Don’t Come Near, I Warn You

Tara Blakewood POV

"Nooo… Kaiden, please stop him!"

I shouted, stepping backward.

He turned quickly when he heard my scream shatter the quiet of the place.

"Jock… Jock, stop!"

The moment he said that, his dog froze, just two or three steps away from me. I collapsed to the floor. My legs couldn’t hold me from the sheer terror.

Kaiden rushed toward me, moving fast, until he reached me. He squatted beside me and held my hand, pressing it between his.

"Don’t be afraid."

His calm tone, the way he brushed my hand, made me forget the fear of his dog that almost lunged at me.

"I just… I was…"

I murmured, trying to steady my breathing and gather myself, looking into his eyes.

He helped me to my feet, still holding my left hand, and we walked along the wooden path for a few meters until we reached the end.

"That dog isn’t bad. He just doesn’t know you. He’s gentle."

He said, glancing at me, and I gave a nervous smile. How could something like that be “gentle”?

"Come on, let’s go, Tara."

He said, tugging me along behind him. I followed, staring at his back.

*******

Two Weeks Later

I entered, my heels clicking against the floor. I hadn’t told Ethan I was coming; I wanted to surprise him. That’s it.

The hospital was huge, filled with psychiatric patients wandering around. I was genuinely scared.

I hurried to the elevator, hoping no one would get in with me. Unfortunately, just before the doors could close, a man stepped in. Clearly, he wasn’t a staff member.

I caught a glimpse of him standing there, staring at my body, my bare thighs. His eyes gleamed with lust.

Damn it! I hoped this wasn’t going to be like in the movies.

He started moving toward me, and my heart pounded in terror. Especially since he wore a medical mask but black.

"Don’t come near, I warn you."

I said bravely, trying to gather courage.

"What could a sweet little thing like you do?"

I looked at the elevator numbers and thanked God, I was almost at my floor. He was about to step closer, but I kicked him square in the face, and he collapsed to the floor instead.

Finally, the elevator opened, and I rushed out.

I glanced back. The doors were closing.

I continued to my destination: Ethan’s office. I stood before the door, and just as I raised my hand to knock, a woman came out!

Ethan’s office wasn’t a treatment room as I knew, and what was more suspicious was the girl her makeup was perfectly done. Her face looked familiar. She stared at me for a moment, then walked away. She didn’t look like a patient at all.

And suddenly… it hit me. It was her. Mr. Kaiden’s wife, Lara!

But what was she doing here?

I shook off the thought and entered, closing the door behind me. I waited for him to come out of the bathroom, buttoning his medical shirt.

Something strange was happening, but I wasn’t upset about a woman leaving his office, especially when he had just stepped out of the bathroom. It was my curiosity that was making noise in my mind.

I think he noticed me standing there.

In a split second, his tired expression changed, and he gave me that square smile I always found so charming.

"Tara, my dear, you didn’t tell me you were coming."

Was I imagining it, or did he not sound as excited as I expected?

"I just wanted to surprise you."

I said with a bright smile. He stepped closer until he stood directly in front of me, holding my jaw between his fingers.

"My patience with you is thin."

He said, pressing a long kiss onto my lips. I tried my best to hide any reaction of reluctance or discomfort.

"I see there’s progress."

I understood what he meant. This is what he says when he notices improvement in my therapy. I was certain I wasn’t “sick” anymore as he suggested.

"Come, sit."

He said, moving toward his office chair. I sat. Why didn’t he pull the chair like Kaiden would? I just sat and watched him.

"Go on, speak… tell me how you feel, everything as usual."

"There was a man who tried to harass me in the elevator. I hit him, and he swore he’d get revenge."

I said it all at once. I noticed fear flash across his face at first, but it vanished as I continued.

"Do you remember his face?"

Annoyed, he said, "No, he was wearing a mask."

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him."

I smiled at him.

"Ethan, what was Mr. Kaiden’s wife doing here?"

I asked. Curiosity was eating me alive.

"Did you see her… I mean, do you know her?"

It was strange. For the first time, he stammered.

"I know her. Yes. Well… I’ve seen her leaving here, and no…"

---

I entered the gym. It looked just like I saw it yesterday. All the machines were modern.

I ran on the treadmill for ten minutes, then went to one of the resistance machines for the lower body.

I set the weight and positioned my legs to lift it from behind, focusing on building.

I sat down, regretting not wearing looser pants.

I sat again and started lifting the weight. It was tiring at first, but soon I managed with ease.

After several minutes, fatigue crept in, especially as I switched legs. Sweat streamed down my neck to my chest, soaking my shirt. I tried to stay silent so no one would notice me.

"Seven minutes of sex equals an hour of exercise. You can ask for help, I won’t hold back."

I lifted my head at the voice I knew so well. My ears recognized it. Kaiden stood there, smiling sideways.

In gym clothes, he looked so young. I could swear he looked like he was in his twenties.