No matter what my gut had to say.
“Gimme a sec and then give me the address, I’ll memorize it, no texts.”
I raised my brows, then reached a hand up to loosen the wig I’d put on earlier. My scalp itched to be free. As soon as I’d tugged it off, Rick began removing the pins securing my own hair and then massaged my scalp as he freed it to fall loosely past my shoulders.
A moan damn near escaped, but a fresh huff from Fletcher silenced it. “Do that again,” he commanded in a playful voice. “Because that’s not remotely distracting.”
Rick snorted and I grinned. There was Fletcher, the teasing banter bled some of the worry out of his voice.
“Now, tell me where I’m going.”
I gave him the address, along with specific directions, and he let out a low whistle.
“Fuck me, that’s hell and gone.”
“It needs to be. Take a scenic route and don’t let anyone follow you. If you pick up a tail, keep going and call me. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
“Repeat it all back to me.”
He did, ending it with a repeat of his earlier description. “Fuck me, that’s hell and gone.”
“As I said earlier, it needs to be. As for the former, you’ll have to wait and see. I expect you within three hours. Call if you plan to be late.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world—and Drew?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
I blinked, but he’d already hung up and I stared at the phone in my hand.
“Are you questioning having him come here?” Rick asked, as he ran his fingers through my hair detangling it.
“No,” I said slowly. “But we will need to keep an eye out. Something changed between when we left him at lunch and now.”
That seemed rather abrupt, all things being equal, which suggested something wasn’t equal. Tipping my head into Rick’s caress as he stroked his fingers over my scalp, I sighed. I would very much like to just relax for the next bit until Fletcher arrived, or just go and get him myself.
However, I could do neither.
“Should I plan on him staying a while?” Rick asked, his tone not betraying one ounce of the dislike he had earlier and I smiled.
“Probably a wise idea,” I said. “We have the room.”
I slit my eyes open to check his expression. Instead of frowning, Rick appeared more contemplative. “I’ll take care of dinner then.”
“Don’t poison him,” I murmured and Rick grinned.
“I promise,” he said. “I’ll wait until you say it’s okay.”
I didn’t quite roll my eyes but Rick’s smile grew.
“Thank you,” I said with a pat to his chest and another gentle kiss. “I need to go take care of something as well. I won’t be leaving the property, I promise. Do you mind getting a room ready for Fletcher?”
Maybe if Rick chose a specific room for him, then it would help. As it was, I needed to check on Dr. Salinas.
“I’ll take care of it,” Rick promised before giving me another kiss. We walked out of the now empty office and he went upstairs while I headed for the laundry room. I let myself in the door and descended the steps.