Chapter One
Harper
I squinted as the sun’s rays hit my face full force on the freeway. Pulling down my visor, I was glad when it blocked out the huge ball of light so that I could actually see the road in front of me. It was getting late, but I had almost made it home, miraculously. My car groaned beneath me, as if she knew how far the apartment was from her current position and was ready to settle down in the parking garage for the night.
“You can do it,” I told her, laughing.
The sound of my own laugh startled me. Butterflies still fluttered in my stomach, although I had been out of Mason’s presence for a while now. I couldn’t get the image of him out of my mind; the way he had stood there, holding my hand, telling me I’d be perfect at the job he was offering. Completely oblivious to the fact that I was fantasizing about him the entire time.
Had he even noticed how much I had been affected by that fantasy? He’d hardly given any indication of emotion other than curiosity as we had sat in that parlor room, with the camera rolling. But the look he had given me right before I had left; I couldn’t wipe it from my memory. The way his blue eyes had quite literally danced in anticipation as he looked down at me, the warmth of his smile and the smell of his body encompassing me even from where I had stood by the doorway.
I had to stop myself, already feeling my leg muscles tighten. I kept both hands firmly on the wheel, happy to have something to hold onto, this time. What I would have given for him to move his hands to my waist, to press the length of his body against mine.
My phone rang with a synthetic tingle of bells that echoed throughout car. I looked down briefly to grab it, then back at the road. Most of the cars had gone for the day, leaving only a few stragglers like myself to navigate back home down the road.
I attempted to stay focused on the road as I glanced down briefly to find a text message from Sandra, one of my co-workers at the bar.
Hey, can you take my shift 2nite? :) ;)
I sighed. This wasn’t the first time Sandra had wanted me to cover for her, and I was sure it wouldn’t be the last. For over a year I had dealt with waitressing to the patrons at the small, smelly bar, bringing dirty men their drinks and avoiding the glares of some of the women who went there regularly.
Yes, but now you have a new job. I smiled to myself as I thought about working with Mason and leaving it all the rest behind for something better. Something pleasant.
It was true, of course. I did have a new job, one that would probably pay more in one night than what I could make in a week toting drinks and beer from the dirty bar to the half intoxicated patrons. Plus, I’d be around Mason.
Although I hated to admit it to myself, the prospect of having his eyes scanning me again, looking my body up and down like he had at the doorway to the mansion, exhilarated me. More than exhilarated me, actually.
He had said we’d be working closely together.
I smiled to myself, throwing my phone onto the passenger seat and gripping the steering wheel tightly with both hands again.
My smile faded a little as logic began to settle in. Of course, I couldn’t quit my job completely. As much as I wanted to believe working with Mason would be perfect, I knew from experience that things rarely went according to plan, and losing my job could set everything back. I hardly knew Mason, after all.
I wouldn’t fill in for Sandra, at least not tonight, but now wasn’t the time to quit either. This new job would be a calculated risk; I had to make sure I was making the right move.
Taking the exit toward Birch street, I sped up a little, wanting to get home and relax for the night. Avery was on her date, so I would have the place to myself. As much as I loved her, being alone in our apartment was one of my favorite things; a chance to catch up on things and take a break without having to listen to her talking about men and drama.
The stoplight that Avery always called the “dickhead dud” was, as usual, red. I smiled as I remembered her using that phrase. “It’s such a dick!” She had complained to me once. “It’s always red, I swear to God.” As I approached the stoplight, I shifted the Camry into neutral, revving the engine a little, my spirits still soaring after my date-thing with Mason, or whatever it had been.
Bright headlights blasted into my rearview mirror, even though it wasn’t completely dark out yet. The familiar shape of the lights on the late model Mustang gave me an immediate sinking feeling.
Jake. How long has he been following me?
Thoughts raced through my head as I began to panic. Why was he following me? What did he want? I had already made it clear I didn’t need him in my life. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, and going home to an empty apartment suddenly didn’t seem like such a good idea. I glanced at my phone, but didn’t know who I could call. I considered Avery, but I didn’t want to mess up her date.
Realizing I’d have to deal with Jake on my own, I took a deep breath and stepped on the gas pedal as the stoplight turned green.
I pulled into the parking lot, taking the first available spot I could find. Every other night there seemed to be plenty of people around the complex and in the parking lot, but not tonight. It was virtually empty. I fumbled with my purse, phone and keys, attempting to get out of the car as quickly as possible. But it was too late. As I turned to get out of my car, I froze, the dark hoodie filling my vision through the window.
Jake stood over the car, bending down slightly to open the door for me. “Hey!”
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked. I didn’t know if I was more afraid or angry, but suspected that the sinking, hot feeling of adrenaline in my chest was the product of both emotions.
“I was just wondering where you were hurrying off to earlier today. Now I know. Quite the mansion, isn’t it?”
“Why were you following me? I told you we were done. It’s none of your business.”
Jake didn’t say a word and only stared. He moved so his entire body blocked my way out of the car. I felt trapped as the lump formed in my throat. I could feel the scream building deep inside of me, but I held back for the moment.
“It’s been a whole… what… two days? And you already have a sugar daddy?”
“What?” I asked, dazed. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. “Move,” I ordered, my voice raw. “Please move, Jake.”
I stared at him hard, meeting his harsh glare with my own until he finally backed up a little, still holding onto the door, but leaving me enough room to get out of the car. I stood, but he continued to block my way.
“I’m sorry, Harper, I made a mistake.” Jake shut the door to the car as he stood in front of me, making it impossible to move passed him. “I never meant to compare you to my ex, you have to believe me,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and stepping to the side. “I just want you back, baby. That’s the reason I followed you. I had to make sure you weren’t seeing anyone else...”
“So what if I was?” I snapped, feeling a little stronger now that he wasn’t blocking my way. “In case you forgot, you were still sleeping with your ex while we were together.”
For just a moment, he seemed unsure of what to say.
“We’re through.” I hissed. “Get the fuck away from me.”
“Harper...” he muttered, coming a little closer. I took a step backwards bumping into the car. The thought of screaming and then running to my apartment crossed my mind, but it was too late; he was on me. Grabbing me roughly around the waist and tangling his fingers into my hair, he pulled me close. “Baby, please,” he whispered.
I pushed at him, hitting his chest with the flat of my hand, loosening his grasp on me a little. “Get the fuck off of me!” I yelled as I clutched my purse, ready to use it as a weapon. It didn’t stop him. He only moved in closer, this time more aggressively.
Squeezing my purse, I prepared to swing.