Page 7 of Mind

Phillip’s face contorts into a grimace. “That’s insane. You can’t keep her in a fish bowl.” Austin shrugs and settles as far back in the elevator as possible to give us space.

Phillip huffs as we get onto the elevator. “Your boyfriend has issues,” Phillip says as I press the number on the elevator that will bring us to the cafeteria. They have good food, but I’ve been eating the same things for the past couple weeks, and it’s really starting to grate on my nerves.

“With all due respect, sir, Mr. Davis only wants to keep his fiancée safe. We’ve had to ramp up security as of late, and it’s just easier if we keep Ms. Callahan where we can have a firm eye on her.”

This conversation is old and degrading. I’m not a child, and I’m not going to live my life like this. The elevator opens, and we all walk out. Just like he does every day, Austin immediately heads to the side wall to start his perimeter check. Before the elevator doors close I grab Phillip’s arm, haul him back into the car and smash the “L” for the Lobby. The doors close just as Austin runs over to it yelling, “No!”

Phillip laughs as I take deep, calming breaths and giggle alongside him feeling like a teenager who just escaped her parents’ house.

“You’re a kook. You know you could have just told him you were going no matter what. He couldn’t stop you.”

Excitement tingles on the edges of my nerve endings. Sometimes, not following the rules is fun. “I don’t know. I just reacted,” I lift my gaze to his. At the same time, we both start laughing. It’s ridiculous to think I can’t go anywhere because of some deranged admirer. Besides, I have Phil with me. Nothing could happen in his presence. He loops his arm over my shoulders just as the door dings.

“Come on, I’ll buy you lunch.” He shakes his head, a smirk planted on his sweet face.

We make it three feet before I see Chase and stop dead in my tracks. He looks insanely hot in his light grey suit, matching vest, white dress shirt and red tie. My eyes scan him from his glistening dress shoes, up those tight, muscular thighs that I love pressing me into flat surfaces. I continue the visual caress, journeying up his body to the promised land. Just a hint of his bulge can be seen against the expensive fabric. Following the path, I enjoy his trim waist, remembering how it feels to scratch my nails along the ridges of the perfect speed bumps of his abdomen, then across the wide, finely toned chest. Finally, my gaze settles onto those bottomless blue eyes. So blue they are like the ocean waters of Cancun. Right now though, those waters are frigid, glacial in their intensity.

“Well isn’t this cozy?” Chase says as he makes his way toward us. Phillip grips my shoulder smiling confidently. “Escaping the castle are we, Princess?” Ugh. I hate Princess. I didn’t like it when it was used in my past, and I don’t want to hear him use it...ever again.

“You don’t have to answer that,” Phillip responds, annoyance coating his words.

“Oh, but she does, seeing as how the moment she leaves those doors,” he points to the glass wall behind us with the rotating spinning door and exit to the building. “She’s at risk.”

Phillip rolls his eyes. “I can handle a little paparazzi…” Phillip starts, but Chase cuts him off by stepping close to Phil’s face, leaving a scant few inches between them.

My best friend physically bristles at the nearness and intensity. Chase speaks quietly, but the tendons bulging in his neck reveal his frustration. “It’s not the fucking paparazzo that’s the problem. It’s the sick fuck sending her threatening notes, disgusting sexual gifts slathered with his semen, and dead roses that I’m worried about.” Chase’s eyes narrow emphasizing his point. My gut churns like the sea in the middle of a storm.

Phillip pulls away, surprised as Chase eases me to his side protectively.

“Gigi, what’s he talking about?” I sulk back against Chase, and he pulls me out of the protective cubby hole of his warm body.

His eyes dart to mine and are hard points when he responds. “So, you didn’t think to tell him why I’ve hired a bodyguard?” He looks down at me, clearly frustrated.

I shake my head. “Not exactly. I told him about the flowers, and the texts but we haven’t had a chance to really get into it…” My words fall off as I see Phillip’s face morph into an all-encompassing frown.

“The last thing I ever want to hear is a frantic call from Austin. Do you have any idea what went through my mind?” Chase grates, his chastisement like an icicle through the heart.

Where is my Rambo anyway? He should have made it down by now. Scanning the perimeter my gaze settles on him standing off to the side along the back wall. His hands are clasped in tight fists, jaw clenched and eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them. He’s always looked at me as if I was a sweet woman. Now, though, he’s got a reason for the hard expression that draws his mouth into a thin line. I look down, ashamed, realizing that my juvenile actions actually hurt someone. I’ll make sure that Chase doesn’t fire him for losing me. Again.

“Gigi, what’s going on? You have a man stalking you, and you didn’t think it was important to mention how serious it was?” Phillip’s eyes search my face. Concern and sadness evident in the way his eyes soften and turn a lighter brown.

I shrug. “Honestly, it didn’t seem important. And, technically, I did tell you about the weird flowers I’d received. We don’t know anything about him. He could be an old neighbor with a crush for all I know.”

“You should’ve told me it was more than an admirer. I would never have suggested we go to lunch or let you blow off your guard if I’d known some asshole was after you. Chase, man, I’m really sorry.” Phillip holds out his hand. Chase shakes it and nods. Some kind of man telepathy flashes between them as they come to a sort of truce.

Chase has never been Phillip’s biggest fan. In the beginning, he may have even felt threatened by our closeness, but not anymore. Only recently since Phillip has been dating Bree have his feelings towards Phil eased into something bordering on friendship. At the very least, I’d consider them really good acquaintances. I have hope for more between them. They are the most important men in my life, and I wouldn’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have either of them. It is imperative that they get along.

“No matter. You know now. Until we can get more information on this guy, I want her kept close and with Austin at all times.” Phillip nods. “Austin will accompany you to the restaurant and you will take one of my cars,” Chase states, firm and unbending.

“We were going to walk—” Phillip stops when Chase snaps a heated gaze in his direction.

“It would be safer if you took one of my cars. Jack will drive you and escort you back here.”

“Don’t I get a say in any of this?” I’m tired of watching the men volley back and forth about my life, without so much as a peep to find out how I was feeling, or what I might want.

“Phillip, can you wait for Gillian in the car? I need a moment with my fiancée.” I look at Phil with widening eyes, silently begging him not to go. He smiles wickedly and shakes his head, clearly giving me a “you’re on your own” look. I watch Phillip exit the building, and, just as I was about to speak, Chase’s hands are cupping my cheeks and his lips slanting over mine.

Warmth. A wet, comfortable heaven, seeps into every pore as Chase kisses me. His fingers tangle into my hair as he pulls my head back, devouring me completely. His kiss is indecent and erotic. I could vaguely hear the sounds of heels clacking along the marble floors, and the elevator’s repeated ding, announcing the cars arriving on the lobby level. I slide my hands under Chase’s blazer and up his muscular back, scraping my nails down the taut surface while he plunges his tongue greedily into my mouth.

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