The Attraction

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

HARPER

T his morning was just bizarre.

Forrest is looking at me differently, and I get that what I said last night will have caused a shift in him, but it doesn’t necessarily connect with this feeling he is giving off.

I even made an excuse that I had a breakfast meeting so I didn’t have to eat with him, and I was out of the apartment before he even got out of the shower after he worked out.

He will be pissed with me because I didn’t wait for him to walk me to my car, but I messaged the security team, and they were down there waiting for me.

But I must have sensed that today was going to be far from average because I have just received a message in our group chat with Felisha, Flynn, Sandon, Rem, and Forrest, that Ashton has arrived in London, and we are meeting here tonight in the boardroom to discuss what is going on.

Harper: I want to meet with him on my own initially before the group meeting.

Forrest: No!

Harper: Butt out!

Flynn: Forrest, stay out of it.

Forrest: Not a chance.

I’m ignoring him, otherwise he will just keep going.

Sandon: Sorry, Harper, but that is a waste of everyone’s time for him to have to repeat himself. Maybe after we are finished you can talk to him on your own if you still have questions.

Harper: Last I looked, this is my life we are talking about, so my decisions.

Forrest: A life we are all making sure is a long one. Do as you are asked.

Aghhh, I want to scream at him, but he’s across town, and the only ones who will hear me are my staff who already think I’m slightly bonkers.

Remington: Sorry, I agree with Sandon, and he is lead on this case, so I’m following his decisions.

I push Felisha’s name on my phone, and the moment she answers, I’m yelling at her. “What is it with these men! They don’t understand that I can handle this. I’ve done it once before, and I can do it again.”

“I understand, but you need to let them do their job. It’s what we pay them for, and to be honest, I don’t want to piss any of them off because I want them keeping you safe. Sorry, hun.” Felisha is trying to be diplomatic in telling me she agrees with them.

“You are supposed to be on my team,” I whine at her.

“I am team keep Harper alive until she is old, gray, and wrinkly, living in a nursing home and pinching every male nurse on the ass and propositioning them, so I can be there too watching and laughing at the show.” Felisha has me half smiling at the vision she mentioned.

“I’ll take the gray, but that’s a big fat no for the wrinkles. That’s what Botox is for, and we both know you won’t be letting those wrinkles appear on your face either.” We both have a little giggle which is what I needed.

“Harper,” she pleads for me to listen.

“Yeah.”

“I’m really sorry this is happening again, but please, just let the boys do their job. I can’t lose you.” Felisha is choking up a little on the phone, and by the sounds of it, fighting back some tears.

“You won’t. I’m strong,” is all I can say, with my own tears welling in my eyes.

“Good, and go easy on Forrest, will you. I kind of need to stick up for him now that he’s going to be family too.” My heart jumps at the way she has included that I am her family too.

“Where’s the fun in that? Annoying him brings me joy, and he deserves it most of the time. I’d better go, my boss is a snarky bitch, and she gets pissed off if I slack off on the job.” Both of us laugh because it couldn’t be any further from the truth. One, because she never criticizes me, and two, I work damn hard, and she knows that too.

“I have heard that about her. Go, and we’ll talk later. Love you.”

“Love you too,” I reply, and as I hang up, another text message appears on my screen.

Forrest: I have organized for my car to be taken home. I will drive us home in your car tonight after the meeting.

As I’m about to blast him in a reply, I look to check if it’s in the group chat or just a message to me. It’s a private message to me, so it’s fair game.

Harper: You’re not invited, so enjoy your walk home.

Forrest: Try and keep me away. The meeting is important! You’re important!

Harper: Why is everything in riddles today? Seriously, you are doing my head in.

Forrest: Good, now you know how I’ve felt for months. See you at seven.

I’m so confused.

Standing and walking to my office window, I look out over London and the Thames River. I have spent most of my life living here, but I have often flown back to America to visit family or just remind myself of where I came from. But as long as this Chester guy is out there, I feel like they have just locked the gates on ever being able to go back and visit. I have been so blessed to travel all around the world with Felisha, but right now, I feel like I’m trapped up here in my glass tower, and my world is quickly becoming smaller. I hate it.

Trying to forget about this meeting, I have thrown myself into work this afternoon, but looking up at the time on my computer, my stomach drops. I have fifteen minutes, and then I get to hear what Ashton has to say.

Walking into my private bathroom, I start to fix up my makeup and go to the toilet before I get in there so I don’t have to cross my legs because I need to do a nervous wee.

One last look in the mirror, I give myself a pep talk, pull my shoulders back, and walk back out to grab my phone and bag so I don’t need to come back here when we are finished.

I jump at the sight of Forrest standing in my office waiting.

“Far out, if this stalker doesn’t kill me, you will with all this sneaking up on me.” Seriously, what is he doing in my office? If my heart wasn’t racing before from anxiety, it sure is now. “What are you doing here?” I glare at him, trying to pull myself together.

“To go to the meeting with you so you don’t have to walk in alone. I know this is going to be overwhelming, and I wanted to remind you I’ve got you and you can lean on me.” His body language is calm but confident.

I want to yell at him again, but something about his words gives me this warm feeling in my gut, and I don’t understand why. But if it does calm my butterflies, then I’ll take it.

Instead of answering him, I just nod. I pick up my bag and walk toward him to head down the hallway.

I could have sworn I saw him smile out of the corner of my eye, but when I turn again, it’s gone, and his normal stern face is back while we proceed toward the boardroom door where I can already hear voices.

Stopping for a second, Forrest just waits and doesn’t say a word. I take a deep breath like I need to and then march right in like nothing in the world is worrying me.

Christ, if they only knew.

When I’m just inside the door, I feel Forrest’s body so close, though not touching me. It’s like he would put his hand on my lower back if he was allowed but is close enough that it gives me the same calming feeling.

At the end of the room, Felisha is standing with Flynn’s arm around her waist. Next to them is Sandon, and on the other side of the table is Rem and then a man who I am assuming is Ashton Taylor. His American accent gives it away as he talks to Rem.

Assessing him as I walk toward the group, I can tell he is ex-military and in the security business. His stance, with legs rigid and feet slightly apart, shoulders broad, arms crossed over his chest, and his eyes are scanning the room while he is still invested in the conversation with the people near him.

Not hesitating, I walk straight up to him and stick my hand out to greet him. “Hello, Ashton, I presume. I’m Harper Williams. Pleased to meet you, but I just wish it was under different circumstances where my life is not in danger, but anyway, I do appreciate you looking out for me and flying all this way to help me out.” I let go of his hand quickly as he laughs at me, and Forrest then steps from behind me.

“Forrest Taylor, Harper’s friend and the man she lives with.” It’s almost like he is asserting his claim on me in front of Ashton. I have to say, this man constantly surprises me.

“As her roommate,” Felisha pipes up and smiles at me to let me know she’s got me.

“Great to meet you both. I’ve just been meeting your other friends and security team. I must say, I’m happy with the resources you have around you. It makes my job a lot easier and means I can go back to the States without worrying about you alone over here. Not that I would have ever left you without protection, but I think you are well and truly covered with these guys.” His voice is deep and composed but also soft and full of kindness from what I can tell.

“Thank you. Please sit and we can talk about this whole debacle.” I motion for him to sit, but of course he won’t move until both Felisha and I are seated. Forrest pulls out a chair for me, and before anyone else has a chance to sit, he is seated right beside me.

“The floor is yours, Ashton.” Sandon addresses him, as I guess he is the one leading this meeting, being the initial contact that Ashton reached out to.

“Thanks. First, I just want to say I’m sorry, Harper, that I’m here turning your world upside down. It’s the last thing you must have wanted or expected. It’s been a long time, I’m sure, since you had to deal with anything to do with your father. And I wish I could say just ignore this, but I can’t.” Ashton looks at me with sorrowful eyes.

“To say it was a shock was an understatement, but here we are, and I have no choice but to face it head-on and deal with it.” My leg starts to bounce a little under the table, and I can tell my level of anxiety is rising faster than I would like. No one in this room except Felisha has seen me when a panic attack washes over me, and I’d rather it didn’t happen tonight either.

Without warning, Forrest places a gentle hand on my knee and holds it still. A funny warmth spreads up my leg, and the shock of him doing that is enough to stop it bouncing, and without even making eye contact with me, his hand is gone again. But just that action was enough to startle me and make me stay in the here and now. His knee is now pressed against mine ever so gently, but I can’t stop concentrating on the feel of his touch that has pushed my fear into the background while I concentrate on Forrest and what Ashton is saying.

Ashton then starts explaining who he is and his background, which I know our teams have already looked into, and everything he says checks out.

“But I know you don’t really care who I am or what I had for breakfast.” Ashton, trying to keep things light, has been giving me the courtesy of directing his dialogue mainly to me, which I appreciate.

“Well, if you are like me when I fly,” Sandon chimes in, “for a day afterwards, I have no idea what meal I’m eating, and they all just seem like breakfast to me. Something to eat and the strongest coffee you can find to keep you awake to get on to the right time zone.”

“I agree.” Ashton smiles at me. “I’m lucky, though, to be flying here on our private company jet that we bought a few years ago. Have to say it makes the flying experience a whole lot easier.”

I don’t say anything because Sandon is probably the only one in the room who doesn’t have the luxury of flying in a private jet every time he leaves the country.

A deep growly voice unexpectedly comes from beside me. “Can we get on with this?” Forrest is impatient, and we all know that, but it’s no need to be rude. I glare at him to tell him to close his mouth and not open it again in this meeting.

The silent remark I got back in his look was one that basically told me that I can’t stop him from talking.

Just watch me, asshole.

“Certainly.” Ashton gets a little more serious in his reply. “So, there are some things that I won’t be able to tell you because they are covered under privacy of the case I’m working, and I’m sure you all understand that.” We nod in unison. “When I am talking about that part, I will just generalize to keep connecting the dots for you.” Ashton leans down to his bag at his feet and pulls out his laptop which obviously has his notes on it.

“Harper, I will send a brief to you and to the two security teams of the basic information you need.” I am glad he is including me in my life.

“Twelve months ago, we started following several high-powered mafia men in Chicago who were threatening a client of ours. It was at first just a business issue, but then it became personal when he wouldn’t give in to their intimidation.” He looks around to make sure we are all still following him.

“When we started to dig into these guys, of course we found so much corruption that it’ll take a while to sift through to see what’s worth using and what’s just not worth fighting about, because it’s either not as important or there is no way you can win. My company is good, but we aren’t miracle workers. Cleaning up the dark parts of any city takes more than one team, if you know what I mean. You protect your client and walk away from the rest. Or pass it on to the feds and let them deal with it.” Ashton types in his passwords and then uses facial recognition on his phone to open his two-factor authorization. You can see he takes security seriously.

“It’s the same here,” Rem agrees with him. “When you touch something that may involve you, it’s just go in and extract the information you need, and then get the fuck out. We aren’t the authorities.”

“Exactly,” Ashton replies.

The more they are talking, I start to see that I have no idea what our security team does, and I don’t think I want to know.

“Now I know the situation with your father happened so many years ago, but the money trail for the American side of the business showed up in our searches to do with mafia money. Thirteen million dollars were transferred to an account in your father’s business’s name and then withdrawn, and from what we can understand from our side, it just disappeared. Most likely drawn out in cash by the mafia and then hidden. But the problem was that money, the thirteen million dollars, was your father’s downfall. And part of that cash that was withdrawn was the money he invested for Chester Tema’s parents. Any interest in you or your father was quiet while he was in jail for your father’s murder, but it seems now we are getting internet pings on your father’s name, and then your name, being one of the executors of Ronald’s estate. As you aren’t married, he could find you easily, but your mother has remarried, and her name has changed, and your sisters weren’t named so much when it all went down, so he hasn’t connected them to this money yet.”

Taking in everything Ashton is saying, I’m slightly relieved that my family aren’t in this drama, but that’s not to say they won’t be as it progresses.

“One thing that we know is that there is no connection between Chester Tema and the case that I’m working. He isn’t part of the mafia, nor did he have any knowledge or connection to the inner workings of your father’s business. From what we can work out, he is just a mentally unstable man who is fixated on getting his money, and we think in his mind that he believes you have it.”

“Great, so I have a stalker who is mentally unstable. So much more comforting to know, and oh, and he isn’t part of the mafia, also good news apparently. Fuck, let’s throw a party to celebrate the small win.” With my anger rising, my inner bitch is creeping to the surface.

“Harper.” Forrest saying my name makes me turn to him, and it’s enough to really fire me up.

“What? You want me to sit here and be happy that my fucked-up life could be worse and that I should be grateful? This isn’t you it’s happening to, it’s me, asshole.” In my head I realize I call him that a lot. I really need to find a better pet name for him than asshole. And also, to keep reminding myself he is trying to help me, he’s not the enemy.

He doesn’t react to the words I’ve just blasted at him, like they have just washed over him. Turning his focus back to Ashton, he asks the question we all want to know. “Let’s be real here. How big a threat is Chester to Harper? Has he got the intelligence to work out how to get to London undetected, or the ability and contacts to get here from another country?” He is blunt, no emotion, just asking for the hard truths before Ashton is even finished telling us everything.

“Yeah, what he said.” I sit back in my seat again to face everyone, sounding like a child while it sinks in how protective Forrest really is of me.

“I get it, you don’t really care about my case. And at the moment the risk is low, he is not a sophisticated man, and we think he is just stalking the internet because he can, now that he’s free.” Pausing, Ashton looks around the room. “But that is not to say that him sniffing around this money trail won’t create other interest in Harper and a case that was dead and buried long ago. That’s where I come in. My job is to make sure the mess I’m following stays in its own lane and Chester finds a new hobby.”

“And if he doesn’t?” I ask with absolute trepidation in my voice. And the moment the words leave my mouth, my leg starts bouncing again, only to have Forrest’s hand weigh it down and give me something else to focus on.

“Then we move to plan B and we get more serious,” he replies bluntly.

“And plan B is?”

“Not for you to worry about. That’s what these guys are for.” Ashton points to both Sandon and Remington. I want to stand up and stomp my feet like a toddler at the fact that they are talking about my life, but suddenly, there is a part of me that doesn’t want to know what he means.

“Then I suggest all of you make sure this thing doesn’t get past plan A. Understood?” I try to sound forceful, but I’m not sure I succeed.

“Loud and clear,” Ashton replies.

Then all the guys go through some logistics of the monitoring of both me and Chester, and I can’t seem to concentrate on what they are saying, because my mind is stuck on the words “mentally unstable stalker.”

“I don’t think we all need to be here for this part. Why don’t I take Felisha and Harper and get them some dinner?” Flynn says while Ashton, Rem, and Sandon seem deep in conversation. I don’t think I could eat if I tried, but even though I was all determined earlier to be involved in everything, I’ve changed my mind. I can’t deal with this any longer and fresh air is what I need.

“I’m taking her home. I’ll feed her,” the surly man next to me voices to his brother, and the look between them is like a silent conversation that none of us are a part of.

“I want to argue, but I think I would like to go home, thanks anyway, Flynn.” And the moment I am not fighting against Forrest, I can see the worried look on Felisha’s face. “I’m fine, just need some air and my bed, exhaustion is hitting.” I know it’s more than that, but I don’t want to voice that I’m about to have a meltdown and shed some tears… again.

“Let’s go.” Forrest is up out of his chair and helping me to my feet before I have second thoughts. He’s probably shocked that I didn’t argue with him.

Ashton stands, and I lean over the table to shake his hand and thank him for all he is doing. Because at the end of the day, he doesn’t know me, yet he is willing to help me anyway.

As we leave the boardroom, Forrest stops me. “Just wait here for a few seconds, I forgot something.”

In the start of a brain-fog state, I just do as he tells me, and he is back before long, and we continue walking to the elevator.

“What did you forget?” I ask him as the doors close and we are in the elevator alone.

“To make sure Ashton understood you are off limits, and if he lets anything happen to you, I’ll hunt him down myself and kill him.” The words roll off Forrest’s tongue, so matter of fact, like he is ordering a coffee.

My mouth drops open, but I can’t even speak, so I don’t.

And the silence between us stays that way the whole drive home.

Who is this man, and why do I think that was the hottest thing I’ve ever heard?

I escape to my room as soon as we get home to give myself time to just go over everything that happened tonight.

I have so many questions, and they aren’t about what Ashton told me, and I find that bizarre in itself.

I sit on the edge of my bed with my childhood stuffed bear dressed like a Queen’s Guard—well, it was the queen then, and now he would be a King’s Guard. He is old and worn, and no one knows I still have him because he only ever comes out when I feel this unsettled. My dad bought him for me on the second day we were in London and doing some of the tourist things as a family before he started work and we didn’t see him very often.

“When I can’t be around, he will guard your heart for me.” He hugged both me and the bear as I giggled and didn’t completely understand what he said, but I was just happy with the hug I was getting.

I can still hear his voice as clear as the day he said it to me. And as much as I hate my father for everything he did and how he destroyed our lives back then, I know there will always be that little girl inside me that will never stop loving the man he was.

When I packed to leave my apartment for the renovation, I put my bear in my bag because he is the most precious thing I own. Not in monetary value but in such a treasured memory that I would never be able to replace.

A knock on my door startles me, and I quickly push him back under the bed so Forrest doesn’t see him.

Before I even have time to get up, his voice comes through the closed door. “There is some dinner for you at your door. Eat it,” his gruff voice mumbles through the wood, and then he is gone.

“Shit, how long have I been in here?” Checking my watch, I see it is nine pm, and he probably thought I was never coming out.

Little did he know I’ve been sitting in here trying to analyze the complex man he is.

Why am I attracted to a man who drives me crazy?

I make him so agitated, yet he never backs down from me.

For someone who is so stern and arrogant, why is he so attentive to me? Knowing what I need before I do.

And the biggest question that is spinning around in my head is why the hell when he touches me does it do the opposite of what I feel with anyone else?

It gives me a strange warmth and calmness that I don’t know how to understand. Instead of wanting to crawl out of my skin, I just want the contact between us to last that little bit longer. But he seems to know just the right amount of what I need and then pulls away, though he is never far away.

Just the simple act of turning up in my office tonight so I wasn’t on my own was something I didn’t know I needed, until he looked at me with those deep brooding eyes.

But what really threw me was those words in the elevator. They keep repeating in my head.

“You are off limits… and I will kill him.”

Those aren’t the words a man uses when speaking about a friend.

I open the door slowly to check that he is gone, and on the floor is a simple roast beef and salad sandwich. Picking it up and closing the door again, I’m mumbling to myself as I sit down on the floor, crossing my legs and leaning against my bed.

“Fuck, it’s like he can read my mind that I couldn’t eat a big meal tonight if I tried. What type of sorcery is this?” Taking the first bite of the sandwich makes my mouth water. There is some kind of relish on this that makes it so much more than a simple sandwich. “Well, whatever magic he has, I could get on board with this.”

I take my time trying to eat it all, but I can only manage half of it before my stomach starts saying no more.

My shower doesn’t help me find the answers I need, and I know there is only one way to find out. I should cover up before I go out there, but I’m not sure how long this courage is going to remain.

I fling the door open, and as soon as I take two steps out of my room, he is there walking down the hallway toward me. He’s still in his work clothes but with bare feet, sleeves rolled up on his shirt that is pulled from his pants, and he is in the middle of undoing the buttons, probably on his way to his room to shower.

Damn, this man has a chest that I would like to lick like a popsicle.

Focus, Harper! Words, use them.

“Harper, what’s wrong?” He is moving toward me now with speed.

“Stop.” I put my hand up because I can’t let him touch me again. It does some weird shit to my head.

Doing as I ask, he is only about five footsteps from me, but it’s enough for me to think… barely.

“Why did you say that?” My voice is demanding, and I can feel my body tensing up the moment I ask. Because I don’t know if I want to know the answer.

“Say what?” is all he replies. His arms are hanging at his sides, but I can see his hands starting to form fists.

“Don’t do that. You know what I mean. The threat to Ashton.” But instead of keeping the distance I thought I wanted, it’s me marching those five steps to him and poking my finger into his bare chest before he can answer me. “Why am I off limits?” I question him, and I can feel the heavy breathing coming from him now that I’m that close to his face, and his chest is heaving up and down under my hand that is now pressed flat on his chest. “Tell me, Forrest, tell me… the real… fucking… reason.” Now I can feel my own heart hammering against my chest, and the heat from his body is running all over me too.

“You don’t want that answer,” he growls at me.

“Tell me!” I yell, and he cracks and can’t hold back any longer.

Grabbing me around the waist, he pushes me back against the wall, his body pressed against mine but not so hard it hurts. Enough pressure that he has my attention as he makes me understand where he stands.

“You are mine, and I protect what’s mine.” His voice is pure sex, and no matter what either of us think we want from each other, it doesn’t matter.

Because right now, in this moment… we both want this… need this.

Neither of us says a word, our actions are all the permission we need.

The moment our lips touch, I know I’m going to regret this, but that’ll be tomorrow’s problem.

Tonight is all about this fantasy.