Chapter 15
15
WESTON
A fter finishing our meals, I pay and tip Millie generously, as is my monthly tradition. As we stand to leave, she comes over, and we exchange a tight hug.
“Keeper,” she murmurs, her voice just above a whisper as she gently pats my back.
The woman is like an honorary aunt to both me and Easton. In another life, she would have been our mother. That’s a story for another day.
“Thanks.” I pull away, grinning as I remember how much my grandfather adored her, recalling how she’d sneak me candy when I was a kid.
Millie meets Carlee’s eyes. “I really hope to see you again.”
“Absolutely,” Carlee confirms with a friendly wave as I push open the door.
Millie gives me a thumbs-up.
Carlee steps outside and smiles at me over her shoulder. She’s picture-perfect as the snow falls around her. It feels like a dream, and I wish I had the power to freeze time.
“Promise we’ll visit again?” she asks as she climbs into the car. The heat is on, but she still shivers .
“Absolutely. You just say when,” I confirm.
I shrug off my coat and hand it to her. She slides her arms inside and wears it backward.
Carlee inhales deeply, snuggling into the material that envelops her. “Thanks. Smells like you.”
“What do I smell like?”
“Happiness,” she admits. “With a dash of torture.”
“Oh wow, thanks.” I roll my eyes, but I realize I’m smiling and wonder if this is happiness.
Nothing in the world matters when we’re together. Worry seems to fade away.
She leans across my lap to look out the window. We’re way too close. “The snow is really coming down now. I thought it wasn’t supposed to start until later tonight.”
Flurries flutter sideways as we inch down the street. I place my hand on her lower back, taking in the view of her . Carlee molds herself against my body, and I know exactly what she’s doing—teasing the fuck out of me, seeing how far she can push it.
“You’re so warm,” she says.
“Yeah, but the inside is still ice cold ,” I warn.
She glances up at me. “You can say shit like that to everyone else, but not me. If it makes you feel better to pretend you’re dead inside, go for it. But I know that’s not the truth, and I’ll call you out every damn time.”
I lean my head back on the seat and laugh. It rings through the car. “Keep me honest.”
“That’s what friends do. No one else is willing to tell you the truth. They’re way too busy kissing the ground you walk on.”
“Excuse me? Pretty sure you’ve met Easton. He’s the most honest person I know—to a fault—and he calls my ass out on everything every chance he gets. So, don’t tell me about honesty. I’ve lived with that my entire life.”
“He’s family. He doesn’t count. ”
“I can handle the truth,” I say, but her smile fades as she studies my mouth.
The air grows heavy as the intensity builds between us. It would be so fucking easy to run my fingers through her silky, dark hair and capture her lips.
I want to, but I won’t.
“ No kissing ,” I whisper, recognizing that expression on her face. I know if she starts this, we won’t stop. “Your rules.”
“My rules kinda suck, don’t they?”
I nod. “Yeah, they do.”
Thankfully, she puts space between us before things get out of control. The road noise fills the car, and we ride in silence for at least fifteen minutes. It’s so quiet that I think she might have fallen asleep, but she’s watching flurries float in front of the streetlights.
Thoughts of our night and conversation fill my mind as her sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon surrounds me.
“I might try to write this week,” Carlee finally says, sitting upright and meeting my eyes. Her greens glimmer like emeralds.
“That makes me so damn happy to hear,” I encourage.
“I’m still scared,” she admits.
“Time to tell fear to fuck off. For many, the first sight of success is often followed by self-sabotage, and if I have to push you through it, I will. Every time. The world doesn’t deserve your words, but damn, do they need them.”
“You say it like you’re my biggest fan.”
A grin slides across my lips as she studies me. “I am.”
“I think I’m yours too.”
I arch a brow. “You think ?”
She reaches toward me and tickles me, forcing laughter. I wiggle away, turning my body toward her.
“Keep fucking around, and you’ll find out.”
“Maybe I want to,” she admits.
The car parks outside her apartment. Carlee gets out, and I check our surroundings as I follow her into the building .
Our footsteps and voices echo off the whitewashed walls as we take three flights of stairs. When we reach her door, she punches in the code and the knob clicks.
She looks at me with hooded eyes, wearing a sexy little smile. “Would you like to come in?”
I contemplate the question.
Yes. Fucking yes, I would.
It’s what my heart says.
My brain is more logical.
“Thank you for the invitation, but I think it’s best if I go,” I say.
I lick my lips, remembering how she tasted on my tongue, and I step forward. Her back presses against the cool wood as she looks up into my eyes and grabs my tie.
I grin. It’s a fucking dare, and, oh, how I want to play this dangerous game with her.
I lean in and whisper in her ear, “Tonight, you test-drove the car before you leased it. Two days. You can wait, so stop testing me. Because I know this is exactly what this is.”
She gently sighs. “ Fine. You still owe me a gold sticker.” Carlee holds up her phone, which is still off.
I smile. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“You already did.”
I step away from her, and she removes my suit jacket. I slide it on, buttoning it. Her gaze doesn’t leave me. As my hands fall to my sides, she steps forward and wraps her arms around my neck, and my hands snake around her waist. I hug her until she lets go, wanting to keep her in my arms for as long as possible. I’ll never break away from her first.
“Good night, Weston,” she says, and I repeat it to her before she pulls away. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being yourself and not pretending.”
I shove my hands into my pockets, waiting for her to say something else or make a move. She lets out a ragged breath and nods, knowing the night is over. We’re undoubtedly thinking the same thing, based on how she’s perpetually eye-fucking my every move.
I finally smile. “Go inside, or we’ll stare at one another until morning.”
“I’m going inside, but not because you told me to,” she says, opening the door and not looking back before closing it.
I breathe in deeply, my heart racing as I take the stairs two at a time.
My mind reels as I replay the last few hours. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. Our future is spread across the table, waiting for us to place our bets. The odds are stacked against us, but the heart always wins.
Her curiosity is the devil on her shoulder.
Should she start a situationship with me? Absolutely not.
Will she? Yes.
As I walk down the stoop of her apartment, snow falls heavier and sticks to the sidewalk. Before I climb into the car, I hear my name being called from above. I glance up to see Carlee standing at her window. Brown hair blows in the cool breeze, and I smile, grateful for a final glimpse of her.
Damn, she’s so pretty.
“Weston, can you come back? Pretty please? Hurry.” She sounds distraught as she glances over her shoulder.
I don’t hesitate. I rush up the stairs until I see her waiting at her door, worry etched across her face.
“Is everything okay?” My heart pounds.
“Someone’s been in my apartment,” she says, shaking her head.
I place my hands on her shoulders. “How do you know?”
“My laptop is missing.” Tears well in her eyes, and it nearly breaks me when they fall down her cheeks. “I kept saying I was going to back up everything, and I didn’t finish doing it.”
I’ve never seen her like this, and it’s upsetting .
“I’m so, so sorry,” I say, hating that this happened to her, especially after she mentioned writing again.
“I’m scared. What if they’re still in there?” she asks, pulling away.
I brush away her tears with my thumbs. “I’ll check for you.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Stay here,” I tell her, entering.
Nothing looks out of place or destroyed. The yellow roses I got her last weekend are on the counter in several vases. Her place is cute and cozy, exactly what I expected. On the wall, a katana hangs, and I pull it from the sheath.
She stands at the doorway, watching me. Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head.
“There are knives,” she whisper-hisses, pointing toward the kitchen.
I put my finger over my mouth. “Shh.”
“Men,” she mutters.
I place both hands on the grip, holding it tight. The silver edge reflects the light. As I stare at the bathroom door, a burst of adrenaline rushes through me. I twist the knob and push it open, seeing the closed curtain. Carefully but quickly, I pull it back, revealing nothing but shampoo bottles and …
I blink a few times.
Are those … tentacles ?
“What the fuck?” I mutter.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I grab the purple dildo and stand in the hallway, holding it in the air, smirking. “This is the only monster I found.”
Laughter escapes her, and her face turns bright red as I set it on the counter.
“Will you pretty please check my room?” she asks.
I nudge the door open with my knee, sword back in place. My father insisted that Easton and I take fencing in boarding school. I can’t wait to tell Easton I actually used those skills .
I move into her bedroom, noticing gorgeous paintings on the walls and sexy lingerie on the floor. I open her closet door and find nothing but clothes.
“You’re clear,” I tell her.
Carlee rushes inside, locking the door behind her. “Thank you.”
I return to the living room and return the sword to its location, laughing that she even has it. “I’m not going to ask.”
“I liked how it was pink,” she admits. “And it came in handy. Can’t wait to rub that in my brother’s face. He told me I was dumb for buying it and that I’d never use it.”
I shove my hands into my pockets. “Please check to make sure nothing else is missing.”
“Okay,” she says, nodding as she opens a drawer in her kitchen. She pulls out a bag of money.
“Is there anything on your laptop I need to know about?”
She shakes her head as if trying to remember. “There are photos and blog articles and …” Her eyes widen.
“Carlee?”
She exhales, and I can feel her unease.
“Hey.” I give her a smile. “Whatever it is, we’ll navigate it together.”
Her heart rate ticks fast in her neck. She’s spiraling. “I made videos and took pictures for my exes. They’re on my hard drive. Weston, what if they get out?” Carlee’s voice strains and I see tears threatening to spill over, but she fights it.
“If that were released, I’d spend as much money and resources as needed to track them down and make them pay. Anything else?”
Her eyes unfocus. “Old articles and research I’ve done for the blog. Most of LuxLeaks’ stuff is backed up. It’s just personal things that aren’t. Oh God. My journal. I might be sick.”
I move her to the couch and sit beside her, sinking into the cushions.
“I think it’s password-protected,” she whispers, placing her face in her hands. “I think I closed it. ”
“What did you write about?”
She turns to me. “ Everything. ”
“I don’t know what that means,” I admit.
“My deepest thoughts.”
Carlee begins hyperventilating, and I grab her hand.
“Deep breaths, okay? Breathe in through your mouth until your lungs are full, then exhale through your nose. Do it with me,” I say, remaining calm. It’s the only thing that used to help me when I started to spiral.
I take her hands, opening them from the balled fists they’re in, gliding my fingers over her palms. “If you tense your hands, your body believes you’re in fight-or-flight mode. Relax. Unlock your jaw.” I rub my thumb across her cheek, keeping my voice steady. “And if you smile, it tells your brain you’re safe.”
She blows out a deep breath and nods with a forced smile.
“You are safe,” I whisper, running my fingers across her palms. “This will pass. We’ll figure it out.”
“Thank you,” she finally says, sounding calmer than before.
We sit in silence for a few minutes before we try to speak at the same time.
“Go ahead,” I tell her.
“Do you think it’s safe to stay here?”
“No,” I reply firmly.
“Where will I go?”
I can see her growing upset again.
“Wherever you want. I have a beautiful loft in Tribeca that’s not being used, or you can stay with me at The Park. I can get you a room at any hotel in the city. Whatever you decide, I support it, but there’s no way in hell I’ll allow you to stay here until we find out who’s responsible. They could come back.”
She’s in shock, and I know she’s not thinking clearly.
“I need to make a few phone calls, and I need you to ensure nothing else is missing. Okay?”
“Yes,” she says, standing. “Let me do that. ”
As Carlee moves to her bedroom, I immediately text Brody to fill him in on what’s going on.
Five minutes later, Carlee approaches me with the jewelry I gifted her. “These were still here. Not touched.”
I shake my head. “It was calculated, and if I’m being honest, that concerns me.”
Worry covers her face. “Do you think someone found out I’m behind LuxLeaks?”
“I don’t think so. Also, Brody is on his way.”
“I don’t know why anyone would do this. I don’t have enemies,” she whispers. “Everything was going so well.”
I squeeze her shoulder. “I think the time has come for you to need protection.”
“I feel so violated.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault,” she says.
I blink at her. “What if it is?”
“Is Lena capable of this?” she asks directly.
“Yes.”
She sucks in a deep breath, staring at me. “Now I’m pissed.”
“Please pack your things. I’m not leaving here without you,” I confirm.
“Okay,” she whispers. “Come with me?”
I nod, following her down the short hallway. I lean against the doorway as she sets her bag on the bed. Seeing her like this breaks my heart.
“So, this is where the magic happens,” I say to her, repeating what she said to me the first time she was in my room. I need to lighten the mood and get her mind off things.
“Actually, yeah, lots,” she admits with a laugh. “Especially with this wand,” she says, opening the drawer to the nightstand next to her bed and pulling out a pink toy.
“Damn, girl. How many more do you have? ”
She snickers. “Don’t judge me. It’s the only thing that’s saved my sex life this year.”
“As long as you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters,” I say, studying the artwork on her wall. “Tell me about these.”
She glances at the one above her bed. It’s blue and red and fades into purple. “What do you see?”
I smile, moving closer to it and studying the piece. “It tells a story. At first, it’s bright and new, and then it becomes more chaotic and aggressive, before blending into a solid. I’d assume it’s a dance. When two become one.”
She stares at me. “It’s called Falling in Love . It tells a story of two becoming one. Wow, you’re good at this. Cultured, I guess.”
“Ah.” I nod, smiling as my eyes scan the imagery.
It’s a painting that I can almost hear, and I want to run my fingers across the texture of the paint on the canvas.
Carlee smiles warmly as she finishes adding clothes to her duffel. “I went to this art show in an abandoned building years ago. When I saw the painting, I wanted it because it moved me. I told the artist how much I loved it but how I could never afford the price. She let me make her an offer, which she accepted. She laughed and told me it was never about the money and how she’d rather give a piece of herself to those who appreciated its complexity.” She grins as if reminiscing. “Some people see splatters, and other people see the meaning. That’s art. Love it,” she says.
“Who’s the artist?” I ask.
“Ruby Bertrand.”
I repeat the name, nodding and committing it to memory.
I gesture toward the other large painting on her wall. “And what about this one?”
“I found it at a random sidewalk art sale in the park. I carried it from Madison Square to here and placed it right there. It hasn’t moved in four years. ”
“Fuck,” I say, imagining her on the subway with this. The frame alone must weigh nearly forty pounds.
I tilt my head, admiring it. The forefront is full of trees with vibrant leaves in yellow, red, and burnt-orange shades. In the distance, there’s a sunrise with a subtle hint of dew and fog. Anyone paying attention would know it’s a sunrise, but for those who don’t see the details, it’s not.
“What do you think it represents?” she asks.
“Change,” I say thoughtfully. “Growth. The trees are losing their leaves, starting over, becoming bare for the winter. The scattered leaves and their colors tell a story of renewal. And in the distance, above the hill, are greener pastures and blue skies. Above the hurdle is change. It represents finding comfort in new beginnings, leaving the old behind.”
Carlee laughs. “Did you pull that from my thoughts?”
“Who painted it?” I ask.
She smiles widely. “I don’t know. The woman at the park didn’t either. I believe a name is scribbled on the back, but I could never decipher it and haven’t moved it since I hung it on that nail. It’s named New Beginnings .”
“Why did you choose a gold frame?” I ask.
“I didn’t. Whoever had it before me chose it. However, the frame is what initially drew my attention. It glinted in the sunlight, and I stopped to admire this absolute masterpiece. I nearly went broke, buying it, but it was worth it.”
“How much did you pay?”
“Five hundred dollars,” she says, zipping up her duffel. “I used the money I was saving for a plane ticket home. No regrets though. I ended up going a few months later. And this painting has given me years of happiness.” Carlee stands beside me and smiles as she studies it. “It captures you, doesn’t it?”
A chill runs up my spine.
“It does,” I respond, but I think she knows I’m not referring to the painting.