Stronger With Him

by JA Hensley

  The longer I look at him the harder it is to keep my hands to myself. I just have to touch so I run my fingers lightly over his stomach. The muscles twitch where I've been and Colin begins to stir. I notice something else twitching under the covers and find myself mesmerized as it grows.

  "Seems like someone's happy to see you this morning, Becca," Colin says making me jump. I have no idea how long I was ogling him, but I'm obviously busted. I feel Colin's hand on my back and I lean into his touch.

  "I'm happy to see you, does that count?" I ask as innocently as I can.

  "Oh, yes, that counts," he says as he pulls me down on top of him. "I'd like to show you just how happy I am today." His lips meet mine and I can't help the moan that comes from my throat. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this man kissing me. He wraps his arms around me and I feel so protected, something I've never had before.

  "Mmm, I like that." I pull back to look in his eyes.

  "Oh, yeah?" I nod at him. "Then why did you stop?"

  "Because I have to get ready and if I keep doing that then I'll never let you out of this room."

  "I don't remember asking to be let out, but I also don't want to keep you from something that you need to do." He gives me the smile that would melt my panties if I was wearing any.

  "I have class today and I believe that you do, too. I've been so distracted this semester that I've got to get to campus and get some things done."

  "You're right. I do have to get to the gym before class. Can I see you later?" He runs his hand up my back, lightly tickling me, causing my skin to break out in goose bumps.

  "Yes, but it’ll probably be late. I've got to spend some time in the lab this evening. I'll text you when I'm on my way home."

  "That sounds great. Let's get dressed and I'll walk you home. We'll talk tonight, beautiful," he says as he kisses my cheek while getting out of bed. Of course I’m staring at his back and glorious ass as he stands up. Damn, I could stare at that view all day.

  "Stop looking at my butt and go get ready, Becca," he says as he shakes his head laughing. My cheeks heat at being caught again, but I laugh along with him, slipping on my clothes to go home.

  Once I'm showered, dressed, and have gathered my books and lunch I head out of my apartment. I make sure to lock the door behind me, double checking that everything is secure. I pass by Colin's door, but I force myself to keep walking to my car. He's a wonderful distraction but one I need to resist right now.

  The ride to campus is uneventful and I arrive with an hour to work in the library before class. Once I get to the Psychology area, I check my phone to make sure it's turned to silent and find a text from Colin.

  Have a great day, beautiful. I'll talk to you later.

  I smile and quickly type my reply.

  I will. Stay out of trouble today.

  After I hit send, I put my phone back in my purse determined to get some research done. I've been buried in journals for about twenty minutes when I hear my name. Heather is waving at me, walking toward my table.

  "Hey, girl! I wondered if I'd see you here this morning. Did you do something different with your makeup?" Heather isn't one to be subtle, but I'm not sure what she’s talking about.

  "No, I didn't. Why do you ask?"

  "You just seem to have a glow about you this morning. Wait. You got laid, didn't you?" Her voice gets louder with each word.

  "Shh! For the love of Pete, keep your voice down!" I’m really glad that it's early enough that there aren't many people around.

  "Well, tell me what I already know and I'll be quiet," she says as she cocks one eyebrow at me.

  "Yes, I got laid, and it was fucking amazing. Now, can we please get to work?" I know she won't let it go at that, but I have to try.

  "Oh, hell no. You're going to give me the details and then maybe we'll get some work done. Is it the hottie with the big truck from last week? Please tell me it is, because if not I'm going to find a way to sleep with him."

  Sometimes she can be even more outrageous than Christin. "Yes, it's Colin, but I really don't want to go into it right now. I'll tell you that he's as amazing as you would think he is, but you'll have to wait until lunch for more details."

  Heather pouts but doesn't push me for more. I know she will after class, but I'm glad to be able to get some work done.

  Thirty minutes later we leave the library together and walk to the Psychology building. Heather is talking about her weekend, but I’m only half listening. I have a strange feeling that someone is watching me but as I look around, I don't see anything out of the ordinary. We make it to class and find our seats, settling in to endure the two-hour lecture that I'm sure will bore me to tears.

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of lectures and notes. Lunch with Heather was uneventful and I gave her just enough details to satisfy her curiosity without disclosing too much. We don’t have class together again until Wednesday, so I bid her farewell as I went to the lab. I have to complete a few experiments with rats this semester, so I wanted to get started early in case they don't learn as quickly as I'd like. So many people wait until the last minute and they don't get the results they need.

  The lab is located in the basement of the building. There are no windows so it's easy to lose track of time. It happens to me quite often, so I try to make sure to turn on my phone alarm. I set the alert for three hours from now and I get to work with my test subjects. So many people get grossed out by rats, but I think they're fascinating creatures. They can learn to do different tricks and they're easy to care for. I spend a couple hours working out the design of my experiment and what I want to learn. I've been in the lab alone this whole time, so when the door opens it startles me. I look up to see who has come in, but I don't see anyone. They must have gone to the other side of the lab to work.

  I start wrapping things up with my rats when my phone buzzes. I forgot that I left it on silent so I'm glad it's quiet in here. Once I get everything cleaned up and put away, I check the time and find a text from Christin.

  Dinner plans?

  Not sure. Just leaving the lab and I'm beat. Rain check?

  A few seconds later I get her reply.

  Sure. TTYL

  I smile as I drop my phone back into my purse and walk out of the lab. I wait for the elevator and my mind drifts to Colin. Well, Colin's body and how it looked this morning. The ding of the elevator brings me out of my fantasy and I walk in without looking around me.

  "Good evening," the deep voice greets me. I look up to see a young security guard standing in the corner.

  "Hello," I reply politely.

  "It's dark out. Would you like me to walk you to your car?"

  It's customary for security to be called out to do this since the parking lots aren't very well lit. I didn't realize how late it had gotten, so I smile and accept the offer.

  We make small talk on the way to my car, which I had parked under a light. My father always told me to be aware of my surroundings and to make myself as safe as possible. He'd be proud of me for having security escort me.

  I reach the driver's side of my car and I turn to thank the young man who came with me when a van pulls up in front of my car. The security guard grabs my arm and pulls me toward the van. A door slides open and I’m being lifted into the vehicle, so shocked at what’s happening, that I don't do much to fight against my kidnappers. Once my feet have cleared the door it slides shut and a hand covers my mouth.

  "Don't scream and don't fight me. You have no idea what I'm capable of doing to you," I hear whispered in my right ear. I feel tears build up in my eyes and I nod slightly letting him know that I’ll follow his directions. I hear the sound of duct tape being unrolled and then my hands are pulled behind me and taped together. Another piece is put over my mouth so I'm unable to speak. The van is dark and I have no idea who’s driving or who’s immobilizing me. My thoughts are scattered and as hard as I try, I can't figure out what to do. I wish Colin had shown me some self defense moves, so
I'd at least have a fighting chance.

  Oh God, Colin. He's going to flip out. Will he even know I'm gone? I search through my memories to figure out if I still have my phone. I can't feel my purse, but I don't think I dropped it. The man who taped me up moves toward the front of the van.

  "Did you get her phone? The boss wants to be sure we have it so she can't be tracked."

  "Yeah, I got it right here. Where are we taking her?"

  "The usual place. He'll meet us there."

  I sit quietly in the back, trying not to panic. I keep telling myself I'm not going to die, that I'm going to get out of this. I start to pray, asking for help. I know that eventually my friends will realize I'm missing, but how will they find me? Who are these men and what do they want with me? I try to go through every person I know that may want to hurt me and the only name that comes to mind is Ron. He can't really be doing this can he? Maybe they have the wrong person. I've got to come up with a plan to keep myself alive and able to fight when I can.

  * * * * *

  It seems like we're driving for hours. I try to look through the windshield to figure out where we're going, but I’m having a hard time sitting up. The two men in the front stopped talking and the silence is deafening. I feel the panic start to take over and I will myself to calm down and be rational. I'm a psychology major, after all, so I can figure this out. I go back over the little conversation that I've overheard. They mentioned a boss and taking my phone so it can't be tracked. I have no idea what’s going on. I try to think back to any clients I had during undergrad who may want to hurt me, but I'm coming up blank.

  Suddenly, the van turns left and I'm tossed across the back and hit my head on the door. I groan from the pain and try to scoot up.

  "Be careful, you stupid fuck. You know the boss wants her untouched. He'll be pissed if you hurt her." I hear from the front seat. Must be the passenger talking, the one who put the duct tape on me. If they aren't supposed to hurt me, I'm going to make them think they did.

  I start moaning louder and crying in pain, kicking my feet to reinforce things.

  "Shut up back there!" he yells at me, but I just cry harder. "See, you hurt her, fucker. Your ass is dead."

  "She's fine. Go back there and make sure she's not bleeding."

  I see movement and a figure coming toward me. I start to tremble with fear and my cries become real. He puts his hands in my hair and pulls my head toward the light in the center of the ceiling.

  "She's not bleeding. Just hurry up and get us there so we're not responsible for her anymore." He pushes me away from him as if I'm diseased and goes back to the passenger seat. I've got to work out a different plan to get out of here.

  What seems like a few minutes later, the van comes to an abrupt stop, causing me to slide up toward the front. Both men get out and leave me bound, gagged and alone. I strain my ears to hear anything outside, but it's quiet. There’s no discernible light coming in through the windows, either. I'm trying to roll over onto my back when I hear the door slide open.

  "Don't bother trying to escape, Becca. There's no way out." The voice stops me where I am. I can't believe he would do something like this.

  Chapter 21-Colin

  I walk into my apartment building thinking about what a clusterfuck my day has been. Ronaldo was released from custody, lost the tail we put on him and seems to have gone into hiding. So much for DEA surveillance. We've got no new leads on this case and my brother is going to be here tomorrow to "help." Unfortunately for me, Jude's idea of help means running the show and pushing me out. I've been working on this case for the past year and now that we're finally about to crack it, he wants to call the shots. But he's my superior, so there's nothing I can do about it.

  I go to the fridge for a beer. Cracking the top, I take a long pull of the cool liquid. I know there's a ton of shit that I need to do before Jude's arrival, but I only want to see Becca. Her car wasn't in the parking lot and I know she said she would be working late. It’s just after eight so I hope she'll be home soon.

  I busy myself with a quick dinner and a shower. Once I'm done with that, I look at the clock again. Only forty-five minutes have passed and I'm feeling restless. Something's not right, but I can't figure out what it is. I look at my phone, but still no text from Becca. I'm being ridiculous and acting like a lovesick teenager. My ringtone startles me and I almost drop the phone.

  "Yeah?" I answer impatiently.

  "Thanks for the warm greeting, brother. What's crawled up your ass and died?" Jude's voice doesn’t help calm my anxiety.

  "Nothing. What the fuck do you want? Is this the attitude I can expect when you get here tomorrow?"

  "Actually, that's why I'm calling. I'm here now. I'm about to pull into your parking lot, but I didn't want to interrupt anything, if you catch my drift," he says with a low chuckle.

  Bastard.

  "Fine, I'll crack the door open for you." Just fucking great. This is not the distraction I needed tonight.

  Jude throws the door open hard enough for it to bounce off the wall.

  "Do you always have to make an entrance? There's nobody here to impress, asshole," I say as I walk over to shut and lock my door.

  "Seriously, Colin, what the fuck is your problem? I came here to help you solve your case and you act like I've stolen your girlfriend or something."

  "Something's not right. I can feel it in my gut, but I have no fucking clue what it is." I pass by him and he grabs my shoulder.

  "Your gut is never wrong, bro. Sit down and let's try to figure it out, just like when we were kids."

  I stop by the kitchen to get us a couple beers and meet Jude in the living room. After we get settled he starts asking me questions.

  "What's her name?"

  "Why do you assume it's a her? It could be the case," I reply defensively. I hate that he knows me so well.

  "Of course there's a woman. You have the uncanny ability to attract one in every city. So, what's her name and how long have you been fucking her?"

  "None of your goddamned business. Her name is Becca and I'm sure as fuck not telling you anything else."

  "Ah, she's gotten under your skin. I knew it would happen someday, but I didn't think it would be now." Jude smiles as he takes a drink of his beer.

  "Fuck you. Now are you going to help me figure out what's got my instincts on high alert or are you just going to be a major pain in my ass?"

  "Okay, okay, calm down for fuck's sake. So, when did you have the first indication that something was wrong?" Jude leans back on the couch and crosses one leg over his knee. I find myself relaxing into my chair as well. We've done this a million times and he's always able to help me figure out what my gut is trying to tell me.

  "When I pulled into the parking lot, I was hit with the first wave. It was huge, not like normal, so I know it's something really bad."

  "Fuck." Jude understands what I mean. When we were kids I had a feeling just like this on the way home from school. We found out later that night that our mother had been killed in a car accident.

  "Yeah. So, what do you think?" I hate asking him for help, but he's the only one who can go through this with me.

  "Well, does your girlfriend live nearby?"

  "Yeah, she lives next door. She's working late in the psychology lab tonight. I expect her to text me anytime."

  "Why don't you call her? Just to check in. That way we can cross her off our list."

  I pick up my phone and pull up Becca's contact info. My call goes directly to voicemail, indicating that her phone may be turned off.

  "Maybe she shut her phone down to minimize interruptions," Jude suggests.

  I'm not convinced that's the case. "I can't sit here and speculate. Let's go out to the University and check on her." I stand up and get my keys.

  "Are you sure? You just want to go barreling in there and say what, that you're worried about her? What the fuck, man? Who is this girl?"

  "She may be the one, dickhead. Now, are you co
ming with me or not?" I've got the door open and I'm headed to my truck, not waiting for an answer.

  "Yeah, I'm coming. You're obviously not thinking clearly and I don't need you to cause any trouble when we're so close to finishing this case." Jude closes my door and jogs to catch up.

  The ride over to campus is silent, neither of us wanting to say something that will make the other talk. The one thing I know about Jude is that he always has an opinion and is more than willing to share it. I pull into the parking lot of the Psychology building and see Becca's car parked under a light. It's after ten o'clock and I can't imagine that the buildings are still open.

  I park next to her car and Jude walks around it. "Doesn't look like she's been in it since this morning. The hood is cool."

  "Let's go inside the building, if we can get in. I need to see her and make sure she's okay."

  We walk quickly to the doors closest to the lot, but they're locked. Jude goes one way and I go the other around the building to try to find an open door. We meet at the back of the building and neither of us has any luck.

  "What do you want to do now?" Jude asks. I try calling her phone again and it goes straight to voice mail, just like last time. I send her a text and hope she'll see it and reply.

  "Let's go over to security and see if they'll let you in. I'm not ready to blow my cover, but you certainly can use your badge to help us gain access to the building."

  "All right, but this girl better be worth it," Jude says reluctantly. I hurry to my truck and Jude is right behind me. We peel out of the parking lot and stop in front of the security office just a minute later.

  "Stay here and let me handle this. If you don't want to blow your cover, go back to the building and wait out of sight. I'll text you when I get into the building."