Page 71 of Chasing Sarah

Red faced and teary, Paige clings to Declan who hugs her just as fiercely. My heart squeezes at the sight.

Unsure of how she’ll react to me seeing her vulnerability, I gently brush my fingers against the back of Sarah’s hand. Her breath hitches at my touch but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she shifts and intertwines her fingers with mine. I trace small circles along her skin.

Declan’s body jerks back when Paige shrieks about someone watching her. His stare reaches mine, silently ordering to investigate whatever is going on. Reluctantly, I release Sarah’s trembling fingers. I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Liam.

“Hack into the security systems of Paige’s work and apartment complex,” I order as soon as the call is answered.

“What are we looking for?” The tapping of a computer keyboard starts.

“Not what, who,” I reply. “Paige is terrified she is being watched. Declan is with her right now and she’s panicked.”

He curses. The clicking of the keyboard speeds up.

“I’ll call you once I see something,” he says when I finish describing Mark’s appearance.

After hanging up, I place my phone back into my pocket.

I step into the room, hearing Sarah’s plea for Paige to consider staying with Declan.

“I’ll have Sarah stay with me until we catch this Mark guy, Paige. You don’t have to worry about her, I’ve got her.” A minuscule amount of Paige’s panic dims from her eyes. I wrap my arm around Sarah’s waist.

She tugs at my shirt and nods toward the door when Declan and Paige begin arguing amongst themselves. Lacing my fingers with hers, we leave the room.

After packing and having a car dropped off for us, Sarah and I drive silently toward my penthouse.

* * *

She faces the window, tormented eyes trained on the passing buildings.

“Sarah,” I rasp, slowing to a stop at the red light.

She startles, her head whips in my direction. I smile apologetically. “Is something else bothering you?”

A cloud of tension seems to wrap itself around her body. My chest tightens uncomfortably. I can see the walls she hides behind building brick by brick. All evidence of somberness gone. Replaced by blank indifference.

I fucking hate it.

“Nope,” she responds, emphasizing the ‘P’ with a nonchalant pop. Her face drawing taunt.

Disappointment builds in my chest, and I struggle not to press her for answers. This is the first time she actually wants to be with me without my coaxing through sex.

The light flicks to green. Sighing, I return my eyes to the road and continue driving.

My mind is a mess.

I can’t figure out what it is about this woman that makes me want to take care of her. Be there for her.

Loveher.

No one has ever affected me the way she has. It’s as though every emotion she feels, I feel.

Every atom inside me begs to connect with her on some level –anylevel at this point.

She just needs to let me.

A little while later we’re pulling into the parking garage of my building.

Despite the upbeat music playing and light conversation, the drive was thick with tension.

---