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“Don’t touch it, I’ll be right there. You sure you’re alone?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I glance around. The idea that he might still be here hadn’t occurred to me. “I-I think so.”
“Good. I’m about five minutes away, okay? See you soon.”
Chapter Seven
“It was on the table when you came home?” he asks, examining the bouquet.
I nod, my arms crossed over my chest.
“How long were you gone for?”
“Twenty minutes, if that,” I reply. I hate this, knowing he’s been here again. If I can’t feel safe in my own fucking home, what hope do I have?
“He had to have come in from the window again,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Either that or your doorman is a fucknut.” He looks up at me, his brow creased like a thought just jumped into his head. “When you’ve called the police in the past, did they check out your neighbors?”
My body goes cold. “You think it might be someone in the building?” I squeak.
He shrugs. “Just a suggestion. It would explain how he’s getting in here unseen. I’ll get my guys to look into it, see if anyone living here stands out.”
I nod and sit down, pushing my cup away. Suddenly I’m not so thirsty.
“It might be an idea for you to stay with a friend or in a hotel for a few days. I’ll organize someone to park out front of this place to see if we can see anything suspicious, but we really have no idea what this guy is capable of.”
Nice idea, but it’s not going to happen. I can’t afford a hotel and I don’t know anyone in the area well enough to stay at their place.
“What is it?” he asks, noticing my expression.
“I don’t really know anyone and I can’t afford a hotel,” I mumble, wishing this whole mess would just go away.
“You can stay with me.”
I raise my eyebrows. After last night, that sounds like a bad idea. Getting involved with a detective is a bad idea, no matter how irresistible he is. Staying with him is only going to lead to more issues, but what choice do I have? I can stay with him or I can stay here and risk not waking up one morning. I shudder at the thought.
“If you’re worried about what happened last night, you don’t need to,” he says, his tone serious. “I was way out of line. I shouldn’t have done what I did and I’m sorry. I can promise you it won’t happen again.”
My heart sinks. Jesus, Raven, you’re upset because he wants you and then you’re upset because he doesn’t? What I need is to get a fucking grip and stop overanalyzing things, which of course is impossible for me.
“Okay.”
His eyebrows shoot up and I can tell I’ve surprised him. For a second I’m worried. He obviously wasn’t expecting me to say yes. What if it was an empty gesture, a suggestion he’d only made assuming I’d say no?
“Great,” he says. His smile puts me at ease. “Give me half an hour to tidy up and I’ll text you my address? I’m not exactly prepared for company.” His face reddens and I laugh. Typical male.
“Sounds good. Are you sure I won’t be intruding?” I ask, biting my lip.
“Trust me, it’s no problem.”
His apartment is on the other side of town. In a new complex, I can already tell his place is going to be nice—much nicer than mine. Considering how much I pay, I can only imagine how much he does. Detective work must pay better than I thought.
I press the intercom and wait for him to answer. He buzzes me up, which unlocks the front door. I walk in, past the doorman who smiles at me curiously. Already I feel safer and vow to look into other, more secure living arrangements. I can’t live here forever, after all.
Conrad stands l
eaning against his doorframe as I exit the elevator. He looks hot, and it’s hard not to notice the way his abs ripple against the soft cotton of his shirt. I raise my eyes, trying not to blush as he ushers me inside.
“You didn’t pack much,” he says, noting my small bag.
