Chapter Twenty-One
Aubrey
One week later, Bree was seriously considering running away to join one of those anti-technology cults. Between the unending calls for statements from the press when news of the break-in leaked and her financial guy who was handling her portfolio, she also was on the receiving end of no less than five angry phone calls from her father, two tear-filled phone calls with her mother, and three of the weird breathing phone calls where she now waited about five seconds and then hung up. People survived without phones before…She could do it, too.
Bree turned off her phone and headed into the art studio to finish a couple of pieces that needed time to dry so they could be photographed and listed for sale later this week. Now that she was more settled, Noah had been going into the office on the days she didn’t need to be out. It was a little strange to be alone after all the time she’d been spending with Noah, but it was also nice to be able to just enjoy the silence. Socializing was really taxing. Even with people she liked.
But sometimes in the silence she’d find herself wondering if every sound the house made was her stalker. If someone was trying to get into the house. If someone was trying to scare her. Sometimes—though she’d never admit it to Noah—she would lock her bedroom door and take a book to sit on the floor in the walk-in closet in her room. Being behind multiple locked and closed doors in a space where she could clearly see everything and no one was hiding helped subdue the anxiety and fear around her stalker still being on the loose.
The other guys from Hawthorne security had been here every other day or so for dinner and brainstorming sessions which mostly turned into banter filled evenings where they all took turns sharing Noah’s most embarrassing moments and then throwing each other under the bus for how they all knew them in the first place. It was a loud, fun, warm, and wonderful family. She loved it. She loved them.
Several hours later the front door crashed open and Bree jumped, thankfully managing to keep her wet brush away from the painting.
“brEE!” Noah shouted, his footsteps racing through the house. “brEE!”
He made it to the studio before she could properly stand up. The door opened, and Noah stopped so suddenly it would’ve been comical in any other situation. His chest heaved, and he rushed over to her, his hands resting gently on her upper arms as his eyes roved her body as though he were checking her over for injuries. Alarm bells sounded in her head as Noah pulled away, but were promptly silenced as he placed a hand behind her head and pulled her toward him with a forceful tenderness before crashing his lips against hers.
All thought stopped completely, and she paused for a moment before kissing him back. He tasted like coffee and his tongue was warm as he swiped it across her lower lip asking for entrance. He didn’t have to ask her twice. She opened up for him and felt a little light-headed as he took control of the kiss. He ran his hand through her hair, pulling her closer and guiding her to exactly where he wanted her to be. Her heart sped up, and she wrapped her arms around him, leaning into the strong, solid warmth of his body. She let out a small whimper as he swiped his tongue across hers, and he pulled her closer, his hand fisting in the back of her shirt as he let out a low growl.
They separated for breath and he rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily, soft bursts of air gently brushing across Bree’s face. Once her head was firmly out of cloud nine and she could breathe again without running the risk of needed to be resuscitated, She looked up at Noah, concerned. Bree reached up and put a hand gently on his cheek. “Are you okay?”
He pulled her in for a tight hug. “I’m better now.” He said, his face in the side of her neck muffling his voice.
“What happened?”
Noah looked at her, his eyes darkening. “I thought you were kidnapped.”
“What?!”
He took a deep breath. “Let’s go sit on the couch.” Noah wrapped his arm around her and held her close as they walked down the hall and into the living room. He paused when she sat down and looked down the hall. “Your painting stuff is expensive…do I need to wash out the brushes or…”
“They’ll keep for a little bit. Noah, you scared me. What’s going on?”
Noah pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and pulled up a photograph that showed a printed photo and a folded sheet of paper laying on a desk “Do you recognize this?” He asked.
Bree zoomed in on the photo, and all of the blood drained from her face. It was a photo of her from a couple of years ago in a rather risqué negligee, her hands clearly tied to a headboard. The only reason this photo had ever seen the light of day was because her facial features were nearly impossible to make out due to the heavy shadows that were supposed to give the picture an air of mystery and some universal appeal. It could be any woman wearing the outfit—partaking in the fantasy. It was the one and only time she forgot to research a brand before agreeing to do some content creation for them.
“It’s me during a photo session a couple of years ago.” She told him seriously. “I made the mistake of taking the name of the brand at face value and didn’t do in-depth research before agreeing to it.” She grimaced. It was not her finest moment as a businesswoman. First law of business: Always do your research.
She looked at Noah curiously. “You can’t see my face in the shadows, though—so how did you know it was me?”
“The birthmark with the freckle next to it on the inside of the right wrist. I’ve seen you anxiously move your hands around enough to have seen it quite a few times.” Noah reached over and swiped to go to the next picture. “Look at the paper.”
Bree zoomed in on the paper next, and her heart stuttered.
She’s MINE.
Bree dropped the phone as though it were on fire and looked at Noah, suddenly understanding his extreme concern. “Where did it come from?”
“It was in an envelope with my name on it, taped to the front door of the office when I got back from my meeting. I tried calling you immediately, but your phone kept going to voicemail. I thought…I thought he’d taken you.”
Bree’s heart lodged in her throat, making it difficult to breathe. How did the stalker even know that was a picture of Bree? Noah still seemed to be trapped in his own head, so Bree reached up and touched his face gently. “I’m right here, Noah. I am safe. And I am safest right here with you.”
Noah kissed her palm and they sat for a moment, just soaking the moment in and letting the fear and adrenaline get back to a normal level so they could function again.
“Umm, Noah?”
“Hmm?”
“What happened to the original photo and letter? What if it gets leaked to the press or something?”
“I already submitted the originals to the police department. I took a quick photo for our own records before I sent them to the station.”
“Oh. Did you see who left it?”
“No. Theo is currently pulling footage from our cameras and asking a few neighboring businesses with cameras if we can see their footage as well. We’ll weasel this guy out eventually. Bree…?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes? No? I don’t know. My life has been turned upside down and inside out the last few weeks but I’ve also gained new friends and a temporary great view.” Bree said, teasing him about the lake, as she often did. “I…I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.” She said, her tone serious as she observed him. “Some days, I feel like I’m overly paranoid and going to have a heart attack from seeing my own shadow.”
”You”re safe with me, Aubrey.” He stared into her eyes for a moment before a subtle frown took over his face. “I shouldn’t have kissed you.” He sighed.
“Why not?”
“Pick your poison. You’re my client. You’re living in my house under duress. I’m crap at relationships. I didn’t ask you first…”
“Listen, I’m not living in your house ‘under duress.’ Would I be here without my current situation? No. But if I really didn’t want to be here, Noah, I would’ve stayed at my own house. Or gotten a hotel room. Secondly, you’re not ‘crap at relationships.’ You had a bad breakup with a woman who neither understood nor appreciated you. I’ve lived here for two weeks. I can almost guarantee you’d be a great boyfriend. As far as asking me, I give you leave to kiss me anytime. And you would’ve stopped if I had resisted or pushed you away or said to stop. You’re a good man.”
“So…you’re picking because you’re my client?” He asked, attempting—but failing—to lighten the mood.
Bree stood up abruptly and went into the kitchen to grab her phone. She turned it on, noticing several missed calls from Noah and a couple from an unknown local number. They left a message though, so she’d get back to them later. Maybe she’d ask Noah to listen to them first. She didn’t have anything to hide really and she didn’t want to listen to multiple voicemails of someone breathing.
She’d ask Noah later. She didn’t want to deal with it right now, and he didn’t need to either. Especially after the note he’d gotten. Bree stalked back into the living room and sat on the couch furiously tapping away at the buttons so her email app could populate. Why was tech always laggy when you had something important to do?
“Bree?” Noah asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
She held up a finger. “Give me a minute.” She muttered, typing out an email quickly.
Dear Mr. Hawthorne,
Your security services are no longer needed, effective immediately. Your company’s services have been adequate, and I look forward to recommending your security services in the future.
Best wishes,
Aubrey Gray
Satisfied with her email, she hit send and waited for the ‘ping’ to sound from Noah’s phone. She put her phone on the coffee table and turned toward Noah. “There’s my answer.” She replied, gesturing to his phone.
Noah frowned and swiped open his email, reading it quickly before snapping his eyes up to hers, his eyes darkening. He tossed his phone to the side and moved over to Bree’s side of the couch. “I’m fired, am I?”
“Effective immediately.” She nodded breathlessly. “In writing, via email, per the stipulation of my contract.”
Noah’s mouth was on hers as soon as she finished her sentence, and tingles traveled through her body. He was delicious. They kissed for a couple of minutes before Noah pulled away and rested his forehead against hers, his hand still cupping the back of her head. “Would you like to go on a date with me, Aubrey Gray?”
The hair on the back of Bree’s neck rose as she imagined going out into town. What if he was watching? What if he found her? She suppressed a shudder. “I would love to.” She said, anxiety overpowering the giddiness filling inside of her. “When?”
“How’s tonight?”
“My schedule is looking pretty clear,” Bree replied, trying—and failing—to keep the large smile from her face.
“Great. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Bree nodded and smiled at Noah as he walked out of the living room. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this excited to go on a date. Bree’s smile fell as she looked down the hall toward her room, an important question floating to the front of her mind. What was she going to wear?