crave | 16+

XVII

JOSIE

I STAND IN THE grocery store, watching the same man who's been following me for the past hour. I know him from somewhere, but my eyes can't exactly pinpoint from where. He even followed me down the hall with period products and I made sure to see if he even looked at anything, but to literally no one's surprise he didn't.

I mean this is generally a waste of my precious time. I ran pretty quickly from Elijah's place because I started getting embarrassed. He insisted I take a bath, and I insisted on not taking one at his penthouse that's in the same building as my work placement. Someone I knew could walk into the building, through security and see me, damp hair and wearing the same clothes from last night coming out of Elijah's apparent freaking penthouse private elevator that only went right to his living room. No thank you.

So instead I hopped in my car, and drove straight to the grocery store only for this very tall–and don't get me wrong–very attractive blonde man to follow me around. I sigh internally as I make it around a corner and look over my shoulder, still seeing him there. Creep. I could simply turn around and ask him what the hell his problem was but I did not want to risk egging him on and him, oh I don't know, killing me?

Instead I decide I'll lure him astray and get the hell home. I turn a corner and run down the bread aisle before he even gets to make it around the corner and I make a run for it, only to run directly into him. I stare at him out of breath watching as he tries his best to hide his amused grin. God help me, he's hot.

"Not so fast, love," he says and I recoil in disgust. Why do men?

"Don't call me that," I bite out.

He looks down at me with a glint of his eyes, as if for a second he goes back to some freaking memory like a white light and I take my opportunity and turn around readying myself to make a run for it again, only for an arm to sneak around my waist before I even make it a step, pulling me back into his chest. Fuck sake.

"Let me go you disgusting creep!" I seethe at him, trying to pry myself out his arms but to no avail whatsoever. His grip around me only tightens and tears spike in my eyes. I hate men.

"Lower your voice would you?" he whispers into my ear. "I'm not a creep and even if I was, you aren't my type."

Okay, now I'm hurt.

"What's your type then, huh?" I ask, still trying to wiggle myself out of his grip. "Women who don't fight back? Women who are afraid to even utter a word in your presence? Sorry to disappoint, but you picked the wrong bitch to kidnap!"

I try to push my shoulder into his side, or get my hand free so I can rip his balls off his body and throw them at him like tomatoes but it's all a waste of my energy.

"My type is a snarky redhead who flushes when I get too close," he says, all while still holding my arms down.

"Utterly specific. I think the chances of pigs flying would be higher than you getting that!"

I feel his breath on my neck which makes me stand completely still. Does no one in this store shop for bread? "Who says I don't already have 10?"

Lord Farquaad would look amazing next to him. I curse under my breath as I start wiggling again. I even stomp on his feet which he snickers at. The bastard finds it amusing.

"Stop squirming so much. Your boyfriend sent me," he finally says and I stop immediately. Fucking Elijah. I turn my head over my shoulder, getting another look at my kidnappers face. Fucking. Elijah. It's one of the two men from the elevator. I clear my throat, suddenly embarrassed. But how was I supposed to know this man worked for my boss?

"What does he want?" I ask my face held high, even though the elevator-man can't see it.

"He was worried since you left so fast. I won't lie, it even confused me. Your...sounds...could be heard through the entire penthouse."

Oh my God, oh my God? I pray that the ground opens up and swallows me, but when nothing happens, I clear my throat again and allow my breath to hitch. "Don't you have some redhead to attend to? You see me. I'm fine. Let me go, Mr..." my voice trails off.

"Wyatt." His arms let go of me the same time he says it. I turn around to meet his hard face, taking all his features. I flush as the memories from the morning come into my head, but I quickly push them out replacing my redness with a frown.

"Tell Elijah that just because I don't fall to his knees like every other woman in his life, it still doesn't give him the right to send some wanna-be FBI agent after me," I seethe spitting venom at Mr. Wyatt.

"I was in the army and I'm his bodyguard," he replies and I blow raspberries at his reply. Okay?

"I don't remember asking."

I turn on my heel and walk toward the grocery store exit, and to my surprise the bodyguard doesn't follow me. I pull my phone out of my jacket pocket and dial Elijah's number. It rings once before I hear his voice.

"Elijah Christ speaking."

"Call him off," I tell him.

"No hello? How are you?" Elijah teases through the phone.

God help me. "Call. Him. Off."

Elijah chuckles and I feel my blood boiling. Who the hell does he think he is? "World doesn't revolve around you, darling. Aaron might just be shopping at the same store as you." His accent comes on thick.

"Cut the crap. I don't want someone tailing me around 24/7 nor did I ask for it. Call him off."

I end the call and walk toward my car. I get into it and instead of driving off before Wyatt– Aaron, slams himself through my windshield and drags me back to Elijah, but I stay steamed in my car, thinking of what the hell I've gotten myself into and if it's even worth it. 

. . . 
hey girlies
sorry for the short ch. but i was lk in 
a writing slumpp