by Measha Stone
"With a friend, Jonathan. Please. Just. Go." Her phone started to buzz again and she picked it up, showing him she had a call and turned away. She declined Bradley's call again, but put the phone to her ear, pretending to answer it. When she heard the front door shut, she put the phone back in her purse and took several calming breaths.
Dealing with Jonathan, even now after having finally realized their relationship had been over long ago, left her exhausted. Remembering the envelope with the pictures in her purse terrified her. Knowing that she'd ignored two calls from Bradley without a response set her nerves on edge.
How exactly did life get so damn complicated?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Bradley watched the clock tick off another minute as he sat at his desk. His mind continuously wandered to Erin and what was going on with her. She hadn't come home last night, giving the excuse that she needed to run by her house and was just too tired to make it back into the city. It wasn't that he didn't believe her, he had been keeping her pretty busy at his house, a fact he wasn't the least bit sorry for. He just couldn't keep his hands off of her, and he wasn't even willing to try.
He could tell something was stressing her out, but she wouldn't tell him what it was. She insisted everything was fine. No trouble, just tired, she'd said. Deciding he needed a distraction, he pushed away from his desk and went in search of coffee. A walk would do him good.
When he had suggested Erin stay with him for another week, his intentions were to overload himself with her until he could manage to get her out of his system. It was backfiring. The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted her. Her responses to his training, his desires, came to her as easily as breathing. He'd taught her his favorite positions, his preferred method of addressing him, all of which she'd smiled and absorbed into her mind and used perfectly later. She gave no resistance. It was as if she were being handed her own present wrapped up in a perfect bow.
*
"Bradley." Kendrick's bellow pulled him from his own thoughts.
Turning to see the man stalking into the coffee shop toward him, he sighed. "Kendrick." He gave a curt nod.
Kendrick frowned. "Where's Erin?"
"I assume at work." Bradley looked at his watch. "It is eleven in the morning. That's usually where she is."
"Oh." Kendrick rubbed his neck. "Yeah. I guess." He looked at Bradley and winced. "Sorry. I just worry. Erin's been distant, and Alex usually handles this stuff when the girls get into a tiff, but he's pre-occupied."
"Ah, so you've been nominated?" Bradley tried not to laugh at the discomfort on Kendrick's face. "She's fine. She did send Kelly and Jessica a message that she was okay." The line moved, and the two shifted up with it.
"Yeah, Kelly's more pissed now than before because all Erin will say is she's fine and she's busy." Kendrick shook his head. His eyes widened. "What the fuck?" He leaned to the side as if to get a better look at something. Bradley turned to follow his eyesight. "Jonathan?" Kendrick whispered the name, but Bradley heard it. His ears perked, and his skin tingled at the sound of it.
Standing five feet away was an average built man, about his age, with short blond hair, wearing a standard suit. His eyes were dancing with lust as he grinned at the young woman sitting across the table from him. Her barista apron covered her body up, but he could imagine what Jonathan was picturing in his mind.
"Fuck." Bradley growled.
"You know?" Kendrick moved behind Bradley, keeping out of Jonathan's line of sight. "Does she? I mean I guess she does. What the fuck is going on? Do I go over there and punch in his face, or do I leave that to you?"
Bradley did laugh then. A soft, uncomfortable chuckle and turned back to Kendrick. "No, don't punch his face in. I get to do that, but not yet. Yes, Erin knows." He glanced back over his shoulder and took a calming breath. That was the douche bag who'd hurt her. He had walked away from her, and deserted her for that little girl sitting across the table from him. Torn between throwing him through the window, and thanking him for letting her go, he kept his focus on Kendrick. If he looked at Jonathan again, he couldn't promise he'd keep his hands to himself.
"When did all this happen?"
"I think it's better if Erin explains everything." Bradley didn't like that Erin hadn't explained anything to her friends yet, but he didn't feel comfortable being the one to do it. She would have to take care of it, and soon. "I met her after." He allowed that much information. Not that anyone who knew Erin would think she'd stray, but he wanted to be sure Kendrick knew it.
"Friday is her pick for dinner." Kendrick kept his gaze on Jonathan as he spoke. "If you can keep her from blowing us off again, she can explain everything then. Everyone is getting worried, and I can only hold Kelly back so long, she'll eventually take matters into her own hands"
"There are ways to keep her in line." Bradley grinned.
"Uh huh." Kendrick nodded. "When it comes to protecting a friend, she won't care about the consequences." He gave a shrug. "Somethings are better unchanged."
"Agreed." Bradley looked over his shoulder then back to Kendrick. The blonde had stood up, wiping her hands on her apron. "So, are you going to talk to him?"
"Not if I can help it. I'll want to kick his ass." Just as the words came out of Kendrick's mouth, the blonde leaned up on tiptoe and kissed Jonathan.
Bradley could practically hear the steam leaving Kendrick's ears, but was more concerned with the anger rising in his own chest. He'd kill before letting that whelp of a man hurt Erin again, and although she said she'd moved on, that she realized she hadn't truly been in love, he could sense the hurt in her. Jonathan may not really have had her heart, but he had her trust and he had stepped all over it.
"Can I help you?" The short, wide eyed young woman behind the counter grinned up at Bradley. Help him? Oh, yeah, coffee. He placed his order, while seeing Jonathan move closer to them out of the corner of his eye. Kendrick became focused on the pastry counter, giving Jonathan his back as he approached. Bradley noticed the tension in Jonathan's shoulders as he paused briefly in his step while passing by them. If Kendrick were to turn at that moment he'd been eye to eye with the ass, but Jonathan moved away quickly. Bradley watched the coward shuffle out of the coffee shop, avoiding Kendrick, and all but running down the street away from them.
"Kelly may kill him." Kendrick shoved his hands into his jeans. "I might just let her."
Bradley stepped to the side, waiting for his coffee, with Kendrick right behind him. "You keep that feisty red head away from him. It's Erin's fight. She can handle a hell of a lot more than you give her credit for."
Kendrick looked back at the door then to Bradley. "Yeah, I'm beginning to think that's true."
Bradley thanked the brunette handing him his coffee and turned toward the exit. "Aren't you getting coffee?"
"What? No. I saw you in the window. I'm headed to the club, need to check over a few rosters for next weekend."
Bradley shook his head. "Do you think I'd hurt her? That I'd have her tied up somewhere against her will?"
Kendrick eyed him silently for a minute then a grin broke out across his face. "No. But I know how you play. Erin's… "
"If you tell me again that Erin is fragile, I'll punch you," Bradley told him. After seeing her bound to his bedpost, dark red marks across her breasts from his crop, and begging him to fuck her even harder than he had already been, he couldn't fathom anyone thinking that woman weak.
Kendrick's eyes narrowed, and he gave his head a slight shake. "No. I'm beginning to think she's not as in need of rescue as I had originally thought."
"I'll remind her about Friday. She will be there." Bradley nodded. "I have to get a hold of Alex, have you talked with him?" Bradley changed the subject as they stepped out into the humid air of August.
"Not really, but Alyssa is back at his place. So I assume if he's not at work, he's home."
"He needs to give that advertising crap up." Bradley mused and looked at his watch again. His attorn
ey would be meeting him at the club shortly. "I'll give him a call."
"I know you are seeing a side of Erin that I haven't, but if you hurt her—"
"Don't." Bradley put a hand in the air between them when the elevator doors slid open.
Kendrick snorted. "Are you just having fun with her?"
"At first I thought that's what we were doing." He slid his key card into the elevator and punched the floor for the club. "But I think it's gone past that."
Kendrick nodded. "I know that feeling." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Just tread carefully. I don't want her hurt."
The door to the club opened, and Bradley gave Kendrick one final glare before heading toward his office. Knowing the warning came from love of a friend didn't diminish the irritation any, but he wasn't going to argue with him.
"See you Friday?" Kendrick called down the hall as Bradley reached his office door.
"Definitely." Bradley waved a hand without turning around and pushed the door open to his office.
Alex and Alyssa both turned to greet him from the armchairs situated in the corner of his office. "Bradley."
He stifled the heavy sigh that simmered in his chest and forced himself to take a neutral stance. The attorney would be arriving any minute, and the last thing he wanted was to go over his relationship with Erin with any more of her friends. She hadn't even told them about leaving Jonathan yet.
"Look, if you're here to talk about Erin, I can't. My attorney is on his way, and you should be in on that meeting, Alex. So, we can talk about her on Friday."
"Erin? My Erin?" Alex's brows furrowed together. His eyes darkened. "What about Erin? do you know you where she is? Jessica said she's gone into hiding or something. Kelly said she showed up here at the auction."
Bradley let out the sigh he'd been holding. Well shit. Alyssa rested a hand on his arm and shot Bradley a sympathetic smile. "Alex, Erin is a big girl. She said she's fine. Let's just let her be until she's ready to let everyone in on what's going on."
Alex took a deep breath but continued to glare at Bradley. "Is she okay?"
"Of course she is." Bradley said. What the hell sort of reputation had he made for himself for everyone to keep worrying about her well-being after finding out she was with him? "Look, she'll explain everything on Friday." He ran his hand over his head and reminded himself that he needed to get his business in order. "Now. What can I help you two with? I assume Alyssa, since you've forgiven this asshole for whatever he did, that you'll be coming back to work? I know Brandon would eternally grateful." Bradley took the third seat in the circle of chairs, facing his guests.
"That's what we're here about." Alex shifted in his seat. "I know we talked about the two of us being owners. However, Alyssa is interested in buying in as well. She won't buy in your portion. She's going to buy ten percent of my half. You'll be the majority owner."
Bradley stared at Alex for a moment, then let out a little laugh. "You know most assholes just buy flowers for the lady they've offended."
"He's not giving it to me." Alyssa stared at him pointedly. "I'm buying it."
Bradley gave a nod. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend." He sighed and pulled out his phone after feeling it vibrate. Nothing. Erin hadn't checked in with him that morning. Not that she needed to. He wasn't that controlling. But it would have been nice to hear from her. "That's fine with me, I don't have any dispute with it. Alyssa knows her way around here, and like I said Brandon will probably piss himself from the joy of her returning."
He shot Erin a quick message asking if she'd be home for dinner, then looked at his watch. "Well, then I guess we'll go over all the particulars with my attorney, then we can present our offer to the douche bags tomorrow. I have the numbers from my accountant, and it looks like we should be able to buy them out with very little actual cash exchange."
"You bought Erin at the auction." Alex switched the topic so quickly Bradley needed a second to adjust.
"Yes." The knock on the door could not have come at a better time. The afternoon would be spent in business discussion, and he could finally put the topic of Erin out of his mind.
Mostly.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"The design is good, but I think bolder colors." Sean placed the board on Erin's work desk. "No primaries, bolder." Erin looked up at the newest account she'd been given to work with and grinned. She hoped it was a warm smile she beamed at him because inside she wanted to throttle him. She'd already given him five different layouts, all ranging in soft pastels to the bold he now claimed he wanted. He'd shot each of them down.
The project should have been simple, a brochure for Sean's floor and tile store. However, Sean didn't seem to know what he wanted. She could relate to that.
She'd been going back and forth about the house, Bradley, and the mysterious letter that had been delivered. Too many decisions at one time, and her mind was running on fumes. Sean only made the fog heavier. "Bolder. Got it. I'll get a new proof to you by tomorrow."
With a nod, he walked out of her small office, which she would swear at one time probably served as the broom closet. She plopped down in her chair and rubbed her temples. The pain in her head wouldn't ease up, even after three doses of aspirin and several cups of coffee.
"Hey, there." Brenda, her assistant, walked in carrying a large envelope. "This was just dropped off for you at the desk downstairs."
Erin thanked her and took it from her. She recognized the handwriting right away. "Brenda? Did anyone notice the person who dropped it off?"
"It was weird. Charlie said some kid walked into the lobby and gave it to him. The kid couldn't have been more than twelve Charlie said." Brenda shrugged, and fiddled with the earpiece in her ear. She pressed the button and walked out of the office answering the call.
Erin looked down at the envelope and sighed. She still hadn't decided what to do, and the situation just continued to barrel down at her. Sliding her envelope opener through the crease, she held her breath.
One piece of paper. No photographs this time.
On his home computer you will find his financial portfolio. Copy this file and have it ready by Saturday. I will contact you with further instructions about the drop.
Her phone danced on the top of her work desk, making her jump. She glanced at her screen. Bradley. It was a simple question: would she be home for dinner. She needed to tell him about these letters. It involved him, it would be the right thing to do. Responding that she'd try, she turned her phone off and tucked it into her back pocket. She needed to think, to process everything.
"Jonathan's on line one for you, are you in?" Brenda's voice broke through the phone speaker.
"No." Erin hadn't meant to shout, but there really was only so much a person could handle at one time. Deciding she needed to get some fresh air, she grabbed her purse and headed out. She informed Brenda she would be gone for the afternoon and made her way out onto Michigan Avenue. She eyed a salon that she'd been debating on trying for some time, and made the decision to go for it. She'd deal with everything else later.
*
The spa appointment took a lot longer than she'd planned. At first she'd been glad they had a cancellation and could fit her in as a walk in. Instead of just getting her haircut, she decided to go all out and had a massage as well. She ignored the time, and by the time she was done being all gussied up, it was well past six. Bradley would be home way before her at that rate.
He'd taken to doing most of his work during the day, and going into the club for only a few short hours at night. If at all. When the cab pulled up to the front door of his house, she could feel the tension seeping out of the house. George walked out of the garage and gave her a pointed look as she thanked the cab driver.
"It was faster to grab a cab."
The older man raised his eyebrows and nodded toward the door. "Faster, or easier? Taking a cab didn't require you making a phone call to him, and that's what you were trying to avoid." She stared at him for a moment deliber
ating on his mind reading skills.
"Is he angry?" She adjusted her purse on her shoulder and looked toward the closed door. New flower pots had been placed on the steps leading up to the house, she noticed. All of her favorites were in each pot.
"He is rarely angry, Miss Erin." George turned to go back into the garage. "Your new hairstyle is very becoming by the way," he called over his shoulder as he disappeared through the door.
With a shaky breath she stepped up the last two stairs and slid her key into the door. Bradley had insisted she have one for the week. Everything seemed to be moving so fast with him. The initial idea of a weekend fling had morphed into a week-long fling, and the idea of leaving him soon still didn't sit well with her. She kept hoping to get him out of her system, but he sat in her thoughts all day long. Spending the night away from him the previous night hadn't settled her nerves like she had hoped. It only made her more on edge, and restless because he wasn't nestled in bed with her, pulling her to his body and covering her with his heavy arms and firm legs.
She needed to tell him about the letters. First thing. He deserved to know.
Pizza. He'd ordered pizza for dinner. She groaned inwardly, making her way to the kitchen. One of her favorite things to do was to make his meals for him, and he'd ordered pizza because she hadn't been home to cook, and she hadn't even messaged him to let him know where she was.
He sat at the island of the kitchen, eating a piece of the pizza over the box. His eyes locked on her the moment she stepped into the kitchen, and he dropped the slice back into the box. She didn't know how he react at seeing her, but she hadn't expected relief.
"I'm sorry." She put her purse on the counter and slid onto a stool at the island, facing him.
"Is this how you apologize?" His dark tone surprised her, and she quickly saw the stern dominant in his expression. That was exactly the wrong way to apologize. They'd spent several hours over the course of the week going over every position he deemed acceptable for different situations, and sitting across from him was not where he expected her when she gave an apology.