With my hand around her waist, I escorted Wren through the party, which had turned into something of an orgy over the past half hour. Adam was nursing his heartbreak over losing Wren with two women crawling all over him. He didn’t notice us pass by, but from the jump of Wren’s muscles, she had noticed him.
We passed through the black curtains and into the real world. Wren tried to flee as quickly as possible, but I caught her elbow.
“Wait.”
She turned to me with wide, glassy eyes. “We don’t have to have a big talk right now. In fact, I’d prefer if we didn’t. So, I’m just going to—”
“Your coat.” I held my hand out toward the coat rack. “Don’t leave without your coat.”
“Oh.” Crimson suffused her cheeks. “Of course. I’m not really thinking straight.”
I slipped her coat from the hanger and held it out for her. After a moment's hesitation where I thought she might not allow me to help her, she slid her arms into it, and I pulled it onto her shoulders, then I spun her to face me again. Her hands shot up to curl around my wrists, but I ignored her and methodically slid each button through the fabric until it stopped under her chin.
“Don’t forget your coat either.”
I raised my eyes to hers, and she looked away, sucking in a deep breath, her gaze trained on a spot near the front door. Did I make her nervous? Even after she came in my lap?
“Thank you,” I muttered.
In the elevator, I sent a message to my driver that I was on my way out, then slipped my phone away. Wren was leaning against one wall, while I was propped against the other. She was trying not to look at me, but she’d also chosen to arrange herself so we were facing each other. Every second or two, she’d brave a glance, then study my feet. I never took my eyes off her. She made me curious. I wondered what was going on inside her head.
Neither of us spoke. We kept up a silent game of cat and mouse eye contact until the doors slid open to the lobby and my hand once again returned to Wren’s back, guiding her outside.
My driver opened the back passenger door for her. Just before she climbed in, she faced me.
“I hope you know I won’t become a stalker now, after...that.” She pointed skyward, toward the penthouse. “I won’t make it uncomfortable for you at work or anything. Don’t worry about that.”
“I wasn’t worried,” I replied swiftly.
“Okay…well…” she tucked her hair, “I’m sure it’s happened before, but that’s probably one of the pitfalls that comes along with being handsome and famous and a wonderful conversationalist.”
Her round, amber eyes glowed. I stared back, surprised she was joking with me.
“Sarcasm suits you,” I said.
She shaded her eyes with her hand. “Does it? My mother always told me it was the lowest form of humor. Plus, I was only being sarcastic about two of your three attributes.”
A blast of arctic wind had her tucking her chin in the collar of her coat. I nodded to the car.
“You should go home.”
Something sparked in her eyes. They were her biggest tell, broadcasting every single one of her emotions in high definition.
“I’m actually going to listen this time.” She climbed into the back of the SUV, stopping me from closing the door at the last second. “Am I taking your car? Be honest. I’ll get out right now and take the subway.”
She was taking my car, but there was no world in which I would allow her to ride the subway tonight. Even if it was something she did every other night. That hadn’t been on my watch. This was.
“Take the car, Wren.” I took her cold hand in mine and bundled it into her lap. “I’ll take care of myself.”
Her gaze lowered to where my hand still covered hers. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
I yanked my hand away, and her fingers curled into her palms. Giving me credit for taking care of her after I’d used her body to get myself off was bordering on obscene. I’d done the opposite of take care of her. “You shouldn’t have been here.”
I shut the door on her startled face and glistening eyes, waiting in the same spot until the driver pulled away and carried Wren into the night. She’d soon be safely at home. Away from stone-cold monsters like me.
Four Years Ago
Dear Callum,