I took her things inside and set them down on the dining table. “Do you want to take a bath pretty girl? I’m cooking you dinner tonight and I want you to go and relax.”
She gave me a beautiful smile. “That sounds perfect. I’m just gonna go get Zef first.” She called as she headed in the direction of my dog.
I shook my head and smiled. It was hard to believe I’d ever been worried about the two of them getting along, they were two peas in a pod.
Zefer came bounding into the kitchen and screeched to a stop at my feet.
“How’s my boy?”
I gave him a good scratch behind the ears and laughed when he heard El on the stairs – he took off again, and I heard him bounding up behind her.
That woman…
As I cooked, I tried to come up with a plan. I needed to keep Ells safe. That was the number one priority. But as Mark kept pointing out to me, keeping the both of us locked away wasn’t necessarily the best option. This bastard was probably a hell of a lot more patient than I was, and who knows how long he planned to lurk in the shadows. Come Monday morning, we needed to bring him into the light.
***
“Did you ever consider becoming a chef?” El asked after a sip of her wine.
“Yeah, I actually went to culinary school for a few months. I loved the cooking, the only downside was that I never got to be outdoors. That’s what I love about my job now. I can work in the office all winter, and come summer I can throw on my work boots and tool belt and get out there.”
El’s mouth dropped opened slightly. “Oh god I’d pay good money to see that.”
I frowned. “See what?”
“You. Work boots. Tool belt. God…” She fanned her face and smirked at me. “That sounds hot. Bring on summer”
I chuckled. “We don’t need summer or a building site for that baby.”
She giggled. “But back to being a chef, you’re really good. Do you think you’d ever change your mind and go back to it?”
I nodded. “That was one of the main reasons I brought the restaurant. My chef is a good guy. He keeps me up to date with food trends and everything else that goes on. I’ve actually put an apron on and cooked with him a few times. It was good, gets the heart rate up.”
El groaned.
“What dirty thoughts are going through that pretty head of yours now baby?”
She laughed and swatted my arm. “My lips are sealed.”
I look a pull from my beer bottle. “What about you? Have you ever thought about doing anything other than running a communication empire?”
She shook her head lightly and smiled fondly. “No. The company has always been my baby. I get a lot of people that look at me and think I’m only here because of my dad. But I’ve learnt that it’s easier to ignore them and let my work prove them wrong than it is to try and convince them myself. I’ve been working towards this since I was a teenager.”
“I can see how much it means to you. I can’t think of anyone that works as hard as you do.”
“You do.” She smiled. “And luckily for me, so does Quinn. I don’t think I would have got here so quickly without her working towards the same goal.”
“Yeah I’ll give her that, she’d a bloody hard worker. She watched my mum work her ass off when we were little. She learnt her work ethic from her.”
“How is your mum? I haven’t seen her in forever.”
I smiled. I hadn’t told my mum about me and El. Amidst all the crazy it had completely slipped my mind. I knew she was going to be thrilled though. She loved Ellerslie.
Loving this girl runs in the family.
“She’s good, I haven’t spoke to her in a few weeks. I haven’t told her about finding you.”
Her eyes sparkled. “I told my parents. Jefferson Rush would like to meet you. And Amanda, she just about lost it when I sent her a photo of you.”
I raised my eye brows and she blushed. “I wasn’t aware you had a photo of me.”
She blushed even deeper red. “I kinda took one when you were sleeping.” She crinkled up her nose. “And maybe one of you and Zef running… and possibly another one of you when you were reading and didn’t notice.”
I laughed at her adorable guilty expression. “I guess we have that in common baby.”
She cocked her head to the side in question.
“I’ve got one of you when you were sleeping too... actually that’s a lie. I’ve got one of you for every night you’ve slept next to me.”
She gaped at me. “That’s a lot of photos Lawson.” She said softly.
“It’s not nearly enough pretty girl.”
“Lucky there’s a lot more nights ahead then right?”
***
I lay back on the couch and pulled El into my side. She’d convinced me to watch ‘Forest Gump’ with her. She had insisted it was the greatest movie of all time, and even thought I seen it more times than I could count, her giant baby blue eyes had won me over.
She yawned a big yawn and I chuckled. “You’re never going to make it through this whole movie baby.”
She jabbed me in the side. “I will too.”
She didn’t.
I gazed down at her beautiful face. She was so peaceful when she slept. I carefully took out my phone and snapped a picture of her cradled against my arm. I wasn’t joking when I said I took a photo of her every night. It had become a habit for me. It probably sounded creepy to say that I liked to watch her sleep, but it was the truth.
She is stunning.
The way the low light cast a soft glow across her golden skin, her lips slightly parted. Not one single thought crossing her incredible mind – she took my breath away. If I hadn’t fallen for her kindness, or her sense of humour, her smile or her smart mouth, I knew without a doubt that I would have fallen for how perfect she was in these moments. When there was no expectations, no pressure.
I don’t think I ever really understood how finding the perfect person for you could put all your insecurities to rest, but I did now, thanks to her.
61. Ellerslie
I woke in Lawson’s bed. I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow.
Damn that long movie.
As was becoming a bit of a ritual, I’d fall asleep and Lawson would carry me up here.
I felt his arms slip around my middle and pull me closer and I peeked out and smiled at him. “Good morning.”
He smiled his boyish smile. “Morning baby.”
I loved looking at him the mornings. His facial hair was a little too long, his hair scruffy. He was dishevelled and sexy. His voice was husky and sleepy – it sent shivers racing down my spine.
Yip… Lawson in the morning was a fine sight.
“Sorry I feel asleep again. I had plans for you.”
He gave me a sly smirk. “Did you now? And what plans were they?”
“The kind involving work boots and a tool belt.” I winked at him.
He laughed a deep laugh. “No worries pretty girl. There’s always tonight.”
I snorted. “I’m sure all of our friends would love that.”
“Good point.” He pulled me even closer to him and nuzzled at my neck. “When are they leaving again?” He growled.
I giggled at him. “What time is it?”
He checked his watch. “It’s just after seven. I better take a shower and get going.”
We both showered, dressed and grabbed breakfast on the run. I wanted to leave when Lawson did so he wouldn’t worry about me being here alone.
“Text me when you get there okay?”
“Promise.” I kissed him softly on the lips.
Lawson had other ideas. He snaked his arm around my back and pressed my body hard against his. He kissed me like it might be the last time. His lips were firm and commanding. His tongue dominant and persistent. I caved to his control and held on for dear life.
He broke away abruptly and rested his forehead against mine. We were both breathing hard. “I love you pretty girl. Be carefu
l.” He said between breaths.
“I love you too.” I replied softly.
He released me and strode to his truck. I stood motionless for a few seconds. My lips were swollen and my head had turned to mush. I ran my fingers across my lips, feeling where his had been.
I turned and caught his gaze through his windscreen. His eyes were torn, I could see how hard it was for him to leave me like this. I smiled and got in my Jeep – without looking back, I reversed out and drove myself to work.
I arrived without incident and met my body guard for the day. I’d had to hold back a giggle when I’d met him. He was obviously a military man – he looked like he could take down a small army single handed.
I text Lawson.
“I’m here safe and sound. I’m just with the Incredible Hulk now. He is huge!”
His reply came instantly.
“I bet he’s not as big as me baby.”
I laughed out loud. That earned me a sideways glance from Hulk that I waved off as I typed out my reply.
“Can you see me rolling my eyes from there?”
I arrived at my office as my phone beeped again.
“Almost. I love you, I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“I love you more.”
“Do you want a chair or something?” I asked Hulk. I wracked my brain, trying to think of his real name.
“No ma’am. I’ll just be right here if you need me.” He planted his feet solidly and folded his arms. I was hoping like hell that some of the interns would need to see me today – it’d be hilarious to see their faces when they encountered this guy.
I walked into my office but stuck my head back around the door frame when I thought of Weston. “My PA will be here shortly. Try not to scare him would you?”
He nodded his head without looking away from the hallway.
Great… he seems fun.
I sighed and got to work. It was going to be a long day.
***
It was after mid-day and I still hadn’t heard from Lawson. I’d had West run down to the café and bring me some lunch. I’d contemplated going myself, but I knew Lawson would shit a brick - even with the body guard in tow.
I was starting to get worried about what was taking him so long.
I guess I can’t blame him for worrying all the time…
I picked up my phone and called him.
“Hey Ells, I’m so sorry I haven’t called. I just realised how late it is.” He answered.
“Is everything okay?”
“Not really.” He sighed. “It’s a shit storm down here. I fired the project manager this morning and I’ve spent the rest of this time trying to sort out his mess.”
Oh hell. He was pissed.
“Shit. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Thanks pretty girl but I’ve got it handled. I’m hoping to have a new project manager organised for Monday, but the bad news is I’m going to be stuck here until about four.”
“That’s fine. Quinn drove in this morning too so we can both just go back to our apartment, get what we need and I’ll bring her with me to your house and meet you there around five.”
“I’ll have Brody go with you.”
Brody! That was Hulk’s name.
“We’ll be fine cowboy. I’ll have Reeve meet us in the parking garage and come up with us.”
He paused for a minute and I could tell he was deciding whether or not it was safe enough. “Okay. But I want you to let me know that Reeve can be there, otherwise you’re taking Brody. Deal?”
I twisted a strand of hair around my finger. “Deal.” I could hear people yelling in the background. It was pretty obvious he had his hands full. “I’ll let you go. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. See you soon baby.”
I called Q and Reeve next and they were both fine with the plan.
I sent Law a quick message so he wouldn’t worry.
“Reeve is meeting us at the apartment x.”
I called Weston into my office and we spent the last few hours of the day working through the mountain of paperwork on my desk. It was an extremely productive afternoon. I had to give credit to Hulk for not distracting me from my work even once.
Maybe having a body guard wouldn’t be so bad after all.
I text Quinn to let her know I was heading down to my Jeep. Brody walked me down, saw me into the vehicle and then stood against the wall waiting for me to drive out.
A message came through from Quinn.
“Running 5mins late, meet you at home.”
I turned on the Jeep and waved to the Hulk as I drove out. He didn’t wave back.
***
I had been driving for about five minutes when I came into some traffic. I turned up the radio and started to sing along. I glanced in my rear-view mirror and saw a black BMW sedan with heavy tints right behind me. Behind that was a long line of traffic.
I hate traffic.
I decided to try my luck with getting across a couple of lanes and going the long way home. The distance was further, but it would be faster if the roads were clear. I made it across and mentally high-fived myself. It was nowhere near as busy this way. I pulled up to a set of lights and text Quinn, instructing her which way to go to avoid the chaos. I glanced in my mirror again and was surprised to see the same BMW still behind me.
Guess I’m not the only one with that plan.
I moved through another two sets of lights and turned the corner. I couldn’t help myself from checking my mirrors again. My naturally suspicious instincts got the better of me.
My heart jumped as I saw the dark car was still behind me. I reached for my phone to call Lawson, but stopped myself. There was no point in stressing him out for nothing. He had enough on his plate.
I made a last minute turn back towards a small suburb.
The car followed.
I spotted a complex set of lights and indicated to turn left, but at the last minute decided to go right.
The car followed.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
It was pretty clear I was being tailed. I took a deep breath and told myself not to freak the hell out. One part of my brain was screaming at me to get to the apartment, but the other, slightly more rational part knew I couldn’t lead this guy to where I lived.
I changed lanes and made a right turn, instead of the left that would lead me back toward our building. It took me to a more populated area, there were people walking down the footpaths – it gave me a feeling of security.
I looked around the small suburb and spotted a busy coffee shop. The BMW was a few cars back from me now. I pulled to a stop outside the shop and locked my door. I was shaking so badly it took me three tries before my phone finally started to ring out to Lawson.
“Hey baby.”
“Lawson, I’m in trouble.” I said in a rush.
“What happened? Where are you?” I could hear him breathing heavily. He was already running.
“I’m in the Jeep, he’s following me. I… I don’t know exactly where I am.” I looked around. “Outside ‘The coffee cup’.”
“Fuck!”
“What do I do?” My voice was barely more than a whisper.
“What the hell are you doing all the way over there?” Lawson was furious. I heard a car door slam and him rev the engine of his truck.
Lawson’s coming.
“I got stuck in traffic, so I took the long way. Then I turned away, I didn’t want to lead him home.” My voice was shaky and tears were streaming down my face.
“Where is he? Describe the car to me baby.”
I swung around and spotted the car parked a short way down the road. “He’s still watching me. It’s a few cars down. A BMW sedan, black with dark tints.”
“You did good baby. I’m coming okay?”
I nodded even though I knew he couldn’t see me.
“Listen to me El, I have to hang up okay? I need to call Mark. As soon as you get off with me, I want you to get the best picture you
can of that car. If you can get the number plate too, then even better. Then I need you to call Reeve and stay on the line with him until Mark or I get to you. Do not open the door for anyone other than the two of us. Do you understand?”
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