Touched

by Vicki Green

  “I want you. Quit the club. You may keep your disc jockey job but you are exclusively mine. You will either come to my apartment or I to yours whenever I call, complete discretion on both our parts. Be prepared to leave town, stay the night or weekend to be determined by myself and be paid handsomely for any expenses that may occur. Agreed?” This may have been too much too soon, but I’m determined to have what I want. I want this. I need this.

  Just as I expected, but had hoped she wouldn’t, she throws her napkin onto her plate as her chair moves back in a flash, causing it to tumble over backwards when she stands abruptly leaning against the table with her flat stomach, making everything shake and clatter. Her body shakes with her anger as she points her finger at me, waving it back and forth. “Look K… K… Mr. Dunway! There is not a chance in hell that I would accept your offer or any offer you throw at me. I. Am. Not. A. Whore! And for you to make that offer to me completely insinuates you think I am.” She starts to walk away from the table, and I start to stand, but slam back into my seat when she turns to me quickly. “I got news for you asswipe. You’re nothing special, nothing that great so I wouldn’t get so…” Her eyes move up and down my body, but when they reach my eyes, I can see the faint glimmer of wetness in them. “So… So… Cocky. You son of a bitch!” She stumbles as she turns so quickly and heads for the door.

  I let her go, scanning the room with my eyes and giving my ‘fuck off’ look and as the room returns to somewhat normal, I wipe my mouth with my napkin, wave at our waiter for my bill and take a last, long gulp of my wine. Well, that went a little better than I imagined. At least, she didn’t slap me across the face.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  I’m so pissed right now I can’t see straight. Imagine him propositioning ME! I give the rules, my rules, not anyone else’s. Fuck him! After leaving the restaurant and flagging down a cab that was sitting down the street, I arrive at my apartment building. I unlock the front door, stomp up the stairs and almost break a nail or two trying to unfasten all the locks on my door with my shaking hands. Since I had taken the night off from both jobs, I had nothing to do but retrieve a bottle of wine from my hanging wine rack, pour myself a glass and down it. Taking the bottle and glass into the living room, I sit on the couch and pour myself another full glass. I set the bottle on my coffee table and lean back, staring out the picture frame window into the darkness outside. The nerve of him! Who does he think he is, making demands about my life? What I will and won’t do is my decision. Not his. Taking another big gulp, I rest the glass on my leg and sigh. Then why was I actually contemplating saying ‘yes’ for a second? Why am I a little upset with myself for leaving? I must be a raving lunatic. Maybe I need to be committed. More wine. I need more wine. The memories of the night haunt me as I finish the bottle.

  KNOCK. KNOCK. “Uhhhh.” KNOCK. TAP. KNOCK. “What the fuck time is it?” I speak out loud, look up at the clock on the wall and see its eight o’clock in the morning. I’m sprawled out on the couch, the bottle of wine empty, and my head feels like it’s going to explode. Maybe that would be a good end for me. I can see the headlines now.

  ‘HOT HOOKER AND DJ FOUND DEAD IN HER LUXURY APARTMENT. HER HEAD EXPLODED INTO A MILLION TINY PIECES. SUCH A SHAME. ANOTHER DRUGGIE OR ALCHOLIC PERSON’S LIFE TAKEN BY THEIR VICE.’

  TAP. TAP. TAP. KNOCK. “Okay. Okay. I’m coming.” I struggle to my feet, stopping quickly and grabbing my head with both hands when dizziness hits as well as a wave of nausea. This is not going to be a pleasant day. Finally making it to the door the process of unlocking everything is a lot longer with my shaking hands. “What the hell do you want so early…?” My mouth clamps shut, and my eyes are wide when I see all the different colored bouquets and arrangements of roses littering the hallway as well as what I think is a person behind the biggest vase of what has to be two dozen red roses directly in front of me that I’ve ever seen in my life.

  A young man’s head peeks around the monstrosity and smiles. “Sorry, Miss, but he said I must have these here no later than eight o’clock this morning and paid me double to ensure it.” My blood is starting to boil along with my head and stomach. I crook my arm, place my hand on my hip and scowl at the poor delivery boy.

  “Well, you can just take them all back. I don’t want them.” I take a step back and begin to shut the door when a hand stops it before it slams. “UH!” Flies out of my mouth then he peeks around the enormous arrangement apologetically.

  “Sorry, but um… If you don’t take all of these I have no choice but to leave them all in the hallway and I’d hate to do that. Please. Just let me bring them in, ok?” Taking a deep breath and sighing loudly I step back, opening the door wide and wave my arm out to the dining room table. The flowers about knock me over as he walks passed so I move out of the way against the inside wall, crossing my arms over my chest. It takes him several trips to get everything inside my apartment, but when he’s finally finished, I reach into my purse and give him some money for a tip, giving him a small wave. When I turn around, leaning against the door as it shuts, I’m stunned as I view my apartment and inhale the fragrant smell, almost causing me to vomit. Vases of roses on almost every surface in the living room, two on the breakfast bar, one in the middle of the dining table and one on the entry table. Then bouquets wrapped in different colored tissue paper are laying on the table and countertops in the kitchen as well as the corner bar full of roses and baby’s breath. I turn to the flowers on the entry table and pull out the small card. However, before reading it, I walk around and pluck the notes out of all the arrangements. My aching head is begging for coffee, so I set the stack of cards on the breakfast bar on my way past and quickly go into the kitchen to make some. Coffee in hand, I sit on a stool, take a sip of the much needed liquid, and as my head thanks me, I gasp. I flip through each card, but they all say the same thing.

  Forgive Me

  Knox

  Call please!

  888-868-2433 (touched)

  Over and over the cards repeating his plea. His handwriting impeccable and his number I’m sure is his private one. Slapping the cards down, they spray all over the floor around the stool, and I let out a sigh. Damn him! Before I could get screamed at, I called Amber to tell her everything, and of course, she screamed into my ear anyway. Once I finally got her off the phone I had finished my coffee, so after cleaning up the kitchen, I went into my bathroom, took a couple of aspirin with a glass of cold water, and took a nice long shower. Once dried off I slipped into my workout attire, finished my bathroom duties, grabbed my bag, and headed to a much needed time of sweating out my hangover and frustrations.

  I spent two hours working out and was drenched with sweat. I took another shower in the locker room, then went grocery shopping. I manage to get my mail even though my arms are full with grocery bags and my gym bag. When I finally got all the locks and the door open, I throw it on the entryway table. Feeling better, I filled the rest of my day with a nap, another shower after dinner, waxing and plucking all the unwanted hair on my body and then around ten o’clock I headed for the club. I was a little surprised that I hadn’t heard from Knox the rest of the day, but I have bills to pay and clothes to buy.

  I’m actually bored walking through the club even though the place is packed with drunken men and the few other women who work here. After taking a shot of Jack and placing the glass on the bar, I turn finding an older man in front of me. The grin on his face telling me he wants some action. Winking, I hold out my hand, he clasps his fingers through mine, and I lead him to my private room. Once I have unlocked the door and walked into the room I’m stopped suddenly by the sound of the lock clicking behind me. Cautiously, I turn around and see him standing there already naked. His belt is in his hand slinging it against his other hand, making me jump every time it hits.

  “Unlock the door,” I say through gritted teeth. His smile widens as he shakes his head and takes a step towards me, making me take a step back of my own. “Now. The rules are clear as I point
ed out before we came in here. Unlock the door.”

  As his free hand reaches down to his pants on the floor, I turn and start to run to the bathroom only to be grabbed from behind, my body lifted effortlessly and swung around as he carries me over to the bed then tossing me down like it was nothing, my face planted into the comforter. Pressing his naked body on top of me, I feel his fingers twist in my hair, my head pulled back roughly then a cloth is placed over my mouth. Releasing my hair, he is quick to tie the material around and ties it at the back of my head, tight. My struggles are no use against his strength, my arms pinned beneath me and my screams muffled by the cloth over my mouth as he pushes up my dress until it’s scrunched up on my upper back. The sear of pain soars through me when my panties are ripped from me, and his belt slaps hard on my thigh and bottom. He rolls to his side, his leg trapping me over my now sore and aching bottom as he begins smacking me hard on my back with his leather belt. Tears are screaming out of the corners of my eyes, and then more mortification develops when the belt stops and a finger penetrates my puckered entrance, a place no one has ever been before.

  “Come on, baby. Take it like a woman. You know you’re loving every minute of it, now aren’t you?” My sobs muffled by the cloth and the mattress as he adds another finger, pushing deeper into me. He licks the side of my face, then rolls me over onto my side, one of his hands grabbing both of my wrists as his cock hits my pussy and starts sliding up and down. “Yeah. We’re gonna have a great fucking time. I’m gonna make you so sore you won’t be able to walk or sit down any time soon.” His mouth covers my breast, his teeth biting my nipple so hard stars form in my wet eyes, determined I slam my forehead into the side of his head, which hurt like a motherfucker. His fingers are quickly removed from my backside, and his fist connects with my cheek, the sound echoing in the small room.

  “ANGEL? ANGEL! OPEN UP!” Pounding sounds on my door making my heart pound along with them. “UNLOCK THE DOOR, MAN OR WE’LL BUST IT DOWN. EITHER WAY YOU’RE IN A WORLD OF HURT!” Dirk. Thank God, it’s Dirk. “GOD DAMMIT! GET OUT OF THE WAY, KNOX!” My heart stops when I hear his name, tears flow heavily down my face clouding my vision even more as I begin to struggle against this vulgar man’s hold.

  With all my might I gather my strength, bend my leg, swinging my knee up fast and hard with a direct hit into this man’s dick as the sounds of wood splintering bounce around the room. The asshat man screams in pain as his body bends into a fetal position, but then he’s gone from the bed in a heartbeat. Sounds of a body hitting the floor with a thud and shouts of pain as I hear someone being hit over and over. My eyes close in relief, my body shaking uncontrollably as the pain radiates through me, and I try to calm myself by taking some shallow breaths. Pulling the cloth down off my mouth, I take in the much needed air into my lungs, then hiss when I feel a blanket thrown over my sore legs and bottom. I cry out in pain as I’m lifted into someone’s arms. “UH!” My head lulls back onto their shoulder as their grip tightens around me.

  “I’m sorry, Angel. I’m sorry. I’m trying to be careful.” My mind recognizes Knox’s voice, and I’m somewhat comforted as I feel us moving and can hear other voices around us.

  “Mr. Dunway, I think it’s better if we call an ambulance but I’m nervous about the police showing up.” Dirk’s voice is making me nervous as well. That’s the last thing they want at the club is the police, but right now I don’t care.

  “No need. I’m taking her with me. My private physician will tend to her. I want this kept as private as possible as much as you do but for her sake, not the clubs.” Knox’s voice sounds far away as I drift from reality to another place, my body stinging from the belt and my cheek pulsing in pain.

  “I wanna go home,” I choke out as I feel cool air hit my face, my hair blowing in the breeze. “Just take me home.” Sounds of a car door opening, hushed whispers and then I’m jostled across his lap, a click of a seat belt and warm fingers brushing back the hair from my face. I feel the car as it starts to move, but I’m too tired to open my eyes to see where we’re headed. “Home,” is all I can manage to say, my throat dry from screaming, my body too exhausted.

  “Shhhh. No need to worry, Jade. You’ll be well taken care of.” His voice soothing me and I relax into nothingness. The thought flashes in my mind of how I’m gonna kick Dirk’s ass for telling him my name.

  § § § §

  I wanted to kill that bastard so badly! When I walked into the room the first thing I saw was Angel, laying on her side with her dress pushed up to her neck. The beautiful skin on her thigh and bottom red and welted then my eyes moved up to see her breast had bite marks around the nipple, bruises already forming there. When my eyes reached her face, I growled seeing an old rag bound across her mouth and tied behind her head. My eyes snapped to the bastard next to her. My first feeling is of pride knowing that she must have dick punched him, the way he was bent over and holding onto his balls, then I spot a belt gripped tightly in his hand, and anger overwhelmed me. It took all of two steps for me to get to him, grab him by the arm and hair, lifting him from the bed, then slamming him to the floor and reaching behind me to grab the belt. It took both bouncers to stop me from whipping him to death with his own weapon. After I gained my senses, I was immediately back by Angel’s side.

  Her body was shivering, so I quickly reached for the blanket folded at the end of the bed, and covered her, by then she had pulled down the rag from over her mouth and was gasping for air. Immediately, I put an arm under legs and around her upper back lifting her shaking body into my arms causing her to cry out in pain. Dirk tried to stop me from taking her, but I explained that my physician would tend to her in private. She doesn’t need the headlines, and I know the club wouldn’t want that either. They could be shut down, so Dirk agreed fairly quickly. As I carried her down the dim hallway I glared at Dirk and whispered, “I need to know now. What is her real name?”

  He was hesitant but finally caved. “Jade Morley.”

  Jade.

  Once I got her settled into the limo and on my lap, her eyes closed and her body stilled. I was relieved yet worried. Once I got her to my place and into my bed, I walked into the sitting room, as I didn’t want to be too far from her, to call Phillip Whiteman. He’s been my physician for years and always comes when I need him and has the utmost discretion.

  “Dr. Whiteman, nice to see you, sir.” My pacing stops from the interruption of Ralph’s voice greeting Phillip at the front door. I nod and walk over to Jade to check on her. She’s still out. I turn around as Phillip walks into my room, carrying his black bag, and I walk over to shake his hand.

  “Thank you for coming, Phillip.” I pat his back and give him a small smile.

  “What happened, Knox? Can you fill me in as I exam the patient?” I nod and lead him over to her. The bruising on her cheek is dark purple now, her left eye the same but swelling. I can only imagine what her thigh and bottom look like.

  “Phillip, this is Jade Morley. She was hit in the face and then beaten with a man’s belt.” He pulls the covers down past her legs. “As you can see he whipped her thigh, leg and buttocks on her left side. There are also bite marks on her left breast and well, you can see her cheek and eye.” I watch as he sits in the chair beside the bed, looking at the redness and welts on her thigh.

  “Do you know if there are any other injuries anywhere else, Knox?” He asks, as he continues to examine her.

  “To be honest, no. When I got to her, she was lying on her right side, but I didn’t get a chance to check. I needed to get her out of there.” His head turns to me and nods.

  “Why don’t you wait outside the room and let me give her a more thorough exam. I want to make sure what is visible is all that needs attention.” My brows lower as I contemplate leaving her but then my eyes widen with his words. He wants to make sure she wasn’t raped. God help that man if she was because he won’t be living much longer. Finally, I give him a slight nod and leave the room.

  Knowing
she’s in the best hands, I walk to the kitchen, open the liquor cabinet and grab the bottle of Jack, only filling an old fashioned glass halfway. I down the shot quickly, hoping it will take the edge off. My head turns toward the doorway when I hear footsteps, wondering how Phillip could be done already but anxious for news. Ralph walks in holding a woman’s purse. “I believe this may be Miss Morley’s.” He hands it to me, and I nod. Once he leaves I take it to the table, sit in a chair and dump the contents. Lipstick, mirror, iPod, small wallet and phone. Picking up her phone I turn it on and scroll through her contacts only finding three. Jimmy, Dirk and Amber. She really doesn’t have many people she knows or trust. She wasn’t lying. I look up quickly when Phillip walks into the kitchen and sits in the chair beside me.

  “Well, good news. Her injuries are what you saw, nothing more. I’ve given her a shot for pain so she should sleep through the night and I’ve put a bottle of pain medication on the night table that she can take orally for the next day or so, if she needs them. There’s also some ointment there for the marks on her breast and the welts that will help prevent any scarring.” I simply nod, not knowing what to say. “Knox, she’s a brave woman. I don’t know what happened nor will I ask but anything this volatile can leave more than just visible marks. I know you understand.” My eyes move up when he rises to stand, extending his hand out to me. I rise as well, taking his hand and nod again.