Page 14 of Come Take Me Now

What a fucking man.

“I should go.” I turn to my car and open the driver’s side door. “Thanks again for everything.”

“Of course. And don’t forget what I said about Enzo.”

I hold the door open with one hand. “Right…and to answer your question, I’m good on that drink.” Mick’s face falls as I duck inside, and I swiftly shut the door and buckle in before he can try to talk me into it. I suck in a breath as I turn the key and exhale as the engine starts normally.

Thank God.

But now, where to go from here? Dad’s or where I belong?

Chapter Five

Enzo

I roll up to the pull-off just before the road dips down to Tilly’s house. It’s a convenient lookout spot I found a couple of days ago driving to a meeting. From the lookout, I can see into her room through the modern floor-to-ceiling windows, especially after dark if the curtains are left open. I’d like to think she intentionally kept them open in case someone was watching. Part of me wishes she wanted me to see her. Idling in the black Escalade I borrowed from Mom, I kill the headlights.

It’s Saturday night. Her hair is sleek, falling down her back in perfectly straight locks. Her hair isn’t the natural, messy wave it was the day I met her, which makes me think she got ready for someone. And that strappy romper? I hate whoever gets to see her in it. Unless it’s me.

You’re too dressed up, Tills. You better not be going on a fucking date.

If I find her out with Mick, I swear it’ll send me to the fucking moon, and I’ll make whatever happens to him look like an accident.

Tilly shutting off the light in her room brings my attention back before I can plan Mick’s demise too in depth. I pick up my phone from the leather center console and pull up the tracking app. Her car pings on the map at her dad’s house, and I watch the map as her car leaves. My eyes flick up just as the headlights of her Camry flash past me.

Good call on my part leaving the truck at home.

She’s heading to Napa. I keep the app open and prop the phone in the cupholder, waiting until she’s farther away. When she’s far enough ahead that I won’t catch her, I flip the lights back on and U-turn to head in the same direction. My eyes flicker between my phone and the road. I mind my speed too, so I stay back. She must be going to a bar or a restaurant, and if I have to name a reason for following her, I’m just curious if she has plans or is looking to meet someone.

She finally stops, and I know it’s a bar. Not the best in the area, nor what I would have chosen, but she couldn’t have known. And what a lucky girl to have me keeping tabs on her.

I park outside at the opposite end of the parking lot from her car. I can see into the bar enough through the large windows on the side of the building, so I kill the headlights again and idle. Even from here, she looks stunning in that strappy black romper. The thin straps draw attention to her toned arms, and in the overhead lights of the bar, her hair appears even silkier. Nothing would please me more than wrapping it around my fist while she’s on my cock.

Holy shit, calm down.

To my pleasure, she doesn’t seem to be meeting anyone. Not yet. No one was there waiting for her, but she could still be expecting someone. She sits at the bar, sipping a clear drink and playing on her phone.

What are you waiting for, Tilly?…Me?

My eyes glaze over just as a few men circle her, blocking my view. I sit up straighter in my seat. One of them moves away enough for me to see that she’s spooked by her wide eyes. I just know in my gut she’s trying to be polite but deeply uncomfortable. She stands from her barstool, but the men don’t let her through.

Fuck!

My vision turns red as I snatch my phone from the cupholder and shut the car off. I slam the SUV door and black out on my way to the entrance. I could have run, for all I know.

“Get the fuck away from my girlfriend!”

Who just said that?

Oh…me.

The group turns to look at me with wide eyes. Tilly breaks through the group and rushes right. She throws her arms around me and presses her face into my chest. Her hair grazes my arm, and it’s even softer than I could have imagined. I instinctively kiss the top of her head. “Sorry, I’m late,” I say into her hair, as if she were expecting me.

“Thank you,” she whispers. I can feel her rapid heart rate thudding against my side.

The group returns to their table, and I sigh in relief that they backed off so easily. I’m bigger than all of them, but I’d gladly cause a scene for this girl if I had to.

I glance down at the goddess still attached to me. “What are you doing here?” I hoarsely ask.