Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
I felt safe and warm. As my brain slowly woke, my entire body froze.
I was draped over Porter like a lap dog. My legs were tangle between his, the left one bent and pressed between his legs, snuggled warmly against his package. My face rested on his hard chest, my arm slung around his muscular waist, and his arm wrapped around my back, holding me tightly against him.
I tried to keep my breath even while I thought. I was not a cuddly person. I’d been in my fair share of relationships to know that I liked my side of the bed, and I didn’t like to touch my partner while I slept, no matter how much I loved them. So, why was I stuck on him like white on rice?
“Someone’s in your apartment,” he whispered, his morning voice raspy.
“What?” I lifted my head in shock.
“Whoever it is has a key.”
The only person who had a key was Mom. And my landlord. Why would either of them be in my apartment?
“How long have they been here?” I kept my voice low .
“About five seconds.”
A blood-curdling scream pierced the air. I froze, watching as Porter rolled off the bed and moved to the door with impressive speed. I scrambled after him, following him into my living room.
I almost ran into his back when he stopped short. I stepped around him. Mom was standing in the living room, her face a mask of disgust. Dead beetles laid scattered on the floor. She clutched the note in her hand.
“Mom? What are you doing here?”
She swallowed hard. “I’m here to drop off a clutch for you. For the gala.”
“Why didn’t you call?”
“Why would I call when I have a key?”
She never seemed to understand that the key was for emergencies only. That was a conversation for a later date. Right now, I was too busy looking at the dead beetles.
Shifting my gaze, I asked the obvious. “Were you reading my mail?”
She lifted her chin a fraction. “The envelope was lying on the counter. Want to tell me what that’s all about?”
I glanced at Porter. Sometime in the middle of the night, he had taken off his t-shirt. Now, he stood there, wearing only a pair of jeans that hung low on his muscular hips.
I enjoyed my second viewing of his massive shoulders and muscular chest. Don’t even get me started on his abs. He had a six-pack that showed off every single muscle, including the V that lead down to—.
I sensed his attention and forced myself to meet his eyes. Those piercing grey irises inspected me with a mixture of frustration and bewilderment.
I know. Mom can be a little much at times.
I debated how to approach this. “I got that letter last night.”
“What did you do to make someone send you this?”
Patience. I took a deep breath. Be patient .
“I don’t know.” The dead beetles were as gross as I remembered. I shuddered. “I’m going to take it to the police and file a report.”
“No. You will not be going to the police over this…this hoax .”
Porter shifted beside me. I refrained from looking at him again because I knew a mere glance at his naked torso wouldn’t suffice. A body like that needed to be lingered over.
I forced myself to keep my eyes trained on my mom. “Mom.” I kept my voice calm because the last thing I needed right now was another fight with her. “I think the police need to know about this. At the very least, they need to have something on file.”
Porter crouched down and shoved the dead bugs back into the envelope lying on the floor. I got a tiny bit distracted as I took in his broad back. Strong muscles flexed as he stretched to pick them up. What would it feel like to trace my fingers down that back while he moved on top of—
Mom’s voice yanked me out of my inappropriate meanderings. “Your father doesn’t need any type of police investigation going on during his campaign. That would be grossly unfair of you to do that to him. He doesn’t need any bad publicity.”
“I wouldn’t be doing it to him,” I protested. “Besides, no one’s going to find out. I only want to file a report.”
“No. I forbid it.”
Porter stood, his body moving with panther-like grace, and held his hand out to Mom. She stared at it for several awkward moments, then with extreme reluctance, handed him the note.
“Beth needs to take this to the police.” His voice was gravelly from sleep, but there was no mistaking his don’t-fuck-around tone.
“Don’t be silly. There’s no need to involve the police.”
“This note is not only hostile, but it’s also threatening. Beth could be in danger.”
“Well, you assured me you’re doing your best care for Beth. Are you telling me your best isn’t good enough?”
“Mom,” I hissed, mortified .
“I’ll do everything in my power to ensure her safety, but I’m not with Beth 24 hours a day.”
“Well, it’s not like the police are going to be following her around either. All they’d do is file a report. A report that would do nothing to ensure her safety but could do reprehensible damage to my husband’s campaign.”
“There should be a record of this harassment.”
“Harassment?” She scoffed. “I hardly qualify that note as harassment. It’s merely someone playing a prank on Beth. A bad one, but it’s only a prank.”
“You’re willing to bet Beth’s safety on that?”
Mom stiffened. “Are you suggesting I’m not concerned about Beth’s safety?”
“Yes.” If looks could harm, Porter would be a smoking pile of ash at this point.
Without another word, Mom picked up her purse, seared me with an accusing glare, and swung her jacket over her shoulder. “You won’t help your father in his campaign because you’re so busy in your life.” Her eyes flickered over Porter. “At the very least, try and refrain from outright sabotaging your father’s career.”
“Mom,” I tried. “Come on. Don’t go.”
“I’m going home. You can call me when you come to your senses.” With another glare at Porter, she turned and walked out.
I stared at the door, waiting for her to come back but knowing she wouldn’t. I hated fighting with Mom. Why couldn’t we get along? It seemed like no matter what I did or didn’t do, she was always disappointed in me. Perhaps she was right. Maybe the letter was a sick joke. Maybe Yates was trying to fuck with me.
Porter ran his hands through his hair, making it stick up in all directions. “What are you going to do?”
I took in his unbelievable body. Felicia was out of her mind to give him up.
“I’m going to talk to Yates. I need to ask him about the letter. ”
Porter didn’t look impressed. “Will you take the letter to the police?”
“I’ll think about it.”
He studied me for a moment. “Do. I respect your mom, but she’s way off on this one.”
I couldn’t face the idea that someone was actually trying to hurt me. “I will.” I waited until Porter was in the shower before I dialed Yates’ number.
“Hey, Beth.”
“Yates.” I tried to keep the coldness out of my voice. “I was hoping we could talk.”
“Let’s go for coffee.”
Had he always been so high-handed?
“This can be handled on the phone.”
“Meet me at our old place at 11?”
“No—“
The dial tone cut me off.
“Damn it!”
The last thing I wanted to do was see Yates.