Page 15 of My Irish Roommate

When the parents are out of sight, Ricki slumps in her seat and sighs, “I guess that could have gone worse.”

“I knew it wouldn’t. I told you I’ll never do anything to hurt you.”

The waitress returns with my card and hands Ricki an envelope. “A man left this with the hostess for you.”

I grit my teeth and dig my fingers into my thighs. Looking around, I try to see who has enough balls to hit on her when it’s clear she’s with me. Who would dare drop a secret message for my girl like this? Her hands are shaking as she stares at the envelope with wide eyes.

“Open it,” I command her.

“I… I’m scared,” she stutters.

“Give it to me, baby. I’ll open it for you,” I suggest, holding out my hand.

She shakes her head. “It’s probably nothing. I’m acting like a child.”

She tears open the envelope and pulls the card from inside. She opens it, and I look at the cover. It has the words, “Thinking of you,” printed in gold glitter. Her face goes white as she reads the inside, and her eyes fill with tears. She drops the card on the table, and I pick it up.

My face gets hot as I read the message, “I’ve missed you. I can’t wait to be with you again.”

Motherfucker.

My nostrils flare as I feel pure rage boiling inside me like a volcano ready to erupt. I am not a man who’s quick to anger. I can keep my calm in the face of extreme situations, something that’s important if you’re a fighter. You can’t win if you can’t keep your head clear.

But now…

This piece of shit is pushing me to the edge. Does he think he can threaten my girl like this and get away with it? I will make him pay. He has crossed a line, and I won’t stand for it. He’s insane, yes, but so am I when someone tries to hurt what’s mine.

He’s about to learn that lesson the hard way.

I toss the card back down and look at Ricki who is now full-on crying.

“He’s here,” she stammers.

“And he’s going to regret it,” I tell her, my voice low and menacing.

8

THE NEXT DAY

RICKI

As much as I wanted to enjoy a nice, romantic night with Rowan, I couldn’t stop thinking about my stalker. He could be right outside looking up at our window.

The thought of him invading my space like that again makes my blood run cold. Rowan spent half the night pacing the floor like a caged animal. His instincts were telling him to defend me, but how? How can you eliminate a threat when you don’t know where to find them?

We barely slept at all, but I still want to start the day off on a better note, which is why I get up early and put on my workout clothes.

“Rowan? Are you awake?” I shake him gently from his slumber.

He smiles at me and says, “Good morning, love.”

“I thought we could get some breakfast and then work out. I think we could both use a little stress relief,” I tell him.

“I have a little stress relief right here, baby. Just get undressed and climb back in bed with me.”

“Seriously, I think we should work out,” I tell him but he doesn’t want to take no for an answer. He pulls me down and kisses me. My defenses immediately crumble, and my core clenches. But while lust hasn’t completely fogged my brain yet, I stop him even though I’m starting to drip down there.

“Rowan, I mean it.” I don’t even sound convincing, but I still try. He responds by spinning me around and slapping me on the ass.

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