“That’s not the point. You were robbed and terrorized. He needs to be in jail.” He glanced over at the security guard. “Call the police.”
The guard moved to his desk.
“Don’t, Rob,” Tara said to the guard who paused. “I don’t want them called.” She stared up at Alex stubbornly.
Oh no way. This was not how things were going to go. He was in charge of her safety. From now on there was no way she would be permitted to walk around by herself at night.
He cupped her face between his big hands, marveling at their differences. His hands were huge against her delicate face. Far darker and rougher than her pale, delicate skin.
Alex lowered his voice as he stared into her amber eyes. “We are calling the police, Tara. You will give them your statement and then I’m going to take you home, understand?”
She opened her mouth and he quickly interjected. “And any more protest is only going to land you in world of trouble.”
Tears filled her eyes and he almost relented as she seemed to deflate right in front of him. But then she rallied, her shoulders going back and that glimpse of vulnerability he’d seen was gone.
“Fine, if it’s that important to you.”
Leaning in, he whispered. “It is. Don’t worry, I’ll be right here with you. I promise.”
“Tara, you okay with this guy?”
Alex glared at the security guard as he stepped toward them. His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously, but he held Alex’s gaze. Alex’s estimation of him rose.
“Rob, was it?” he asked. The kid nodded. “Thank you for looking after Tara. I really appreciate it.” He held out his hand and the boy shook it. Alex could tell he was nervous but he had a firm grip. “I promise, there is nowhere safer for her than with me.” He sent Tara a look, wanting her to understand that he meant what he said.
“If I had a girl as great as Tara I wouldn’t let her take the bus late at night,” the kid said.
Alex looked over at Rob who tapped his fingers against his thigh. “You’re quite right, Rob. That is an oversight I intend to fix.”
He spoke quietly, but Tara gave him a nervous glance nevertheless. She should be nervous.
There were going to be a lot of changes in her life.
***
Tara looked over at Alex as he drove his car through the streets. They’d both grown silent once they’d entered his car. She was so tired she didn’t really think she could string together an intelligent sentence. They’d spent hours with the police and she still had to go in tomorrow to talk to a sketch artist.
Alex insisted that she come home with him, so she’d made him drive to her apartment so she could grab a change of clothes. She’d decided to grab her laptop too—she felt better having it close at hand.
Tomorrow she’d have to contact her brother and let him know that her phone had been stolen. She really, really wasn’t looking forward to telling Tim that her company phone had been taken.
He’d probably fire her.
That would really be the icing on this god-awful week.
“Tara? Tara?”
She glanced up, only to see that not only had they stopped moving, but Alex had gotten out of the car and was holding her door open for her.
“Shit.”
With hands that shook, she really should eat something, she undid her seatbelt then took his hand. She groaned as they entered his apartment and she looked at the clock.
“What’s the point of going to bed? I’ve only got to get up again in four hours.” She sat and waved her hand at the drink he held out. “No thanks.”
“It will help you sleep.”
“I don’t drink much.” She rested her head back. “I’m just going to sleep here, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay.”
Tara gasped as he pulled her up into his arms.
“Shouldn’t you be more upset?” he asked.
“Should I?” she asked as he walked with her down the hall. It was kind of nice to be carried like this. “Why?”
“Why?” He paused, looking down at her incredulously. “Because you were just robbed. A man drew a knife on you. Most people would be terrified. They’d be thinking about taking some time off, not getting to work the next day.”
She had been terrified. She just didn’t want to think about it, because if she did then she might freak out. She didn’t have time to indulge her fear. She had things to do. Maybe people who had next week’s rent in the bank could spare the time to freak out.
Alex placed her on the bed, his hands on his hips as he stared down at her. “Do you normally work so late?”
“No. I was late to work the other morning. I was just making some time up.”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “I’d say you made the time up and more. What kind of boss would let you work until ten at night when there was no one else around?”
The asshole kind. But she didn’t say that out loud. It was disloyal, even if it was the truth.
“Why didn’t you take a taxi home?”
Because she couldn’t afford it. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Alex, I’m tired. I’ve had a hell of a night and I have to be up soon. Could we talk about this another time?”
Alex held out his hand and she took it, letting him pull her off the bed. He began stripping off her clothes. She grabbed hold of his hands as he reached for her bra.
“I can do that,” she told him.
“I know,” he said, brushing her hands away. “But I want to do it.”
She let go of him. If she hadn’t been so tired she might have put up more of a protest. But then again, maybe not. It was kind of nice to have someone look after her.
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a large t-shirt, slipping it on over her head. She climbed into bed with a sigh. Alex tucked the covers around her before removing his clothes. Tara could barely keep her eyes open to watch, a sign of just how tired she was. Still, she managed to get a glimpse of his firm stomach and wide shoulders before her eyelids dropped down.
The bed dipped as he climbed in. He pulled her close, holding her tight against his body. She placed an arm over his stomach, snuggling in.
“I want you to stay home tomorrow,” he told her. “Get some sleep, laze around.”
Tara yawned. “Can’t,” she mumbled.
“I’m sure your boss will understand given the circumstances.”
She snorted. “A hurricane could hit the city and Tim would still expect me to come in. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t fire me for losing his cell phone.”
Alex stiffened beneath her. “You didn’t lose it. You were robbed.”
“Let’s hope Tim sees it that way. He’s not particularly easy going.”
“Well, he’d better see it that way,” Alex said grimly. “I’ll make sure of that.”
As she drifted off, Tara thought to herself how nice it was to have someone take care of her. She was also glad there was no way Alex and Tim would ever meet.
***
Alex woke as he was elbowed in the side. A flying hand caught him in the nose and he rolled to his side quickly.
“Tara, what the hell,” he said before he realized she was in the midst of a nightmare.
“No, no, just take it,” she cried out.
Shit. She must be dreaming about the robbery. He knew she had to be more upset than she’d let on.
“Tara, wake up.”
She started to cry and his heart broke.
He shook her. “Tara, wake up now,” he said firmly, expecting instant obedience.
He had to smile wryly as she went instantly floppy, falling into a deeper sleep. Even in her sleep she defied him. What was he going to do with her? She should have called him as soon as she’d gotten safely back to where she worked. Instead, Rob told him she’d been planning to walk back to the bus stop.
Why the hell would she walk to the bus stop late at night instead of taking a taxi? It hit him then and he felt like a complete idiot. She’d been robbed. That asshole had taken her cash and credit cards. Still, he was sure Rob would have lent her the money. But did she have the money to pay him back? He frowned, thinking about where she lived. How come she lived in such a crappy apartment when she worked such long hours? Was her boss taking advantage of her?
Tomorrow he’d been laying down the law with the lovely Tara. She was independent and strong and he didn’t want to change her. But he would be instigating some rules for her to follow.
Chapter Six
Tara glanced over at Alex nervously as he drove her to work the next morning.
“You really didn’t have to bring me to work.” She yawned. Man, she was exhausted.
“Yes¸ I did.”
Damn, she hoped he didn’t insist on walking her in. The last thing she wanted was for him to meet Tim. Alex had wanted to talk to her this morning about their contract, the one she still hadn’t signed, but there hadn’t been enough time. That conversation would have to wait for tonight.
“Just pull up in front and drop me off,” she suggested in what she hoped was a casual voice.
“Okay,” he said easily.
Phew, she was worried about nothing. Feeling stupid, she leaned over to give him a kiss on the cheek as he stopped the car. Alex cupped the back of her head and took her mouth with his; turning what should have been a quick peck into a toe-curling, head-spinning, amazingly hot kiss.
“Damn,” she whispered as he pulled back.
Alex smiled and her heart nearly stopped.
“You’re so gorgeous,” she blurted out.
His grin widened. “Thank you.”
“Gotta go,” she said quickly, opening her door.
“I’ll pick you up tonight at five-thirty,” he said.
“No need. I’ll make my own way over to your apartment after I’ve been to my place.”
“I’ll be here at five-thirty,” he said in a firm voice that brooked no argument. “Call me if you have to work late.”
“Okay,” she replied. She knew he was worried about her after last night. She was used to taking care of herself. It was an adjustment having someone else worry and fuss over her. It was also kind of sweet.
Tara walked inside. She glanced into Tim’s office but he wasn’t in there. Tim wasn’t a morning person. She grabbed her mug and made her way down to the small staff room to grab some much needed coffee.
As she walked back to her office, she heard Tim’s raised voice. She quickened her step; she’d hoped to be at her desk before he got in. Tara came to a stop as she peered into Tim’s office to see who he was yelling at.
Seriously, it couldn’t be. It must be someone who looked like him. She’d just left him…
“Tara, what is this guy talking about?” Tim barked as he saw her. Oh shit, she was in trouble. When Tim got really angry, he started to look like a bulldog. His cheeks puffed out and his eyes grew small and beady.
The other man turned around and yep, it was Alex. He had the gall to smile at her.
“Alex, what are you doing here?” Her voice squeaked. How embarrassing.
“What is he doing here? He’s making outrageous demands, that’s what he’s doing,” Tim yelled. “Get in here and shut the damn door.”
Tara practically ran into the office, slamming the door shut behind her.
“Do you swear at all your employees?” Alex asked quietly.
Oh crap, this was going from bad to worse. When Alex was at his most quiet you knew he was furious. Tim didn’t understand that, though. Tim was a yeller. It was the only language he understood.
“Swearing! That wasn’t swearing. Swearing would be saying, who the fuck is this guy, Tara? And what the fuck makes you think you can send him in here, demanding things for you? I thought we had an understanding. You fucking well do what you’re told and I won’t fire you!”
Oh God. Oh God.
“Apologize to her,” Alex said coldly. His face grew scary. “Now.”
Tara grabbed Alex’s hand. She’d never thought of him as violent. He always displayed incredible control.
But he hadn’t met Tim before.
“It’s okay, Alex.”
He turned his blue gaze on her. Piercing her. Tara immediately dropped her gaze, not because she was scared of him, but because she knew he needed her help to regain control.
“Sir, please.”
She heard him take a deep breath and knew he was gathering back his control.
“I can’t believe this, Tara. What the fuck! First this jerk tells me that you lost the damn cell phone, that’s coming out of your pay by the way, and then he starts making all these demands. No working late nights unless I pay for a taxi and he wants you escorted to the taxi, like you’re the freaking First Lady or something. Time off to recover from the robbery last night. What do you need to recover from? I’m the one that lost a phone. What else can I get for you? Would you like a pay raise? Maybe a foot massage?”
She glanced up at Tim, wincing at his mottled complexion. He was going to give himself a heart attack.
“Tim, I’m fine, I don’t need…”
“I tell you what, I’ll make this easy on all of us. You’re fired. Now both of you get out!”
***
“I can’t believe you got me fired.” Tara looked over at Alex in shock as they were escorted out of the building. He’d stayed with her through the whole humiliating ordeal. Her begging Tim for her job back, him refusing and calling security. Hurriedly packing up her few personal belongings.
“He was an asshole,” Alex replied.
“But he was the asshole who paid me.” What the hell was she going to do? She had bills to pay and her brother was relying on her to help him.
“I’m completely fucked.”
“Don’t use that language,” Alex said with a frown as he opened the door for her, nodding at the security guard who’d escorted them out. He placed a hand on the small of her back as they walked down the sidewalk.
She looked around her in a daze. “I’ll never find a job that pays that well.” She turned around and headed back. “I need to convince Tim to take me back.”
Alex grabbed her arm, turning her around and pulling her along. “You don’t need to work for that asshole.”
“I do if I want to eat.”
They reached his car and he opened the passenger door, helping her in and buckling her seatbelt as though he was worried she’d bolt back inside to beg Tim for her job back. She probably would have if she could have gotten away with it.
“Tim will calm down. He’ll take me back.” Probably on less pay and worse conditions. Could her conditions get any worse?
“You are not going back to work for that jerk.”
She was silent for a long moment, thinking furiously. Finally she realized that they were moving.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“To my work. I’m sure I can find you a job there.”
“Oh no. No way. I am not working with you.”
“Why not? You’ll be treated a hell of a lot better.”
Tara crossed her arms over her chest. “I am not some charity. Working together would be a disaster. I’ll just wait a few days. Tim needs me.” She hoped.
“If you go near him again then you won’t be sitting comfortably for a week.”
She gasped. “You did not just say that.”
“Oh yes I did. Go near Tim again and your butt is toast.”
“You’re not in charge of me, Alex Knight.”
“I’m your Dom.”
“We haven’t signed a contract yet.”
“We’ll be taking care of that oversight tonight. That asshole was taking advantage of you. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. I also don’t want you taking public transport anymore.”
She gaped at him. “I don’t drive, how am I supposed to get around?”
“I’m going to give you a number of a car service I have an account with, you’ll use them. I do not want you wandering around late at night on your own.”
He had to be out of his mind to think she’d agree to that rule. She wasn’t about to let him take over her life.
“Please, Tara,” he said. “I was terrified last night. I don’t want to feel like that again.”
Well, shit.
“Fine,” she agreed reluctantly. “But only at night.”
He nodded. “All right, I can compromise. You may take the bus during the day.”
“Gee, thanks,” she said dryly.
“Why didn’t you call me last night once you were safe? I nearly went out of my mind wondering what had happened to you.”
She glanced over at him in surprise. His hands were clenched around the steering wheel so tightly the skin over his knuckles had grown white. She felt guilty at how worried he’d been. He was right, she should have called him. If it had been her on the other end of the phone she’d have been frantic.
“I’m sorry, Alex. You’re right, I should have realized how worried you’d be.”
He nodded. She glanced up as they came to a stop and noticed they were in a parking garage.
“This is my office building,” Alex explained. “Do you drive?”
“No.” She’d never had anyone to teach her. Her father certainly hadn’t been interested.
“I’ll call my car service. They’ll take you wherever you want to go. Anywhere except back to that jerk. Come on, you can wait in my office.”
***
Tara looked around her apartment in dismay. Sure, the place had always been a wreck, but it had never looked like this. Alex’s car service had dropped her off fifteen minutes ago. After grabbing a paper, she’d made her way up to her apartment to find the door ajar. Inside, the apartment was a complete wreck. The cushions on her couch were slashed; the drawers in the kitchen had all been pulled out and emptied.
The alarm was blaring, giving her a headache. She quickly moved to the keypad and put in her code to stop it. Of course, none of her neighbors had bothered to come and see what was going on.
Who would do this? Why?
She walked around the room. There wasn’t one thing that hadn’t been trampled on, thrown around or broken.
“Tara?”
She turned around with a gasp, taking a few steps back in fright. It took her a moment to realize that it was Derrick standing in the doorway and not some stranger intent on doing her harm.
“Derrick! You scared the living daylights out of me!”
“Sorry, love. Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He stepped forward and grasped hold of her shoulders, his gaze roaming over her.
Tears filled her eyes and it wasn’t until that moment that she realized how scared she was. She’d managed to disguise how shaken she was last night after being mugged. She was good at acting tough even when she was trembling on the inside, but somehow this was worse. Someone had invaded her home, had wrecked everything she owned.
She felt violated.
Maybe if she wasn’t feeling vulnerable from the mugging she could have coped better, could have hidden her feelings better. But she was raw and afraid and she couldn’t help the tears that dripped down her cheeks.
Tara rubbed her cheeks, embarrassed by her display of emotion. “Sorry, I’m fine,” she muttered.
“Nothing to be sorry for, love. Christ, someone really did a number on your apartment. Wonder what the hell they were looking for.”
Derrick rubbed her shoulder as he spoke. He had a slight English accent that she usually found sexy. Today she was too upset to really notice.
“What makes you think they were looking for something?” she asked.
Derrick grimaced, looking uncomfortable. “No offense, love, but there wasn’t a lot here that was worth stealing.”
He was right.
“Can you tell if anything was taken?” Derrick asked.
She glanced around her. Everything appeared to be here. Just smashed or broken.
“I don’t think so. I don’t understand what they could have been after, though.” Tara rubbed her forehead. This was just what she needed. “Why would anyone wreck my apartment but not take anything?”
“You pissed anyone off lately?” Derrick asked, concern on his face.
“Besides my boss, no,” she half-joked.
“Your boss?”
“He just fired me. I was joking. Tim wouldn’t do this. How did you know anyway?”
“When the security company couldn’t get hold of you they called me. I’m going to ring the police.”
“No,” she said quickly. He looked at her in surprise. “What’s the point? Nothing was taken.”
Derrick raised an eyebrow. “Someone broke into your place and wrecked it. Even if nothing was taken that’s still against the law. What if you’d been home?”
She shivered. “Okay, okay. I’ll call them, though. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”
“I’ll call them and I’ll stay here with you. Unless you want me to call someone?”
She shook her head and he stepped into the corridor to make the call.
Tara thought about calling Alex, but he was at work. Even though he’d been there for her last night, she didn’t really want to disturb him during the day. The last thing she wanted was to be a burden on him. She didn’t want him getting sick of her.
And while she could call Ava or Tilly she knew Tilly would be at work and she didn’t want Ava traveling down to this part of town. Roarke would not be happy with her.
“Ms. James?”
Tara looked over at the doorway to find her bald property manager glaring at her.
“What is the hell is going on?”
She’d kind of thought that was obvious, but Ted wasn’t the brightest man she’d ever met.
“My apartment was broken into.”
“This place is a mess,” he said. “Your neighbors have been complaining about all the noise.”
“That was the alarm.”
“This is a breach of your contract.”
“How?” she asked in a disbelieving voice.
“Noise, destruction of property, mess.”
“I’ve been broken into,” she repeated slowly. “This isn’t my fault.”
He pointed at the alarm. “You didn’t get permission for that—”
“It adds value to the apartment!” she protested.
“And I got plenty of tenants ready to move in here.”
“Who?” she asked. “No one wants to live in this dump.”
“Plus your rent is due.” He left, brushing past Derrick with a glare.
“Who was that?” Derrick asked.
“The property manager.”
“Hmm, nice chap.” He stared down at her door. “Tara, did you give a key to anyone?”
“Yes, Mrs. Santos. She lives two floors down.” She pulled it out of her pocket. “I just grabbed it off her before. Why?”
“Whoever broke in didn’t actually break in.” He waved her over and pointed at the door. “There was no forced entry.”
“They had a key?”
But how?
“Oh God. The mugger.”
“What?” Derrick asked.
“I was mugged last night. They took my handbag. It had my other key in it, that’s why I had to get this one back from Mrs. Santos. But how did they know where I lived?”