Affinity: A Salvation Society Novel

by Harlow Layne

  “Paul, leave my husband alone,” I croaked out. I couldn’t listen to another minute of their bickering.

  “My sweet Abbi, what have they done to you?” he whispered against my cheek before he kissed it softly.

  Turning my head, I looked at Jenner’s tired face. His eyes were bloodshot and sad as he regarded me.

  Bringing his head down to our joined hands, he kissed the back of my hand before he rested his forehead to it. “It’s good to see you awake, baby girl. How are you feeling?”

  “Drugged,” I succeeded in getting out. My head felt light as a cloud, and where I should have felt pain, I only felt numb.

  Jenner smiled down at me. His brown hair was tousled as if he’d been running his hands through it. “They gave you the good stuff.”

  “You look like you could use some sleep.” I managed to get the words past my scratchy throat. “Thanks for calling my brother.”

  “Of course.” He gave me a timid smile. “I’m so happy you’re okay. Do you remember what happened? You said a car ran you off the road.”

  “I was—”

  “Now’s not the time. She can answer questions once she’s back home and safe,” Paul interrupted.

  “It’s okay,” I started again, only for this time to be interrupted by Jenner.

  “He’s right. You should rest. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later. Do you need anything?”

  I wasn’t sure what he thought I needed, but it was sweet. Especially since he never went to the store. If he had an assistant, I was sure he would have them get it instead. Maybe now that I was out of commission for a short while, he’d have to get one.

  “No, I’m just tired. Will you be here when I wake up?” I looked from one to the other as best as I could while my eyes started to droop, hoping they’d both be here. Even though Jenner had only been in my life a short time, he’d become an important part of it.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Jenner answered before his eyes flicked up to Paul.

  “Please be nice to him. If you give him a chance, you’ll see he’s a good guy.”

  “I’ll try. For you,” he frowned down at me.

  “Where are you staying, Paul?”

  “Um . . . I haven’t gotten that far. I came straight from the job I was on.”

  “Let’s not get into why you were here and didn’t bother to tell me we were in the same state. As for where you’re staying, you can stay with us. There’s a nice spare bedroom for you to use. Right?” I lazily turned my head to the side Jenner was sitting on.

  “Of course, he’s your family.” His words didn’t match how tight his jaw was as he uttered the words.

  “He’s your family now too.” His nostrils flared, but he stayed quiet. Yawning, I tried to talk it through. “I think I’m going to go to sleep now.”

  “We’ll be here,” Paul said quietly against my temple.

  The last thing I felt was a soft kiss before I was back into the land of peaceful darkness.

  I was finally home and in Jenner’s comfy bed after spending three days in the hospital when I heard Paul and Jenner fighting somewhere in the house. It was easy for sound to travel when we kept the area open to the outdoors.

  They tried to keep their fighting away from me, but they hadn’t been successful. I’d overheard them on more than one occasion. Paul wanted me to go stay with him in Virginia while I healed. He hadn’t seemed to process that I wasn’t a little girl anymore, or that I had a husband and a job now.

  Letting out an irritated huff, I sat up as gently as I could. Even though I’d had my spleen taken out laparoscopically, they’d still gone through my stomach muscles, and they hurt like a bitch when I sat up or turned a certain way. Instead of using my crutches, I used the little scooter Jenner had gotten me.

  Leaving the bedroom, I found them in a standoff in the kitchen where Paul was making what looked like two sandwiches. They didn’t even notice me until I rolled over to Jenner’s side. I hated that I needed to take sides, but Paul was unreasonable in every demand he made. He still thought he had a say in what I did and how I did it.

  Jenner stepped beside me and put his arm around my shoulders. “What are you doing out of bed?”

  I rolled my eyes at how obtuse he was being. “I heard you fighting. Again. I’m only going to say this one more time, so you both better listen. I love that you both want the best for me, but neither of you gets to decide what I will or will not be doing. If you want to voice your concerns, then do that to me and me only. No more of seeing which one of you can pee the farthest. I’m over it.” I pulled myself out from underneath Jenner’s hold. “You want me to rest and get better, but I can’t do that with you constantly fighting. Paul, you need to get over the fact that Jenner didn’t ask you for my hand in marriage. It’s over and done, and nothing is going to change the fact.” I turned my glare to Jenner, who took a step back. Paul was used to it after living with me for years, but it had been a while since Jenner and I butted heads. “You need to listen to what my brother has to say. He only wants what’s best for me, and he usually knows what I want.”

  “Are you saying I don’t know what you want now?” Paul all but crawled over the island to get in my face.

  “Back off, man, and listen to her. We both need to listen.” Jenner shouldered in front of me. He didn’t need to protect me from my brother. I understood Paul only wanted what was best for me, and it was hard for him to step down as my caregiver.

  Not that I thought of Jenner as my caregiver, even though he had done a great job of it so far since my accident.

  “I’m staying here in California, where my husband and job are. Catherine is going to let me work from home for as long as I need to, but I do think there might be a need for some sort of security when we’re out. While I can’t say for certain the person who was driving the car that ran me off the road was the man I’d seen Poppy with all week, I don’t want to risk it.”

  It was hard not to tell my brother that we thought we might have been drugged the night we got married. It gave our situation more credit, but since he was my brother, he was already on the protection bandwagon.

  “I agree,” Paul grinned happily.

  “I still think I should call that bitch and see what she’s up to. I don’t like that she was hanging around all week and then this. Who knows what kind of drugs she’s on and how unhinged she is.” He leaned his elbows on the counter and hung his head. He continued to let it sink down until his forehead was resting on the countertop. “She was at the grocery store when we were there. Do you think she followed us?”

  Resting my hand on his back, I answered even as I saw Paul’s eyes narrow on my touch. What was his problem? It was normal to touch your husband. Had it been that long since he’d had a girlfriend of any sort? “If you think it’s a possibility, then yes.”

  “Fuck,” he growled out. “I’m sorry my past is coming back to bite us in the ass. At least while we’re on our trip to Fairlane, things should be calm.”

  With everything that had happened, I’d forgotten about going to his friends' house for the fourth.

  Steadying myself on Jenner, I moved from standing with the scooter to get myself on the bar stool.

  “Why didn’t you help her?” Paul snarled at Jenner. “And what’s this about a trip?”

  Jenner tensed beside me. If they didn’t get over their shit and soon, I was sure fists would fly.

  “Hey, why don’t you sit down by me and keep me company?”

  Without breaking eye contact, he pulled a stool next to mine and sat down.

  “Jenner has friends who live in Fairlane, Missouri, and they invited us to go there for the fourth.” I looked down at my broken leg, wondering how I was going to fly with a full-on leg cast. “Although now I’m not sure how I can.”

  “You’d have to have two seats just for your leg. I guess you can’t go now.” Paul smiled, and I wanted to slap that smile right off his face.

  “How did you think I was goi
ng to get to Virginia with you?”

  His smile slipped from his smug face.

  “Now that you won’t be working at the office, we could rent an RV. It will obviously take a little longer, but we’ve got nothing but time now it seems.”

  “Of course, throw your money at the situation,” Paul said, not quite under his breath.

  “How do you think she’s going to get security without money?” Jenner growled.

  “None of this would be happening if you weren’t in the spotlight with all your money,” Paul shot back.

  “I’ve been working since I was a child. There’s no possible way I could ever spend all the money I’ve made, so there’s no fixing that. As for—”

  “Don’t say another word,” I all but shrieked out. “No one is going to ask you to give up what makes you happy. I knew what I was signing on to when we got married.”

  Jenner lifted his hung head and raised his brows at me.

  “Now we’re going to stop fighting because we need to get ready to drive to Fairlane. Jenner, you need to cancel our flight, call Alex to let her know the change of plans, and find an RV big enough for me to get around in.”

  Paul barked out a laugh. “She told you.”

  “And Paul, since you’re so concerned about my safety, you’re going to come with us. End of story. Now, I’m going to eat my sandwich, take my pain meds, and go back to bed. If I hear anymore fighting between the two of you, I’m going to kick both of your asses.”

  “I suggest we do as she says because she means business,” Paul said as he walked out of the room.

  Jenner leaned over until his mouth hovered over my ear. “I’ve never been more turned on before in my life, and it’s killing me that there’s nothing we can do about it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Jenner

  “You’re the world’s worst driver. When are you going to pull over and let me drive?” Abbi’s brother groaned from behind us.

  Abbi giggled and then rolled her lips. “Leave him alone. It takes time to get used to driving a big rig like this.”

  “And how many days do we need to give him? We’ve already been through California and Arizona. Do we wait until he takes someone out in Texas tomorrow?”

  How Abbi turned the way she did, I had no idea. Her brother was the bane of my existence. I couldn’t even breathe when he was around. He found something wrong with everything I did. I wouldn’t be surprised if he convinced Abbi to divorce me without even knowing the circumstances.

  “If you want to drive, why didn’t you say so? I’d happily take a break in the back with my wife.” I wiggled my eyebrows at Abbi. “What do you say, baby girl, do you want to relax in the back with me?”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “You two are intolerable. Why don’t you pull over so I can go in the back by myself? That’s the only way I’m going to get any peace and quiet.”

  “Looks like there’s trouble in paradise,” Paul sing-songed.

  It took everything in me not to swerve off the road and throw him out of the RV. This was not the vacation I thought it was going to be. I was afraid to touch Abbi for fear of hurting her, and we were never going to enjoy a free moment with Paul hovering over us twenty-four-seven.

  “Hey, why don’t you take a break? We can take a nap or something before we hit the RV park.” Her fingers trailed up and down my arm suggestively, but I knew nothing would happen. Even if she begged me or if I got permanent blue balls, I wouldn’t risk Abbi getting hurt again.

  Without another word, I took the next exit and pulled into the first gas station I saw. I figured if we were going to stop, we might as well top off the gas tank. When I got back inside from fueling up the monster tank, Paul was sitting smugly in the driver seat. I paid no mind. If I wasn’t driving, I didn’t have to be around him to listen to him complain about everything I did. Instead, I scooped Abbi up as gently as I could from the couch she was lounging on and brought her back to the bedroom. As I swung the door closed, the RV took off.

  Abbi propped herself up on the bed and looked out the windows. “I have to say, this is definitely more comfortable than if we’d flown.”

  “It’s definitely a new experience. I’ve never been on a road trip. I’ve always flown to wherever I needed to go, and I have to say there’s something to say about taking your time and enjoying everything around you.”

  Leaning her head against my shoulder, she blinked up at me. “I have a feeling you’re talking about more than just the scenery.”

  “Perhaps,” I answered her as she let out a big yawn. “Why don’t you take a nap?”

  “Only if you join me.”

  I had no other choice when she pulled me down and then snuggled into my body. I grabbed a pillow and rested her leg on top of it before I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her closer to me. One minute I was staring up at the ceiling, and the next I was blinking my eyes open with Paul standing over me.

  “What the fuck, dude? Have you ever heard of privacy?” I went to sit up but found Abbi draped over me. Her hot breath skated across my neck, making my dick instantly hard. Not something I wanted with her brother in the room.

  “I just wanted to let you know we’re at the RV park, and I’m going for a walk. If you want to eat or whatever, do it without me.” He grunted the last part.

  I wondered if leaving without him was included.

  His face softened as he gazed down at his sister, but the moment his eyes left her, they hardened.

  “Take care of her,” he ordered.

  I watched him leave and then listened for when the door closed as he left for his nature walk. Even with him being an asshole, I was still hard. It didn’t help that every lush curve of Abbi’s body was melded against mine.

  Would it be in poor form to jack myself off with her right next to me? I was sure she’d understand. I was a man with needs. Needs that she couldn’t meet for at least two more weeks.

  Now was likely the only time I’d have to myself. Even though I most definitely wasn’t by myself. Slipping my hand past the band of my athletic shorts, and into my boxer briefs, I pulled out my throbbing cock. It wept like it knew its home was only inches away, but couldn’t have her.

  Starting with my tip, I used the pre-cum to help slide my hand up and down my shaft. I needed this to be fast, so I squeezed hard as I quickened my pace. I tugged on the end, and a grunt slipped past my lips. I needed to keep quiet, but I couldn’t help myself. Abbi had been sitting around in these short shorts and a skimpy tank top all damn day driving me wild. I’d held out as long as I could. The thought of her ass in those shorts and feeling her heat on me was enough to bring me to the edge.

  With one final stroke, I let myself go. Hot spurts of semen coated my hand as I continued to milk myself of every last drop. If I’d had my other hand, I would have grabbed something to catch my spunk in, but I made do. I’d have to change once I got up, but it was worth it. I could finally relax a little bit.

  Letting out a satisfied breath, I melted back into the bed and closed my eyes.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything hotter in my life.” Abbi’s voice was husky with lust.

  Squinting one eye open, I looked over at her. “How much of that did you catch?”

  She bit her bottom lip as she grinned. “All of it. I wanted to join in, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

  “If I would have known you were watching, I would have put on more of a show for you. Maybe next time, you can watch and play with yourself.” I raised one eyebrow in question. If I couldn’t touch Abbi, then maybe she’d let me watch her.

  The grin tugging at her lips grew into a wicked smile. “Are you planning on doing it again?”

  A huff of laughter escaped me. “If I can’t have sex with you for two weeks, I’m going to have to get off some way.”

  Her hand that had been wrapped around my waist, slid down and then underneath my shirt. She let her nails scrape along my skin, knowing how much it drove me wild
. “Maybe I can help.” She popped the ‘p’ and looked up at me innocently.

  Finding her hand, I pressed it flat against my stomach. “As much as I would love that, and I really would, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I think I know what will and won’t hurt me,” she shot back.

  “Maybe, but we shouldn’t risk it.” I removed myself from the bed so she couldn’t tempt me.

  “I’ll wear you down sooner or later.”

  I had no doubt she’d be successful.

  Abbi stood at the door, waiting for me to help her down.

  “Are you regretting deciding to RV halfway across the country?” I asked Abbi as I gripped her hips and helped her down the stairs. Carrying her over to the picnic table, I made sure she was comfortable before I went inside and got her crutches. I then sat across from her on the other side of the table.

  “I think it would be a better experience if I wasn’t hobbling around everywhere. If I could explore more, but it’s not bad. We could be stuck in your ugly, repressing house.” She laughed, holding herself up on the picnic table as she lost herself. “But no seriously, I appreciate you taking me camping like this. Giving me this experience even when you have to deal with Paul.” She wiped a tear from her cheek, leaned forward, and lowered her voice. “I promise you he wasn’t always like this. He’s only doing it out of love.”

  It must be nice to have a family to love you. Once I thought I had someone who loved me, but it turned out she was only with me for my fame and money.

  “Does knowing he’s doing it out of love make his interfering and comments any easier?”

  “At the moment, no, but when I have time to think about it, it does help. Most of the time.” One side of her mouth tipped up. “Was Alex really okay with two complete strangers coming to stay with her? I can’t imagine her letting people get close when they’re so private.”

  “First of all, she invited you, and second, I think she’s so happy I’m coming to visit that she’d let just about anyone come stay with her. It does help that your brother is ex-military and acting as your security.”