Exposed (Let Me Love You #3)

Chapter 34

34

CALL ME BY MY NAME

MATT

S ome bastard was stalking my wife while I was stuck at a damn wedding. I’m going to find out who it is and personally make them pay.

When I pull into my driveway at 11:20pm, I can’t get out of the car fast enough.

My dad reported the license plate to the police, and it’s a stolen vehicle. For now, it’s a dead end.

On the bright side, my dad also has a deal with a local security firm, and all the guards work out at my dad’s gyms. He contracted two armed security guards to stay posted at my house for the time being.

I nod my head to Jared, the tall Black guy posted in front of my house near his black SUV. I’ve worked out a couple of times with him and Raul, the guy posted at the side of the house, and they’re intense dudes.

“Thanks a lot for doing this on short notice,” I say as Jared approaches to greet me.

“No problem. I didn’t know you were a dad, man. Congrats. We’re happy to help, and here’s my cell number. Call me if you need anything. Raul and I are here for you guys.” He hands me a business card with their cell numbers on it.

“Ditto. Let me know if you need anything,” I say, then book it into my house and lock the door behind me.

Pepper is waiting for me on the couch, the sunflower blanket I gave her over her legs. Her eyes are red from crying. Her short, dark hair and bangs frame her face and her t-shirt and shorts that I bought her cover her cute body. She looks younger and more vulnerable than normal. Heck, she is young and vulnerable, and someone at Titan Securities took advantage of her.

In a few quick strides, I’m pulling her up from the couch and into my arms.

She's mine. My wife . I’m like a toddler, and the only word I can think of when I look at her is “mine.”

I want to take care of her. Today. Tomorrow. All the days she’ll let me.

“Pepper.” I breathe in her scent and reassure myself that she’s here as I hold her tight. She’s safe, and I’ll keep her that way.

“I’m so sorry. I thought we had more formula left, but we didn’t,” she sobs into my chest. “I didn’t mean to put Simon in danger. I didn’t give him a bath tonight. It was late and we were tired.”

With one arm snaked around the small of her back and one hand cradling her face, I stop her talking with my mouth on hers.

A little gasp escapes her lips. Good. No more words. She was using too many. Too many apologies when what she did tonight was perfect. She whimpers, then melts against me.

I stroke her cheek with my thumb.

“Pepper. It’s okay. It’s not your fault.” I pull back to cup her face in my hands. “You didn’t ask to be put in the middle of this. We’ll figure it out together. I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Her lashes are clumped together with tears, and I take her mouth with mine. She melts into me like I’m her refuge, and damn, do I want to be. I kiss her slowly, passion building the longer my lips cover hers.

When I pull back, her eyes are focused on me, like she’s waiting on me to lead her.

I direct people all day long for my job.

Stand here.

Face each other.

Put your arm around your bride.

I love directing and leading people to positive outcomes, and I like leading Pepper most of all. I love that she trusts me to be there for her.

She’s stealing my heart one piece at a time.

Don’t break my heart, Pepper. Don’t leave me and Simon.

I want to make her promise to never leave me, but I don’t. Not tonight, anyway.

“Were the security guys nice to you?” I ask instead.

“Yeah, they’re super kind. They both followed me home from the gym and are like the best bodyguards. ”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy she’s protected. However, I want her to think I’m the best bodyguard.

Huh. Does she like either of them? They’re both attractive former military guys in their late 20’s or early 30’s.

That thought unnerves me. I never want to see her with another man. I need to catch my breath, or I’m going to open the windows and fuck her on this couch just to make sure Jared and Raul know Pepper is mine. That would be both inappropriate and unhinged. But fuck, do I want to do inappropriate and unhinged things with my wife tonight.

I need a second to breathe before I fuck her in front of our open windows.

“Let me check on Simon. I need to see him,” I murmur. I kiss her shoulder, then go to my room to see him sleeping soundly.

Ha. We’ll see how long that lasts.

Back in the living room, my phone rings. I hurry to get it, and Pepper hands it to me.

“Unknown number” flashes on the screen.

“Hello?” I ask cautiously.

“Little Women,” a woman's voice with a British accent answers.

That’s my call name on the hacker chat boards. It’s my mom’s favorite book, and it gives good anonymity.

“Who is this?” I demand.

“Your fairy godmother,” comes a sarcastic reply in a Scottish accent.

What the hell?

“Did you or did you not request Merrit to contact you?” She asks.

“I did.”

“Communication only happens through burner phones, so get a prepaid one for our next chat and pay in cash. Never use real names. Call me when you get a phone.”

She rattles off a phone number, and I jot it down.

“Got it. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I don’t like being told what to do by a stranger, but I’m in way over my head here and need someone with expertise.

“That was Merrit?” Pepper asks.

“Yeah. We’ll get one first thing in the morning. She doesn’t want a digital trail. Seems like she’s smarter than Rick28,” I note.

“I hope so,” she yawns.

“Let’s get you to bed, sleeping beauty.” I put my hand on the small of her back. “Sleep with me tonight.”

We’ve slept in the same bed several times, but I always feel guilty because Simon is in my room. If he wakes up, it wakes all of us up, and I want Pepper to rest.

“Simon might wake you in the middle of the night, but I want you near me.” I take her hand in mine and squeeze. “I was terrified today when you said you were being followed. I need to be near you and Simon.”

There’s a softness in her eyes, her real brown eyes. She doesn’t wear her contacts with me at night, and I love that I get to see another glimpse of the real girl I’m falling in love with.

“I’ll sleep better if I’m with you and Simon tonight,” she whispers, like she’s afraid to admit she wants to be with me.

Once we’re laying in bed, she turns to me and rests her hand on my chest and looks into my eyes. Her brown orbs are soulful and hold a lifetime of experiences in them for the short amount of time she’s lived.

“Jasmine,” she says softly.

“What?” I ask.

“My real name. Don’t tell anyone, but you can call me by it when it’s just us and Simon.”

My breath is stolen from my lungs. It’s beautiful like her. And she trusts me enough to tell me something else real about her.

“Jasmine. Like the princess,” I thread my fingers through her hair.

“Except we’re reversed. I’m the one that was on the streets, and you’re the rich guy,” she says dryly.

“Nah. You’re a princess, Jasmine. I like your name.”

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone,” she implores.

“Your secret is safe with me.” I put my hand over hers where it rests on my heart. “Now, I’m going to sing you to sleep.”

I kiss her good night, then turn her body so I can spoon her. She’s asleep in no time while I sing to her and kiss her shoulder.

My dad taught me that men can be strong and gentle. I’ve got good memories of him singing me to sleep at night occasionally. Jasmine never had anyone to sing her to sleep when she was a kid, but she has me to do it for her now.

After she falls asleep, it takes me longer. Her warm, sexy body next to mine gives me blue balls. Totally worth it though.