by A H S Salt
“Ryan is in custody” I assured “The detectives have been stalking this room, waiting for you to wake up,” I raked my hands through her hair, hoping to comfort her in a way I knew to have her touch calmed me.
Gaining her composure “Leave the police to deal with Ryan and Elijah” She demanded, the look of worry clouded her beautiful face “His girlfriend…the girl that came to your apartment. I need to find her…” She rushed the words trying to scramble the sheets off her, tugging at the wires from her body, preparing to stand.
“Stop! Jessica” I ordered “You’re in no fit state to do anything. She can wait, you need to rest!” I reached for the hospital bedsheets to cover her back up.
I wish she would just do as she was told, just this once!
“Cillian, you don’t understand,” She mumbled, holding her stomach as she tried to push past the searing pain. I was aware her stubbornness and determination would for sure cause many arguments over the coming years.
“She came to me. I know she needs my help. I saw the look in her eyes, Elijah is doing the same to her as he did with me” She held my hand in her hand “Please. I need to help her.”
I stared into her beautiful blue eyes that were now strained with worry. Here she was in the hospital after being attacked, and she was concerned about a total stranger.
My hands reached up brushing her hair behind her ear.
“Okay. Fine, I will get someone to look into this girl.” I began “But, only if you rest. Jessica, I thought I had lost you. Please, just do this one thing for me.”
I knew I could find out about the girl, it would be easy with the contacts David had within the police force. I could only hope he could go about it without Detective Malone finding out.
“Cillian,” Jessica said softly, offering me a genuine smile.
That smile melted my heart.
Our love was deeper than any other love I had seen or experienced. It was a love that made me a better version of the old me.
Jessica had managed to tear down the walls that I had around my heart after being used so many times in the past. She had no idea she was the reason I dragged myself out of bed in the morning. I would bury myself in work, use any excuse not to go back to my apartment.
Before it was a place to go to sleep, now it was home.
Our home.
She was everything I ever wanted in a woman. She is kind too many, loving to those close to her with a heart full of gold.
And she is all mine.
“I can’t wait to marry you,” She whispered. I wasn’t sure if it was the painkillers that were injected into her veins by the IV talking or if Jess was in the here and now, but I liked where she was going.
A distraction was good for her and me as well.
“I would marry you tomorrow. But I want to give you the wedding you deserve,” I said.
“I don’t want big, fancy or expensive. I want to get married on the rooftop and have only close friends and family sharing our special day. I need you Cillian, not your money.” She replied back, holding her arms straight out wanting me to hold her.
Again! Unlike the other woman I dated over the years, Jessica didn’t want to be showered with expensive jewelry or designer labels. Jessica loved the simple life, and I loved her more for loving me, over any amount of money that I had to offer her.
I held her, being careful not to hurt her. Jessica wrapped her arms around my neck tight, losing herself in my touch. A touch that we craved at times when we felt vulnerable. We had gotten used to leaning on one another when things got tough. She had pulled me up at times when I would have locked myself away, especially when Annie tried to come back into my life. She’s your mother Jessica repeated at times as if that justified the situation.
“I love you,” She whispered, twirling her fingers in my hair.
“I love you more” I replied, she drew a deep breath in.
She had missed it too… missed us.
When apart we crumbled. Together we thrived.
“I need to help her. Then we can get married,” She announced, loosening her grip on me.
It was clear to me, that Jessica needed to close this chapter of her life before she would allow us to move on together.
I sat next to her on the bed. I wasn’t willing to refuse her my help in finding this girl that she felt compelled to protect. I could only hope she would finally find peace from doing what she felt she needed to do.
“Do you know anything else about this girl. Her name? Where she lives or anything at all” I asked.
Jessica took a few seconds to answer.
“Only that her first name is Emily” She stated as she pressed her lips together, knowing it was very little to go on.
“It’s okay they will find her either way,” I reassured her.
She stared at my face, appreciating every inch of me.
When she was asleep she was so innocent now that she was awake she was ready to take on the world. She was fierce yet loving. The victim she believed herself to be was a warrior in my eyes. She just couldn’t see it herself.
In time I’m sure she would.
“Kiss me,” Jessica murmured. I didn’t need to be asked twice. I leaned forward, laying my lips over hers. She moved her lips in sync with mine, getting comfort from me. Her warm hands skimmed over my face, till she settled on my hair giving it a slight tug.
She had me and she knew it!
Her hold was loving, yet possessive. I didn’t mind if anything I loved it when she showed that side to her.
I embraced her kiss, fighting the urge to roam my hands over her. She was in pain and had just woken up. Yet all I could think about was taking her right here, making love to her in any way I could, just to feel all of her once more.
She gasped for air in-between kisses.
“Let me help Emily escape Elijah, and then we can move on and embrace our love. I promise” She quaked. Resting her forehead against mine. She could sense I was wary of this situation. Only, I knew Jess well enough to know she wouldn’t stop until she got her way.
I could hurry it along with David’s help.
“I’ll find her and help her. I won’t have you, put in any more danger Jessica. Then I can have you all to myself with no distractions.” I said firmly.
She nodded, agreeing with me.
Which I found rather surprising.
She had pulled away at the beginning of our relationship to the words I would use at times, unsure of my intentions. She was quick to notice I was different from any other man. We both had become good at knowing what we both needed from each other’s love. I didn’t want to control her. I wanted the woman that I have loved for so long to love me back.
Now that I have her. I would do anything for her.
Even if that meant making sure Elijah was never in a position to hurt Jessica or any other woman ever again!
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Jessica and Cillian’s story continues in the sequel
Scandalous Love
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COMING SOON
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Scandalous Past.
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