“If you’ll excuse us,” Evelyn announces a short time later. Jacob takes her hand and leads her to the middle of the empty dance floor.
“Good evening everyone,” Jacob says into the microphone.
“We want to thank you for attending tonight’s event and for helping us to raise money for Richmond’s Victim Advocate Association,” Evelyn begins. “As many of you know, this organization provides free counseling, court support and referrals to victims of violent crimes. It was started by two parents who lost their children to horrible crimes more than twenty years ago. Although the people responsible for the death of their children were brought to justice, these two mothers learned very quickly that there was limited help for them. There was no one to help them manage the overwhelming grief or to even understand the legal process. There was no one to sit with them in court, to hold their hands as they listened to defense arguments about why the men responsible should be allowed to return to society. Through the grief, they started Richmond’s Victim Advocate Association with the goal of providing others the support that they wish they had. To date they have helped more than fifteen hundred men, women, and children.”
“As you all know,” Jacob takes over. “My wife and I not only assist with the fundraising for this organization, but we also volunteer our time and expertise. We hope you will continue to support this wonderful organization and all that they do. Although we hope to never need their services, when the services are needed in the community, they are always the first to respond.”
“Please be sure to check out the silent auction table throughout the evening. There are more than three dozen items to be bid on this evening,” Evelyn explains. “You’ve probably noticed by now, we have professional photographers who have graciously donated their time, snapping pictures throughout the evening. Before you leave for the night, please stop by their table, as they will have printed pictures available for purchase. Whether you win a silent auction item, buy a drink at the bar or purchase a picture on your way out, every dime is going directly to the association. Everything tonight has been donated, so there is no overhead that needs to be covered with this event.”
“Let’s kick off this evening with the first dance!” Jacob adds before leading his wife back to the table.
“Would you like to dance, Hope?” Garrett asks just as soft music begin playing through the speakers.
“Sure.” The words are out of my mouth without a second thought. Judging by Garrett’s reaction, he’s as surprised as I am.
With my hand in his, he leads me onto the dance floor and wraps his arms around my waist. Silently he moves us to the beat of the music, at least I think we’re moving to the beat. Honestly, I have no idea because the only thing I can think about is how good it feels to have his arms around me again. That night...there was something about the way he held me in his strong arms that made me feel cared for. I haven’t felt like that since then.
I glance up at him, only to find his gaze glued to me. Words aren’t needed; we both feel the incredible connection that is still there. I wasn’t expecting this. I wasn’t expecting to feel so comfortable in his arms, so at ease with him. The way he’s looking at me right now makes me feel like I’m the only woman in the room.
“Thanks for asking me to dance,” I whisper.
“There’s no one else I’d rather be dancing with.” His voice leaves no room for uncertainty.
I hadn’t noticed, but at some point we stopped moving—we’re just standing there staring at each other. Garrett’s eyes slowly move from mine to my lips and then back up at the same time he presses me closer to him. I don’t think about anything other than how amazing his lips felt on mine the first time he kissed me. Rather than worrying about the fall out, I simply close my eyes as he lowers his head. The spark I felt the first time he kissed me, is there the moment his lips once again touch mine. His mouth is soft and warm against mine, but he makes no effort to deepen the kiss.
“Thank you ladies and gentleman for helping us kick off the night.” The DJ effectively ends our kiss with his announcement.
With one final peck to my lips, Garrett leads me back to the table, his hand once again in mine. The conversation flows throughout dinner and dessert. Despite having met none of them other than Evelyn before tonight, I find it easy to join the many conversations. The silent auction results are read before the evening ends. I’m disappointed that I didn’t win the iPad and even more surprised that Chris was the one who beat my bid.
“I can’t believe I forgot to go back to the table,” I whisper to Garrett when Chris gets up to claim his win.
“That’s okay. We can always go shopping for one tomorrow if you want.”
“Maybe.” I sigh. Part of me was looking forward to making a donation to the charity through the auction.
“On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Foxx and Richmond’s Victim Advocacy Association, I would like to thank each of you for coming out tonight and supporting such a wonderful organization. Your generosity tonight has raised just over a quarter of a million dollars that will go directly to the association affording them the opportunity to continue to provide the much needed services to our community,” the DJ announces and the room erupts in a loud applause.
I had no idea tonight could possibly raise so much money, but after hearing the winning bids for some of the silent auction items I suppose it makes sense. When Garrett is talking to Stephanie, I excuse myself and head over to the picture table that I had nearly forgotten about. As I look over the pictures, one immediately captures my attention. I have no idea where the photographer was, but they captured the perfect moment between Garrett and me on the dance floor. I’m taken back momentarily, by the look in Garrett’s eyes in the picture.
“It’s a beautiful picture,” the woman behind the table says.
“It is,” I agree.
“Would you like to purchase it? All proceeds will go directly to the charity.”
“Yes please.” I hand her my credit card without even waiting to hear the total.
I return to the table shortly after just as everyone is packing up to leave.
“Did you buy a picture Hope?” Jacob asks.
“I did; they had a nice picture of us dancing.”
“It was nice meeting you Hope,” Evelyn says.
“Thank you both for having me tonight.” I shake both of Garrett’s parents’ hands.
Garrett leads me out to his car, which is already waiting for us at the front of the building. He opens my door like a perfect gentleman before getting into his seat. The car ride back to Mr. Meyer’s apartment building is quiet, but it’s not uncomfortable. He grabs a bag from the back seat of the car before we head upstairs to our apartment.
“Hope, I wanted to thank you for coming with me tonight.” He hands me the bag as soon as we’re inside.
“What’s this?” I ask.
“My thank you gift.” He smiles.
My eyes fill with tears when I open the bag and see the white box that Chris was holding only a short time ago. I don’t know how he did it, but I’m touched that he planned it out the way he did.
“How?” I gasp.
“I had Chris keep an eye on the auction sheet for me,” he explains. “I know how much you wanted it.”
“I can pay you back—”
“No!” He takes my hand and leads me to the couch. “I wanted to get this for you. I wanted to thank you for coming with me tonight, especially considering I only gave you a few days’ notice to pull it together.”
“You didn’t have to do this, but thank you.” Without giving it a second thought, I lean over and place a quick kiss on his cheek.
“Thank you.” His voice is so quiet I have to wonder if he even said it.
“I had a really nice time tonight.”
“Me too.”
My phone rings, forcing me away from Garrett. Seeing that it’s Abby, I hit the ignore button, not yet ready to talk about tonight and my fear that we just complicated e
verything including our working relationship. What will happen if we decide to try to date? What happens if it doesn’t work out? We would be stuck living and working together; it would be incredibly awkward if we didn’t end on good terms. What would it be like to date and then come home every night together? Everything about us is complicated. We had sex without even knowing each other’s full name. We had our first date after living and working together. Why does everything have to be so complicated?
Chapter 15
Hope
His hand tightens around my throat again; I can’t breathe…I can’t breathe! All of a sudden there is a sharp pain. I try to scream, but I can’t. Another sharp pain and another and another—then everything goes black.
“You’re such a filthy little whore!” He kicks me hard, bringing me back to the nightmare I’m stuck in.
“Please…” I beg.
“You’re asking for it!” My dress is being pushed up. I try to move away from him, but he’s too strong. He’s pinned me down on the dirty ground; I can feel rocks cutting into my legs.
“HELP ME!! SOMEONE PLEASE!!”
My eyes open and relief floods me when I realize I’m in my bedroom and not in that alley any longer. I take a long, hot shower until my skin is bright red, trying to wash away the feel of his touch on me. I toss on a clean pair of pajama pants and a sleeveless top, hoping to fall asleep in front of the TV yet again. Much to my surprise Garrett is already there.
“What are you doing up?” I ask.
“Couldn’t sleep.” His eyes don’t meet mine. “You?”
“Me either. Anything good on?”
“Not really.”
I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and sink into the comfortable couch at the opposite end. I’m not sure how to act around him; things were…different between us last night. He held my hand, he held me in his arms while we danced, we kissed. As he sits on the other end of the couch, I can’t help but notice how distant and tense he seems. His eyes are glued to the television, but I doubt that he is even watching the infomercial that is on. I have this sudden urge to sit closer to him, to feel his body next to me, to comfort him…and that surprises me. I don’t know what it was about last night, but it seems to have changed things between us. I’m just not sure if Garrett feels the same way.
I grab a throw pillow from the corner and place it in the middle of the couch, lying down to watch the infomercial that may or may not have Garrett’s attention. I doubt I’ll be able to fall asleep knowing that he is right there, but at least I’m comfortable. A few minutes later, Garrett changes the channel, perhaps finally realizing what he was watching.
With a sitcom on, we sit in silence. Without warning, Garrett moves closer to me, lifting the pillow my head is resting on and putting it on his lap. I glance up at him, but he’s still focused on the TV, so I simply rest my head back on the pillow. A few minutes later his hand drifts to my arm, his thumb gently moving back and forth as we watch television. Just like last night on the dance floor, it just feels natural to be lying here like this.
I don’t know when the TV is turned off, but I wake up some time later to a dark room and Garrett sleeping above me. His hand is still on my arm, the pillow still on his lap. Glancing up, I find him much more relaxed than he was when I first came out here. I wonder if he had another nightmare?
“Where are you going?” he asks the moment I move.
“Bathroom.” I sit up and stretch.
I use the bathroom and return to the couch, this time sitting next to him instead of lying back down.
“What time is it?” he asks.
“Almost ten.”
“Wow, I never sleep this late.”
“Me either; I’m glad Mr. Meyer gave us both the weekend off.” I grab the bottle of water that is now room temperature and take a large gulp. “I’m going to start breakfast, would you like some?”
“Please.”
We spend the rest of the day together, neither of us leaving the apartment. Garrett shows me how to set up the new iPad and we even manage to find a new recipe to try out for dinner. Any concern I had about the possible impact of last night on our arrangement seems to have disappeared. We’re comfortable with each other, more so I think because of last night.
~~~~~~~~~~~
A few days later we’re having breakfast together when I explain an odd request Mr. Meyer presented to me the previous morning.
“I have to go to a few department stores today to replace all the bath towels in one of the guest rooms.”
“Why? What’s wrong with the towels?” he asks.
“Nothing, but apparently his guest complained they are too rough.” I laugh. “So I’ve been tasked with going to every store until I can find the softest ones possible for her. He has informed me cost is no concern.”
“He’s had the same guest for a few weeks now right?”
“Yes, I think on and off for the last two weeks now.”
“And a few times before that,” he adds.
“At least this one remembers to put away their toys after—”
“What?!?!”
“One guest left the drawers where they keep their…things, one with chain clips hanging out. Another left handcuffs still attached to the bed, another left used panties on the floor.” I still cringe whenever I walk in to clean that room. Somehow the latex gloves never seem like protection enough.
“Have you ever said anything to Mr. Meyer about the way they leave the space?”
“No! Of course not.” I get up and put my plate in the sink before taking Garrett’s and doing the same thing.
“Why not?” he asks.
“I’m not going to complain. It’s my job.” I turn back to face him. “Besides that would involve me having a conversation with Mr. Meyer about his sex life. Been there, done that. I have no desire to do it again.”
“Good point.” He laughs.
“I have to head out and make him breakfast. I’ll see you in a few.”
I walk into the main kitchen to prepare Mr. Meyer’s usual breakfast of eggs, fresh vegetables, toast, a slice of bacon and hot coffee. I’m nearly halfway through the meal when I realize unlike most mornings, he’s not alone.
“Count you little BITCH!” he screams just before I hear something slap against bare skin.
“One, sir,” a female voice sobs.
“Louder!” he demands.
“Two sir!” she screams.
“You’re going to learn your lesson once and for all!” He hits her again, this I only know from the whelp of pain I hear afterwards.
I run back into our apartment, slamming the door behind me. Concern races through me as I search for my cell phone, wanting to call the police.
“Hope? What’s wrong?” Garrett comes out of his bedroom.
“Mr. Meyer, I think he’s hurting someone!” I gasp.
“You can hear it from the kitchen?” I nod. “I’ll come sit out there with you and make it look like I’m just waiting for him.”
“We need to call the police! She was sobbing in pain.”
“She should have the ability to stop what he’s doing.” Before continuing he types something into his phone, accessing the security systems. “I don’t see anything on the cameras; they must be in one of the bedrooms.”
“We should call the police, Garrett! He’s hurting her!”
“This is their…kink, Hope. They both get off on it. If it sounds like it’s more than that, I’ll go up there myself and check on her.”
I reluctantly follow Garrett back into the kitchen. I toss the burnt eggs into the garbage and start a fresh batch. As promised, he takes a seat at the breakfast bar across from me while I cook. A few minutes of silence go by before we hear the counting resume—she’s at seventeen now.
“Are you going to disobey me again?” Mr. Meyer asks.
“No sir, I’m sorry, master—”
He cuts her off by hitting her again.
“You haven’t earned the right
to call me Master.” He must have done something because she cries out again.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you need to use your safeword?” he asks.
“No, sir.”
“Then shut the fuck up and take your punishment like the good slut that you are!” He does something that makes her cry out in a muffled scream.
“Come to the apartment,” Garrett holds out his hand.
I turn off the burner and set the now finished eggs aside, before taking his hand and following him into our apartment.
“Shouldn’t we do something?” I ask the moment the door closes behind me.
“No, she’s choosing to continue,” he answers calmly.
“What? She’s in pain!”
How is he okay with allowing Mr. Meyer to hurt a woman?
“Did you hear him ask her if she needed to safe word?” I nod. “If she wanted the scene to stop, she would have used one of her safewords. She’s choosing not to, therefore allowing the scene to continue.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Some people actually get…more turned on with the increase in pain from a punishment.”
“How do you know?” The words come out without me even thinking about it. I immediately feel the heat rush to my face, embarrassed that I even asked about his sex life.
“I…um…” he stutters. I may not know Garrett very well, but I can’t picture him acting like Mr. Meyer. The night we spent together was incredible. He was gentle, caring and didn’t try to hurt me at all. Although it was only one night, maybe he does stuff like this with other women? Maybe he learned how after that night? Maybe he isn’t that different from Mr. Meyer. Maybe I was completely wrong.
“Never mind, I don’t want to know.” I turn around intending to go back to the kitchen.
“No, it’s not like that. This is a conversation for another day, when we aren’t rushed to do other things.”
Garrett (Dark Water Security Book 2) Page 8