“Whoa, what’s this?”
I half turned to answer her. She stood on the other side of the couch in her leggings and a tight and very thin spaghetti-strap shirt. No bra. Anything I was about to say died in my mouth as my gaze slowly crawled over her, beginning at the top of her messy bedhead waves, down to gorgeous face, and then over her lithe body. She wasn’t overly curvy but had the type of build I was a sucker for—a cross between a gymnast and a dancer.
She ignored my staring as she lifted the box and gave it a gentle shake. “Can I have one?”
I shook my head, breaking the spell. “Yeah, help yourself. Coffee’s ready.” I turned and grabbed both mugs then got creamer out of the fridge and set it next to hers. I needed mine full strength and black. “Do you want creamer in your coffee?”
“Yes, thanks.”
It was going to be more challenging than I’d thought to have her in my personal space. She brought a glazed doughnut over to the island and climbed onto one of the chairs. Off in the distance, the vastness of the lake stretched for as far as the eye could see, creating a sense of peace in the penthouse despite my raging emotions for my temporary houseguest.
“Are you on shift today?” Her green eyes met mine as she took a bite of her pastry.
“No. I have the next few days off.” I needed it. Between my family and the hospital hours, something had to give, hence my desire to be on the board. I wanted to stay involved but not as much in the daily grind.
“Great. I need clothes.”
I grunted. Sofia had just been there—I could have asked her to help. “We can’t go to your mom’s house, which I know is where you’re living. My sister can bring some by.”
She rolled her eyes. “I love Sofia, but I’m perfectly capable of shopping for clothes myself. Plus, I know Allen’s schedule. He won’t be around when I go.”
I mulled over her reasoning. She had a point. My gaze wandered over her shoulders and perky breasts before snapping back to her face. It was going to be a long week. “If you won’t let Sofia handle it, then I’m going with you. There’s no telling if Allen hired someone to attempt to recover you.”
A smirk curved her lips. “Aside from you?”
“Okay, smart-ass.” I put my coffee mug in the dishwasher then headed toward my room. “I’m going to grab a shower. Then we’re out of here.”
Hailey
Itapped my nails against the island, debating over another pastry as Trey’s phone rang. Not even a minute later, he appeared, wearing a strained expression. A sliver of alarm went through me. “Is everything all right?”
He ran a hand through his hair, disheveling the dark strands on top. “I have to go to the hospital. A patient I treated took a turn for the worse and needs immediate surgery.” He glanced at his watch. “If the operation goes well, I should be back here close to dinner.”
“I understand.” I got up to make a second cup of coffee.What the heck am I going to do for an entire day?
“I’ll have Sam—he’s the captain of my security team—get a phone for you with my number programmed into it and his, in case you need anything that isn’t here. Nico will have a computer for you, too, eventually.” He paused on his way to the elevator. “Sam will order lunch for you. Tell him what you want when he brings the phone up.”
I leaned a hip against the counter as he grabbed a coat then rushed into the elevator. As I glanced around the open floor plan, a sense of panic bubbled at the prospect of having nothing to do. There were no video games. Until his guard brought the new phone, I didn’t have my Kindle app, so reading was also out of the question. I could entertain myself if I had a computer, but I didn’t even have that.
After a quick shower, I decided more coffee was in order. Once the machine stopped spitting out my morning drug of choice, I added creamer then went over to one of the swiveling club chairs closest to the balcony. It was so quiet inside. I wished it wasn’t winter so I could open the glass sliders and listen to the sound of the waves. Content to stare at the water for the time being, I sipped my coffee and waited for Sam to bring me a phone.
Fifteen minutes later, the elevator doors opened to reveal a towering man stacked with muscle and dressed all in black. I tensed at the invasion even though I was expecting him. “Are you Sam?”
He grinned, flashing a deep dimple on his left cheek. “I am. Boss wanted me to bring you a phone and find out where to get your lunch from.”
“Thanks.” I greedily accepted the new iPhone. “Um, lunch…” I rattled off a place I guessed wouldn’t be too far from there for a sandwich and salad. I honestly just wanted him to go so I could call Justin.
As soon as he left, my fingers flew over the keypad. Good thing I had his number memorized. It rang three times.Pick up.
“Hello?” Justin’s voice had a tentative edge.
“Justin! It’s me.” I curled my feet under me and couldn’t help smiling.
“Hailey? Oh my God, I’ve been so worried. I almost went to the police.”
I tensed. “Don’t. I promise you I’m completely fine. Trey is helping us.”
“Girl, I think you’re brainwashed.” I could practically see his hip cocked and the eye roll that he only flashed in times of complete annoyance with my antics. “Don’t forget I know you’re his biggest stalker.”