Page 14 of Chance

“Spend the night.” It was a statement, not a question. “I know I’m being demanding, but you really can’t blame me.” His fingers twirled the ends of my hair. “You don’t seem to be complaining, either.” I wasn’t entirely sure if his comments were innocent, but either way, it was true. He was fun to be around in every aspect. I nodded and Ewan kissed my hair. “It’s not too much, is it?”

“It doesn’t bother me. I’m actually starting to find you pretty addictive.” He chuckled a husky laugh into my hair. “Is that all right?” I tilted my head to see him lick his lower lip and nod. Damn those full lips. Ewan eased my head back onto his chest, fingering the hair at the nape of my neck. It was true. I wanted him like I had never imagined I could want another person.

We ended up in his room eventually, but not until after a late-night snack and a playful argument about how to pronounce caramel. He laid out next to me on his back and told me about the cottage they lived in before they moved to the US. It sounded like something out of a fairy tale. Stereo-typical English cottage with a red door and ivy up the side. He talked about his mother, Norah, like she hung the moon and stars, the way she gardened, and sang. Ewan described her nearly black eyes and raven hair well enough to give me writer’s envy. She was half Indian with the same dainty features expressed on Amelia’s face. He talked about the love his mother had for his father, squeezing my shoulder gently, and how his father had fallen apart after her death. His father, Bernard, saw Amelia regularly, but since the accident and being charged with her murder, he was different. Their father sent Ewan at least one text a week, but they rarely spoke. It was all touching and sad simultaneously. Ewan was never shy about being emotional, at least, not with me, but something about opening up to me about his parents was warming.

“Have I overloaded you?” It was late, far too late considering we both had to work in the morning, but neither of us cared.

I shook my head. “I could listen to you talk for hours.” Admitting it made me blush. Ewan had made a point to say how obnoxious it was when people asked him to say things only to hear the novelty of his accent, but the accent wasn’t it. Although the accent was sinfully sexy, it was the rhythm of his words, the fact that Ewan was the one saying them.

“Tomorrow is going to be rough if we don’t sleep,” he mumbled, curling himself around me and snuggling into my neck. I nodded, kissing his head. Ewan letting me see him so vulnerable was strange. Nick let me see him at his weakest, but after nearly twenty years of friendship, it was normal. It was different with Ewan: he trusted me. His hand found mine, and he laced our fingers—it was like the man could never get close enough to me. I enjoyed the moment for as long as I could before sleep pulled me under.

The rest of the week went the same way. I spent a few nights at home reading late into the night because I couldn’t sleep alone, but the other nights were spent tangled up with him. All the space in his bed was wasted considering how close he wanted to be with me. Davis had his own bedroom when we were married, and always left once he was done with me Ewan couldn’t get enough of me whether sex was involved or not. It was amazing. In public, Ewan kept a respectful distance, but once the door closed, he was all over me. He called it clingy, I called it perfect. I loved having someone who wanted to touch me, wanted to kiss me, and even play with my hair. Everything my man did made me feel beautiful, wanted. We fit into each other’s lives perfectly from day one. I had gone from wanting nothing to wanting it all in a few short weeks.

Monday morning, Erica came in early so I could buy coffee, and I strolled in a few minutes past open to find a massive bouquet of roses on the front counter. The card had an eerie message.

Here’s to hoping you change your mind.

It wasn’t signed, but I knew it wasn’t Ewan. Ewan had slanted, script handwriting. The card was sloppy, and Ewan and I had spoken earlier in the morning. There was nothing to change my mind about.

“Those were just delivered to you.” Erica came around the corner grinning.

“They aren’t from Ewan.” My stomach tightened as nervousness set in and her face fell. Who the hell sent roses with a cryptic note but no signature?

She shrugged. “Secret admirer?” I mirrored her shrug and set the roses on the file cabinet behind the desk. I could tell Erica was only trying to ease my mind, but she was nervous too. Cori showed up and groomed two dogs, doing an excellent job, and Erica and I exchanged a look before hiring her. She hugged me, throwing her arms around my shoulders, and thanking me before filling out paperwork. Cori lived close by, had a great resume, and did a killer job. It was a huge relief to have another person to help at work. Erica was booked a month out, and my training schedule left me with no time to groom.

The day went on with no weirdness, and Nick showed up on time to pick up his weekly candle ration and bring me a drink. I finished cleaning up, waiting for Ewan to drop off Amelia for birthday shopping, and completely forgot about the roses. Nick was messing around on the computer when the bell chimed and he told them I would be right up. Nick’s posture changed, but kept to his work cleaning the computer.

I came up to see Mason with Quincy on a leash. “Hey, I have you down for training next week.” I rubbed some sanitizer into my hands. I shuddered. Not the kind of shudder Ewan caused, but the eerie kind. I made myself smile, trying to keep my discomfort from showing.

“I know. I came to see if you got my gift.” Mason tipped his head at the roses. “I thought we could get dinner when you get off in twenty minutes, there is a great Mexican place on Western, it’s very authentic,” Mason let his eyes move between Nick and me before smirking. I suppressed another shiver. It was bad. Mason’s eyes filled with hatred, anger. I swallowed the dryness in my throat.

“I’m sorry, I have plans tonight.” I paid careful attention to the warning bells going off in my head and the hairs on the back of my neck standing. I tried to ignore them at first. Mason was always off, but the vibe I was getting from him was new—scary. Nick cleared his throat, focusing on the computer, and I forced a smile.

“I see.” Mason glared at me with anger as opposed to disappointment. “I thought you liked Mexican.” He looked between Nick and me again. Our Wednesday lunch was always at the place on Western. I willed my breath to settle and my mind to stay clear. Mason knew where we ate, and knew I ate with Nick. What else did know?

“I need to finish closing, but it was nice to see you.” I smiled at him again, and he picked up Quincy to storm out of the shop. Erica was frozen with the broom in her hand, and I could feel my pulse in my ears. I just stared at the door, trying to catch my breath, settle my fear. Is Mason dangerous? Will he try to hurt any of us? When I saw Ewan pull in, I composed myself and asked Nick and Erica to keep quiet. No need to make him worry over a creepy client. I tossed the roses in the trash and took the bag out right as they came in. Ewan pulled me over the counter for a kiss and Amelia went back to talk to Erica. Erica’s daughter, Jay, was the same age, so they had weird stuff in common.

SIXTEEN

Ewan

Jovie was acting odd. Something was wrong, but she was trying to pretend it was fine. Her face was flushed, her hands were shaky, and when I kissed her, she was distracted. It was normally an act we savored, but that kiss was rigid, quick. Nick kept eyeing me from his seat behind the computer but was quiet. Something was going on, and no one felt the need to tell me. Once Amelia ventured back up front, I handed over my card.

“Dinner and party stuff.” I let my hand linger on the card, making sure she understood the deal. My sister was a good kid, not the type to go on a spending spree, but I didn’t want her to start. Amelia rolled her eyes, nodding, and tucked the card in her pocket.

“What are you getting into?” Jovie leaned against the counter with her hip. She was what I wanted to get into, but I would have to be patient. Her tight shirt hugged her curves, especially the curve of her hips, and her jeans accentuated her thighs. I knew I could talk her into staying the night, so all I had to do was wait.

“I have some errands then I plan on scouting out the gentlemen’s club we discussed the other night.” I fought a smile, and my girl gave me her best irritated look.

“Need some company?” Nick shoved out of the chair, coming to join me at the front. Nick and I laughed while Jovie scowled at us. I kissed her again, feeling her relax into me, and she rested her hand on my neck. Whatever was bothering her before was gone by the time I left. Nick and I walked out together and he took Merlin to Jovie’s for us, waving as I pulled out, heading to Scott’s house across town. We were finally having a man-cave night again. Alcohol, fried food, and video games. I invited a new guy from the office, Briggs, to come tag along.

When I pulled up to the brick house, the driveway was full and Briggs swung in right behind me. Briggs had been an architect at our firm for a little over a year but kept to himself. He was quiet, but I knew he was always listening. Chelsea let us in and hugged me before ushering us down to the basement. Briggs and I were greeted with grunts and beers. A controller was shoved in my hand and we took seats on the sectional in front of the TV. I introduced Briggs to Samuel, Rhett, and Scott, and we commenced to shooting aliens and getting buzzed.

“So the new lady is working out?” Rhett kicked my foot with his work boot. I smirked, knowing the conversation was going to get vulgar quick. Those details were mine, though. No one else got to think of her like I did.

“Good. She’s great.” A chorus of boos rang out. They wanted the good stuff, but I wasn’t delivering. “She has Ams out right now, stays at our place a lot, and it’s fantastic.” I shrugged, slamming my thumb down on the button as fast as I could to take out a plane. They were relentless. Begging me to talk about her rack and her ass. Men are pigs. I avoided the conversation, finally forcing them to pick on Rhett for a while. The pizza came, we ate, and fell into silence other than cursing the game. Briggs joined in readily, playing the game like a pro and joining in on the jabs. Amelia texted me around nine, and I dropped out of the game promptly.

Amelia: Something is going on with Jovie.

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