Chapter 51. Wren Kiss Me?
Wren and Riley were sitting watching TV by the fire when Wren's phone rang loudly. It was the first time Wren had received a call that afternoon since he had brought Riley to Warwick. They became paranoid and scared of the sudden call from Wren's phone.
"Your phone is ringing."
Riley was the first to speak to melt the tension between them. Wren didn't move to reach for his phone, instead looked at it like it was a dangerous cobra.
“Maybe it was a call from the hospital. You left your patient to bring me here. Is there a backup doctor who will take care of your duties?”
"Yes. They should have a backup doctor."
The phone kept ringing loudly. Wren had to pick it up. He breathed a sigh of relief because it was from the hospital.
"What's wrong, Lucy? Is there any problem?"
“No, all of your patients have been handled well by Doctor Rammond."
"Good. Why did you call me?"
“I just wanted to confirm a few things with you. In the leave application form you submitted, you did not clearly state the purpose of your leave.”
“I have something important to do outside the city. I've applied for leave until next week."
“But our director wants details. Where exactly did you go, Doctor Wren?"
Wren chuckled. He needed to decide if it was safe to tell Lucy where he was. He had known Lucy as an employee in HR for the past five years. She was a kind and hard-working woman. Everyone liked her because she never made it difficult for anyone to take time off.
"I'm in Las Vegas. Like I told you, I have important business here."
"Okay. Sorry to disturb your time, Doctor Wren. Good luck for all your work there.”
"Not a problem Lucy. Thank you."
Riley listened to every conversation Wren had while holding her breath. Her body was leaning forward, so she could catch all the conversation clearly. Even though she didn't catch anything alarming in any of Wren's conversations, she still felt worried.
"It's not a serious problem. Just someone from the hospital."
“I was afraid Logan would call you. You're probably the first person Logan would suspect as someone who took me away from his house."
Wren didn't say anything. But Riley knew that Wren also agreed with her. Logan would definitely look for him as the first person to be suspected of hiding her.
Logan had sharp instincts, and he had people who would help him carry out his every command. So, Wren really had to be wary of whatever Logan would do to find Riley.
"You'd better turn off your phone and unplug your battery."
"Actually, I'm tempted to do that, Riley." Wren put his phone back on the table. His palms then rubbed his thighs nervously.
“People would be suspicious if I suddenly turned off my phone and disappeared. I have to stay normal. If Logan calls me, I just have to give him an excuse.”
And then Wren's phone rang again. Wren grabbed his cell phone quickly and answered the call on the third ring.
"What are you calling me for? We haven't seen each other in a long time and talked."
Wren looked at Riley's face intensely and then muttered Logan's name through his half-pursed lips.
Riley's face paled. She stepped back and pressed her back against the sofa like it was the only way to protect herself from Logan's cruelty. Wren motioned for her to calm down because Logan was miles away from them.
"Stop saying bullshit things. Riley is missing. She ran away from my house when my stupid maid went to the market. Riley sneaked out of my house."
"How did it happen? Have you tried looking for Riley around your house?” Wren feigned panic.
"Maybe she went to her parents' house."
"I doubt it," Logan's voice squeaked harshly.
"Her parents won't take that bitch back."
Wren clenched his fists tightly at his harsh words. Logan really had no right to insult Riley like that after what he did to destroy Riley's soul and body.
“I want to help you find Riley, but I'm on leave. I went to Miami to check out some of my late father's properties. I got words from my father's lawyer, an oil tycoon is going to buy my father's villa."
"When do you start your leave?"
“This morning I went to Miami. I rushed to apply for leave because it was sudden.”
"Okay. I don't think Riley could possibly be with you. I have some acquaintances who can trace her. I'll find Riley soon."
"Let me know as soon as possible if you—"
Logan hung up the phone before Wren could finish his words. Wren grumbled and slammed his phone on the table. Riley jumped in surprise and stroked her chest with trembling hands. Her heart was pounding very hard. She was more than surprised. She was scared.
"Sorry. I surprised you."
"Did he suspect you?"
"I don't know. Logan knows that I have some inheritance from my father in Miami. So, he shouldn't doubt my reasons."
"But are you sure Logan would give up that easily?" Riley bit her lip nervously.
"Calm down, Riley. Logan wouldn't have called me directly if he suspected me. He has eyes and ears all over New York. If he knew that I brought you here, he would definitely come straight here to take you.”
"So, we're safe?"
"Very safe. Try to calm down, Riley. I don't want you to be stressed and have too much fear in your heart."
Her heart was still beating fast, but Riley tried to close her eyes to calm her nerves. She took a few deep breaths, her arms hanging loosely on the arm of the couch. She tried to focus her mind on the good things and tried to push away the bad memories of what happened at Logan's club.
"Relax, Riley. You're safe here."
"What are you doing?"
"Massaging your hands makes you more relaxed."
Wren grabbed Riley's wrist and massaged it to ease her nervousness. He faintly heard a moan on Riley's lips as he increased the tempo of the massage on her hand. Something inside him surged with joy because he could make Riley feel relaxed and safe with him. He was happy that Riley trusted him to do all this.
"Thanks very much. I feel better now."
But Wren didn't take his hand off Riley's wrist. He kept his wrists pressed and gave Riley more comfort.
"I take responsibility for you. I feel guilty If you feel insecure when you're with me.”
“Don’t be. You treat me very well, Wren. I owe you a lot.”
“These are the little things I can do to atone for my sins to you. I gave you to Logan. I must free you from Logan."
Riley looked into Wren's eyes and grabbed his hand which was still moving to massage her wrist.
“We can get through all of this. Once I get out of this country and get a new identity, all our fears will be over.”
Wren looked back at Riley and smiled. Suddenly he got the urge to kiss Riley's forehead gently and, long.
Riley was shocked. Her body froze in Wren's arms, but she slowly relaxed as Wren's hands rubbed her back. She didn't move, just waiting for Wren to release the kiss on her forehead. She smiled softly when Wren looked away, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"Think of it as a time-out."
Riley was silent for a moment in shock. Her forehead still felt warm from Wren's gentle kiss. But then she was attacked by a sense of awkwardness, and she decided to go to her room with all kinds of strange feelings that creep in her heart.
Why did Wren kiss me?