A Change for the Good

by Melanie Jayne

  Tony’s voice went husky. “Turn around. I want to watch your face while I touch you.”

  Zoe tried to decide how to maneuver gracefully in order to turn around and sit between Tony’s legs facing him. “In books they make this sound so simple, but it’s not,” she laughed. She scooted forward still facing Tony and he made room for her legs to circle behind his back.

  “I think I like this idea much better.” He gave her a deep kiss as his hands explored her breasts. Breaking the kiss, she arched her back to give him greater access. He slowly sucked a nipple into his mouth, his tongue lathing its hard peak. She loved the warmth of his mouth then the shock of the cool air when he released her nipple.

  Her hands searched underwater for his cock. The oil that she had added to the water made her hands slick as they stroked him.

  Tony’s hand traveled to her slit.

  “I love your hands and mouth on me,” Zoe purred.

  “I have an even better idea. Unwrap your legs.” He helped Zoe onto her knees spreading them wide to bracket his hips. Tony gave her another deep kiss. “Oh yeah, that’s the idea. How about a ride, cowgirl?”

  Zoe slowly lowered herself onto his cock. “This could get messy,” she warned, “tidal wave messy.” She pictured water pouring over the sides of the tub onto the kitchen floor.

  “It’s only the floor. It’ll dry,” Tony rasped.

  Zoe started moving slowly, getting used to his length inside of her and finding the angle that felt best. Tony’s hands returned to her breasts, sometimes his mouth, he was constantly touching her.

  She switched to a figure eight movement with her hips, feeling his hands move to her ass, squeezing her cheeks roughly. She continued as his breathing became more ragged. She was so focused on how great he felt inside of her that it caught her by surprise, when he pulled her down and held her roughly as he pumped into her with long strokes. She felt him start to pulse into her as her orgasm hit.

  Laughing uncontrollably while trying to catch her breath she said, “That was messy but I loved it.” She climbed off of him and sat back in the cooling bath water. She felt relaxed and sated.

  Tony had a smile on his face. “Did you?” He wore a smug smile, “Had that fantasy since I brought the tub inside and hooked her up.”

  Zoe stood slowly, then climbed over the side of the tub. She grabbed a towel and started to dry herself. She glanced down at Tony and caught his appreciative gaze. Yes, he thinks I’m attractive, he couldn’t fake that look she told herself. I can’t deny the chemistry we share, explosive in bed and complimentary out. Life with Tony was going really well.

  “Zoe, we didn’t use a condom,” he sheepishly admitted.

  “Oh, well, you said that you were sterile, right?” She was fluctuating between embarrassment about forgetting something so important and the apathy she felt because there was no concern about pregnancy.

  “I’m sterile and clean. In all honesty, this was the first time that I’ve ever gone without one.”

  “I was tested right after the separation and a few times since. I wanted to be sure that Nate didn’t infect me with anything.”

  “Well if we are clean and I can’t impregnate you, what do you think about not using them anymore?” He was watching her closely.

  “I’d like that. I like the idea of no barriers between us.” She felt something pass between them as her heart raced.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I hope they appreciate all of the work that you are putting into this,” Tony grumbled as he maneuvered the Suburban down the driveway.

  “It’s really important that I make a good impression on your friends.” Zoe looked both resolute and terrified.

  “Babe, they will love you. You’ve won over Wyatt just by offering to bring dessert.”

  “I’m not nervous about making the chocolate decadence cake. I’ve been using Grandma’s recipe for years. It’s one of the few things that I can guarantee will turn out perfect every time.”

  “Then, I can’t wait to taste it.”

  Zoe gave him a sweet smile. “Thanks for making the trip back to Bloomington. The wine will go perfectly with the cake.”

  He couldn’t say no when this was so important to her. “I’ll stay out of your way so you can go all mad scientist in the kitchen.” He was irritated that she was so nervous about the dinner, the Jonas family would love her. He was confident of that.

  As soon as the Suburban stopped she hurriedly gathered the grocery bags and rushed to the cabin’s front door.

  “Hey, slow down, I go first,” Tony’s commanding tone sounded loudly.

  He unlocked the front door. Zoe didn’t wait for the “all clear” signal. She was right behind him.

  “Babe, hold up,” Tony pushed the door open.

  “I need to start, Tony if we are going to make it on time.” Her free hand was pushing the middle of his back.

  He stopped abruptly and she crashed into his back, then scrambled trying to sneak a peek around him. Sitting on a kitchen chair facing the front door was a man holding a gun and it was pointed squarely at Tony’s chest.

  “Well, it’s about time you showed up. Zoe, did you miss me?” The man motioned with his gun for Tony to move to his left to make room for Zoe to stand beside him.

  Tony felt his senses shift to hyper-aware. He could feel his heart beating and his chest expand with every breath. He raised his elbow as Zoe started to move, stopping her. He kept her blocked with his body.

  Tony raised his hands slowly to show that he wasn’t holding a weapon. “Nate Baxter, I’m guessing?”

  “So you’re the one who has been fucking my wife.”

  Tony heard Zoe drop the grocery bags. “EX-WIFE!” she shouted as she tried to move around him.

  Not taking his eyes off Baxter, Tony nudged Zoe to shush her, but also to put her in the position to escape. “So what are you doing here?” Tony worked to make his voice and body seem calm, hoping to stall Baxter while searching for an option to get Zoe out of the line of fire.

  “None of your fucking business. Zoe, get your fat ass over here. Stop being shy and come give me a kiss.” Nate gave a hysterical laugh as he motioned with the gun.

  Tony spoke softly over his shoulder. “Keep backing up, then run.”

  “No,” Zoe whimpered as she clutched the back of his jacket. “I don’t want to leave you.” He backed her up a little more. “Tony? No.”

  Another nudge, another small step backward. “Zoe…” His tone allowed no argument. He had to have faith that she would do as told.

  “Zoooeeee, I want to see you. NOW.” Baxter sounded unhinged. “Get over here or I will put a bullet in your friend.”

  “Baxter, why don’t you tell me what you really came here for? What do you really want?” Tony attempted to shift Nate’s focus solely onto him. He lowered his hands, Baxter neither noticed nor cared. He could feel Zoe’s hand following the outline of his gun, tucked in the small of his back. She slowly eased the gun out and slipped it into his waiting hand.

  God, his Zoe was smart. Now he just had to get her out of the way.

  “Well for starters, I want you to stop fucking my wife, but then dead guys don’t fuck. Then I want money, more money. Too bad you need to die for it, Zoe. It turns out you weren’t so bad. Those other cows I was with, wanted something all of the time.” This was said in an eerie sing song cadence.

  Tony didn’t think of his own safety, only Zoe’s. “Run!” Tony ordered as he simultaneously aimed his gun and dove to his left.

  ****

  Zoe heard “Run!” and scurried backwards, missing the top porch step and fell to the ground. Scrambling to get up, she stood, then took off running wildly. She heard shots, then deadly silence. As she careened around the corner of the barn, jerking to a stop, she had no idea about where to go. “Oh God, what if Nate shot Tony? Think Zoe, think,” she muttered. He will be coming after you and there is nobody to keep you safe. Her terror soaked brain started to function. “Need to
hide.”

  By the river, lots of trees and bushes to hide in. She took off running through the undergrowth. Branches scratched her face and grabbed at her clothes as she made her way to the river. She found a thicket of tall weeds and saplings hidden in the shadow of some larger trees. She dropped to her knees and crawled into the middle of those tall stalks. She burrowed her legs into the thick grasses.

  “Christ, I still have my purse, my phone.” Her chest hurt from running. She clumsily started digging in her purse, finally spilling the contents onto the ground. She found her phone, telling herself to stop and listen to her surroundings. She didn’t hear any footsteps, as she dialed 9-1-1.

  The dispatcher did not even get to finish the first word. “Help me this is a life and death emergency. I heard shots fired. My name is Zoe Crawford and I think Nate Baxter just shot my boyfriend, Tony, Tony Alessi,” she rushed the words.

  “Ma’am what is your location?” A calm male voice spoke into her ear.

  Zoe fought for control, she needed to calm down, and she tried to make better sense before continuing. “It’s a cabin off of 900 North and Cozart. Ask your Deputy, he knows us. His first name is Wyatt, his wife is Jenny. He knows Tony. Call the Columbus Police Department tell them my name, they know someone is trying to kill me.” Her breath was so ragged that she had to stop talking, but not before a sob escaped.

  “Okay, I know Wyatt Jonas. We are calling him now. Calm down, Ms. Crawford. I’m sending help.”

  “Please tell them to hurry. Tony could be hurt, I heard the shots. He could be dead.” Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

  “Ms. Crawford, where are you now?”

  “Hiding. Hiding from my ex-husband, Nate Baxter. I don’t know if I told you but he wants to kill me. He’s probably looking for me now. He told us that he was going to kill us. Help us, help us, please.” She thought she heard a noise off in the distance. She put the phone in her pocket and frantically listened for the source of the noise. She didn’t want to leave her hiding place to look.

  The sounds surrounding her were difficult to separate, the river was the loudest and a close second was the pounding of her heart and the gasps for breath. She tried to quiet her breathing. She dug deeper into the brush and curled tightly into a ball, hiding her face into her knees while praying that Tony was all right.

  ****

  In the cabin, Tony kept his gun in front of his body as he cautiously approached the motionless form on the floor. He kicked Baxter’s gun away. Again, he used his booted foot to roll the body over. Nate stared at Tony with lifeless eyes.

  He methodically made his way around the cabin’s interior perimeter, verifying that it was secure. His movements were slow. His bad leg felt weak and Tony noticed his hands were shaking. He took a moment to rest against the bar by the kitchen. He felt a little dizzy.

  “Out of practice,” he snarled. Continuing through the cabin, he found Baxter’s point of entry, the entire window above the shower in the bathroom had been destroyed.

  When the perimeter check was complete, he took out his phone, and stared at it in confusion. His brain was foggy. He shook his head hoping to clear it, and speed up his thinking process. He hit button number two.

  “Yeah?” Geno answered on the second ring.

  “Baxter’s dead. I shot him.” Tony’s voice waivered.

  “Repeat,” Geno barked

  “I just shot Baxter. He’s dead.”

  “Brother, you don’t sound so good. You okay?”

  “Uhm, I don’t know.”

  “Tony stay with me.” Geno spoke in his most authoritative voice. “I’m heading out the door. Where are you?”

  “The Cabin.”

  “Where’s Zoe? Is she safe?”

  Tony looked around the room, searching for her. “I don’t know. Jesus, I don’t know. I told her to run.” Tony sounded as bewildered as he felt.

  “Okay, take a moment and think. Have you called the P.D.?”

  “No.”

  “I’m going to call Harris County, sit tight and don’t hang up. Are you with me?”

  “Yes, no, I can’t think straight,” he admitted.

  “Injured? Tony stay with me, are you injured?” Geno emphasized each word.

  “Maybe. There’s some blood.”

  “Okay buddy, I’m going to call Harris County and get the medics started along with a car.”

  Tony rested his back against the wall by the front door and allowed his legs to give way. He glanced at Baxter’s body on the floor across the room, then he closed his eyes. He thought he heard sirens in the distance. He must be losing track of time, not even Geno could make the responders move that fast. He shook his head a few times, trying to focus on the sounds outside.

  He heard a vehicle slam on its brakes in the gravel driveway. “This is Deputy Jonas of Harris County Sheriff’s Department. You need to come out with your hands up.”

  Tony relaxed and placed his gun on the floor beside his hip. “Wyatt, it’s clear in here,” Tony yelled. “It’s safe to enter.”

  He heard heavy boots on the steps. Suddenly, Wyatt was on his knees in front of him.

  “What the fuck happened? Shit Tony, you’re bleeding. Where are you hit?” Wyatt started running his hands down Tony’s body, checking for injuries.

  Tony grabbed Wyatt’s arm. “Zoe, you have to find Zoe.”

  “Okay buddy, just calm down, and tell me what happened?” Wyatt asked again as he brushed Tony’s hand aside.

  “Zoe is out there alone. We have to find her.” Tony tried to stand.

  Wyatt eased Tony back to the floor. “Take it easy, we’ll find her. First I need the medics to take a look at you, you got hit Tony. You want to tell me who the dead body is, over there?”

  “Nate Baxter, Zoe’s ex-husband. He was going to kill her…us.” Tony’s voice was getting weaker.

  “Okay buddy, I’ll find her. Just hang on.” Wyatt radioed Dispatch with the update.

  ****

  Cold, Zoe was so cold. She couldn’t feel her face or toes. Her body was stiff and she was getting sleepy. Too afraid to leave her hiding place she continued to pray that Tony was all right. He had to be all right.

  “Zoe. Zoe Crawford, its Wyatt. Zoe answer me. You’re safe. Zoh-ee? Zoh-ee?”

  She could make out the words. Too scared to move she stayed in her hiding place.

  “Zoe, come out. Everything is okay. It’s Wyatt. Tony sent me to find you.”

  The voice was closer this time.

  “Zoe, its Wyatt. We have plans for dinner tonight, remember? Zoe, yell if you can hear me, please!”

  That had to be Wyatt, who else would know about dinner? Zoe shifted to crawl out of her hiding place. “Over here, Wyatt. I’m stuck in a bush.” She had to clear her throat to try again more loudly.

  Zoe continued yelling as she tried to crawl but her body was so stiff, she fell on her face. Soon hands encircled her ankles and pulled through the brush on her belly. Giant lights were shining in her eyes, blinding her. She started to fight the person holding her.

  “Zoe, calm down. You are safe. Listen, you are safe.” A male’s voice broke through the haze of panic.

  Wyatt was leaning over her, his eyes filled with concern.

  “Tony? Where is Tony?” She started to cry as she reached for Wyatt. “Nate was there with a gun. Where is Tony?”

  “Shh, Tony is fine. He’s on the way to the hospital but he is going to be fine. Let’s get you to the cabin, can you walk?” Wyatt was running his hands over her shoulders and arms.

  Zoe tried to stand, but her legs would not hold her. One of the members of the search party scooped her into his arms.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Geno had offered to drive the couple to the cabin from the hospital. Tony tried not to growl as his brother managed to find every rut in the driveway. He wanted to be home alone with Zoe. He was beyond frustrated by being trapped in the hospital with no privacy, then to top that off, the disastrous visit from W
yatt and his wife, Jenny last night. Everything is in a mess. Zoe was upset and he wanted to make things right.

  The doctor had released Tony after a two night stay in the hospital. The bullet had torn through his side just above his hip and luckily did little damage, but Tony’s exertions had caused a significant loss of blood.

  Things had been tense between the couple and when Wyatt and Jenny visited, they escalated. After the couple had said their goodbyes, Zoe had pretended to fall asleep on the futon. There had been no opportunity to talk in private, the staff and his family coming in and out all day.

  After reviewing everything, it seemed that, Zoe had been withdrawn since he woke to find her sitting beside his bed, reading a magazine. She looked exhausted and her eyes were haunted. He wanted to clear the air before he went ballistic. He had no idea what thoughts were going through her head.

  Parking the SUV near the front door, Geno turned to Tony, “Hang on a sec, I’ll help you get out.”

  “Thanks man, but I got it from here. I’m good, not in any pain. Go home and get some rest. I mean it. You’ve done plenty.” Tony sounded just this side of rude as he wanted to be alone with Zoe.

  “Okay, but call if you need anything.” Geno didn’t look happy but he kept his mouth shut and stayed in the vehicle. Tony gave him credit for not interfering or asking about the tension between the couple.

  As he watched Geno drive away, Tony thought about what he needed to say to salvage things. He wasn’t going to stand for this suffer in silence shit. Zoe had to learn that when she was upset, she needed to let him know and they would talk it out. He had replayed the events from last night over and over, realizing that Zoe had been treated badly. Jenny and Wyatt wanted to reminisce about college. Zoe had shown some interest, but she must have been bored to death. Then she had side-stepped Jenny’s questions about their relationship. It became very uncomfortable when in retaliation, Jenny listed women who she thought would be perfect for Tony to date.

  He was unprepared for Jenny’s cattiness and Zoe’s icy response. He didn’t know how to intervene. Jenny blamed Zoe for Tony’s injury, and getting him involved in her drama. Wyatt tried to correct her, but that only made Jenny more unpleasant.