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TWO
Eight Months Later
Olivia sighed as she jiggled the key in the lock and tried to find that exact position where the worn key fit and would actually match up with the tumblers. The lock was old, the key was old, and her condo was in desperate need of attention. But it was a rental and it was home – for now.
She shifted the bag of groceries to her other hip as she wiggled the key softly. “Come on, come on!” she muttered under her breath. She didn’t like standing out in the open like this. She’d become a get in–get out kind of person thanks to Ethan. She’d lived in three different states and six cities since the night Marissa helped her escape – a lot of moving around in eight months. Now she was in Denver, Colorado. It was beautiful. She’d performed in the downtown theater once when she was a teen. The people were friendly. But the weather was already getting cold. Her sister would be amazed at how independent she’d become in these past months. It had taken time to rebuild her confidence but she was getting there. She hadn’t dared contact Marissa since the escape for fear of Ethan tracking them both down. She missed her family desperately.
She heard heavy footsteps come up the path behind her and her grip on the keys tightened instinctively. She swung around, expecting to see Ethan but it wasn’t him. It took her a moment to realize he hadn’t found her. She released her breath in a heavy sigh.
“I don’t usually get that reaction from women,” her neighbor joked as he jogged up their shared walkway.
Olivia forced herself to blink and stop staring. He was one of the sexiest men she’d ever seen with muscles on top of muscles, but she knew she couldn’t get attached. He seemed solid and friendly and everything she could want in a guy – but she’d had positive thoughts about Ethan at first and look where that got her.
She glanced at him again and took a quick inventory. He looked yummy in the running shorts and tight tee shirt. His short dark hair glistened with sweat. She had no idea what he did for a living but he looked like a movie star and walked like a soldier. He carried himself with confidence, probably because he was as big as a lumberjack and nobody wanted to mess with him. In some ways it made her feel a little more secure having a guy like that nearby.
It wouldn't matter if he was Superman.
No one could protect her from Ethan, not even this hunky man. Especially not him. Ethan's battles were never with fists – unless she displeased him. His preferred weapon was a keyboard and a stopwatch. He liked to see how fast he could ruin a person’s life. How would her neighbor fare against that type of assault?
She shook her head sadly. Even if she wanted to get to know him, she couldn’t endanger him. And she wasn’t sure she could trust him. Ethan had taught her there was real evil in the world. She didn’t want to know what sordid things her neighbor was into. She didn’t know his name, and didn’t care to since she probably wouldn’t be in Denver long. But she couldn’t help watching him. He went jogging a lot. And he watched her too. It seemed like he was always close at hand, and she’d caught his curious glances. Sometimes he tried to chat with her but she wasn’t willing to answer personal questions. But she did like watching him jog away from his house every morning. She hadn’t seen a butt that good since her days in ballet with all those guys wearing tights.
Her dance partner, Bret Johnson, had been the best. He was strong and talented and gorgeous, yet an all-around good guy. Romance never sparked between them but they’d been close friends until Ethan ruined the relationship with his jealousy. She hoped Bret was okay. Last she heard, he had a falling out with the company management and quit. Now he had a contract with the New York City Ballet – far away from California. She knew Ethan was behind it all. Thankfully Bret was alive, recovered from the accident that destroyed her career, and no longer in danger.
When she lived in Cheyenne a few months ago she used the library computers to check on her friends. It was the only safe way to get information. She never contacted any of them but that’s how she learned about Bret. She sighed. He was probably worried about her but there was no way to assure him she was okay. As soon as she picked up a phone or fired off an email, Ethan would have another lead to track her down. She wrinkled her nose at her distracted thoughts and again focused on the key in her hand. She had to get this lock fixed!
“Problems getting in again?”
“Oh!” He startled her and she dropped the bag of groceries. She hadn’t expected him to be so close. How had he moved so fast without her noticing? She stared down in dismay at her apples, ramen, and other things scattered across the front step. She couldn’t bend and gather it up again. Her hip and leg didn’t move that way anymore – at least not easily.
She slowly crouched and reached for an apple.
“Hey, I’m sorry!” Her neighbor quickly squatted down and grabbed the plastic bag that was blowing away. “Here, let me. I didn’t mean to scare you. I thought you knew I was there.” Up close she noticed his eyes were the color of a tropical sea. Nice, warm, brilliant blue, and fixed on her with curiosity.
Olivia flushed and glanced away. “I did but you still scared me,” she answered with a shrug.
Her neighbor raised a dark brow but didn’t respond. He quickly gathered the half dozen apples and shoved them in the bag. He eyed the box of hair color with another quirk of his brow. “Not a natural brunette, huh?”
Olivia made a strangled sound of annoyance and snatched the bag out of his hands. She didn’t need people making such personal observations and remembering her. To her dismay she nearly fell backward when she tried to stand again. Her darn leg didn’t cooperate when she needed it to. She knew she ought to thank him for helping her but she couldn’t do more than mutter something unintelligible.
“I’m really sorry; I shouldn’t have asked that. Here, let me help you –“
She put out her hand to ward off his assistance. She didn’t want his help, or anyone else’s. She just wanted her old life back.
She should be dancing. In a world without Ethan she would be practicing for a new performance with Bret, surrounded by other dancers and the choreographer. She had been an integral part of the dance company and it had consumed her life. Her face had been on billboards. People paid big money to see her dance. Now, she was hawking overpriced perfume to women as they hurried past the fragrance counter at the mall. She even had to sell the same perfume she’d modeled for four years ago. Thankfully her face wasn’t on the ads now. This was all Ethan’s fault. He was chasing her in this cat and mouse game while he sat in his comfy California penthouse. Angry tears filled her eyes but she quickly blinked them away. That would be the icing on the cake. A total meltdown in front of her sexy neighbor that she couldn’t allow herself to know.
No, the real icing was when her neighbor realized she couldn’t stand back up on her own. Before she could protest or explain, he reached for her. He wrapped his big arms around her and stood to his feet, taking her with him. At first she felt acutely embarrassed. Then she decided to ignore the awkwardness and enjoy the feel of being light as a feather in his strong arms. It had been a long time since anyone held her tenderly. Once she was steady he quickly released her and stepped away. It took her a moment to get her bearings again. “Uh, thank you. I feel really awkward about all of this.”
“Don’t! It was my fault entirely. I shouldn’t have scared you. My name’s Paul Justice, by the way. I figure we should introduce ourselves since we share a wall.” He motioned to the apartment behind her.
She liked how his eyes crinkled when he smiled. He was early to mid-thirties maybe? He was definitely too hot for his own good. He held out his hand to shake hers but she was holding the groceries and her keys. She gave him an apologetic smile. “It’s nice to meet you and thanks for the help.” She then turned back to the door. It had better open this time!
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Paul moved to her side and leaned against his own door as she struggled to work the lock. “Look, I realize we got off to a bad start and I’m sorry I frightened you. Here, let me make it up to you. I could cook you dinner. Our front doors are only inches apart. Isn’t that reason enough to be friends? Do you have a name?” he persisted when she remained silent. His voice had become a blend of pleading and persuasion. Olivia found it difficult to ignore. Plus the dumb door still wouldn’t open.
As she turned back to face him her mind went blank. What name had she chosen this time? She’d been Elizabeth, Courtney, Dana, Jessica, Sasha; they all came to mind in rapid succession except this one – she shook her head. She couldn’t remember anything when those gorgeous eyes studied her so closely. She wanted him to draw her back into his arms so she could forget about her awful life for five minutes. “Liv. You can call me Liv,” she whispered then immediately wished she could take it back. No, that wasn’t right! Her eyes widened. “But please don’t tell anyone my name.” Oh, no. She realized she’d said way too much when his gaze narrowed. Why had she made such a dumb move? Maybe because she liked his easy friendliness. But she wasn’t here to make friends, and slips like this one could cost her everything. Paul was eyeing her with speculation; she could see the wheels turning in his mind. She could kick herself for botching this so badly. She’d only been here a week! She had to be more careful.
She pressed a smile to her lips as she remembered her latest name. Maybe she could smooth over this awkward situation and he’d forget the rest. “But my name is Chelsey Reynolds. Maybe you should just call me Chelsey. It’s easier than a nickname. Well, look at that. I finally I got the door open and I’ve gotta go.” She quickly stepped inside and started to close the door in his face. He was frowning and wore a puzzled look. She’d really blown this encounter but there was nothing she could do about it now. “Thanks for helping me pick up the groceries and um, everything.” And with a nod she shut the door with a firm snap. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to face him anytime soon.
