by JA Hensley
“Sir, I’m going to need you to come with me,” a young city officer says. I look him up and down and it’s obvious that he just got out of the academy.
“I don’t think so, junior. I’m not giving another statement.”
“Actually, old man, I was asked to come and escort you to Ms. Jamesson's room. She’s been asking for you.”
That gets my feet moving and improves my mood enough to ignore his jab at my age. We walk down two different hallways, out of the emergency room, and into what appears to be a small office. Christin is sitting in front of a desk with a female officer in the corner. She has three white rectangles on her cheek and I can see bruises forming on her arms.
“Thanks, man,” I say quietly as I walk past him. I nod at the cop in the corner and make my way to stand in front of Christin.
“Are you okay?” She’s visibly shaking and the tough exterior she usually has is gone.
“I think so. What about you? Has anyone checked your incision?”
“You are the only person I know that would worry more about my stitches than your own brutal attack. Seriously, who does that?” I ask as I step forward and pull her into my arms. She leans into me and starts to cry.
“Shh, you’re okay. I’m not going to let anything happen to you,” I whisper as I stroke her hair. She feels perfect against me, like we were made for each other.
“I’m sorry,” she says as she pulls away. “Normally I can handle shit, but this is too much. I was actually scared in there.”
“It’s perfectly normal to be scared. Healthy, even. You did everything you were supposed to. That man was crazy and unpredictable. Are you allowed to leave yet?”
She looks over to the officer in the room who shakes her head. I get my phone out of my pocket and text Colin. The response is quick.
“Colin’s on his way. We’ll get you out of here soon.” I sit down and pull her onto my lap. I can’t stop touching her, and since she’s not fighting me, I’m going to take full advantage of the opportunity. We don’t say anything. She has her head on my shoulder, and I’m running my hand up and down her leg. The silence isn’t too uncomfortable, but the thoughts running through my head are. I can feel the panic start to rise the more I think about what could have happened.
Thankfully, Colin comes in the room and pulls me out of the spiral.
“You both are free to go. Kevin brought Becca, so she’ll drive you back to Christin’s, and I’ll pick her up from there. I assume that you’ll be staying there, Jude.” The fucker has the audacity to smirk.
“Yeah, if she’ll let me,” I answer him while looking at the only woman who has ever held the key to my heart.
“He can stay. I have to check his sutures,” she says as she stands. She looks back at me and winks. There’s the Christin I know.
We follow Colin back to the employee lounge in the emergency room and find Becca and Kevin talking with some of the other nurses. As soon as Christin enters, she’s surrounded by people hugging her and looking at her face. I’m sure she hates all the attention, but she doesn’t stop any of them.
“You okay?” Becca asks as she gets on her tiptoes to pull me in for a hug.
“I’m fine, really. She’s the one to worry about. She was crying a few minutes ago.”
“Well, given the circumstances, I’m not surprised. I know it’s not a normal thing for her, but crying can be very therapeutic and a great stress reliever.”
“I hope you’re right. It kind of freaked me out.”
“Sack up, Schaefer. If you’re going to be the one for my friend, you’re going to have to deal with all of her moods, no matter how often they appear.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say with a small salute. We both laugh and draw the crowd’s attention.
“Let’s get you two out of here,” Becca says as she takes Christin’s hand and pulls her out of the lounge. Colin is standing in the hall talking with a police detective. He smiles as we go by and silently communicates with his wife.
Becca had parked Christin’s car at a side door, away from the swarm of police cars and media. We slip into the vehicle unnoticed and make our escape.
The ride to Christin’s place is fairly silent. I’m practically folded in half in the back seat and the girls are in the front. I can hear them talking quietly, but I don’t try to listen. My brain keeps going back to the vision of that shitbag with his hands on my woman. I have never been so scared and angry at the same time. It was as if my life was being taken away from me.
“Hey,” I jump when I hear Christin’s voice and feel her hand on my leg. “We’re here,” she says as she looks at me with concern. I nod and get out of the car.
The condo is a good size, from what I can tell. Of course the first thing I notice is her security system, which seems to be top notch. We enter the kitchen from the garage, and I can see the dining room. The windows look out onto a small deck that is surrounded by trees. I follow the women into the living room and fall onto the couch.
“You two need to get your rest. I’m going to go make you some tea. Christin, do you want to take a shower or just get in bed?” I never realized that Becca could be such a mother hen.
“I’ll get a shower in a minute,” she says from the chair across the room. “I just need to catch my breath and let the last of the adrenaline wear off.”
“Jude, what about you? Do you want some tea? I can make you something to eat as well.”
“Thanks, but I’m fine. You don’t need to make a fuss over me.”
Becca smiles as she leaves the room without making the snide comment I expect. I look over at Christin, and my heart nearly stops. She has her head laid back on the chair, her eyes are closed, the bandage on her cheek is only partially hiding her wound, and she is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen in my life. When my blood starts pumping again it goes straight to my dick.
“Stop staring at me,” she whispers. I can’t help the laugh that comes out. “You’re creeping me out, Jude.”
“Sorry, I can’t help it. I don’t want to let you out of my sight ever again.” Shit. I can’t believe that I said that.
“Whatever,” she says sarcastically.
“Here’s your tea, babe,” Becca says as she comes back into the room. I watch Christin transform from the exhausted, wounded woman she is to the self-assured one I’m coming to realize is the mask she wears around others. A knock at the door tears me from my thoughts and has me on my feet in an instant.
“It’s just Colin,” Becca says. I relax a little, but still stay alert until she opens the front door, and I see my brother standing there. He walks in and kisses his wife before looking at me.
“Stand down, soldier, you’re safe now,” he says in an authoritative tone. I glare at him but don’t move. “Seriously, Jude, you’re fine. Look at yourself. You’re not under attack.”
I glance down at myself. I didn’t realize that I had taken on a defensive stance, my fists are clenched at my sides and my muscles are tense, ready to strike. I look back at my brother as I try to relax a little.
“Sorry, man, can’t help it.”
“I get it. The threat is neutralized. You’re both fine and safe. You need to put your weapon away because I know it’s still loaded, and catch some z's. It’s been a long day for both of you. Becca and I will be back tomorrow afternoon to check on you.”
“We’ll be fine. You don’t need to come back,” Christin says from the chair.
“Tough, we’ll be here,” Becca says, gaining an eyeroll from her friend.
“Now that we’ve got that settled, you two have a good evening,” Colin says as he backs out the door, taking Becca with him. I follow and lock the deadbolt after the door is closed.
“Where’s the shower? I can go get the water warmed up for you.”
“Upstairs, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I know but I want to. This will be difficult, but I want you to try and let me take care of you.”
“What
? Why?”
“Let’s shower and then we can talk. There are a lot of things we need to discuss.” I walk away without letting her answer, going upstairs to find the master bathroom.
The king-sized bed looks inviting, but I force myself to keep walking. Her bathroom is amazing. There’s a separate shower and jetted tub that had to cost a fortune. This woman obviously likes her baths, so that’s where I choose to start the water. I can get in and let her lay on me while she relaxes in the bubbles. It also will give me the opportunity to touch her and take my time with her.
“I thought you were going to take a shower,” Christin says as she walks into the room.
“I was, but this looked like an even better choice.”
“You’re not supposed to soak your incision.”
“I don’t really give a shit about that. I want to hold you. We’re having a bath,” I reply as I start to remove my clothes.
“You’re a stubborn asshole, you know that?” she scoffs, but starts to undress as well.
“You wouldn’t want me any other way.” I drop my pants and hear her breath hitch. She’s probably remembering what my piercing felt like when we were together in Las Vegas. I know what she felt like, but I rein those thoughts in before my dick notices. That’s the last thing that needs to happen tonight. I step into the tub and sink down into the warm water, making plenty of room for Christin to join me.
She sheds the rest of her clothes and picks up a small remote control before getting into the bath. The bubbles start gently flowing and she sits down, with her back to me, but not touching. That doesn’t work for me, so I gently pull her backwards until my chest is flush against her.
“Why are you doing this?” she asks quietly. I guess this is the moment of truth.
“I care about you. I know it’s hard to believe, but I do. The only other people on the planet that I’ve ever worried or cared about are my brother and my mother when she was alive.” I run my fingers up and down her arm, causing goosebumps to pop up.
“You’re right, it’s hard to believe, but you sound sincere. I care about you, too,” she whispers the last part.
“I’m sorry for being an asshole. It’s all I really know.”
“That’s understandable. I won’t put up with it though, so be prepared to be called on it,” she says as she chuckles.
“You’re the first woman to ever stand up to me. Ever. I like it,” I say with a smile.
“Obviously you’ve never been with a real woman then. I don’t know anyone who would let a man walk all over them.”
“I’ve certainly never been with someone like you. Strong, confident, focused. It’s a different experience, one that I find myself wanting more and more.” My dick starts to show her exactly how much.
“Slow down, there, big boy. As much as I enjoy what you have to offer, I’m exhausted. Tell your cock to take the night off because my vagina is off limits.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I say as I hug her closer. My dick isn’t happy, but he does the right thing.
We sit in silence until the water starts to cool off. I think she may have even fallen asleep for a bit.
“Come on, princess, let’s get you into bed,” I say as I move her forward so I can stand. I get out of the bath first, wrapping a towel around my waist. Christin looks absolutely gorgeous with her hair wet on the ends, sitting in the water watching me. I take another towel off the rack and hold it open for her. Once she’s out of the water, I wrap her up and pull her to me. I take her hand and lead her to the bed where I gently sit her down and go about drying her legs with the towel I was wearing. Once she’s dry, I tuck her into the covers and go let the water out of the tub and hang the towels.
By the time I make it back to the bed, I can hear Christin softly snoring. I smile to myself and climb in beside her. She rolls over and I pull her body to mine, putting my arm under her head so she can use me as a pillow. It doesn’t take very long and I’m drifting off, feeling more content than ever before.
28
I wake up and I’m warm. Really warm. Taking inventory of my body, I realize that my shoulders are sore, my face hurts a little, and I’m laying on someone. I never spend the night so who the fuck is in bed with me?
I crack one eye open and see the man who has haunted my dreams for months. Suddenly the day before comes rushing back. The idiot in the ER, the cut on my cheek, the gunshots, the death, and the relief. I feel guilty that I caused someone’s death. My eyes fill with tears as I think about it.
“Hey, it’s not your fault,” Jude’s sleep-filled voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“I know, but I don’t have to like it. He was a person who obviously needed help. He didn’t deserve to die.”
Jude rolls us, putting me on my back and him above looking into my eyes. “I didn’t say he deserved it, but you have to know that he had plans to do so many things to you that would make you wish you were dead. I couldn’t let that happen. I’ve met guys like him, and they don’t stop. They call it love, but it’s a sick obsession to possess a woman’s body and soul. Trust me, it could have been much worse.”
I shudder knowing what Becca went through at the hands of her ex-boyfriend. That could have been me yesterday. Tears fall down my face.
“Hey, don’t cry, princess. You’re safe now. I’m never going to let anyone hurt you ever again.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I whisper, trying not to hope for the impossible.
“I never do. We need to talk about this. Who did this to you?”
“What do you mean? Did what?” I fire back defensively.
“You know what I’m talking about. Who put this distrust for men in your head?”
I sigh and shake my head. The last thing I want to do right now is dig up the past. “I don’t…”
“Yes, you do,” he cuts me off. “Please, tell me. I want to change your mind.” I look in his eyes and see nothing there but acceptance. Maybe he really does want to stick around.
“It’s not a pretty story, and I don’t like telling it. If I do, it will only happen once and you will never get it out of me again. Is that understood?”
He leans down and kisses my lips quickly before pulling back to look me in the eye. “I promise I will never ask again. I meant it when I said I want you in my life. I haven’t stopped thinking about you since the day we met.”
I nod and close my eyes, gathering the courage to tell him about my mother, the whore. As I open my mouth and the words come out, I’m transported back to the past.
Yelling. She’s always yelling. I pull my pillow over my head and hope that it will be enough to drown out her voice.
“CJ, get your ass out of that bed!”
I lay as still as I can when I hear my door slam into the wall. I can’t deal with her today.
“Did you hear me? Get out of that bed right now,” she says as she pulls my blanket off my face.
“I heard you. The neighbors probably heard you. It’s Saturday, and I want to sleep,” I whine. It’s not going to work, but I have to try.
“I don’t need your attitude today, CJ. What I do need is for you to get up and help me clean this place. I’m having company tonight, and I want everything to look nice.”
I groan softly, hoping she doesn’t hear me. I know what having company means, and it’s not going to be fun for me.
“Okay, Mom. I’m getting up. Where do you want me to start?” I know she’ll just stand there and bug me if I don’t obey her.
“You work on the bathroom and when you’re done come to the kitchen for another job,” she says as she finally leaves me alone. I sigh and sit up, knowing that more yelling will happen if I don’t make noise like I’m cleaning something.
As I make my way down the hall, I hear my brother in his room. He’s got his Game Boy going and I can hear the Mario Bros. theme music. He’s always playing that game and never has to help with the chores. I sneak in to his room to scare him. It’s such a pig sty in here. I walk o
ver a pile of dirty underwear and the smell nearly knocks me over.
“Why are you such a slob?” I yell as loud as I can. Bobby jumps and Mario falls into the water.
“Really, CJ? I was about to make it to the next level. What do you want?”
“I want you to get off your butt and help me clean this house. Mother says we’re having company tonight.”
“Oh, no,” he says shaking his head. “I can’t handle another night of that. Can we go somewhere?” His pouty face is something I have a hard time ignoring. He’s annoying, but I feel like I have to take care of him since Mother doesn’t.
“I’ll see what I can do. Now, get off that game and help clean if you want me to get us out of here,” I say as I lightly smack him on the head. He jumps up and follows me out of his room.
We apparently got things done to my mother’s satisfaction because she ignored us all day. I’m trying to figure out how to get Bobby out of the house when the first guests arrive.
“CJ, answer the door and be polite. I don’t need your teenage attitude tonight. This party is too important.” I roll my eyes knowing she can’t see me, but go to answer the door.
“Welcome to Julia’s soirée. Please follow me,” I say not making eye contact. These two are wearing a lot of leather. The woman has a dog collar on her neck, and the man is holding a chain leash attached to her. He smiles at me and it gives me the creeps. I take them to the back living room. My mother has it set up like she always does. Few lights, whips hanging on the wall, a leather-covered table in the middle of the room with handcuffs hanging from the sides. I know what they do in here, and it makes my stomach turn. I’ve never let Bobby see this, but he knows that bad things happen because we’ve both heard the screams. In my nearly fourteen years on this earth, I have had to listen to a lot of things I wish I didn’t.