*Previously on Crazy Stalker Love– Read Chapter 11 HERE

Henley kisses Blake as he opens her apartment door to leave for work. After a minute she goes to pull away but he pulls her back, his grip on her feels uncomfortable. Something she’s been noticing a lot lately. In order to get out of an awkward situation Henley, laughs against his lips, “Ok, go, before your even later for work,” she says smiling at him. Although anyone that really knew Henley would know there was an underlying feeling behind that so called smile. Blake smirks, a glaring twinkle in his eye. “So, I’ll come back here, straight after work?” he asks.

“Oh um, I actually have a work event I have to go to. I’ll be home late.”

“Hmm, you never mentioned that.” he says, his jaw clenching.

“Oh sorry, I totally spaced, my schedule at work has been a little hectic. We’re understaffed this weekend so…”

“Hmm,” he says almost suspiciously.

“I’ll call you though,” she says smiling simply as he walks off seeming agitated.

Henley rolls her eyes as she closes the door.

Her cell phone rings, and she looks at it, Blake’s name flashing across the screen.

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” she says “You’re smothering me, Blake,” she says aloud as she tosses the phone on her coffee table and heads toward her bathroom to start her shower.

Blake’s face appears in the window as he sees her retreating figure walking away from her phone, his face one of glaring anger.

***

“Knock, knock,” Henley says as she knocks on the door molding.

Leo looks up.

“Hey Henley, what’s up?”

“Nothing, I was just in the neighborhood, thought I’d stop in and say hi. Is Hunter in today?”

“No. He’s off today,” Leo says folding his arms as he smirks knowing something is up.

“Oh right,” Henley says trying to act aloof.

“Henley, I’m pretty sure you know Hunter’s schedule better than I do, and I work with the guy. Besides you know I’m a cop, right? That’s kind of what all this is about, (he says gesturing to his office and his badge and gun with a circling of his fingers) I can tell your lying. What’s up?”

“Ok!” Henley says cutting the bull, “Look, I’m having a bit of a stalker-ish situation,” she says walking into his office as she talks with her hands while spilling out her rapid fire dialogue.

“Oh, really? Well that does not sound good. Have a seat.” he says concerned.

“Thanks,” she says sitting as she looks around the office room made of clear windows.

“Look you know I will do whatever I can to help you. But I’m sure you also know that if Hunter finds out you came to me instead of him…” Leo says noticing her eyes scanning the premises for Hunter.

“He’s going to flip, I know. I’m sorry I don’t mean to put you in a tough spot, I just- I know Hunter. He’ll get all over protective and bossy. Not to mention that it’s this guy Hunter warned me about, so I just really don’t want to deal with the whole, “I told you so” speech. I mean technically you know if Hunter were to take this case, well it’d be a conflict of interest, right?” she asks folding her arms.

“Well that depends are you romantically involved with Detective Stone?”

“Well, sort of. Not currently. But we were. We have been in the past. (Henley sighs, rolling her eyes) It’s complicated.”

Leo laughs as he shakes his head, “I’m messing with you, Hunter can never give me a straight answer either. I mean he’s arrogantly hopeful, of course,” he says with a laugh.

“Of course,” Henley says laughing, as she rolls her eyes knowingly.

“Ah, I thought I’d just give it a shot and ask you. You guys have been dancing around each other for years. You do know that the guy worships the ground you walk on right?”

Henley scuffs and rolls her eyes.

“I’m just saying, he loves you. He may over-react at times, but it’s only because he cares so much.”

Henley sighs, her eyes softening.

“Look, he’s off today anyway. So I will help you. But when it comes to Hunter Stone, I won’t lie to him. He’s my partner and he’s a good guy. And he’s one hell of a cop, best one I know. I respect him and his judgements. If Hunter thinks something is up with this guy you’re seeing, there’s probably more of a reason than him just being a jealous ex. He’s always said he just wants you to be happy. “

“Ugh, god, when you put it that way, I sound like a horrible person,” Henley says covering her face in embarrassment.

“No you don’t. Look I get it, you guys have a lot of history. But, I won’t lie to him, especially not about you. You mean too much to him.”

“I’m not asking you to lie, I’m just asking that you not voluntarily tell him. There are just some things I don’t want him to know regarding the case. I just feel like he might get his feelings hurt if he knew.”

“If you want my advice, knowing how smart Hunter is, he will find whatever it is out. I won’t be able to stop him and neither will you. So whatever it is you should just talk to him. He loves you.”

“I know that he does, and I…” Henley stops as she looks away, her voice trailing off, “Sometimes I just don’t think I deserve it.”

“Talk to him, let him be the judge of that. As far as I can see, there is nothing you could ever do that could make him stop loving you.”

“Yea well, there may be something, that’s what I’m afraid of. Look I talk a big game. But I wear my heart on my sleeve. Especially when it comes to Hunter. He is the only guy I have ever really loved. And he broke my heart, a long time ago. I know he was struggling back then, I know he’s sorry, and I know it was forever ago. And we didn’t know the full story of what happened up until recently, I was misplacing blame for years. But even with that said, there is still pain there. And it’s what always stops me from really being with him.”

“So then what, you two are just gonna sit it this dance forever? Let him chase you, while you still get all the glory. But he has to apologize for the rest of his life, while you get to date and do your own thing. But it’s ok, because you’re not really exclusive? Come on Henley, that’s bull.”

“I know that. But I can’t let him go,” she says her eyes watering.

“So don’t, work it out. Take the leap. Tell him how you feel.”

“I can’t. Look I will tell him about the case, but can you just give me a day or two so I can figure out how to?”

“I won’t tell him. But if he asks me, I will not lie to him.”

“Fine, Deal.”

Henley and Leo shake on it, as Hunter walks into the precinct, he sees them.

“Hey, what’s up?” he says his walking into Leo’s office, his suspicions high.

“Hey, I was just stopping by to see you. I got a parking ticket, but Leo just cleared it up for me, ya know, cuz you weren’t here,” Henley says smiling nervously, not making eye contact with him.

Leo looks at her and then at Hunter, clearly uncomfortable.

“Henley what’s really going on?” Hunter says leaning against the door frame, glaring at her.

“I just told you.”

“And I know you were lying. So why don’t we try that again.”

“Damn it, why do you have to be a cop,” she says in a whiney tone, looking away.

“I don’t have to be a cop to know you’re lying Hen. I know you.”

Henley looks guiltily at Leo. Leo still stands uncomfortably not knowing his next move.

“Ok…what is this? Are you two like…screwing around or something-” he says choking it out.

“What?” Henley says as Leo simultaneously says “No!”

“How can you even ask me that?” Henley says obviously offended.

“Well what am I supposed to think? I show up on my day off to grab something from my locker and see you two shaking hands and instantly you’re both acting weird…”

“Leo is helping me with my case,” Henley blurts out cutting him off.

“Your case? What case?” Hunter says with a concerned tone.

“I’m going to leave you two alone,” Leo says walking out of his office.

Hunter’s eyes fixate on Henley, as she shuts the door.

“You were right about Blake…there’s something not right with him.”

“I knew it. Damn it Henley,” Hunter says frustrated as he looks away.

“See this. THIS is why I didn’t come to you, because I knew you would react this way.”

“I don’t care about being right Henley. I care that you’re safe.”

“And I appreciate that. But you’re not my cop boyfriend anymore…”

“Stop right there. I don’t care what state we’re in romantically, if you have a problem you

can always come to me. I will always be your cop, boyfriend or not.” he says his eyes locked onto hers.

Henley smiles at him.

“I appreciate that you care so much, but you don’t need to always be rescuing me from the big bad world. I can take care of myself.”

“I never said that you couldn’t. Believe me, I know what a badass you are, I’ve seen you in action,” he says laughing, “but sometimes in these situations you need to learn to come to me. The kind of help you need in this situation, is literally in my job description. I’m trained to handle this. So let me. If it helps at all, don’t think of me as your overprotective boyfriend cop, just think of me as a cop.”

“Hunter. I wish it was that simple. It’s not that I don’t trust you. I know you are a great cop and I would trust you with my life. It’s just that when it comes to me, I know your professional line can blur. And I don’t exactly feel comfortable disclosing everything that happened with Blake to you. There are some things that I’d rather you not know.”

“Henley… I’m well aware that you two are probably having sex You’ve been dating a few months. It’s not going to stop me from helping you.”

“But there’s a little more to the story,” she says looking down at her hands as she fidgets.

“What does that mean?”

“Hunter.”

“Henley, I’ve been a cop for a long time. I’ve seen it all. Just talk to me,” he says gesturing her to sit as he sits in Leo’s chair across from her.

“I think he has a video or something of he and I…ya know….” she says not wanting to actually say the words.

“Like a sex tape?” he says looking at her.

“I’m not 100% sure, but after the first time he and I were together, I remember getting up in the middle of the night and seeing his phone propped up on my vanity. I just thought I was being paranoid. If that’s what it is I didn’t know he was taping us, and I wouldn’t have agreed to it anyway. But he’s constantly taking pictures of me when I’m not looking. And I just feel like I have zero privacy. He calls me constantly, he’s over my apartment all the time. I haven’t had a minute to hangout with Piper or anyone since we became more serious. And that’s not what a normal relationship is. It’s like he can’t leave me alone for more than a few seconds.”

Hunter nods.

“Ok, just forget it okay, I can’t do this with you,” she says standing up.

“What I didn’t say anything!” he says holding his hands out.

“You didn’t have to. I know what you’re thinking.”

“I highly doubt it, but by all means, humor me,” he says getting up and leaning against the front of the desk, folding his arms across his chest, challenging her.

“You think I’ve changed. That I just sleep around. That I’m a slut,” she says talking with her hands. “Do you know how hard I’ve worked to try to get over you, all these years? I basically swore off all men. And then Blake came along and he seemed half way decent and he seemed like such a nice guy and I just-” she’s pacing the office floor.

“I love you,” he says as she stops and stares at him. “That’s what I was thinking,” he says his tone soft, and his glare steady, and loving.

“What?” she says baffled.

“I was thinking about how much I love you, and how I hate that this is happening to you. And how I want to kick this guy’s ass for doing anything to hurt you.”

Henley sighs as she looks at him with a look of relief and disbelief, she walks over to him as she wraps her arms around his neck. Hunter’s arms tighten around her, pulling her close.

“How could you ever think that I would think those things about you? Or judge you.” He whispers in her ear.

Henley pulls away to look at him, her hands resting on his chest as Hunter holds onto her hips.

 “We both know I have the shittiest track record,” he says looking at her knowingly.

“I just- when it comes to you, I feel like. I don’t know, I feel like you tend to think of me in a certain light, and I’ve come to like that. I guess I didn’t want to settle for being anything less in your eyes.”

“Ah well, your perfect in my eyes,” he says taking her hands.

“I’m far from it, but thank you,” she says rolling her eyes and smiling.

Hunter winks at her, and raises her hand to his lips, placing a kiss on it.

“We’re gonna figure this whole thing out, ok?” Hunter says locking eyes with her.

“Figure what out? You and me, or my whole stalker sex tape thing?” she says with humor.

“All of it.” Hunter says smirking.

Leo knocks on the door, Hunter gestures for him to come in.

“Safe to enter yet?” he says peeking his head in.

“Yes, I’m sorry Leo,” Henley says.

“Hey, it’s cool.” Leo says with a wave of his hand.

“Man, I’m sorry about what I said. I know you always have my back. I should have never assumed-“

“Already forgotten. I know when it comes to this one, you tend to be a little possessive,” Leo says laughing as he points to Henley.

“You know, I resent that. Can’t we just call it concern?”

“We could, but well then we’d be lying.” Henley says smirking.

“Oh whatever, I love you like crazy, sue me.” he says wrapping his hand around her waist and kissing her forehead, as she leans into him she can smell the scent of his cologne and instantly she feels her body relax. With Hunter, she feels safe.

“Ok so let’s get this report written up,” Leo says as they all sit around the office. Hunter rubs her lower back in a comforting manner.

Hunter and Henley walk out of the precinct. Henley reaches for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. Slightly shocked he looks down at them.

“Hey, thank you again,” she says kissing him on the cheek.

“I told you, I will always be here for you,” Hunter says smirking down at her.

Henley smiles.

“So can I give you a ride home?” he says.

“That depends.”

“Don’t worry I know we stopped with all the sex, I’ll just drop you off. Walk you upstairs, check your apartment for any stalkers and leave,” he says jokingly, but actually meaning every word.

“No, I mean I was just going to ask if you had the Harley Davidson.”

“Oh, hell yea.”

“Ok then, a ride sounds good, all of it sounds good,” she says smiling as he takes her hand leading her into the parking lot.

Henley stops, pulling him back toward her. She cups his neck, as she places a kiss on his lips.

Hunter deepens it as his hands circle Henley’s waist.

“Wow, what was that for?” Hunter says his eyes fluttering open to meet hers looking up at him.

“Are you complaining?” Henley says raising her eyebrows up at him.

“No, not at all,” he says kissing her again, “I’m just surprised,” he says whispering.

“Well, let’s just say, I’m thankful that I can always feel safe with you.”

“Yea?” he says staring down at her his jaw line prominent and perfect.

“Yea. Always,” she says kissing him again.

Hunter smirks whispering “Well that, makes me very happy to hear,” against her lips as he kisses her swiftly, lifting her up onto his bike.

“Let’s get you home.” He says as she smiles Hunter climbs onto the front of the bike.

“Hold on tight,” Hunter says as Henley tightens her grip.

“Don’t mind if I do.” She says. Hunter let’s out a laugh, as they speed off.

Blake appears, sneaking out of the bushes as he watches them drive off. He looks at his phone screen at the picture he just snapped of Henley and Hunter kissing. His glare, deadly.

To be continued…

*I do not take credit for any images used in my edits or otherwise.*

-<3-