Cold Hearted Bachelor

“Let’s get to work, Pea.”

I know Vaughn is trying his best to keep my mind off of everything going on, and I appreciate him for all he’s doing. I hate that the stalker found me at his place. I hate that I can’t stay with him tonight, but I try to push all these negative thoughts away and focus on the task at hand.

“Yes, let’s get busy.” I pull out my phone, ready to document all of our hard work on camera.

We spend the remainder of the day working on the house, and not letting the thoughts of the stalker damper on our mood. Everything is great until we pack it up and he tells me he has to take me to Spencer’s.

We hop in the truck and it’s silent as he drives us back into Denver, and I try not to get too upset at the change of plans.

Do I want Vaughn’s hands all over me tonight? Sure, absolutely. Should we slow things down? Hmm, I guess? I don’t even know anymore, all I know is I do want him touching me with his tongue.

But, if I want something to work out between us, I have to give him time to settle into the idea of me.

He pulls into Spencer’s townhome driveway and lets the engine idle. “I hate that I have to drop you off here.”

I turn to face him. “I hate it too.”

He pulls me in to kiss me on the lips, and I wrap my arms around his neck. He pulls me closer, and I revel in his touch. He pulls back slightly, breaking the kiss. “Maybe we shouldn’t be making out in front of your brother’s house.”

I giggle a little. “Maybe you’re right.” I give him a quick peck on the cheek and then exit his truck. I wave once I’m on the front porch step.

I’m falling for Vaughn James, hard.

The next day, I head to my mother’s house, after catching an Uber to get my car. Even with the threat of someone after me, I need laundry and things. I forgot my laptop charger, and I have work to do today.

Contracts and editing the video are my big plans. Maybe even a little side venture to visit Chuck at the office to drop off a few of these contracts.

“How’s the house coming along?” my mother asks me, stepping into the dining area where I have a little office set up.

“Want to see the video of Vaughn in the kitchen?”

She takes a seat next to me. “Of course.”

I press play and there he is, filling up my computer screen with his infectious smile. He lights up the whole house with his charisma. Someone should bottle it up and sell it. They’d make millions.

My mother laughs. “Look at the way he looks at you, dear.”

I glance closer. “He’s not looking at me in any special way.” I nudge my mother’s elbow like she’s obviously crazy and seeing things.

“You know, I always thought you two would end up together.”

I shut off the video. “What?”

She waves a hand. “It’s silly, but you used to follow that boy around all the time. And there’s just something with the way he looks at you. Like he’d slay dragons just to keep you safe. Just even last week, Irene noticed.”

“There’s nothing that’s ever gonna happen between us, Mom.” I feel bad kind of lying to my mother, but at the same time everything is so fresh and new. I’m not even positive what’s really happening between us.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine. I’m not upset.” I plaster a fake smile, and my mother laughs and gets up. “Maybe tomorrow for Sunday dinner we can invite him over.”

I nod. “Umm, I kind of already did.”

My mother smiles wide. “Ok.” She walks out of the room, and I decide to leave the house and the stifling pressure to have something I can’t.

I head into the office, knowing I have a few things to pick up. Chuck greets me as soon as I walk through the door.

“There she is,” he says with a smile.

I laugh. “I know, busy busy.”

“Did you see that mess Colby is trying to sell over on Third Street?”

“I did.” I don’t add my thoughts on the place but roll my eyes to agree I think it’s a mess like he says.

I walk past the ‘Home Is Where You Hang Your Heart’ sign hanging on the wall, and enter my little cubicle. I fire up my computer when I hear a commotion down the hall.

“Why don’t you tell me how it is, Chuck?” a woman says, who I’m guessing must be his wife. I want to peek in, but she’s making a spectacle of herself by continuing to yell at him.

I busy myself with my work while trying my best not to eavesdrop. But it’s so hard. She’s yelling at poor Chuck for not calling to tell her a meeting ran later than usual. She’s highly upset with him.