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“What lies?” She gave him an innocent look, but he wasn’t falling for it. He would not allow her to continue to torment Noelle because of some obsession she had with him. He had been nice seeing her as a harmless flirt. Those days were over.
“Don’t act stupid, Carly,” he snapped. “Stop telling people there was something between us. I am ashamed of my part in all of this, but even if Noelle never takes me back there will never be an ‘us.’ If you even think of going near Noelle or her store you will deal with me. I make a bad enemy, Carly.”
She scooted close to him and tried to kiss him. He moved his head, and her lips landed on his cheek. He put a hand up stopping her. “Did you just not hear what I had to say?”
“You can’t mean it.” Carly looked confused. She blinked a few times. “I am so much prettier than Noelle. I am more sexually experienced. A tiger like you doesn’t deserve a mouse in his bed. You wanted me, Chance, but your honor got in the way. You are single now, and there is nothing to stop us from getting together.”
Chance sighed and shook his head with exasperation. She needed some serious help. He should have spoken with Robert, her stepdad, instead of wasting his time trying to be reasonable with Carly. He could see it was doing no good.
“I see you for the manipulative brat you are, Carly. Stop drinking and dry out. Your mind is being affected, and that is not good,” he told her seriously. He felt sorry for her but that didn’t mean he would allow her to make Noelle’s life miserable.
He stood up to leave, ignoring her gasp of outrage. He headed for his car, ignoring the filthy curse words she was hurling in his directions. He got his point across.
* * * *
Noelle checked her windows and doors one more time. Ever since the incident with her window yesterday, she had been feeling nervous. Chance called her several times to check up on her. She was tempted to ask him to keep her company, but she was afraid she would always need to have him near. A knock on her door startled her. She made sure to look through the peephole.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw it was Chance. Noelle couldn’t help but fix her hair and straighten her T-shirt before opening the door. “Chance. Hi, this is a surprise.”
He smiled and held a large pizza box in his hand. “I thought I would bribe you with your favorite pizza from Geno’s.”
“Italian sausage and extra cheese?” She opened the door wide and motioned him inside.
He stepped in, placing the box on her coffee table. He knew she never used the dining room since it was just her.
“Is there any other kind?” he teased.
She sat next to him on the couch feeling sloppy in her pink shorts and matching tank top. Her hair was loose, and her face was free of any makeup. “I don’t think so.”
“Mom went to see a movie, so I thought we could eat together,” he said, opening the box. She took a deep breath and inhaled the smell. “Mmm. You just talked me into it.”
He grabbed a piece. “What you watching?” He glanced at the TV. She didn’t want to admit she had it on because the house was too quiet and spooky. He would just think she was being silly.
“I don’t know. I was just dozing on the couch.” She bit into the pizza and closed her eyes.
“So good.”
“Are you feeling nervous after what happened at the store?” he asked after she got up to get two cans of cold soda for them. He grabbed the remote and started flipping through the channels.
“Maybe.” She looked away from him, hoping to not sound like a frightened little girl.
He reached over and put his hand on her thigh. His bare hand on her bare skin tingled. She started feeling hot in a very sensitive area. It had been months since she felt his touch. “It’s normal to be spooked by something like that, Noelle. Chase told me you felt like someone was watching you. I know you still have doubts about us being together, but you have to know I would never let you come to any harm. Even if we never get back together I will always be around for you.”
She blinked back a few tears and cleared her throat so she could speak. “Thank you, Chance. That means a lot to me.”
“You call me or Chase next time you feel anything weird.” He scooted back and leaned against her couch cushions. He found a program on the Discovery channel he knew they would both like. She thought of the many times they started watching TV but never made it through an entire episode with making love on the couch. Damn it, she didn’t need to get all hot and bothered when she could do nothing about it. Even her vibrator had failed her long ago, and she finally got rid of it.
“Tonight, you rest. I don’t have to be in until noon tomorrow. I will crash on the couch and be your bodyguard,” he said, grabbing a second slice. He gave her a sideways look of humor. “Unless your bed is cold and lonely.”
Noelle let out a laugh and rolled her eyes. “You are just so sweet and noble.” He quickly agreed. Noelle finished off her slice of pizza. She gave him a serious look. “You don’t have to babysit me. I check my windows and doors constantly.”
He gave her a knowing look. “And probably don’t sleep eight hours because of it. I am staying, so no arguments.”
She nodded, although she was feeling anything but friendly. She wanted to order him to strip down to nothing. She kept quiet.
She finished her second slice and decided she had had enough. She grabbed the small blanket to cover her feet. Chance scooted her close to him. She laid her head on his chest, feeling safe and warm. She didn’t even pay attention to the TV show. She listened to the steady beat of his heart. With Chance here, she could sleep peacefully tonight. Chance would protect her if Carly decided to try anything.
Noelle wasn’t sure how long she slept before she felt Chance move away from her. She stirred and yawned. “What is going on?” she whispered. Her eyelids still felt heavy with tiredness.
