by Todd, E. L.
“It wasn’t me,” I lied. “I don’t know who you saw.”
He stared at me for a long time, examining every inch of my skin. It seemed like I was doing a good job of convincing him. I didn’t mention the assault so he would think that my visit and interest in his well-being was genuine.
“I saw you standing outside when the police escorted me out.”
“I was showing my friends where I used to work. It was an odd coincidence.”
“You didn’t seem surprised.”
“I would be lying if I said I was.”
He leaned back. “So you had nothing to do with it?”
“No. I left the city, found another job, and moved on with my life. When the prosecutor asked Janice and I to testify, we refused.”
“Why?”
“I think what you did was wrong, but you didn’t deserve to go to jail for it.” The words coming out my mouth made me want to vomit. I concentrated on the goal so I could keep going. “I did respect you as a human being and a talented editor. We just had our differences at times.” Actually and Janice and I did testify, but we gave our statements as a group with the other girls and kept our identity a secret. Now I was thankful that Sean insisted on it.
He twirled his thumbs together while he looked at me. “So you care about me?”
“Of course. I feel bad for your family. You must miss them.”
“I don’t have a family.”
“I’m sorry.”
“You care about me?” he repeated.
“Of course I do. Aren’t we friends?”
“Why are you coming to me now?”
“I’m in the city because of Sean.”
“That’s the reason why you are here. I’m not stupid. I won’t drop the charges against him.”
“I’m not asking you to. The allegations won’t reach the court because it wasn’t him. You have the wrong person.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Yes, you do. And I’m not asking you to drop the charges. Perhaps you should spend more time searching for the right suspect, not waste your time on the wrong man. I’m sorry that someone assaulted you like that. That’s horrible.” I wanted to gag as I listened to myself.
He stared at me through his large glasses. “So you are saying you didn’t set me up and Sean isn’t the man who assaulted me?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
He looked away. “And you’re here just to see how I’m doing?”
“I’m not asking anything more of you.”
“Will you visit me again?”
“Since I don’t live in New York anymore, probably not. Although. I wish you the best. Your sentence won’t last forever and you’ll probably get out a few years earlier. It’s not so bad. You might even be able to appeal it.”
“My lawyer and I are working on it.”
“I hope it goes well.”
He stared at me for a long time. “I’m sorry that I falsely blamed you.”
I could cry I was so happy. I was getting somewhere with this psycho. I’m so glad I took three psychology classes. I took the blame from myself, pretended that I cared about him, and treated him with respect. “It’s okay. I’m sorry this happened to you.”
He nodded. “What happened to your lip?”
My face was still slightly blue from the attack in the apartment. I knew what he was really asking. He was trying to determine if the hit already happened or if I understood that’s what it was. I touched my lip. “A burglar broke into our apartment with a gun. We took a few hits but he got away. We don’t have leads or any suspects. He didn’t take anything.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you.”
“No one got hurt. That’s all the matters.”
The officer opened the door. “Your time is up, Carl.” He came inside then stood next to Carl’s seat. I stood up and approached Carl. His eyes widened in fear, unsure what I was going to do. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug. I felt so disgusted with myself. I was practically a hooker, giving myself to him. I held the hug for five seconds to make it seem genuine before I pulled away with a smile on my face.
“It was nice seeing you. I’m sorry about everything.”
For the first time, he smiled at me. It wasn’t attractive, appealing, or normal, but I knew it was genuine. “Thanks for coming to visit me. I get lonely here.”
“Of course. That’s what friends do.”
“We’re friends?”
“Yeah. We worked together for so long, we’re practically family.”
“Family?”
“Yeah. I don’t have a biological family so I make my friends my family. You can be my family.”
He was speechless for a moment. “Thank you.”
“Yeah.”
“Scarlet?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really sorry for the way I treated you.”
I was not expecting that, for him to apologize for everything he did to me. I thought I would do all the apologizing. It caught me off guard. Perhaps he exerted his power over women to molest them because all he wanted was to be loved, to be understood. Maybe he just needed a friend. “I forgive you, Carl.”
The officer grabbed him and pulled from the room. I smiled at him the entire time, the first genuine smile I had since I walked inside.
17
As soon as I got back into the lobby, I told them everything that happened.
“Do you think he meant it?” Ryan asked.
“I do,” I said. “He seemed suspicious for a long time, but by the end of our meeting he seemed to believe me. He apologized to me when I never asked him to. I really think he just wanted to feel loved—that’s all.”
Mike crossed his arms over his chest. “I still feel uneasy. I wish there was some guarantee.”
“I couldn’t ask him otherwise he would realize I was only there because I wanted something from him.”
Janice sighed. “Well, our odds are better now, right?”
“I guess,” Ryan said.
“No matter what the outcome is, I know one thing,” I said.
“What?” Mike asked.
“I’m going to see my fiancé. I’m not waiting anymore.”
Ryan nodded. “I guess there’s no reason to stay out of sight anymore.”
“Let’s go,” I said.
We took a cab back to the city and arrived at the police station.
“Please don’t say anything to him,” I said.
Mike raised an eyebrow. “We are just gonna hide it from him forever?”
“No, of course not,” I said. “Can we just wait until we hear a decision? If he’s being taken to trial or not?”
Mike sighed. “I guess. But he’s going to wonder why your risked exposing yourself?”
“I’ll make something up,” I said. “Now get out of my way.” I climbed out of the car and walked into the station. I filled out the forms then went into the waiting room with everyone. I was so excited to see him that I couldn’t sit down. I was pacing the room, waiting in anticipation.
When the officer finally opened the door and ushered him inside, I started crying.
“Scarlet?” he asked.
I ran to him and jumped in his arms. “Sean, I love you so much.”
He caught me and held me to his chest, burying his face in my neck. “I love you too, Scar. But you shouldn’t have come.”
“I don’t care.”
He placed me back on my feet and pressed his forehead against mine, wiping my tears away. “I miss you so much.”
“I miss you.”
His eyes started to burn with tears. “I think about you every second of every day. You are always in my thoughts and in my heart. Being locked up, bored, and scared hasn’t been torturous. Being without you is what’s killing me. I just want to be with you.”
“I know,” I said with a sniff.
“I hate this.”
“Me too. Have you heard anything?”
�
�No,” he said sadly. “I don’t know what’s going on anymore. I know they are running out of time. They either have to take me to court or let me go.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I hope they let you go.”
He kissed my forehead. “Yeah.”
The door opened and Bill walked in. “Wow. We got a full house here.”
Sean looked at everyone else, not realizing they were even there. “Hey.”
“So, we need to talk, kiddo,” Bill said.
I felt my heart fall. That sounded like bad news. “No.”
Sean grabbed my hand. “It’ll be okay,” he whispered.
“Sit down, Sean,” Bill said as he took a seat.
Sean moved to the opposite side and sat down. I sat beside him and held his hand, trying to comfort him.
“So, I have two things to say to you. First of all, they were going to take you to court.”
“Were?” Sean asked.
“Yeah. They had enough evidence to move this forward. There were an overwhelming number of witnesses who claim they saw you.”
“Wait. So I’m not going?” Sean asked.
“Carl’s lawyer just called me and said he dropped all the charges.”
Sean stood up, pushing his chair back. “Are you serious?”
Bill nodded. “You’re lucky bastard, Sean.”
“Why did he change his mind?”
He shrugged. “I don’t have the slightest clue.”
I looked at Ryan, Janice, and Mike, a smile on my face. I couldn’t believe that visit changed everyone’s fate. If he dropped the charges against Sean, then he obviously wasn’t out to get us anymore.”
“Yes!” Sean said as he jumped on his feet. He turned to me and picked me up, spinning me around. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too.”
“I was so scared, Scarlet. I didn’t know what I was going to do.”
“It’s over, Sean. We don’t have to worry about it anymore.”
Bill placed a few forms on the table. “Sign these and you’re free to go.”
Sean grabbed the pen and filled them out as quickly as possible. I wrapped my arms around his waist while I watched him.
Bill grabbed a plastic bag and dumped his belongings out. His phone, keys, and wallet were all there. Sean took them and stuck them in his pocket, sighing happily.
“Thanks for everything, Bill,” Sean said as he shook his hand.
“I’m glad to help.”
Sean turned to me. “Let’s get out of here. I can’t stay here a moment longer.”
“Okay.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me from the building, our family following behind. When we were outside, Sean closed his eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the fresh air and the sight of the sun. When I talk to Carl it felt disgusting and degrading, but when I saw Sean I knew I made the right decision. If I hadn’t done it, he would have gone to trial and probably lost.
Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome back.”
“It’s good to be back.”
Ryan nodded to him. “I’m glad you’re out. I was sick of watching Scarlet.”
Sean smiled. “Thanks for staying with her.”
“Anytime,” he said.
Sean grabbed my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“You know exactly where we’re going.”
“What about everyone else? Your parents? Don’t you want to talk to them?”
Sean shook his head. “It can wait until tomorrow.”
Mike waved with a grin on his face. “You two have fun.”
Sean pulled me into the car then said, “The closest four star hotel, please.”
18
As soon as we walked into the room, Sean pushed me against wall and kissed me. The touch was gentle and delicate, his lips caressing my mine with precision. He tasted good, sweet and familiar. As soon as he breathed into my mouth, I moaned, missing his embrace so much that I wanted to scream.
When I touched his chest with my hands, feeling his chest and torso, it was almost hard to believe that the moment was real. That Sean was really here with me, kissing me and touching me. I hadn’t been with him for almost a week. We barely spoke and I never felt so distant from him. It was painful and agonizing.
His hands cupped my face as he kissed me, making me feel like I was the only thing that mattered. I wrapped my leg around his waist and he grabbed it, squeezing my thigh. His hands moved to ass and he dug his fingers into the muscle. The longer he touched the more explosive I became. I wanted him more than I ever had.
I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it off, feeling his naked chest underneath. His muscles were strong and prominent, not an inch of fat anywhere. His large pectoral muscles were my favorite thing to kiss. His abs were so defined they looked like they were chiseled from stone. I unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them off along with his underwear. When I saw his cock, I stopped kissing him and just stared at it while Sean looked at me. It was so big and long. I knew the only reason why I enjoyed sex with him so much was because he got me so wet so I could actually enjoy it.
Sean pulled off my shirt then removed my bra. He grabbed my tits and squeezed them, moaning loudly. “I’m so hot right now that I could come just by looking at you.” I unbuttoned my pants and pulled them off, rushing to get naked. Sean continued to rub my tits, pinching the nipples slightly. He pushed me against the wall again then picked me up, carrying me to the bed. When he laid me down, he kissed my body everywhere, spending extra time on the area between my legs.
“Sean, I want you.”
He crawled on top of me and dropped his hips, leaning into me. “I’m not gonna sugarcoat this for you. I won’t last long.”
“And what makes you think I will?”
He leaned over me and looked me in the eyes. I felt him move into my entrance, sliding in all the way. It felt better than I anticipated. It immediately tightened my stomached, sending warmth down to my groin. Every time he moved within me, I felt my body crumble, tingling everywhere. As soon as he was inside me, I felt the pleasure start, sky-rocketing into my veins. I kept stretching for him, and every time he moved in deeper, I felt my leg shake. His wide cock made me come every time.
He didn’t thrust into me as hard as he normally did. I could tell by the quiet moans that escaped is lips that he was trying not to come as much as possible. There was no need because I felt myself go. I gripped his ass and pulled him into me harder. I heard the head go in and over and over again, making a sound that sent me over the edge. Then, I couldn’t hear anything besides my own moans. It was one of the best orgasms I ever had, far overdue. I dug my nails into his skin, loving every second of it. It was longer than normal, spanning for a few extra seconds. I lied there while he pounded into me, stretching the moment as long as possible.
Sean grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me to him while he thrust inside of me. I loved watching his face while he came. It was enough to make me aroused again. His thrusts became broken and uneven as he moaned loudly. A gasp escaped his lips as he finished, still coming inside me.
I licked his chest while he caught his breath, realizing how much I missed doing this. I ran my hands up his chest then rubbed the tension from his shoulders. He looked down at me, looking into my eyes. He didn’t pull out of me, staying above me. When he lowered himself he pressed his forehead against mine, kissing me on the cheek.
“We aren’t leaving this hotel room.”
“You won’t hear an argument from me.”
He kissed me gently then pulled away. The look of love in his eyes touched my heart. I knew he had been through so much and I was the one thing keeping him going. When I imagined the stress he must have felt when he was locked up, I wanted to cry. He was unable to control his life at all. He couldn’t protect me or call me. They were basic freedoms and it was unfathomable to imagine what it would be like to have them taken away. He rubbed his nose against mine, sighing deeply. �
��I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there for you, Scarlet.”
“Sean, don’t do that.”
“I hated not being with you, not protecting you.”
“Please stop.”
“I love you.”
“That’s better.”
“I already knew how much I loved you, but when I was stuck apart from you, not able to call or see you, I realized how obsessed I am with you. It was pure torture. I couldn’t even concentrate on anything because I kept thinking about you.”
“We’ll never have to do that again.”
“That better be the end of the drama in our life.”
“I think it is. I can’t imagine anything worse happening.”
“I just want to marry you, Scar.”
“I want to marry you, Sean.”
“As soon as we can.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s go to city hall right now.”
I laughed. “No. We’re having a wedding.”
“How about next weekend?”
I rubbed his back. “Take a shower and relax.”
“I haven’t showered in a few days.”
“I can tell.”
“I know I look absolutely appalling.”
“I didn’t notice,” I said as I ran my fingers through his hair. It was greasier than usual, the oil accumulating on the strands.
“That’s because I’m naked.”
“That might have something to do with it.”
“Okay. I’ll shower. But you can’t leave while I’m in there.”
“I promise, babe. I’ll order room service.”
“Good. I’m starving. I ate a hummus sandwich every day for lunch.”
“That’s what they fed you?”
“It was either that or starve.”
“My poor baby.”
“I want a steak, potatoes, veggies, bread—the whole thing.”
“You deserve it.”
“Is it hot having sex with a convict?”
“You aren’t a convict.”
“A criminal?”
“No, you aren’t that either.”
“A suspect that was cleared of all charges?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“It doesn’t sound as cool.”
“I guess we can just pretend.”
“I like that,” he said he kissed me. He pulled out of me then walked into the bathroom. “Don’t go anywhere.”
