Chapter 6

 

Bundled up in an oversized sweatshirt and soft lounge pants, Keisha sat in a part of her leather sectional couch with a cup of hot chamomile tea to calm her nerves. The reason for the upset; Hunter was about to arrive.

As she sipped the aromatic brew she reflected on the last four days when it had all started.

After the outing with her girlfriends, Keisha had gone to church as it was not only a staple of her upbringing, it was where she found peace and comfort; and if there was one thing Keisha needed now, it was comfort.

She remembered sitting in the pew with her eyes closed when a beep from her cell phone alerted her and she checked it only to find another text from Danielle, with another one of her ridiculous suspicions about who ‘the Adonis’ was.

Almost every hour she had received a text from the woman whose theories got more outlandish than the one before it. Danielle kept postulating that the ‘Adonis’ she was keeping from them was either a rich mogul who wanted her or a lost icon from GQ or someone aiming to be the next president.

Keisha could only roll her eyes at each one. She had then left the church to run some errands. She needed to get her laundry from the dry-cleaners, pick up some more groceries and her dinner at a local restaurant.

Everything had gone well and she had just grabbed her dinner from the home-style Country Crock restaurant and was halfway home when she spotted the same tinted Jeep a little way behind her and tension filtered into her body.

Keeping a calm demeanor, she had taken a circuitous route and then, remembering Hunter’s advice turned on the police station street and slowed down to a crawl. The car behind her had honked, overtook her and sped off.

She had then made up her mind to watch for those cars, and she had- for four days.

Four days; four days of that tinted Jeep and the silver sedan following her in turns. Whoever it was, they hadn’t made a move but still, she had known it was time to call in reinforcements.

Placing the call to PD had put all her nerves on edge. Each ring, though short, felt like a sluggish decade in her mind until she was answered.

“Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD, how may I help you?” a thoroughly bored voice had answered.

She didn’t clearly remember how she got in contact with Hunter but she had. The officer had curtly said, “Blake here.”

“I need your help.” Keisha had said plainly, “For the past four days I spotted this jeep and this silver sedan trailing me.”

Hunter had gone silent for a long while, “…Four days and you just thought to call me now.”

She bristled a little, “It’s not like they tried anything, I’m safe and you know how I’m with a gun.”

A soft snort was heard before Hunter asked, “What do you want me to do?”

Keisha had sagged in her seat, “I don’t know, what would you recommend?”

Hunter hummed, “Well, I can’t post some officers at your gate or get a detail for you so…the only thing I can think of is for me to stay with you.”

The very suggestion made small ripples of apprehension go through her body. Could she handle that, Hunter in her intimate space for a prolonged amount of time?

“For how long?” she dared ask.

"A two or three day, max," Hunter replied shortly, "Just to get probable cause to get a detail for you."

Rolling her neck to relieve the tension there she had sighed, “I hope it doesn’t come to that. I hope I’m just being paranoid.”

Hunter had laughed; that signature quiet low laugh that never failed to send shivers down her spine, “I’d like to think that paranoia should be your best friend right now.”

“We’ll see,” Keisha sighed while massaging her eyes. “Thanks a lot, though.”

“No problem.”

Sighing once more Keisha sagged and buried her head in her arm. “God, I’m going to need some strength.”

That was three hours ago and it was after seven in the night when a polite knock was on her door.

Carefully settling the cup of a coaster Keisha got and wrapped her arms around herself. It was more of a bracing move than a defensive one. She didn’t need to look through the peephole because there was just one person she had given permission to come up.

She opened the door to spot Hunter, clad in short sleeved oxford tee and blue jeans with a black duffel bag thrown over his shoulder. His hair was windblown and his eyes were covered with a pair of mirrored Ray-Bans. With his arm raised, she could spot the edges of a dark tattoo on his arm.

Standing there with his back to the dim hallway light, Hunter’s profile exuding a subtle and intoxicating power that made her mouth go dry. She stood there with her hand on the doorknob trying to put her thoughts in order.

It was a raised eyebrow over the shades that made Keisha snap out of her daze and she stepped back, “Come in.”

As he passed she forced herself to ignore the strain in the air and shut the door behind him.

Hunter stood in the middle of the living room with his shades up and his eye scanning the room.

Feeling curious Keisha stepped beside him, “What are you looking for?”

“Advantage points,” Hunter said succinctly twisting his head, “The best part where I can the one-up on an intruder.”

Keisha could only shake her head, “Always the soldier, huh? Doesn’t it get old sometime?”

"No, and isn’t that why I’m here?" Hunter replied while looking up to the ventilation slats.

Refraining from rolling her eyes, she gestured, “Come with me, I’ll show you your room.”

She heard a small strangled snort from beside her but when she turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow; Hunter was the picture of innocence.

This time she really did roll her eyes and took the short hallway to a second door and opened it. Inside was a furnished room with a double bed, night tables, and a dresser. A TV was in a cabinet across from the bed and a plush dark brown carpet was underfoot.

With her arms crossed across her chest, she gestured to a door at the end, "A bathroom in there, more like a big cupboard than a bathroom though, just a toilet, face basin, and a standing shower."

“Been through worse,” Hunter shrugged nonchalantly, while dropping the bag on the floor. “Getting clean water in the middle of monsoon season was more of a challenge than navigating a tiny shower.”

“I’ll leave you to it then,” Keisha nodded and was about to leave when Hunter hand was on her shoulder.

She couldn’t stem the light jump his touch evoked but managed to turn around with cool eyes. “Yes?”

Hunter’s eyes seemed to burn into her, “Where do you think you’re going? You need to tell me everything you remember about those cars. See if I can get an APB on them.”

Even knowing that it was best to talk with him, what she really wanted was to get away from his eyes. Every time she met his glittering orbs the sensation from the first day they met, how his eyes seemed to steal a part of her soul, was there. She wasn’t sure she could hold out with prolonged exposure to them.

Still, she nodded and gently removed his hand from her shoulder, “Sure, meet me in the kitchen in a few minutes…I’ll be there.”

Hunter's eyes narrowed for a moment before he nodded and stepped back. Glad for the freedom given to her, Keisha walked to her room at a measured pace. Closing the door behind her she braced her hands on her dresser and stared at herself in the mirror.

“Papa didn’t raise no cowards,” she said sternly to herself, “Get it together Keisha, so what if his eyes burn, you’re stronger than that.”

Shaking herself once more she left the room and went to the kitchen to find Hunter there, waiting for her. The man was sitting in one of her rarely used dining tables chairs with his long legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. He had ditched the shirt and was now in a dark blue tank.

Keisha easily met his eyes before going to the fridge, “Do you want anything to drink, water, juice…electrolyte punch maybe?”

“No,” Hunter replied sitting up and uncapping the pen that had been laid with military precision near a notepad. “Let’s get this over with so I can call in the APB.”

Taking her seat Keisha braced her forearms on the tablecloth and closed her eyes. Her mind was bringing up the memory and with a clear picture of both vehicles started to describe them.

Hunter had scribbled down everything about them and he had grinned when she handed over the license plates to him.

“They’re probably stolen or fake but still,” Hunter replied twiddling the pen, “Good observation.”

Nodding Keisha took a look at her phone and realized it was past nine but she still had one more question. “Why would two cars be following me though?”

"It could be two different people, one person trying to throw you off his tail thinking you wouldn't notice the change," Hunter replied simply.

Keisha blinked as she internalized that information then felt inordinately tired. First, someone was trying to set her up for money laundering and now she had a stalker, or two. “And the chances of this tail and the person whose framing me are the same are…”

“Really high,” Hunter replied in even factuality, “Perhaps they found out about that their scheme was uncovered and want to see if they could get rid of you which would remove every connection they have with you.”

And wasn't that just comforting?

"Keisha," Hunter said, "Tomorrow when you're about to leave call me. I'll follow you at a distance to see who is following you then. I'll be in an unmarked white Toyota Camry. If I do see a trail then I'll have a concrete case to get a protective order."

Keisha pressed a palm against her eyes and then rubbed them. It was just inconceivable that she was in such a mess. When she opened them the exhaustion that was there for a moment before was hidden behind strong barriers.

But that didn’t stop the fatigue from sounding in her voice.

“I’ll do that. I’m going to bed,” Keisha mumbled wearily while standing up, “Thanks for coming and helping me out, I really appreciate it.”

The look Hunter gave her was a mix of soft sympathy and strong admiration. “You’re welcome… try and get some rest.”

“Thanks… and be free to use whatever you want, okay, good night.”

With another nod, Keisha left the room feeling the protective gaze from Hunter on her back. When she did slip off to sleep it was with the soft security of having him with her that stayed the foreboding sensations.

 

*****

 

It was with a clearer mind and stronger determination that Keisha woke up the next morning. Staring up at the ceiling above she, in the dim hours of six a.m., had made up her mind that she was going to beat this.

Solid in her determination she wandered into the kitchen to see Hunter already up and perched on a barstool sipping a cup of coffee. She paused and delicately sniffed the air, it smelled like eggs and hash browns and with a side of French toast.

"You cooked?" She asked with full incredulity trying to assimilate this new side to him.

The question was moot as the covered dish on the table instantly proved it for her. She lifted the cover off and saw the whole spread and then glanced around the room. Not a dirty pot, pan or utensil, broken egg shells or bread crusts were in sight.

“Well,” Hunter replied moving off with a sly grin, “You did say to help myself.”

“But,” Keisha almost stuttered while still trying to shake the shock off, “I wasn’t expecting all this.”

“You could say thank you,” Hunter snorted while rising out the cup, “I have an early day at the office, and please, help yourself.”

With still shocked eyes Keisha watched him leave the room and then turned back to the delectable mean in front of her. A small smile started to cross her face as she took up a fork, well; he had said to help herself.

 

*****

 

It was a little obvious to anyone who knew Hunter that he was in an amiable mood. The issue with Keisha was crawling at a snail’s pace, which was good for them and the prosecution who had little or nothing to work with.

The tech guys were still trying to break into the desktop because the owner had put in place an elaborate and intricate security program which put the PC in a deadlock if the program wasn’t deactivated.

Aside from that the other job that he had given Jackson to do, which was to dig into Keisha’s past, to find anyone who had any motive to frame her; past employers, boyfriends even to her professors.

Hunter wasn’t taking any chances; he knew full well that the one thing they overlooked was the one thing that might screw them over.

While the tech boys were trawling through their task, Hunter was running the plate through the hoping for a hit.

Leaning back in his chair and twiddling a pen as the numbers flashed over his screen without any match.

The chief’s door creaked open and the seasoned captain called, “Hunter, a moment please.”

Green eyes closed in a flash of exasperation before Hunter stood up and crossed the floor.

The chief’s ice blue eyes met his, “I’m going to make this brief. Do you have any updates on the Habar case? Even though we have jurisdiction now, don’t be too comfortable. The FBI will take over if we can’t solve it and fast.”

“The tech boys are still trying to break through the hard drive that proves that this Ares Inc is just a front for some scheme here. I believe that as soon as we crack that drive we’ll find out who is behind this.”

Chief Reid looked at him with a searching look for a moment before he nodded then remarked, “Had a good night last night Blake? You look… immeasurably relaxed.”

Hunter paused for a moment, “Yes, I did.

Keaton Reid turned away to his desk, “Just keep me updated.”

“Will do,” Hunter added and walked out.

*****

It was with trepidation the Keisha left her building and got into her car. Ten minutes ago, she had called Hunter to tell him of her imminent departure and Hunter had told her to come to the local Walgreens, that he’d be there waiting.

She had done so and spotting the white Toyota Camry in the parking lot a surge of safety had settled in her stomach.

A quick trip inside to purchase some face cream, chocolate and a bottle of painkillers she left and didn’t make any noticeable acknowledgment of Hunter’s car.

The evening was calm and balmy with a hint of rain in the air. She had pulled out and drove home with a constant eye on the rear-view mirror. The cars behind her were an old Nissan two seater and a flashy convertible, and behind them was Hunter.

Keisha had taken a side road off the main to allow them to pass and then drove around for another half hour. When it came close to forty-five minutes she sighed and gave up and drove home.

Parked, she slammed her wrist on the steering wheel. The one time they set a trap for the trailer they hadn’t taken the bait.

Sighing, she left the vehicle and went into the building only to dump the small bag on the dining table and went to change her clothes and wait for Hunter to show up.

She was lounging in a corner of her couch bundled up in a loose white camisole and matching shorts and watching TV when Hunter knocked on the door. With a sigh, she got up and opened it for him.

“Don’t say it,” she said tersely, “I know, we struck out.”

“Maybe,” Hunter replied while shrugging his jacket off, “It might take some more time. Some stalkers do leave off for a while. We’ll get him, one way or another.”

“I’ve been here for over an hour,” Keisha said, “What did you do then.”

“I drove around looking for anyone who might just pop out of the woodwork,” Hunter replied. “Some stalkers are sneaky like that.”

Brushing her hair over her shoulder she took a look at the kitchen and grimaced, “Want to order some Chinese?”

Hunter looked at her for a moment then the TV, “Sure, just let me change and grab a shower. Order orange chicken for me, shredded broccoli and brown rice, thanks.”

She nodded and went to get her phone. After calling the local P.F. Chang’s she settled back into her seat and went back to watch the romance movie with her face towards TV but with her legs up to her side.

Hunter now dressed casually in a dark tank top and sweatpants sat at the very edge of the couch her which fitted his body perfectly. Her eyes trailed from his chest to his middle and then down to his bare feet, which, strangely sparked her arousal.

After three minutes of the movie, he scowled at the TV. "See, this is why all you females want the guy with the Brad Pitt looks, the Vin Diesel attitude and the Bill Gates riches. Prince-goddamn-Charming, Hollywood has brainwashed you." Hunter scoffed.

Keisha playfully aimed a kick at him, “Oh shut up, like all you men don’t want the chic that has the Halle Berry body, Angelina Jolie lips and the class of the Duchess of Cambridge.”

Hunter’s face twisted when the doorbell came and Keisha made to get up, “That’s our Chinese.”

A broad had pushed her back down, “I’ve got it.”

As he walked off Keisha turned on her belly and put her feet up while resting her head on her long-sleeved clothed arms. She wasn’t going to deprive herself of watching Hunter move.

The man moved like prowling tiger, and even though it was just a few feet to the door his confident stride was nothing less than a turn on. In less than twenty seconds he was back with the plastic bag of aromatic food.

Hunter rested the bag on the coffee table and reached in. Taking a container up he lifted the corner off and handed it over to her, “Shrimp Lo-Mein for you with extra soy sauce and egg rolls on the side and orange chicken, shredded broccoli and brown rice for me.”

Sitting up Keisha took the plastic container from him not shying away from letting their fingers touch. “To refute your point, we have not been brainwashed, we just have standards.”

While snapping his chopsticks open Hunter drawled, “Standards which fall short of ninety-nine percent of the testosterone species.”

“True,” Keisha replied while pouring more sauce over her noodles. “That’s probably why man was the guinea pig and woman was perfection.”

“Really,” Hunter mused while spearing a chicken piece, “Then why does every mythology on the planet place a woman as the cause of all our evil?”

“Because mythology was written by men,” Keisha grinned, “Jealous and inferior men.”

“If that’s the case,” Hunter replied not even looking at the TV anymore, “How come you perfect women need men to reproduce?”

Keisha shrugged while twisting her noodles, “We need a tool here and there.”

A look twisted Hunter's face and his fingers tightened around chopsticks, "Tools... that really is what some women take us for?"

Sensing the bitterness in his voice Keisha paused while eating and asked, “What happened?”

Hunter the continued eating, “This girl I was really into a few years ago. I swore we had something and that every time we had sex, to me it was making love but it turned out that for her it was only stress relief.”

"Ouch, that's horrible." Keisha commiserated while twirling her noodles. Hunter had shared something private with her and knowing how guarded the man was it had to be a hard thing to do. She debated with this idea but decided that it was only fair to share something with him too. "If it's any consolation, I've been burned too… there was a time in my life where I swore I was in love… and I was even going to marry him…until his wife showed up.”

"God," Hunter added dropping his chopsticks into the empty container, "What an asshole."

“That’s exactly what I said,” Keisha murmured taking the last bite of her food, “Never spoke to Bryce again.”

Hunter didn’t give any noticeable reaction to her frank admission but filed that tidbit of info in the back of his mind. “Are you done?”

"Yes, thanks," Keisha said handing the empty plastic over and curled up on the couch. When Hunter came back she had placed her foot on her lap and started to rub it.

Hunter frowned, “Are you okay?”

She tried to smile, "Mostly, I call it hells feet, sometimes my heels, even with insoles give me problems."

"Let me help," Hunter said reaching out for her foot. "My mom had the same problem."

Silently dumbstruck Keisha extended her foot to him in wariness, but when Hunter dug into her insole she almost uttered a deep moan of pleasure. Clearly, there was much more to Hunter than what meets the eye. This was another side to him; another piece of the puzzle of Hunter to put in place.

As the rubs continued it was a hard battle to hold the sound in but the look on her face didn’t escape Hunter though and a pleased and cocky smile crossed his face.

The movie continued but she was only paying half attention to it. The other half of her mind was solely occupied with enjoying the sensations from the foot rub. God, if Hunter was this good with her feet, what would he do to her body?

It was just cruel to think of it but her traitorous mind pictured him caressing her body into a mindless ball of pleasure. How she would lay, shivering and wanton, needing him to soothe the fire inside her.

She was so mired in her mind she barely noticed the movie was over and the credits were scrolling on the screen. Keisha carefully reached over and held his hand and uttered a small thank you.

Hunter twisted his head and in the dimness of the room, his eyes still seemed to glimmer. He then bent her leg up and slipped his hand to her ankle and framed it, "You're welcome."

Then the air changed once more it went still and hummed with silent want. Keisha gently extracted her foot from him and smiled, though every bone in her body wanted to lean forward and kiss him.

“Goodnight Hunter.” She said softly while getting up. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Same to you,” Hunter replied so just as softly.

Her room was both a sanctuary and a prison, it was free from Hunter’s presence but it wasn’t free from his memory and her cruel imagination.

Keisha slowly stripped out of her clothes and allowing her mind to take over she ran her hand over her neck imagining that it was Hunter’s hand trailing over it, then down between her breast to her stomach and pressed it there.

She wanted to imagine him dipping down to her core but she managed to drag her mind back to reality.

This wasn't healthy to think of or even sane to hope for but still, she wanted it; she wanted him.