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Right. Damn.
Miraculously, he doesn’t buzz again.
Instead, his name pops up in my personal email box. I guess he got the address from my resume. I delete it without opening it.
He’s sorry. That’s honestly enough. I feel vindicated. I don’t need to read his words or hear his voice for more because that would only make me go running back to an impossible situation.
Twenty minutes later, the Chinese food arrives. Aubrey buzzes the guy up, and he knocks on the door.
I jump up to get it.
Big mistake.
Of course, it’s Brick, looking half-mad. His hair stands on end, his rumpled button-down looks like he slept in it.
He stands there holding our Chinese food. He must’ve paid the delivery guy off to get in and bring it to us.
All my senses are hit at once. His dangerous beauty. His clean scent. The way I long for those large hands to touch me.
I’m like a deer in the headlights, unable to speak or move. Just struck dumb. “No,” I manage to whimper.
He attempts to step forward, but I block the door. His eyes glint amber. “Hey. May I come in?”
Aubrey barrels up off the couch. “Nope, nope, nope. I’m calling the cops. Get out of here now.” She snatches our food from his hands, plants her hands on his arms and attempts to move him.
I remain frozen until Aubrey’s brow wrinkles in confusion at her inability to even budge the guy.
“I know, he’s really strong,” I say quickly to stop her from trying. I shift my gaze to him and find his pinned on my face. “But he usually understands the meaning of the word no.”
“Madi, I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I fucked up. Will you please give me a chance to grovel?”
“Out!” Aubrey shouts.
I force myself to remain dead, no matter how tempting it is to leap into his arms and let him grovel his way over every inch of my body. “You heard her.”
“Madi, there’s more afoot here than you know. I need to explain some things to–”
“No,” I interrupt. “You really don’t. I never belonged on Wall Street, and we both know I didn’t belong with you. So, please, just let this go. I accept your apology. I’m glad you know it wasn’t me. That’s closure enough. Thanks and bye.” I swing the door shut on him.
He still doesn’t move. He looks deranged. “Five minutes. Just give me five minutes and–”
Aubrey joins me, and we both push on the door, trying to force him out.
“I don’t have a lot of time.”
Seriously? What an asshole. “Then you best be going.”
Aubrey holds her phone to her ear. “I’d like to report an attempted assault.”
Brick withdraws, and the door slams shut with both Aubrey’s and my weight against it.
“Are you okay?” she asks softly as I struggle to breathe.
“Did you actually call 911?”
“No, do you want me to?”
I shake my head and rally. I can get through this. I’m strong. I’m smart. The pain will eventually go away, I know that. I manage a nod.
