35

It felt strange to be in a new apartment of her own. She lay in her bed staring at the ceiling, wondering what Isaias was doing.

As if he knew she was thinking of him, her phone rang, and she stared at it panic-stricken. On the fifth ring she answered it. “Hello?”

“Hi Liesl. Were you sleeping? I didn’t wake you, did I?” His warm voice was soft and comforting.

“No. I was just laying here.”

The truth rang between them at her admission.

“Are you avoiding me?” he asked quietly.

“No.” She denied and then whispered, “yes.”

“Why, sweetheart. Did I do something wrong?”

“No. I did.”

He was quiet for several seconds. “Did you get back with Merlin?”

“No!” she almost shrieked the answer. “Are you crazy? No, I didn’t get back with Merlin. What is wrong with you?”

“Well, you said you did something wrong and this entire trip to LA was because Trent tried to sabotage my build. I thought perhaps they got to you.”

“No.” she frowned at the phone. “No. I didn’t get back with him. I’d rather be single for the rest of my life and have ten cats than be with him again.”

He chuckled, “then why are you avoiding me?”

“I googled you.” She felt the guilt searing her again.

“What?”

“I checked online to see if you were out in a club or on a date and if the paparazzi captured it. I’m sorry Isaias. As soon as I did it, I knew it was wrong. I closed out my apps, shut my phone off and I feel so guilty. You deserve far more trust than I gave you. I’ve been avoiding you because I didn’t know how to tell you what I did. I’m embarrassed Isaias. I’m so sorry.”

“You researched to see if I was cheating on you,” his voice was cool but quiet.

“Yes.” She blinked back the tears.

“Sweetheart, why?”

She sniffed, “Merlin cheated on me, and he had a lower sex drive. You’re far more active than he is. I wasn’t around and so it makes sense you would need a release.”

“Babe,” he chuckled cutting her off. “How did you arrive to your conclusion?”

“I don’t even know,” she was crying in earnest now. “I got thinking we never talked about whether we were exclusive and then if Merlin didn’t want sex as much as you but still went looking for it, you who really like sex were going to go looking for it. I know you’re far more attractive than him and I got thinking of all the women throwing themselves at you and I spiraled.”

“You’re still spiralling.” He was laughing heartily now. “Liesl, listen to me. You and me, we’re exclusive. There isn’t anyone else.”

“There isn’t?”

“No, gorgeous. I’m not interested in anyone else.”

“I’m sorry, Isaias. I should have trusted you and I had no right to violate your privacy as I did. Can you forgive me?”

“Yes, but it’s going to take a hell of a blowjob, maybe even a sixty-nine.”

She wiped tears off her cheeks as his words made her snicker, “deal.”

“Liesl, I’m teasing you of course but you have to know I expect you’re going to be a bit wary. Your ex put you through the ringer and he hasn’t let up. It’s been two months or more since you broke up but the way his current wife keeps rubbing your face in everything and the depths of what they did, I understand why you’re struggling with trust. If it takes you doing an internet search before you go to sleep when I’m in another city to make you feel secure, go ahead. I won’t be upset.”

“It feels wrong,” she rolled onto her tummy and grimaced. “You deserve better.”

“I deserve the best, Liesl and I have her in you.”

She sighed, “you’re really not angry?”

“I’m more upset you avoided me for two days than I am you looked me up online. Next time, talk to me, please?”

“I will. I promise.” She agreed, “I went to your house today.”

“You did?”

“I did. I hoped you would forgive me. I wasn’t sure what time you would be home.”

“I’m on my way to the house now. I landed about an hour ago. I’m sorry I didn’t get to see you.”

“I left something for you there.”

“You did? What was it?”

“Well, Sunday I walked in on Fred and Meredith having sex in their living room.”

“Babe, what did you leave in my house which has to do with your brother banging his wife?”

“Nothing!” she guffawed at his question. “No. I got desperate to get out of there and found a really great condo for rent. I left a key with my new address on your kitchen counter. I wasn’t sure when you would be back, but I wanted you to know you have an open invitation to visit me anytime.”

“You got your own place?” his happy tone was gone.

“I did. Are you upset?”

“No. Not really.” He paused, “maybe a little.”

“Why?” She was thoroughly confused.

“I can’t lie and say I don’t like having you at my place, Liesl. But” he took a breath, “Trent McGrath is trying to cause trouble and I am very worried about you being on your own. I don’t trust either of them to not do something drastic. Merlin had it in his head you would take him back after this kid is born and his father despises your sister with a burning passion. His family adores you. My sources tell me Merlin’s father is so furious with him for messing up like he has, he’s ready to demote him.”

“What a shame,” she said dryly.

“I agree but mostly, I’m concerned Liesl, I’m concerned for how far they will go.”

“What did he do? Trent? How did he try to sabotage the build and your contract?”

“Do you know the actress, Myriam Kane?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been working on a mansion she wants in Beverly Hills. We’re under contract and we’re onto finishing touches. She’s been out of the country for four months. She arrived back in the country last week and decided she didn’t like the color of the windows she picked out. They’re all custom built. They’re fancy and techy and expensive as fuck. She tried to demand I replace them all.”

“Oh.”

“Trent McGrath threatened to release a movie she did when she was nineteen and trying to make it in the business. He told her to sabotage and stall the project and keep me in LA as long as possible otherwise he’d release it. I figured it out when she tried to offer her body in payment for the hundred and fifty grand it would cost to change out the windows.”

“She offered her what now?”

“Yes. Offered to have sex with me. As if sleeping with her would be worth a hundred and fifty grand. She’s slept with more men than your sister has. It was not bargain. I refused with a great deal of disgust.”

She snorted at his comment. “What was Trent’s angle?”

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I have had security keeping an eye on you from a distance to make sure they didn’t do something stupid like kidnap you or try to extort you to take Merlin back. I even stayed back a bit longer to see if they’d try something but so far nothing. I’ve been away from you too long now and I’m coming home. I miss you, Liesl. I wanted to come home. To you. I was hoping you’d be at my place.”

“I missed you too,” she didn’t hesitate to tell him how she was feeling. “Isaias, I told Fred today I’m falling hard for you, and I’m scared at how fast everything is going but I don’t want to slow down.”

“Good. Because I’m coming for you Liesl and I’m not taking my time. I want you. Only you. There is nothing anyone is going to do to take you from me. Whatever Trent and Merlin have planned for you, they’re going to have to go through me to get there.”

She felt excitement zip along her nerves at his passionate promise. “Good. I’m holding you to this, Isaias.”

“Good girl. Now, get some sleep. I’ll see you as soon as I can, okay?”

“Okay. Goodnight.”