by T M Kelly
“Malik. Isn’t that the guy who tended to Anora earlier?” I pointed in the guy’s direction.
“Yeah, it is.” We approached him before he had a chance to exit. “Hey, excuse me.”
“Yeah.”
“The woman you just brought in. Anora.”
“She’s in a room already.”
“Can we go back and see her yet?”
The guy looked around. “There are cops standing guard.” He leaned closer. “Room 2020.”
“Thanks.” Malik slapped his shoulder lightly.
I made sure to keep up with him while we weaved in and out of people in the hallway. As we approached the room, there were two officers standing watch outside the door just like the EMT mentioned. “Thank goodness they are taking her safety seriously.”
“I’m not sure they are.” Malik approached the men and held out a badge. They stepped aside and let us enter. He leaned closer to my ear. “My badge is expired. They never noticed, though. Plus, why did the EMT share the room number so easily?”
My head whipped up. His words took me by surprise. “I don’t understand?”
“My friend will be here soon. Anora will be taken somewhere else.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“They just let me share my expired badge and yet, still approved my entrance.”
“Good point.” Anora was facing the window when we approached. “Hi, sweetie.”
“Jenny.” She reached out her hand. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I had to make sure you were okay for myself.”
Anora patted the bed beside her. “Well, let me get a good look at how you’re healing.” She glanced over to Malik. “Is he taking care of you?”
“Yes, Mother,” I said and hid my laugh with my hand. “I don’t know how your injury is not more serious?”
“Ray did it in passing. It’s a flesh wound.” She squeezed my hand. “You would be so proud of me. I kicked my leg out the moment he leaned over with the knife.”
“You both may be future fighters,” Malik said and leaned against the window sill.
“Me?” Anora placed her hand on her chest. “I don’t even know how to hit a fly let alone a person.”
There was a knock at the door. Malik made his way over to check and see who it was. The curtain was pulled just enough, so we couldn’t see Malik and the mystery person make their way back to the bed. The moment the mystery guy stepped into the small space, I heard Anora’s breath hitch from beside me.
“Okay, this is our cue to leave. I need to get Jenny out of here.”
“You don’t want to introduce us?” I said and stood up. “Make the situation less awkward maybe.”
The guy took one step forward and held out his hand. “They call me, Ghost.” He had a long beard, short, dark brown hair and a permanent scowl that was actually very sexy. “I need to remove Anora from the hospital ASAP.”
I looked down at my friend. “You can trust him. We have our special phones to keep connected.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Malik said and pulled a phone from his jeans pocket. “This is for you.” He handed it to Anora. “We switched yours out just in case. It’s synced with Jenny’s.”
“Does anyone want to share the part about me leaving the hospital?” Anora looked confused.
“After I get you out of the hospital,” Ghost said and pulled the curtain farther over to give us more privacy. “Have the cops at the door been distracted yet?”
“All clear.” Malik opened the door to the room a fraction. “Jenny, come on.” He held his hand out for me to take.
I looked back at Anora. “I’ll see you soon. I’m sorry you got messed up in this shit.”
“Just stay safe, Jenny.” She blew me a kiss.
Malik had my hand in a death grip as we weaved in and out of hospital personnel for the second time. “What if Ray follows us home?”
“He won’t.” Malik sounded so sure as we approached the front entrance to the emergency room. We quickly made our way back to the truck and hopped inside. “See that van over there?”
There was a black van parked in a loading zone. “Yeah, who is it?”
“Journey and Lincoln.”
“Wait, I thought they had to leave and work a case?”
“They are.”
“My case?”
“Let’s get back to the house and talk.”
I knew it wouldn’t matter if I protested, so I buckled my seat belt and leaned my head back. “This was just supposed to be a situation between a husband and a wife.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“How is Journey and Lincoln already on the case? This all just happened.”
“After you were attacked, we started digging.”
“And that simple search became a full-on investigation?”
“Basically.”
“Ray can’t stay hidden forever.”
“Journey and Lincoln will find him. I can promise.”
“Don’t promise. Not yet.”
Malik reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’ll wait, for now.”
I glanced down at our clasped hands. “This should feel wrong.”
“Why?”
“You’re—” I stopped. “I’m.” I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m married.”
“Jenny, I think your marriage is over.”
I closed my eyes and let his words run around in my mind. Ray made me believe for so long we were perfect together. Then he let himself get mixed up in something deep and just threw everything we had out the window. I looked down at my wedding ring and pulled it off.
“Wait,” Malik said and placed his hand over mine.
“What?”
“Were you about to throw it out the window?”
“Um, no. I can get some money for this.”
“You had me worried there for a second.”
“There’s no reason to wear it anymore.” I held the two-carat diamond up in between my index and middle finger. “It’s all bullshit and lies.”
“Should we stop somewhere and cash it in?”
“Not tonight.” I slid the ring into my pants pocket and crossed my arms over my chest. This night. My life. Ray. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it all. I glanced over and watched as Malik rubbed his hand up and down the length of his beard. Then there was Malik. My protector.
“Did we ever decide what was for dinner?”
“Are you hungry?” He turned down the long driveway.
“Maybe.”
I unbuckled the seat belt and slid over to him. “When do Julian and Lily arrive back home?”
“Why? Do you have some hot plans?”
I swatted at his arm. “No. Maybe. No.” I shook my head.
Why did this man cause me to get all tongue-tied?
12
“Here.” I held the wooden spoon up with marinara sauce on the end. “Tell me what you think.”
Malik had just walked back into the room. “I get to taste it?” At the same moment he bent his head, the vision of sauce flying all over Ray invaded my mind. I dropped the spoon and stepped back suddenly. “Jenny.” He reached down before the spoon hit the ground. “Are you okay?”
I covered my hands over my eyes and groaned. “Why am I such an idiot?”
“Whoa, whoa, that does not make you an idiot.” He placed his hands around my wrists. “That was an accident.” Then he surprised me. He walked over and rinsed off the spoon before dipping it back into the sauce. He took a bite and flashed the biggest smile. “And I’m one lucky man.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because that’s damn good.”
“Really?” Ray never said a word about the food I cooked for several years. Sometimes I wondered if it would be better to just order out. I had a feeling Ray would’ve been happier.
Malik stepped closer to me. “New rule for you.”
“Um, okay,” I said and wrapped my arms around his waist.
“If you dou
bt your capabilities you have to follow it with a positive.”
“I’m sure to fail this task.”
“And now a positive.”
“I’ll smile while doing it.” I flashed the biggest smile.
“Not good enough.” He squeezed my sides. “You can do better than that.”
I plopped my head against his chest. “Just one positive?”
“Only one. Right now.”
“Your smile.” I lifted my head. “That’s my positive. I love your smile.”
He set the spoon back in the pan and just stood there staring at me for the longest moment. I started to wonder when he would make a move. Then he finally lifted his hand and brushed a finger down the side of my face. I thought about what Malik would want. How I could make him happy in bed. That was something I had to think about with Ray.
He tapped my forehead. “Tell this thing to be quiet.”
“Is it too loud?”
“I can see your wheels just a turning.” He stepped back and grabbed my hand. “Come here.” We walked into the living room and sat down on the couch facing each other. “Tell me something?”
“Maybe.” I lightly laughed. “Okay, fine. What do you want to know?”
“What not to do.”
“I don’t understand.”
Malik reached for my hand. “What will trigger a memory?”
“That’s a lot. Should we look at this from a different angle?”
“How so?”
I moved my legs under me and rested my arm on the back of the couch. “Anora used to recreate triggers, just so I could move past the bad memories.”
“Did it work?”
“For the most part. We couldn’t test everything out.”
“What do you still need to test?” I dropped my head. The answer was on the tip of my tongue but once I said it, there would be no take backs. He placed his finger under my chin and slowly lifted it up. “What do you still need to test?”
“Well, romance.”
“That’s a pretty broad statement.”
I dropped my head down on the cushion in between us. “This is weird to talk about.”
“Then show me what you want.”
My body lifted up so fast. “What did you say?”
“Show me.”
“I—”
Malik moved closer and stopped me from talking by capturing my lips. The moment his lips touched mine, I melted into the couch. I couldn’t remember the last time I had been kissed like this. He moved his lips slowly and slid his tongue across my bottom lip. I thought he would trigger fear, but instead I wanted more. I moved my body closer and wrapped my arms around his neck. Finally, I allowed him access. The moment our tongues touched, I felt my moan escape without permission.
“This.”
He leaned back. “Kissing.”
“Yeah.” I leaned forward and kissed him lightly. “It’s been so long since someone has kissed me this way.”
“Well, we better make up for lost time then.” He wrapped his hand around my neck and tugged me closer. “We have all night.”
“Should we have dinner somewhere in between all this kissing?”
“That’s true. We wouldn’t want to kiss too much on an empty stomach.”
I burst out laughing. “Why, does something happen?”
“I have no idea.” He chuckled and brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
I placed my palm on his cheek. “Well then, why are we chatting so much?”
He flashed that smile that made my insides crumple. “Oh, right, right,” Malik said and touched his lips just ever so lightly against mine, causing goosebumps to form all over my skin. Then he took it deeper and I surprised myself by throwing my leg over his and straddling him. “Jenny.”
“Too much?”
“Just right.” He squeezed my behind and pulled me closer. I could feel the outline of his erection and wiggled slightly. “Don’t rush tonight. You deserve more than that.”
Did I, though? For over two years now, I let myself believe everything Ray fed me. Maybe that’s all I was worth. He tapped my forehead again. “Can you hear me thinking again?”
“What he made you believe. It was all lies.”
“I’m struggling.”
“It’s only been days since you left him. Maybe we shouldn’t be doing this.” He tried to move me off his lap.
“No, please.” I grabbed his hands in between mine. “Make me forget.”
“Jenny, I can’t be your rebound guy. I don’t work that way.”
“We don’t know what you will be, but for now you can make me feel good.” I rubbed my hands down his chest. My fingers were catching each button. “It’s been a long time.”
He buried his head in the crook of my neck and groaned loudly. “What are you doing to me?”
I wiggled my behind and felt his erection twitch. “You tell me?”
Malik surprised me by lifting my body up and carrying me to the bedroom with the king-size bed. He dropped me onto the mattress and stood over my body. “I don’t want to regret this.”
“Is that a possibility?”
He finished unbuttoning his shirt and threw it off. “You never know.” Then he settled in between my legs and slowly slid up my body. “Odds are in your favor, though.”
“Oh, are they now?” I said, trying not to laugh and failing. I wrapped my legs around his waist. “Do you want me facing you the whole time?”
Malik was peppering light kisses all over my chest and neck when I asked the question. He lifted his head and had this scowl that went way past his eyebrows. “Come again?”
I covered my face with my hands. “Never mind.”
He pried my fingers away. “No, this is important to you. It’s okay.”
The thought of the last time I was with Ray showed up uninvited. I could hear him say the words, Turn away. I can’t look at you with your face like that. Yet, he was the reason my face was a mess. I shook my head. “Ray”—I cleared my throat, determined not to cry—“made me turn away whenever we had sex.”
“He didn’t like to look at you?”
“In the beginning he did. The last two years, no.”
Malik placed his hands on either side of my face. “I can’t imagine not looking at you.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“And now give me a positive thought?”
He was serious about this. “Shit, okay, um, I love the way you’re making me feeling right now.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much?”
“I want more.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he teased and leaned up to remove my T-shirt.
The fabric got stuck on my forehead and we struggled to get it off. I couldn’t stop laughing as he inched the material away. When it finally released my head fell back, and I was still in fits of giggles. I couldn’t remember the last time I laughed that hard.
I cleared my throat and forced myself to get serious. “Sorry.”
Malik let his body fall onto the bed. He went onto his side and rested his head in his hand. “I could listen to you laugh all day.”
I covered my mouth. “It’s been a long time.”
“Then I need to find all the ways to make you laugh.”
His words touched me. I didn’t believe I was deserving of this kindness. What if I was washed-up trash that Malik would tire of later? I sat up and crossed my legs in front of me. Maybe this was too fast. I couldn’t get my memories out of my mind. I wanted to let go, but they were too fresh.
Malik sat up next to me. “Did I rush you?”
I grabbed his hand. “What? No. This is my fault. I forced you.”
“Jenny,” he said and turned my face toward him. “We did this together. We wanted this together. You did nothing wrong.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. Then he hopped off the bed and reached for my hand. “Come on. There’s dinner ready on the stove.”
I stood and placed my hand on the side of his face. “You’re a good
man.”
“You apparently don’t know me well enough yet.”
I shoved him out of the room. “Lies. All lies.”
13
“Did you see this?” I handed my phone over to Malik. “Spartacus is accepting new fighters.” We’d gone to bed alone last night. It was a hard decision to make, but I knew my mind didn't plan to shut off anytime soon.
He turned his head to the side. “Wait, am I missing something?”
I glanced down at the announcement. “I don’t know. Do they usually accept inexperienced fighters? Am I missing the fine print somewhere?” I scrolled to the bottom of the announcement, trying to locate anything out of the ordinary.
Malik leaned over the table and placed his hand over mine. “You want to be a fighter?”
I set my phone down and leaned back. “I’ve been thinking about it.”
He stood and walked over to the coffee pot to refill his mug. “You know what that means, right?” I watched as he added cream and sugar. “It’s more than just teaching you a few moves.”
“I know…I think.”
He leaned against the counter and took a sip of his coffee. “It’s long hours at a gym. You eat and sleep your workouts. When you're preparing for a fight, you have to cut several weeks prior to get your body ready.” He pushed off and walked back to the table. “Does that sound fun to you?”
“Well, when you put it that way.”
“I’m not trying to dissuade you, Jenny.”
“I know. Actually, I’m still interested.”
His mouth dropped. “You are?”
“And.” I lifted my finger and pointed it in his direction. “I—”
“Don’t you say it.”
“Want you to train me.”
“No, you said it.” He slapped his hand onto his forehead.
“I said it.” I stood up and walked around the table. “Will you help me?”
He reached for my hand. “Why?”
It took me a moment to answer. This idea started with Ray, but it wasn’t the core reason. “When I step onto the mat, something passes through me.”
“I know that feeling.”
“You do?” I sat down on his lap. “So I’m not crazy?”
He held his index finger and thumb a quarter inch apart. “Maybe a little.”