Healing Hands

by Hoy, E. S

  On the journey home back to reality Sophie reflected on her perfect weekend they had time for a shower together this morning before they had to check out, they cleaned each other then proceeded to get dirty again, she also noted the few hours they had actually slept had been dream free, she wondered if love was her cure and that now she was happy the nightmare was over, as long as kept herself out of the media she was relatively safe. She wondered what would happen after they got back Marcus was starting day shifts from tomorrow so would he stay at hers or would they go to his home, she was intrigued to see where he lived, her cottage was on a month’s lease easily extendible but she needed a get out clause in case she had to leave abruptly. Perhaps now was the time to give Marcus the full story of her past and the reason she was hiding, no one had found out Jasper had strangled and left her for dead prior to her escape. Sophie had been found half dead and if she hadn’t been given help she would not be alive today.

  Jaspers lawyer suspected something was amiss Sophie had called him that Friday morning sobbing after Jasper had given her a black eye it was one of many over the past few months but she had finally got the courage to do something about it and was going to try and get away tonight. Mr Simons aware of the sick mind of his client helped her set up a bank account and transferred some money just to see her through he warned her Jasper would try to find her but she had a plan. Late that evening after worrying himself silly as he had been expecting his client to ring and rant and rave at him about helping her get away but no word at all, he was supposed to be out until 9pm and she was leaving when he left at 4pm he made his way to their apartment to check everything was alright by taking some papers as an excuse to drop in, maybe she had changed her mind when he couldn't get a response alarm bells rang in his head he had a set of keys and let himself in to their home to find her unconscious in the hall way dark black hand prints around her neck she was still breathing just and he was to bring her back to consciousness, she had terrible bruising and was in shock, an agreement was made with Simons to hide Sophie as she didn't want anyone to know what had happened to her and so she disappeared, Jasper had fled the country thinking he had killed her and was actually furious his lawyer had intervened he wanted her dead no one could have her after him so he flew back determined to hunt her down. He was a master at deceiving the world and everyone rallied round him and cursed her for ruining his life. Sophie had to keep quiet about the murder attempt as she was well aware he had footage of her and photo's that would destroy her should they ever be made public, the shame would be too much for Sophie, the images would make her look like a slut. Sophie shuddered.

  “What’s wrong honey?” Marcus had noticed her deep in thought frowning, he wondered if she felt a little insecure about their next step” baby I am taking you home to pack as much stuff as you require, you are coming home with me no way am I letting you out of my sight, I have a lovely housekeeper and grounds man who I trust with my life and would trust with yours too, I promised you safety and that is what you will get” he felt better when he saw a contented smile warm her face she reached for his hand and held it to her cheek. “Marcus I do need to tell you more about my past for us to work..”

  “Whenever you are ready baby one step at a time, here we are now I will make us a drink while you organise a bag”

  Sophie unlocked her door and noticed a large envelope on the matt; she picked it up and saw it was recorded delivery sent late last night from London.

  “What’s that honey? Post on a Sunday it must be important”

  “it must be from mum” but Sophie had a sinking feeling, she had spoken to her mum this morning and she had not mentioned sending anything to her, she took it upstairs and sat on her bed she could hear Marcus singing away downstairs clanking mugs and digging around her freezer for the beans. She slit open the envelope and slid out the contents bells and clanging went off in her head dizziness threatening to overwhelm her she dropped the letter onto the bed words typed in bold

  “PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK IS CHILDISH EVEN FOR YOU SOPHIE. THIS TIME WHEN I KILL YOU I WILL SEE YOU TAKE YOUR LAST BREATH BEFORE I RUN” Sophie stumbled blindly towards the bathroom retching violently she crouched over the basin and emptied the contents of her stomach, she heard steps racing up the stairs and heading towards her but her breathing was so erratic she instinctively screamed and threw herself on the floor cowering into the corner clasping her throat scratching it with her nails everything was slipping into a tiny circle of vision she saw her angels face his mouth moving slowly but she had white noise in her head no sound was making sense he started to rub her back but she threw herself away from him screaming banging her hip on the shower tray, the pain shot through her brain and it helped focus her for a moment and she looked at Marcus in despair.

  Chapter 10 Marcus had no idea what had occurred he had heard her run to the bathroom and her retching noises he shot upstairs to see if he could help assuming she was ill but what he saw broke his heart into pieces, Sophie was a shivering wreck totally ashen doubled over and the way she was scratching at her neck was in human he tried to coax her out of it but his mere presence seemed to make her more terrified, he had witnessed panic attacks before but this was severe she could harm herself. She wriggled out of his grasp and just seemed to throw herself without any care and as she landed he heard a tearing noise and saw she had cut her thigh on the tile edging of the shower, it looked quite deep he had to help her quickly as she was bleeding profusely, thank God he had driven in his Cayenne his bag was always kept in the boot, he knelt beside her she had started to come back to herself a little the pain had distracted her and snapped her out of her frenzy she stared at him helplessly he stroked her cheeks wiping her tears.

  “Honey you are hurt I am getting my bag then I am going to look at that leg OK I won't be a second” She nodded at him so he knew she had understood, he stroked her face again and she closed her eyes. Marcus went to his car and fetched his bag brought it upstairs and put it next to the bed that was when he saw the note “Shit who the fuck did this guy think he was and what the hell does he mean by “this time” he would get answers when she was calmed down, there was obviously a lot more to her story and he needed answers but right now her leg was priority, he slipped the note back in the envelope, that was going to forensics if he had anything to do with it. He walked back into the bathroom, Sophie was sat hugging her knees rocking herself but she was definitely calmer now, he put his arms underneath her and indicated he was about to lift her up she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest desperate for safety and some contact with him, he lay her on the bed on a towel and peeled off her torn trousers, the cut wasn't too bad one or two stitches should suffice he set to work cleaning the wound and carefully taping a gauze to it after stitching. Sophie laid back and watched as yet again her angel tended to her wounds, soon he would think her far too large a burden to deal with and let her go. When he had finished he drew her into his arms and held her tightly she felt his heart beating rapidly she saw he had moved the note so he must have read it and put two and two together, blimey where to start she drew back and sat herself on the pillows drawing the cover up to her bare legs, “Marcus I need to tell you how I got away from Jasper” he was about to interrupt but she stopped him “no let me tell you everything first then you speak”

  Marcus listened as Sophie told him the entire story. When she told him the part of the attempted murder he stood and paced the floor fists clenching biting his lip to prevent vile language escaping, now the letter made sense he wanted her dead this was serious the fact she couldn’t inform the police because of the fear of blackmail added to the problem, he needed to sort this once and for all. The letter had been posted late last night so someone had told him where she was that means she had been spotted at the wedding, someone must have tipped him off, Marcus had a sudden blast of memory Duncan had been at uni with Jasper Bonavia he remembered him taking the piss out of his ego and how sick he was, he sat back on the be
d forlorn he was the one that had put her in danger and his family had caused this she was in danger because of Duncan just like Livvy had all because of his burning jealousy of Marcus.

  “Sophie, did Duncan say anything to you strange yesterday?” she looked at him and nodded “he said he recognised me but couldn't work out where but how would he know to tell Jasper?” “he was in uni with him if I had known the whole story before yesterday I would never have taken you, baby it’s all my fault I am so sorry” he put his face in his hands Sophie pulled him towards her “No please don't take any blame for this, it could have happened at any time it was inevitable, but I need to leave before he gets to Anglesey it won't take him long to get here he must have searched rentals to track me to this address I stupidly rented the cottage under my own name” Marcus jumped in to action “you will be safe at my place I have good security, I will contact my dad he has his own security company so I will get some extra men drafted in, he will be happy to help leave it to me, you just get everything you need are you sure you feel alright now?.”

  Sophie stood carefully her leg throbbed but it wasn't too painful, “I will be fine it’s passed now “she needed to pack and now she knew her Samaritan was still with her she felt stronger and got to work packing away her life for the second time in a matter of months.

  Chapter 11 Marcus drove through his gates and Sophie soon realised why he was insisting on her staying with him despite the fact that Duncan would probably have told Jasper about her relationship with Marcus, the huge security gates were controlled by his remote were guarded with two CCTV camera's and any visitors had to speak through an intercom to get permission to enter. The gardens were spectacular and well-manicured and the house stood with its rear facing the Menai Straits, apparently there was a mooring at the end of his land, Marcus had inherited a share of his grandfather’s money when he died and even though it was divided between the children and grandchildren it still left him with a handsome bank balance and with his position at the hospital Dr Taylor was a wealthy man. A woman was waiting on the steps to the entrance and behind her a very tall imposing looking man Sophie assumed they were his house keeper and grounds man, they were expecting an extra guest.

  “Dr Taylor and Miss Merchant, welcome Samuel will take your cases Miss, “ Mrs Boyle or Florence as she wanted to be addressed was a thin looking woman with almost jet black wiry hair set in short perfect curls, she had a real sparkle in her eyes and Sophie sensed a warmth that she found comforting, The extra security were on their way sent by Don whose security company hired only ex-military staff, they were being sent a pair of ex marines called Griffin and Hobbs, they would be sent off to familiarise themselves with the surroundings looking for possible breeches in the perimeters and set up new surveillance equipment no expense spared.

  Sophie followed Florence into the main entrance and the housekeeper went off to the kitchen to make the Doc's favourite coffee Samuel took her bags up to the master suite, Marcus wanted her in his bed from now on, the couple were left to themselves.

  “well what do you think?” Marcus wanted to be sure Sophie felt secure and could relax here she looked around the grand hall and thought how glorious it must have been in its period, she wandered through the downstairs with Marcus following her she loved the lay out and the ceiling heights and windows were exceptional, her overall impression was that Marcus had neglected it a little, it just needed some love to bring it back to its former glory days.

  “its beautiful I love it, the views are breath-taking, so much land out the back I can't wait to explore but first does the bathroom have a large bath tub ? I would like nothing better than a soak after we have a hot drink of course” she gave him a subtle smile and licked her bottom lip, “soak it is” he replied pulling her close enough to drop a kiss on her now wet lips, he had backed off after her panic attack letting her gather herself and now it seemed she had recovered and was back to flirting with him, lucky me he thought smiling knowingly down at her.

  The coffees were delicious and Sophie sat looking out over the gardens and the Straits beyond wondering how far away her predator was, she shuddered and leaned into to Marcus who wrapped his spare arm around her waist stroking beneath her top on her rib cage, the hunger in his eyes hit Sophie and she felt herself well up with emotion, he still wanted her after he knew everything, it almost hurt to feel the love she had for him at this moment. Marcus took her cup and put it on the table “bath time for Sophie” he smirked picked her up and gently and carried her up the sweeping staircase to the master suite, Florence passed them on the stairs and beamed at them, she was so thrilled to see Marcus in love, it had been a long time coming she had watched him after Livvy died and feared he would never allow himself to love again, it was wonderful to witness it happening and she had a very smug proud look on her face as she retired for the night. The master suite was luxurious the bed was enormous and dressed in pure white linen with soft throws and scatter cushions in beige and chocolate, the view was magnificent as the bedroom was facing the rear so she could see the water in the distance. Marcus placed her on the chaise longue in the bay of the window so she could appreciate it while he ran the bath. “you can't soak for long baby as the stitches could loosen so a quick one and then we need to dry it properly so you don't get it infected” he kissed the top of her head and went back to watch the water. Sophie so wanted everything to be perfect after their wonderful night of passion on Saturday but she felt he was treating her with kid gloves not only because of her leg but her state of mind, she would have to show him she was now perfectly OK.

  When Marcus came back out with the bath ready he was halted in his tracks as Sophie was totally naked stood waiting for him, without dropping his gaze he hastily removed all his clothes much to her delight then marched over scooped her up his erection teasing her buttock as he walked, he gently stood her in the bubbles and watched her lower herself slowly into the warm water, she had tied her hair up in a loose bun high on her head to stop her hair getting wet, it gave him a fabulous view of her pure white neck and throat, she winced slightly when the water first reached her cut but then sank down until only the top of her voluptuous breasts were visible.

  “are you sharing” he asked sheepishly she shuffled forward to give him room to sit behind her she had to put her legs over his so he didn't press on her wound. She lay her head back on his chest and he kissed her neck she moaned and she tilted her head to allow him access to her ear lobe which was usually hidden under all her hair he nibbled the lobe and licked the outer circle of her ear, she was practically purring in his arms. She could feel his erection digging into her lower back and automatically rubbed herself against him which made him bite harder on her ear and growl deeply, she loved the little noises of pleasure he made, it gave her confidence that she was doing things right, she had never touched Jaspers body during sex, she was always restrained so she had no idea of the power it gave her making a man putty in your hands, no wonder he never allowed her to take charge, control was something he obsessed about. Sophie was in heaven now and the growing need to feel him inside her was making her writhe against him, he massaged the bubbles into her breasts rolling her nipples and lightly pinching them each time she groaned, Sophie lifted herself using his knees as leverage and angled herself so his penis was at the apex of her thighs he instantly grabbed her hips slid her down so he was sheathed inside her sending water surging over the floor, they rocked together with Marcus continuing to nibble her neck and throat, Sophie was too soapy for him to hold firmly enough so he eased her up out the water and she stood up but lent forward so her hands gripped the edge of the bath, he could now easily plunge her depths and she thrust her hips backwards swallowing as much of him as she could and he took every inch she gave until they reached a crescendo of pleasure, both their knees buckled and they gently lowered themselves back in the water. Marcus was acutely aware they had been caught up in the moment and he hadn't used any protection but it felt impolite to ask at this point” D
on't worry Doc I get the three monthly shot of contraceptive so no need to panic we should be good, and I had all my health checks done after Jasper just to be sure, I would have stopped you if I hadn't been sure we would be OK, I am assuming as a Dr you have regular blood tests anyway?”

  He was relieved she had read his mind but was also thrilled as he hated using condoms he loved the way she felt without them and enjoyed the fact they had got carried away in the moment. “I do have periodical tests yes baby and I am clear too now let’s get you clean and then get dry before your cut gets too wrinkly” he kissed her head and got himself out to leave her to her administrations, he threw on his robe and went out to the bedroom.

  Sophie had a moment to enjoy the relaxing bubbles but her leg was throbbing a little so she stepped out and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, she needed to unpack and dig out her robe and comfy clothes as now she was under house arrest she would need to feel at home. Marcus had phoned his parents whilst at Sophie’s and they were coming later they had been horrified when they heard what Duncan had done to Sophie and Barbee was in turmoil after hearing about Sophie’s past, Don had heard the case and knew some of the history, he also knew Jasper was a dangerous piece of work and was keen to do all he could to help her, firstly they wanted to discover Duncan’s motives behind his betrayal but when they tried to contact him he was unavailable they had turned up at his flat and let themselves in. Duncan had left them a note explaining he had left the country so he was out of the line of fire and that he hoped his brother would see his motives although partly selfish, had come from a good place and hoped once he had all the facts he would be more understanding, Sophie very much doubted there would be anything he could say that would make any of this understandable. Duncan had also left an envelope for Sophie so she was curious as to what he may have said. Don was putting out feelers and doing background checks to see if he could find anything we could use against Jasper to get rid of him quietly it was a long shot but you never know. Marcus had booked a couple of weeks off work, the hospital weren't happy but couldn't argue, there was no way he was leaving her even for an hour, she congratulated herself on such a perfect find as a lover, a friend and a guardian he was she could not have found better.