My heart melts at his obvious concern for my safety and the fact that he just called me his. I stop arguing. “Yeah.”
“Good.”
A kiss to my forehead and he disappears into my house. Ten minutes later, he comes back outside. I watch his body language for any signs that he’s about to tell me bad news, but he just grabs my hand and leads me inside.
“I haven’t noticed anything missing or out of place, but I’ve only been here a couple times. Does anything seem out of place?”
I look around my living room first, then slowly make my way through the rest of my house. Relief swoops through me when I see that nothing is missing and nothing destroyed.
“Everything looks like it’s here. Maybe we just left the door open?” I say when he walks into my room.
“Yeah, maybe.” He doesn’t look convinced. “Maybe we should call the police anyway, just to file a report, make them aware of the situation.”
“I really don’t think that’s necessary, Phoenix.”
Phoenix crosses my bedroom on his way to me, grabs my waist and pulls me into his arms. I don’t think about my next action, and I have no clue what prompts me to do it. I bury my face into his hard chest and breathe in his scent.
Instantly, all my troubles and worries start to ease. Just by being in his arms, just by breathing him in, I can feel myself calming down. Neither one of us says anything for a while. I just let him hold me.
All good things must come to an end. Our moment is interrupted by his cell. He lets me go to pull it out of his back pocket. He looks at whoever’s name is on the screen and groans. “Shit. Back to reality. I gotta take this, baby. I’ll be right back.” He tenderly kisses my forehead and disappears out of my room, then out the front door.
I distract myself by feeding Bubbles and taking care of my bags until I hear him come back into the house. He looks significantly more stressed.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, baby, everything is cool. Just my manager. I got to bounce as soon as the police leave. Mick is about to blow a gasket.”
“Mick?”
“Manager.”
“Right.” I nod and start toward the kitchen. I’m both irritated and sad that he’s leaving. “I really don’t think it’s necessary to call the police.”
“I do. I want you to be safe. That door didn’t just open itself. Even if nothing is missing I don’t think it would hurt anything to at least let the police know something is going on. That way they’ll know to keep an eye out for you.”
The entire time he’s talking, I’m making myself look busy by cleaning my already sparkling kitchen. I really don’t care about the break in anymore. Nothing was taken and the odds are we just forgot to close up before leaving.
Right now, my mind is preoccupied with Phoenix and me. Is there even a Phoenix and me? I’m not a blunt person and I’ve been known to shy away from asking questions that may have an answer that could affect me negatively, but I can’t let him leave this house and still have no clue what’s happening between us.
“I don’t want you to call the cops,” I repeat for the last time. I can’t even hide the frustration in my voice, but if Phoenix’s catches it, he doesn’t lead on.
“I know you don’t want me to,” he growls. “But I’m not always going to be here to protect you.”
“When are you going to be here?” I blurt before I can think better of it. I focus on the cup in my hands that I was washing in the sink while I wait to hear his answer.
“What?” I can hear the shock and confusion in his voice. I don’t know if he’s shocked that I asked him or what, but in this moment I wish I could take the question back. Since I can’t, I keep going.
I turn from the sink to see him standing at the island in the center of the kitchen. “When are you going to be here, Phoenix? I mean really, what are we?” I can’t stop the questions once I start. They all just come pouring out like word vomit. The entire time I’m screaming in my head, Shut up, Caroline! “What happens now? Are we going to go back to the way we were before the trip or—”
“What do you want me to say? You want me to label us, Caroline?”
The confused tone in his voice when he says that makes me want to run from this kitchen and hide. Well, that and kick myself for opening my big mouth in the first place. I’m just another girl in the long line of girls he’s been with. I was an idiot to think I was different.
“No, never mind.”
“Don’t shut me down.” Phoenix’s tone is significantly softer now. He leaves the island and stands in front of me. I’m looking at the floor, but he changes that by taking my face in his hands and making me look at him.
“Honestly, I have no clue what we are. There are only two things I’ve been sure of since you walked into my world. One, I’m not good for you. I should walk away and let you live your life, let you find the Prince Charming you deserve.”
Okay, this doesn’t sound good. Why? Why did you have to open your big mouth, Caroline?
“Two, there is no way, after the last two nights we’ve spent together, I could walk out of that door and let things go back to normal.”
Just like that, my heart, which was starting to crack at the start of his speech, began to repair.
“The way I live my life, I can’t make any promises to be here every day, but I can promise I won’t do anything to hurt you. That’s the last thing I want to do. I say we take it slow and see where this thing goes. You with me?”
“Yeah,” I agree immediately.
“Yeah?” The smile on Phoenix’s face is breathtaking.
“Yeah, I’m with you.” The words barely leave my mouth before his lips are on mine. The kiss is too short. Before I have time to blink, it’s over.
“Good. Now let’s call the cops.”
“Phoenix, no. It’s not necessary. I’m sure we just left the door open. It’s fine, I will be fine.”
I can see the frustration on his face and I know he’s about to argue with me, but before he gets a chance, we’re interrupted once again by his cell ringing.
“Fuck,” he hisses. He ignores it, lets out an exasperated breath, and rubs his hands down his face. When he looks back at me, I know I’ve won this argument. “Fine. We won’t call the police, but if anything like this happens again, you get no choice.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
My stomach fills with butterflies when I see Phoenix change from serious Phoenix to the Phoenix I know, the one I was with in the backseat. I giggle when he grabs the front of my hoodie and gently tugs me toward him. Phoenix captures his lips with mine, swallowing my giggle.
This isn’t like the kiss he gave me a few minutes ago. It’s so much more. I moan when I feel his warm hands snake under my hoodie and run up my back. Just like last night, even the simplest touch from him can set my body on fire.
Phoenix keeps me wrapped in his arms and starts backing me up until my back hits the counter. I let out a small squeal when his hands go to my hips and he hoists me so my bum is on top of the counter.
Our lips connect once again, but only for a brief moment. I want to cry when he pulls away. His fingers go to my forehead, where he tenderly moves my bangs out of my eyes. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.”
My face heats and I break our connection. Out of all the women he’s been with, I doubt I’m the most beautiful.
“Yeah…right.”
“Don’t do that,” he commands. Our eyes connect again. “Don’t hide your eyes and don’t doubt your beauty.”
I don’t have a chance to respond before his lips are on mine again, which is good because I don’t know what I would say to that.
This time I release a frustrated breath when his phone goes off again. “I really need to go this time. I promise I’ll call you later. I just have to go deal with Mick.”
He gives me three more quick kisses before he helps me down off the counter, grabs my hand, and heads towa
rd the door.
“Lock this door, baby. Call me if anything else happens. I’ll talk to you soon.” One more kiss and he’s gone, but not before he hollers through the door, “Lock the door!”
I feel the loss instantly. I was with him for two days straight. Other than the few hours a day I’m at the library or eating at the pub, I’m always alone. Being with him for so long and then being alone, the sadness and loneliness hits me right away, stronger than ever.
Would I still feel this way if I had just spent two days with anyone else? I don’t think so. Phoenix Castle just has this way about him. It doesn’t matter if I’m with him for one hour or forty-eight, I would miss him.
Fifteen minutes later, I decide the only way I’m going to stop thinking about him is to take a nap, and since I’m dead tired, that shouldn’t be a problem.
When I start to get in bed, I hear a crinkle and feel my foot touch something. I jump out of my bed, throw the covers to the floor, and see a folded up yellow piece of paper lying on my cover.
My world once again spins when I read the note:
He’s mine. Stay away!
You’ve been warned.
Chapter Eleven
It’s Not A Joke
“So, you’re seeing where things go?” Violet asks me. I can hear in her voice she’s not happy with my decision, which is why I didn’t really want to tell her. When she called me and asked me to come to the pub on Saturday and help her with inventory, I made a mental note to myself to not bring up Phoenix and to stay away from any subject that could lead to him.
I should have known Violet would not let that plan work. I really don’t even know how she knew there was something to tell, but as soon as I walked into the pub this morning, she looked at me and said, “Spill,” so I did.
I told her everything from being locked out of the car and singing in the bar to the decision to see where things go with him. The only thing I haven’t told her is about the note. I haven’t told Phoenix either.
When I first read that letter, my first reaction was to call Phoenix, but I stopped myself. I realized I was finally getting what I wanted, what I’ve wanted for longer than I even allowed myself to realize. I was getting him.
It’s no surprise that, at least to my knowledge, he doesn’t try to have a relationship with girls. My fear is that if I showed him the letter, he would use it as an excuse to end us before we even really began.
Some people may think it’s stupid I’m being threatened and am more worried about losing him than my safety, but they are not in my shoes, and they don’t understand the situation.
Phoenix is a rock star and I’m sure it’s just some no name groupie trying to scare me away so she can have her shot at him. I’m sure this won’t be the last time I have something like this happen. Am I going to run scared every time? No.
“Yes, we are going to try and see where things go.” I turn from the shelf where I’d been counting bottles of booze and watch as Violet’s expression morphs into one of disapproval.
“Hmm.” That’s the only response I get before she goes back to her clipboard and begins checking things off again. I know I’m in trouble if that’s the only response she, a woman who has an opinion about everything, is going to give me.
“What?” I snap. The question comes out harsher than I intended, but I don’t apologize. I’m irritated. Almost from the first day I met Violet, she’s told me I need to get out there and find a man, that I need to loosen up and enjoy life, but now I finally have tried to enjoy my life and take her advice, she’s upset because she doesn’t like Phoenix.
She gives me a wounded look. It almost makes me feel bad for snapping…almost. “Nothing, babe.”
“No. It’s clearly something. Just tell me.”
“Fine.” I jump when I hear the clatter of Violet tossing her clipboard on top of the bar. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. I already told you that.”
“Yeah, you did. After giving me some vague explanation about him not being good for me because of rumors you heard, rumors you won’t even tell me. If you were my friend, you would tell me instead of just giving elusive answers!”
“It’s not my place to tell you, it’s his.”
“You’re right, it is his place, but you took that chance right away from him the moment you let me know first there was a problem. Now it’s your responsibility to let me know what I should be so worried about.”
“He has a drinking problem,” she finally blurts. I would be lying if I said I was surprised by her answer. I mean, I even considered that myself. What rock star has never had some kind of problem or another with substance abuse?
“That’s it?” I ask.
“What do you mean. ‘that’s it?’ That’s a big deal!”
“You’re right, it is. A very big one. But I’ve been around him a lot these past weeks and not once have I seen him get out of control with alcohol. I’m inclined to believe right now he has it under control.”
“What if he doesn’t? How are you going to handle a situation like that? I’m just trying to get you to see the kind of situation you could be putting yourself in.”
“Well, if he doesn’t have it under control, I’ll still be there. Whether Phoenix and I are ever anything more than friends, I’m still going to be there, just like I would be there for you.”
I watch as Violet considers my words, and I see her defenses lower. “I know it seems like I’m being harsh and judgmental, Caroline, but I’m only trying to look out for you. I don’t want to see you get hurt or dragged down by somebody else.”
“I appreciate that.” I sigh. “But I’m happy, Vi. For the first time in a long time, I’m happy. I’m not even saying it’s going to last forever or it’ll turn into anything more than what it is now, but I deserve to give this a try.”
“You’re right, babe. You are and I’m sorry for butting my nose in where it didn’t belong.”
“What are friends for?” I smile and shrug.
“Exactly. What are friends for? And, as your very best friend, I can tell when something else is bothering you. Wanna talk about it?”
How the bloody hell does she always know when something is wrong?
Of course my first instinct is the same one I get every time—deny, deny, deny—but I fight that. I want her opinion. I’ve never been in a situation like this and I haven’t the slightest idea what to do.
I once again turn away from the shelf and narrow my eyes at Violet. “You should have been a detective.”
“My kids tell me that all the time.” She laughs. “So, do you want to talk about it?”
We could talk about it, but I decide I would rather just show her. I reach in my back jeans pocket and retrieve the letter I found on my bed. Without a word, I hand it to her. I wait with baited breath as she unfolds it and then watch as her face goes from curious to worried.
“Did you call the police?” She asks when she looks back up at me. I shake my head. “Caroline, you need to call the police.”
“I don’t think it’s serious enough for that. I really think it’s just some sick joke.”
“Where did you find it?”
“When Phoenix dropped me off a couple days ago, my front door was open. We thought someone broke in, but nothing was missing. After he left, I found it in my bed.”
“Even if it is just a joke, they took it way too far by breaking into your house. You really should talk to the authorities.”
“Nothing has happened since. I would feel like a moron if I wasted the police’s time over a joke.”
“Well, what does Phoenix say?”
I can feel a guilty look crossing my face and I duck my head too late in a vain attempt to try and hide my face from her.
“What did Phoenix say?”
“I didn’t tell him,” I mumble.
“Caroline!”
“I don’t want him to worry!”
“That’s too bad! This is clearly about him, and you’re supposed to be together. Eithe
r way, he has a right to know!”
“I know he does,” I reply. “But nothing has happened since and I don’t see a reason to bring it up and cause worry for no reason.”
“It’s your choice whether you tell him or not. I’m just saying, starting a relationship off with secrets isn’t good. Plus, I can tell this note is bothering you more than you’re letting on. You should tell him for your peace of mind, if nothing else.”
Thankfully, nothing else is said about Phoenix or the note the rest of the time we do inventory, but that doesn’t stop her words from echoing through my mind.
By the time I leave the pub an hour later, I’m no closer to deciding if I should tell him or not about the threat. I don’t want to go home because I know I’m just going to spend the entire night fretting over this, so I head to the library, hoping I can distract myself with work.
I don’t make it two feet in before I realize distracting myself with work isn’t an option. I cover my mouth and choke back a sob when I see that my library has been broken into and torn apart. Thousands of books are thrown all over the place. Tables and chairs are tossed upside down and garbage is strewn everywhere. All three of the computers are on and each one is displaying the same message:
Leave him or die!
I guess the choice was made for me. I know keeping this to myself isn’t an option any longer so, in spite of the risk of Phoenix finding out, I pull out my cell phone and ring the police.
***
“What the fuck is going on here?”
All hopes of Phoenix not finding out about this are dashed when I hear the roar of his voice over the chaos. I turn from the kind police officer I spoke to at the library entrance a few minutes ago and see Phoenix standing at the entrance, looking incredibly pissed off as he scans the crowd gathered inside of the library
Love, Unwanted (Discovering Love #3) Page 7