1
Reed
“Is she home?” I ask Robert, my PA, as he walks into my office. I could check her location but that always makes me feel like a stalker. As if asking Robert is really any different. I don’t feel the least bit bad that I’m always checking up on her. She had come here to stay safe. And that’s exactly what I plan on keeping her.
“How about I tell you when she doesn't arrive home? That might be easier.” Tinsley’s appearance was like clockwork. I knew her schedule in and out and she always kept to it. She went to classes and back home. Oftentimes she stops at the bakery on the corner or drops into the library but not for long. She wasn't one to linger when she was outside of our place. She got what she needed then came right back home. I both love and hate this.
“Do I not pay you enough to answer my redundant questions?”
“She’s fine. At home in the kitchen eating a lemon muffin.” He comes to a stop next to my desk. “You’ll never believe what she’s doing now.” I know he’s mocking me. “She’s reading.”
“Are you done?” I ask, tired of his shit already.
“As soon as you sign these.” He drops the contracts down for my newest investment.
“I was going to ask why you’re buying a bath bombs company but I think I know why.” I sign the last of the contracts, pushing them back toward him. Tinsley has a fascination with bath bombs. She uses them every night in her bath. I never knew there were so many different smells and colors. Let’s not forget the time she did the gold glitter bath bomb.
That had been a special treat. She sparkled more than usual for an entire week after that one. But her favorite is the vanilla scented one. That’s her go-to. I have to say that I favor the scent as well. It reminds me of her. I know buying this company will give me something to talk to her about. That it will distract her for a while and have her giving me her undivided attention.
“James wants to know if you can catch dinner tonight.” I give him a look. “I already told him no. He asked about drinks later.” What if Tinsley wants to do a movie? She hasn't suggested one in a while.
“I might be busy.”
“You need to get a life. You agreed to look out for the girl. Not devote your life to her.” Robert grabs the contracts off my desk. I’d fire him if he wasn’t so damn useful. Plus, Tinsley is used to him. She is so skittish around the opposite sex. It takes her time to warm up to someone. I can’t blame her after what she’s been through. I wouldn't do anything to disrupt what I’ve built around her already. She’s come so far in such a small amount of time. I won’t have anyone jeopardize that. Not on my watch anyway.
I let myself fall back into work for a few hours. Every day is the same. A countdown to when I can go home. My highlight each day is the few hours of time I get to spend with her. My phone dings on my desk.
Tinsley: I’m gonna spoil my dinner. You should sneak out early and join me.
Me: On my way.
Attached is a picture with a counter full of stuff to make an ice cream sundae. I see my house manager, Rita, in the background with a not-so-happy face about it. I’m sure Tinsley made sure to get her into the picture on purpose. I’m out of my office chair, grabbing my suit jacket off the back of it.
“You’re leaving?” Robert stands from his desk.
“I’m sure you’ve got it handled.”
“I’ll email you about some crap.”
“Don’t know when I’ll get to it,” I toss back as I step onto the elevator.
“It’s about Tinsley,” I hear him say as the elevator doors close. I don’t know if he’s bluffing or not. Either way he knows I’ll check my email now. My driver holds the door open for me while I bring them up to see if Robert has sent the email yet. I refresh a few times until it hits my inbox.
I read over what he’s sent me. How the hell am I going to bring this up to her? It’s information I shouldn't have but I’m a nosy bastard and keep close tabs on her. It’s the only way. Every piece of information I can get about her is oxygen to breathe for me. It keeps me going. More than anything it keeps me from doing something I shouldn't do.
Taking what I think of as mine but isn't. I know I can’t have her, that it wouldn’t be right when she trusts me to be her safe place. That doesn’t mean that I don’t want her. It only means that what I want doesn’t matter. To her I am her protector. She just has no idea how unsafe my thoughts are of her.
It doesn't take long until we’re pulling up outside my building. I don’t wait for the driver to open the door. I’m out and heading inside to the private elevator that goes to our floor. I bought the place because of it. Another way to make her feel safe. She didn't need to be trapped in a small space with other people. Especially men. She hates it. A product of her past.
I loathe the idea of another man being anywhere near her. Breathing the same sweet air that is always around her. It is mine.
When I enter the condo, I ditch my jacket, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt before pulling my tie off. I try to make myself look as relaxed as possible. I’ve been told I look like an asshole. It’s probably because I am one. With her I try to be different. Over the past few months I’d finally got her texting me. I want her to know me. I’ve never had that need before.
She keeps getting closer and closer to me. I wasn't going to let her get away. As much as I want her to come out of her shell, I fear she’ll come out too far. That she’ll see she no longer needs me and try to leave the nest I’ve made her.
At least she thinks it's a nest. A safe place. Deep down inside of me I know what it really is. A cage to keep her from leaving. She thinks it's to keep others out. She’s right in a way, but what she hasn’t figured out is that I'm the only one that will ever hold the key.
No one gets in and no one gets out without my say. My reputation of being an asshole isn’t one I haven’t earned.
2
Tinsley
I swing my legs back and forth wondering when Reed is going to get here. He is coming home early. I bite my bottom lip, excited. Carly said he would if I text him. I wasn't so sure, but she was right. Even though the man’s whole life is work, as soon as I contacted him, he dropped whatever it was he was doing. That warmed me inside.
Carly: You take your ugly cardigan off?
I look down at my white cardigan that has pretty pink flowers along the edge. It is my favorite. I unbutton it, letting it drop into my chair before I text her back.
Me: Yes
I send an emoji with its tongue sticking out with my response. I’m not sure why we thought this was going to work. I know nothing about the art of seduction. I might end up falling right on my face and then where would I be? Hopefully not with a roommate that’s suggesting it’s time I move out? Worse, it could get really awkward all the time and I’d have to make myself move out. Fear creeps up my spine at the thought of being out on my own.
Carly: Glasses too!
Grr. I reach up, pulling them off my face. I often forget about them. I only really need them when I’m reading for long hours. It’s a habit of mine. I sit up a little straighter when I hear him enter the house.