Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 113

Briar

My alarm blared and I rose out of bed cursing as Carter's arms attempted to snare me.

“We could play hooky,” he suggested. I shook my head pulling out my work out attire, before slipping into my work out gear, a sports bra and a tight pair of athletic shorts. My focus after last night was zeroed in on one thing. I’d survive. My uncle placed me here for a reason and I was going to make it through it. The other half of the emotions that still felt like echos in my body after last night’s ride had me stewing and I couldn’t just sit around the house all day. My thoughts were muddled, I needed clarity. Maybe I should just stay home and read the letter Jake left me with. 

Carter…However I was afraid…of what I wasn’t sure. I was solidified with us but I didn’t want to rock the boat, mess up what was good, my steadfast security. Deep in my bones I knew that letter wouldn’t just tilt my world but also his and I couldn’t afford for either of us to spiral right now. 

I was already running on the treadmill when Carter joined me. Music blared in one of my ears and he popped his earbud in his ear as he started up the machine but I wasn’t unaffected as our strides matched. Something warm curled in my chest and as my pace increased and so did his, both treadmills inclined and I pushed through the difficulty, centering myself before I puffed out a breath. The polys reeled and we were charging forward, unrelenting. I closed my eyes, falling into the beat of the song and our tandem movements. This was so weird but so right. The program on the treadmill accelerated. I closed my eyes and let the feel of running through trees absorb into my soul.

When we went to the mat, I was ready to be handed my ass however I let my instincts surge and had him pinned, or had he let me. I felt his grin against my cheek, so I had bested him. I didn't give up my grip. He tapped out. I got up and walked away heading to the shower. As the spray washed over me he entered.

“You got me,” he said, cupping my face. I just shrugged. Ego had no place with us, his mouth sealed over mine and I let him press me into the cool tiles. His mouth devoured mine and I let myself surrender to him. This wasn’t the punishing love making of last night but a reverent one. Carter saw my strength and loved every second of it. I let the world fall away and our bodies twined together without effort.

Work was usual but as lunchtime neared an insurmountable pit began to churn in my stomach. I worked through it as I scheduled a few new modifications and serviced a few bikes. The sound of Carter’s truck pulling in had the churn turning into a heavy weight.

His strides were too formal. I focused on my task.

“Give me just a moment,” I said and Carter waited without a word. The other guys' eyes had cut to us and the sudden silence of tools and their swearing made me acutely aware their attention was on us. Something was definitely up. I tightened the screws back up on the bike I was working on before I dared look at him. He was looking at the floor. Something wasn’t right. Something was very very wrong. I stood and nodded to the office. Carter followed and everyone's eyes watched as I closed the door behind us.

“Whats wrong?” I asked. Carter swallowed tentatively. I hated it instantly, whatever this was ate at him.

“I have to take you to see my boss,” his eyes on the floor.

“Ok? Why?”

“I don’t know the particulars, I don’t want to take you,” he said as he ran his fingers through his already mussed hair.I thought I had more time to explain, but that time ran out sooner than I expected.”

He was being careful with his words. Too careful.

“Am I in some kind of trouble?”

“Lets hope not, if anything…lets go, I don’t want to talk about this here,” he glanced out the window to the bays and it was like every man suddenly found something to do with themselves. My eyes narrowed but I stuffed my things in my bag and nodded to the door. He opened it for me then helped me in his truck. He moved the truck out of the lot before letting out a breath.

“Whats going on?”

“I don’t know why he suddenly wants to see you formally, but there are things I want to tell you, and this isn’t going to give me the right time or place to say those things. Whatever he says, or wants, know that no matter what happens after this I’m still yours, nothing will ever change that. He can’t know what you are to me. This place isn’t what it seems.”