“You can’t leave!” Zelda wailed dramatically.
Alyssa winced, partly because she didn’t want to leave and partly because of the pain Zelda caused to her poor eardrums. “Sorry. It’s a family emergency.”
Instantly, Zelda’s face transformed from confusion and disappointment to pity. “Oh, dear. All right then.” She patted her on the shoulder. “What can I do to help?”
Her friendly response was one reason Alyssa longed to stay. “Would you be willing to take my paintings? The ones I’ve done in the last month? It’s too much trouble to transport them. Even if you don’t want to sell them if you could hold them until I can get back to take them?”
If Zelda didn’t want to sell them, then Alyssa would just have to find a way to come back. She’d have to figure out how to get into town without drawing Drew’s attention.
“Of course! Based on the showing last night, I’ll have no trouble finding homes for them as well. I can wire you the money. Though I’m sad to hear you won’t be coming back.”
Alyssa sighed. She was sad too, but at least she had one problem solved. She’d have money, a bit of income to hold her over, rather than finding random jobs to help cover her expenses. Straightening her shoulders, she pushed through her next request, even though it pained her to ask. “Also, can you find a buyer for the Blood Moon? Maybe someone from last night is still interested.”
Zelda frowned. “I thought you wanted to keep that one?”
“I’ll need the money more.”
Given her family emergency excuse, Zelda would likely think it was to cover medical bills, but she’d need first and last month’s rent for wherever she settled. Destined for a life on the run, the canvas was too large to store in her car. It was foolish to think she could keep it.
“I understand. Actually, someone is looking at it now. A friend of yours.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “He seemed very interested in the artist.”
Dread sent shivers down her spine. Had Drew already found her? Was she too late leaving town?
“He’s here?” She gulped.
“Hoping to see you, I think. He’s been here quite a while now.” She motioned to a staff member. “Why don’t you give me your keys and head on back to see him? Make that sale while we unload your car and see what gems you’ve brought me.”
Trying to keep her hand from trembling, she dropped the keys into Zelda’s hand and watched as she and another woman disappeared through the front door, leaving Alyssa alone with her fate.
With slow steps, she made her way through the gallery to the room with her paintings, but as she peeked through the doorway, she saw a head of dirty blond shaggy hair rather than Drew’s dark, neatly trimmed hair.
Mitch.
Shockingly, disappointment crashed through her.
Had she wanted Drew to catch her?
Trying not to examine that thought too thoroughly, she cleared her throat to notify Mitch that she was there.
When he turned, his smile was bright. Alyssa shot him a polite grin and edged into the room, attempting to avoid getting too close.
“So this is where you’ve been hiding.”
Alyssa bit the inside of her cheek to avoid asking why he was there, but she feared she knew the answer. Aside from the recent months, Mitch seemed to pop up wherever she was. “Yep. You found me. Again.”
“Funny how we keep ending up in the same places, huh?”
“Why do you think that is?” She wondered, hoping he’d fess up to stalking her. She wasn’t in the mood to be kind, and if she were ever going to tell him to get lost, today would be the day. She hadn’t slept last night. Her patience was razor thin, and frankly, she was sick of Mitch dogging her heels.
“Fate.” He flashed her a smile that she assumed was meant to be seductive but just came off predatory.
She doubted humor, fate, or any number of things explained why he showed up days or weeks after her. Stalker? Definitely. Was she worried? No.
She had defenses he couldn’t fathom, and part of her wanted him to try something so that she could remove him from her life permanently. But she’d never killed a human before, and while she’d feast on rabbit, bird, and the occasional deer, she didn’t know that she could stomach the thought of human blood in her digestive tract. Plus, what to do with the body? No way could she eat it. Yuck. Even if she did, there would still be a carcass to dispose of.
She suppressed a shudder.
When she didn’t react to his flirtatious attempt at conversation, he said, “This piece didn’t sell last night? It’s beautiful. Your best work by far.”
“Uh, thanks.” I think. “There was serious interest and one offer, but I turned it down.”
“Really? So it’s available?”
No, no, no, no, she thought. Mitch was the last person she wanted to have the Blood Moon. Secretly, she felt like it belonged to Drew, but realistically, she couldn’t keep it. “Yes. It’s available.”
“I’ll have to speak with the gallery owner, then.”
“I’ll leave you to that.” She turned to leave, but he jogged across the room and grabbed her hand.
“I won a big pot last night. I thought maybe I could take you somewhere nice for dinner tonight. Maybe we could go shopping first. I’ve got a few ideas of things I’d love to see you in.”
Cue gagging. “You know we aren’t a couple, right? And even if we were, you can’t dress me like a doll.”
His gaze slipped down her body, stopping so long on her breasts that she pulled her arm away from him.
Before he could comment with some vulgar remark about undressing or comparing her to a sex doll, Alyssa said rather sharply, “I have to go. I’d appreciate it if you’d stop approaching me.”
“Just one date,” he whined.
Alyssa didn’t have a chance to reply. Zelda waltzed in and, clearly having overheard part of the conversation, jumped to her rescue. “Dear, you’ll be late if you don’t get going. I’ll speak with, what was your name again?”
His gaze darted from one woman to the other. “Mitch.”
“Mitch.” She smiled widely. “I’ll speak with Mitch about any purchases he might make.”
“No need.” Mitch pulled his jacket on. “I’ll be back to discuss my interest when Alyssa feels less rushed and more herself.”
Not bothering to hide her displeasure, Alyssa’s narrow stare followed him out of the room. Neither she nor Zelda spoke until they heard the front door chime. Alyssa released a breath that she didn’t realize she was holding.
“He’s rather unpleasant.”
“Very much so, though I may have just aggravated the situation.”
Zelda swatted at her. “Nonsense. No means no, and to think you’ve made it worse by telling him no, well, that’s exactly what’s wrong with this world. He needs to lick his wounds privately and leave you alone.” Zelda looked over the painting. “I won’t be selling him this piece. I can find another buyer if you don’t want him to have it. I wouldn’t have even let him in the building if I knew he was here to harass you.”
Alyssa thought harass might be too strong of a word. He’d done nothing more than follow her and flirt. But his continued presence worried her. And if he got violent with her, he’d definitely regret it.
“I want to purchase the waterfall painting. I just love how it makes me feel.”
Putting Mitch from her mind, Alyssa smiled. “Consider it a gift.”
“No, my dear, I couldn’t.”
“I insist.” Alyssa looked at the woman who had offered her nothing but kindness. “You took me in and did all this for me.” She thrust her arms wide and spun in a circle. “It’s more than I ever dared to dream.”
“Maybe, once things settle down, you can come back. I might be overstepping, but you seemed happy here. You were so edgy when you first arrived, but you’ve relaxed.”
Alyssa’s smile faded. “I don’t think that’s in the cards for me.”
Zelda seemed to make peace with Alyssa’s decision. They returned to her office and discussed the prices for the other paintings before Alyssa headed back to her apartment.
She stopped at a grocery store, coming out with a case of water, a bag of ice for her cooler, some fresh chopped fruits and veggies, granola bars, and other pantry items she could eat on the road that would keep in her car. She loaded up on snack foods, as she did when she fled one area. Usually, she preferred salty potato chips, but today, she seemed to steer toward the chocolate. Maybe it would help ease the burning sensation in her heart.
She was attracted to Drew. There was no sense in pretending otherwise. It wasn’t just his intoxicating scent. The man was solid muscle, rugged, and had good, wholesome morals, at least according to Zelda’s account last night. When she’d turned him down at the gallery, he hadn’t bugged her for an explanation, hadn’t complained or insisted like Mitch often did. But despite his graceful acceptance, she knew he wouldn’t stop. Determination had been in his gaze, and it had thrilled her.
Before she’d spotted him in the forest, she’d smelled him. She’d considered leaving but assumed his scent was there because he owned the property. Odds were high that he’d take strolls through the woods. At least, that’s how she’d justified her decision to stay. She’d pushed aside the nagging feeling that something was wrong and instead basked in the moon, and his delightful scent and the arousing things it did to her body. And now she was paying for that mistake.
After parking her little car in the lot, she locked it and headed toward the building.
As she entered the foyer, she paused. His scent was lingering in the hallway. Glancing around, she tried to spot him.
He’d found her.
Swallowing, she made her way forward. Her gaze darted around, anxiously waiting for him to jump out and grab her.
Inside the elevator, the scent flooded her. It was clear he’d been here. She debated her options. Leave town without her stuff, or venture forward and see if he was actually in the building.
Maybe he’d come, seen she was absent, and already left.
The elevator dinged as the doors opened. Taking a fortifying breath, Alyssa stepped out before rushing down the hall, his warm, masculine scent leading her way.
At her door, she paused. It was open, the knob hanging loosely in the frame.
He was in her home.
Her heart raced, and her body vibrated. From fear or arousal, she wasn’t sure which. Maybe both. Biting her lip, she pushed the door open wider. After a quick glance inside, she stepped cautiously over the threshold. A hasty peek through the apartment had her breathing a sigh of relief.
He had been here, but he hadn’t stayed. She still had time to make a break for it.
Closing the door as best she could, Alyssa began mentally reminding herself of what she needed to grab. She reached for her laptop bag first, but movement on the patio drew her attention.
Part of the studio apartment’s appeal had been the big, private rooftop patio. She’d been eager for spring to arrive so she could sit out there and paint. It was the perfect sanctuary for her, and this morning she’d wept at the thought of leaving it behind.
And now it had been invaded.
Ducking down to avoid hitting his head, Drew stepped off the roof and into her apartment.
Startled, Alyssa shouted. The bag hit the floor with a thud as she flew to the door and scrambled to open it.
His palm came down hard against the wood, the sound so loud she jumped nearly a foot. The other hand landed on the wall, caging her in. “No more running.” His lips brushed against the shell of her ear, sending traitorous, erotic shivers across her skin. “We need to talk.”