Four Shades of Recovery: Boxed Set (10 page)

“Since we’ve finished the bottle, yeah, I’m certainly feeling the effects,” I admit and kiss him back with growing ardor.

“Would you like to take me back to your place this evening?” he asks as his voice drops into the panty dropping range. I look at him and lick my lips. Last night was phenomenal but I’ve got a long day ahead of me at work tomorrow and I’m not sure I can spend the night making love again. Not with the mojo that we seem to have going for us this time around.

“Much as I would love to fly you to the moon, baby, I think it’s best that we call it a night,” I whisper.

“I’m not sure I have the power to resist you, Megan.”

“Just think of the night after tomorrow. We’ll eat at your place and have a marathon evening of love making to compensate,” I promise with a tongue across my lower lip.

“I’m going to hold you to that promise,” Matt says with heat. “I can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“Same here, Matt. We’re going to have a great time.”

He drops me at the condo and I’m giddy with love. I unlock the door and head to my bedroom for a good night’s sleep. As I take off my shoes and jewelry, I hear a buzz on my door. I run to see if it’s Kim or Matt. I buzz them in. I’m wrong about the visitor.

“Hello, Michael,” I say and begin to shiver. “Won’t you come in?” It’s the last thing I want to ask but I must.

MEGAN’S POV

Michael Kingsfield knows he’s powerful. He’s also a very good looking, fit and muscular 48 year old master of the universe. I know that I need to tread carefully around him. My first priority involves limiting his knowledge of Matt. The second priority concerns Abby.

I smile weakly as I look into his determined face. “How did you find me Michael?”

He struts into my living area and looks directly into my face. “You can’t hide from me, Megan. At least not for long.”

“So Jacob told you that he saw me,” I might as well admit what we both know and then probe for what other information Michael discovered about my private life.

“Yes, Jacob called me just after he met with you. As you can guess, I asked him to have you tracked.” Michael steps into my personal space and I step back a bit. He wants to touch me.

“Does that mean you know where I work and live, now?” The walls are closing in around me and I want to scream. I count to five while breathing slowly. I expand the space between us.

“Of course. I’m a man on a mission.” He stares at me with a dark, possessive look. 

“What do you want from me, Michael?” I know the answer but hope that he’s going to be rational.

His reply tells me that he’s far from rational. “We belong together, Megan. Admit it. I can give you the world. Why did you run from me?”

“Michael, I’m 23 years old and not ready to settle down,” I argue. The truth is much more complicated but I don’t want to stress out Mr. Kingsfield any further than I need to. If he knew how quickly I connected with Matt, he wouldn’t be pleased.

“I’m a patient man, Megan. We can have a wonderful time together while you grow up. I can take you on exotic vacations, buy you a penthouse suite, clothes, jewels…whatever your lovely mind conjures up and your heart desires, can be yours.” He looks nearly maniacal as he dreams of our future life together. His dark eyes sparkle with menace.

Apparently, Michael can’t imagine that I don’t want to spend any time with him. All the materialism he promises me becomes a moot point with Matt in the picture. Besides, Matt’s wealth has never been the point with me. It’s his body and mind that I love. Also, he’s much closer to my age.

“What I mean is that I’m not ready to settle down with one man.” I know this topic could be volatile but I must judge Michael’s state of mind before we go any further with our conversation. If he knows about Matt, I’m in deep trouble.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Megan. I can’t bear the thought of you with another man! We were fated to be together.”

My fate could never be with Michael. He’s chasing the fantasy of his deceased wife. He’s nearly foaming at the mouth as he looks to me. Thankfully, it seems that Jacob has honored his promise to me about not mentioning me and Matt. I breathe with relief.

“Michael, I want to be a normal 23 year old college graduate. I need to develop my career, find out what I value, and that means having an independent life,” I argue. I’m trying to sound reasonable.  

“That’s for typical young women. You are not a typical young 23 year old, Megan. Look at you…so smart, mature, lovely, motivated. Not typical at all. You already have a career in real estate.” His anger mounts as we speak. I’m not playing to his mental script and he’s infuriated.

“I had a career in real estate. Now, I’d like to build my skills in the publishing field. That’s my background, Michael.” I’m trying to make my case for a life with words but he’s not buying it.

“That’s old news and you’ve done it before. Besides, you’ll never make any money in newspapers. I’ve come all this way to convince you to return to Atlanta, with me.”

He reaches out to me after taking three strides across the room. His hands touch my arms and grasp them. I spin away from his touch before he prevents me from moving. I’m nearly nauseated at the idea of letting him hold me.

“I’ve just settled into a pattern here in Portland, Michael. Don’t I have any choice about my lifestyle?” I back away from him toward the kitchen and plot my next move.

“Megan, you are acting like a spoiled child. You know that we were meant to be together. I know who I want to spend my life with.” He’s speaking as though in a trance. The look on his face frightens me. It’s determined, focused and obsessive.

I realize, in that moment, that rejecting Michael Kingsfield tonight could prove to be disastrous. I need to stall him for some time. He’s desperate to take me with him.

“Michael, it’s been a very long day for me. I have another big day at work tomorrow. I’m tired and need my rest. Can we talk about this tomorrow?” I give him an innocent look and bat my eyes.

“I don’t think I’m going to let you out of my sight, Megan. The last time we had a similar conversation, you bolted on me. It’s taken me more than a week to find you.” I swallow hard. He pulls me into his arms.

I hear a key turn in the lock at that exact time. My knees practically give way in relief. It’s Kim and Ron, her boyfriend. I thank my lucky stars. Kim enters the condo and her eyes turn to saucers as she takes in my visitor and our body posture. I pull away from Michael’s embrace. Ron gives me a concerned look.

“Megan, what…who is your visitor?” Kim looks into my face for clues. When Michael turns to examine them, I signal panic by enlarging my eyes, opening my mouth and miming the words HELP. Kim and Ron both note my expression and then quickly turn their attention to Michael.

“Kim, Ron,” I exclaim in an overly dramatic fashion. “I didn’t expect you home so soon!”

Ron pipes up with enthusiasm, “Hey, it’s the work week. We need our rest, on occasion.”

“Let me introduce you to Michael Kingsfield,” I begin, “he’s a friend from Georgia.” He nods to them in greeting. He’s surprised and unhappy with their arrival. “Michael, this is my roommate Kim and her boyfriend, Ron.” They move forward to shake his hand.

Kim, ever the eagle-eyed reporter, recognizes him. “Oh, yes, Mr. Kingsfield. I’ve heard of your reputation in the field of real estate finance. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Of course, I’ve seen your photos over the years. You look much younger than your pictures suggest.” 

The attention from Kim appeases Michael for the moment. He smiles as she gushes over him. Ron looks pensive. I use their intrusion as an opportunity to extract myself from his clutches.

“Mr. Kingsfield works with Abby, among others,” I add. “He was just saying good night.” I look into Michael’s face with determination. “We’re all tired. Michael more so than the rest of us as he’s on east coast time.” I use my mega-watt smile as I direct him toward the exit.

Michael recovers some semblance of sanity as he takes into account Ron’s size and shape. “Well, it’s been good to meet you Kim and Ron. I didn’t know that Megan had a roommate.” He’s actually going along with my plan to send him home for the evening. I’m more than thrilled to see him cooperating.

“We’ve been roomies off and on for years. All through college,” I assure Michael, “Ron lives here most of the time, too.” Ron puffs up in a defensive posture. Thank goodness he’s picked up on my cues.

“I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow morning, Megan,” Michael says with a superficial smile. His eyes burn into mine with a clear warning. I walk him to the entry and wave my farewell. He tries to reach out to me for a hug but I pull back from him. Michael’s not pleased with my behavior but says nothing. His mouth sets in a hard line and his eyes narrow at me as I shut the door and hear his footsteps on the stairs.

I walk back into the living space toward Kim and Ron. I nearly faint. “Well, you two showed up in the nick of time. I’ve never been so happy to see you. Thank goodness for roommates and burly boyfriends,” I leap up with enthusiasm to hug each of them.

“What the hell was that about? He was holding you in his arms,” Kim exclaims with disgust. “He’s old enough to be your father. What is it with you and these mega-millionaires?”

I sigh. “He’s someone I dated in Georgia. I didn’t want to continue dating him because we lacked chemistry. Now, he’s trying to convince me otherwise.” I explain the dynamics of our history briefly.

Ron pipes up at that, “Matt will convince him to quit stalking you in a hurry...Does he know about this jack-off?” Ron’s face gets flushed as he continues to consider the situation.

I moan with frustration. “I told Matt a little about Michael but he doesn’t know that he’s followed me to Portland… I don’t want Matt to hurt himself over this guy.”

Kim jumps in with an opinion after she realizes the dilemma I’m experiencing. “Matt needs to know about Michael Kingsfield, Megan. He’s already trained a security team and his rival is in unknown territory. Does Michael know about Matt?”

“I don’t think so, at least not yet. When Matt and I left the restaurant last night, a guy I know who works for Kingsfield recognized me. I met with him at lunch today and he told me that he wouldn’t  tell the boyfriend news to Michael. From what happened between Michael and me tonight, I think I’m safe, for now.” My head spins with fatigue and emotion.

“Then, you’re are at an advantage at this point. We have to find a way to sneak you out of here and over to Matt’s place. Ron can help you.” Kim’s mind whirls with the speed of a top. Ron nods his head in agreement with Kim’s plan.

“I’m going to call Matt and let him know about your stalker, Megan. For all we know, Michael could be tapping into your phone messages.” Ron works for Matt in the tech area.

“My poor Matt,” I pout, “I’ve brought him so much pain and frustration.”

“He’s really a changed man since you’ve returned Megan. You broke him, last year. He walked around like a zombie for months. Now that you’ve inserted yourself into his life again, he’s whole again. I’ve never seen Matt more enthusiastic and energized.” Ron looks at me with conviction as he speaks.

I’m embarrassed about what I did to Matt. I hang my head in shame. “I’m so thrilled that Matt gave me another chance.”

Ron stares at me for a moment and then says, “Just don’t hurt him again, Megan. He loves you.”

“And, I’m pretty sure that I love him too. I have no intention of ever hurting Matt again,” I admit.

“From what we’ve seen lately, I’d say the two of you are gah-gah over each other,” Kim adds and kisses Ron lightly on the mouth.

“Yeah, and the chemistry between the two of you always was there.” Ron arches his eyebrows up and down for emphasis. I giggle and nod my head quickly.

“From Matt’s behavior at work, you must be keeping each other very happy in that department,” he says and pulls Kim to his side.

“Ron!” Kim chides while swatting him playfully on the chest. “That’s none of your business.”

“I can assure you, the chemistry works just fine between us. Matt has no competition in that area,” I flush and smile at the memory of our last connection. Ron gives me a knowing wink.

Ron gets on his phone and calls Matt. Matt picks up quickly. “Hey, Matt, I’m at the condo with Kim and Megan. Megan’s got a stalker and we need a plan.” Ron quickly summarizes the story of Michael’s visit. He tactfully omits any mention of Michael’s embrace with me.