"Dad, I... I just had a strange encounter with a man named Jarrod," she began, her voice wavering slightly. "He says he knows you and that he's been sent to protect me. Is that true?"
There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line. "Yes, it's true," her father said at last, his tone grave. "Jarrod is a trusted friend, and he's been keeping an eye on you for me. There are... some concerns I need to discuss with you."
Crystal's stomach twisted with unease. "Concerns? What kind of concerns? Dad, what's going on?"
Another pause, then a weary sigh. "It's a long story, sweetheart. But the short version is that there's a dangerous man from my past who's been making threats, and he may be targeting you as a way to get to me. Jarrod is there to make sure you stay safe."
Crystal's mind reeled, her heart pounding. "A dangerous man? Targeting me? Dad, why didn't you tell me any of this before?"
"I was trying to protect you, Crystal," her father said, his voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted you to be dragged into this mess. But now, I'm afraid I have no choice but to involve you. Please, you have to trust Jarrod. He'll keep you safe, I promise."
Crystal swallowed hard, her hands shaking. "I... I don't know if I can," she admitted. "He just showed up out of nowhere, and he was so cryptic and... dominant. How can I trust him?"
"I know it's a lot to ask," her father said, "but Jarrod is the only one I trust to keep you safe. Please, Crystal, you have to believe me. This is serious, and I can't bear the thought of anything happening to you."
Crystal closed her eyes, her mind racing. The thought of being in danger, of someone wanting to harm her or her father, was terrifying. And yet, she couldn't deny the genuine concern in her father's voice. Maybe Jarrod was telling the truth.
"Okay," she said at last, her voice barely above a whisper. " I won't promise to do as you say, but...I'll do what I can. But Dad, you have to promise me you'll explain everything to me. No more secrets."
"I promise, sweetheart," her father said, relief evident in his tone. "I'll tell you everything. Just... please, stay safe. And listen to Jarrod. He'll keep you protected, I swear it."
With a heavy heart, Crystal ended the call, her mind whirling with questions and fears. Jarrod may have seemed overbearing and mysterious, but if her father trusted him, then maybe she had no choice but to do the same.
Steeling herself, Crystal started her car and pulled out of the parking lot, glancing furtively around for any sign of the enigmatic Jarrod. As she drove home, a sense of unease settled over her, the weight of her father's secrets and the looming threat of danger weighing heavily on her mind.
One thing was certain: her quiet, organized life was about to be turned upside down.
Crystal tried to go about her day as usual, but she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over her since her encounter with Jarrod. Try as she might, she couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious man and his insistence that he was there to protect her.
As she went about her morning routine, Crystal continually found herself glancing over her shoulder, certain she was being watched. At work, she found it difficult to concentrate, her eyes darting to the windows every time a car passed by on the street below. Her boss noticed her distraction and asked if everything was alright, but Crystal brushed it off, not wanting to reveal the unsettling confrontation.
***
Crystal Kyle sighed heavily as she gathered her belongings and prepared to leave the office again, as she did every evening. It had been a long day of unusual endless meetings, spreadsheets, and phone calls. As she stepped out into the crisp evening air, Crystal longed for a moment of peace and solitude.
More than her job, she was tired of thinking about this man. This man so arrogant, insolent despite his beauty that besides, she had to recognize well, enhanced by these traits of ambivalent character.
She shook herself, promising herself a comfortable evening devoid of intense thought.
However, her plans for a quiet commute home were about to be upended. As she approached her car in the dimly lit parking lot, a tall, well-dressed man stepped out of the shadows, blocking her path. Crystal instinctively tensed, her hand gripping the pepper spray in her purse.
He was there. She saw him, but in truth, she sensed his presence long before she caught him in her vision.
It was incomprehensible, but there it was.
And without stopping herself, she lowered her eyes to the most intimate part of her being. It wasn't very conspicuous because it wasn't hard, but she could easily guess that it was enormous...
She swallowed. Now that she's thinking about it, her last lover was at least four months ago. He was a branch manager. They spent a whole night fucking. And he wanted more with the young woman, but she wasn't really interested, so she preferred to put an immediate end to this one-night stand. But she also easily guessed that with this beast in front of her, one night wouldn't be enough. He'd want it again and again. He was clearly the insatiable type.
Putting a stop to her overactive imagination and her body's pleas, Crystal ran a hand over her face to regain control of herself, and straightened her head before approaching him.
"You again."
"Yes, you must have guessed that I'm not the type to be rid of so easily."
She nodded defiantly.
"So you say. And at least, tonight, you didn't allow yourself to enter my car without permission."
"You're giving me that permission?" he quipped.
"No, not a chance."
He shrugged
"We'll see about that. But let's get down to business. I need you to listen to me."
"And why should I? Don't think I'm going to believe you or even my father when you talk about..."
"I haven't even come to the point yet, then."
"Then I'll..."
"Then I'll say what I have to say. Whatever I have to do for it."
He was serious. He'd even go so far as to kidnap her for it, she had no doubt. Abduct her, take her to his lair and take her as she was. And she would be willing.
"It's a delicate situation, Miss Kyle," Jarrod said, taking a step closer. "Your father is concerned for your safety, and he's asked me to ensure that you're protected."
She ran a nervous tongue over her lips, the gesture not lost on this disguised beast.
Then, Crystal finally nodded.
Seeing her finally being reasonable, the tension in Jarrod's body eased a little as well and he said with a more conciliatory voice.
"Perhaps we could discuss this somewhere more private," he suggested, his eyes locked onto hers. "I'd hate for us to be overheard."