Page 19

EDEN

I added a little something for you to bid on me at the Book Boyfriend Auction to your account. Fair warning, I like to chase you. And once I catch you, I am NEVER letting you go, Bunny.

See you tonight…

T he doors to Book Boyfriends and Lattes opened at nine am, and the sold out event had a few bumps early in the morning when the lights in the upper signing area wouldn’t come on. Who knew there was a random switch somewhere that Indie shut off because Travis, Theo Gerard’s son, convinced her that light switches in the on position were not good for polar bears? And when Ian, the book cover model arrived, some poor reader fainted, almost taking out the cupcake tower. But, like a true book boyfriend, he caught her and saved the day.

I slid up beside Indie, and grinned at Theo, who sat on stool, posing with readers and authors against the far wall. “ Look at Theo being all book boyfriend material over there.” I nudged her with my elbow.

She snorted. “Yes, he’s just amazing. Ugh, I am going to need to disinfect that wall and the stool after this.”

“Woah, need a latte or a cupcake or maybe a book boyfriend to get the crabby gone?”

Indie huffed out a breath. A loud giggle from over by the romance book posting hockey player earned a death glare from her. “As if his ego needed any more stroking.”

I snorted. “I think you need more stroking, my friend. I thought you two called a truce?” Indie had started helping out Theo here and there with his son last week, and the little boy loved playing with Nia’s two little girls.

“Truces only work when both people honor the terms,” she grumbled. “But, I need to go next door and let the caterers in and get the lights turned on. Have fun watching the show!”

I laughed at her as she walked away and stuck her tongue out at me. Thankfully the day was almost over and then I could go home, shower and come back for the auction. A yawn escaped my mouth and I tried to cover it with my hand but only succeeded in almost whacking Nia in the face.

“I mean, I know you get feisty when you don’t have your Junior Mints, but no need to take me out,” she teased. Her lips turned up in a big smile. “Why don’t you go and shower, and the girls and I will finish up.” She checked her watch. “Forty five minutes, then Delena Bennett turns into a pumpkin until tonight.”

The second floor staircase had a line all day, but it was finally down to just a handful of readers. Izzy came with Cole first thing, and though he hated knowing his little sister, who was almost seventeen knew who Delena Bennett was, let her get a somewhat slow burn not as spicy as the stalker masked romance book signed before taking her to lunch in town. The best selling author had been having the time of her life all morning and into the afternoon. She signed every book and NSFW piece of art while her football player boyfriend handed cover after cover to her with the cutest smile that smoldered when they thought no one was looking.

Which we all were, but romance bookstore and signing had everyone in their feels.

I wrinkled my nose as another yawn escaped me. “Are you sure?”

Nia gave me a playful shove. “Go. I got this. And if I don’t, maybe Ian will help me,” she sighed.

I gathered my things, said goodbye to a few of the authors and went out to my car. As I drove home, cursing myself for not having a second cup of coffee, I checked my phone.

COLE: Hope the rest of the day went well, Bunny. See you soon.

My heart fluttered and the butterflies went wild. When that man used that nickname, all I wanted to do was go back to the haunted house and do all of it all over again. Then watch Halloween movies all bundled up under fuzzy blankets eating Junior Mints in a bowl of freshly microwaved popcorn.

Hmmm. Maybe Zoe could hook me up with the house they used as a surprise sometime since it was unoccupied.

I pulled into the driveway, hit the garage door opener and parked. Another yawn escaped me, and I checked the time. I had just enough time to take a quick nap before Cole got back from dropping Izzy off. After checking my messages to make sure Nia and the signing hadn’t spontaneously combusted, I laid down on the couch under my favorite blanket and shut my eyes and fell fast asleep.

“You always look beautiful when you sleep, Eden.”

I stretched, my head still fuzzy and not awake. My lips curled into a smile, eyes still closed. “Are you saying you like to watch me sleep?”

“I did. But then you moved in here, and fucked everything up. Even after I warned you. Tsk tsk, Eden. All my carefully laid plans, laid to waste because you decided to fuck your step brother. But I forgive you.”

A warning went off in my head, jolting me fully awake.

My eyes shot open, and I tried to sit up, but hands held me in place.

“Calm down, Eden. It’s just me.”

I blinked, and tried to figure out what was happening, and why Liam Shaw was in Cole’s house. Again I tried to scramble away, and this time he let me. But he didn’t move back, blocking me so that I couldn’t stand up. “What are you doing here? Did Cole let you in? I thought Noah said you were cut from the team? Are you trying to get back-”

HE chuckled, a dark and menacing sound. “Oh, Eden. No, Cole didn’t let me in. In fact, Cole is stuck on one of those practically deserted roads with a flat tire after dropping off your sister. He’s going to be delayed, which is perfect because I packed your bag, and since I’m not on the Triumph roster anymore, you're coming with me to Chicago. ”

“Why would I go to Chicago with you?”

Dread filled my veins, and I slowly moved to the end of the couch, gauging the distance to the front door.

“Don’t be a silly girl, Eden. I’ve been telling you all along no one will take care of you like me. Even before the front office decided to trade me, I had my agent talking to Chicago because I knew you liked it there. And I bought a house with a playroom where I can keep you so happy.” His breath hitched, and he licked his lips.

“A…playroom?” Shit, what the hell was going on?

Liam nodded. “I know you like the darkness. All those times Zoe sneaked me into your house, I watched you go on to the deck and stare up at the night sky. I know what you need, Eden. And I loved watching you every night while you slept. Planting the cameras was hard, and making Zoe keep it a secret was a bitch, but she was never the end game. You were. Watching you touch yourself while I jerked off? Fuck, I can’t touch you-”

I sprang up, and darted to the door, but he grabbed me by the arm. “Oh, no, you aren’t running from me.” He yanked me against his chest with a snarl. “I know you like to be chased. But maybe you need it a little rougher than he gives it to you.” He wicked the side of my cheek as I whimpered.

“Please,” I sobbed.

“I knew you’d be perfect for me. Too bad Sunders broke you in first. But, I won’t be as gentle if you run. Say it again, Eden. Beg me.”

Every part of me screamed to run, but I knew he would only follow and getting away would be nearly impossible. I glanced down the hallway. The light in the butler’s pantry was still on from this morning when Cole had deposited another case of Junior Mints since we had finished off the last one. I sobbed in relief, thanking God that Cole was a possessive, grumpy man who took care of me and let me take care of myself.

“I even ordered another case of them for the panic room, just in case you want to go down there and read Poe or hide for a day. Just remember, the pass code takes a second, but your finger print, just like your phone, opens it for four seconds then seals the door and alerts the security company.”

“Please,” I said again, and prayed he’d want me to run.

“Oh, Eden. I’ll even give you a little head start since you love the chase.” He breathed in and ran his nose along the back of my neck. “One. Two-”

In one quick motion, I jerked my head back, making contact with his face. He grunted and released me. I darted for the hallway and the light that Cole left on.

“When I get you, Eden, I'm going to have to punish you for that. You’ll scream but after,” he yelled, his voice getting nearer as I grabbed the frame of the door and hurled myself in and pressed my hand on the nondescript keypad. “I make you come with my marks and blood all over your body.”

The door slid open soundlessly, and I jumped through, and counted.

One.

Two.

“I’m coming.”

Three.

“Right outside the door, Eden.” And just as his face appeared, I let out a scream as the door closed, locking me in.

Four.