“I’m sorry to call you, I just didn’t know what else to do.”
She felt him finally lock his arms around her and she sank into him. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his scent and his warmth.
“Shh… it’s okay babe, I don’t want you to ever apologize for calling me. You need anything, you call me. Got it?” She nodded while she kept her cheek planted to his chest. “Now, let’s get you inside so you can tell me what’s going on.”
He released her but she already craved more of him. After closing and locking the door, Jack turned around and made her sit.
She took a deep breath. “It’s probably nothing and I might just be overreacting. At least, that’s what I thought with the first one but…” Vanessa handed him the letter and he scrunched his eyebrows together. “I found one last night in my dressing room, but this one was slipped under my door tonight. I literally just got home and I watched as someone slid it under there. Whoever it was, they were right outside my apartment Jack.”
He studied the piece of paper with his jaw ticking and his breathing speeding up. When he didn’t say anything, Vanessa asked him, “Do you think it had something to do with those guys Jack?”
“Fuck,” he shook his head. “Those guys can be complete scum, but I don’t think it’s them. At least I don’t think it’s them,” he ran his hand through his hair. “Why didn’t you say anything to me when you got one last night?” He asked in frustration. “You come to me with shit like this.”
“I know I should have since it happened at your club and…”
“NO… you should have anyway, not because it happened at my club but because I need to make sure that you are safe, do you understand me?”
“Okay, I guess I just thought it was a harmless perv being stupid, until tonight. Since they know where I live, it’s a little unnerving now,” she hugged her middle.
“Listen, I know some people and I’m going to let them know what’s going on, see if they can find this asshole.”
“Thank you, Jack. I really appreciate…” her words trailed off as she watched him in confusion heading toward her bedroom. “Uh, Jack, what are you doing?”
“Just making sure no one is here.” He walked over to her balcony and opened the door, then looked back to her. “You always keep this unlocked?”
“No, I usually always lock it but I must have forgot.
“Jack, you don’t think someone tried to break in, right?”
He looked worried and walked back over to her. “Pack a bag, you’re going to be staying with me.”
Did he just say that he wanted her to stay with him? She laughed, “No, that’s okay, really.”
“It wasn’t a question Vanessa.”
“Now, hang on Jack,” she paused, “I appreciate you being concerned for me, but I am not going to be staying with you.”
“Yes, you are.”
She slammed her hands on her hips. “The hell I am, I can stay with Michelle or Jazz.”
“Babe, I don’t want any of your stubborn shit right now, grab a bag and let’s go.”
She huffed out a breath. “Well, since you asked so nicely,” she bit out sarcastically.
“I’m sorry,” he stalked toward her like a predator and she put her hands to her side. When he approached her, he took her face gently into his palms. It took her off guard, but she loved how his hands were always so warm. Funny, Doug had touched her the same way tonight, but it didn’t feel the same. “I just need to know that you’ll be safe and being with me will guarantee that.”
Her eyes darted between both of his gorgeous ones. “Why are you so confident that I’llbe safe with you.”
His gaze moved to her lips and she couldn’t help but suck in her bottom one. Heat ignited with his stare and he let go of her face, taking a step back. “Just trust me, pack a bag and meet me in the hall. I have to make some calls.”
He didn’t leave her much choice because she already heard her door close. Did she like the fact that she was going to go and stay with Jack, the man who made her body feel weak with an aching desire? No, not exactly. But she didn’t want to be home alone either.
Vanessa took out her small suitcase and called Michelle, letting her stay on speaker as she packed. She filled her in as fast as possible.
“So, let me get this straight,” Michelle said, “you’re being stalked by some major whack job and Jack offered to sweep you away to his castle?” She whistled, “Damn V. Now I wish I had some creep following me and I had a Jack in my life.” She laughed but Vanessa rolled her eyes and threw a shirt in her suitcase.
“It’s not like that.”