Tessa
The paranoia that I’ve lived with since that fateful day is on high alert tonight. I feel like I’m being watched and it’s freaking me out. I practically ran to my car after my shift. As soon as my car stops in front of my apartment, I have a sensation of relief, and I’m sure it’s mainly because of the figure who’s standing right outside my front door.
Hawk.
“What are you doing here? Where’s Sarah?” I ask as I walk up.
He doesn’t answer. He merely pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. My body doesn’t stiffen, and my heart rate doesn’t spike. In fact, I feel safer than I’ve felt in such a long time.
“How was your shift?” He pulls himself back and studies my face.
“It was work. Nothing more.”
His lips form a hard line as he takes his eyes from me and looks out towards the street. “Let’s get you inside.” He places his hand on my lower back and ushers me inside.
“Hawk, what’s going on? Is Sam asleep?”
“He’s fine.” He directs me to sit down on the couch and takes a seat right next to me. “I wanted to talk to you about Phil Jensen.”
I swallow past the nerves. “What about him?”
“Please don’t freak out, but the other night I saw him lurking outside your apartment.”
“You saw him outside? When? What happened? Did you confront him?”
He rubs his hand over his head before he brings his eyes to mine. “I confronted him, yes.”
“Hawk–”
“No, Tessa, don’t Hawk me. He’s creepy, and I don’t think his actions are in an innocent or friendly manner. Did you know that he owns this complex?”
“Wait, what?”
“Yes. He owns this complex. He’s owned it since right after his father died.”
I think about the notice of management change. It’s been years. He’s owned it for years. “Wait, it’s a corporation, not a single person.”
“It’s under his father’s corporation.”
“Okay, so he owns the building.”
“And he’s been following you. When I came here last night and tonight, I saw him walking away from your apartment. I told him the other night to leave you alone, and he’s not taking my advice.”
“You confronted him last night too?”
“No, the other night. Listen, Tessa, I don’t like what’s going on here. And I’m a little surprised that you aren’t as worried about this as I am.”
“You don’t think I’m worried?” I laugh. I’ve been more worried than I have been in years. “You have no idea what’s been going on in my mind since you showed up here, Hawk. It’s like you brought all this with you when you came.”
His eyes narrow at me. “You think this is my fault? Maybe I see more than you do. Maybe this has been a problem all along.”
“You need to leave, Hawk. I’m not about to listen to you tell me that I’ve been living my life with my eyes closed. That’s the last thing that I’ve been doing. You think you know how I’ve been living all these years, but you don’t.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Hawk, I’m not asking.” I stand and walk towards the door, pulling it open and waiting for Hawk to leave like I asked.
“Shut the door, Tessa.”
I don’t.
“Tessa.” He growls my name as he stalks over to me, pulling the door from my hand and closing it with a click. He keeps his hand on the door, above my head as he brings his face towards mine. His sky-blue eyes darken. “Leaving you isn’t possible. Not anymore.”
I put my hand on his chest to push him away, but as soon as my hand touches the fabric of his shirt, he wraps his hand over mine. He takes another step towards me, pressing his body to mine. His eyes flick to my lips. Subconsciously, I bring my tongue out, wetting the target of his gaze.
“Hawk–”
“No.” His head shakes slightly. “Tessa, please don’t ask me to do something that I’m unable to do. You can ask me to do anything else, but not that. Please don’t ask me to leave because I’m sorry, baby, but that’s not about to happen.”
Before I can argue, his lips come down on mine. Wiping away all the reasons why I need him to leave. Washing away all my worries because for the first time in years I feel like I’m not alone and I need to learn to accept that fact.