by Aden Lowe
"Yeah, baby?"
Embarrassment set my face aflame. "I…um…I really need to pee."
"Uh, okay?" He really had no clue.
"Could you maybe, um, step out, for just a minute?"
Realization set in, and he grinned devilishly. "Baby, in case you forgot, I was all up in that sweet pussy last night. Kinda late to get all shy on me. But okay, I need to grab us towels anyway. Back in a minute." Just like that, he left, naked and half hard, still without any sign of modesty.
I took care of business as quickly as possible, and flushed just as he tapped at the door and came back in. He set the towels on the counter and came close, slipping his arms around me to cup my butt.
"Baby, you fucking drive me crazy." He lifted me a little, just enough to slip his full erection between my thighs and stroke along my highly sensitive flesh. "I know you must be sore, so I won't push, but I can't wait to get back inside that sweet little pussy."
His words, and his touch, sent need coiling through my belly. I lifted my arms around his neck and slid the tips of my fingers along the back of his head, stroking the stubble there.
He groaned, and lifted me, before stepping into the shower. Warm water cascaded over us, only heightening the sensitivity of my skin. "Need to taste you again, baby." He bent and traced my jaw with his lips, quickly moving to my mouth.
The stolen moments we shared before he left had been nothing like this. It had been exciting, forbidden, and fun, but this all-consuming need to possess and be possessed was entirely new. His kisses quickly worked me to a frenzy, my moans and whimpers filling the small space.
"Baby, you're like a drug. The more I have you, the more I need you. It's like chasing a high." He leaned his forehead against mine. "I fucking need you more than air, Jus. This time with you, even if it doesn't last, is like falling into a good dream."
His words brought tears to my eyes. "I was so sure you hated me."
He kissed my tears away. "Honestly, I did for a while. Losing you like that…I thought I wanted to die. Later, I went back and forth between wanting you to be happy, and wanting you to be as miserable as I was." He shrugged a little. "I tried really hard not to think about you."
Guilt assailed me again. "I'm sorry. I prayed you had found some nice girl. I wanted you to have everything I couldn't. I should have known better, after the way you ignored other girls in school."
"Yeah, you should have." He leaned in to kiss me again. "But I should have known better, too. I should have realized something horrible happened to you, should have trusted you would never betray me, even if you tried to say you had. I should have come back here, and demanded a real explanation. Then we could have dealt with it together."
In hindsight, I wished he had returned. Maybe we could have still had our lives, the ones we were meant to have. "We can't change the past, though."
"No, all we can do is move forward." He grabbed the shower gel and lathered up his hands to wash me, and turned getting clean into the most unbelievably erotic experience. He stroked my body with such tenderness it took my breath away, and stilled my fears of being touched. Unbelievably gentle fingers demanded so much, but gave more. He slid those fingers between my legs, stroking until he brought me to orgasm, then supported me as I recovered.
When it was my turn, I took my time, glad for the chance to touch and memorize his body. I traced all his tattoos, wondering if they all had stories behind them. His erection fascinated me, and before long, I had to touch. His groan filled the space, and he put his hand over mine, helping me find what he liked. His orgasm brought me a tremendous sense of power, and curiosity urged me to find other ways to please him. All too soon, though, the water ran cold, forcing us to get out.
On our way back to our room to get dressed, he paused long enough to knock on the children's doors, and call out for them to get up. Nicole made a smart aleck remark about being woken up at the crack of dawn by noisy showers. Heat flooded my face, but Fabio just laughed.
"I don't know what to tell you, kid. Maybe get some earplugs?"
Something hit the door, bringing more mocking laughter from him as he led me on to our room.
I started digging clothes out of my bag, in a hurry to get dressed. "Oh, God, I can't believe she heard us!"
The rogue laughed again, and caught me to him. "Baby, the whole house probably heard us, at one point or another. I'm sorry. I should have taken you somewhere more private." He went quiet for a moment. "Should have been better prepared, too."
The reference to our lack of protection took my mind off being embarrassed. I had to make sure passion didn't override caution again. The thought of a baby terrified me. I couldn't even take care of myself.
He brushed a thumb over my lower lip. "Hey, stop worrying. It'll be okay." The devilish grin came again. "Wonder if we inspired Trip and Tanya last night."
Oh, God. I wanted to hide under the covers rather than face his friends. Of course they knew. That didn't matter. But the thought of them accidentally hearing my cries made heat rise to my face. And at the same time, my pulse sped up.
Fabio pulled his jeans on, leaving them low on his hips, and padded from the room. "I have to get the kids moving or they'll be late for school. You should probably call whoever you need to for the day off, too."
I hurried to dress, wondering how he would feel if I left my jeans unbuttoned and low enough to show a hint of pubic hair. Common sense won out over the temptation, though. I couldn't parade around like that, especially in front of his friends.
Out in the hall, Nicole muttered and headed for the shower, and as I opened the door, I caught the rumble of Fabio's voice as he talked to Tyler, waking him up. I hurried down stairs, anxious to find tea, and avoid anyone who might have heard us during the night.
The kitchen was blessedly empty, and still dark, so I started coffee for everyone else, and warmed some muffins for the children's breakfast. Making coffee again after all these years felt strange, but while I had no desire to drink it, at least the smell no longer sent me darting for the bathroom. Another triumph.
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, I called off work, feeling guilty, until I remembered why. Nausea threatened, but I pushed the thoughts away, refusing to allow my tormentor to get to me this time. Just as I took the first sip of my tea, Tyler bounded down the stairs, already dressed and full of his trademark energy.
The morning rush passed quickly, and it seemed like only moments before Fabio walked the kids to the bus stop. At least he conceded and fastened his jeans when I informed him of all the lonely soccer moms who would be craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the view. He left the shirt off, though, despite Nicole's snicker about a gay soccer dad who would admire the tattoos. Instead of replying, he flipped her off and growled for her to grab her bag.
Both kids hurried out the door after him, laughing, just as the basement door opened. The woman Fabio called Cherry came in, damp hair hanging around her shoulders.
She accepted my silent offer of coffee. "Thank God. I was afraid I would have to start it myself."
"Your turn tomorrow." We chatted a little, but the others filed in soon, all searching for coffee, too. By the time Fabio returned, talk had turned to the need for groceries.
Dix and Trip exchanged a look. "We have to go check out the crime scenes today, see if we can figure out anything about the sick bastard from them." If they thought they concealed their fist-bump, they were sorely mistaken.
Skates' brow furrowed in thought. "I have to rest up. Night shift is mine." He exchanged fist bumps with Trip and Dix.
Crank wore a desperate expression for a moment. "I'm still filtering through the crime reports."
Cherry, Georgie, and Tanya laughed as Fabio came in. "What's so funny?" He dropped a kiss to the top of my head.
"Your Brothers just found quick excuses to avoid grocery shopping." I leaned up to actually kiss him. "Learn your lesson about wearing a shirt?"
He flushed. "Uh, yeah, I did. Who knew
ink was so popular among the soccer mom set?" Everyone chuckled at his expense. "I guess I'll take care of the groceries. Crank and Skates will be here, so you'll be safe, and I pity the motherfucker if these girls get their hands on him."
The men ate, joked with each other, and made quiet plans. Before long, they left, all intent on their missions.
Cherry smiled at me while Georgie finished putting away the dishes. "It's good to see Fabio happy. Are you two working things out?"
I considered my answer carefully while I made another cup of tea. "I think so. It's hard. I don't know what he wants, or even really what I want. I spent so much time just trying to get from one day to the next, I think I've forgotten how to think long term."
"I know that feeling." Tanya sat down at the table, a fresh cup of coffee in her hands. "When you live in hell, the only thing that matters is surviving the moment. There's no time to think of a future. The only thing you know is the future holds more of the same, and you have to get through it. It takes time to change that way of thinking."
Fabio's words about Tanya's past replayed in my memory. "Fabio said you survived something terrible."
She gave a brief nod. "My boyfriend sold me to the Saxons to clear a drug debt. I spent six years there as a slave. If one of them wanted sex, I had no choice, and they could do absolutely anything, and did. When Trip came and wanted to take me away, I was too scared to go. My therapist has been a lifesaver."
I considered her words. "I haven't talked to anyone yet. I thought reliving it all would be too painful." I shrugged. "Stupid, I know."
Cherry patted my arm. "Wanting to protect yourself from a devastating memory is not stupid, honey. It's self-preservation. But now you've started moving on."
We all talked some more, and I even shared a few details. How could I have ever been nervous about meeting these women? Talking to them, sharing a little of my torment, made things easier. I thanked them, and then gave in to exhaustion from my long night of physical activity, and went to take a nap. Donning one of Fabio's t-shirts, I climbed into bed, and quickly fell asleep, surrounded by his scent.
Some time later, the soft click of the door opening roused me from dreams of making love with Fabio. I smiled and rolled over, ready to welcome him.
My eyes focused on the evil figure who had haunted me for so many years. My lungs froze, seized by terror.
34
Fabio
I fucking hated shopping for groceries, especially when the list came from a bunch of chicks intent on feeding several people healthy shit for a whole week. First, they made a science of laying out those fucking stores in ways that utterly defied logic. Who the hell puts the baking shit next to the laundry detergent? Shouldn't that go next to the chocolate?
By the time I made it to the checkout, my knees and shoulders ached like the end of a twenty-mile forced road march in full gear with a sixty-pound pack. Getting the pick-up loaded turned into another huge undertaking, but I finally managed it, and headed back to the house.
The moment I pulled in the driveway, Georgie stuck her head out. "Wake Crank's ass up, send him to the garage. Send Skates, too." She grinned and disappeared back inside as I drove into the garage.
Crank appeared, bleary-eyed and grouchy as usual, while Skates just grinned in that unreadable way of his, and we started the massive unloading job. In the kitchen, the women put their usual system to work, putting things away in record time. By some miracle, they didn't run out of space for everything.
"Fabio, hun, you gotta try not to keep your girl awake all night." Cherry smiled, stashing a massive box of cereal. "Poor thing went back to bed for a nap a little while ago."
I placed a dozen plastic shopping bags on the table. "What makes you think it wasn't her keeping me awake?"
Georgie laughed aloud. "Please. Women are practical. Sleep or sex, sleep will win out every time."
I raised my eyebrows. "Really? Maybe ol' Dix is doing it wrong then, if you'd rather sleep." The banter continued through load after load of supplies.
We went back out for what we both hoped would be the last load. "Can't fucking believe I volunteered for that shit, man."
Crank made a derisive sound. "I can. You're dumb as fuck lately."
The punch I landed on his upper arm caught him mid-step and staggered him sideways, and he nearly went down. I made a smartass remark about helping him up if he fell, but he froze, a serious expression on his face.
I followed his line of sight to a clump of dusty fiberglass insulation on the floor. Off to the passenger side, the quarter-sized bit of pinkish material could have been there the day before, but I didn't think so.
I shook my head, and pulled my 9mm from my waistband, looking upward. There weren't too many places that insulation could have come from. I spotted it first glance. The access stairs for the attic.
I thought fast. We needed the women out of the house, and safe, but I didn't want to alert anyone who might be listening. "You see that little rabbit over there?" I hoped to fuck Crank and Skates caught the hint.
"Wonder how it got in here?" Skates got it immediately and played along.
"Yeah, man. A cat probably caught it, or something. The girls might like to see if they can rescue it. I'll get them." Crank disappeared inside, and came back a moment later with Cherry, Georgie, and Tanya on his heels. We hustled them into the truck, with instructions to keep the doors locked and to arm themselves. We needn't have asked. Georgie already had her .40 out and ready.
At my signal, Crank started up into the attic, and Skates and I headed inside to clear the house. Every instinct demanded I race directly to the guest room to check on Justine. My muscles ached with the need to get to her.
Teeth gritted, I fell back on my training. I couldn't do her any good if I allowed the enemy to get in behind me, and capture or kill me. So I crept through the house at a snail's pace, with Skates covering my back, clearing each fucking room, one at a time. With the doors secured behind us, I could proceed to Justine in relative safety.
Careful as fuck, I eased up the stairs, expecting to hear a blood-curdling scream, or worse, at every heartbeat. The kids' rooms were easy to clear, being relatively small. My sister's room, with its en suite master bath, and walk-in closet, was a different matter.
When nothing but the guest room remained, I said a silent prayer, signaled Skates to fall back to give the others the all-clear, and pushed the door open. Justine sat up on the bed, eyes wide with fear, shaking her head.
Well, fuck, I'd just scared the piss out of her by barging in like that. "It's okay, baby." I stepped into the room, and a massive force clocked me behind the ear. Darkness swallowed me before I could figure out what happened.
***
Justine
Fabio collapsed, sinking to the floor.
A scream finally ripped from my throat. Too little, too late. I couldn't do a thing, with my hands and feet bound. My heart tried to jump out of my chest, or stop. It didn't matter which. He had me again. And this time, he would make me pay. I knew it.
The madman standing over Fabio laughed aloud. "Big, bad biker ain't so bad now, is he?" He kicked Fabio's ribs, making the air leave him in a hmmph. "Now, what say we get on down to business?"
I shook my head, but he only laughed, and came closer.
"Sorry, it don't work that way. See, I fucked up with you. Of course, you were my first, so I guess you could forgive me." He actually sat on the side of the bed, as if he thought we were going to have a nice little heart-to-heart.
It made me sick, but logically, I knew the longer I could delay him, the greater my chances for rescue. So I asked. "How did you fuck up?" I prayed the question didn't send him into a rage.
He chuckled. "I fucking left you alive. See, I watched you a while. Wanted you bad. But I knew you were the kind that would figure you was too good for me. I wasn't tryin' to get sent up the river, so I knew, if I was going to fuck you, you had to die after." He shrugged. "I was soft though. Didn't have the
balls to just break your neck. So I left, and somehow, you lived."
His words sent me tumbling back through the memories. "It wasn't easy." What else do you say to a man who just told you he intended you to die?
"I bet not. I didn't do it again for a long time, but one day, I got a service call to a house, and the woman looked just like you. Couldn't help myself. One and only time I did it at work. But after that, I had the need again. A while later, I found out you lived." He shook his head. "I puked for three days, figuring you reported, and my DNA was in the system, and they had me tied to all the others."
"I didn't report." My voice shook, as I realized I was bargaining with him, hoping to win some sort of favor. Like mercy.
He laughed. "I know that now. You moving was a smart. When I checked back a couple weeks later, saw the place empty, figured it all went as planned. If I didn't see you when I went on a call to the school, I never would have known. Took me forever to track your ass down." He smiled, almost gently, taking my jaw in his hand. "And now, I have to be sure you die this time." His fingers applied bruising pressure, and I winced with pain. He laughed again.
A heavy thud came from the hallway, and he looked up as if startled. "Wait for me here. Seems like your biker's friends figured out I'm here." Before I could protest, he put a piece of heavy tape over my mouth and pressed it tight.
My blood ran even colder, and I shivered uncontrollably.
He stepped over Fabio's body and slipped from the room, nearly silent.
Tears ran down my face uncontrollably. The man I loved lay on the floor, maybe dead. His friends, the ones who were supposed to help keep me safe, were nowhere to be seen. And the madman who haunted me for years had me bound and gagged. Hopelessness turned my bones to jelly and I collapsed to the side, trying to hold back the sobs that choked me.
A shout of anger sounded in the hall, followed by a massive thud, and a grunt of pain. Hope gained a faint hold in my chest, and I struggled to continue breathing.
Skates stuck his head in the door, and took everything in at a glance. "No worries, sweetheart. We got him."