If he’s just saying it to distract Josh, it’s a direct hit. Josh’s head snaps up. “What?” Something is shining through the crazy, but it’s not enough to make me not hate him. “Like you could.”
“I’ll forgive you, just let her go.”
“I killed your sister.”
“I know.”
“How could you—” But Josh doesn’t get to finish the sentence, because a meaty fist slams into his head, knocking him off me and onto the ground.
“I don’t forgive you, motherfucker.” A voice pierces through my nausea and I look up, confused.
None of us were looking at the door and someone must have come in. I look up and try to bring the face into focus. I smile. It’s my mom, Lisa. She’s as tall as a dude, at least as tall as Ally, with dark, short hair, and a black belt in Krav Maga. She’s watching me with concern, and I reach up for her.
She smiles and reaches for me, kicking Josh once in the side on the way over.
He’s curled on the ground, holding his head, and then starts to stir. Geoff flies over, tackling him back to the ground. “Get away, he’s got a knife!”
“Good call,” Lisa says, picking me up and backing towards the door with me. “Make him pay for it, he hurt my daughter.”
Geoff merely grunts in response as he wrestles with Josh on the ground, finally coming up the victor, holding the knife.
Panic floods through me as he kneels over Josh, knife in hand. He could kill him. He has even more reason to than he did before. For a minute, staring down at Josh, face white, eyes red, I think he’s going to do it. Then he stops, flings the knife away from himself, and slumps back on his knees, away from Josh.
“I’ve had enough of trying to make people pay,” he murmurs, looking up to lock eyes with me. “Now, I just want to live.”
I smile, and happy tears flood my dopey, drugged face. “That’s great. Now someone should probably call the police.”
“On it,” my mom says, grabbing her phone out of her jeans. “Good thing I forgot dessert and had to come back.”
Geoff and I share a smile of relief as she takes charge of things. She walks over to Josh and plants a boot on his stomach.
“I’d stay down there if I was you, young man.”
Geoff laughs, and I join in.
***
I tried to tell everyone I was fine, but we ended up at the hospital anyway. We stayed overnight because I was so out of it. Geoff actually slept in the chair next to my hospital bed. Mom insisted I get a blood draw in case I needed proof of the drugging, and we had to file a report. Luckily I didn’t have to do a rape kit, because nothing really happened.
Truly, because Josh didn’t end up being able to touch me anywhere or do anything, the most disturbing part of the night was hearing him talk about Camille.
Two people I love came to my rescue, and it makes me sad to know how many women, and even men, aren’t as lucky as me. I keep fighting tears when I think of it, because Camille must have been so sad, so afraid. She must have felt it was her fault, even though it wasn’t, and felt hopeless. And I finally understand how rape can happen between friends or acquaintances, because they can isolate you, stalk you, trap you, so that no one can get to you to help you, even if they are close, even if they love you.
I hate him for doing that to Camille, Knight, and Geoff. Now he’s going to get the help he needs, but not what he deserves. I hate him so much.
I’m going to see if they have a rape advocacy center on Campus. If not, maybe I can talk to my moms about what we can do about it. They’re feminists, they should know. I actually want to reach outside myself, and I have the privilege to do so.
Geoff’s arm is around me on the way home. It’s awkward, with my mom driving. I feel like I should probably tell her about Geoff, about me. That I’m not really dating Ally.
I can definitely see why I fell for Ally. She’s a lot like my mom, and I love her for it. But it doesn’t feel like it does with Geoff, and now that I know, I should probably tell my moms. But I don’t want to be a disappointment.
I already told them about Mike, last night at the hospital, and we are going to file a restraining order. So that’s one step taken.
Geoff is warm and silent and strong against me, and I’m so proud of him.
I lean into him and he puts his arm around me and gives me a quiet smile. He’s so handsome when he’s not hiding behind anything, when his armor is gone. Oddly, without it, he seems more powerful than ever. His grey eyes are soft, and his tanned face is drawn in concern.
“How’re you feeling?” he asks quietly.
“Okay,” I say.
“No, really,” he says.
“No, really. I’m fine. Last night was scary, but nothing happened.”
“When we get home, I’m dropping you two off. I need to go pick up Shannon.”
“Mom, I should probably tell you something,” I say.
“You don’t have to explain anything to me,” she says in a quiet voice. “I know more than most people about keeping secrets. You two just be safe.”
I guess I can’t come to her if I need a condom, now that I think about it. She’s probably not the one to talk to about reproductive issues. Maybe I’m jumping the gun, because Geoff and I haven’t even talked since we fought. Not really.
When we get home, I still have a headache, and I struggle to get out of the door, and Geoff lifts me easily in his arms. He has the gall to actually wink at my mom, who just laughs a deep laugh and waits for us to get out.
I feel a little offended about being shifted around between them like a hunk of meat, but I’m too tired to really be angry. He carries me inside and pushes the door open. It creaks but isn’t completely off its hinges. It still closes, barely, and he bolts it, keeping it upright.
He carries me upstairs and when we get to my room, I realize I’m not too tired to feel embarrassed. I put my hands over my face and he looks down. “What is it, Dollface?”
“Hate that name.”
“Do you really?” he asks gently, pushing the door open with his foot and setting me on my pink, frilly bed. I blush as I look around and see what he must be seeing for the first time. Pink and purple and stuffed animals everywhere. “I guess I can call you Amy then, just for now.”
“Don’t look at my room.”
“Kinda difficult,” he says, sitting gently beside me on the bed. “Here, I’ll tuck you in.”
I dodge his hands, so that he can’t pull the covers over me. I swat him back. “I’m not a baby, you know. I’m not ready for bed, either. Not until we talk.”
“Women,” he says, with a mock sigh. “Always wanting to talk. I bet Lisa would back me up on that.”
“I bet she would,” I say with a grimace. But he turns toward me, handsome features smooth and still, and I notice that there’s a bruise on his eye. “Did he hit you?”
“Huh?” He puts a hand up to check his cheek. “Oh no, that was Knight.”
“Knight?” I say, sitting up too fast. I put a hand to my head and sit back slowly against my pillow with his assistance. He rests me against the headboard.
“Take it easy. You had a rough day yesterday. And it’s my fault.”
“What did Knight do? Why?”
“Knocked some sense into me.”
“But why is your eye messed up?”
“No, I mean he literally knocked sense into me. With his fists.” Geoff holds up a fist and grins.
“Thanks for coming,” I say.
“Sorry for being so stupid. I should have told you that if I had to choose between revenge and being there for you, I’d choose you.”
“Because you want to get in my pants?”
“Nah, you called it, Dollface. It’s more than that.”
“Oh yeah?” I say, teasing him.
“Well, I was willing to forgive my sister’s abuser for you. I guess I’d do anything for you. I’m sorry it took me so long to see it.”
“Hey, we barely know each o
ther,” I say, waving a hand limply.
He catches it in his, encloses it in his warm strength. My hand completely disappears. Even his thumb feels muscled. “I don’t think so. I wanted you from the moment I saw you, Dollface.”
“Such a stupid name,” I say, blushing. But I can’t take my eyes off him as he watches me with those soft grey eyes.
“It fits. You’re pretty.”
“Thanks.”
“Wanna date me, Dollface?”
“Sure,” I say, mumbling it, because his hand has moved up my arm, caressing my neck on the way to cupping my face gently. “I guess that would be fine.”
“Just fine?” He kisses my cheek, then moves a little lower on my jaw. The tingles start.
“More than fine,” I say, sighing and holding his hand against my cheek while I sink into him.
“You okay? You feeling up for this? I can give you space, come back tomorrow…”
“No,” I say into his hand, giving it a small kiss. “I’m quite lucid.”
“You know what this means,” he says.
“What?”
He takes my hand and kisses the palm, then does something wicked to my middle finger, watching me with hot eyes. “Means I’m going to have to apply to some schools around here. Or wherever you go to beauty school.”
I warm up at the thought. I’ll get my happy ending after all. With my food guzzling, tattooed, motorcyclist man. “I guess so.”
“You’re being so lukewarm.” He frowns.
I pull him close. “I’m still getting used to it. I mean, I don’t get it. What made you change your mind?”
He holds me tight. His arm is strong and warm and I want it around me for the rest of my life. “Knight only said what you did. I think I would have come to it on my own. Maybe not in time.” He tenses and pulls me tighter, pressing a kiss to my head. “I can’t stand what could have happened if I didn’t come. I’ll have to send Knight flowers, or something. I shouldn’t have punched him.”
“You punched him?”
“Yeah, felt like he deserved it. Felt good too. Was probably good to get the violence out before I came over and had to deal with…what I dealt with.”
I dig my nails into his shoulders, loving the size and feel of them. Mine. “I was so proud of you, when you didn’t kill him.”
“I’ll just have to keep your expectations low then, won’t I?”
“Why?”
“I’ll be a lucky boyfriend if I get points just for not killing anyone,” he says, and laughs. I play hit him on the arm and he laughs and pushes me down on the bed beneath him.
“Geoff?” I ask, suddenly unsure.
“Amy. I promise. I’m letting go.” He presses a kiss to my forehead. “And I’m getting more therapy.”
“You don’t have to let go, you just have to—”
“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he says, running rough hands up my sides, burning my skin and heating me up. “But let’s leave that for the shrink.”
“Okay,” I say, running my fingers over his arms.
“Now shut up and kiss me,” he says, lowering his mouth to hover just above mine.
“Yes sir,” I say, bringing us together.
He moves his lips over mine gently, exploring, like he’s still trying to make sure I’m okay. When he seems convinced, his opens my mouth with his and gently comes inside, possessing me with his tongue. He’s everywhere, hands moving along my stomach and arms, tongue filling my mouth, lean hips pressing to mine. The room’s getting hotter by the minute, and he’s going so achingly slow.
“Geoff?” I whisper, when his ear comes close while he’s worshipping the little spot of skin where my ear meets my jaw, and driving me crazy.
“Yeah?”
I whisper what I want in his ear, and he pulls back and looks at me with a mixture of surprise and pleasure on his handsome face. “You sure?”
I nod, flushing.
“All right.” He gathers my hands in one of his and gives me a smile as he pins them above my head. “Still okay?”
I nod. I’ve been dying for this since the beach, and this time there won’t be any of the pain or after guilt. This time, there’s more. “More than okay.”
“Then your wish is my command, Dollface,” he murmurs, going to work.
I sigh and lay back to enjoy, letting his touch wash away any of the pain of the day.
It’s going to be a good night, and more importantly, it’s going to still be good in the morning.
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Books by Blue Ashcroft
Deeper (Rain and Knight)
Harder (Ally and Ryan)
Stronger (Amy and Geoff)
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Stronger Page 20