LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) (24 page)

"Well, he may have crossed over to the dark side, now, and I'm sitting at the crosshairs of his psychological problems."

"I am so sorry, Joanna, dear. Are you going to call the police about him?"

"Yes, and Tristan has his security detail working on tracking him down as well. He's dangerous, mom. If he'd go so far as to track me down and plant a bomb at my hotel, there's no telling what he's got in mind for you."

"He's quite an obsessive man, Joanna. Once he's decided that someone has harmed him, he can be relentless. Be very careful!"

"So, mom, you're not worried about what Dick might do to you?"

"Not really! He blamed all his problems on you. I never dreamed he would go after you the way he did, though."

"Well, I'd feel better if you’d call the police, mom. You may not think he'll go after you but maybe he'll spread the web wider to cause me pain."

"That's true, Joanna. I'll discuss it with Bob and then make a decision about whether to contact the police or not."

"Alright mom," I sigh with impatience. "Just wanted to get the goods on Dick."

"Thanks, Joanna. I love you, darling."

"Bye, mom. Love you." I hang up and feel that familiar role reversal. I'm the parent while my mother is the young adult. She's clueless about her own vulnerability. Well, at least I have a better understanding of Richard Dawson's psychological state.

I update everyone about what Carmen shared. They're investigating his psychological and social profile as we come in for a landing at the San Diego private air strip.

I tell Tristan about why Dick blames me for his problems and my mother's nonchalance about her own safety. I'm upset that Carmen has kept so much of this information about Richard to herself.

"Joanna, she probably didn't want to worry you, baby," he explains.

"But, it's almost as if she didn't think it was important for me to know about his obsession with me."

"She probably didn't consider him a threat until now."

"What worries me, Tristan, is that she still doesn't really consider Dick a threat to herself."

"You've touched on the core of Carmen's problem. She's a very self-absorbed kind of person. If it doesn't concern her very own needs, she's not that worried."

"That’s just it, Tristan. I'm her daughter and she isn't that worried about me."

"Well, Joanna, I'd like to believe that she feels you're safe with me."

"That would be nice, if it were true. However, Carmen really doesn't know that much about you, other than you're rich and my boyfriend."

"There it is. She's caught up in the view that I can do anything because I have the resources."

"Well, can you?" I tease. At that point, Bailey takes Tristan and me into the SUV. Hawk left another vehicle at the airport and seems quite pleased to chauffeur Janelle to her place. We wave goodbye and then climb into our waiting vehicle.

"Where you're concerned, I'd like to believe that I can. However, as our experience last night demonstrated, my powers are limited. In some ways, my wealth makes me more vulnerable."

"Tristan, that makes me wonder how Richard found me. Was it because of you?"

"How could that be? If he knew I was here, he would have placed the bomb on the 30th floor and outside my suite."

"The only clue that you were here might be from the confrontation you had with Michael. Hopefully they don’t’ know each other. So, perhaps I'm safer with you."

"That's what I think, Joanna. You should move in with me. Then we can keep you protected with 24/7 security. Bailey and Hawk will get to the bottom of this issue. They'll find Richard Dawson, if it takes them all year."

"Now that you mention it, I remember feeling eyes on me at times when you weren't around. Like when I went to Luigi’s with the gang from work and then when I was out and about in Manhattan."

"So, you'll move your things to my place right away?" Tristan asks with eagerness. There's such a hopeful and sexy look in his eyes as he asks the question.

"I guess for now. Yeah, at least most of my things. Do you want me to move into your spare bedroom?" He seems relieved at my answer.

"Of course not. I want to share my bedroom with you. I want you in my bed and in my arms, every night, angel."

"Then, you really liked my performance the other night?" I ask with a naughty expression on my face.

"Joanna, when I took your virginity last night, I was the happiest man on this planet. Connecting with you, physically, was profound. However, this is not simply about the sex. I can’t explain how complete you make me feel."

"You said that you loved me, Tristan."

He looks frightened and vulnerable when he looks into my eyes. "The way I feel about you is so powerful that it frightens me, Joanna. Have no doubt that I’m in love with you, baby. I hope you feel the same way."

"I think I do, Tristan. I'm afraid though because of all the broken relationships that Carmen experienced. I don’t want to be that way. Perhaps we'll be different."

"Joanna, I think we’re unique. There are very few people who have the profound connection that we do."

"I want that to be true. You’re better than all the therapists in my books, Tristan."

He scoffs and then pulls me into his arms for a long hug and sighs.

"Thank goodness for your resources, Tristan."

"Now let me show you some other resources that I happen to possess," Tristan jokes as we drive toward his place.

"That sounds delicious, Tristan. I can’t wait to take my lesson with you."

Joanna’s POV

When I return to work on Friday, it's just Edwin and me. Janelle takes Friday off to clean up her clothes and recover. Ryan tells anyone who will  listen about the terrorist bombing at our hotel. I refuse to share the revelation about Richard Dawson's involvement in the incident. Ryan's probably also spreading the word about who I'm dating. A few of the TTP employees, that I don't know well, are beginning to look at me with curiosity.

My Adonis comes to mind again. Last night entailed the most incredible sexual exploration yet. Not only did I get to sit on top
and squeeze but
this time Tristan used his fingers to stimulate my other opening, down there.
His touch sends me to the moon.
His expertise always takes me to the next level. Yum!

I debate how much I want to tell Edwin about Janelle's situation. She called him last night and brought him up to speed about her adventures in the bathtub. She doesn't know about Richard, since it's on the QT between me and Tristan's security team. Hawk knows enough to keep her out of the loop.

There's a world of hurt headed Edwin's way if Janelle is serious about Hawk. But, it's certainly not my place to give him a head's up about it. Poor Edwin. He's so devoted to Janelle and she may feel conflicted about her feelings toward both men. He lets me know that they are going out on Saturday evening. Perhaps Janelle will let Edwin know about his competition then. If not, things at work could get very tense.
I know my first loyalty will be to Janelle.
At least, I'm absolutely sure about who I love.

My work on therapy outcomes absorbs all of my time on Friday. The less I think about R
ich
ard Dawson, the more comfortable I feel. However, I need to press Carmen for more information about why Dawson blamed me for his misfortunes. I wonder when he crossed over to the dark side in terms of his mental health issues. When I reflect on it further, that was probably around the time that he became a voyeur.
At least it may have started at that point.

During my lunch hour, I put a call into Carmen's phone but it goes straight to voice mail. She's probably busy selling real estate with her husband, Bob. I hope they've decided that Richard's mental state is precarious enough to alert the authorities.

Tristan picks me up after work and takes me to Bertrand’s for dinner. I've never been to this place before and the view is incredible with floor to ceiling windows. We eat while the restaurant rotates 360 degrees. Bailey provides security by standing outside the entrance to the restaurant.
He could stop a truck but not a bomb.

"Has your mother shared any new information about Richard?" Tristan asks while we relax over our wine.

"She hasn't even returned my call from noon. I think Carmen would prefer to be in denial about the entire R
i
chard Dawson incident," I sigh while playing footsies with Tristan under the table.

"Keep that footwork up, Prime, and I'll take you under the table," he threatens with a sexy smirk. His green eyes look deeply into mine. He's smitten with me, there's no doubt.

"That sounds interesting! Then I can watch the cityscape rotate while I get sent to the moon. It will add an entirely new dimension to my sexual gratification."

"Maybe I'll reserve this entire restaurant one night so that we can make love while the room rotates around us at the same time," he teases. "Perhaps I'll vary some of my techniques to match the rotation."

I snort with humor. "You are the ultimate romantic, Tristan."
He's just too sexy for his own good.

He kisses the knuckles of my hand while I finish my wine. Then we head back to his condo for another evening of sexual exploration.

On the drive to his place, I push for details about what his investigations have revealed about my nemesis.

"What have you discovered about R
i
chard Dawson?"

"He worked at Luigi's Bar and Grill as a 'bus boy' until last Sunday evening," Tristan admits after some hesitation.

"Really? So, he might have seen us and seen me there on a couple of occasions?"

"Seeing you again may have set Richard off."

"How did he obtain the funds and the materials to follow me to NYC and to set a bomb off?"

"That's what we want to discover. Perhaps Carmen has some information about
contacts;
friends or relatives that Richard had in New York."

"I never paid much attention to his family tree," I admit. "Though, come to think of it, he did visit his Aunt Bessie there once when he was married to Carmen."

"Then we need to follow that lead. Why don't you call Carmen tomorrow and we'll pump her for more information about her ex? Perhaps Hawk can convince her to spill the beans, since he's so good at charming women."

I chuckle. "Carmen will be like
warm
caramel candy in Hawk's hands. Right now, all I want to think about, Tristan, is you."

"That's a brilliant answer, Joanna. Are you ready for your next lesson?" he asks as we arrive at the penthouse. I smile like a villain and shake my head in the affirmative. He kisses my head with affection before taking me into his arms for a hug
and a longer kiss on the lips. I’m such a fortunate young woman.

That night I get the full Tristan Grey massage before I start bouncing away on the lap of my gorgeous and thrilled lover. I'm amazed with the orgasmic state of our relationship. He's moaning in ecstasy
as I perfect my moves on his organ.

"Oh, baby, I'm almost ready to flip you over and show you what this candy man can do when he's healed," Tristan promises me after we're fully sated.

I giggle in delight. "When will the candy be delivered, sir?"

"My doctor thinks it will take another week before my ribs can really get a workout. Then, you'd better watch your ass!"

I blink my eyes
in a seductive manner a
nd give him a
sexy
smile while holding my butt. "I'm looking forward to the change in perspective, Mr. Grant."

"Are you now? You're always such an eager pupil, Ms. Prime. That's what I love about you Joanna."  

We both sleep soundly wrapped around each other. I'm so secure at Tristan’s place.

On Saturday morning, Carmen finally returns my call.

"Joanna, I've tried to remember as much as possible about Richard. He said something about a year ago regarding a possible job on the docks in San Diego. But, don't worry. I never told him a thing about your location, then or now. In fact, we haven't talked since last year."

"That's good. Did he have connections in NYC?"

"He was a favorite nephew of his Aunt Bessie who had a young son that Richard doted on. They got on well as I recall."

"That helps to know. Do you happen to remember where Bessie lived or the name of her son?"

"I think Richard mentioned the Queens area and I
believe
his younger cousin was named Michael."

"Can you recall anything about Bessie or Michael's surname?" 

"I don't think so. Oh wait, maybe it was Haven or Heaven, something like that because I always thought of angels when Richard said her name."

"Thanks, mom. You've been really helpful. I mean it!"

"Glad to know that I still have a memory.  My menopausal symptoms make me feel befuddled half the time. Did your boyfriend's security
team
turn up anything new about Richard?"

"Just that he worked at Luigi's Bar and Grill across the street from where I work. I've been there a couple of times. He may have seen me and then heard the gang from work talk about the conference. What's interesting is that I never saw him there."

"He probably worked behind the scenes. Richard was never very charming so they wouldn't have hired him as a server."

"I cannot imagine why he despised me so much that he wanted to kill me, mom. Can you?"

"After I divorced him, he became increasingly irrational. His life started spiralling out of control. I urged him to get psychological help and I think he did, at first."

"When do you think he became obsessed with
the idea that I was the source of all his problems
?"

"Around the time he lost his job, one year ago. He kept saying it was all that little bitch's fault."

"I never said a word about your whereabouts though and thought little of it. You know, like you'd dismiss the ramblings of a lunatic."

"Yeah, I guess, but I wish you'd let me know about his issues. I could have kept an eye out for him."

"I'm so sorry, Joanna. By the way, I did file a police report about a possible stalker for me and ID'd Richard as the source. The local police are on the alert."

My body sags with relief. "I'm so pleased to hear that mom."

"Joanna, I've gotta go. Bob's signalling me that our golf tee time has just come up. Talk later, honey. Love you,"

"Bye mom, love  you, and thanks!"

I share all the contact information that I can with Tristan and his team. They immediately focus in on any Bessie Haven or Heaven's living in Queens. The fact that her son is named Michael should help them sort through the options.

"You're really helping us zero in on this creep. Why did he want you  hurt or injured anyway?"

"Carmen says he believes that I led him on, which is completely ridiculous. Once the marriage ended, he was at loose ends with everything. She thinks he began to lose his grip on reality about a year ago, when he was homeless.  However, she did mention that he may have had a job working on the docks in San Diego."

"My poor, baby! Did you think you might have given him any reason to believe that you wanted him?" Tristan asks and I see a glimmer of the green eyed monster appear in his eye.

"Tristan look at me. I was fifteen years old, skinny as a rail, I wore glasses, and I was a book worm," I state with confidence. "I never flirted with him or really, even looked at him. I despised him after he started using the belt on me."

"Maybe he found that bookish look appealing," Tristan observes with a hint of a smile but I can see that he's mollified by my explanation.

"Even my mother will tell you that I was always modest and quiet. I never made a show of myself and I was far from sexually appealing."