Page 80 of Hot Momosa

Dahlia

Though it had beenfreshman year of college when I took Psychology 101, I’d never forgotten Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The bottom layer of the rainbow-colored triangular diagram contained things like air, food, water, shelter, and sex. The next layer consisted of safety and security. Maslow’s theory went something like humans couldn’t reach higher sections of the pyramid until they mastered the lower levels.

After leaving the governor’s mansion, I realized I was bouncing back and forth between the lower two levels like a freaking pinball. I had the basics covered. I mean, I did have a physical roof over my head. Gunnar and I weren’t sleeping on the streets.

Were those roofs safe and secure? Not so much.

The stalker had robbed me of any sense of well-being in my own home, and at Leo’s. Until I managed to put an end to the fear, I would never move to the next level—belonging and love.

Try as I might, I couldn’t remember the labels of the top two layers of the pyramid. I blamed Leo for that. We’d taken Psych 101 together. While studying, we’d never gotten past the fact that Maslow had put sex on the bottom level. Leo had insisted he couldn’t possibly learn until we’d satisfied our basic needs.

His seduction attempts hadn’t worked.

At least not until Junior year.

I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes. Memories of mine and Leo’s early relationship flooded me. I had been drawn to his quick smile and quicker wit. He hadn’t taken anything seriously back then.

Everything was one huge party, and Leo Marchionni breathed life into it.

He’d changed over the years. We both had, but something inside Leo had died along with his brother. His youth? His innocence? Maybe becoming a father had forced him to grow up?

I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but I missed the old Leo. I’d caught glimpses of him while dancing on the rooftop and making love on the couch, but it was fleeting. Even during sex, he’d seemed guarded.

Gunnar definitely brought out his father’s inner goofball, as did the poodles. If only I could do the same.

“Dahlia, we’ve arrived.” Stuart stopped the SUV in the alley behind Leo’s building. “Stay put while I check the perimeter and condo. You’ll be safe here.”

The idea of sitting in the vehicle without protection made my palms sweat. “You’re leaving us alone?”

“I don’t see any paparazzi, but I want to be sure there are no surprises.” He reached for the door handle.

“Wait. I don’t care about the reporters.” I doubted they could print anything worse about me than they already had. However, I did worry about the stalker. He could be lying in wait until Gunnar and I were alone.

“I understand, but I’d rather you not get out until I know it’s safe.”

I met his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Park here and walk us inside through the back door.”

He nodded toward the tow-away zone sign and frowned.

“It’ll take five minutes tops.” My voice rose high enough to wake Gunnar. “Please.”

“Mamma. I gotta pee.” He rubbed his eyes. “In the big boy potty.”

Great. He picks now to show interest in potty training?

“I have to use the rest room, too.” I offered Stuart’s reflection a weak smile.

Stuart turned to face me. “We go in through the back door. Straight to the condo. Once we’re inside, you will wait by the door while I do a quick sweep. Got it?”

I nodded.

“Keep him in your arms.” He reached for the handle again.

“Okay.”

I waited for Stuart to exit the vehicle before I opened my door and motioned for Gunnar to come closer.

The little guy stared for several heartbeats before scrambling into my arms. “You sad?”

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