by Katie Dowe
“Please,” he brought her hand up to his lips. “I just need some time.”
She weakened as he knew she would. “There will come a time when I won’t be able to do this anymore,” she warned. He switched positions and came over her, reaching between them to put his semi erect penis inside her. He hardened instantly. “Feel that?” he whispered as he bent to nibble at her lips. “I am constantly hard when it comes to you.”
She brought her hands up to clasp around his neck as her body arched towards his. Her mouth opened and she accepted his tongue against hers and his breath stirring with hers. She didn't answer, she was too busy feeling him as he started to thrust into her with the usual mad passion that couldn't be denied.
Later that night as he slept with his arms around her she was wide awake thinking about their situation. She was in love with him and the more time she spent with him, the more she fell. She couldn't breathe when she thought about him and when he was near her. She wanted to show him off to everyone in town. She sighed miserably as she realized that that was the last thing he wanted.
Chapter 8
“Don’t look now but hot billionaire is coming our way,” Hillary said in a stage whisper. Afiya forced herself not to look at him. He hadn't said anything to her about coming by, not even when he'd left her early that morning. He'd made slow arduous love to her in the early hours of the morning and had left her in bed unable to even get up to see him out the door. He hadn't called her because he never usually did. Theirs was not the kind of relationship where he picked up the phone and asked her how her day was going. She would have liked to be able to do that but somehow she knew he wouldn't want that.
“Ladies,” his deep voice sent a shiver clear through her. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course not!” Hillary said jovially. He sat next to Afiya. “Is this your first pageant?”
“Yes,” he sent her a brief smile. The community center was filled with people of all descriptions. Even the elderly ones from the nursing home had been allowed to come and enjoy the show. It had started half hour ago and the lights had been dimmed to allow the stage lights to dominate. Children from the local high schools and even from the lower schools were performing. Later on in the night they would be dazzled by all the local talents which would take the show to the ending. No one minded that they were spending Christmas Day outside of their homes and had always supported the pageant.
Afiya stiffened as she felt his hand taking hers. He threaded his fingers through hers and held on. She glanced at him furtively but his eyes were fixed on the stage. They were under cover of darkness and Hillary was too busy watching the stage to notice anything. She felt the warm glow inside her as his hands held hers tightly. Maybe he was coming around, she thought dizzily. But just as that thought took root Hillary turned to them and he let go of her hand so hastily that Afiya had a hard time remembering that he had actually held her.
“That Pearson girl sure can sing,” Hillary looked over at Garrett. “What do you think of the show so far Mr. King?”
“Delightful,” his eyes swiveled to Afiya as she got to her feet.
“Honey, where are you going?”
“Home,” Afiya barely kept the misery out of her voice.
“So soon?” Hillary asked her.
“I'm not feeling well. I think it was all that turkey.” She eased out of the tight space, not wanting to touch him. Their eyes met and he saw the hurt there. He wished he could take her into his arms and tell her that it was going to be okay but he couldn't do so, not now.
“Will you be okay walking home?” he asked her politely.
“I'll be fine,” she told him with a tinge of bitterness.
“Okay honey, call me when you get there.” Hillary said with a wave.
Afiya hoped that he would at least follow her but when she had reached halfway to her place she looked back and did not see him. She hurried the rest of the way, blinking back tears as she dug into her purse for her keys. She'd started to put the key into the lock when she noticed that the door was open. With a frown, she stood there deciding whether or not she should go on in. She pushed the door open slowly and tried to be quiet. She'd put some boxes near the door because she hadn't had the time to unpack them yet. They were still there. She stepped over them and made her way quietly in the dark. Her booted foot stepped on a hollow board and it creaked, causing her to jump. Suddenly she heard a sound behind her and before she could turn around she was hit from behind. She slumped down into unconsciousness immediately and didn't hear as the person made their way hastily towards the door and outside.
*****
Garrett wondered if he should go to her. He probably should leave her alone for the night so she could cool off. He'd seen the look on her face when he'd let go of her hand and knew he'd hurt her again. What was her problem, he thought angrily. She already knew the score. She knew that he wasn't really comfortable with their relationship and he was trying to come to grips with the way he felt about her. He looked up as he felt the wetness on his arm and realized to his surprise that snow was coming down in drifts. He decided that he would at least check on her. He came to her store and frowned as he saw that the door was wide open. He ran the last few steps and went inside. His heart almost failed him as he saw her lying on the floor. He switched the lights on and rushed to her side. “Afiya, baby!” he shook her but she didn't respond. To his horror he saw the blood at the back of her head. He fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed the local police.
“Please hurry!?”
*****
She came to in the hospital with her head throbbing and Hillary and a nurse looking down at her.
“She's awake!” Hillary whispered. “Honey, how are you?”
“Am I dead?” she whispered, wincing as the pain went through her brain.
“You're very much alive dear,” the nurse said with a friendly smile as she adjusted her drip. “I'll tell the doctor you're awake. He'll probably give you something for the pain.”
Hillary waited until the woman had left. “You were lucky that Mr. King was walking that way and noticed that the store was open. He called the police.”
“Oh,” suddenly everything rushed forward and she felt the dejection surfacing. “Someone was in the store.”
“And clocked you. The police are still there processing.”
“I've never had that happen to me before.”
“More than likely it was a drifter,” Hillary commented.
“So where is Mr. King?” she asked casually.
“He came to the hospital and made sure that you were going to be okay and left. I never thought he was such a nice person.”
“I'm sure he did what any normal person would do,” Afiya said coolly.
“Honey, I'm sure that’s not true.” She hugged her friend. “I'm just happy that you're okay.”
******
Garrett paced the length of his apartment, running shaky fingers through his hair. Someone had done that to her! Someone had hit her and made her lose consciousness. He should have followed her to make sure she made it home all right but he hadn't done so because they were in a secret relationship and he couldn't afford to have his name linked with hers romantically. The local press would pick it up and then very soon the international press would get a hold of it. He walked into his kitchen, that had never been used, and poured himself a stiff drink. He had felt his heart fail him as he saw her lying on the floor. He'd thought the worst. He downed the drink and ended up coughing. He hadn't been brave enough to hang around in her room. He'd left as soon as the doctor said she would be okay. He'd left because he hadn't wanted there to be any questions and stares. He slammed the glass down on the counter and went to the window to stare out at the snow coming down. He'd planned to spend the night with her. Maybe pop open a bottle of wine and sit by the small heater in her room. He'd planned to sweeten her up until she forgave him. Now she was in the hospital because he was ashamed to be seen in public with her. He s
hould have walked her home like a gentleman was supposed to do. He felt the misery crowding him. He wanted so much to be with her that he could actually taste it. He picked up his phone and dialed the hospital’s number. “Roseville General how may I help?”
“Could you direct me to Ms. Lowe’s room?”
“Who may I say is calling?”
“Garrett King. I was the one who—”
“Oh, Mr. King! Of course. Her friend just left so she's alone. Let me direct you to her room.”
Garrett waited until the call was transferred. “Hello?” her soft voice sent a shiver down his spine.
“It’s Garrett. How are you?”
“Why do you care?”
“Afiya please,” he said wearily. “Be mad at me all you want when you get out but tell me that you're okay.”
“I'm okay and I'm tired and need to get some sleep. Thanks for coming to my rescue. Goodnight.” She hung up on him. He put the phone down and put his head in his hands. He was so twisted up in knots that he had no idea what to do.
*****
“Mama, stop fussing I'm okay.” Afiya protested as her mother brought yet another two pillows to put at her back. It was two days after Christmas and she'd insisted on opening the store. Hillary was doing most of the work, including the cashing and her mother had told her that she was here for the day. It had been discovered that a vagrant passing through town had been the culprit who had broken into her store and hit her. He'd been caught trying to break into a house further up the street.
“I'm your mother. I'm entitled,” she said firmly. They looked up as the bell chimed and Afiya’s heart almost failed her as she saw who it was. He hadn't called her after she'd hung up on him in the hospital and she had to admit that she hadn't been sleeping well because she'd been thinking about him. He stood there framed in the doorway, dressed in a black sweater and black jeans with black boots. Snow glinted on his hair and her heart quivered as she looked at his handsomely etched face.
He came into the store and over to where they were. A few customers were in the store and Hillary was attending to them. “Mama this is—”
“Mr. King. I would recognize you anywhere,” her mother said with a charming smile.
Garrett looked at the petite woman in surprise. She didn't look anything like her daughter. “Nice to meet you Mrs. Lowe,” he shook her hand firmly.
“Please, call me Ingrid. I understand you saved my daughter’s life.”
He looked at Afiya swiftly. “I wouldn't exactly call it that. But I was happy that I was around.”
“Honey, I'm going to help Hillary out while you talk with Mr. King.” Her mother hurried away, leaving the two of them.
“Your mother seems nice.” He felt like a gauche schoolboy as he stood there looking down at her. It had been two days since he'd been battling with whether or not he should come and see her.
“She's okay,” she said with a shrug. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a whisper.
He took a seat at the foot of the sofa she was reclining on. “I had to see you,” he said quietly.
“Be careful Garrett, people might start to wonder why you're sitting here talking to me,” she said, the sarcasm rife in her voice.
“Stop,” he ordered in that authoritative voice she knew he used on his employees. “I had to see that you were okay.”
“I am.”
“You should be in bed.”
“Yes, doctor,” she said dryly, oddly pleased that he cared.
“Afiya,” his voice had a warning to it.
“Garrett,” she responded.
“I want to see you tonight,” he whispered.
“My mother is staying the night.” Her heart pounded inside her chest at the thought of being with him tonight.
“Oh,” the crushing disappointment couldn't be hidden from his face.
“I'll tell her that I'll be okay by myself.”
His face brightened. “Will you call me?”
“I will.”
His eyes roamed over her face hungrily and he had to stop himself from hauling her into his arms. “I want you,” he whispered raggedly. He got up abruptly and pulled his jacket over his erection. “What you do to me,” he whispered. “Please call me.”
He turned and left.
Afiya stared after him and wished that the store was empty so she could throw herself into his arms.
“What did he want?” her friend’s voice in front of her caused her to jump guiltily.
“He just wanted to make sure I'm okay.” Afiya said casually.
“He couldn't have called?” Hillary looked at her friend curiously.
“He was in the neighborhood,” Afiya said swiftly.
“If you were the type of woman he went out with I would have said he's interested in you.” Hillary teased but the words struck into her heart like spikes and the warm feeling she'd felt inside evaporated.
“But I'm not,” Afiya said coolly.
“Honey, I didn't mean—”
“It’s okay,” Afiya said with a bright smile. “I think Mama needs help.”
Hillary looked at her searchingly before going off to help. Afiya leaned her head back against the cushions and fought tears.
*****
“Honey, are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?” Ingrid asked her as she packed up her stuff in readiness to leave. She hadn't had to lie to her mother because the woman she stayed with had called and said she wasn't feeling well and if she could please come back. “Because you know that I would call and tell Margaret that I have to stay with you.”
“I'll be fine Mama,” she assured her. “You and Hillary have been a big help and you've even prepared dinner for the next few days. I feel like my old self.”
Ingrid peered at her curiously. “You do look okay.” She snapped the bag shut and reached for her jacket. She came over and kissed her on the cheek. “Keep in touch.”
“I will Mama. Thanks.”
Ingrid nodded and looked around to make sure everything was in place before she left the room and headed downstairs. “I'll turn the lock honey,” she called up.
“Thanks Mama.”
Afiya laid there on the bed and stared up at the plain ceiling. Hillary’s remark had been pretty hurtful but she'd been right. She wasn't his type and maybe she should accept that and tell him that whatever was between them was over. But even the thought of it had splinters running through her. God help her, she loved him so much. She reached for the phone and called him. “She's gone.”
“I'll be right over.”
******
He was there half an hour later and Afiya almost had palpitations before he came. She'd taken a shower and put on a soft white nightgown and brushed her hair so that it was tumbling around her face and down her shoulders. She'd opened the door just before he came and went back upstairs. She heard when he opened the shop door and closed and locked it and when he bounded up the stairs. She was reclining in bed on the pillows and pretending to watch something on television. He came towards her swiftly and sat on the edge of the bed. “Thank you,” he said quietly.
“Why?”
“If I hadn't seen you tonight—” he broke off and reaching forward brushed back the hair from her face. “I couldn't sleep those nights I didn't see you,” his hand trembled as he passed it along her cheek. “Are you in pain?”
“No,” she shook her head. His fingers trailed her face and came to her full bottom lip where it lingered.
“I should leave you alone to recover,” he muttered as his finger drifted down to her chin and then her chest. “I can't stay away from you. God help me.” He bent his head and Afiya whimpered as she welcomed his lips on hers. He tried to be gentle but it had been too long since he'd been with her and the mad rush of passion took over as soon as he touched her. Afiya’s hands came up and clasped him around the neck as he devoured her lips. His mouth raced over hers feverishly and he knew he had to stop and regain some sort of control. He broke the kiss and s
tumbled off the bed, his light green eyes tormented as he stared down at her. “This is madness!” he said harshly. “This isn't normal. I'm like an animal in heat around you.” He plunged his fingers through his hair, the movements agitated. She moved then, easing herself up and pulling the nightgown over her head. He groaned as if in pain and Afiya shivered as he fumbled to release his painful erection from his pants. He held it in his hand, sliding the flesh up and down. Her eyes followed his movements as if hypnotized. He let go and almost tore his clothes off and then climbed onto the bed next to her. “I shouldn't be doing this. You just got out of the hospital. But if I don’t have you I'm going to die.” His eyes were feverishly bright as he stared down at her.
“I want you Garrett,” the trembling was getting worse as she looked at him.
He climbed over her and sank deep into her, stopping as his body shuddered and he closed his eyes as she wrapped around him tightly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers digging into his flesh. He moved within her, his body shuddering as he tried to hold back but he couldn't. With a tortured cry he unleashed the passion that was hammering to get out.
*****
“You should try and sleep,” he told her softly as she burrowed into his chest.
“I've been doing nothing but sleeping,” she murmured, incredibly sated and relaxed. She lifted her head and looked at him. “We can't keep doing this Garrett.”
“Having mad passionate sex?” he asked her teasingly.
“You know what I mean.”
His eyes held hers and he sighed. “I know.”
“I'm in love with you,” she told him quietly.
He stared at her for a moment and then looked away. “I know,” he whispered. “I've never felt this way before.”
“But I'm not the thin woman you want to be with,” she said wearily. “Does it matter what size I am? Do you want me to go on a diet? Stop eating? Would that make you want to be seen with me?”
“Stop!” His arm tightened around her. “It’s just that I never expected this. It's bowled me over and I have no idea what to do.”
“Who are you afraid of? The press or the people who know you? From what I read about you it says that you're a man who is fearless and delights in taking risks, that's what made you a billionaire.”
