His arm still around her, he led her to the sofa. He eased himself onto the plush cushions, and pulled her next to him.
“Did someone threaten you?” he asked gently, but inside a storm brewed.
“No, it’s not like that. I don’t know who it is, but I know what he drives. It’s a black sedan.” She twisted the Kleenex she was holding. “The first time I saw the car, it was in the parking structure when I went for my audition a few weeks ago. I didn’t pay close attention to it at the time, because he sped off. But now I’m thinking that whoever was in that car could have been the person who keyed John’s car.” She tossed down the tissue she’d been torturing and pulled another from the box. She dabbed at her eyes. “I’ve seen the same car in the parking lot behind my building, on my street, and parked near where the girls and I—”
“The girls?”
“The Pep Squad. We’d finished filming and were taking publicity shots. Then there’s the roses.”
Greg held up his hand signaling her to stop. “What’s this about roses? He sent you roses?”
“Not sent. Delivered them himself. They were in front of my door when I got home one night.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me this?”
“And there was a note with it.”
“Do you still have the note?”
“I almost threw it away, but changed my mind. It’s over there.” Her hand trembled when she pointed to a sheet of paper on her dinette table.
He jumped from the sofa to retrieve it. As he read the note, his stomach churned. Sophie was in danger. He’d watched enough Datelines to know how stalker scenarios played out. Usually escalating until someone got hurt…or worse. He narrowed his eyes and re-read the note.
“And today, I found this on my windshield while I was home.
Reading the hand-written note sent a shiver down his spine. “And you didn’t see or hear anyone?”
“No. I peeked through the blinds, and when I didn’t see anyone, I checked out the parking lot.” She gulped and her eyes grew wide. “Nothing.”
Greg scanned her darkened living room and kitchen with the blinds tightly closed. “So this is why you’ve shut your place up.” A sudden jolt of fear speared his heart. The stalker knew where she lived, where she went, everything she did.
“How well do you know your neighbors?”
“Not very well. I kind of keep to myself.”
Guilt at having left her when she needed him the most slammed into him like a bulldozer. He had to make this up to her. “Soph, what’s happening to you is outside my wheelhouse. I need to get Tony involved.”
“The police?”
“What about your friends? Do you think one of them might be doing this? Someone involved with the Pep Squad. It was your idea to walk away from the franchise. Maybe there’s some resentment you’re not aware of.”
She shook her head vigorously. “No. We’re all pretty much over it. All of us. We needed a change. And walking away doesn’t necessarily mean forever. It’s just for now.”
“What about anyone else working on the project? Someone other than you girls? How well do you know the production crew? Anyone suspicious there?”
“I know everyone. One of them, since grade school. And the production guys have all been great to us.”
Greg stared at Sophie, considering her answer. He recognized fear in her eyes and something deep inside stirred. He had to protect her. Protect what was his. “I don’t like this. Don’t like it one bit. You’re not safe here. Come stay with at my place until this blows over.”
A tear trailed down her cheek. “I will not let some psycho chase me out of my own home.”
He wiped her tear away. He longed to brush his lips against hers, and would have, if she hadn’t made it clear that she chose films over him. But he couldn’t let her face the potential danger alone. “Then let me stay here for a few days.”
She frowned. He expected her to say no, and was surprised when she shrugged.
“It’s probably a good idea.”
He released a slight grin, but on the inside he was jumping for joy at another chance to win his woman’s heart. He pulled the keys from his pocket. “I’ll go home to pick up a change of clothes and a toothbrush, in case you threw everything out.”
That remark garnered a smile. “I still have your toothbrush…and your clothes…and your deodorant. Nothing’s been moved or tossed out.”
Determined to catch Sophie’s stalker, Greg opened all the blinds and made himself comfortable in a corner of the living room, positioned so he had a clear view of all the windows. From this vantage point he studied the apartment building across the parking lot. From the kitchen window, anyone outside could have a clear view of her living room, straight into her bedroom.
The living room windows faced the street—and another apartment building. He winced at the thought that, if Sophie didn’t close her blinds, someone could easily see her come and go. And because her bedroom faced the same building as the living room, any activity—even lovemaking—would be on display. Had her stalker seen them naked? Watched them making love?
“Wait a minute.” He jumped up to get a better look at what was across the street from the bedroom. He opened the blinds.
“Did you see something?” Sophie asked, with a catch in her voice.
“What I see are rows of windows facing your apartment on two sides. I’ll lay you odds your stalker lives in one of those buildings. You’re lucky you keep your doors locked all the time.” He hurried into the bedroom, Sophie at his heels.
In the window directly across from her bedroom, an elderly man sat, facing her window reading a newspaper. He looked up at them, then abruptly reached over and drew his drapes closed.
Sophie gasped. “It’s him, isn’t it?”
“Highly doubtful.”
“Just because he’s about a hundred years old, doesn’t mean he couldn’t have made it up the steps without having a seizure.”
“He was in a wheelchair, babe.”
“Oh.” She’d been so focused on his face, she hadn’t noticed. “We’re never going to catch him, are we?”
“Not this way. I need to come up with a better plan.”
She flew into his arms and buried her face in his chest. Her body trembled and he held her closer. “What am I going to do?” she whispered. “If he sits in front of his window all day, maybe you can go talk to him. Ask him if he’s seen anyone—”
“And say what? ‘Have you seen anyone hanging around my girlfriend’s apartment?’” He didn’t mean to call her his girlfriend and he waited for her to protest. When she didn’t, he held her tighter and rested his cheek on the top of her head, breathing in her floral scented shampoo. “Soph?”
“Hmm?”
“I’ve got an idea. How about I install a nanny cam outside your front door?”
“You’d do that for me?”
He’d do anything for Sophie. Why couldn’t he stay away from her? Why did she choose a film career over him? Why did everything have to be so damn complicated? “Of course. I need to keep you safe. Let’s go get your nanny cam.”
She drew away from his embrace. “I’ll get my jacket.”
“While you’re at it, why don’t you grab what you need to come spend the night at my place?”
“I told you. I will not be driven out of my home.”
“Just for tonight.”
She regarded him through narrowed eyes, and he noted a slight sparkle. Would they be sharing a bed tonight? Desire zoomed through his body, setting in his groin.
Surprisingly, she shook her head.
Shit. He’d blown it again.
After buying Sophie’s nanny cam, he noticed the tension leave her body. Her shoulders were relaxed and she’d unclenched her jaw. Her full lips showed traces of a slight smile.
“When’s the last time you ate your favorite pizza?” he asked. Hell, as long as he was spending the night, he might as well get them something to eat.
&
nbsp; “Too long,” she answered.
“That’s what I thought.”
He stopped by the local pizzeria and picked up a sausage, mushroom, jalapeño pizza with extra cheese, along with a six-pack of Bud Light.
As he drove back to Sophie’s condo, she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Thank you, Greg. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Hearing her declaration released pent-up desire. His body throbbed with need. He rested his hand on her thigh and when she didn’t push it away, he moved his hand higher. His breath hitched at the promise of tonight, and he drove like an Indy 500 speedster to get her to bed. He parked next to her Camry. He drove one hand between her thighs and the other hand behind her neck.
He claimed her mouth and she returned his passion. Necking like a couple of teenagers in a parked car, he feasted on her mouth. Giving, taking. Taking, giving.
She stroked his chest. Want throbbed, threatening to shatter him. Desire coiled, demanding release. Satisfaction.
* * * *
SOPHIE UNLOCKED THE DOOR and headed toward the kitchen. Following close behind—Greg put away the food.
Through the kitchen window, lights from the parking lot cast a warm glow in the kitchen. She caught a glimpse of his smile, and before she could help herself, she was in his arms. And he was feathering kisses along her jaw and down her neck.
She struggled to breathe. “What if someone’s watching us right now?”
“It’s dark in here.”
“What if they have night vision goggles?”
He chuckled. “Then we’d better give them a damn good show.” Reaching under her sweater, he unclasped her bra and cupped her breasts. “Oh, Sophie.”
If she were smart, she’d push him away. But she couldn’t. Why was it so hard to resist him? They were so wrong for each other. They had different goals, different backgrounds. But their differences couldn’t overcome the attraction they had for each other. She cradled his face in her hands, brushing her lips along his. When he groaned, she deepened her kiss, slipping her tongue inside.
Splaying his hands on the wall behind her, he backed her up until she met the hard surface. His erection pressed against her stomach. God, how she’d missed the feel of him. He slipped his hands under her ass and lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
“Baby,” he groaned.
His heartbeat pounded against her breasts as he ground against her. When she felt her crest nearing, she pulled him closer, matching him thrust for thrust. He reached between them and slipped his hand inside her panties.
“Please,” she moaned.
His touch caused her to shudder and climax. She melted against him, her head resting on his shoulder.
He pulled his hand away and kissed her. “I want you…so bad.” He carried her into the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. With growing desire, she watched him strip as her appreciation of the man intensified. Naked, he sat on the edge of the bed and sheathed his length with a condom.
Her patience was being tested as she waited for him to enter her. She needed to feel him fill her, move inside her. “Show me, baby. Show me how bad you want me.” She ran her fingertips over his muscular back. “Hurry,” she demanded, in a hoarse whisper.
Without a word, he moved to the foot of the bed. He grabbed her ankles and pulled her to him and turned her onto her stomach. When she got on all fours, he climbed onto the bed behind her, grabbed her hips and raised her until her sex touched his length. He opened her up and slid home. Their lovemaking was fast and hard. Frantic and satisfying. Exhausting and beautiful. They found release simultaneously and she swore he’d taken her to paradise…a place she never wanted to leave.
He lay next to her, tracing her jaw with his fingertips, his body slick with sweat. “For the life of me, I can’t figure out why the hell we keep breaking up.”
But both knew the reason—her film career. She loved him. And he loved her. They were soul mates.
“Me, neither.” She bracketed his face between her hands and kissed him.
Chapter Nine
SOPHIE WOKE UP THE next morning and stared into the most beautiful brown eyes in the world.
“Morning, babe,” he whispered, and brushed her fly-away hair from her face. “You feeling up to round two?”
“Would love to. Unfortunately, I promised I’d do brunch with the Pep Squad so we can talk promotion ideas...tie up loose ends.” She kissed him on the cheek and rolled out of bed.
After she’d showered and slipped into a pair of tan capris and a black tank top, she headed into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. From out of the corner of her eye she spotted a sheet of paper, folded in half, on the floor near her front door. Another note?
She froze. “Oh, no,” she murmured. Her voice hitched when she called Greg’s name.
Naked, he raced from the bedroom. “What’s wrong, babe?”
Afraid of what she might find scrawled on the paper, she pointed at the note. “Look.”
He snatched the note from the floor and unfolded it. A frown formed on his brow as he read it.
“What does it say?”
“It says, ‘Get rid of him.’”
“I called the police after I found the note on my windshield and they said that as long as he hasn’t hurt or threatened me, they can’t do anything.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I hate living like this. This is my home, my sanctuary.”
* * * *
THE LATEST NOTE HAD sent Sophie into a tailspin, so much so that Greg refused to let her drive to the restaurant. He pulled his Lexus up in front of the restaurant and turned on the flashers. He squeezed Sophie’s hand. “I don’t like leaving you.”
“And I don’t like being here, but I promised I’d show up. Besides, this place is always packed. If the stalker shows up, he won’t dare try anything in front of a restaurant full of witnesses.”
He exhaled. “You’re probably right.” He traced her jaw. “Try to relax and have fun.” He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. “While you’re here, I’m gonna swing by the office. Call me when you’re ready to leave.”
He stepped out of the car, circled to open the passenger door, then helped her step onto the curb.
“Bye, babe. Don’t forget to call.” He kissed her cheek and said goodbye.
Sophie marched into the restaurant and was greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. She stopped at the hostess station.
“Good morning and welcome. Can I show you a table?” the hostess said above the clinking of plates, cups, glasses and silverware.
“No, thank you,” she answered with a smile. “I’m meeting some people.” She scanned the restaurant and spotted Bitsy, who waved her over. “There’s one of my friends now.” She wove her way around several small tables and followed Bitsy to the outdoor patio.
Bitsy led her to a table near the turnstile leading to the sidewalk.
“Where is everybody?”
“Looks like we’re the first to arrive.” Bitsy checked her watch. “They should be here any time.” She pointed to one of two tall glasses on the table. “When I saw you arrive, I took the liberty of ordering your favorite drink for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Thanks, but I’d rather have a large cup of strong coffee to wake up.” When she saw the smile fade from Bitsy’s face, she said, “I’d love a Mimosa. Thanks for ordering for me.”
A waitress rushed over and handed her a menu. “Can I get you something?”
“Coffee for now, but I think I’ll wait for the others to arrive before I order something to eat.” She set the menu on the table.
“Anything for you?” the waitress asked Bitsy.
“I’ll also wait.” She thanked the waitress, who disappeared into the crowd.
Sophie asked, “So why did you call this meeting?”
“We should really wait for everyone else.”
Sophie shrugged. “I suppose.”
Bitsy’s hands trembled as sh
e fidgeted with her silverware.
“Is something bothering you? You look upset.”
“I’m fine. Never been better, in fact.”
The conversation was beginning to border on awkward. Bitsy wasn’t her usual gregarious self, which Sophie found disturbing. “You sure you’re okay?”
“How about a toast?” Bitsy lifted her glass in a salute. Sophie followed suit. “To the Pep Squad Girls.”
“To the Pep Squad Girls.” Sophie repeated.
They sipped their drinks.
“Any more news about your stalker? Have they caught him yet?”
Friend or not, Sophie didn’t want to disclose the latest details about the stalker. “She shook her head. “Not yet, but he’s getting bolder.”
Bitsy perked up. “In what way? Do you have any ideas who he might be?”
“No suspects so far, but he’ll slip up. They always do.”
“How’s your new movie coming along?”
“We’re still in rehearsals. It was a good career move for me. I need to separate myself from the franchise. I need to move on. We can’t be Pep Squad Girls forever. I’m hoping my movie will do the trick.”
“I see you’re dating Greg again.”
“Yeah. We can’t seem to stay away from each other.” She chuckled and felt her face flush. “Things are good now. Our relationship’s finally back on track. We’re trying to work through a few issues, and I won’t jeopardize what’s taken so long for us to re-establish. So, for now, Serena and the Pep Squad are over.” She lowered her head. “I’m sorry, Bitsy. I didn’t mean to unload on you.”
“No problem. I never get tired of hearing how exciting your life is.”
While waiting for the rest of the girls to arrive, small talk continued. A pointless meeting, Sophie decided. Suddenly, she grew irritated. She’d much preferred to have slept late, wiling away the day in bed with Greg. Last night’s sexual gymnastics wormed their way into her thoughts. She smiled and sent him a text, asking him to pick her up.
Come Undone: Romance Stories Inspired by the Music of Duran Duran Page 53