“You’re safe now, and that’s what matters, baby,” Bruiser said.
I looked at the man lying on the floor, bleeding out. I was itching to leave this place, so I dragged Bruiser to the door, ready to haul us both out of there.
On the porch, he wrapped his arm around my waist as he phoned the police. The dirty details of the past few hours came back to my mind. How close I had come to being violated. How humiliated I felt. How I used all of my instincts to talk my way out of even more danger. I opened my mouth to say something, but the words got stuck in my throat. I didn’t know how or what to feel at the moment. There was too much swirling around in my mind. I just wanted to leave, but I knew we had to talk to the police.
“Thank you. For everything, Bruiser. I don’t know what I would have done had you not found me. I would have died in there.”
Bruiser’s arms were still wrapped around my waist when he kissed my cheek, then tugged at my chin so that I was staring into his eyes. He placed a finger on my lips. I could see in his eyes that he didn’t want me to say anymore. He wasn’t expecting me to tell him I loved him or to profess my appreciation. He just wanted me safe, and that made it even more special.
Bruiser called Tameka and told her that he found me. She was working in his office and said she would put out the word to everyone that I was found safely. Before he hung up the phone with her, I yelled, “Sorry for messing up your wedding day. I didn’t mean to get kidnapped.”
“Oh, stop that, Alise! We are so happy that you are coming back safe. That is the blessing here. We can have a party any time. Besides, I have the ring, and it’s official now.”
“Thanks for saying that, Tameka. I’ll see you soon.”
I was glad Tameka wasn’t torn up about the events of the day. She actually sounded happy, and I knew that was because the search was over and that it ended with Van’s death and not mine.
I thought about everything Bruiser and I had been through together. The very thing that brought us together was the man he rescued me from. We could hear sirens in the distance. Finally, this nightmare was over.
✦
After the reports were made, Bruiser drove me to my townhouse. I showered and slipped into a comfortable gown. Xander and Jayne had stopped by earlier. Jayne and I couldn’t stop hugging. She kept asking Bruiser if he was sure Van was dead because if he wasn’t she would ride over to the hospital and put another bullet in him. It was just Jayne being Jayne, but a part of me felt for Van. The deeply sympathetic and caring side of me knew he made a grave mistake when he pushed his wife, causing her to flee from him. That one mistake led him down a path of psychological torture and dismay.
My phone rang nonstop. Friends and family I hadn't heard from in years were calling to make sure that I was okay. I answered as many calls as I could until I was too tired to take another one.
The one call that warmed my heart to its very core was the call from my mother. I had been expecting it. I just knew she would find a way to judge me by saying what had happened today could have been avoided if I was a better Christian.
“Baby girl, are you okay?” she hastily asked. “Did he hurt you?”
“Mama, I'm fine.”
“I was worried sick about you. Jayne called me and told me what happened, just as I was watching it in the news. I didn't know if you were going to make it back home. That almost killed me, Alise. With so much happening these days, I just worry so much about you. Even before this, I was so worried.”
“Well, I’m safe, Mama. I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m fine,” I said, looking at Bruiser, who was standing right beside me holding my hand.
“I know, but with you being a celebrity now, it just makes me worry.”
“I know you don’t want me doing this, Mama. But this is my life and—”
“Alise, nobody can take your talent away from you, my beautiful daughter, my songbird. You deserve everything that you have worked for. You're very talented. And, despite what you may think, I'm proud of you.”
My heart swelled. She sounded like my mother, but the words coming out of her mouth right now were nothing like what I had ever heard before from her.
“Thanks, Mama.”
“Will you come over here and visit me tomorrow?” she asked.
“Don't you have church tomorrow?”
“Well, yes I do. But that church will be there next Sunday. I want to spend some time with my daughter, who I have missed for far too long. And, I know you feel like I put the church above you. That's not really the case, Alise. I go to that church to pray for our souls. To pray for souls like the man that took you. I bow down on my knees and ask God to change men like Van Devereaux. It’s a spiritual war out here, and we need so much prayer in this world today. But I know now that not only do I need to pray, but I also need to be there for you and meet you where you are. Had I lost you today, not all the prayer in the world would have given me the time we’ve missed out on.”
My chest felt full as if it were going to burst, but instead, the wave came through my eyes and sprang a leak. When I gained my composure, I said, “I’ll be over about eleven, Mama. See you tomorrow.”
“See you then, Alise. Oh, and I also owe you a number one in the nation celebration party. I have all of your songs downloaded on my phone, too. Let my church girls talk about that.” Mama laughed.
“Mom, I missed you.”
“I missed you too, Alise. See you tomorrow.”
Chapter Thirteen
Bruiser
Slow Burn
Feelings of love and tenderness were new to me. I preferred to be serious, domineering, and, most of all, feared. I killed a man tonight, and I would do it again if any man dared to take her away from me. Since I met her, and especially since I rescued her from the grips of a psycho, my heart was filled with even more love for Alise. She made me feel things I never thought I would have the chance to feel. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t know I was capable. Now that I experienced love, there was no way for me to unfeel it, didn’t want to. I would always be indebted to her for showing me how to love.
She had just gotten off the phone call she had been waiting on since we made it to her house. I embraced her until she released all the tears that fell after reuniting with her mother.
“Before I met you, I never knew what it was like to look at someone and smile without knowing what I was smiling about. But whenever I see you, I get this overwhelming urge to, well, smile.” I hoped admitting how much joy she brought me would bring some to her face. I hated to see her cry, though I knew this was a good cry.
“It’s called happiness, Bruiser,” she said and giggled.
That little sound she made when she laughed added to my newfound joy.
“Yeah, I guess that’s what it is. I would look at you forever if I didn’t have to blink,” I said, and she giggled again. I was getting good at making her laugh.
“You’re funny,” she said.
“I’m just being honest, Alise. I love you, and I will keep telling you that for as many times as it takes for you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I need you to know that.”
“What if I told you I didn’t need security tonight?” She had to be joking. There was no way in hell I was leaving her alone.
“I wouldn’t leave even if you did say it. I’m not taking my eyes off of you for a very long time, so get used to it.”
“I usually don’t like it when you take control and tell me what will and won’t happen in my house, but tonight, you’re the boss.” She cozied up to me, taking both my hands in hers. “Can I tell you a secret, Bruiser?”
“Yeah, and I hope I’m ready for this.” I eyed her suspiciously because I couldn’t read her expression.
“When I think about everything that has happened over the past few months, I realize that I fell for you when I first saw you throw Van over your shoulders like he was your son. I just didn’t want to admit it, but that was kind of hot.”
&nbs
p; I laughed. “You hid your feelings good. You fought me at every turn when all I wanted to do was make sure you were shielded from people like him. Yet, your carefreeness was what made me let my guard down at the wedding.”
“I know. It was beautiful seeing you let go even when I was dealing with Van’s psychotic ass, and I should have been more careful.”
I cupped her face in my hands. “No. You did nothing wrong. Besides, you being carefree is what I love about you. Let me be careful enough for both of us.”
Her smile slipped away as she swallowed hard. “So, do you think we can make it?”
My love was worried if we’d stand the test of time, but she shouldn’t be.
“Baby, we’re going to. We have to make it.”
“Or what?”
“Or I won’t. You’re my heartbeat.”
Arising from the chair, I stood up and held out my hand to Alise. She stood, and I gathered her up in my arms and squeezed her so tight that I never wanted to let go.
“Ouch, Bruiser. You’re going to break my back. Whew. I don’t think you know your strength,” she said.
“Well, I have to build my strength back up with all that you’ve been taking from me this past month.” I smiled. “And, you sound just like someone very special to me. She would be happy to know I found a woman to squeeze tight, make mine, and to make her some grandbabies with,” I said, thinking of my mother.
She tilted her head to the side. “Who is this special woman?”
There was definitely a wrong answer to that question.
Luckily, I had the right one. “My mother.”
“Well, I’ll have to meet her one day.”
“You took the words out of my mouth. We probably need to talk about a few things concerning my family, but for tonight, I just want to hold you in my arms and keep you in bed for a very long time.” I ran my finger over the contours of her face. “Are you ready for bed, Alise?”
That grin I loved to see on her came back. “Lead the way.”
✦
Alise
Once we entered the room, Bruiser ran his hands down my sides ever so gently. He made purposeful, slow movements as he touched me, massaging every inch of my body he could reach as I stood in front of him. This was a much gentler and attentive Bruiser, and I liked the way he took his time to appreciate me tonight.
Laying across the bed, I placed both hands palm down on it, watching him strip while waiting for him to do the same to me. Perusing his body as he undressed, time stood still. Moonbeams sneaking in through the window behind him framed his sculptured physique, casting an angelic glow around his form. This man was my angel, at least, an avenging one that people should be afraid to fuck with.
I knew he would kill for me again.
He vanished from view only to appear on the other side of the bed above my head. His presence was enough to suck the air right out of me. I inhaled sharply but couldn’t force air back into my lungs. As a last resort, I breathed him in. He bent over me to run his lips down mine, scattering my senses to the four corners of the room.
Yearning the full experience of his mouth on mine, I tipped my chin up. His hands glided down the sides of my neck, his tongue dipping in and out of my lips at a snail’s pace. Shit, he was taking his time tonight. His leisurely pace was blowing my mind and frustrating my body that craved his. Needing him now, I reached up to take what I wanted. Grasping his head brought it closer to mine, his mouth in ravaging range. He clutched my wrists in his hands, directing them back down to the bed.
I groaned, “Bruiser—”
“We’re not rushing tonight, sweetheart,” he cut in. “I need to feel you, make sure every inch of you is perfect and real.” He was likely as traumatized about my abduction, needed to know that I was truly okay, alive. Van didn’t get that pleasure with his Raven, and it broke him. Bruiser would never be broken like that if I had anything to do with it, so we would do this night his way. “So, lay back, Alise. Relax. Let me love you.”
“Okay.”
His love seemed to be everything I had looked for and couldn’t find, but it was here now. It took a madman to kidnap me to realize life was fragile and real love scarce. I’d be a fool to not grab it while it was here for the taking. So, I called upon all my patience and let him love me. He placed soft pecks along my body, from top to bottom as he removed my nightgown, loving every inch of my skin with his mouth. I was a trembling mess when he stopped and orbited the bed to line his body atop mine.
Driving inside me inch by inch, his shaft grazed hypersensitive places even I didn’t know were inside me. Fires ignited in my soul that I suspected would burn for him forevermore. Riptides of emotions built to the point that I did whatever was necessary to release the pressure. I came and cried, tears slipping silently down my face. What man could live up to this after Bruiser? None I knew already, and no one I’d likely ever meet.
Cradling his face in my hands as he drove into me, I murmured, “Thank you.”
His tongue lapped lightly at my lips as he withdrew. “For what, baby?”
“For loving me, rescuing me in more ways than one.” This girl was prepared to spend her life alone, when not amongst friends and fans, after I’d been let down so many times.
“It’s what I’m here for, what I’m made for, and you’re made for me.” He gently stroked the tip of my nose with his, the tender gesture inciting a surge of feelings that quickly overwhelmed me. Sometimes, the smallest things made the biggest impact.
And then, there were the big things like his pole sinking into my depths, wreaking hell on my core.
“Shit, that’s deep!” My nails raked across his spine as I began the climb to bliss.
Again, he bottomed out in me, stealing my ability to do anything but feel him going savage slowly on my body. I fell over the edge before I knew it. Bruiser went right behind me, blaspheming my name as if him not being able to prevent his own climax was my fault. Well, I hoped it was—my body caught up in a whirlwind of pleasure sure as hell was his.
He sank into me over and over again, through the storms raging within us. He was the storm, which explained how he could move when my limbs were constricted around him like a snake. Shamelessly, I was using him as an anchor to the earth, and he was proving more than capable for the job.
When my orgasm was done inflicting havoc on my body, I released him, falling back to the bed. After that lovemaking, more places in me were healed from the Van incident than damaged. This was what Bruiser and I both needed. Somehow, he knew it. One more reason to love this man forevermore.
Chapter Fourteen
Alise
Irrevocably Yours
7:48 a.m.
“Who is calling so early?” Bruiser groaned, sounding just as frustrated as I felt. “Alise, wake up, babe. Your phone has been buzzing for a while now.”
Untangling my legs from Bruiser’s, I reached over for the phone to answer it, noticing the time. “Oh, my God, Jayne! Can I get a little rest here, please?”
“Yeah, me too. We both need rest,” Bruiser echoed. He inched to the edge of the bed, then got up and walked to the bathroom. I missed his warmth as soon as he left me. I wanted it back.
“I’m up and suffering, Alise, so I figured my best friend in the world should be too. Isn’t that what best friends are for? And I see your bodyguard is shielding you in the bedroom too, these days,” Jayne teased.
I wasn’t in the mood for jokes. “You know I’ve never hung up on you before, but after the day I had yesterday, I deserve a little rest, don’t you think?” I huffed.
“Okay, okay. I just wanted your advice on something.”
“Shoot.” If this was about Ned, I swore…
“I was supposed to hook up with Xander later today, but I have to call our date off because my period came on. I hate being a woman.” Jayne whined, sounding completely devastated by her monthly visitor. She was suffering at least, and it wasn’t about Ned, so I sat in the bed to do my best friend job; comfo
rt her in her time of need.
“Xander will just have to wait a few more days to get some,” I said, still unable to believe they were a couple.
Jayne and Xander were livewires who would probably each be with someone else by the end of the week. Xander’s reputation preceded him, showing that he would sleep with any hot little thing that came along. And Jayne would probably be crying on my shoulder about Ned before the week was out. Neither were reliable choices for a mate.
“It’s not Xander that I’m worried about. I’ve been hanging out with him for a month, and we still haven’t done anything but play the game. Tonight, I was going to tell him to shit or get off the pot. Now, I’m on the damn rag. The period gods could have given me one more day, but no, it came a day early.” It was her that she was worried about getting some.
I laughed. “Don’t worry, Jayne. When the time is right, what is meant to be will be.”
“Don’t give me that fairytale bullshit. I want some dick. It’s like he’s not even thinking about it when we’re together. I don’t think I’m his type because he is always flirting with other women when we’re all at Club Elite. He doesn’t dance or leave with any of them, but he does enough to let me know he’s not feeling me like that. He just likes to come over to my house and play Mortal Combat Eleven. I’m about to give his ass the game and tell him to hook it up at his house. Coming over here looking like Justin Tredeau, about to make a sister go intercontinental postal on his ass.”
I began to laugh again, but then I realize that Bruiser and I had been having sex nonstop. Not one day over the past month did we have to stop because of my period.
“Wait…” I sprang from the bed to my feet.
“Don’t tell me to wait! I know I have to wait. That’s why I hate fucking periods,” Jayne sniped.
I peered at the bathroom door. The shower water was running, so Bruiser couldn’t hear me. “No, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the fact that I haven’t had a period this month,” I said softly, walking out of the room and to the kitchen.
A Dangerous Way to Love (Dangerous Bonds Book 3) Page 12
