Chapter Twelve
Trace
She.
Thump!
Is.
Thump. Thump!
Fucking.
Thump!
Mine.
Thump. Thump. Thump!
I stopped, having beaten the shit out of my bag for over an hour. Unfortunately, it hadn’t help curb the raging possessiveness that had been pounding through me since I’d taken Eva the night before.
I was screwed, completely addicted to her, and I would be damned if she ever left. She was like a light to my dark soul, and I was enjoying the illumination and the heat. I fucking needed her now, and I couldn’t let her go.
I swiped a gloved hand over my forehead. I was sweating like a pig, but I didn’t want to stop venting my frustrations on my pseudo opponent. If I did, I was afraid I’d completely lose it.
“I have to go,” I grumbled irritably, grabbing a towel as I headed for the shower.
Eva and I were due to leave the house shortly. I was already committed to attend the company Christmas party, and it wouldn’t look good if the boss didn’t make an appearance. Honestly, I’d rather stay home and take Eva to bed, fuck her until I came to my senses.
“I can’t.” My voice was graveled and low as I turned on the cool water of the gym shower while talking to myself. Jesus! I was actually talking to myself, carrying on like I was demented.
I entered the cold water without even flinching. I was getting used to it. I’d never needed a cold shower until I’d met her. Now, I was becoming unfamiliar with the feeling of warm water.
Stroking my hard cock, all I wanted was to get myself off, but I already knew it wouldn’t help. The release never lasted for more than a few minutes. All I had to do was see her and I’d be hard all over again, just like I’d never come.
“Fuck!” I scrubbed my body mercilessly, trying to get the scent of her out of my pores. It didn’t work.
It wasn’t that I didn’t like Eva. Hell, I was obsessed with her. But I didn’t like needing anyone, and I sure as hell didn’t want to feel like I needed to be with her in order to take my next breath. It was a damned helpless situation to be in, and I fucking hated that, too.
For the first time in a very long time, my emotions were out of control. I’d tried to stay away from her today, certain I’d be able to get my head together. After doing some work in my office, I’d called Dane and Sebastian to see what time they were getting in. Finally, I’d come down here, the only place I could think of to try to get my mind off Eva.
Finished, I turned off the shower, exited the enclosure, and grabbed a towel. As I was hastily drying my body, I wondered what it was about her that wouldn’t let me have a single thought that didn’t involve both of us naked.
It’s not just about sex.
Nope. It wasn’t. If my attraction to Eva was purely carnal, it would be waning by now. Instead, it was getting worse. Even now, I was wondering what she was thinking, what she was doing. Most of all, I wanted to be close to her, breathe the same air she was breathing.
I tossed the towel in the open hamper. “I must be fucking crazy,” I rasped, afraid for my sanity.
I couldn’t push her away; I couldn’t be close to her without my emotions going on overload.
Disgusted with myself, I ran upstairs and to my room, not sure if I was disappointed or relieved when I found my bedroom empty. I wanted Eva here. I wanted her to invade my life in the way only a woman could.
I dressed quickly after looking at the clock and realizing I should already be out the door. Not that it really mattered. None of my staff needed me to be able to have a good time at the swanky country club where the festivities were being held.
But I hated being late. I was never late.
I donned my black tuxedo quickly, getting ready in record time. I left the bedroom without a backward glance, not wanting my gaze to land on the enormous king-sized bed where I’d fucked Eva like my life depended on it the night before.
Exiting in a rush, I nearly collided with her as I strode into the hall. I steadied her the moment her body crashed into me.
“I’m sorry I’m late.” We spoke the words in unison.
I couldn’t help but grin at her as she stepped back.
I reached for the collar of my formal white shirt so I could tug on it, suddenly feeling warm. My eyes devoured Eva, her curvy, feminine body in the same red, fuck-me dress that had haunted me since I’d laid eyes on it a few weeks ago. “You’re wearing…that?”
Her face fell. “Yes. You said it was formal. Does it look bad on me?”
“No.” She looked incredibly sensual, the silky material clinging to her body in places that should probably be illegal. By today’s standards, the dress was modest, but I knew it left her back bare, and the graceful line of her neck showing. Too much of her creamy skin was exposed, and I hated it. “You look beautiful.”
Her hair was drawn up in an elegant style, secured at the top of her head. Her makeup was perfect, and there wasn’t one single thing out of place.
“Thanks.” She fidgeted with her dress nervously.
“Don’t. You look perfect.”
She stopped playing with the garment to look at me, her eyes shining with uncertainly. “Do you really think so? You didn’t sound too sure.”
“I’m jealous. I don’t want any other man to see you in this dress. I’m afraid somebody will steal you away from me.” I was honest. I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable when she was just finding her confidence.
Her smile was worth my confession. “You’re so full of shit,” she told me with a laugh. “But I love it.”
She took the arm I held out to her, and I led her downstairs, never admitting that I had been completely serious about my fears.
If I’d had any concerns about how Eva would mingle with my employees—which I actually never really did—any doubt would have been dissolved as I watched her from her place next to me at dinner. Her smile was genuine, and her interest in people was sincere. It was like my acquaintances could sense that she was really interested in their lives. And they had no problem talking about themselves.
There was nothing practiced or falsely polite about Eva. People were just naturally drawn to her smile.
I could relate to that. My dick had been continually hard because that smile affected me just that much.
After dinner, people had grouped together, most of them friends from the same area at work, or employees who worked in the same department.
I was trying to look interested in what the Vice President of Walker Corp was saying to me, but I didn’t want to hear about work. It was a damn Christmas party for God’s sake. Wasn’t he capable of shutting the hell up for just five minutes about work issues?
Finally, I held up a hand to silence him. “It’s a holiday party, Turner. Can’t we leave business behind for one night?”
“Of course, sir,” he answered nervously. “I just thought you wanted the numbers on this deal.”
I shook my head and looked at the earnest expression on the man’s face. He was a hard worker, and an executive in my company. How was it that I knew so little about his life? “Where’s your wife, Turner?”
“I’m not sure. I think she’s talking to some of the other wives.”
“I suggest you go find her and get her a drink.” It wasn’t really a suggestion. My voice was pretty insistent. “We can discuss business next week. Have fun, Turner. And relax for a while, man. Maybe take some time to appreciate your family.”
I knew he had two sons, and a beautiful wife who would do anything for him. He was a lucky guy.
He nodded abruptly. Smart man. No wonder I’d made him a VP. “Thank you, sir.” He hesitated before adding, “Merry Christmas, Mr. Walker.”
Hell, the guy was almost stammering. Was I usually that much of a Scrooge? “Merry Christmas, Turner.”
I watched thoughtfully as Turner scrambled away to find his wife. I knew every detail of what my employees did and what they handled at work. I found it strange that I didn’t even know how old Turner’s kids were. Come to think of it, I knew almost nothing personal about any of my executives. Maybe because I’d never bothered to ask. My business functioned like a tightly-run ship, and I was the asshole captain. Generally, this didn’t bother me, but as I’d watched Eva learn more personal things about my employees during one dinner than I’d discovered over years of employment, it was rather pathetic.
It wasn’t that I didn’t care about the people who worked for me. But I got so consumed with how efficiently the company ran that I didn’t have room in my life for anything more. Or maybe I was afraid of befriending any of them. Oh hell, I didn’t know why I was an asshole, I just knew that I was one.
I took a sip of my Scotch on the rocks and stared at Eva. I was across the room from her, and she was engaged in conversation with some women who were secretaries in the Contract Department. She wasn’t paying the least bit of attention to me, but I still felt like she was subconsciously beckoning me, luring me closer to her with every animated movement of her body, every adorable expression on her face.
This was how Eva was born to be: happy, expressive, and friendly to everybody who came into contact with her. It was how her life should have been…but wasn’t.
I knew who she’d spotted the minute I saw her expression change. Her arms, which had just been making expressive movements, dropped to her sides and her face became wary, her body tensing as she looked to her right and across the room.
Maybe I shouldn’t have invited her here. Maybe it was a mistake.
It killed me to see the light in Eva’s eyes dim, but there were things she deserved to know, and I’d invited Mrs. Mitchell here for that specific purpose. She’d begged me to be allowed to talk to Eva in person, but there was no way I was going to let my privacy—and Eva’s—be invaded in my home. Eva was safe, and I wanted her to continue to feel that way in my house. But I’d also understood, after finding out the details of Eva’s parentage, that she had to know the whole truth.
“Shit! I hope I don’t regret this,” I rasped in a quiet voice that nobody around me could hear.
I took another slug of my whiskey, watching the two women closely as the older woman made her way through the crowd to Eva. She slowly drew Eva away from the women she was talking to, and I saw a stubborn flash of temper on my sweet girl’s face that made me grin.
She can take care of herself.
Yeah, I knew Eva could defend herself, but I wanted to go to her because I knew seeing her accuser was going to make her vulnerable. However, I’d made a promise to Nora Mitchell that she could have a few minutes alone with Eva if she met her here tonight. I wanted Eva to have a neutral place, a venue where it didn’t matter if she had bad memories of her discussion with Nora.
I could tell the initial confrontation wasn’t going well. Eva looked downright pissed off, and Nora Mitchell looked tearful.
I released a breath I didn’t even know I was holding when Nora took Eva’s arm lightly and gave her a pleading glance that caused Eva to turn and follow her.
If she hurts Eva, says one word that even upsets her, I vowed that Nora Mitchell would regret it for the rest of her life.
Restlessly, I moved across the room, my eyes unconsciously searching for Eva. I didn’t see her, and I knew the two women had found a private place to talk.
I’ll wait. I promised to give Nora time.
Honestly, I didn’t give a shit about my promise to the older woman, but I was hoping the discussion would give Eva some closure with her past. Ultimately, this was all about Eva for me, and I silently hoped that I’d done the right thing.