Oh God. He was after me. If only I could make it to the front door. I heard my phone ringing in the kitchen. It stopped and then rang again. Shit. Why hadn’t I taken it with me? I could have called 911.
I was a only step away from freedom when he tackled me. I fell hard, flat on my face, crutches and all, trapped under his thickset body. Dazed, I tried to free myself, but his weight and strength made it impossible. He had me pinned down. Fear like I’ve never known consumed me. All I could do now was whimper.
“Shut up, you little slut. I only want to hear you whimper when I fuck the shit out of you.” He painfully pulled my ponytail again. “Understand?”
I nodded my head, biting down hard on my quivering lips to quell my sounds. Torrid tears poured from my eyes onto the hardwood floor.
He tugged again, this time so hard I winced. “I didn’t hear you.”
“Y-yes,” I stuttered, my voice thin and watery.
“Good. You know, I could fuck you like this, but I want to see your pretty face when I rip you apart and come inside you.” In one heart-stopping motion, he rolled off me and turned me onto my back. For the first time, I faced him.
Dressed in ill-fitting sweats, he was wearing leather gloves and a ski mask, just like he had my sophomore year. His insipid eyes shone through the holes, and I could see the evil smirk on his face beneath the fabric. I still couldn’t believe my rapist and Don Springer were one and the same.
Holding my head down, he fisted my ponytail and dusted the ends across his nostrils. He inhaled deeply.
“I was positive I knew you somehow when I first saw you on the set of Wheel.” Wheel of Pain, his disgusting, sadistic game show.
He sniffed again. “That cherry vanilla smell of your hair always stayed with me. It took me a while, but I figured it out. It all came back to me.”
As my phone rang again, the horrific memory of that college night flooded my brain. Of him shoving down my jeans, tearing off my panties, and unzipping his fly. And then snipping off my hair. I was shaking all over. It was going to happen all over again. If only I had my pepper spray.
“That wasn’t very nice of you to spray that shit in my eyes. Or make me lose my job.”
He slapped me hard across my face and I winced.
“And it wasn’t very nice of you to stab my foot.”
“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered.
“It’s a little late for an apology, sugar.” I gasped as he pulled out a large pocketknife and switched it open. The razor-sharp blade was at least six-inches long.
“P-please don’t hurt me,” I whimpered.
He laughed wickedly. “This isn’t going to hurt. I just want another little souvenir.” In the skip of a heartbeat, he chopped off a three-inch snippet of my ponytail. He took a whiff of it and then put it in his pocket. The knife stayed in his hand.
I couldn’t help it. I began to cry. He pressed the tip of the knife against my neck. Oh, no! He was going to kill me.
“So you want to cry?”
“Are you going to kill me?”
“Not yet. But I’m going to make you cry harder.”
I was too frightened to say a thing. Just sobs. I bit down on my trembling lip.
“Now pull down your skirt.”
I was too paralyzed with fear to move.
“DO IT!”
Shivering with cold sweat, I undid the button and slid the skirt over my hips. With his free hand, he shoved it off my legs. Then to my utter horror, he took the knife and slashed off the buttons of my blouse. Each ping singing in my ears, my assailant tore it open and sliced my bra apart. My breasts quivered as he ran the sharp blade across my nipples. Goosebumps spread across my trembling body.
“Please don’t hurt me,” I sobbed. “I’ll do anything you want.”
Through my tears, I could see him smirk again. And then he moved the knife to my crotch. Oh, God. I squeezed my eyes shut and just let the scorching tears fall. Expecting to feel unbearable pain, I instead heard another slash. I blinked my eyes open. He had cut off my panties and was holding them to his nose. After a deep inhale, he tossed them to the side.
The phone rang again as he eyed my exposed center.
“Now I’m finally going to get myself some of that sweet pussy of yours.” He jammed a stout finger deep inside me, and I screamed out.
“Shut up, cunt. And spread your legs,” he growled as he yanked out his finger.
I couldn’t get my legs to move.
“Fucking do it, bitch!”
Slowly, I spread my shaking legs.
He laughed again. “This time your asshole boyfriend won’t be around to save you. Chances are you won’t be around to tell him all about it either. And if things go as planned, neither will he.”
Reality hit me with the force of an avalanche. He was going to rape me and then kill me. And then he was going kill Blake. Oh God. How could this be happening? The phone rang again and I began to think it was my always worried parents. Tears stormed down my face. I was never going to see them again. They’d never get over losing me. And poor Blake!
“Please, please, don’t kill me,” I begged.
“Jesus fucking Christ, SHUT UP! If I hear you say one more thing, this knife is going to be anchored in your heart after I shove it up your cunt.”
I pressed my lips together and wept, trying impossibly to soften my sobs.
Gripping the knife, my assailant lifted his sweatshirt over his head, exposing his flaccid hairy chest and ugly paunch. But as he started to pull down his pants, someone knocked at the door.
“What the fuck?” growled Springer.
The knocking morphed into banging, and with a loud kick, the door came crashing down.
“You motherfucker!”
Oh my God. It was Blake! Holding a vase of roses with a SpongeBob balloon. Nonplussed, Springer shot him a diabolical look.
“Say good-bye to your girlfriend, Burns.”
My eyes widened as Don lowered the knife to my heart, but just as it touched down on my skin, it went flying. Blake had managed to kick it out of his hand just in the nick of time.
“You’re going to pay for that!” Springer leapt to his feet and charged at Blake. I was free.
“Jen, get away,” yelled Blake as he defensively hurled the vase at Springer. It hit him in the chest and then landed in one piece on the floor. The water puddled around the scattered roses and a note while the balloon soared to the ceiling. It said “I LOVE YOU.” Oh, my Blake!
“You motherfucker!” thundered Springer as he lunged at Blake.
Frantically, I crawled to the couch. A new kind of fear rushed into my bloodstream. As I watched Springer deliver one blow after another to my beloved, I feared for his life. A tsunami of tears assaulted me. My heart was in my throat. I could hardly breathe.
Struggling to ward off his assailant, Blake managed to reach for his cell phone. He tossed it to me, and it landed close to where I was stationed. I grabbed it.
“Jen, call 911!” he shouted.
I quickly did as he asked as Springer punched him hard in the face. I cringed, feeling all of his pain.
“Fuck you, Springer,” growled Blake, delivering a blow right back at him.
Their life and death battle escalated. Blake was panting and sweat poured down his face. The madman, for sure, had the upper hand. Oh God! I prayed for Blake’s life and for the police to get here soon.
The loud blows went back and forth. Grunts and groans filled the room and mixed with my shrieks. Ducking one of Blake’s blows, Springer grabbed the vase.
“Blake!” I screamed out. But it was too late. With a roar, Springer crashed it over Blake’s head, shattering it to pieces. Dazed, Blake collapsed onto his knees, next to my crutches. Springer kicked him hard in the face, and Blake moaned. Blood trickled from his nose. I was sobbing. My poor baby! And then another kick. Blake, close to losing consciousness, swayed on his knees.
I couldn’t take it anymore. Dropping the phone, I made a beeline for th
e knife on my hands and knees, crawling as fast as I could. God, help me. I couldn’t let that monster destroy the man I loved with all my heart. My desperate pants sounded in my ear as I neared the grisly weapon. It was within my reach when suddenly it went sliding across the floor. Springer had gotten to it first and kicked it away from me. He directed another hard kick at me. Gripping my ribs, I recoiled and groaned.
“You little whore,” he snorted. “You’re next.”
“Blake!” I cried out as I watched Springer spring for the knife. He didn’t respond. I cried out his name again even louder.
Clutching the knife, Springer stomped back to Blake. With his free hand, he yanked off his ski mask and hurled it across the room. The expression on his face was one of pure evil. I bit down so hard on my lip I could taste blood. My heart thudded.
My darling Blake had his head bowed; his eyes were rolling back. Oh God. I was about to lose him. “No!” I screamed out. Desperate, I crawled toward him, knowing in my heart I couldn’t save him.
Springer, wearing that ugly smirk, snickered. “Say goodbye to your fucking life, cocksucker. You only have one thing to look forward to. After I fuck your bitch whore to oblivion, she’ll be joining you.”
My bleeding heart stopped beating as Springer crouched down, and the knife descended in slow motion. Oh no, no, no, no!
You fucking son of a bitch!” Blake! To my utter shock, he snatched a crutch and, in the mere blink of an eye, bashed Springer’s balls. With a loud groan, the monster cupped his groin and dropped to his knees. The knife fell out of his hand.
“You fucker!” he shrieked.
“You won’t be fucking anyone again,” growled Blake as he whacked him once more in the balls.
Don cried out again, his ugly face contorting with pain.
Red with rage, Blake staggered to his feet, holding the crutch.
He spit at Springer. Venom poured from his eyes. “I’m not done with you, you fucking animal.”
“This one’s for messing with Eddie.” WHACK!
“This one’s for calling me a cocksucker.” WHACK!
“And this one’s for touching my girl.” WHACK!
Springer was crying like a baby. Relentlessly, Blake whacked him again and again, moving from his balls to his chest and then to his head. Springer collapsed unconscious onto the floor. Blood poured from his nose.
“Fuck you, you piece of crap!” Blake grunted. After one more forceful blow, Blake flung the crutch and sprinted over to me. I was sobbing beyond control. As sirens roared in the near distance, he lifted me into his arms. Wrapping my arms and legs tightly around him like an inconsolable child, I sobbed into his chest. He smoothed my hair.
“Shh, baby, it’s over. Are you okay?”
I nodded, the tears unstoppable.
“Talk to me, baby. It’s me”
“Oh, Blake, I’m so, so sorry.”
“Sorry about what?”
I met his gaze. Love so deep colored his eyes.
“About everything.”
He kissed away my tears and then pressed his soft lips to my forehead. “Baby, there’s nothing to be sorry about. We’re alive and together.”
“Oh, Blake, I love you so much.”
“The same. Don’t ever leave me, my tiger.” As more sirens sounded outside, his mouth consumed mine in a kiss I’d never forget.
Chapter 24
Blake
I carried Jen to her bedroom and helped her get redressed. I’d undressed a lot of women, but dressing one was a first for me. She didn’t say a word as she let me pick out fresh lingerie and a new outfit. I swear I was going to burn whatever that sick animal had touched.
She was in no condition to stand up, with or without her bad foot, so I’d set her on the edge of her bed. I gently kissed her silky skin everywhere, hoping to soothe away the pain Springer had cause her. Sweet little moans spilled from her lips as I slipped a lacy bra on her and then helped her into a matching thong. Tears were still spilling from her eyes.
“Baby, you’re still crying,” I said softly, brushing them away with my thumbs. “Do you want to talk about it?”
She shook her head, and her vulnerable eyes met mine. “I just love you so much. When Springer told me he was going to kill you, my life was over right then. Oh, Blake, if something terrible happened to you, I don’t think I could live.”
I squatted so we were face to face, just a breath apart. I traced her tear-stained face with my hand and gazed into her watering green orbs. “Baby, for you, I’m invincible. I’m that man who’s going to take care of you. Protect you from the monsters of the world. Slay them if I have to. And no one’s going to get in my way. Do you understand that?”
With a sniffle and a small smile, she nodded. She knew at this moment I was her superhero who would always be there for her. Not Superman, Batman, or Spiderman. No, me. Blake Burns. Yeah. Thatman. I took her in my arms and passionately kissed her. Yet again. Her hot tears wet my face as she melted into me.
After another soft exchange of “I love you,” I finished dressing her. I trailed kisses up her smooth as satin legs as I inched up a full skirt and then along her taut torso as I helped her into a blouse. Her pink nipples peeked out from the lacy bra and I tenderly nibbled them.
She was still shaking. I’d learned when my baby was traumatized, she got chilled. After buttoning up her blouse, I put my jacket on her. It dwarfed her tiny frame, but I found it so fucking sexy. She was lost in me. There was one last thing I had to put on her.
“Don’t move,” I said quietly as I dipped my hand into the breast pocket of my jacket. Her eyes stayed fixed on me as I removed the tourmaline pendant necklace. Passion danced in her eyes as I hooked it around her slender neck. “My heart belongs to you, tiger.”
She rubbed the heart-shaped pink gemstone between her fingers as if it were a magic charm. Then, she cradled my head in her soft hands and whispered, “Only to me.”
The police arrived shortly. My brave little tiger told them everything. I was shocked to find out that she was almost raped in college and to learn her assailant and Springer were one and the same person. The sick motherfucker. A lot of girls had been assaulted by him and could now have closure. I had slain the monster.
Charges weren’t going to be pressed as my actions had been in self-defense. There would, however, be an in-depth investigation. Right now, the police were more preoccupied with our well-being. One particularly compassionate female officer was concerned about not only Jennifer’s physical stability but also her emotional state. She gave Jennifer a card with the name of a social worker who dealt with victims of sexual assault. With a faint but appreciative smile, my girl said she would definitely give this person a call. And I was going to be sure she did first thing in the morning.
The paramedics also showed up and wanted to take us to a hospital. While both of us were battered up, not to mention my big ass headache, we declined. They were especially concerned about Jen’s foot and removed the dirty bandage. It seemed okay. She told them to leave it uncovered as her stitches were coming out tomorrow. The pain I’d caused her had already faded.
I had literally done what my father had told me to do. Knocked down her door. And thank fucking God, I had. If I hadn’t gotten to her house when I did, that bastard would have killed her. I would have died too because her heart belonged to me. All that remained from my flowers was the SpongeBob balloon with the words I LOVE YOU. The vase was in smithereens, the roses crushed, and my clever little note blurred beyond recognition in a puddle of water. It didn’t matter. Actions spoke louder than words. When I devoured her mouth and held her in my arms, I knew she was mine.
With the front door bashed in, there was no way Jen could stay at her house. Besides, it was the center of a major crime scene investigation. There was only one place she was staying. And with only one person. Forced to leave her crutches behind because they were part of the crime scene, she let me take her to my condo. She didn’t need her crutches anyway. Sh
e had me. She belonged in my arms.
With candles lit, we took a bath together, another thing I’d never done with anyone but her. Her sculpted back against my chest, she sat in front of me, and we let the jets of my Jacuzzi tub soothe away our aches and pains and wash away the bad memory of Don Springer. I alternated between sponging her gently and smothering her with kisses. I also washed her hair with the cherry vanilla shampoo I’d bought because it reminded me of her. She moaned as my fingers massaged her scalp. The intoxicating scent made me heady. My cock grew hard beneath her. But I didn’t want to fuck her. She’d been through too much and was still too frail. Her fragility tugged at my heartstrings. In the morning, she would hopefully feel stronger. I was eager to talk to her and learn more about what had happened in college. There was probably so much I didn’t know about my tiger, but I was determined to discover everything about her.
After rinsing her hair, I stepped out of the deep basin and then lifted her out. I toweled dried her and then set her down on the double sink counter. I caressed her breasts and ran my fingers through her wet silky hair. She smelled so good. So cherry vanilla. Gripping the tourmaline heart in one hand, she stroked my face with the other and then kissed me.
“Blake,” she breathed in my ear, “I want you.” She wrapped a hand around my thick shaft and stroked it up and down. I moaned with unexpected ecstasy. I wanted her too. And my throbbing cock, Mr. Burns, wanted her beyond words. But not here.
Lifting her again into my arms, I carried her to my bedroom—my sanctuary where no girl had ever been—to the place where she belonged.
My big king-sized bed. I spread her across it. Even with her bruises, she was a sight to behold. She looked like an angel. Love and desire glinted in her eyes. The fierce eyes of my tiger. I crawled onto the bed and kissed her everywhere. From her foot’s wounded sole to her soulful face. No licks, laps, or nips. Just kisses, but the tongue-driven kind that let me taste every bit of her. She tasted fucking delicious. Trailing kisses down her torso, I buried my head in her slick pussy and kissed her delectable clit. Her body bucked just a little and she moaned.
THAT MAN: Holiday Box Set Books 1-5 Page 37