Tracy

The tension eased from my shoulders when Mark pulled up in front of the familiar building of my apartment. The trip had felt a lot longer and I was glad it was finally at an end. I hadn't opened up about Jack and Mark had driven the rest of the journey in a contemplative silence.

I knew it would take more than just my say so for him to let it go but I didn't know what more I could say to stop him. I just had to hope I could get hold of Jack and sort of the keys. So far I hadn't been able to get through to him. The signal had been too weak, it had been beyond frustrating.

I unclasped my seatbelt as soon as Mark switched off the car. "Thanks for the ride."

He got out of help me with my luggage but instead of allowing me to take it he kept it firmly in his grasp. "I'll see you to your apartment."

"That's really not necessary," I argued, feeling the tension seep into my shoulders again. I held out my hand for my luggage but he shook his head.

"Call me old fashioned." He shrugged his broad shoulders and I frowned.

Feeling annoyed I retracted my hand to fumble for my keys as I walked into the building to the lift. Mark followed behind me. Usually I spent a good while trying to fish my keys out of my bag but this time I found them easily and held them tightly in my hand.

I poked the up arrow button twice feeling annoyed at how long it was taking for it to open.

The lift pinged when the doors slid open and I refused to even glance in my unwanted companion as I hit the fourth floor. I tapped my foot as the lift groaned from one floor to the next. I knew Mark was taking in everything and I didn't want to know what he thought.

It was an older building and I loved the decor but some would view it as just another old building that needed updating. I bet it wasn't a place Mark would ever live in. I could feel the silent judgement as he followed me out of the lift and down the corridor.

"Thanks," I muttered opening my door before turning back to take my bag from him.

"Let me at least see you inside," he insisted and I studied him for a moment knowing arguing with him was futile.

I hurried in front of him grabbing a few items I had discarded across my sofa in my rush to pack and hid them behind my back. I had never imagined that he would be the one bringing me back otherwise I would have attempted to tidy up a bit. This was the first time he had ever stepped foot into my apartment.

He put my luggage down beside my sofa casually but I didn't miss how he scanned the room.

"See there is no intruder waiting behind the curtain to attack me." I couldn't help pointing out. It wasn't normal for most people but in his job I bet things like that happened.

I never knew the details of his or Matthew's assignments but I knew they had been dangerous.

He pinned me with a look before proceeding to look around my apartment.

"What exactly are you looking for?" I asked, putting a hand to my hip. He has some nerve walking around like he had some reason to.

He continued his inspection ignoring my question.

"Mark?" I said, waiting for an answer.

"You're hiding something Tracy and I'll figure it out so why don't you save us both the time and tell me." He faced me and my mouth dropped open at his brazenness.

He pinned with a steel look at I snapped my mouth shut. He was so confident there was no doubt in his mind and he was right but I was never going to admit it.

"There is nothing. Honestly Mark. I think your job is getting to you." I shook my head wearily as I shoved the clothes I held onto a nearby chair.

His gaze was razor sharp as he studied me.

"I don't have all day," I said slipping my shoes off. "I'm going for a soak in the bath. Snoop around all you want but you're wasting your time."

I didn't look back when I headed to my room and closed the door. Out of his eyesight I leaned against the door and sighed. He was really making things difficult with his persistence.

I threw my shoes in the closet before turning the taps in the bathroom. I would have a bath and I bet he would be long gone by the time I got out.

Smiling to myself I got into the steaming water inhaling the scent of the bubble bath I'd added. I leaned back and closed my eyes as the heat seeped around my body. For a little while I blocked out Jack and the annoying bodyguard who was probably coming to the realisation that there was nothing for him to find.

A light knock at the sent me reeling and I lost my balance. My head went below the water and I came up spluttering, the bath swooshed over the edge splashing water over the sides.

"You can't come in!" I yelled attempting to stand to grab my towel.

What the hell was he doing?

"You have five minutes," he commanded without opening the door.

I swore when I stepped out of the bath into a massive puddle on my bathroom floor. I was so going to give him a piece of my mind. Quickly I tucked the towel around my body and shoved my wet hair out of my face. I didn't even give a thought to what I looked like, the most important thing was having a go at him.

The nerve.

I swung the door open and was about to let loose on him when the sight of him standing in the middle of my bedroom stopped me in my tracks. His eyes tracked me from head to toe when I stopped just inside my room. Any words that had been about to fly out of my mouth evaporated and I was left speechless while I felt the burn of his gaze on every inch of my body. Heat of some sort reddened my cheeks at the braze way he was looking at me.

"You might want to put some clothes on," he ordered and left my room. I swayed and leaned a hand against the wall to steady myself.

Damn the man. He couldn't just do what he liked in my apartment. This was my safe place and I felt so out of place while he was in it.

Just the short time he had spent in my space had given me enough to create the most exotic dreams of him. I put my hand to my still heated cheek. Could he tell? God I hoped not. It would be too embarrassing.

If he didn't leave this time I was going to call the cops and report him for trespassing. I thought to myself as I quickly dried myself. I didn't know how I would explain that to my brother or my parents but I was too angry to care. Mark was over stepping the boundaries and I wouldn't allow him to get away with anymore.

I had allowed him to question me and I had even allowed him the dance. But this was too much. What if he had just come in? And, seen me naked? There were bubbles, but I doubt they would have hidden everything. But instead of feeling more angry I felt flustered.

No no. I was angry and I was going to stay that way. I grabbed a pair of yoga pants and my favourite shirt. There was no time to dry my hair so I towelled it a bit but it didn't help much.

He was waiting for me when I walked into the living ready for the confrontation I had plotted in my mind.

"You better have a good explanation for interrupting me in my bathroom," I said, coming around to glare at him.

"I decided to do as you said and I had a look around."

"And?" I prompted impatiently. There was no way he could have found something, was there?

"Your brother told me you keep your camera equipment at home."

I nodded. "Get to the point Mark."

"Where exactly do you keep it?" he asked.

My frowned deepened. "In the spare room."

"Are you sure?" He studied me.

"What do you mean am I sure?" I stalked over the spare room and yanked the door open.

It was empty except for the laptop on the small table. There was some contracts but other than that the room was totally empty. Empty.

Oh my God! Where was my stuff?