Chapter 15
Nora
I don’t know if it was the shock of last night’s events, Max’s comforting presence beside me, or perhaps the awesome black-out curtains he had, but I sleep in far later than normal.
If it wasn’t for Josef practically sitting on my face, balefully mewing, demanding breakfast, I might have slept even longer.
Max must be as tired as I was since he’s fast asleep on the bed beside me.
Still fully dressed and wearing last night’s clothes.
As my eyes adjust to the dim morning light, I linger on his handsome face.
Even in sleep he seems tense and ready to snap to attention at a moment’s notice.
I wonder if that’s part of his Army training or if the events of last night have taken their toll on him.
Watching him beat Mike like that has shaken me. On the one hand, I’m grateful he saved me, but it was also scary to witness him lose control like that. There’s a deep rage that Max hides behind his charming personality.
Not wanting to wake him, I slowly ease out of bed, tiptoeing for the door. I quickly feed my demanding cat. Josef doesn’t seem to be bothered by the change in scenery, especially now that he’s got food. I, on the other hand, feel decidedly uncertain.
I’ve never stayed the night at a man’s place, so I’m not sure what the etiquette is. Should I make myself at home or do I need permission? Unable to resist the lure of coffee, I search his cupboards and put on a pot for us both.
The sound of Max’s bedroom door opening a short while later alerts me to his presence.
“Morning, I made coffee, I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s more than okay,” he says gratefully, taking a cup from me. “Sorry, I must have fallen asleep. I know I promised to sleep on the couch—”
“Oh, don’t worry about it. You were a perfect gentleman, or at least I assume you were. I have to admit, I’m surprised how well I slept considering everything.”
“I don’t know whether I should be concerned by that fact or not,” he says, scratching his stubbled chin and sipping his coffee.
“Why would it concern you?” I ask, confused.
“Well, I have to be honest, I kind of imagined that the first time I got you into my bed we’d both be wearing a lot less clothing and there would be no sleeping involved at all,” he replies mischievously.
I roll my eyes at him. “You haven’t been awake five minutes and you’re already flirting.”
“What can I say, you have that effect on me,” he says with a grin. “Top up?” he asks, gesturing to my now empty mug.
“Sure. I think I’m going to need a lot of coffee if I’m going to make it through work today.”
Max balks. “You’re not seriously going back there after last night, are you?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I refuse to let Mike take away the job I love. And besides, something tells me he’s not coming in today.”
“What makes you say that?” Max asks, surprised.
“Well, mostly because you beat the shit out of him last night. I imagine he’ll call in sick, that is if he isn’t still in the hospital,” I reply before noticing Max’s knuckles which were bruised.
Max looks down at his hands and something flashes over his face.
I guess he’s worried that I might see him differently after what he did last night.
He gets to his feet and says, “Well, I’d better go take a shower, then I can take a look at fixing your door for you.
I can put a whole new one on while you’re at work if you like, get some new, better locks installed. ”
“Thanks. I’ve got an earlier shift than usual today and I slept in way later than normal, so I’d better shower and get ready too.”
“Are you suggesting we shower together? Because I think that’s a great idea. I can’t promise I won’t make you late, though.” Max gives me a flirty look, as though I’m the sexiest woman he’s ever seen rather than a crumpled morning mess.
“I’m definitely not. I’m going to get ready at my place,” I reply, trying to hide the smile that’s creeping across my face.
“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he says with a grin before turning serious. “Let me walk you across the hall, just to make certain everything is okay.”
I nod, feeling grateful and surprised that I don’t mind accepting Max’s help. As someone who’s fiercely independent, it’s rare that I ever allow anyone to help me without much cajoling and persuasion.
***
Max is freshly showered and waiting for me when I finish getting ready. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that he’s planning to walk me into work, and I don’t bother arguing it. Knowing Max, he’d simply follow three paces behind me if I said no.
“You look beautiful,” he says when he sees me.
“And you’re just flattering me. I look the same as I do every day,” I say.
“Exactly. We don’t have time to debate your beauty, Nora, just trust me, you are,” Max insists, and I roll my eyes and move out of the way for him to lock my door using the makeshift padlock system he devised last night. “That’ll hold. I promise when you get home it will be good as new.”
“Does that mean I can walk home without you acting like my surly bodyguard?” I tease.
“Absolutely not.” He grins back at me.
I’m not surprised to find that Mike isn’t at work.
Rose, a retired English teacher and one of my favorite colleagues, is here in his place.
Rose doesn’t partake much in small talk outside of discussing books and she doesn’t pry, which is exactly what I need.
I am curious what reason Mike has given for his absence.
I assume that if he was going to call the cops and press charges against Max, they’d have shown up before now, but I’d like to prepare Max if trouble’s coming to his door.
After all, he was only protecting me. I also figure it would seem odd if I didn’t ask where Mike is.
“Where’s Mike today? I thought he was working this shift.”
Rose shrugs. “He texted me late last night saying he was sick and wouldn’t be in.
As if I was born yesterday. Youngsters these days have no respect for their professions, calling in sick so they can go out drinking with their buddies till god knows what time.
I have half a mind to give him a written warning,” she mutters, shaking her head in disapproval.
The rest of the day passes without incident and I’m grateful to be able to lose myself in my work.
It’s almost like nothing happened at all last night.
When I finally get a break I check my phone, I have two messages, one from Max and one from Nadya.
I was half expecting a message from Mike, but it seems he’s either planning to pretend nothing happened last night and ignore me completely, or he’ll come back to work and try to win me over with a big apology. I’m hoping for the first scenario.
I read Nadya’s message first.
NADYA: Hey girl, sorry I’ve been AWOL. Was having fun with Mr. Nice Ass but he turned out to be an ASS. Come over tonight to bitch about him and men in general over a bottle of wine and a giant pizza?
Nadya’s message couldn’t have been better timed. A girl’s night with my best friend is exactly what I need. I text her back that I’ll be there after work.
She replies immediately with a series of pizza, wine, smiling faces, and dancing girl emojis that let me know she’s looking forward to tonight as much as I am.
Max’s text is simple yet holds many unspoken words:
MAX: How are you doing?
ME: I’m good. No sign of Mike—he called in sick.
MAX: Good. I’ll see you at 5.
ME: Actually, I’m going to my friend Nadya’s place after work. In need of a girl’s night.
I type out an apology before deleting it. I don’t owe Max an apology for spending time with my friend.
MAX: I can walk you there.
As sweet as his concern for my well-being is, I can’t keep letting Max be so involved in my life.
If last night’s break-in has reminded me of anything, it’s that getting involved with me isn’t safe for him.
It’s not fair to lead him on when I know I could never be fully intimate with him and that merely by being with me his life is in danger.
I need some space away from him to clear my head.
When he’s near me, I lose myself in the fantasy, but it’s time I come back to reality.
I can’t deny that my thoughts have also been on my stalker. I haven’t sensed him around today. Did he see me and Max yesterday? Is that why he’s staying away? I don’t know what it is about that idea, but it makes me feel bad. Almost like I was cheating on him.
Which is absolutely crazy.
And another reason why a nice guy like Max doesn’t need to get involved with a woman like me.
ME: I’ll be fine. I need to feel normal and not like I need constant protection. I’ll see you tomorrow.
My response is blunter than usual, and I feel harsh for doing so, but Max isn’t the sort of guy to be easily put off and I need him to know how serious I am.
MAX: Okay. Call me if you need anything.
I’m a little surprised by his response. Maybe he isn’t as overprotective as I thought.