Undesired Lust

by Eden Summers

  “Motherfucker.”

  Her heart skipped a beat at his brutal curse sounding over the alarm. Fury was etched into every inch of him—the harsh lines of his face, the tightness of his jaw, the stiff posture.

  “Do you see anything?” She skirted the broken glass on the floor and tiptoed to him.

  “Yeah, some asshole dressed in black running toward the side wall.” He let the curtain fall and picked her off the ground. “Watch out for the glass.”

  He placed her down at the end of the bed and then rushed to his bedside table. Yanking open the drawer, he pulled out a small remote device. With the press of a button the alarm fell silent. The remote was thrust back into the drawer and slammed shut.

  “Stay in here until I come back.” He strode for the door, flicking on the light before he left.

  “No. Wait.” She followed after him, but stopped when her peripheral vision caught sight of an unfamiliar object at the base of the curtains. Mason’s footsteps faded down the hall as she tiptoed toward the window. Pulling the heavy material aside, she could see the end of a plastic covered brick. A standard, copper, rectangular house brick. What had her reaching to pick it up, even though a voice inside her head told her not to, was the white paper wrapped inside.

  The front door slammed in the distance as she picked up the package and backtracked away from the broken shards on the carpet. She placed it on the crumpled bed covers, peering down at it with anger and curiosity.

  Wait for Mason. Don’t open it alone.

  The house phone began to trill from the bedside table, startling a gasp from her throat. She placed a hand over her heart, calming her breaths while she ignored the continuous ring. All her attention was on the package, all her thoughts on what kind of message was contained under the layers of clear film.

  She no longer agreed with Mason’s thought that this was a member of the paparazzi trying to gain a story. Those assholes could do a lot to provoke an interesting photo, but not this. This could land them in jail, and the backlash from fans and everyday people alike would be brutal.

  This was from someone else. A woman no doubt, with an unhealthy jealous streak. And Sidney refused to be afraid of a female trying to take away the only glimpse of happiness in her life. She hadn’t fought to speak to Mason all those years ago. She would fight now. Whoever wanted him for themselves was going to have to deal with the rejection.

  The phone stopped ringing as she pierced her nails under the plastic film and began tearing it from the brick. When the last of the wrapping was removed, she sucked in a deep fortifying breath, ready to take on the next round of threats.

  With the tips of her fingers, she unraveled numerous pages from around the heavy weight and turned them over.

  Stupid, stupid bitch. Next time I’ll break more than a window.

  Anger burned in her chest as she threw the paper covered in scribble onto the bed. If some groupie thought they could scare her away with vague threats, they had another thing coming. On her own, she may have grown weak and full of doubt. But with Mason at her side she was determined to take on the world.

  When her gaze sought the page underneath, she immediately stiffened, recognizing herself in the enlarged black and white image. It was a picture she’d seen before. One taken of her at the Grammys, her smile wide, her dress dazzling. Unsure what it meant, she threw it to the bed and glanced at the next. This one was taken years ago. She was sitting in a park, reading a book, her legs outstretched on a picnic blanket. The next image was similar, a candid shot of her on her own, taken years before.

  One by one, she scattered the pages across the mattress until the bottom half of the bed was covered. There was nothing threatening about the pictures staring back at her, yet the message made her veins turn to ice. Someone had been watching her. Not just today, or last night, but for years, while she was relaxing, while she was alone. Whoever was doing this wasn’t after Mason. They were after her.

  “Oh my god.” The whisper brushed past her lips, and when the front door slammed again, she squealed, her heartbeat sprinting out of control.

  “Sidney!”

  Her stomach dropped at Mason’s fierce call. She ran from the room, needing him, needing anyone to calm the panic burning to life inside her. The hall was darkened as she sprinted toward his voice and entered the brightly lit kitchen. “What’s wrong? Did you see them? Are they still out there?”

  The harsh lines of his face softened at her approach. “It’s OK,” he soothed, pulling her into his chest. “They’re gone. I just can’t find the dogs. They should’ve been out there. I need to take a look around the back yard to make sure that asshole hasn’t distracted them with any more food.”

  Her gaze automatically went to the back glass doors, seeking the area where Shadow and Willow usually hovered for attention. “I’ll come with you.”

  “No. Stay here. Whoever it was is already gone. I heard the car speed off. I just want you to stay inside in case the security company calls.”

  “Shit. I think they already did. The phone rang, and I didn’t answer.”

  “Don’t worry.” He kissed her forehead and strode to the French doors. “They should already be on their way. I’ll speak to them when they get here.”

  The yard sensor light flicked on, startling them both as Shadow stumbled into view from the side of the deck.

  “Fuck,” Mason choked.

  Sidney gasped, momentarily stunned. Mason ran for the door and flung it open with a loud thwack. His dog was staggering toward the house, her body swaying, her front paws dragging along the ground with every step. Her ears were low, her eyes glassy, yet her tail still wagged in a muted sway of happiness.

  Sidney rushed outside on numb legs, passing Mason, who had fallen to his knees at Shadow’s side.

  “Sidney, get back inside.”

  “I need to find Willow.” She jumped down the few stairs to the ground, scanning the darkness for movement.

  “Sidney!”

  She ignored Mason’s call, running onto the damp grass and trying to calm her breathing so she could hear over the rush of blood in her ears.

  “Willow!” Her voice broke in fear and heartache. This was her fault. The person responsible was after her. Not Mason. She’d never forgive herself if something tragic happened to his dogs.

  “Willow!” She skirted the pool fence, scanning, squinting, trying her hardest to find movement in the sea of shadows. A whimper came from her left, and she snapped her head around in search of the noise.

  “Sidney. Get inside.”

  The panic in Mason’s voice made her legs shake, but she continued searching, listening for another whimper. “Willow!”

  A mewl came from near the pool house and she sprinted, hurdling the two steps at the end of the building to find Willow collapsed on the front door mat.

  “Oh, sweetheart,” she crooned, falling to her knees.

  Willows tail flopped twice, and then fell limp as her glazed eyes blinked up at Sidney.

  “Mason, she’s over here!”

  Within seconds he was at her side, crouching down to gently pick up his dog. “I need to get them in the car, kitten.”

  He was cool and calm, taking control while she struggled to breathe through her panic. She gave a shaky nod and stood, taking the lead to stride as fast as she could toward the house. She held the glass door open for him, watching him hustle down the west wing of the house, toward the garage.

  Shadow was still limp near the back door, her focus tracking Sidney’s movements. “Come on, girl. I need to get you inside.” She knelt near the dog’s stomach, running her hands underneath the heavy body. She tried to lift, to get the deadweight off the ground, but Shadow was too heavy. “Come on,” she cooed, stroking the soft fur around Shadow’s muzzle. “I need you to get up.”

  Shadow whimpered, her dreary gaze tearing a broken sob from Sidney’s chest. “Please, Shadow.”

  The door swooshed open behind her, and Mason’s heavy footsteps qu
ickened toward her.

  “I’ve got her,” he murmured.

  She wished she couldn’t hear the sorrow in his voice, or see the anguish in his eyes, but it was there, pulsing from him and hitting her in tidal waves. She fumbled to her feet, holding the door open while he carried Shadow inside.

  “Lock it, please.”

  He led the way from the room as she flicked the deadbolt and then quickly followed after him. Shadow’s soft whimpers echoed down the hall, each one gripping harder around Sidney’s heart. When they reached the garage, Mason headed for the second car in the lineup of three. The silver, sporty SUV’s far rear door was already open and he strode for it while Sidney kept close behind him.

  “Do you mind sitting in the back with them?” he asked, placing Shadow on the floor in the rear of the car.

  “No.” She shook her head, unable to move further. Someone had done this to Mason’s dogs, all because she hadn’t taken their threats seriously. They’d scaled his fence and taken away their privacy by snapping images. They’d thrown a brick through his bedroom window. It was insane. If the culprit could harm two innocent dogs, what else were they capable of?

  “Hey.” Mason turned to her, grabbing her shoulders. “How are you holding up?”

  “OK.” Her voice was shaky from too much adrenaline.

  “Come on. It isn’t far to the vet.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the open back door. “If you sit in the middle, you can keep an eye on them for me. I’ll be pushing the speed limit along the way.”

  Sidney nodded, doing as instructed and trying not to let guilt overwhelm her. She could see the fear in his eyes, the undiluted panic he was trying to remain level-headed through. He helped her into her seat, making sure she didn’t hit her head before he slammed the door shut and jogged around the hood of the car.

  The driver’s door flung open. Within seconds he was seated and gunning the engine to life. The roller door grated as it lifted, and Mason barely waited long enough for it to rise above the car before they reversed in a squeal of burning rubber, wordlessly reminding her to put on her seat belt.

  As they drove past the gates, Sidney leaned forward, running her hands over Shadow and Willow’s shiny coats to whisper a tiny prayer. They had to survive. She wasn’t sure she could look herself in the mirror again if they didn’t. She couldn’t even find the voice to tell Mason she was to blame.

  He was distraught. Silent. His forehead set in harsh lines of worry as he took every turn wide and fast. With his gaze still on the road, he placed his cell in the hands free holder on his dash and then began pressing buttons on the screen with a shaky finger. The ring of an outgoing call echoed into the back of the car for excruciating minutes before the connection.

  “Mason?” A woman’s sleep roughened voice asked.

  “Hey, Tanya. Sorry to call so late, but I need your help.”

  “What sort of help?” she purred.

  Sidney ignored the pang of resentment at the familiarity in the woman’s tone and concentrated on soothing Willow and Shadow with her touch.

  “Someone has poisoned my dogs. I don’t know where else to take them.”

  “Do you already have them in your car?” Tanya’s voice turned professional in an instant.

  Mason nodded. “Yes.”

  “Head straight for the clinic. I can meet you there in five minutes.”

  He released a breath of relief, one that filtered through to lessen some of the pain in Sidney’s chest. “I’ll owe you one.”

  “Ha. You already do.” Tanya chuckled. “I’ll have to start a tally.” There was a rustle across the line, followed by a jingle of keys. “Now tell me what’s going on so I can prepare the clinic before you arrive.”

  “I don’t know.” Mason glanced over his shoulder briefly and winced at the sight of his dogs. “I have no clue. I’m guessing they’ve been poisoned by some asshole who’s been stalking my property for the last few days.”

  “Tell me what they look like. Are they foaming at the mouth? Are they convulsing? Heavy breathing?”

  “They’re not foaming at the mouth,” Sidney whispered, needing to help. “Breathing is labored. No convulsing or shaking.”

  “Their breathing is heavy,” Mason repeated. “They’re awake, but can barely move. Usually I can’t get them to sit still in my damn car, and now they won’t even lift their head to see where we’re going.”

  “Take it easy,” Tanya spoke slowly, with calm assurance. “It won’t help anyone if you wrap your car around a tree. Drive carefully and I’ll see you soon.”

  The car remained quiet after the call ended, only the heavy breathing of the dogs and the crunch of tires against the road sounded in Sidney’s ears. She wished she had something comforting to say, yet there was nothing. There was a big black hole where her optimism had once been. She couldn’t even put faith in religion or good luck because she’d lost the will to believe in either a long time ago. Instead, she placed a hand on Mason’s shoulder, and held in a sob when his fingers came up to clasp hers.

  As they drove out of Goochland, Mason’s cell rang. The ringtone gave her hope because it made both of the dogs wag their tails in response.

  “Hello,” Mason barked.

  “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Lynch. It’s Cameron from Roman Security. We’re responding to an alarm at your property.”

  “Yeah, I know. I just left. Can you call the cops and arrange for them to come out? I’m on the way to the vet. Some asshole poisoned my dogs.”

  “Of course. I can hang around until you return.”

  The thought of going back to Mason’s property made Sidney’s stomach roll. The pool house had been bad enough after she knew someone had been watching them. Now she couldn’t stand the thought of walking down the darkened halls of the main house.

  “Get them to call me once they arrive.”

  “Would you like me to arrange for someone to fix your window too? I know someone—”

  “Yes. Please. Do whatever’s necessary.”

  “Not a problem. Good luck with the dogs, Mr. Lynch.”

  Mason ended the call and glanced over his shoulder. “How are they doing?”

  “I don’t know.” Sidney shook her head, helpless. “They haven’t changed. They still look disorientated and weak.”

  Mason turned his focus back to driving, increasing his speed down the stretch of road. Minutes later they were cruising into the outskirts of Richmond, turning into dimly lit suburban streets before finally pulling into the drive of a small building with a vet clinic sign out front.

  The interior light was on, and the glow from inside brightened the yard, illuminating the path to the front steps. Mason cut the engine and rushed from the car while Sidney fumbled with her belt. The door to her left opened, and without a word, Mason grabbed Shadow off the floor behind the driver’s seat.

  Her head hung limp over his forearm, her eyes fluttering shut. The only reassurance came from the muted flop of her tail as it hit Mason’s thigh.

  “Stay with Willow,” he ordered. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She nodded, closing the door behind him before sliding across the seat to open the other side. Climbing from the car, she murmured nonsensical words in an effort to reassure the gorgeous chocolate lab, and waited for Mason to return. She eyed him through the tinted glass, watching him climb the stairs to the front door and greet a tall woman in an oversize football jersey. They spoke briefly, with the woman rushing to open the door and escort Mason inside.

  “You’re going to be fine, sweetheart,” Sidney murmured, uncertain who needed the reassurance more, her or the dog. Willow lay staring up at her, her glazed gaze making the ache inside Sidney’s chest unbearable. “That pretty lady is going to get you all fixed up.”

  The front door of the building opened with a tiny squeak, and heavy footsteps pounded down the stairs.

  “Can you move out of the way, kitten?”

  Sidney fumbled backward at his voice. Numb a
nd shivering, she watched him lift Willow and stalk back inside. For a while, she hovered in the darkness, closing the car door, listening to the quiet of the night. She didn’t want to go inside and see what those poor animals were going through at her expense. And the words to inform Mason it was all her fault still evaded her.

  Staring down the empty street, she wondered if it would be best to call a cab and catch the first plane to New York. That was what the stalker wanted, after all. If she’d left Mason alone, as the first email had demanded, none of this would’ve happened. A new scandal wouldn’t be dragging her name through social media, Mason’s house would be free from vandalism, and his dogs wouldn’t be fighting for their lives.

  She blinked away the burn of anger in her eyes and slunk her bare feet up the stairs toward the front door. Still she couldn’t find the courage to go inside. All she wanted was peace, not this constant barrage of one wrong turn after another. Hadn’t she gone through enough? Hadn’t they all?

  Shuffling to the patio railing, she sucked in the cold, fresh air and hugged herself, for warmth as well as comfort. It was time to take the hint…or the blindingly obvious signs the world was giving her. She wasn’t meant to be with Mason. Their lives weren’t supposed to intertwine. It would’ve been better for her to stay in New York and continue to despise him, because the thought of having his affection within her grasp and not being able to keep it was likely to be the final straw to break her completely.

  With a sigh, she pulled her cell out of her pocket, and dialed Justin’s number. Although he was always on her mind, she hadn’t spoken to him since Friday night. She needed him. She didn’t care how much she had to apologize for calling at an insane hour, she couldn’t go a moment longer without hearing his voice.

  “Sid,” her name was a growl, and not of the you’ve-woken-me-up variety.

  She closed her eyes, fighting a sob. She couldn’t deal with his anger right now. She needed him to fix her. To take away the pain and fear, and make it all better. “I didn’t wake you?”