* * *
London had no idea how long she’d slept. It was dark out, the only reflection of light coming from the other side of her home. She sat up abruptly, startled as someone rattled pots and pans in her kitchen. Her anxiety lifted when she heard Collin singing along with the stereo that played softly in the living room. She took a deep breath and then a second, settling into the nervousness that deflated like a punctured balloon losing air.
She reached over to the nightstand and turned on the light. A soft glow illuminated the room. She stood up slowly, regaining her balance. As she moved toward the bathroom she noticed Collin’s clothes folded neatly over the upholstered chair. She paused, trailing her finger across the silk fabric of his suit jacket.
She owed Collin an explanation and she had no idea where to begin. Explaining herself had never been an issue because she’d been a master at hiding the dirty secret she knew would have people eyeing her differently. This was the first time she hadn’t been able to hide the fear she felt when seeing Victor Wells.
She had idolized her former professor. She had also loved him, imagining her future revolving around his. When he’d reciprocated her feelings, she’d been on cloud nine. As graduation had neared and she’d firmly established the first steps toward her future, Victor had suddenly become possessive and dictatorial. What she’d taken for confidence shifted into arrogance and his conservative demeanor more authoritarian. His compliments were backhanded affronts that were more insulting than kind. Arguments became major battles, with him screaming obscenities at her. The first time he slapped her she hadn’t known what to do. The infraction had shocked her, and then the apology had been lavish. Everything after became secret. Lies were abundant, as she turned the explanation of her bruises into an art form. He’d separated her from her friends and family and had ensured everything she said and did revolved around him.
For two years no one knew the abuse she endured. She was ashamed and embarrassed that her life had completely crashed and burned beneath the weight of his fists. The last beating had put her in the hospital with a broken jaw, fractured pelvis, blackened eyes and scars that would last her the rest of her life. Held hostage by the fear of what he promised to do if she ever told, she’d been unable to point a finger at him, refusing to name her assailant when asked. The day she’d been released she’d run home to her parents and had hidden herself away for months. Victor hadn’t followed.
They’d only had one encounter after, when Victor had cornered her in a local grocery store and had threatened that it would only be over when he said. That time would never be her friend and she would always belong to him. He had his eyes on her, he’d professed, and he always would. He had leaned in and kissed her cheek before disappearing as quickly as he’d arrived. She had urinated on herself from fear. One week later Victor had married, and remained wedded to the woman until now. London had thought herself free. She’d watched his career from afar. Had managed to keep her distance, never running into him in the courtroom. She’d changed her circle of friends and had prayed daily that they never crossed paths again. She became protective of her space, not allowing any man to get but so close. Until Collin. And now Victor was back, and she was petrified. Her fear was corporeal, so thick and putrid that she could feel it sucking her down like quicksand.
London resumed her trek to the toilet. After emptying her bladder, she washed her hands and face, then headed out to the kitchen. Collin was standing at the stove in nothing but his boxer briefs, socks and one of her kitchen aprons. He was stirring something in a pot, the decadent aroma that filled the room inciting her hunger. He grinned as she moved into his space, opening his arms widely as she stepped against him. Her arms glided around his waist as she pressed her cheek to his chest.
“Hey, sleepy!” he greeted as he kissed her forehead. “You’re finally awake.”
“How long did I sleep?”
“It’s been a good six hours,” he said gesturing toward the large clock on the wall.
“You’ve been here the whole time?”
“Most of it. I ran back to the office and then to the supermarket,” he said.
“What did you tell Perry?”
“That you just had a twenty-four-hour bug. That you would probably be doing better tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” She slid from him, moving to the counter and one of the high stools. In her head she wanted to express her appreciation that he wasn’t asking questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. Because she was grateful for the reprieve, able to pretend for a few minutes longer that everything was well.
Collin poured her a glass of red wine and refilled his own. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished!”
“Good. I made my famous spaghetti and meat sauce. I just need to toast the garlic bread and then we can eat.”
“Where did you learn to cook?”
“My mother. She’s an expert at quick and fast meals. This recipe has always been one of my favorites.”
“It smells really good!”
Collin tipped a wooden spoon into the pot of red sauce. He cupped his palm beneath the spoon as he moved to where she sat. He lifted the spoon to her lips to give her a taste. London blew a breath to cool the heat before sipping at the sauce he offered.
She purred and then she smacked her lips. “This is good!” There was an air of surprise in her voice.
“You say that like you’re surprised.”
“I am!” she said with a soft giggle.
He swatted a kitchen towel in her direction. “Hater! I can’t believe you doubted me!”
London laughed with him. Her emotions seemed to shift into normal and she felt like all was well again. Minutes later, Collin had the food plated, their wineglasses refilled, and both were eating heartily. The conversation was easy and comfortable, almost as if what had happened earlier had only been a bad dream. He didn’t bring up the subject of Victor Wells and neither did she. London still wasn’t sure she was ready to open herself to the scrutiny she knew would inevitably come.
When the meal was done and finished the two stood together to wash and dry the dishes. After her kitchen was clean and back to normal, Collin pulled a container of black cherry ice cream from the freezer and filled two bowls with the icy confection. Crispy sugar cookies and the soft lull of Anthony Hamilton completed dessert.
“What are you doing on Sunday?” London asked.
Collin dropped his bowl and spoon onto the coffee table. “I don’t have anything planned. What do you have in mind?”
“I promised my mother I would go to church. I was hoping you’d come with me. I’d love for you to meet my parents.”
His smile stretched full across his face. “The parents! That sounds pretty serious.”
“It’s not that serious,” she said with a shake of her head. “Don’t get it twisted!”
He chuckled, “No, I’m going to take it very seriously!”
London rolled her eyes skyward.
Collin continued, “I think I can make that happen. Thank you. I’d love to join you. Now, what are you doing Saturday?”
“Saturday?”
“Yeah, you know, the day before Sunday?”
“It depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“On what you have planned?”
“I’d like for you to come to the ranch and spend the day with me.”
“At your family’s ranch?”
“No, your family’s ranch!” he said sarcastically. “What other ranch would I be talking about?” he laughed.
London narrowed her gaze on him, tossing him a look. Something in his tone had struck a nerve. For a split second she thought to respond with her own snarky comment, but she held her tongue. She couldn’t, however, stall the look that crossed her face.
Concern suddenly washed over Collin’s face. “I was just tea
sing, London,” he said. “I didn’t mean to offend you. Did I offend you?”
She turned to stare into his eyes. The emotion seeping from his eyes teased every one of her sensibilities. She pressed her palm to the side of his face.
“No, of course not. I know you were just trying to be funny. Your sense of humor stinks, though. It’s a good thing you’re an attorney and not a comedian.” She lifted herself up to press a kiss against his lips. “I would love to spend the day at your family ranch on Saturday. Can I ride a horse?”
He smiled. “Of course. In fact, if you need some practice I have a horse right here that you can...well...” He lifted his eyebrows suggestively, an amused smirk on his face.
London laughed, “I’m sure there’s a stallion joke in there somewhere, too!”
Delight rang through the air as they laughed heartily. The sound system continued to play music, and two songs later, they sat quietly together. London couldn’t help wondering if all their evenings with each other could be so peaceful. Being with Collin, had become her favorite thing in the world to do. She enjoyed every minute they were in each other’s company and despite thinking she needed to talk herself out of a relationship with him, deep down inside she wanted him in her life more than she had wanted anything else in a very long time. If they could be like this for the rest of their lives, she thought, everything would be perfect. But despite her best efforts, there wasn’t enough fantasy to sway the elephant that lingered like an unwanted guest in the room.
“He used to beat me,” she suddenly said. “Victor Wells used to beat me. During our relationship he was physically and verbally abusive and he made my life a living hell.”
Collin reached for his glass of wine. As he ruminated over the admission he suddenly realized he was holding his breath. He exhaled, sighing heavily. “I’m sorry you had to experience that,” he finally said. “Do you want to talk about it?” He shifted forward in his seat, turning so they faced each other. He studied her intently. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
For a moment, London didn’t answer and then everything in her wanted him to know everything there was to know about her. She nodded and then she started at the beginning, telling the story no one else in her life knew. She detailed the brutality that had ravaged her self-esteem. She left no detail untold, questioning her own motives for staying when she should have run. For hiding when she should have exposed Victor for the monster that he was. When she was finished, tears misted Collin’s eyes. Hers rained down over her cheeks, dampening the front of her blouse.
“You’re still frightened of him, aren’t you?” Collin questioned.
London nodded. “He scares the hell out of me. I thought I’d gotten past it, but...well...” She shrugged her narrow shoulders.
Collin reached for her hand and entwined his fingers with hers. “I won’t let anything happen to you, London. Ever. He will never be able to hurt you like that again.”
She shook her head. She desperately wanted to believe him, but she didn’t. Collin didn’t know the monster she knew. The man who, in the beginning of her career, had cost her job after job just by implying she had emotional issues. Interjecting himself when she least expected. He had leveraged his professional position against her as easily as he’d given her glowing recommendations when it suited him. Collin couldn’t begin to know the cruelty, the threats or the pain that Victor had inflicted against her. The hours she’d cowered in the corner of his home, too petrified to even take herself to the bathroom. The days she’d spent locked in the dank basement, cut off from everything and everyone she loved. Having to sometimes beg him for a drink of water and needing his permission to simply speak. No one knew that man and she hadn’t trusted anyone would have believed her if she told.
Every year since there was some reminder—an unsigned Christmas card, an anonymous drink sent to her table, telephone calls that were wrong numbers, something that kept her on edge and reminded her he was still too close for her to relax and feel safe. There were brief periods when there was nothing: the man seeming to have moved on and then just like that, she would know beyond any doubt, that he was back, keeping an eye on her like he’d promised.
She couldn’t begin to explain to anyone how bad it had gotten. Or hope they could understand that no matter how it seemed as if she’d been able to go on with her life and he with his, she was terrified he would one day make good on his threats to steal her joy and end her life, when he was good and ready to be done with her.
Sensing the magnitude of emotion that consumed her, Collin wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her toward him. For a split second she flinched and then she didn’t, allowing herself to relax into his arms.
The mood had them both in their feelings. Needing to lighten the moment, Collin changed the subject. “So,” he said, “are we still just best friends?”
London laughed, “Maybe!”
“Maybe?”
“You’re still getting benefits, aren’t you?”
“I hope so. You haven’t cut me off already, have you?”
She smiled, lifting her gaze to his. “I’ll tell you what, how about we graduate you to boyfriend? Is that better?”
Collin grinned. “For now!”
* * *
Collin had lost track of time. He and London had spent hours talking and then she’d finally fallen asleep. She snored softly beside him, but he couldn’t rest, lost in a state of wakefulness that felt never ending. It pained him immensely to know that someone had raised their hands against London. He couldn’t begin to fathom the coward who would do such a thing.
He’d seen more than his fair share of domestic violence cases litigated. He had witnessed victims testifying in court about horrific abuses. He’d also seen the families of victims who hadn’t survived. At the ranch he’d spent time with kids who’d lost a parent or had their lives turned upside down, their families destroyed, when one parent savagely attacked the other. Each and every time that he tried to understand the mind-set of a man who could hurt the person he professed to love, he couldn’t. He just couldn’t. There weren’t enough excuses in the world for anyone to justify violence against another individual.
Now all he could think of was how to protect London. Because London had become his whole entire world and he would do whatever he needed to do to ensure her safety. As he contemplated going up against the likes of the Honorable Justice Wells, Collin knew the challenge he and London might face wouldn’t be easy. But they had each other, and their families, and he knew, beyond any doubt, that she had a greater chance of beating her demon with him there to fight with her, than by her lonesome.
London muttered something in her sleep as she rolled closer to him, seeking out his body heat. He stared down at her, in awe of how beautiful she was. She looked peaceful, finally resting comfortably. She slept on her back, one leg curled with her manicured foot against her calf. Her bottom lip trembled, and he suspected she was dreaming, her eyes twitching rapidly behind her closed lids.
He had often wondered what his parents had felt for each other as they’d fallen head over heels in love. He remembered the dates and romantic trips his father had lavished on his mother, anxious for her attention. He remembered how giddy she’d been, excited at the mere mention of his father’s name. For the first time, it clicked, making sense in a way he hadn’t known possible. Because what he was feeling for London felt monumental. It had taken on a life of its own and was growing with an intensity that had him speechless. It filled him abundantly and he found himself unable to imagine his life without her. Picturing such a thing made his heart hurt; it felt as if the organ itself had been pierced with a blade.
She rolled again, curling her backside against him as she pulled her body into the fetal position. With a deep breath Collin turned and curved himself around her. He reached for the covers, pulling the sheets and blanket up and tucking them around
both their bodies. Her eyes fluttered open for the briefest moment, and she reached for his hand, pulling his arm around her waist. She smiled sweetly, a soft snore blowing past her parted lips. Collin nuzzled his face into the back of her neck, inhaling the scent of her perfume that lingered against her skin. He whispered a prayer of thanksgiving, breathing in and out slowly as he finally drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 9
The rest of their workweek ended without mishap. Collin and London came to work and left, doing their jobs. Neither brought up the subject of Justice Wells again, despite thoughts of the man lingering in the back of both their minds.
Vivian Pratt at the clerk’s office had come through for them, and they had a court date scheduled for the following Tuesday. They reviewed every ounce of evidence for the umpteenth time. When they were certain, beyond any reasonable doubt, that their case was solid, they paid Mr. James a visit to prepare him for what would come.
When the man entered the visitors’ room, his demeanor was as nonchalant as it had been that first time Collin had met him. He eyed them both warily, nothing about their presence striking a chord with him.
“Mr. James! How are you, sir?” Collin said, his casual tone meant to put the man at ease.
“Stallion, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. James’s gaze swept from Collin to London. “So, what’s good, Ms. Jacobs?”
London got directly to the point. “The judge will hear our petition for dismissal of all charges against you on Tuesday. They’ll bring you down to the courthouse at nine o’clock. Your son will bring a suit for you to change into. I’ll present all the evidence and argue for your acquittal. By the grace of God, you’ll be a free man by lunchtime.”
Mr. James nodded his head slowly. A slight smile lifted his lips. “My son came to see me. He’s able to come regularly since I’m here. Hopefully, if things don’t work out, they’ll transfer me to someplace close. I’m getting old, so if there is anything you can do to make that happen I’d appreciate it.”
A Stallion Dream Page 11
