Page 16 of Sweet Dreams
"Why do you keep kissing me like that and then ending it suddenly or walking off? Am I doing something wrong?" My voice quivered, which I hated, but couldn't seem to control it. I was finally brave enough to say something, but it still scared the crap out ofme.
Ivan came back to the bed, sat down, and grabbed my shoulders. “No, you didn't do anything wrong. You did everything perfectly right. You think I don't want you?" He asked incredulously. "Feel this. Does this feel like I don't want you?" He grabbed my hand and placed it in his lap. He was hard. Like a column of steel,hard.
My eyes shot up to his face. "Then why?" I asked with tears still in my eyes. He felt so good, I didn't remove my hand. I wanted him, but I had to know he wanted metoo.
"We're still getting to know each other, Esa. You haven't told me much but I can surmise your ex was such an asshole you felt you needed a five-year break from all men. That's a long time, baby. And I know I already pressured you into dating me when you specifically stated you weren't interested in dating. The last thing I want to do is pressure you sexually. I'm not a saint and I've certainly slept with women in the past five years, but I've never slept with a woman who meant something to me. Not after Megan," Ivan said in a low voice. He reached up and held my face as he continued, "You mean something to me, Esa. I want us to be together but I won't do it unless you're hundred percent on board. It's gotta be your choice. Do youunderstand?"
I did understand him and I think I fell for him a little more, knowing he respected me enough to put the power of choice in my hands. He was breaking off our make out sessions so he didn't lose control and pressure me into something I wasn't ready for. I could trust him, and he'd already proven it multipletimes.
"Yeah, I understand you. Thank you for explaining and thank you for being a man I can trust," Isaid.
He pulled me in and kissed me quickly on the lips before wrapping me in one of his famoushugs.
"Why don't we go to bed, huh?" Ivan said, pulling out of the hug to rearrange the sheets aroundme.
"Sounds good, but only if you'll snuggle with me," Ireplied.
"It's the only way to sleep with a beautiful woman," Ivan said with a wink. Then he pulled me into his chest, wrapped his arm around me, and entwined our legs together. I had my own big jellyfish wrapping around me, except this one didn't sting, just left me with a warmth that went straight to myheart.
The sound of shattering glass wasn't the best alarm clock I've ever had, but it sure was effective. Ivan and I jumped up in bed and looked at each other before he hopped up and ran out of the bedroom. My brain apparently needed more time to process what was happening as I just sat there with wide eyes. The clock said it was five a.m. Glass breaking that early can never be good,right?
I shook off the sleep fog and climbed out of bed to follow Ivan. I found him downstairs in the living room at the front of the house, crouching in his boots in front of a brick and a piece of paper on thefloor.
"Stay back, Esa. There's glass everywhere," Ivan barked without looking back atme.
I looked around the corner at the mess as Bailey joined me. My whole front window was shattered, the wood plantation shutters broken and hanging at weird angles, letting the cold air comein.
"Is that a note? What's it say?" I asked Ivan. My heart was pounding, and I was wide awake, seeing the damage done to myhouse.
He looked back at me and I almost took a step back at the anger in his eyes. "It just says 'Bitch'," Ivan bit out. He stood quickly and said, "Let's go in the kitchen, away from the window and call thepolice."
Without a hint of protest, Bailey and I turned and made our way to the kitchen. I had Detective Ramirez' card on the counter. Probably should just call him directly and add this to his ever-growing file on my drama. I picked up the phone and realized my hands were shaking. I guess being confronted with undeniable evidence that you really do have someone who hates you, and wants you to know it through acts of violence, can get through the tough exterior of any strong girl. In her typical supportive fashion, Bailey held onto me while I made the call. Ivan came back in the kitchen with flip flops for both Bailey and I so we wouldn't be stepping on anyglass.
A little while later, when he arrived in person, I gave my report to Jack, who both Bailey and I recognized looked good when he was still sleepy and fresh from bed. Ivan was in my bedroom making a phone call, leaving us to freely ogle Jack. Even in a crisis, it's important to notice the beautiful things inlife.
By now it was routine: take pictures, dust for finger prints, bag any evidence. I made the officers coffee and tried to be as helpful as I could. But I really didn't have any idea who could be doing this. I wasn't aware that I'd ruined anyone's life, so I couldn't think of who might be behind this. The pit of my stomach was in knots as Jack acknowledged that this was in fact now considered a stalkercase.
"This is just crazy. To think my sweet girl, Esa, has a stalker is just insane. You're the nicest, calmest, most decent person I know. How could someone treat you like this?" Bailey asked after Jack was done with hisquestioning.
"Usually stalkers have very twisted reasons for hating or loving the person they're stalking. It's not rational which makes it hard to pinpoint who it might be," Jack explained to Bailey and I. "We'll run any prints we find, we'll keep working on the picture we got off the Pacific City cameras, and you'll need to take extra precautions to make sure you're safe. I suggest you always have someone with you and avoid highly publicareas."
Ivan walked back into the room, pulling me into his side. I suppose I should be glad he didn't lift his leg and pee on me to mark his territory. Cue the eyeroll.
"No problem there, Jack. Bailey and I will make sure she's always with one of us. And I've updated my supervisor on the situation. He’ll make sure the team keeps an eye out when and where they can. I'll keep her safe, you find who's doing this," Ivan told Jack. There was some obvious territorial macho-man thing going on based off Ivan's broad stance and his arm around me. But his tone was also respectful. Ivan knew we needed Jack'shelp.
"Sounds good, Ivan," Jack replied, reaching forward to shake Ivan'shand.
Then he turned to me, gave me a hug, and said, "I'll find this guy. In the meantime, keep yourself safe, Esa. I'm only a phone call away if you needme."
"How do I get myself a stalker? I'm thinkin' I'd like some police protection too," Bailey interjected brightly, giving Jack a flirtysmile.
Everyone chuckled and Jack gave Bailey a saucy wink before leaving without offering his services to Bailey. Poorgirl.
10
Bailey,Ivan, and I were doing our best to clean up the shattered glass on the couch, the floor, the entryway, pretty much every square foot of the first floor. It looked like a glass bomb went off, with how far the glass particles managed to travel. I wouldn't be surprised to find some shardsupstairs.
As soon as we got everything swept away, and a call placed to my insurance company yet again, the doorbell chimed, announcing someone's arrival. I jumped and felt my eyes get huge and my heart thundered in my chest as I wondered who might be at thedoor.
