Chapter 35
There was silence in the office between Carson and me. Clearing his throat, Carson moved in his seat before he talked. “So,” he said. “How are you after last night?” “I’m fine,” I whispered. “Thank you for rescuing me. How did you get close to me? A huge black wolf was staring at me before I passed out.” Carson stared at me for a moment and moved his head to the side. “A wolf, huh,” he said. “There was no wolf when I got there. It must have run off when he realized you wouldn’t hurt him.” My eyes stayed on him. It took everything in my whole power not to check him out. He looked good. “How did you know where to look for me?” I blurt out as I shook my intrusive thoughts away about the guy. He was a wet dream ready to happen, and whatever was between us was causing more problems for my core than anything. “He looks yummy,” Tala mumbled in my head, causing my face to heat. My eyes moved away from Carson. God, why was he so damn hot? “You okay there?” he asked, making me look at him. A smirk pulled the corners of his lips up. I nodded. “You didn’t answer my question?” I said, my cheeks flushed again. Why was he making me feel like this? I stared at him and watched as his tongue licked his bottom lip. He cleared his throat as he moved and pulled his shorts down slightly. “Well, Josh told me that there was trouble when your grandfather turned up,” he said, eyes on me. “He told me you ran into the forest, and I headed in the direction.” I frowned. “Where in the area?” I asked. “I mean, I didn’t see Josh on his phone when I was in the house. But saying that, I was a little preoccupied with the old man.” “Yeah, I was,” he said, touching the armrest. “What happened between you and your—” I shook my head. “Please don’t call him that name,” I muttered, closing my eyes. Images of the man came flooding back harshly, and his words. Why would he act that way toward me? I did nothing to him. I heard movement beside me, making me open my eyes just in time to see Carson place his hand in mine and gently squeeze me. A tingle rippled through our hands, making me jump slightly. What the hell was that? My eyes went to Carson, who was staring at me. “You okay?” he asked. I didn’t want to tell him what I felt. He might think I am crazy. “You’re not crazy,” Tala whispered. I felt my head get heavy. After a short moment, Tala let out a little sigh. “He is dreamy, isn’t he?” she said. What the hell was wrong with Tala? Ignoring her, I stayed focused on Carson. “I’m okay,” I murmured. “I don’t know what to think about the situation, though. How can an old man act like that toward a family member? Especially his own grandchild.” Carson’s face hardened. What the hell was his problem? “I don’t know,” he gritted out. “He clearly has some issues.” I stared at him as he continued. “Leah,” he said. “You won’t have anything to do with him again.” My eyebrows furrowed together. “What do you mean by that?” I asked. “By the way, where is my mum?” The word mum sounded foreign, but it was a genuine question. By now, she would have butted her nose in and tried to talk to me, but she wasn’t here. Carson sighed as his thumb traced over my knuckles. “Well, I have taken over your care,” he said, widening my eyes. “What do you mean you have taken over my care?” I whispered. “I don’t even know you.” Carson moved up in his seat and placed his hand on my knee. “Leah, I am the owner of this place,” he said, motioning around the room, indicating the building too. “I am the boss around here, and everyone follows my rules.” “What, you are rich or something?” I asked, sounding confused. How the hell did my mum know this guy? Carson chuckled. “Something like that,” he said and sighed. “I am rich, and this land is mine, including the houses. Everyone here is under my protection. I run a—” “Hotel,” I asked. It looks like a hotel with a hall and people wandering around the place. Carson stared. “Yeah, a hotel,” he said. “The houses are places where everyone who works here live as it gets too busy around here.” My mind was racing. This was all too much. “What about my mum?” I asked, arching my eyebrows up at him. “I bet she didn’t like being told she had no power over me.” Carson sniggered. “Correct,” he said but looked at me before he continued as he moved his head to the side again. “Leah, you can decide when you are ready to see her.” My eyes stayed on him for a moment. Carson was giving me a way of not seeing my mum for a few days. Everything that has happened over the last few days has been a train wreck, ready to happen, and my head needed time to process everything. “Thank you,” I muttered and sighed. “I must admit, I don’t want to see her for a few days. I need time to process everything. Do you know how hard it is to deal with death and having someone come back into your life, someone, may I add, who I haven’t seen in years? Thats not including being forced to move away from my home and friends. It’s a lot for anyone to take in.” Carson’s eyes softened. “I bet it is,” he said, his thumb tracing circles on my knee. Tingles from his touch, but I kept my eyes firmly on his. “You don’t have to do anything until you are ready.” I gave him a small smile. “Thank you.” Carson grinned. “Your mum arrived this morning to drop over some of your things,” he said. “I had someone make a new room up for you opposite mine, so if you need anything, you can just knock on my door.” What? “Umm… thanks,” I muttered but realizing something. “Can you tell my mum that I will see her in a few days to talk? I need to think and process everything.” Carson nodded. “I will,” he said. “She will understand.” At the three words he said, I huffed. “Yeah, right,” I said. “She hasn’t left me alone for days.” Carson tensed. “She means well, Leah,” he said, making me look at him. “She just wants you to know that she is here for you and that you were never too far from her mind.” I frowned, but Carson shook his head. “I’m not agreeing or anything with what she has done to you in the past,” he murmured. “To be honest, I believe she has been depressed after deciding to come here to be with Josh. She would have brought you here if she could.” I said nothing. I didn’t really want to talk about this and not with Carson. The person I needed to talk to was my mum, but I needed space. I needed to collect my thoughts and deal with everything.” “Sounds like a good plan,” Tala murmured. “See how it goes after a few days?” Carson stared at me and moved up. He sat back in his seat. “How about I show you to your new room?” he said, standing up with his hand out for me to take. “You can even decorate it how you like,” he murmured as we walked toward the door. “We see,” I said but stopped when we walked through the office door. I let Carson lead the way back to the room, and when we stood outside. 1 Carson opened the door before he spoke and let go of my hand. “I have some rules for you to follow,” he said, looking at me as I stepped inside. My eyes went wide as I took in the room. It was nothing like Carson’s room. It was white with a king-size bed, a wardrobe, and another door. I scanned around till my eyes landed on Carson, who smiled. “You like?” I nodded. “You have rules for me,” I asked, arching my eyebrows up at him. “What kind?” “The rules are you can’t leave the hotel unless someone is with you. You know me, my sister, and I will introduce you to my best friend Zain,” he said as he moved closer. “You must be in this room all night. Never leave, even if you hear any noise outside.” I frowned. “What do you mean by that?” I asked. Carson stood before me, making me gulp. “It’s for your protection. We have some wolves around here, and I don’t want you to get hurt.” An image of the big wolf from the forest came to mind. I gave a nod. I didn’t want to be anywhere near a wolf that size. He would eat me whole with his size. Tala giggled in my head. Clearing my throat, I tried to look away, only for Carson to place his thumb and finger on my chin to make me look at him. “Anything else,” I whispered. He was too close. His breath fanned my face. I held my breath. “Only one more,” he murmured as his eyes went to my lips and moved back to my eyes as he gulped. “You come to me for anything, even if it’s small. I want you to feel safe here.” Carson let go of my chin and stepped back. I let go of the breath I was holding and gave him a nod. “Okay,” I said. Carson smiled. “I have to get some work done,” he said, looking behind me. “Zain will be up here in an hour. He will bring your clothes and things your mum brought you.” I nodded. “See you in a bit,” I murmured. Carson nodded and turned around. He walked through the open door and closed it behind him. I stood rooted to the spot, but my eyes moved to the bed. Willing for my legs to move, I trudged to the bed and turned, letting myself fall on the bed. I landed on a soft mattress with my legs dangling over the edge. I let out a low sigh as I stared at the ceiling, wondering what the hell to do next.