Mr. Big Shot (Mr. Big 1)

"How did Blaine get inside the building?” Candy asked when we went to the door at the entrance. "Someone had to let him in."

"Probably Mrs. Frankenstein. I bet she left the door wedged open again."

"Yeah, I bet."

Mrs. Frankenstein, as we dubbed her, was really Mrs. Feinstein, but she looked like Lurch in The Addam's Family. She had a bad habit of putting a piece of cardboard in the back door so she could leave and have a smoke without bringing her keys along. I cursed her because she often forgot to take the piece of cardboard out, putting us all in danger. We'd complained to the building manager but nothing had changed.

Blaine would have found me either way. It was probably better that he came in when he did – when I wasn't there. I feared he would have hurt me if I had been in the apartment. That hole in the wall was probably a substitute for my face. Luckily, Candy had hidden in the bathroom when she realized who was at the door and scared him off by telling him she'd called the police or he might have hurt her as well.

She gave me a hug.

"Text me as soon as you get to Jan's, okay?"

"I will."

She waved at Luke, who hopped out of his car and opened the door for me, taking my backpack.

"Your steed, m'lady," Luke said as I got in the passenger side.

When he got in the other side and fastened his seat belt, I looked over and I realized just how glad I was to see him. He was casually dressed, wearing a pair of carpenter pants, a white cotton button down shirt, and a pair of dark aviator sunglasses, and I was struck once more by how gorgeous he looked.

He pulled his glasses down and looked me in the eyes. "What happened?"

"I'll tell you later," I said and leaned back, closing my eyes.

"Now, or I'm not driving."

I glanced at him and sighed in resignation. "My ex."

"What? Blaine?”

I nodded, and at that moment, all the anxiety and fear seemed to come back, completely out of my control and my eyes teared up.

"What happened? Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head and glanced way, slipping on my sunglasses, not wanting him to see my tears.

"He broke down the door to our apartment and punched a hole in the wall when he found out I wasn't there," I said, my voice wobbly. "Luckily, Candace locked herself in the bathroom and he left without doing anything worse. I was out riding my bike so he missed me by about five minutes."

He reached out and stroked my cheek.

"I'm so sorry," he said and leaned in. "Of course you can stay with me. As long as you need. We could go to the beach house, if you like."

"Thank you. I'd really like that."

Then he kissed me. It felt so sweet and tender that my emotions overflowed and I kissed him back more passionately, so thankful that he understood and was willing to help.

When he pulled back, he wiped a tear from my cheek.

"Whatever you need," he said. "You only have to ask."

We drove off, and he took my hand and squeezed. Even that show of tenderness touched me.

I sighed and watched the streets of Manhattan slide by.

Chapter 22

Luke