Natasha's Awakening (70 page)

                                                                      Chapter 30

“Baby wake up,” Eric’s voice penetrated Natasha’s dream she was having of them making love. She turned, a sleepy smile on her face and reached out for him but he held her back. His rejection was enough to wake her fully and she looked up at him, hurt clearly evident on her face.

Eric groaned. “Baby don’t look like that. I need to talk to you and I can’t concentrate if you touch me.”

When Natasha looked into his face, she could see straight away that something was wrong. He looked worried and tension had tightened his lips.

“What’s wrong?” She sat up reaching up to cup his cheek.

“Alex called baby. A woman got into the office and has gone through the personal files for everyone.”

“Everyone? Who? What are you talking about Eric? What woman?” Suddenly her eyes widened. “Oh god, you don’t mean Vivian?”

Eric nodded. “Alex doesn’t know her for obvious reasons and we only ran into her at the restaurant last night so I didn’t think we were going to potentially have a problem with her, but yes, from Alex’s description, it sounds like its Vivian. He caught her coming out of the office, but she managed to bluff her way through why she was there. Fuck, I could kill Alex for not keeping an eye on things. He’s my PA for fuck sakes.”

“Eric, you can’t blame Alex. He’s never met Vivian and she does know how to turn on the charm when it suits her. She probably gave him a convincing story.”

“He wasn’t in the office baby. He’d gone to lunch and he caught her coming out of the office when he got back. He didn’t realise anything had happened until he noticed the back up disc for the computer is missing. It’s the one with staff details on it. Everything for you is still on it plus I have lists of my properties and details relating to them on it.”

“How the hell did she get her hands on that Eric? You normally have something sensitive like that secure.” Natasha felt the first tiny shiver of fear up her spine.

“Alex was using the damned thing baby. He was updating files as we’ve had some staff changes. He’d left everything out while he went to lunch. I’m not happy with him at all. Now that bitch has her hands on files for everyone on staff. God knows what she intends doing with it but I’m more concerned about her showing up at our home.”

“Can’t you call the police? It’s definitely Vivian is it?”

“From Alex’s description, it’s her. He doesn’t know her of course. She was from before his time and when he questioned her, she told him she’d been out of the country for a few months and had hoped to surprise me. It’s her, I have no doubt about that.” Eric’s expression was grim.

“Well shouldn’t you call the police?” Natasha asked again.

“I have baby. The police have been around to Vivian’s home but she’s not there. According to neighbours she’s flown out of the country on business. The police won’t do much, there’s no proof and they’re always reluctant to do anything on heresay, so I’m hiring a private investigator.”

“So what happens now Eric? What do we do? Vivian must have wanted the information for some reason. What do you mean the police have no proof? Alex saw her so he should be able to identify her.” Natasha’s eyes suddenly grew large. “Oh hell, I thought I saw her when we were leaving the beach today then again when we got the kebabs, I saw a woman who looked like her. I didn’t say anything because I thought it was my imagination, but what if it was her? That would mean she’s following us.”

“God baby, why didn’t you say something? When you thought you saw her?” Eric groaned.

“I almost did, but when I looked again, I couldn’t see her. I just thought it was my imagination playing tricks on me. After how much she upset me I thought I was seeing her in every blonde woman we passed and I didn’t want to cause tension between us again.” Natasha’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry Eric.”

“Oh baby,” He gathered her up into his arms. “Baby it’s not your fault. How were you to know? How were any of us to know? We’ll find her and then the police can deal with her but in the meantime I’ll get a private investigator and I’ll take out a restraining order on her if necessary. Hopefully that will be enough to keep her away. Vivian is obviously a little unstable, but I don’t think she’s a criminal. Still, I’m not talking any risks. I’m sorry baby, but we’re going to have to call our honeymoon short and get home again.”

“I had a feeling that was going to happen anyway Eric. I understand that being home is probably the best place to be right now. Still, if Vivian has your address, what will you do if she comes around to the house?”

“Well apart from the restraining order, the house has a full security system baby. If I have to, I’ll employ someone to watch the house. We’ll get her, don’t worry.” But Natasha did. She was so close to having the twins now, she had thought all she’d have to focus on would be their birth and preparing for it, not worrying about a crazy ex girlfriend of Eric’s.

“So when do we go home?” She asked and Eric told her they’d spend tonight in the hotel, and head back tomorrow.

“We lose a day baby. I’m sorry, but I need you home where you are safe.”

“How safe is it though if Vivian knows where you live? She could come to the house. I hate this, I thought she was just a jealous ex girlfriend. I never expected that she could become dangerous.” Natasha’s eyes were worried when she looked up at Eric.

“I won’t let her hurt you, I promise. She’s a bitch, but I can’t imagine she’d do anything of a criminal nature, apart from what she’s done, taking the files. Wanting access to our details sounds like a woman who is going to stalk, not necessarily cause harm.”

Natasha didn’t feel any comfort at Eric’s words. She’d heard of jealous ex’s and they could go too far and harm people. The question was, how far would Vivian go?

“Why now Eric, why is she doing this now? We’ve been together for months, we got married a couple of days ago, so what’s taken her so long? Last night was the first time we’ve seen her since you used to go out with her. She said she was at the restaurant with her lover so she’s obviously got someone new. Why come after you now? Why try to destroy our relationship now? She’s had plenty of time to do this?”

“It’s not the first time I’ve seen her baby.” Eric looked a bit sheepish. “She’s turned up at the office a few times, this was months ago though and I thought I’d given her the brush off for good, finally, as I’ve not heard from her for a few months. It turns out she really has been out of the country. Her job involves a lot of travel baby, have you forgotten, she’s a model. If you really did see her at the beach and the shops, then she’s not out of the country as she’s led her neighbours to believe.”

“Well she can’t be away Eric since she stole the file from the office today.” Natasha pointed out.

“That was several hours ago baby. Alex had tried to call a few times. I didn’t take my mobile when we went to the beach.”

“But if that was her at the beach, how did she know where we were? The file doesn’t tell her things like that. It mustn’t have been her I guess because I can’t figure out how she’d know where we were.” Natasha said.

“My guess is she got that information when she was in the office. Alex has the hotel details in case he needed to contact me. It was to be only for an emergency. If she’s been watching the hotel, she might have followed us to the beach. It’s amazing how sneaky people can get when they stalk someone. Why the hell she’d bother lowering herself that much to chase after us when I made it perfectly clear I don’t want her anymore, I have no idea.”

“So why didn’t he contact the hotel when you didn’t answer your mobile? I can almost understand Vivian following you and wanting you back. You’d be a hard act to follow.”

Eric couldn’t help grinning at her comment before his face turned serious again. “He did call baby but since he called, the hotel has gone through a staff change on reception apparently. Somewhere along the way, his message to call didn’t make it through to the new staff. Don’t worry, I’ve made it perfectly clear I’m not happy with the hotel’s fuck up.” His expression showed he would have given someone hell and Natasha couldn’t help but feel slightly sorry for whoever had ended up on the receiving end of his wrath.

“God this is turning into such a mess Eric. How the hell did you end up going out with a woman like Vivian in the first place? Ok, most of your girlfriends seemed a bit…well….cold….self centred, but she seemed to take being a bitch to a new level.” She said, looking to see how he reacted to her criticism of his ex.

“I know Natasha, I don’t know what the hell possessed me to go out with her. It was purely just sex and she looked good for business functions where I needed someone on my arm.” Eric watched Natasha flinch at the mention of sex. “I’m sorry baby, but that’s all my ex girlfriends were for, sex. The thing that makes me crazy is that you were there, working right next to me and although I thought you were beautiful, you never gave me any indication that you might have been interested in more. If I’d only known, I could have saved us all this crap now.” His smile was rueful.

“It’s pointless wishing for things that we can’t change Eric. We just have to get through this and hope that Vivian doesn’t actually do anything. She has to know that she’ll put her career and possibly even her freedom at risk if she does something stupid.”

“I hope you’re right baby, but I’m not taking any risks with you or our babies. I need to keep you safe. I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to you sweetheart.” Eric pulled her close, his arms holding her so tight, Natasha could barely breathe.

“Eric...please...air. I can’t breathe.” She gasped and his grip loosened, but he wouldn’t let her go. She could feel a faint tremor running through his body as his fear started to consume him. “Eric, it’s ok, nothing is going to happen. Please, don’t look for the worst case scenarios. I know you’ll keep us all safe. Lets not waste the rest of the day worrying about something we can’t change for now. I’m going to need food soon, I’m actually feeling hungry, despite the whole Vivian thing. Are we going out for dinner or eating here?”

“I’m not leaving this hotel Natasha until we go home tomorrow. We can eat here or the hotel’s restaurant, take your pick.” Eric sat back, his expression serious. “This hotel is safe. The restaurant is only open to guests, so no one can just come in off the street and eat here. If you want to go down and eat, we’ll do that, or I can order in.”

“Can we eat in the restaurant? It’s our last chance and I know it probably sounds silly, but that’s where we first met up remember? I met you in the restaurant and well…” She broke off, blushing.

Eric’s face softened, his eyes burned as he remembered that night in the restaurant too. “Oh I remember that night well baby. You were beautiful, amazing, so responsive and you got me so aroused I thought I was going to come at the damned table.” He growled softly. “Ok we’ll dine in the restaurant then but on one condition.”

“What’s that?” Natasha asked.

“You do as you did last time and don’t wear any panties.” He grinned.

All she could do was groan. “Are you serious Eric? Look at me. I’m so big now, I can’t see my feet anymore. I can’t see down there anymore actually and you want me to sit in the restaurant exposed? I need a tidy up below Mr Rothman. Things are getting a bit out of control. If you take care of things for me, I’ll do as you ask.”

Eric’s face was priceless. “You want me to shave you baby? Damn, now that’s going to drive me to the point of insanity, you know that, don’t you?” He sighed. “If you want me to shave you baby, I’ll do it. Do you trust me?” Eric’s eyes searched hers.

“Of course I do, with my life. Come on Mr CEO, you’re not squeamish are you?” Natasha teased.

“Hell no Mrs Rothman, you just lie back and relax. I’ll go get the razor and everything else I need.” He got off the bed. “I’ll be right back.”

Natasha watched Eric until he disappeared into the bathroom. He wasn’t gone all that long and then he was back with his razor, shaving cream, washers and towels.

“Get comfortable baby and then I’ll slip this pillow under you, ok?” Eric waited until she was lying back and he got her to raise her bottom off the bed enough to slip a pillow and towel under her. “I’ll take your clothes off for you, raise that gorgeous bum for me for a moment.” And when she did, Eric slipped Natasha’s shorts and panties down her legs and tossed them onto the floor at the side of the bed.

“Now legs up and spread them for me.” He said and Natasha couldn’t help giggling.

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” She joked and Eric looked up at her, grinning.

“Well not anymore baby, only you.” His gaze went back to between her legs.

Natasha couldn’t help but feel a little self conscious. Exposing herself to Eric didn’t seem to bother her when it was during sex, but this was different. Suddenly she couldn’t stop worrying about how untidy she probably looked down there. Maybe she should have had a shower first. Her mind was busy going over what she looked like from his angle.

“What are you thinking about baby? Don’t tell me nothing. I can tell by the way you’re tearing that lip of yours apart that something’s on your mind.” Eric’s voice interrupted her musings.

Natasha started, she hadn’t realised she was chewing on her bottom lip until he spoke. “I…I..it’s just that…” She stammered.

“What is it baby? You can tell me? It’s not this problem with Vivian is it? I thought we were going to try and put her out of our minds for the rest of the day.”

“No Eric, it’s not her, it’s just me suddenly worrying about how it’s looking down there. Is a razor going to do it or are we talking a chainsaw at this point?” Natasha couldn’t control the colour flooding her cheeks. “You know when we’re making love, you being down there doesn’t bother me, but something about you looking any other time suddenly makes me worry that things are probably looking a bit neglected and I haven’t had a shower and…”

Eric’s voice cut her off. “God baby, don’t be silly. You’re beautiful, you smell great, you always smell great.” He grinned.” I think we can survive without the chainsaw so stop worrying about something like that. Now brace yourself, I’m going to spray the shaving cream on you now.” He told her.