Chapter 20
Sterling
It took Holt and I most of the morning to install the cameras. Carter joined us and helped us wrap up the projects, by taking over the lock installation. He said a few quick words to Meg, and then got started.
I was thankful for that, because Meg didn’t know that I had Carter do a deep dive on her life, not yet. It would be pretty shitty if that news came from him. Holt was quick to tell me when we were out of her ear shot, that I missed the window for telling her this morning.
He was right, but I was a fucking coward this morning.
I didn’t want to wreck this tentative truce that we had struck.
Not that she knew that, but I was slowly breaking down her walls.
If she found out this morning that I had omitted this detail about the process from her, I’m not sure how she would have taken it.
I’m sure it would have set us back. I’m not too proud to admit that I don’t mind playing a little dirty to get what I want.
We packed up all of the stuff and loaded everything back into Carter’s vehicle.
Then we sat in her kitchen for a little bit to let the dust settle.
If her stalker was watching, we didn’t want to tip him off that Meg was changing locations.
When we thought the coast was clear, Meg and I loaded up into Holt’s SUV. Carter headed out. He had a list of names that Meg gave him from her business and had digging to do on the neighbors.
Meg packed light- one small rolling suitcase, a backpack, and a small tote bag. It all fit neatly on one side of Holts trunk. I tossed my small duffle next to her things and hopped in the backseat next to her. She looked surprised that I opted not to sit up front next to Holt.
Little did she know, this is exactly what I wanted. I craved being in close proximity to her. It was like she calmed me down in a way I didn’t know was possible for myself. She infuriated me too— but not in the ways she may believe.
“Where to, sir,” Holt jokingly asked. Pretending to be a limousine driver. Meg giggled a little under her breath.
“My place,” I said shortly. Although, I appreciated Holt’s humor tonight. I would never tell him that. Holt quietly nodded.
I reached across the seat and grabbed her hand.
Startled she looked up at me, I could tell she was thinking about pulling away.
I tightened my grip a bit and started making slow circles with my thumb.
Her shoulders started to relax. She noticed my smirk and scowled at me. Chuckling, I kept her hand in mine.
“Can you stop at the China Express,” I asked Holt. He nodded. Meg looked at me quizzically. I knew she hadn’t eaten since we had that donut. I was starving and she needed something too.
“Tell me what you want,” I demand. I didn’t want to give her any reason to dodge or evade anything.
Even something as simple as a food order.
I didn’t have much food in the loft. As a bachelor, I didn’t make it a habit to stock up on groceries.
She was quiet for a minute, almost as if it was a huge decision. Finally she spoke up.
“Vegetable lo mein,” she says. Holt chuckles out loud. I look at her. I cannot believe this.
“That is NOT how you order Chinese food,” I state, offended. Holt is laughing out loud now as he drives. Meg looks a little confused.
“You can’t just order one thing! That goes against the rules of ordering Chinese food,” Holt explains through his laughter.
“Forget it, I’ll take care of it,” I say. I pull out my phone and place an order. I include her vegetable lo mein, but also make sure to add a good 10 things on top of it. Holt throws a couple of options in as well. Her eyes get bigger and bigger each time I order another entree.
I’m tempted to order the whole menu to see what she does, but I won’t. 15 minutes later Holt pulls up to the restaurant. I run inside. When I come out she is opening the door from the inside. It kind of looks like I ordered the whole menu, but that is the point.
I place the box on the seat between us and hand Holt his bag.
He will not be joining us for dinner tonight.
He takes the bag and knowingly chuckles again.
Another thing that Meg isn’t aware of is that I only have one bed in the loft.
It’s a huge space that has been refinished and updated, but it isn’t meant for separate sleeping quarters.
I’m going to enjoy watching her work through that realization tonight.
A few minutes later we pull up to the shop. Holt helps us unload and bring the bags up in one trip. Setting everything down, upstairs just inside the door, he gives a two fingered salute. “I’ll call you in the morning,” he says and then he is gone.
I shut the door and lock it. Turning around I see Meg standing in the kitchen surveying the open concept layout.
Thousands of square feet lay before her and they all make up my living room, dining room, office, and bedroom.
The bedroom area does have privacy screens, but I can tell she is already searching for a suitable option for separation.
The bathroom is the only thing that has real walls around it with an actual door. In hindsight, this arrangement might be a little too much for her. However, she doesn’t have anywhere to run or hide either.
I decide to not address the elephant in the room yet. Maybe we can ease into it while we eat. I start unloading the take out containers on the counter.
“Have a seat,” I say motioning to the bar stools on the other side of the counter. Robotically she follows my directions. I know in a few minutes, her fire is going to start to emerge and I can’t wait for the show.
She silently works her way to the other side of the counter. I see her mind working through this. I hand her a paper plate and lay a bunch of spoons out on the counter.
“Which one,” I ask, as I hold out a beer and a water. She chooses the water. Twisting off the cap, she takes a swig.
“This is a beautiful space,” she gestures with a free arm behind her. “I have always loved the character of old spaces, and appreciate when someone retains their charm and updates it,” she continues.
“Thanks, it took me a long time. Between renovating this and the business down stairs, it has been a busy few years,” she hums at my answer and reaches for the lo mein.
I watch her put some on her plate. When she sets it down.
I sit down on the stool next to her and I hand her the sesame chicken.
I also put an egg roll on her plate, and spoon some fried rice on there.
“I can feed myself you know— I have been doing it for a while,” she says sarcastically. Her cheeks have a red tint to them.
I don’t respond to that. Her phone buzzes. She looks down and sighs at it. She doesn’t answer it.
“Are you getting more unknown text messages,” I ask her. I’m trying to remain neutral. I don’t want her to start stressing out like she did this morning. She sighs again.
“No, it is Piper. I need to text her back. She is going to send out a search party. I just don’t know what to say. I mean, I don’t want her to worry— up until this morning I thought this still may have been a misunderstanding. A case of mistaken identity,” she explains and starts eating her food.
“I’m not going to tell you what to do, but I think it may be a good idea to let her know what is going on. You aren’t even staying at your house. What if she goes there and doesn’t find you,” I point out.
Meg is nodding and chewing. She picks up her phone and starts to tap away. Deleting and tapping, deleting and tapping. I can’t take it anymore. I slide the phone towards me, type a quick message, and send it.
This is Sterling. Meg is staying with me. She is having an issue with an unknown stalker.
Immediately, I see 3 dots pop up.
Piper: Is she okay?
I need to respond and put an end to this. This is not how I want to spend my night.
She is fine. Tired. I’m handling it with my brother. He has a security business. She will touch base with you in the morning.
Piper: Okay. Thank you!
“Done”, I state. Meg is staring at me. Her mouth hanging open. I hand her back her phone. She grabs it quickly and reads what I wrote. Her face is turning an interesting shade of red.
“Do you know what you have done,” she asks in a high pitched voice. Her hands are animatedly waving in front of her. Then she rests her head in them.
“I answered her directly,” I state simply. I don’t understand. I effectively communicated the issue and ended the conversation for the night. Isn’t that what she wanted?
“You don’t understand, she is going to drive me insane.
She is going to want details tomorrow. Details that I don’t have.
She is going to make up this ridiculous fantasy story in her head about you and me!
One that I’m going to have to tell her is not true,” she is panting through her diatribe. I fold my arms across my chest.
“What fantasy,” I prod. I want to hear her say it. I want to hear her put into words what is happening here. Even if she denies it. Even if she claims her friend is creating a fictional world.
“UGHHH, in Piper’s deluded mind this ends with you and I together, together,” she blurts out frustratedly, pulling off her glasses and setting them down next to her plate and rubs her eyes.
“She doesn’t understand that this is just a bump in the road, a blip on the radar screen.
She doesn’t understand that once this issue goes away, so do you.
Piper lives in a different world than I do.
We both know that this is not a romance novel.
You do not end up wanting me,” she opens her mouth to keep going.
But I have had enough of her thinking she knows what I want or don’t want.
Tuning her out, I wait for my opportune moment.
Just when her face is turned and tilted in the right direction, I make my move.
Quickly, my mouth descends on hers. I swallow whatever it is she has to say and instead make better use of our time.
She is still shocked, so I use it to my advantage.
My tongue maps out her mouth, exploring the terrain.
Memorizing the texture. In a second he sighs and relaxes.
I bring my hands up to up her neck under her chin.
Holding her in place, I continue my tour.
Tonight, I’m not holding back. We have done this dance long enough. It is time I prove her wrong.
Keeping my hold on her face, I pull back. She is panting slightly. Her lips and cheeks are rosy. Rubbing my thumbs along the apples of her cheeks, I move in again. A bit slower this time. So that she understands this isn’t another blip on the radar screen.
With my mouth still on hers, I stand and pull her up with me.
Wanting to be closer, I yank her forward so that there is not one part of us that isn’t touching.
Her height is hindering me from all of the access I want.
So I pick her up and set her on the counter.
She gasps and holds on for dear life, as if I’m going to drop her.
Her eyes are starting to come back into focus, and that won’t do, so I go for her mouth again. She needs to stop thinking so much.