Blind Devotion

by S. Nelson

  “Tell me right now or I’ll stop.” She knew damn well I wasn’t kidding. I’d done it before when she hadn’t given me what I wanted, refusing to let her come for hours. “Do you want a repeat of last time?”

  “No . . . please . . . no.” Her breathing became ragged, her skin turning a gorgeous pink.

  “I won’t ask you again.” My ministrations slowed.

  “Pussy,” she finally responded, opening her eyes to stare directly into mine. “You love to come in my pussy.”

  “Very good.” I withdrew my hand only to push inside her with one swift motion. It was as if the air had been sucked from the room, the feeling of being inside her like nothing else in the world. So tight. Warm. Wet. “I love you,” I confessed once more, setting a rhythm to both tease and treasure.

  We explored each other until the sun came up, and it was only because I hadn’t eaten in over twelve hours that I reluctantly left the bed in search of something to eat, only so I could get back to ravaging my woman as soon as possible.

  Alina

  A DELICIOUS SORENESS reminded me of the hours and hours Max and I spent wrapped up in each other. I swore he put me in every position imaginable, not that I was complaining. Some of them may have even been at my suggestion.

  As my eyelids flitted open, I smiled at seeing the streams of morning light cascading through the sheer white curtains in my bedroom. I was unbelievably happy, too happy almost. Pushing all fear aside something would go wrong, I reached over to where Max was sleeping, but all I felt was empty space, the sheets on his side of the bed still relatively warm.

  “Max,” I called out. Nothing but silence. “Where did he go?” I mumbled to myself, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. After checking the bathroom and a couple of the spare bedrooms, I proceeded to the top of the staircase, descending the steps when I heard my cell ringing. Rushing to retrieve it from the dining table where I’d left it the night before, I prayed it wasn’t the hospital calling to give me bad news. I answered the call without checking the screen.

  “Hello.”

  “Is this Alina Winthrop?”

  “Yes, it is. Is my father all right?” Frantic thoughts took over and I prepared myself for the worst. If everything was okay my father would’ve called me himself.

  “I don’t know anything about your father. This is Detective Hamm from the NYPD. You spoke to an Officer Strinson last month about an assault involving a Rick Glinn. Does that ring a bell?”

  What kind of question was that? As if I’d forget a man attacking me. “Yes, I remember,” I confirmed. “Can you tell me why you’re calling?”

  Instead of answering, he kept on talking. “I also understand his wife was a client of yours, that the assault happened because of your relationship with Tanya Glinn. Is that correct?”

  “Um . . . I guess . . . yeah. He came after me because he didn’t like the advice I was giving his wife.”

  “Okay.” There was a long pause. “Well I’m calling you today to tell you your case has been settled.”

  “Settled? What does that mean? Did you arrest him?”

  “Yes. Not in conjunction with your attack but for the murder of Tanya Glinn.” It took a moment for his words to compute, to fully wrap around my brain and process.

  “She’s dead?” My question was rhetorical in nature since he’d already given me the answer. “But how? She was staying with her sister in Detroit. How did this happen? When did this happen?”

  “He was arrested two days ago but since we’re still working on the case, I cannot give you any more details other than what I’ve already shared.”

  “I understand.” A tear rolled down my cheek for the loss of a young woman, a mother. A woman who loved the wrong man. A woman who was terrified and who tried to escape only to fall into his hands one last fatal time. “Thank you for calling, Detective.”

  After ending the call, I stood still, the shock of hearing the news still not fully resonating. I’d heard the words and knew the detective told me the truth, yet I found it difficult to believe such a tragic thing had happened. I knew the possibility existed Rick could end up killing her one day, but thinking such a thing and hearing it had come true were worlds apart.

  Completely lost to my own thoughts, I screamed when fingers gently squeezed my shoulder.

  Whirling around with my hand clutched over my heart, I saw Max’s shocked expression.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” I gasped, my heart beating wildly against my chest.

  “I said your name like three times. You didn’t hear me?” He placed his hands on my shoulders and frowned. “Are you okay?”

  My mind whirled back to the phone call, my brain still doing a shitty job of processing the information.

  “I got a phone call before you walked in,” I said, distress coating my words.

  “Is it your father?”

  “No.” I took a deep breath. “A detective called to tell me that they have Rick Glinn in custody.” I stopped speaking because I wanted to prolong the rest of the story. Once I told Max, it would be all too real. Foolish and delusional, I knew.

  “That’s good news. At least you don’t have to look over your shoulder now. And I can stop worrying every time you’re out of my sight.” Tilting his head, he said, “Why don’t you look relieved?”

  “Because the reason he’s in custody is because he killed her.” One tear fell, then another. “That monster killed Tanya.” I was full-on sobbing within seconds, and it wasn’t until Max took me into his arms that I started to calm.

  “I’m so sorry,” he soothed. “I didn’t realize you were so close to her.” He held me while I composed myself. “Just awful,” he whispered, before kissing the top of my head.

  When I’d finally gathered myself, I said, “I wasn’t close to her, but I feel awful for what happened. I’d come face-to-face with him, and while my attack had been only moments, I knew what it was to legitimately fear someone. I can only imagine what she felt. To be terrified of someone you love, or loved, is unthinkable.”

  “I can’t imagine that either.” He gave me a sympathetic smile.

  Mumbling against his shirt, I asked, “Where were you? I woke up and you were gone.”

  “You have nothing to eat here, so I went in search of some bagels and cream cheese,” he replied, still holding me close. When I looked at the table, I saw a white and red bag sitting there half open, and it was then I smelled the aroma of freshly baked bread.

  Max

  THREE DAYS HAD passed since my last interaction with Alina’s father. We hadn’t spoken since I’d confirmed Geoffrey had shown up at the park. But it appeared as if I’d be seeing him again, that day in fact.

  “Are you sure you want to go with me?” Alina asked, pacing the foyer while I put on my shoes. “I know you and my father aren’t fond of each other.”

  “He’s growing on me, as I believe I am on him. But I will tell him what I think when it comes to you and your happiness. So be prepared.” Finally dressed to leave, I snatched my keys and reached for her hand. I’d brought my car to her place the evening before, knowing today we were going to the hospital to pick up her father. They’d kept him an extra day because they didn’t like some of his readings, but according to their last report, he was clear to be discharged.

  “Someday I hope you two will be civil,” she wished, giving me a quick kiss before reaching for her purse. “Are you ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” Alina had tried to convince her father again to stay with her for a week so she could make sure he was all right, but he refused, reminding her he would hire a visiting nurse to tend to him if so needed. I understood why she made the offer, but a part of me was elated he’d refused. I knew most of her time after work would’ve been consumed with him, she wouldn’t want to leave him alone while he was staying with her.

  When we arrived at the hospital, one of Winthrop’s physicians was going over the discharge papers, reminding him to take some time off from work
and relax, to which he grumbled and snatched the papers from the doctor’s hand.

  “Dad, you have to listen to him.”

  “I’ll do whatever I feel is best,” he countered, slumping back on his bed and crossing his arms like a petulant child, which was quite an odd scene to witness. Although, in his defense, he was surrounded by people telling him what to do, and even if they had good intentions, as a man in his position, it was bothersome and somewhat emasculating.

  “So stubborn,” both the doctor and Alina said simultaneously. I laughed, but my expression flattened when her father addressed me directly.

  “Max. I want a word with you,” he sternly said before turning to his daughter. “Alina, will you give us a minute alone?” The fact he asked and didn’t tell her spoke volumes, and I knew she picked up on the subtleness of his request.

  “Sure.” She looked from him to me, mouthing, “sorry,” before she left the room. As soon as we were alone, I walked toward the windows and looked out onto the road.

  Randall cleared his throat, pulling my attention away from the many people below. He gestured toward the chair close to his bed, and after I sat down, I crossed my ankle over my opposing knee and settled in for some kind of speech. I had no idea if he was going to try to get me to stop seeing Alina, or accept I was in her life.

  “I wanted to thank you for helping to handle the situation with Geoffrey. With me being in here, I had no idea what I was going to do, so it worked out perfectly.” I remained quiet because I sensed he wasn’t done talking yet. “I had someone I trust go to his apartment and retrieve anything pertaining to Alina. It turns out he had pictures as well as a few more copies of the video. My guy did a thorough sweep of the place and cleaned it out.

  “What about the copy he said he hid somewhere else, the one he’d tell where it was once he got his money?”

  “I presume no one will hear from Geoffrey ever again, so hopefully he hid it somewhere good. And even if someone did find it, they’d be hard pressed to identify Alina. We know who was on the tape, but a stranger probably wouldn’t know who she was on sight.”

  “I suppose you’re right, although the thought of anyone seeing her in that way, whether they knew who it was or not, doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “It bothers me too, but we’re only going on what-ifs, and quite frankly, there’s not anything we can do at this point.” Geoffrey Paulson’s demise brought a lightness to both her father and me, knowing he would never again harm the woman we loved.

  An awkward silence followed before he spoke once more, his expression softening when he looked at me.

  “When your own mortality is staring you right in the face, you tend to take stock of your life. I’ve always been strict with Alina, but after her mother died, I was so wrapped up in my grief I ended up pushing her away and keeping her at a distance. I didn’t know how to deal with not being able to help my wife that I ended up making sure I controlled everything when it came to my daughter, obviously right down to who I thought she should marry.” He took a breath. “I may not show it often, but my daughter means everything to me.”

  “Then why don’t you tell her that?”

  “Because I’m not an emotional man. At least, I wasn’t until my fourth heart attack.” The corners of his eyes crinkled before his body convulsed with a coughing fit. I poured him a drink of water and handed it to him, the thankfulness in his expression enough to temper me a little toward his otherwise hard exterior. Randall Winthrop was a complicated man, but hopefully, I’d have the time to try and peel away at least a few of his layers.

  “I can see you care for Alina.”

  “I don’t just care for her. I love her,” I corrected.

  “Good. That’s good,” he repeated. “I must admit I couldn’t stand the way she looked at you. You were not part of the plan, and I knew I’d have a fight on my hands when it came to keeping her and Chris together, but I can see now you are the better choice for her.”

  For him to say those words threw me for a loop. Completely unexpected but definitely great to hear. There was an issue I wanted to clear up, however. I needed for him not to have any doubts about my character and what kind of man I truly was. “You do know I never hit my ex-wife, right?”

  “I know. I knew the whole time she’d made a false accusation, but that didn’t matter. I was out to use whatever ammunition I had in order to get Alina to fall back in line. An action I regret, of course.”

  I nodded, not quite sure what to say in response.

  “Anyway, I wanted you to know you have my blessing to proceed with my daughter.”

  I didn’t need his blessing or approval. Nothing would keep me from the woman I loved, but knowing he was accepting and had offered his sanction made things a lot easier.

  “I’ll take good care of her,” I promised, rising from the chair and extending my hand.

  He took it, his grip strong. One more show of dominance, to which I had to laugh. “I have no doubt.”

  Six Months Later

  Alina

  “YOU CAN PUT that sofa there,” I instructed, pointing the delivery man to the far corner of my new office.

  “Is this okay?” he asked, positioning the leather couch at an angle to fit the size of the wall.

  “Yes. Perfect.” I bent over to retrieve a box from the floor, and before I knew what was happening, I was being pulled backward, hands gripping tightly to my hips. I swung around so fast I caught my assailant by surprise, my fist grazing his jaw. Only, the person who’d touched me wasn’t the mover like I’d initially thought.

  It was Max.

  “Jesus, Alina. What was that for?” He scrunched up his face before rubbing his jaw, looking affronted.

  “Oh my God!” I cried. “I’m so sorry. I thought you were . . . well,” I glanced over to the mover who’d seen the entire scene unfold. “Him.” I was sure I looked mortified.

  Max turned to look at the man before looking back to me. “And why would you think it was him?” Annoyance weaved its way under his words, although he tried to be lighthearted with his question.

  “Because he was the only one in here with me.” After the mover had left, no doubt thinking we were nuts, I gently caressed Max’s face. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Actually, scratch that. I need you to kiss it.”

  “Kiss what?” I playfully asked.

  “That’s a great question. Let me think.” He snatched me and pulled me into him, kissing my neck as I squirmed, his lips tickling me and causing goose bumps to break out all over my body. We were so enthralled with each other, our playful moments occurring more and more as of late that neither one of us heard anyone come into the room.

  A woman cleared her throat.

  “Sorry for interrupting,” Daria beamed, looking more radiant than I’d ever seen her. Her wavy blonde hair hung loosely around her shoulders, her blue eyes sparkling as she looked at the two of us. On the verge of asking her about the root of her glow, I saw Hal walk up behind her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back into him, gifting her a kiss on the top of her head.

  “What’s up, brother?” Hal greeted, lifting his chin toward Max. “You all settled or are you planning on christening Alina’s office?”

  “Ha ha. Very funny,” I said, still a bit embarrassed about Max telling him about my made-up closet full of surprises. Max promised he didn’t tell him anything inappropriate, but he was a man, after all, and men talked. Didn’t they? I knew women did.

  “Stop teasing her,” Max instructed. He gave me several quick kisses. “You know she embarrasses easily.”

  “I do not,” I countered.

  “Yes, you do.” Daria jumped to Max’s side.

  “Hey, you’re supposed to back me up, friend.”

  Daria broke away from Hal and approached, pulling me into a hug so tight I thought she would crush me. “I’ll always back you up.” Her eyes glistened when she stepped back.

  “What’s the matter?” Ner
ves took hold and I swore she’d have me freaking out any second if she didn’t tell me why she was looking at me in such an odd way.

  “Will you be my maid of honor?” she blurted, pulling me into another hug before I could even digest her question.

  “Babe,” Hal interrupted. “I think we probably should’ve told them we’re engaged before you ask her to be your maid of honor.” He laughed at her impetuousness, but he appeared just as over the moon as she was.

  “You’re engaged?” Max and I both said at the same time. We looked at each other first before turning our attention to the happy couple. They’d only been dating for six months, so to say their announcement was a shock was an understatement. Although, I’d never seen my best friend so damn happy, so whatever reservations flitted through me were diminished as I watched the love they had for each other grow by the second.

  “Congratulations.” Max walked up to Hal and gave him a warm brotherly hug, the two men quite the sight to behold. So much love and friendship existed between them it made me slightly jealous I didn’t have a sibling of my own. Although, I supposed I wasn’t without someone to call my sister, because I considered Daria to be my family.

  “Will you be my best man?”

  “Of course. You didn’t have to ask.”

  “Well, I had to make it official and all.” Hal slapped Max on the back before moving behind Daria. He couldn’t keep his hands off her and I thought it was sweet, much like Max was with me.

  “So?” My friend’s forehead creased. “Will you be my maid of honor? Or would you be my matron of honor?”

  “We don’t have plans to get married anytime soon,” I assured her, awkwardly smiling because Max and I had never discussed specifics. We’d mentioned getting married in the future once or twice, but nothing concrete. I didn’t want him to feel as if I was on some sort of clock to get hitched, so I never said much on the topic, simply following his lead on the subject.

  For now, we were enjoying living together. Max moved into my townhome two months prior, and while it was an adjustment at first, we couldn’t be happier. Besides, it wasn’t as if there wasn’t enough room in case one of us needed a little “me” time.