimidating voice called out, clearly talking to Mark.
Random people walked past me without helping, and I glanced up to see a burly man heading toward me after witnessing what had just happened. His gaze narrowed on Mark as that chicken shit darted toward the curb, hailed a cab, and quickly got inside before my rescuer could stop him. Good thing, because the guy was solid muscle and was built like an MMA fighter.
The guy crouched in front of me, genuine concern on his face. “Are you okay?”
Tears sprang to my eyes. Not because I thought I was seriously injured, but the embarrassment of the situation was starting to sink in. I swallowed back the lump in my throat, trying to speak, but unable to.
“Jesus,” the man said upon seeing my distress. Very gently, he grabbed my arm to assist me back to my feet, holding me steady until my heels stopped wobbling. “What can I do to help? Do you need an EMT?”
I shook my head. I was scraped up for sure, and my wrist hurt like hell, but nothing was seriously broken that I could tell. “You’ve already helped by stepping in,” I said gratefully. “I work in this building, so I’m going to go back inside and up to my office.”
The man frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay on your own?”
I managed a small smile, appreciating his concern. “I am. Thank you for your help.”
The guy made sure I was safely in the lobby before he continued on his way, and just as I reached the elevators, one of them opened and Jack and Valerie stepped off the lift, my sister laughing at something Jack had just said. As soon as she saw me, cradling my left hand and my palms and knees bloodied, all her amusement died.
“What happened?” she asked, her eyes wide with worry. “Did you trip and fall?”
I hated to have to tell her the truth. “Not on my own. Mark was waiting outside when I walked out of the building and he cornered me, then demanded to know where to find you,” I said, watching as panic immediately transformed Valerie’s expression. “I managed to push past him, but he shoved me from behind and I, well, as you can see, I didn’t fall gracefully,” I said, attempting to inject some humor into the situation to calm my sister down, which didn’t help.
“What the fuck ,” Jack said, his eyes blazing with fury. “Tell me where I can find this prick so I can knock some sense into him.”
I shook my head. “You’re not getting involved, Jack,” I said, even though I honestly didn’t know how it was going to end with Mark, who had no issues violating his restraining order. But I also knew I needed to report this assault, to show how his harassment was escalating.
My sister grabbed my hands to check my scraped palms, and I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt another jolt of pain in my wrist. At Valerie’s worried look, I quickly tried to reassure her. “I’m fine.”
“Clearly, you’re not.” Jack frowned at me. “There’s an urgent care right up the street. Let’s go,” he said, taking charge.
I knew it was the smart thing to do considering the throb in my wrist was increasing, so I didn’t argue further. “I was supposed to have dinner with Caleb and Owen tonight. I need to let him know I’m not going to make it.”
“I’ll text him and tell him you had an accident and we’re taking you to urgent care,” Valerie said, rummaging in my purse and retrieving my cellphone to do just that.
I settled into the back of the cab Jack managed to hail for us, too exhausted to argue.