Chapter 11 - Eavesdropping

***Stacey’s POV***



I stood at the window watching the sunrise, filling the gloomy Seattle skies with its vibrant orange, pink and yellow rays. I wrapped the big fluffy blanket I had found in the cupboard tightly around me as shiver coursed through my body.
After hearing Keiran and Zach’s conversation, I tossed and turned on the spacious bed for hours before giving up on sleep and staring out at the city’s twinkling lights.
There was a certain anxiousness I just couldn’t shake off. My heart kept skipping beats while goosebumps plagued my body. The static in the atmosphere made my body feel like I had touched a livewire, and my body was buzzing from the current. There was a thickness to the air, and breathing was a little difficult.
A small voice in my head kept telling me to go find Zach and confront him for his possessive behavior. However, deep down, his possessiveness was pulling a string in my heart. But why were his words making my heart happy?
Zach’s words kept playing in my head over and over again.
*“She’s mine, only mine”*.....
Was there a crazy sociopath hiding under the charming Adonis my body was so attracted to?
How could Zach be so possessive over someone he had met twice? He knew nothing about me besides all the information we shared during dinner last night. Well, the real me anyway.
I definitely had some kind of magnet that attracted crazy men. Why couldn’t I just find a regular guy for once?
I knew my life was never going to be normal until the demons of my past had been put behind bars. Although, that didn’t stop me from having dreams and desires. The desire to be wrapped in the arms of a man that loved me conditionally. The dream to have a family and a happily forever after.
I sighed and looked down at the scar on my elbow. The scar reminded me why I was never going to fulfill my dreams and desires. No one noticed my scar, but it was there, and I was glad it was there. Looking at it brought me back to reality.
However, today’s reality wasn’t clear. I had to talk to Derek as soon as possible and find out if my past had actually caught up to me.
What the hell would I do if they had really found me?
I closed my eyes, and memories of the crooked pink lips and hazel eyes filled the darkness. My heart skipped a beat, and dread tightened my chest.
A soft knock on the door pulled me out of the horror house in my head.
I took a deep breath and shook my head to clear my thoughts.
“Come in,” I called out.
The door slowly opened, and Zach walked in.
He was wearing a pair of navy blue pajama pants with a white vest. The vest clung to Zach’s body like a second skin, showing off his bulging biceps.
My lady bits quivered at the sight before me.
“Morning. How did you sleep?” Zach croaked. His voice was raspy. The bags under his eyes told me he hadn’t gotten any sleep last night.
“I didn’t get much sleep,” I confessed.
“Yeah, me neither.” Zach rubbed the back of his neck.
*What was his excuse?*
“Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes, please,” I replied a little too quickly.
Zach smiled, stepping aside for me to go first.
I threw the blanket on the bed and headed for the door, but the expression on Zach’s face had me stopping midstep.
He was glaring at me like I was some kind of meal he had been deprived of.
I quickly looked down at myself, trying to figure out what he was staring at.
I had clothes on, and nothing was exposed. So, what was Zach staring at so strangely?
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Umm, no-... nothing,” he stuttered, clearing his throat.
“Uh-huh. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?!” Zach raised his eyebrow.
“Like you will devour me at any second,” I stated.
Zach burst out laughing. Watching him laugh so carefree made my heart skip a beat.
He looked so adorable.
Once Zach sobered up, he ran his hand through his tousled hair.
“You described that very accurately. I now understand why guys like seeing girls in their clothing. It’s definitely delicious to look at. Wonder how yummy the meal would be?” Zach smirked, winking at me.
“Seriously? I’m sure one of your past lovers put on one of your shirts or t-shirts?” I rolled my eyes, ignoring his comment.
Zach’s smirk faded, “I’ve never brought a girl into my bed. I’ve always ended up in theirs, so they have never had access to my clothing. If I think about it, I’ve never brought a girl into any of my properties. It felt wrong to invite random girls into my sanctuary.”
I blinked rapidly, trying to digest what Zach had said.
“What?!” was all I managed to say.
“What?” Zach asked.
“Why am I here then?”
Zach laughed, “Because you, shortie, aren’t my lover. Although, if you’d like to change that, I would happily-...”
I raised my hand to stop him. “You are just, ugh. I need coffee.”
I walked past him and down the hallway.
Was Zach just making things up to get me into bed with him, or was he genuinely like this?
I wasn’t his lover, but I was still a random girl he had invited into his home. What was so special about me?
We walked into the kitchen, and Zach quickly grabbed two cups out of the cupboards.
“How do you take your coffee?” he asked, pouring my favorite black liquid into the cup.
“Milk with one sugar, please” I perched myself on one of the barstools.
Zach stirred the contents of my cup before placing it in front of me.
“I spoke to Clint this morning” Zach sipped on what looked like just black coffee.
“Really?” I glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was 7 am.
“This early?”
Zach snickered, “Yes, really. Clint is an early bird. His ex-military so has habits he could never shake off. Anyway, Clint said they should be done with your apartment by midday, so you can go after that. From what he explained, he doesn’t think you’ll be able to retrieve anything. But it’s worth having a looking, especially if you had valuables.”
I sighed and nodded, wrapping my hands around the cup.
“I’m sorry this is happening. The police will find out who did this. You are safe here, and you can stay as long as you like.” Zach sat on the stool next to me. He put his large warm hand over my wrist and squeezed it gently.
I had a lot of faith in the police department, but if the FBI couldn’t track and capture a notorious criminal, I was doubtful that the Seattle Police Department could.
I pretended to look down at my coffee, but actually, my eyes were locked on Zach’s hand. His touch was electrifying.
My throat started to burn with the question that had kept me up all night.
“Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice and attentive? You barely know me.” I murmured.
“You saved my life. And before you say you didn’t do much, let me emphasize that whatever you did do is why I’m still breathing. So, I’m helping you because you helped me” Zach smiled.
With how close he was sitting to me, I could make out the dimples his neatly trimmed beard was hiding.
“And that’s the only reason?” I asked, giving him a chance to come clean before saying something.
“Yeah, what else would it be?” Zach chuckled.
“*She’s mine, only mine*….” I quoted.
“To me, that sounds like you want to own me rather than help me. Am I wrong?” I looked up at Zach, keeping my eyes on his expression.
Zach’s smile slowly faded, and shock filled his beautiful gray eyes. His lips moved, but no sound came out.
“Wh-... What?... You heard that?” Zach stuttered.
I bit my lip and looked down at my cup again.
Zach sighed loudly and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
“You were eavesdropping on my conversations? How much did you hear?!” Zach growled.