by Erika Wilde
Melodie bit into her sandwich and chewed. “My lunch is incredible. How about yours?”
Natalie recognized a change in topic when she heard one, and let it slide. “It’s good.”
Melodie obviously kept her mouth filled so she didn’t have to answer more questions about Natalie’s engagement, and the silence prompted her to sneak another peek at the man sitting by himself. He was still watching her steadily, as if he hadn’t taken his eyes off her since he’d arrived.
Once again, a shiver rippled down her spine, and despite knowing she ought to ignore his disconcerting stare and cocky, knowing smile, her gaze kept straying back to his table. She told herself she was merely curious, but she couldn’t deny that something inexplicable was drawing her attention back to him, again and again.
“Is something wrong?” Melodie asked. “You look distressed all of a sudden.”
Natalie drew a deep breath, which did nothing to diminish the tension within her. “It’s probably just me, but that guy over at the table behind you has been looking this way since he arrived.” Even now, while eating his hamburger, his attention was still on her.
Melodie dragged a French fry through a pool of ketchup and popped it into her mouth. “Is he flirting with you?”
“No, not really.” There was no real charm to his demeanor, but rather he possessed an intimidating quality that made her feel uneasy. “He’s just watching me in a way that’s unnerving.”
Melodie cast a quick, surreptitious glance over her shoulder to check out the guy for herself, then looked back at Natalie, her expression suddenly wary and concerned. “He’s being rude. Just ignore him.”
“I’ve been trying to.” Appetite gone, she pushed her half-eaten salad aside. “He’s just so obvious.”
Melodie finished off her lunch while doing her best to distract Natalie so she’d keep her gaze off the man, though there was no denying that the guy’s presence seemed to bother Melodie, too. Natalie breathed a grateful sigh of relief when he finally paid his bill and left.
“I’m sorry,” Natalie said, wondering if she’d turned neurotic since her accident. “I’m probably just tired and making more of the situation than there actually was.”
“Maybe,” Melodie agreed, but there was something in her tone that made Natalie wonder what her friend had seen when she’d looked at the other man.
Melodie insisted on paying for lunch, and once that was done they stood and gathered up their purses.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room,” Natalie said, wishing she could shake the restlessness settling within her.
“I’ll go with you,” Melodie said quickly, her tone insistent.
Natalie slanted her friend a curious look. The woman was suddenly being overprotective, and while she, herself, was overwhelmed by all that had transpired, Melodie appeared just as affected—and determined not to leave her alone.
Together they made their way through the casual restaurant to the restroom located down a long hall in the back. Natalie glanced around at the patrons, in search of the guy who’d been watching her, and felt ridiculous, though immensely relieved, when she didn’t see him anywhere.
They slipped into the ladies’ room, and since there were only two stalls, one of which was currently taken, Natalie went first, then switched with Melodie. She washed her hands and glanced into the mirror at her reflection. At the same moment, the man’s face flashed in her mind, and without warning she was overwhelmed with a feeling of claustrophobia.
She pulled in a deep, calming breath, but her lungs constricted in her chest. She had to get out of there and into a wide-open space. “Mel, I need fresh air,” she said abruptly. “I’ll meet you out in the waiting area.”
Before Melodie could object, Natalie exited the restroom into the hall…and bumped into a solid male chest. The impact brought her up short, and the strap of her purse slipped down her arm and fell to the floor with a resounding thump. She didn’t move, too paralyzed by the sight of the man who’d been admiring her out on the patio. Now he stood in front of her, so close she could see swirls of gold in his hazel eyes.
He didn’t move, just continued to stare at her, as if waiting for some kind of reaction. Then his gaze traveled the length of her body in a long, slow once-over, visually undressing her, making her feel dirty and exposed.
Her stomach lurched sickeningly, and she finally forced herself to take a huge step back, though based on his calm demeanor, she didn’t know why she felt so threatened. But she couldn’t ignore the instinctive warning rattling her.
Her heart beat so hard in her chest she was surprised he didn’t hear it. “I’m, uh, sorry,” she stammered, her voice escaping in a croak of sound.
He blinked lazily. “You should watch where you’re going and be more careful of your surroundings,” he drawled.
A sense of familiarity flashed in her mind, startling her. Attempting to grasp onto a semblance of sanity, she searched his features, trying to latch onto something tangible, and failed. “Do I know you?”
Slowly, he bent down and picked up her purse, then slipped it back onto her shoulder, his touch lingering longer than was appropriate. “Possibly, in a past life,” he said, staring at her intently. His fingers caressed the side of her neck before falling away.
A shiver raced down her spine like a shock wave. His touch made her skin crawl and his words were cryptic, as if holding a deeper meaning she didn’t understand. A well of frustration took up residence in her, along with a knot of panic.
The door to the women’s rest room opened and Melodie rushed out, coming to a quick stop when she encountered the two of them in her way. “Natalie, is everything okay?”
Thankful for the interruption and the presence and security of another person, Natalie could only glance Melodie’s way. Her throat felt as though it had closed up, and speech suddenly seemed impossible.
Melodie wore a fierce frown on her face, and concern burned bright in her eyes. “Is there a problem here?” Her question was directed at the man and demanded an answer.
“Not at all,” he replied smoothly. “The lady and I just had a run-in. No harm done from what I can see.”
No harm physically, Natalie agreed, but internally she was still shaking from the encounter and so thrown off balance she wondered if she’d recover.
With a pleasant nod to her, he moved around Melodie and strode down the hallway and back into the dining area of the restaurant. Natalie felt so light-headed and weak she feared her legs would give out on her.
Melodie placed a comforting hand on her arm. “Good Lord, Natalie, you’re as pale as a ghost and you’re trembling. Do you know him?”
Possibly, in a past life. She still couldn’t make sense of his comment, so she didn’t bother sharing his remark. “I don’t know.”
Melodie eyed her critically. “You know what? I think you’ve had enough excitement for the day. Let’s get out of here. I’m taking you back to Cole’s and you can rest there until Noah comes to pick you up.”
Natalie followed Melodie out of the restaurant, too grateful for her insight to argue.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Noah’s day in Reno had been a long one, but very productive, and for that he couldn’t complain, despite the disturbing details of Natalie’s past he’d uncovered. After his flight had touched down in Oakland, he’d decided to swing by the office and update Cole on the information he’d discovered, and get his brother’s input on Natalie’s predicament.
Sitting in one of the chairs directly in front of Cole’s desk, Noah told him what he’d learned from Natalie’s ex-landlady, an older woman named Vivian who’d seemed genuinely fond of Natalie and concerned about her welfare. Once he’d shown proof of his identity as a private investigator and explained that Natalie’s life was possibly in jeopardy, the woman had offered him a wealth of valuable information that had been incredibly helpful.
Now Noah passed on the details of their meeting to Cole. “While Natalie was attending college at
the University of Nevada, Reno, she started dating a coed by the name of Chad Freeman,” he said, recanting what the older woman had shared with him, while at the same time trying not to let the rage he’d experienced during the conversation with Vivian resurface again. “According to what the woman witnessed, the relationship started out well enough, but gradually she saw a change in Chad, who became more domineering and possessive of Natalie.”
Cole rubbed a hand along his jaw as he considered that information for a moment. “Did the landlady see any signs of abuse?”
Noah shook his head, though his stomach constricted at just how badly she’d been mistreated. “No, not physically. Vivian felt as though the relationship was more mentally abusive. There were times when she heard Chad’s raised voice coming from Natalie’s apartment, criticizing her, putting her down.”
Despite Noah’s best efforts, a spark of anger ignited deep inside of him. “Apparently, things turned ugly when Natalie took on a job as a showgirl at a casino to make some extra money. Chad couldn’t handle it. They had an explosive argument in the hallway of the complex. He called her a whore for using her body to make money, and she finally broke off the relationship.”
“Good for her,” Cole said, his tone laced with disgust.
Noah’s lips flattened into a grim line. “Unfortunately, Chad didn’t appreciate being dumped and he stalked and threatened her for a few months, and finally attacked her one night after work.”
“Holy shit.” Cole sat up straighter in his seat. “Why didn’t she contact the police to slap Chad with a restraining order?”
“I’m betting she was afraid of infuriating Chad even more, and she feared what he’d do in retribution for her involving the police.” Noah also suspected it was a classic case of self-preservation that had prompted her to leave Reno. “I suppose it was easier for her to pack up and start over somewhere new than to stay and risk Chad attacking her again—which brings her here to Oakland.”
Opening the case file he’d made for Natalie, Noah shuffled through a few pages of notes and came to a photo of a blond-haired man with his arm slung over Natalie’s shoulder, his hold on her too tight and his smile too arrogant. A protective instinct flared hot and bright in Noah’s veins. He hated that the creep had ever tainted Natalie with his touch.
Shaking off the animosity seeping into his blood, he passed the picture across the desk for Cole to take a look at. “Vivian gave me this picture that was sent to her a few years ago as their Christmas card. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a good-enough look at the guy in the baseball cap who was following us last weekend to identify that man as the one in the picture. But at least this gives us an idea of who we might be looking for.”
Cole glanced from the photo to Noah. “You think it’s Chad Freeman who’s after her again?”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense after everything I learned today.” He rubbed a hand along the taut muscles in his neck and shoulder. “I also went to Freeman’s previous place of employment and found out from the manager that he quit and moved about three weeks ago.”
Cole’s dark brows rose in interest as he handed back the photo. “Do I dare ask to where?”
Noah tucked the picture into the file for safekeeping. “Not surprisingly he talked about moving to San Francisco, though the manager wasn’t sure if that’s where he ended up. But I’m fairly positive that’s exactly where Freeman is.”
Cole released a long, heavy breath. “So am I.”
The certainty in his brother’s tone caused Noah to frown. “Do you know something I don’t?”
“Yeah, I do,” he replied in his normal, straightforward manner. “Melodie called me after she and Natalie got home from shopping today. It seems there was a guy at the restaurant where they had lunch who was watching Natalie from another table, and he eventually cornered her alone where the restrooms were.”
The fiery heat of rage roiled through Noah’s blood, and it took a good deal of effort for him to keep it under control. “Did he hurt her?”
“No. She was just shaken up by the run-in. As soon as Mel arrived on the scene, the guy backed off, but Mel was pretty sure it wasn’t a chance meeting. She said he was just too cocky and sure of himself with Natalie.”
Noah clenched and unclenched his fists, feeling helpless that he hadn’t been there to keep Natalie safe and protected. “Then Mel got a good-enough look at the guy to tell me if he was Chad?”
“Probably so,” Cole said confidently. “According to her description, he had blond hair and hazel eyes, so I’m sure she’ll be able to ID him with that photo.”
“Then I need to talk to her.” The sooner the better. He scooped up his folder and stood, anxious to be on his way and to see for himself that Natalie was okay and unharmed.
“Mel will tell you everything she knows.” Cole stood, too, and walked Noah to the reception area of the offices. “What are you going to do from here?”
He glanced back at his brother, so very grateful that he had Cole’s support. “I’m going to keep Natalie in my sight at all times and keep a lookout for Chad Freeman, because the bastard’s likely closer than we all think.”
And for all he knew, the deranged stalker knew exactly where Natalie was right now, and that she was staying with him. The thought twisted his stomach up in knots of fury and frustration.
“Are you going to show Natalie the picture of her and Chad?” Cole asked.
He’d considered that idea on the flight back to Oakland, but realized it didn’t serve any real purpose to present her with something that might work her into a panic. Obviously, seeing Chad in person hadn’t jogged her memory, so it was unlikely the photo would, either.
“No. She needs to remember her past on her own, and I’m not prepared or equipped to answer the questions that would undoubtedly crop up if I show her a photo of the man who confronted her today.”
Cole nodded in silent agreement. “Watch yourself, Noah, and Natalie, too.”
“I plan to.”
* * *
“Did you get everything done today that you needed to?”
“Pretty much.” Noah glanced over at Natalie, who was sitting in the passenger seat of his car as he drove them both back to his place. “Though I heard you had a rough afternoon.”
Her head rolled against the back of her seat to look at him, a wry smile pulling up the corners of her mouth. “You’ve been talking to Melodie, I see.”
“Guilty as charged.”
When he’d arrived at Cole’s to pick up Natalie, she’d been resting in the upstairs guest bedroom, which had given him a few moments alone with Melodie to find out what, exactly, had happened during their lunch. She’d identified the man in the photo as the guy who’d confronted Natalie, which had put up Noah’s guard even more where his pretend fiancée was concerned.
He now said to Natalie, “She was worried about you after that incident with the guy who was eyeing you.”
Her shoulders lifted in a shrug as if the incident were inconsequential, but she didn’t completely pull off the show of bravado. “It was all very strange, really…”
Her voice trailed off on a note of confusion, but that didn’t stop him from prompting her for more details. “Strange in what way?”
“The way he watched me while I was eating lunch, for one thing,” she said, and visibly shuddered at the unpleasant memory. “His stare was just so…unnerving. And when I ran into him in the hallway leading to the restrooms, the way he touched me gave me the creeps.”
Every muscle in Noah’s body grew tense, and his grip tightened around the steering wheel. “He touched you?”
“I dropped my purse and he picked it up and put the strap back on my shoulder,” she explained. “His fingers kind of lingered against my neck.”
He exhaled a slow stream of breath to keep calm. No doubt about it, Noah was going to kill the bastard when he finally found him.
“But what bothered me the most is that he acted as though he knew me, or li
ke I should know him.”
As casually as he could manage, he asked, “Did he look at all familiar to you?”
“I honestly don’t know. I felt like I instinctively knew him somehow, but I definitely didn’t feel comfortable around him. It was a weird contradiction I haven’t been able to resolve in my mind.” She sighed, the sound rife with uncertainties. “Then again, I think I’ve developed a case of paranoia along with this temporary amnesia.”
He had proof that her apprehension was based in reality, so there was no way he was going to downplay the situation. Reaching across the console, he placed his hand over hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. “Do me a favor. If you ever see this guy again, let me know immediately.”
She smiled at him. “You’ll be the first to know.”
Satisfied with that reassurance, Noah exited the freeway and after making certain they hadn’t been followed, he headed toward home. They arrived minutes later, and he flicked on the house lights as they walked into the entryway.
“Boy, am I ever tense.” Natalie raised her hands above her head and stretched her body like a lithe cat. “I think I’m going to go upstairs and take a bath before going to bed.”
He clearly heard the invitation in her tone. “Go ahead. I need to check messages and give Bobby a call to discuss a case with him.” Her lip puffed out in an adorable pout, and he knew the reason was because he wasn’t following her upstairs. “I won’t be long.”
Closing the distance between them, she entwined her arms around his neck and aligned her curves to him in all the right, responsive places. “Promise?” she asked huskily, her gaze locked with his in a way he couldn’t escape.
Not that he wanted to. She was a temptress, one he could no longer refuse. He knew what would happen once he climbed the stairs to his bedroom tonight, and he couldn’t fight his feelings for her, or their mutual desire. The need to be an intrinsic part of her, emotionally and physically, was too strong to deny.