A book could keep her mind busy and her thoughts from drifting. Outside in the snow, I felt her; felt her reaching closer to me. And it felt amazing.
I didn't want to let myself get wrapped up in her, but it was too late; I knew that already. I hadn't expected to start falling for this girl, and right now I could feel myself climbing that ladder.
Noella let out an excited squeal, wiggling her fingers rapidly. “I know I might sound like a nerd, but I love reading. I'm excited to see this library.”
“Yup, you sound like a geek alright.” My feet hit the marble tiles as we walked down the hallway. The pounding matched the rhythm of my heart beat. For some reason I was nervous, and fucking sweating like a teenage boy.
“Hey! I didn't say geek, I said nerd. Those are two totally different types of people.”
“Sure, if it makes you feel better.” My eyes opened wide, brows lifting to the ceiling.
Her hand came up and swatted my back. “It is.” She sternly said as she pushed her chin up higher.
We walked up to two large double doors, meticulously etched with old Mayan details. A large Mayan calendar and astronomical signs were deeply carved into the mahogany wood.
“Wow,” Noella said, as her fingertips traced the pictures.
“My dad's been big into that shit for years. He's all about their prophecies and the stars.” Yanking on the large metal pull, the door swung open with a soft creak.
I watched her jaw drop, hitting her neck. Noella spun in a circle as we entered the massive room. Her eyes shifted between all the shelves stacked with books, making their way over to the telescope resting in the window.
“This is incredible. Why didn't you show me this before?” she asked, bringing her face inches from the array of books at eye level.
“I didn't know you'd be interested.”
“I told you, there's a lot you don't know about me, Hegan.” Her lids slit tight, narrowing to look at me down her nose. “But you didn't exactly care to find out either.” She tugged a book off the shelf and flipped through the pages.
That statement stung, and at the time I didn't understand why. She was right, I found out the bare minimum. I only knew about her mom because of Gloria and her runaway mouth. If Gloria hadn't let that slip during our conversation, I wouldn't have this leverage.
“Excuse me, Sir, can I be of any assistance?” For that brief moment I'd forgotten that Stefan was even there. He'd been tucked away in the corner, blending in with the statues my dad acquired over the years.
“No. We're fine, Stefan. Noella wants to check out the books.” Turning to look at her I asked, “Do you see anything? I need to go get a few things done—”
“Go ahead, I can find my way back,” she said, cutting me off. “I'd like to look around if you don't mind.”
I was hesitant, I didn't want to leave her alone with him. What if Stefan got nosy? Started asking her questions?
The last thing I needed was my dad finding out what the hell I was doing. He needed to think this was the real deal; a real woman hanging over my arm.
Not a stripper I'd bought for myself only to have a baby; the baby he demanded I gave him.
My stomach started to churn; fear of what my dad might do or take away from me; began boiling inside my gut.
“Don't worry, Hegan. I'll make sure she gets back to her room just fine.” Stefan stepped forward, nodding his head.
What the fuck should I do? Do I let her roam around in here with him?
Leaning into her ear I whispered. “Don't tell this man too much, he can't be trusted.”
Glaring up at me under hooded lids, she dropped her eyes back to the book. Gripping her shoulder I shot a glance back at Stefan and walked out of the room.
I wasn't going to be gone long, that I was sure of.
I only needed to make one call.
To my father.
Chapter Fourteen
Noella
I could feel him watching me, his piercing eyes burrowed into my back. Steadily, I shoved the book back onto the shelf, peeking over my shoulder. Stefan was standing motionless, arms tugged back behind him. He didn't look like he could be much older than Hegan, maybe thirty-five.
Flashing a light smile, I ran my fingers over the wave of books. He looked harmless, a man sent here to do a job. Stefan was a butler, a servant to the family. What was Hegan so worried about?
The man had stood behind me, voiceless and stone still; just watching. Which was a little creepy in its own right, but maybe that's how this goes. I didn't know, I never had a butler or maids, everything in my house was kept up by us.
I had grown up doing chores, running errands, typical stuff any normal person does. Having someone around to do all that for me seemed so bizarre.
Stefan wasn't eyeing anything else in the room, just me. And that was more uncomfortable to me than standing on a stage, removing my clothes. At least at Tigress I had a little control.