At that moment, the limo comes to a stop. We’ve arrived at the apartment building.
I watch his chest rise as if he’s drawing in a deep breath before exhaling. “I will walk you to your door,” he tells me.
I nod just as the door opens. Aiden, a dark-haired man in a suit, helps me out. Then, Devlin steps out onto the sidewalk and puts a hand to the small of my back, escorting me into the building.
The elevator ride is tense, but in a good way. The look he gives me reveals that he’d like to take advantage of the privacy, but he’s going to refrain from it because of the newness of our…relationship. Would we even call it a relationship yet? Devlin had said that he didn’t want to put a label on it, and suddenly, I have a new thought. If I cave and explore sex with him, I won’t tolerate him seeing other women. The idea of him jumping from someone else’s bed only to have me in his would be extremely off-putting.
I start as Devlin invades my personal space—but only to reach out and brush his knuckle across my cheek. His eyes capture mine. “Stop thinking so much. There’ll be plenty of time to talk further.”
I nod, realizing that I must easily wear my emotions on my face. Keagan seems to read me just as easily.
Behind Devlin’s back, the elevator doors open. He backs away and politely motions for me to enter the hallway first, and we exit the elevator and walk down the hall. After I pull my keys from my purse, I turn to him, suddenly feeling awkward.
Much to my surprise, he lightly touches my arm and leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. He pulls back and says, “Goodnight, Charli.”
Night, I mouth.
He nods, his eyes holding mine a moment longer before he turns and walks down the hall to the elevator.
Holy crap.
I have a lot to think about tonight. Something tells me I’m not going to be falling asleep until the wee hours of morning.
Fourteen
Charli
I’m not scheduled to work the following day, so Keagan and I decide to spend the afternoon shopping. There are still things we need for the apartment, and I talk him into going to the thrift store.
However, it’s difficult to concentrate on actual shopping when my mind is thoroughly distracted over the kiss I’d shared with Devlin. As expected, it’d been nearly impossible to sleep last night, and I’ll likely need a quick nap when we get back. I’m already dragging, but we need more kitchenware, and I want to buy a few things to bring some color to the apartment. All that white is driving me nuts.
Keagan patiently pushes the cart as we walk around the large store, but my mind continues to wander away from the present.
Kissing had never sounded appealing to me, especially after the kiss that’d been forced upon me behind the school building back in ninth grade. One of the football players had caught me hiding from some bullies, and since no one else was around, he’d taken it upon himself to see if a deaf girl kissed differently than the ‘normal’ girls. His words, not mine. He’d shoved his tongue down my throat, pinning me to the wall as I’d struggled. Finally, I’d had to bite his tongue. That bite had caused him and his friends to torment me for weeks until I’d been transferred to a new foster home in a different school district.
Devlin’s kiss hadn’t been anything like the experience I’d suffered. The idea of having someone else’s tongue in my mouth had always sounded unpleasant—until last night. Turns out, kissing is enjoyable. Amazingly enjoyable. And to think that I get to experience it again the next time I see Devlin…
I draw in a deep breath and try to think logically. This isn’t some fairytale with a happy ending. Devlin and I are about as opposite from each other as two people can get. I’ve heard the term that ‘opposites attract’ and it looks like that’s the case with us. That doesn’t mean we’re going to date and someday be in a happy, loving relationship. I don’t think Devlin’s that type of guy, and I know his lifestyle would never be healthy for me. I want to be free to make my own decisions, and Devlin wouldn’t be able to prevent himself from trying to take control. Not that a man like him would want to settle down with me anyway. And that’s not a putdown against my deafness, I’m referring to the fact that I’m eighteen, and I’m just not comfortable with his lifestyle.
For now, there’s an attraction there, one that he wants to explore. That’s all there is to it, and it’s not worth overanalyzing anything at this point. I’ve done some thinking—a lot of thinking—and I might just want to explore our sexual attraction, too. It’s not like I’ve been saving my virginity for marriage. I’ve never envisioned marriage in my future unless it’s many years down the road. I just figured when the right man came along and if it felt natural, then I would make the decision at that point.
It’s ironic, really. A few weeks ago, I couldn’t stand Devlin, and now I’m considering getting to know him as a friend…and something more. If he had come at me hard last night, making moves I wasn’t comfortable with, this situation would have ended promptly. Yet, he’d been incredibly respectful towards me. It’s strange how things work out sometimes.
I blink when Keagan steps in front of me, nearly causing me to collide with the cart he’d been pushing. He frowns at me with a hint of exasperation, signing, Are we shopping or just walking in circles?
I sheepishly sign, Shopping. Sorry.
A little old lady pushing a cart glares as she tries to shuffle around us since Keagan’s blocking the aisle. He quickly adjusts the cart and then turns on me, giving me a long look. We’re grabbing lunch after this, and you’re going to tell me what’s going on inside that head of yours, he signs.
It’d be nice to bounce my thoughts off him, and I nod in agreement. We can talk about Devlin later, so I concentrate on why we’re at the store. I brighten when I see we’ve stopped near the kitchenware aisle. I want plates, colorful plates. And glasses—plastic ones with multi-colors. Anything other than white.
We spend an hour in the store, and afterwards, we find a nice eatery and settle into a booth, carefully situating our bags beneath the table. Once we’ve placed our orders, and the waitress has set our drinks on the table and retrieved the menus, she bustles away.
Are you going to tell me what really happened last night with Devlin Kade? Keagan signs, his eyes fixed on mine with expectation.
We’d talked only briefly last night, but I hadn’t told him anything other than I’d had dinner with Devlin.
I take a sip of my soda before responding. He kissed me, I sign, aware of a few people watching us with interest. I try to block them out since I’m accustomed to drawing attention with my ASL, but somewhere deep inside, it bothers me that there’s always a reminder that I’m different than most.
Keagan doesn’t look surprised that Devlin had kissed me, but I am taken aback by the unease that crosses his handsome face. Instead of replying, he reaches for his soda and takes a drink, obviously stalling.
I look at him with puzzlement and sign, What’s wrong?
He sets down the glass, giving a half-shrug. Nothing. I knew he had some sort of personal interest in you, but I didn’t think he’d act on it.
I cock my head. Does it bother you that he did?
He eyes me. Is this going to stay between just you and me?
Absolutely, I sign.
He nods and signs, I don’t think he’s good for you.
I don’t think so, either.
His eyebrows shoot upwards in response to my honesty, and he sits back in his chair. Then what are you going to do?
I shrug. Get to know him. That’s all he’s asking at this point.
Emotion shifts across his face before he responds. Is that what you want? To get to know him? he signs.
Truthfully, yes. I didn’t like him in the beginning, but I think I’m beginning to understand why he’s the way that he is, I explain but don’t bother going into detail.
Keagan looks doubtful.
I release a sigh. I’m not naïve, Keagan. I know what type of man he is.
His eyes
betray that he’s worried. You’re going to get hurt.
I look at him with amusement. I don’t plan on giving him my heart. I reach for my soda and take another sip as I wait for him to respond.
Keagan shakes his head. Doesn’t mean he won’t take it.
His reply brings a frown to my face. I know I’m playing with fire when it comes to Devlin, but I don’t think he’s the kind of man a woman could easily fall in love with anyway. I’m thinking if I fall into anything with him, it’s going to be lust. Just because I’m contemplating getting to know the man—quite possibly intimately, it doesn’t mean I’m going to fall for him. Sex doesn’t equal love. Considering how many one-night stands happen all over the world, sex can be enjoyed without emotional ties.
The waitress returns with our order, and I’m distracted as she sets my plate in front of me. I’m always hungry, so I’m more than ready to dig in. I think I’m even beginning to gain some weight, which is good. I was way too skinny when I was living off the streets.
Keagan and I halt our conversation and concentrate on our food until I feel the need to slow down. I wipe my hands and then sign, Show me pictures of Lance.
Keagan wipes his mouth with a napkin and pulls his phone from his pocket. He’s quiet when it pertains to Lance. He’s not the type to talk about himself or his relationship unless I’m the one to bring it up. At first, I’d thought maybe Lance was a touchy topic, but I’ve learned that Keagan will readily talk about Lance, his expression always turning enamored. The man is in love, he just doesn’t shove it in everyone’s faces.
He hands me his phone, and I study the picture of the handsome man with dark hair and hazel eyes. He’s smiling sheepishly, and his eyes are crinkling in the corners. There’s just something about him that radiates warmth. I swipe the screen, and a new picture takes its place. This one is of Keagan and Lance, and it’s a selfie taken on the street somewhere in the city. Lance’s head is resting on Keagan’s shoulder, and both men look content and happy.
Curious to see more, I swipe across the screen and blink, my eyebrows lifting. Whoa. Lance is reclined in bed with a sheet resting low on his stomach, showing off his bare—and ripped chest. His expression is one of sexual yearning as he holds the camera above him.
I glance at Keagan and mouth, Wow.
He looks at me questioningly and takes the phone so he can see what had drawn my reaction. His eyes widen, and I see him mutter fuck before he fumbles with the phone and shoves it back in his pocket. A hint of red appears on his cheeks.
It’s difficult to restrain my laughter. Keagan’s blushing! When his eyes lift to mine I sign, I am really putting a dent in your sex life, aren’t I?
He smiles, humor lighting his eyes. We make time.
I would too if I were you, I sign, giving him a lascivious grin.
He shakes his head. Okay, enough about Lance. He picks up his fork.
I’d like to meet him, I sign.
A look of surprise crosses his face as he sets the fork back down. You would?
You don’t need to keep your job separated from your personal life. If Lance is anything like you, I won’t mind if he’s at the apartment from time to time.
He appears to think it over. He doesn’t work tonight. We could go out if you want, he offers.
I brighten at the thought. I would love to, I sign.
Devlin and I haven’t spoken today, and I have a feeling he’s trying to give me space so I can think without feeling pressured. In a way, I’m disappointed, but I also appreciate collecting my thoughts without the distraction.
* * *
Later that evening, I find myself sitting in a booth at a pool hall with Keagan and Lance. Earlier, Keagan and I had gone back and forth about where we should go. I didn’t want the evening to revolve around my deafness, and Keagan had wanted to make sure I felt included no matter what we did. In the past, Keagan has told me that he and Lance enjoy karaoke bars and movies, so in the end, I’d insisted we go to a bar with pool tables. That way, they could drink and relax, and I could learn how to shoot pool.
Lance turns out to be a very pleasant surprise. His personality is like Keagan’s, and he’s incredibly easy to get along with. He even knows a little ASL. Granted, it’s a little stilted, and he’s mixed up some gestures, but I’d still been able to gather what he’d been trying to say.
They’re also utterly adorable together. We’d played pool for an hour before ordering a meal, and I’d not only been fascinated with learning pool, but also with watching them interact. They are very much in love, but not over the top with their affection. There’s a few touches here and there or lingering smiles. A brief embrace, but nothing that would be considered too much PDA.
I sip my soda and watch as Lance shares his day with us. I’d assured him I read lips and to just relax and not worry about signing. Sometimes, he still inserts a gesture here and there, and I think it’s sweet he’s trying to make certain I feel included.
Lance’s chosen field in medicine is pediatrics, so he has plenty of stories to share of unfiltered conversations with children. It’s been a wonderful evening, and I am so glad that I’d asked to meet him.
The only letdown are the two men that keep glancing at Keagan and Lance every so often. I can tell that they disapprove, and occasionally, they turn away, their heads bent together—no doubt complaining about the sight of two gay men. I don’t think Keagan and Lance notice though, which is good.
I, on the other hand, have always been very conscious of my surroundings because of lacking one of my senses. I probably notice things more than the average person, so as our meal finishes, I find myself relieved to be leaving the pool hall. There was just something about those men’s expressions that warned me they were trouble and to just avoid them if possible.
Out on the sidewalk, Keagan and Lance try to situate me between them out of politeness, but I brush them off and walk beside Keagan so that Lance can be on his other side. Lance had driven us to the pool hall since he owns a car, but with as busy as the area is, we’d had to park in the four-story parking ramp two blocks over.
The night is pleasantly warm now that summer is ending and the heat waves have passed. It’s not until we’re almost to the ramp that I sense we’re being followed. Keagan and Lance haven’t noticed, but I’ve developed a sixth sense when it comes to these things. My gut warns me that this could turn bad if it’s the same men who were at the pool hall.
Keagan suddenly draws me closer to his side, and I can tell he’s tensing as we reach the side entrance that leads to the elevator and stairs. We’d parked on the third floor. Both Keagan and Lance usher me ahead of them, but instead of waiting for the elevator, they hurry me to the stairs. I know that if I weren’t with, they’d probably face the danger head-on, but having a woman with them changes how they’d typically react. They want to see to my safety first.
We’ve reached the second level and are heading up the stairs when the two men catch up to us. One of them grabs Lance by the back of his shirt and drags him backwards towards the second level stairway. His fists immediately begin pounding on Lance.
It’s such a brutal attack that I stand frozen in shock as Keagan defends himself against the other attacker. The men from the pool hall don’t seem to care about me, fortunately. After snapping out of my moment of shock, I race up the stairwell, searching for help. There isn’t anyone around, and I burst through the third-floor door and look around anxiously. The parking ramp is dimly lit and full of vehicles, but no one’s in sight.
Shit!
That’s when I spy the overflowing garbage located near the door. An empty bottle is laying on the cement. I bend down and slam the bottle against the pavement so that I’m now holding jagged glass. I refuse to leave Keagan and Lance to deal with the hate crime that’s taking place one level below.
I rush through the door and fly down the stairwell. Keagan’s holding his own against his attacker, but Lance is on the floor, and the attacker’s fists are still p
ummeling him. Without a second thought, I throw myself at the guy on top of Lance, trying to yank him off. I’ve caught him by surprise, and I’m about to shove the broken bottle in his face when he backhands me, sending me flying.
I hit the pavement on my back, the air whooshing from my lungs. My cheek throbs, but I ignore the pain as I scramble to my knees. The guy’s turning back to finish Lance, and I lunge at him and press the glass to his neck, my heart hammering in my chest. A hint of blood appears where the glass is pressing into his skin, and I tighten my grip on the damaged bottle so the glass doesn’t press further into his neck. I don’t want to kill him or even hurt him, but he needs to stop.
His mouth opens as his eyes bulge, and then I can tell he’s shouting to his partner. I keep my eyes trained on him, knowing that if I look away for a second, he’ll make a move. After a brief stare down with me, he glares and puts his hands up. I use my free hand to motion for him to get to his feet, and we both slowly rise. His eyes dart to the left, and in the corner of my eye, I note that Keagan has the accomplice in a neck hold.
I’m too short to be able to hold the glass to the man’s neck as he reaches his full height, but instead of trying to hurt me, he backs off, slowly. Then, he spits on Lance before disappearing out the second level door.
The guy in Keagan’s grip struggles, and Keagan makes a face of disgust before shoving him away. The guy quickly ducks out the door after his friend.
We’re alone now.
We both rush to Lance’s side. He looks to be coughing, and his face is bleeding from various cuts. I hurriedly pull out my phone, shoving it to Keagan so he can call for help.
He blinks, and when he looks at me, something new flashes in his gaze. He grips my shoulders as a trickle of blood drips from his split lip. His lips move, and I try to focus on them. I didn’t catch all of what he’d said, but I had understood going to the car and something about Kade.
Keagan leans back and begins to sign, We need to call the police, and this is going to take a while. It’d be best if you weren’t involved. I don’t see any surveillance cameras in the stairwell, so there’s no point in dragging you into it. Take the keys and lock yourself in the car. I’ll call Mr. Kade.
Caught in the Devil's Snare Page 14