Stronger With Him

by JA Hensley

  "Are you okay, bella? You look upset. Did he hurt you?"

  "No, Raph, he didn't hurt me. I just need to get away from him. Thanks for everything. The food looked delicious, but I just couldn't sit there any longer. I hope you understand." I give him a hug as I thank him.

  "I do and it's fine. Take care of yourself." He returns my hug and opens the door for me. I take my opportunity to escape the restaurant, and Ron, at least for now.

  As I cuddle on the couch in my comfy stay-at-home clothes with a bag of chips and glass of wine close at hand, I wonder how I’m going to get through to Ron that we’re over. He said he'd give me time, but I'm not sure what he means by that. I just want him to go away. He made it pretty clear tonight that he's not going to go that easily. I didn't think it would be that easy for me to tell him that we were through after spending the past six months with him. Maybe I didn't love him like I thought I did. I was pretty naïve when we met and he was the first guy to really pay attention to me. He made me feel special and cherished. Of course, when he hit me, that was a real wake-up call. Looking back on our relationship now, he was always controlling and tried to keep me from my friends. I never realized just how much he did to keep me to himself and away from everyone else in my life. I guess I didn't want to see it but that explains why my friends have never liked him.

  I'm pulled from my thoughts by a strong knock on my door. Glancing at the clock, I see it's after ten o'clock. Who the fuck could be here now?

  "Who is it?" I ask as I open the door, leaving the chain on. I find Colin standing there. He meets my eyes and grins.

  "You really should wait until the person identifies themselves before opening the door, Rebecca." He smiles at me.

  "You're right," I reply looking down at my feet in embarrassment.

  "I'm so sorry to bother you this late, but I heard your TV and hoped that you were still up." He seems almost shy and it makes him so sexy I have to hold onto the door to stop from jumping him. What the fuck is wrong with me?

  "I'm awake and it's no problem. Hang on." I close the door long enough to remove the chain and open it again. "Do you want to come in?" Colin nods and walks past me into my apartment. I catch his scent. It’s a heady combination of spice and male . . . all male. My heart rate kicks up and I know my panties are getting wet. I can't understand this instant attraction to him. It goes past his gorgeous looks, but I don't know why.

  "I'm sorry for bothering you with this, but I was hoping that you have a printer. I have an assignment due tomorrow and I ran out of ink. Can you believe there are still professors out there that want you to turn things in on paper?" He smiles and I almost swoon. Really? Swooning? What the fuck?

  "Uh, sure, I have a printer. It's in my bedroom. Do you have a flash drive or did you save it on the cloud?" Am I making sense? It sounds like gibberish to me.

  "It's on the cloud. I can just sign in and print from there, if you don't mind."

  "No, I don't mind. I'll show you where my computer is." I start to walk down the hall, trying desperately to remember if I picked up my dirty underwear or if I made my bed. Colin is going to be in my bedroom. Damn, I need to calm down.

  "Looks like our apartments have the same floor plan. Good to know." What? Why is that important information? I don't think I need this knowledge so I just smile at him and turn on my laptop. I make sure the printer is powered up and that the Wi-Fi is working.

  Colin sits down at my desk. It looks so small with him there. I sit down on the corner of my bed and take in the view of him working on my computer. The way the muscles in his arms flex as he types is hypnotizing. I could watch it all day.

  I'm pulled from my gawking by the sound of the printer spitting out pages. I look up and thankfully Colin is looking at the printer, not at me. I don't want him to catch me eye fucking him right now. He takes the papers and signs out of the internet. He swivels in the chair and looks right at me.

  "I really appreciate this, Rebecca. Maybe I can repay you with dinner at my place tomorrow?"

  "You don't have to do that, it's just a couple pieces of paper." What am I doing? I'm turning down a chance to spend more time with this guy? I'm a fucking idiot.

  "It's more than that and I want to thank you. Why don't you come over around six? Are you done with classes by then?"

  I have to think about my schedule. It takes me a second to put together that tomorrow is Tuesday and I don't have any classes. "I don't have class tomorrow. It's my only day off during the week this semester." Calm down, dumbass.

  "Great. I get out of class at four and then I meet my buddies at the gym. Just come over after six and we'll hang out. I'm looking forward to it." He smiles as he gets up from the desk and starts to walk out of my bedroom. My brain takes this opportunity to check out his ass and appreciate how good he looks in my space. For the love of Pete, Becca! I shake my head and follow Colin through my apartment to the door.

  "Thanks again for this," he says holding up the papers.

  I grin, nod, and I know I'm blushing. "See you tomorrow. And, Colin? My friends call me Becca."

  He smiles as he opens the door and walks out without looking back. I close the door behind him, set the locks and chain, and slide down to the floor. I feel like I just ran through a round of Wipeout. How does he do that to me without doing anything?

  Chapter 8-Colin

  I'm glad she bought the excuse of an assignment. I needed to see how her apartment was laid out. I really have got to get my shit together around this woman. I'm here to do a job, not chase after my neighbor. I knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't check and make sure she was okay.

  Now that I know the floor plan of her place, I can help her if she needs it. There's no way I'm letting anyone hurt her again.

  I head back to my apartment going over the events of the past few days in my mind. I need to call Bink and get him here to wire up some extra security systems and program my phone. At least I can keep track of who comes in and out of the building that way.

  As I close my door, my phone starts vibrating. Pulling it out of my pocket I glance at the screen before answering the call. This ought to be good.

  "Colin, what's up, Motherfucker?" I hear my brother's voice on the line and just shake my head. He has the innate ability to interrupt me when I'm doing something important. He has the worst timing.

  "Nothing, Shithead. What do you want?" I try to be nice, really, I do.

  "Well, fuck you, too! Is that any way to treat your big brother?"

  "What do you need, Jude?"

  "Well, since you’re being so nice to me, I'll tell you that my suspension ended much earlier than anticipated and I'm back on the job." He sounds excited and all I want to do is punch something.

  "Last time we talked you said it would be a while. What are you going to be doing? Are you back full time? When did this happen?" I know I'm firing questions at him faster than he can process them but I'm in shock that they took him back.

  "I thought it would. Working. Yes. It just did. Does that answer all your questions, bro?" There’s only silence on the line until he fills it again. "I know you're probably in shock because you thought it would never happen but it has. So suck it up and deal. I'll be heading your way soon and we'll figure out how to finish what you're there to do."

  This is just fucking great. The last thing I want or need is my brother poking around in my business or telling me what to do. It doesn't matter if his rank is higher than mine.

  "Take your time, Jude. I'm still getting the lay of the land here and I don't need help with that. Get your head out of your ass and be focused before you show up here. We don't need another incident. You feel me?"

  "Yeah, I do. I'll spend some time brushing up on the details before I come out. I'll call you in a few days to check in."

  "Fine, but don't show up unless we've talked." I groan and hit end. Things just keep getting better and better.

  I walk through the building looking for prime locations f
or Bink's cameras. I even walk around the exterior. He's the expert, but I know we need some surveillance here. I fire off a text letting him know what I think. It takes only seconds to get a response that he'll be here first thing tomorrow to get started.

  Bink arrives at seven in the morning with cameras and other computer stuff. We go over my plan for cameras and he agrees with most of it. We go about installing them as inconspicuously as possible. Thankfully, he's got the wireless kind. Once they're all in place, we go back to my apartment to set up the app on my phone and laptop.

  "So, I gotta know, why are we doing this much to your building? Is there more of a threat here than you first mentioned?"

  "You know that Ronaldo's girlfriend lives in the building and we need a good visual on him."

  "Dude, I know there's more to it than that. This type of set up is for more than a picture of a suspect. What's up?" Bink, for all his great qualities, is so fucking insightful it's terrifying. I've always been told to watch out for the quiet ones and he certainly fits that description.

  "I have no idea what you're talking about," I reply but don't make eye contact.

  "Sure, okay," is all he says. We go back to setting up my computer. When he's done he takes my phone to install the app there.

  "So, Becca?" he asks casually and I jump at the question. I look over at him and he’s grinning but not looking at me.

  "What the fuck are you talking about?"

  "You've added her to your contacts. You never add women into your phone so when I saw a female name, I just made the connection. Isn't that the suspect's girlfriend? You gonna tell me about her or do I need to hack into her computer and find out myself?" He looks over at me and winks. Fucker.

  "There's nothing to tell. She's a sweet girl."

  "Let me guess, she's more than the girlfriend, right? That's the only reason you would put so many cameras here."

  "Yeah, she's Ronaldo's now ex-girlfriend, but there's something more going on with her. I just feel like it would be good for us to keep an eye on her and those she associates with. That's all. You can drop it now and forget we ever had this conversation."

  "Don't get your panties in a bunch, man. It's cool. I bet she's fucking hot, too, right?" Bink isn't all that great with the ladies and I think sometimes he lives through me and Kevin.

  "Yeah, she's gorgeous." I have to give him something.

  "So, you fucked her yet?"

  "Seriously? That's your next question? You're insane." I shake my head and avoid actually answering his question.

  "Ah, I see. Haven't closed the deal yet. No worries. I'm sure you will soon. Here's your phone. It's all there. Any questions?"

  "No, I think I got it. Thanks for coming out today. I really appreciate it." We shake hands as he walks out.

  "I hope you get what you need, if you know what I mean," he says laughingly as he leaves my apartment. I just shut the door and leave it at that.

  Chapter 9-Rebecca

  Tuesday passes in relative quiet. I talked to the girls and let them know what happened with Ron last night. Christin is still ready to kill him and Steph is worried about me. I convinced them both that I'm fine and I'm going to try to avoid him for now. I didn't mention my dinner plans with Colin, though. I don't know if it's a casual, neighborly gesture or if it could be something more and I don't want them to get too excited. I'm excited enough for all of us right now.

  I tried to get some reading done in the afternoon, but it was really hard to concentrate. I managed to get through the introductory chapter of my psychopathology book, but I couldn't do anymore than that. I cleaned my apartment and finally ran to the grocery store like I had planned on Sunday. I wanted to bring something with me to Colin's, but I didn't really know what he eats since he's so into fitness. I decided to make a fruit salad, hoping that would be okay.

  I spent more time on my hair and makeup than I usually do. It's not every day someone who looks like sex on a stick asks you over to their place for dinner. At least it doesn't happen to me every day. I decide to wear a pair of khaki Capri pants with a floral print top and my wedge sandals. I need some height with Colin. I look at my reflection and I feel like I look as good as I can. After getting the salad, I make my way over to Colin's apartment.

  When I knock on the door, I realize that I can hear music inside his apartment. I had no idea the walls were so thin in this building and now I wonder what wall we share. I don't think it's the bedroom, but I'll have to try to figure that out tonight. The door opens and rips me out of that thought. Colin is wearing denim shorts and a Fully Automatic t-shirt that hugs all his muscles perfectly. I try not to stare, but he makes it really difficult to have a coherent thought.

  "I'm so glad you made it, Becca. Come on in." His voice jolts me out of my fantasy and back to reality. I smile and take a couple steps into his apartment. It's very masculine and exactly what I thought it would look like. There's a leather couch and matching recliner facing one of the biggest flat screen televisions I’ve ever seen. Boys and their toys. The kitchen is on the right just off the entry and I can see his patio through the sliding glass door in the living room.

  "I brought fruit salad. I hope that's something you can eat," I say while handing him the bowl. Our fingers touch and it's like I've stuck my hand in a light socket. Electricity shoots through my body and settles between my legs. I suck in a breath and pull my hands back. Thankfully, Colin had a hold on the bowl.

  "Of course I can eat it. Why would you think I couldn't?" He narrows his eyes and smirks in a way that says he’s giving me a hard time.

  "I didn't know what kind of a diet you might be on. I hear that bodybuilders watch what they eat and I wasn't sure, but I wanted to bring something." I'm just rambling now and I can't make my mouth stop moving.

  "It's wonderful, thank you. Would you like a glass of wine or a beer?" I follow him into the kitchen and watch him move around the space. It isn't until he turns around and raises an eyebrow that I remember he asked me a question. Shit, this is going to be a long night.

  "I'd love a glass of wine."

  Colin pours a glass of blush wine and hands it to me then gets a beer for himself. He takes my hand and pulls me into the living room, motioning for me to sit on the couch. He sits on the ottoman in front of me and our knees are practically touching.

  "Do I make you nervous or something? You seem jumpy tonight." Well, nothing like getting right to the point.

  I look down at the floor. "Yes, I'm a little nervous. I'm not sure why, but I am." I feel my cheeks heat up with the admission.

  "Would it make you feel better to know that I feel nervous around you?" That gets my attention and my head snaps up, making eye contact with him. He's nervous around me? What the fuck for? I'm nobody special.

  "That's crazy. I'm just me. Nothing to be nervous about over here." I try for lighthearted, but I think I sound creepy.

  He chuckles and I notice for the first time that he has a dimple in his right cheek. Oh, fuck me. I love dimples on guys.

  "I've been attracted to you since I moved in. You're so confident and sure of who you are. You're sexy and I've been trying to figure out how to approach you since I moved in."

  I just stare at him. Is he serious right now? This gorgeous, sexy, hot—did I mention gorgeous—man was afraid to approach me? I can't help it, but the laughter starts building and I’m powerless to stop it.

  Colin looks confused and I laugh even harder. I know I need to explain myself, but I just can't wrap my mind around the turn of events. Guys like him don't want girls like me, let alone get nervous around them. I shake my head and try to calm down.

  "I'm sorry for laughing. It's just that it's been my experience that most guys don't really notice me, let alone get anxious around me. My friends Christin and Stephanie, yes, I'm sure that kind of thing happens to them all the time. Not me. I can't decide if you're being truthful or trying to charm the pants off me right now."

  "I'm dead serious. Becca, you’re gorgeou
s and I can't believe you don't see it. I'm still pinching myself to remember this isn't a dream. Am I trying to charm your pants off? Probably, but that doesn't make me any less sincere." He doesn't break eye contact while he's talking and then he puts his hand on my knee. Once again, I have sparks running through my body that originate where his skin is on mine.

  I can't stop staring into his brown eyes. They are like pools of molten chocolate and I’m drowning. Before I can register what’s happening, I feel Colin's lips on mine. They are warm and soft and exactly what I imagined they would be. I kiss him back and I hear a small noise escape his throat. I close my eyes and lean in a little more, pressing against his lips harder. Colin's tongue runs across my seam and I open for him. He explores my mouth slowly, almost gently, and I reciprocate. I feel his hand inch up my leg and it's my turn to moan. He abruptly ends the kiss, leaving me leaning forward and confused.

  "I'm sorry. I've wanted to do that for so long that I just couldn't help it. I promised myself that I would be a perfect gentleman tonight and here I am starting to feel you up. Please forgive me." He looks so pitiful that I have to smile.

  "You have nothing to be sorry for. That was an amazing kiss." I watch his shoulders relax and he sighs.

  "Thank goodness. I don't want to scare you off because I really like you and I want to get to know you better." His smile is amazing and I lean over and kiss his cheek.

  "It's fine. I like you, too. Why don't you tell me what we're having for dinner and we can get to know each other better." That's all it takes to break the tension and get us back on track to the enjoyable evening we were having.

  Colin serves baked chicken and couscous for dinner and it's wonderful. We decide to have the fruit for dessert. With our stomachs full, we move back to the couch with a cup of decaf coffee and continue our conversations.

  "I've been meaning to ask you since I got here. Have you actually seen Fully Automatic in concert? I think they're amazing." I don't mention that I've had a fan girl crush on Brad since I saw their first video.