by L. C White
With no shame, she turns to me. Her pale skin is the sweetest thing on my eyes. The black bra barely houses her curvaceous breasts, so I guess I got her size wrong. She’s stunning, and with a few more pounds on her bones, she’d be perfection in itself.
“Sorry.” I lower my lusting eyes, my boots shuffling awkwardly out of the room.
“What do you want, Dwayne?”
I push the door open again. Her whole body, her words, her eyes, are seducing me. My cock may want her like it did in my teen years, but in my mind, it’s a big no-no. Is this what kind of guy she thinks I am? A pervert who pretends to care just for an emotionless fuck. I have plenty of self-restraint. Though looking at her expression right now, she thinks she can change that.
“I was just checking on you.”
“Yeah, seventeen all over again,” she says, sarcastically. “You were a regular peeping tom back then too.”
Wow, she really knows how to push my buttons. Yeah, I admit once or twice accidently walking by her room as she laid on her bed reading, and my eyes were drawn to her. I even once opened the bathroom door as she was wrapping a towel around her body. All innocent encounters that couldn’t be helped. I don’t give a rat’s ass about screwing her meaninglessly. My feelings go deeper than a quick fuck.
My head dips to my chest as I stroll right up to her. Her petite toes scrunch into the floorboards as her knees bend. Gradually, my scrutinizing eyes move up her bare belly, her breasts, to land on her stare. I bite down, studying her, watching this dark fear rising up her body.
“See how messed up you are.” I lie my hand over her cheek. “You think my cock comes before anything else. Don’t ever put me in the same box as Trent.”
My fingertips can sense her body quiver, and I watch the upset sheen over her eyes.
“You’re nothing like Trent. You never were,” she says sincerely. “But I can’t do this Dwayne. I can’t be someone I’m not.”
“You can Amber. You’re so much better than the world you’ve been trapped in. You don’t need a man’s aggressive touch; you need true love. You don’t need to hide behind the drugs; you need to shine through them. And you don’t need to fuck me to prove how strong you are, when I know you’ve no strength left. You think Trent saved you, but he strangled the soul from your body. Accept the fact I’m here. Accept my protection, and I will figure out a way to end Trent’s hold on you.” She presses and bites her lips together, with reluctant tears falling from her eyes. “Well at least sleep on it tonight.”
“Okay,” she says, unsure.
“I’ve got to speak to some friends of mine, then I’ll make you something to eat.”
“You come out when you’re ready.” I slide my touch away from her face.
***
I take the communications case out to my truck. I can’t risk Amber eavesdropping. I sit down in the driver’s seat, squinting in the pink hue of the sun as I lift up the laptop and type in: Margarita Night. Straightaway, James is waiting for me on screen.
“H… hey.” His crackling voice sounds through the speaker, barely audible.
“Hold on James, you need tuning.” I fiddle with the channel knob until the crackling clears up.
“Better?” he asks, his fuzzy face becoming clearer.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, I’ve given your guy the information on the house. He’ll contact you at some point via message with a time. Also have some CCTV footage that may be of interest. Will scan it to you,” he says. “Where the hell did you find that guy anyway? Not the best at taking orders.”
I smirk at him. “He does for me. Jimmy is a good guy. You just got to know how to speak to him.”
“Yeah, I guess that must be the Staff Sergeant in you,” he mumbles. “I have something else as well. Don’t know whether it’s relevant or not.” He goes quiet, looking down.
“Well, what is it?” I push him to spit it out.
“You mentioned that Amber had a name at this house, Friday.”
“Yes, and?”
“This morning a girl’s body was found washed up near the sewerage line at the southern end of San Francisco bay. She was raped, gagged, and bound.” Again he goes silent, like whatever he has to say isn’t good.
“What is it?” I anger.
“Time of death was shortly after you were at the house, and she had something written on her body. Tuesday. She’s a Jane Doe at the moment. I’m going to see what I can find out before I leave for Cyprus. Will send you the details with the CCTV image.”
Shit. My heart is pumping like I’m about to go out into battle. Did Trent kill this girl because I took Amber? Or is it just a coincidence. With Trent Moore, I don’t think coincidences exist. Evil is evil at the end of the day.
“So how is she?” James asks, breaking my worry for a second.
“For now, she’s holding up.”
He arches over his desk to get nearer to the screen. “I’m not liking this Dwayne. The whole thing is giving me the serious shits. Got a bad feeling you’re fuckin with fire.”
“I’m good. You just watch your back when you get to Cyprus. The girls may be pretty, but they have a mean bite,” I say, lightening the subject so he can’t talk me out of protecting Amber.
“Yeah, well being bunked up on exercise with the limeys for a month, listening to the same fuckin question: why do we call football, football, is monotonous. The booze and girls soften the blow.” He laughs. “Look man, I’ve got to go and pack. Heading back to base tomorrow. I’ll scan that info for you. Be worth doing a facial recognition if you ask me.”
“Thanks James.”
“Okay. Over and out.”
His face disappears off the screen and the image inbox flashes. I click on it to see a black and white picture of Trent, with one of the guards I recognize from the house. He’s meeting a man who looks as shady as the devil, and some street whore. Trent is handing him an envelope, shaking his hand. I zoom in on the guy’s face, and feed it through the San Francisco Police Record Department. It could take up to twenty-four hours for a result if the guy is clean. If he’s dirty, it may take half that time.
I click on the next file. The first police report on the girl’s body that was found. There’s no picture yet, just the details of injuries to her body, and evidence found at the scene. My gut feels like it’s been turned inside out. If my suspicions are right, there is only one way this will end. Trent has to fuckin die. He might be untouchable, owning half the police department, with his dirty friends in high places. But once I know Amber is safe for good, I will find a way.
Chapter Thirteen
Amber
I rise up on my toes being as quiet as possible, looking in each cupboard for something to make for breakfast. It’s nine in the morning and Dwayne is asleep on the couch, with a case on his belly. I want to make it up to him for the pancakes, and for hiding all night in the bedroom. Thanks to him, I slept the best night’s sleep in years. I’m unsure why. I guess he makes me feel kind of safe. I know he’s not going to creep in to my room and make me do dark things. I know he’s not going to lose his temper and raise his fist. And I know he want’s nothing from me as payment.
A deep yawn and moan comes from the couch. I close the cupboard door as a flutter occurs in my chest. I watch him shuffle and jolt upright to catch the case, as it slides off his shirt.
“Fuck,” he grumbles, placing the case on the coffee table.
I bite the inside of my cheek as he spots me. He looks cute with his full hair all disheveled, and soft sleepy eyes.
As he sits up, setting his bare feet down on the floor, he rubs his hands down his face. I’ve made this knotty air between us, and he’s unsure whether to talk or not. I’ve been avoiding him, trying to figure things out in my own head. The reason I’m standing here now is because I know he’s doing this for a good reason. I know he’s a good man, and that streak of bravery he had when we were kids, has only grown stronger in him. I was withdrawing yesterday. I was scared, ang
ry, and things got heated.
His eyes look at me and he half-smiles as I nervously brush my feet together.
“Morning,” I break the ice.
“Morning.” He pushes up his body and makes his way into the kitchen area. “Coffee?”
“Please.”
He lifts the kettle off the stove and fills it with water.
“You didn’t want dinner last night?” he asks as I look down into the bin, to see some kind of pasta dish he made.
“Can we start again?” I utter, my cheeks showing a burning blush. “I do understand why you’re doing this. It’s just… just…”
“You’re not used to someone caring enough to try.” He cocks his brow on me. “Is there anything left of you?”
“I don’t know anymore,” I answer honestly, emotions tightening my windpipe.
“I think there is.” He smiles. “I think she’s in there somewhere, trying to kick her way out. Can you remember that time you threw a frying pan at the next door neighbor, because he let down the tires on my bike.” He chuckles and I chuckle with him. “He needed six stitches, and in the end I had to give him my bike to stop him pressing charges.”
I cover my mouth to silence my laughter. “I’m sorry.”
His lips straighten as he steps before me, his firm chest swelling in and out with a breath. He has a steadfast look in his eyes, which kills my laughter in an instant. I feel like my senses have heightened; that I’m somehow linked and in tune with his emotions. I smile when he smiles. Laugh when he laughs. Feel as he feels.
“I want to see her again,” he says, his fingers sweeping down my cheek. “So, let’s go have some fun. Get your shoes on.”
“Why?” I frown up at his impish gaze.
“We’re going swimming.”
“With shoes on?”
“If you want.” He makes his way to his boots by the door.
***
At ten in the morning it’s so warm. I’m following Dwayne through the jaw dropping woodland, appreciating every sight, smell, and sound. I’ve never been to such a scenic place before. The closest I got to appreciating greenery and flowers, was the garden at Willow Heights. This place is wonderful, quiet and calm.
“Okay.” Dwayne stops and turns to me. “Close your eyes.”
I huff out with a slight suspicious smile, then do as he asks. His warm hands come to lie over my eyelids gently, to prevent me peeping. Thing is, I’m not at all curious anymore. His hands touching me is taking me back to when I first realized I was in love with him. I was too young, he was right, but I couldn’t imagine him not being there.
“Walk with me.” He carefully begins to move me forward. “And pick up your feet.”
I make clumsy big steps forward, my cheeks pushing up against the palm of his hand as I laugh. I hear the sound of falling water and feel refreshing sprinkles in the air. I can smell the damp, like the freshest water has a heavenly scent to it.
Dwayne stops moving, and his body delicately presses against my back.
“You can look now.” His warm touch fades away from my face.
Air ceases to enter my body as my eyes take in the most beautiful sight. I’m standing on a small beach, looking at a waterfall. Water cascades over the glistening rocks, and prisms of color ray over the gentle surface.
“This place is untouched,” Dwayne says. “No one comes here.”
He pulls his t-shirt over his head and the breath I was holding in, billows out. I love that he doesn’t care. Yesterday I didn’t care. I’ve become used to having my body on display and used. But something is happening to me inside, and it’s Dwayne that’s doing it. He’s making my self-respect grow every time we are in the same vicinity as each other. He’s making me feel like I’m worth more than I’m used to.
I find my gaze engrossed on his muscular back. He has a tattoo on his left shoulder-blade. Nothing fancy, just a list of initials.
“What does the tattoo mean?” I ask, watching as he kicks off his boots.
He turns to me smiling, the sun creasing up his eyes. “It’s a list of my men.”
“In case you forget?”
He chuckles at me under his breath. “It’s the guys we’ve lost along the way. It means we’re always in the shit together, even if not in person. All my squadron have the same list inked on their skin.” He unfastens the button on his jeans and hops out of them. “You coming in then, or have I to throw you over my shoulder?”
I roll my eyes as he waits for my answer, standing in his black tight boxers only.
“Fine,” I grumble, pulling the yellow vest over my head.
I watch as he dives into the water. As he comes up for air, I dance out of my pants. He blows out, running his hands down his face.
“It’s cold.” He shivers. “Better to just dive right in,” he says, treading the surface.
My bare feet sink into the shingle and sand, my toes dipping into the water’s edge. He was right, it’s freezing. I go slowly, taking deep breaths the more the water journeys up my legs. I never envisioned myself doing this, and I feel a little foolish.
His eyes are set directly on my every move as the water reaches my hips.
“I guess you’re used to this, being in the Marines,” I say in a squealy breath, keeping my arms high as I wade in deeper. “Swimming in nature and all that.” My lips puff out.
“I sure am.” He swims closer to me, and the roguish look in his eyes makes me stop my descent. “I told you. It’s better to just dive in.”
He plunges beneath the surface as my heart booms fast. I can see him so clearly. The fresh water is like glass. He wraps his arms around my knees and waist, and comes up for air with me cradled in his arms.
“Oh shit,” I gasp as the freezing water waves up over my bra.
He walks and circles with me into the middle of the pool, staring down into my eyes with need. The water falling over the rocks and splashing, drowns out my panting inhalation.
“So, what was the plan before you decided to rescue me?” I ask, feeling the pull of my drenched hair.
I’m so nervous. I don’t know why. I guess I’m not used to a man being so gentle with me. Willing to do so much for me after so long. Dwayne has always had my heart; that is clear to me now. But I’m so damn frightened that if I let him in, it will all be taken away again.
“I have my own security business. But it’s on hold right now?”
“Because of me?”
He releases a long breath and tilts his head with a smile. “Yes. You have been consumed because of the past, and I’ve been hiding from it, Amber. I’ve been hiding from you. Fighting pointless wars, when I should have been here, fighting for you.” He angles down closer to my face as I swallow down the nerves. “I want to kiss you.”
I sweep my fingers up and around his cool wet neck. He’s afraid to kiss me because of the woman I’ve become. Stupid fragile damaged Amber. But I’ve waited for this moment since that day on the hallway when I was fourteen years old. To be touched with desire. To be held in the safety of his arms. For him to want my body as much as I’ve wanted his. I can’t deny that I’m scared, not of him, but of what fate will throw at me next. But right at this very moment, I need to give in to his touch. If I don’t, he will always be the love that got away.
My lungs expand as my heart races for him. “Kiss me then,” I utter, as tears coat my eyes.
“I won’t do a thing to you, that you don’t want me to. I can’t risk losing you all over again.”
His nose sweeps over mine. He’s fighting temptation and I don’t want him to. This is all I ever wanted from him.
“I’m ready, Dwayne,” my tone trembles. “I always have been for you.”
As his head rolls against mine, I angle my neck so my lips can reach his. I peck him with a gradual touch until slowly he gives in, and through his tender kiss he brings back my lost soul. I’m weeping, as eight years of hell begin to crack and allow a little light back into me.
He draws back
, biting his lip, his strong chest rising in and out. His jawline clenches as a clarity gleams across his eyes.
“I’m going to take you to bed.” He kisses my head as he makes his way back to the shore with me in his arms. “I want to make love to you, Amber.” I close my eyes, resting my head against his chest.
***
There’s a hush between us that is completely unrecognizable to me. It was on the shore by the fresh water pool as we dressed our wet bodies back into our clothing. It was on the short walk back to the cabin. And it’s here right now as he holds my hand to guide me into the bedroom. The only words I can use to describe it, is an understanding. That this is the destiny we’ve both been waiting for.
He takes a step before my body. The sunlight shining through the window, glistens in his damp hair. I’m trembling for him. Not with the fear I’m used to, but the desperation for his hands on my skin. I shut my eyes, expelling a breath.
His broad warm hand slides up my shoulder, to settle and manipulate my head as he leans down to kiss me. It’s a kiss that cleans me. A pure touch that cleanses my contaminated history. My hands for the first time, touch a man with love.
My fingers take the bottom of his shirt, as his slip around my waist. Our kiss grows deeper and every noise; our breathing, our bodies brushing against each other, even my own heartbeat, louden. As I lift up his shirt the palms of his hands take my face; his need and desire coming through his sweet lips.
I drop his shirt on the floor, still our lips fused together. He swallows, and my fingertips feel the knot as he groans in arousal. He tears my vest over my head, then drags the tips of his fingers over my hips, softly.
My hands grip and fingers dig into his solid biceps; my gasps entering his mouth. He hoists up my body and my legs clench around his waist. He turns with me, our lips taking a second to rest. His head is on mine and his green eyes are thin; his face almost impatient as he lies me down on the bed.
He teases down the elasticated waist of my jeans and cotton panties, then on his knees he takes a second to view me. My body squirms and hips lift for him as he undoes his jeans to release his sex. He answers my lusting movements, reading my thoughts, settling his muscular body between my splayed legs.