Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Luke was halfway to the security office when the front door swung inward with a soft whoosh. He shot an obligatory glance over his shoulder and immediately did a double take, blinking several times to make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him.
As if it had a mind of its own, his body slowly turned toward Hannah. The sight of her knocked the breath from his chest as she strode forward, hips rolling sensually with every step.
He had to be hallucinating. This wasn’t the Dr. Whitmore he knew. Her three-inch heels tap-tap-tapped across the floor, increasing his heart rate with every staccato beat. Long, dark tresses hung freely around her shoulders with a slight curl at the ends, bouncing as she walked.
The red V-neck blouse showed off the tiniest hint of cleavage and nipped in at her trim waist, and the black skirt she wore hugged every curve, stopping just above her knees. And Lord help him… those shoes.
He gaped at her, frozen in place, as she closed the distance between them with each step of those heels. Her gaze met his for a brief second before she dropped it to the floor and bit her lip, her expression bashful yet flirtatious. Was she even aware of what she was doing?
Unable to move, still not quite believing this gorgeous woman in front of him was the same doctor he’d held in his arms last week, he stood rooted in place as she brushed past him and punched the button for the elevator.
Following every movement, he watched her step inside before turning toward him with a seductive flip of her hair.
The provocative smile she shot his way as the doors closed made him want to lunge after her, pull her into his arms and ravage her mouth, run his hands over every curve exposed by those chic new clothes.
Who was this woman and what in the world was she doing?
Nearly a week ago she’d sat splayed across his lap, meek and insecure.
Today, she strode across the room like the world was hers for the taking, along with everyone in it.
This woman could bring a man to his knees with a single look—and he’d be the first to fall at her feet.
Since he’d known her, Hannah had covered herself basically from head to toe in shapeless dark suits that did nothing for her. Today’s outfit was the polar opposite, flattering and highlighting her best features. What had happened over the weekend to bring about this radical change?
Ice streamed through his veins as an unwelcome thought hit him square in the chest. Could she have a date tonight? Something akin to envy washed over him, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
She intrigued him, triggered his protective instincts, and although he didn’t know her know her, his body did.
Deep down, his body had recognized hers and the chemistry between them was so thick he could have cut it with a knife.
He’d been with a good number of women but none who stirred him down to his very soul as Hannah did.
Now that he’d gotten a taste, he wanted more.
Still unsettled, he swiped his key card through the slot on the wall and stepped into the room. Raúl called this the security office, but he didn’t do much back here except glance occasionally at the screens linked up to the cameras positioned around the building, watching clients come and go.
He’d ordered another half-dozen cameras, one to be installed on each floor—except Hannah’s—and a couple more at the main points of interest. The wiring and components were all sitting in a box in his office at Vantage.
Once the cameras arrived, he hoped to get everything hooked up by the end of the week.
He wanted to make sure that Hannah was safe, even after he was done here.
“Anything happening today?”
The building manager shook his head. “Nope. How about you?”
He let out a sigh. The job paid well, but he was getting a little burnt out with nothing to do. Not that he should complain. Any day spent watching the gorgeous doctor come and go was fine in his book, and today was better than the past week.
Part of him couldn’t help but wonder if her worries were unfounded.
Maybe the murder was just a streak of bad luck on her part.
There had been no communication since then, and the expense to keep him here would be astronomical by the end of the temporary four-week period that he was scheduled to stay on.
He’d missed a call from Knox that morning and needed to touch base with him.
Just a week ago, Knox had offered to take over his position here.
There was just one little problem with that…
She was five-foot-two with pouty lips and long brown hair that he wanted to wrap around his fist while he explored every inch of her petite, curvy body.
He hadn’t spoken with Knox over the last few days, so Knox knew nothing of his encounter with Hannah last week in her office.
There was no way he couldn’t see her anymore, especially after today.
The only question was, did he stay on as security or let Knox take over so he could see her outside of work and not be associated with the bad things that had happened recently?
Would it be better to be the lover or the savior?
Maybe he could be both. The last thing he wanted was to not see her at all during the day and miss his opportunity with her.
If he picked up another gig that took him away from her, would she forget all about him?
No, he couldn’t risk that. He’d stay on for now until he got a better feel for things.
Pulling out his phone, he tapped Knox’s number. After two rings, the call connected.
“What’s up?”
“Not much. Everything’s been quiet.”
“Glad to hear that,” Knox returned.
He took a deep breath. “Hey, change of plans. I’ll stick to the original contract.” Raúl didn’t know anything about his original plan to let Knox take over, so he didn’t elaborate.
Knox’s end was silent for a few moments before he spoke. “You sure?”
“Yep.”
“Did something happen that I need to be aware of?”
Other than the fact that he’d kissed his client? “Nope.”
“Okay.” His voice was hesitant, and Luke could practically hear the wheels spinning, trying to figure out the real story. “Grab a beer later?”
Let Knox grill him once he’d tossed back a couple too many? No thanks. “Maybe another night. Rain check?”
“Keep it in your pants.”
“It wasn’t…” He stopped before he could incriminate himself further.
“That’s what I thought. You sure you don’t need me to come in?”
Anger burned in his stomach. “No, I’ve got it.”
“Keep me posted.”
The line went dead, and he shoved the phone into his back pocket with a huff of irritation. He glanced at the computer screen over Raúl’s shoulder, watching as Dr. Audrey Stanton made her way through the doors, her husband on her heels.
Raúl made a low sound in his throat. “Think there’s trouble there?”
He glanced at the screen where Scott Gerber stood toe-to-toe with his wife in what appeared to be an intensely heated conversation.
“I’ll go check it out.” It would give him something to do and get Hannah off his mind for a few minutes, at least.
Pushing open the door, he strode into the lobby just in time to see Scott grab Audrey roughly by the arm and jerk her toward him. Red flashed across his vision and he was across the room before he realized it. “Hands off!”
Scott immediately released Audrey and jumped back at the sound of his voice. His eyes darted wildly in Luke’s direction, a mixture of surprise and loathing filling the depths.
Disregarding the other man for the moment, Luke turned to Audrey. “Is everything okay?”
“I… I’m fine.” She smoothed down her blouse and pushed her hair behind her ears. “But he has to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” Scott grabbed at Audrey again and Luke planted a hand firmly against his solar plexus, shoving him backward.
Scott coughed roughly from the contact, and Luke pointed at him. “Touch her again and I’m calling the police. Understand?”
“Who do you think you are?”
“Security. I’m here to make sure our staff and clients are safe.” The man’s eyes glimmered with hate but he gave a jerky nod, and Luke stared him down for a moment before glancing back at Audrey. “What’s going on here?”
“He’s not supposed to be here. We’re going through a divorce right now and today is my day for appointments, but—”
“Until the paperwork is finalized, I can go wherever I want, whenever I want,” Scott bit out. Luke shot a warning look his way, and he fell back a step with a glare at his soon-to-be ex-wife.
“Anyway,” Audrey continued, “he was waiting outside and followed me in to harass me about the proceedings. You need to leave,” she directed at her husband.
“Not until we talk.”
Audrey threw her hands in the air. “We have nothing to talk about. Go to hell, Scott, and take the bimbo with you.”
“Don’t be a bitch,” Scott shot back. “You’re just pissed that she’s younger and more beautiful than you.”
Uncomfortable at witnessing the details of what was obviously a very messy divorce, Luke intervened. “Dr. Gerber, I think it would be best if you leave. If you put your hands on your wife again, I’ll have you arrested for assault.”
“But—”
“It wasn’t an option. You’re leaving.”
“This isn’t over.” With one last glare at his wife, he shoved the door open angrily and stormed outside.
Luke turned back to Audrey. “You okay?”
She nodded, but her hands shook. “I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
“If something like this is happening, we should be aware of it so we can put precautions in place.”
Audrey dropped her chin. “I know, I’m sorry. Things were going okay for a while, but… Ugh, I can’t wait until this is over.”
He nodded. “I understand. This is a public space, so I can’t stop him from entering without a restraining order, but I can keep him away from you if that’s what needs to happen.”
“Please. I just… He’s not dangerous, he’s just an idiot. I don’t want to deal with him at work, too.”
“Has he been bothering you at home?”
She shrugged. “Just little stuff. He’s been calling a lot, showed up a couple times.”
“Listen.” He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her. “If you think you need someone to watch over your place for a few days, deter him, let me know. I’ll recommend one of my buddies. They’ll take care of him.”
A smile curved her face as she slipped the card into her purse and adjusted the strap over her shoulder. “Thanks. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”
He studied her for another moment. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. Thank you again.” She took a few steps away before turning back. “Hannah was right. You’re a good man, Mr. Stone.”
Momentarily taken aback, he froze, unable to respond. Finally, he managed a little nod. “Thank you, Dr. Stanton.”
She strode away, leaving him to ponder her words. Hannah had been talking about him? That was a good sign, right? Heck yeah, it was. A slow smile spread across his face. It was time to make some rounds, see if he could catch a glimpse of his pretty little doctor.