Chapter Eight – Another Visitor

As he had expected, Edward's phone rang, the light chime of his mobile a mismatched tone compared to his concerned expression. He raised the phone to his ear, the faint echo of Alice's earlier warning playing on a loop in his mind.

"I can't tell you much, Edward. But I see a clear, night sky. And I see her terrified … reaching for you. She's not safe."

He had been following her ever since.

"Hello?"

"Edward? I need your help." Her anxiety level was elevated, her normally calm tone quivering with frustration.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" The cloudy evening obscured her silhouette as Edward watched her pacing figure from a convenience store window less than three blocks away.

The words spilled from her mouth before she had time to process them. "I just – my tire's flat. This is a fucking brand new car. And I've had a really shitty day, and all I want to do is go home. I fucked up at work, and my—"

"Whoa, slow down." Edward heard her sigh as she tried to suppress her nerves. "Where are you?" he asked. The question was necessary to protect his secret, but it felt silly as his eyes were focused, unblinking, on her feminine outline several yards away.

"I'm still at work." She raked her hand through her hair, her heels clacking on the pavement as she paced around her car. "I don't even know if you can change a tire, but I've never done it on my own before … I have a spare in my trunk."

"I'm not that far away. I can be there in a few minutes, okay?" He heard his voice echo through the phone as he exited the convenience store, and he hoped it sounded more reassuring to her than it did to him.

She didn't respond. Her silence caused him to pause in the parking lot, a light mist dampening his face. From this location, he could no longer see her figure. He licked his lips to rid them of the excess moisture. "Do you want me to stay on the phone with you?"

"Someone's watching me." Amy froze. She felt her heart pounding inside her chest, her eyes wide as they attempted to focus on the unknown shadow standing outside a parked car, staring. The combination of the cool mist and the sweat developing under her clothes made her feel ill.

Edward inhaled sharply in an attempt to track any kind of unfamiliar scent. Nothing. No abnormal smells. No unusual voices. He couldn't tell if he was more or less worried by the unfamiliarity. "Where? Who do you see?"

His voice was quiet and dangerous, her pulse pounding in her ear. Amy watched the unknown figure outside the black car. The person had a hood on, obscuring any hair and features, but the body type looked male. "I don't know. He's standing outside a car just watching me. Alone. I can't see a face." Her voice was quieter, her breathing faster.

"Start walking toward the road. If he starts following you, you run." He spoke quickly and sprinted to his silver Volvo, slipping inside and starting the car. He threw the car in reverse and slammed on the accelerator to back out of his parking space, the wheels screeching on the pavement with the abrupt movement. In another second, the vehicle was piercing forward through the now steadily falling rain.

Oh my God, I'm going to totally freak out! Where are you? Get here, get here, get here!

"I'm coming." He answered her voice calling out to him inside his head. This was only the second time he had ever been able to read her mind.

Amy walked briskly toward the main road, the raindrops weighing down her eyelashes. She turned around and squinted through the falling rain to look for the stranger.

The unknown figure was following her, the black figure moving slowly through the precipitation. But in an instant, his head suddenly whipped to the right. The stranger moved in a fury, and his car jolted to life. Its headlights cut through the drizzle, the thin, sparkling pillars of mist showcased by the bright beams. In a flurry of movement, the car had turned around and was speeding away from her.

"I think he's leaving." Her voice sounded breathless. The sound of a vigorous motor was rapidly approaching, and within a second, Edward's Volvo appeared. He turned into the parking lot and parked beside her. He threw open the door and stepped out.

"Are you okay?" He walked toward her, his face contorted into a muddle of worry and anger. He quickly scanned the area, his senses tracking nothing.

"How did you get here so fast?" She backed up a few paces, aghast at the speed of his sudden appearance.

"I told you I wasn't far away." He ran a hand through his damp hair, then slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he studied her face. Raindrops were falling from her wet hair onto her pale cheek. It gave the illusion of tears, the image luring him to her even more.

What the hell is going on? "I don't … this day has just been so …" Fucked up. She turned away from him and dug her fingers into her long, blonde locks.

He could still read her thoughts intermingled with her words. If his heart wasn't permanently still in his chest, he knew it would be beating in anticipation.

I've been this fucking magnet for trouble. Nothing is going right. NOTHING. "This has been the worst day. I don't even …"

"Hey, it's okay. Come on. Get in the car and out of the rain." Edward took a step toward her and extended his hand.

"How is it okay?!" She whipped around to face him, and he knew the tears falling from her eyes were no longer raindrops. "I'm alone here at night with a flat tire and suddenly I'm being followed? Or-or stalked? Random stuff is missing from my office? This entire day – no – really, this entire week has just been—"

Edward exhaled and took a step forward, wrapping his arms securely around her back and pulling her into his chest. She became silent, her arms lingering at her side in mild shock. He rested his chin atop her head and slowly glided one hand along her back. He attempted to focus on her touch instead of her scent, forcing himself to ignore the appetizing burn in his throat.

The delicate embrace forced a portion of the negative energy and stress out of her body. After the momentary shock of his compassionate hug swept over her, she willingly slid her arms around his waist and squeezed him to her. She rested her cheek against his firm chest and took several deep breaths.

"You smell good." Her muffled voice broke the silence, and the randomness of her statement made him laugh.

His hands moved to her shoulders as he pulled away from her. "Thanks." He lifted his right hand to her cheek, the tips of his fingers delicately stroking the warm flesh. His thumb slid across the soft skin under her left eye, removing the freshly fallen tears from her face. The intense burn in his throat coaxed him to attack, to seep his teeth into her sweet flesh. He stepped back and returned his hands to his pockets.

She sniffed and closed her eyes, embarrassed for her outburst. "I'm sorry." Looking up into his amber eyes, she felt warmed by their color. She didn't want to look away.

"It's okay." He gave her a reassuring smile. "How about I take you home. I can pick you up and take you to work in the morning and fix your tire then." He hoped to hear her answer, any response, inside his head. He only heard silence.

*****

Amy remained silent throughout the majority of the car ride to her condo. Edward tossed her sideways glances, hoping any of his attention would will her to speak. Or maybe if he looked at her enough, he would be able to read her thoughts again. He craved to freely journey inside her mind.

"Are you going to be okay by yourself tonight?" he asked as he pulled into the condominium complex's driveway. He parked the car and turned his head to face her. Her damp hair had begun to wave in the warmth of the Volvo. His fingers tingled in a desire to touch it, and he felt the luscious tingle of venom rush to his throat once again.

Amy studied his face before responding. His skin glowed in the moonlight, his pale neck exposed and still glistening from the earlier rain.

"I think so. I have neighbors here, and Charlie's around, too. I'll probably talk to him about what I saw, but I doubt there's anything he can do." She spoke softly and slowly, her voice evaporating into the air like the wetness outside.

"You want me to come with you?"

"No, that's okay. But thank you." Amy watched Edward search her face, the amber eyes probing her equally curious blue ones. "Thanks for your help." She felt the corners of her mouth curve upward into the slightest of smiles, and she curled a strand of wavy hair around her ear. "And um, thank you for the journal. That was really nice of you. I haven't written in it yet, but I think I'll have some material after tonight."

Edward smiled at her dry humor, and Amy felt her body temperature rise as he leaned closer to her. His lips parted, and his slight inhalation of air made her body tingle in response. She could smell his sweet breath, his consummate face taunting her as it lingered mere inches from her own mundane features.

His right hand slowly reached up to her face, the icy fingertips of his index and middle fingers lightly tracing her jaw line. His thumb brushed her bottom lip, the sensual feeling causing her to remain frozen in place. He felt his limbs tingle in anticipation, his desire to kiss her mingling with his desire to ravage her flesh.

Edward's hand slipped away from her skin, and he heard Amy quietly exhale beside him. Edward leaned back into his seat, tormented by two undeniable passions pulling him in opposite directions.

"Thank you for the ride," she said quietly. "I really appreciate your help."

Edward nodded beside her, the memory of her skin underneath his fingers driving him mad with desire. The intense elevation of emotions had left him with an overpowering adrenaline rush to kill and an undeniable response in his groin. He needed to leave.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow. Seven thirty." Staring forward, he sensed her confusion, her eyebrows furrowing in response to his sudden alteration in mood. He suppressed a groan, his body craving release.

"Um, okay. Thanks again." She opened the door and stepped outside onto the pavement. "Goodnight, Edward."

"Goodnight."

The moment the door shut, he released a portion of his confined passions. The resulting sound was an awkward combination of a moan and a growl.

Her scent lingered in his car. He needed to hunt.

*****

Thursday

"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Amy felt guilty as she stood on the sidelines as Charlie changed her tire the following morning.

"Nope. Done this a hundred times." The police chief was crouched near the ground removing the lug nuts from Amy's flat tire.

After speaking with Charlie about the incident in the parking lot the night before, he insisted he drive her to work in the morning. The Charlie she was familiar with was rather reserved, but she was fully introduced to Chief Swan the previous evening. He drilled her with questions about the unknown man: what he was wearing, what car he was driving, how tall he was, why she was at work late. He cautioned her about being alone at night, his concern was fatherly in tone.

Amy had called Edward shortly afterward to inform him he didn't need to pick her up in the morning. He had not answered. "I'll be escorted to work by the police. Can't get much safer than that," she told him in her voicemail.

Sleep came with great effort, the thoughts in her mind determined to race endlessly until one looming thought brought her to a mental collapse: the man from the parking lot, the missing photos, the tire, Edward's speed, Edward's odd behavior, Edward's hair, Edward's eyes, Edward's face, Edward's smell, Edward's body …

At the moment, she craved Edward's phone call.

*****

"Hi Amy. You have a visitor."

"Okay, I'll be right up." Amy hung up her phone, wondering if that was the only phrase she'd ever hear from Miranda anymore. What's with the visitors this week?

It was already late morning, and yesterday's stress level had thankfully diminished with the dawn of a new day. Even the weather seemed to apologize, bright rays of sun shining through the office with vigor. As she strode along the cubicles to the main entrance, a content smile formed on her face. Today was a good day.

But as she walked into the reception area, the feeling vanished.

"Wes."

He was standing on the opposite end of the room, hands held up in mock surrender. She flinched toward the exit to return to the solitude of her office, but his soft voice prevented her from her escape.

"Wait. I come in peace." He smiled reassuringly at her, taking slow, mechanical steps toward her now frozen figure. "So before you run or yell at me or throw something at me, you should know that I'm just here to talk."

Amy let out a sigh and crossed her arms in front of her chest. "So talk."

"Well, maybe not here. I was thinking more along the lines of a walk. I don't think your lovely receptionist would enjoy hearing all about what a jerk I've been."

Amy's eyes darted to Miranda, who was inconspicuously staring at her computer screen, her face reddening at the mention of her name.

"So, just a walk? I promise, I won't let you trip and/or fall."

Amy despised the grin that started to form on her face. In being mad at him, she had forgotten how clever he could be.

"Is that a smile?" Wes turned to Miranda, his eyes wide in surprise. "I think there's hope for me."

Amy rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just a walk?"

"Just a walk."

*****

Wes held the door open for Amy, the light breeze combined with the sweet scent of blooming foliage calming her slightly elevated nerves.

"You look very nice today," he told her as the door swung shut behind them.

"Uh-huh." Her voice was dripping with skepticism at the potential hidden meaning of his compliment. He picked up on her distrustful vibe, but his response was unexpected. As they began to walk, Wes quickened his pace so he remained several steps in front of her while they journeyed along the sidewalk.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Well, since you don't trust me, I figured if I walk up here," he started, turning his head to the side so she could hear him, "you can't get mad at me for staring, and you can always see what I'm up to."

She felt herself smiling again. No, she didn't trust him, but he knew exactly what to say to make her smile. She was silent for several long moments as she studied Wes's appearance. Just an inch or two taller than her, Amy admitted he had a rather well proportioned body type. Trim, fit, and visually appealing. Even with his major discretion in mind, she was attracted to him.

During their silence, Amy glanced at the cars whizzing by, wondering what they thought of their strange walking patterns. "Y'know, it's hard for you to properly apologize to me up there."

"You're right." Wes turned around and began walking backward, his hands gesticulating as he tried to speak his mind. "I need you to know that I'm really sorry."

"Do you even—"

"Please just let me get this out, and then you can yell at me all you want." Amy scoffed and stopped walking, very much preferential to the yelling.

"I didn't mean for you to see me that night. Which isn't at all an excuse, but I think I did it because I couldn't have you. I was frustrated, and I made a bad decision."

"Are you kidding me right now?" She laughed at his reasoning, but her elevated voice and harsh tone made Wes recoil.

"I was serious when I told you I really like you." Wes's confidence had faltered. The same brightness in his eyes had diminished even in the blinding sun. "And I know this whole thing kind of sets me back a little—"

"Kind of a lot."

"Okay. Kind of a lot," he admitted, the defeat evident in his voice. "I just, I can't ask you to ignore what I did, but I have to ask you to try. And maybe get to know me a little. See if I'm different than what I've let you believe."

Amy's sigh was audible even over the traffic. The age-old conflict between her head and her heart seemed to be meeting for battle at her throat, thus preventing her from speaking.

Wes sensed a chance, and with a new charge, his confidence seemed to seep back into his voice. "I swear, I'm a pretty fun guy. I try to be cute, even if my face doesn't always cooperate. I'm pretty hilarious, and I'm usually good at being a gentleman when I'm not being an ass hole." He showed her a genuine smile, his eyes begging her forgiveness.

"Why? Why do you do that?" Her voice was as loud as it had been before.

"Do what?" The worry returned to his voice.

"I'm so prepared to hate you, but somehow, you know exactly what to say so I don't. It bothers me."

Wes exhaled in relief. The amount of fire in such a small person amused him, but it also attracted him to her even more. "Does it maybe not bother you enough to go out with me tomorrow night?"