by Skyla Madi
“Natalie! Natalie! Heeeelp!”
She didn't dare chance a glance behind her, she kept on running and calling out until she reached the Mobile station. Natalie's face went ghost pale when she saw Grace.
Grace darted across the road. Horns honked, tires squealed, but she was able to make it across safely. When she reached the older woman, she fell into her arms. “Oh God!”
“What happened? What happened?” Natalie asked.
“I was so scared. OhmyGod. OhmyGod.” Grace gasped, unable to get more words out. A man came over and surprised her. “No!”
The man backed up with his hands up in surrender. “Sorry. I only wanted to see if there was anything I can do.”
Grace's entire body trembled. When she looked up again, the man still stood there except at a more comfortable distance, and had a cell phone up to his ear. She turned back to Natalie. “Police…my dad…c-call the police.”
“This guy is calling them.”
All Grace could manage to do was nod. Natalie broke the hug and took her hands. “It's all right. It's going to be all right.”
“I was so scared.”
“I know. I know.” Natalie scanned the street and down toward the bank. There wasn’t anyone there.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Harry
Harry placed a cup of hot chocolate in his daughter's shaky hands. He ran his palms down his face. His eyes were bloodshot and a tension crease in his forehead the size of the Mariana Trench throbbed. The way Grace sat made her look so small and fragile. He wanted to protect her.
He perched on the edge of his desk. “Tell me what happened.”
“Natalie dropped me off at the ATM and went to go get some gas.”
“Late at night when someone is out there killing women?”
She held up her hand. “Dad, don't start. She was just up the street and there's lights and a camera at the bank. I thought I was safe. Enough.”
Harry shook his head.
“Anyway, it was this guy I know, Cody. As soon as I saw him—”
Harry’s mouth dropped open. “Wait. Hold up. You know this asshole?”
Grace gripped the cocoa in both hands and blew ripples across the surface. “Yeah. I met him once.”
“How? When?” Harry pressed.
“I don't know, a while ago. He creeped me out then, but…”
Harry raised his brow in question. “But?”
“I figured he was all right, I guess. The man I've been seeing knows him from work. Or…something.”
Harry knew his daughter was holding something back. “Who are you trying to protect here, Grace?”
“I'm not trying to protect anyone. His name is the only thing I know about the guy.”
Harry’s temples pulsated. He closed his eyes for an extended moment. “And you don't know his last name? Where did you meet him?”
“At Hector’s Coney Island.” Grace glanced at the clock over her father's head on the wall behind him. “Listen, I've already made my statements. I'm tired and I really want to go home.”
“Fine. We can’t review the surveillance tape until tomorrow anyway. But you're not going home. You said you lost your purse and we didn't find it at the scene. You'll be safer at the house. My house.”
“No thanks. I'll go to a friend’s.”
“Gracie, I don't—”
She got up to leave. “Save it, Harry. I'm still pissed at you.”
“Wait. I’ll take you to—”
“No thanks. Natalie’s waiting.”
***
Grace
Grace walked out of the station, grateful her father didn’t follow. Natalie waited out front for her. She sighed when Natalie turned out of the police station parking lot, relieved to be away from all the questions and overhead fluorescent bulbs. Her head hurt. Hell, her entire body ached, including her hair.
“Natalie?”
“Yeah?”
“My father doesn't want me going home, so can you drop me off someplace else? Do you mind?”
“Tell me where to go.”
Grace gave her the directions. Mikey's place wasn't much further from where they were. Five minutes later, they pulled up to the curb in front of his house. Grace flipped the visor down and checked herself out in the mirror.
“It's late. Maybe you should call him first,” Natalie suggested. “I mean before you knock on the door in the middle of the night, in case he's sleeping.”
Grace slapped the visor up in disgust. There was no fixing what was going on with her makeup. She needed soap and water. “I don't have my phone, remember? And I don't have his number memorized.”
“All right. I'll wait here for you to make sure you get in all right, okay?”
“Uh huh, thanks.” She dragged herself to the porch.
Grace rang the doorbell, but didn't hear a chime. She pressed it again. Silence.
Great.
Not about to give up, she pounded on the door. And again. A light turned on, which shone through the glass side panels and sheer curtains. A few seconds later the door opened.
A ruffled looking Mikey stepped into view. “Grace, are you okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry so late I—I lost my phone. Otherwise, I would have called.” Grace smoothed her hair with her fingers.
“Are you all right, what happened?”
“Cody is what happened.”
His fell mouth open. “What do you mean?”
“Can I come in?”
“Oh, shit. Sorry. Yeah, please come in.”
She knew not only was her hair a mess, her mascara had smeared down her cheeks, and her eyes were still red from the pepper spray. He pulled her to his chest and hugged her. The heat from his body warmed her. She sighed and sagged into him. He rested his chin on the top of her hair.
Natalie’s car was still idling at the curb in front of his house.
“Friend of yours?” he asked.
“Oh crap.” Grace stepped from his embrace and waved at Natalie. “That was Natalie. A friend of mine.”
Mikey took her hand and led her back to his bedroom. The master bathroom was what she wanted.
“I'll get you a fresh towel so you can wash your face or take a shower.” He went to the linen closet in the hallway.
She looked into the mirror while he was gone. Her appearance was worse than she imagined. How embarrassing. He came back into the bathroom and stood behind her while she splashed warm water on her face and neck.
“Grace, what happened?” He crossed his arms over his chest and his feet at the ankles, leaning against the door.
“Ahhh, I think…I'm going to take a shower. Okay?”
“Please, don't get me wrong, I'm glad you're here, but what happened?”
“Can we not talk about it right now? I'm still freaked out.” She cast her eyes down to the counter.
Mikey nodded. She turned around when he didn't leave. “Do you have a t-shirt I could borrow?”
“Of course, I'll get you one.”
She'd meant to use that excuse so she could be alone, except when he started to leave she called him back. She wanted him near. “Mikey,” her breath hitched, “can you… stay? With me?”
The expression on his face melted her insides. His eyes burned for her. She swallowed hard. That crooked smile of his made an appearance. The tiny bathroom grew larger and suddenly he seemed so far away. An easy fix. She removed her shirt and stepped closer to him, then slid her jeans down her thighs. Now it was his turn to undress. Luckily for her, he was only wearing gray plaid flannel pajama bottoms.
He gripped the waistband and ripped them down his legs. His cock stood out from him, all proud.
Oh God…oh…
Grace removed her bra and panties and they stood naked before each other. A feeling of vulnerability made her want to cover herself. She crossed her arms over her breasts.
“Please don't,” he said taking her hands. “You have an incredible body.”
“Too skinny,” she whi
spered. He lifted her chin so she would meet his eyes. Crimson spread over her cheeks.
“You do realize we've had sex before and I've seen every inch of you already, right?”
“I know. But I'm a mess. My mascara is running down—”
“Shhh,” he said, cupping her breasts. She angled her head up as he leaned in for a kiss. “Let's get you cleaned up,” he said against her mouth.
“I know, I’m really dirty.”
“Yep.” With a smile he reached into the shower and turned it on, tested the temperature, and led her inside the cramped stall. They stood under the spray flush against each other. He ran his fingers through her hair, allowing the water to sluice through to the ends. She closed her eyes and moaned.
“Ahhh, that feels good.” He squeezed shampoo into his hands then started massaging her scalp. Her little noises of pleasure continued. Even though she wasn't looking at him she sensed him smiling at her. Her eyes opened; she was right.
“What?”
“Nothing. I'm enjoying the sounds you make.”
She blushed. “I like how you sound too.”
“I wasn't aware I was making any noise.”
She laughed deep in her throat. “You were.”
“Oh, yeah?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist as he rinsed her hair. They made lots of eye contact. She couldn't take her gaze off of him. His handsome features excited her, but the soulfulness of his blue eyes was his best asset. She felt like she knew him. He would never lie to her. How could anyone with eyes like that ever hurt her? He handed her a bar of soap.
“Thank you.” Should she ask him to wash her? Her cheeks flushed with the idea. But would he think she was needy? She chickened out and lathered herself up. She twirled to allow the suds to slide down her front from the hot water.
Mikey placed his large hands on her hips and more heat flooded her core. He sucked on her neck, flicking his tongue over the cords.
Oh God…
She needed him. She wanted to forget the night ever happened and as long as they were like this, she could.
“I want you,” he murmured, “but we can talk first.”
“Uh uh. Be with me. Please.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Mikey
Mikey carried her into his bedroom after they toweled off. He laid her across the bed. The blankets had been pushed to the end when he'd gotten up to answer the door. She splayed her legs for him. The mattress depressed between her parted thighs then he covered her with his body, hovering over her. An erotic smile landed on her face as her vision focused on his…
She gaped at him.
“What? You like?”
“Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I want that in me.”
Mikey pulled the drawer open next to the bed.
“No, in my mouth.”
He reared up onto his knees. “Well, come and get it,” he said doing his superhero impersonation—hands on his hips, chest puffed out. A laugh burst out of her then she slithered to him. He looked down at her with a half-closed gaze.
“Lie down.” When he was on his back she took him into her mouth.
“Oh, Graaace…”
Mikey didn’t want his mind to wander. Grace deserved his full attention but all he could think about had nothing to do with sex. Cody had upset her. Why? And what had happened? She’d been crying, and her mascara had run down her face. In the shower, he’d noticed a few strangely placed bruises on her arm and side. There was also a deep purple one on her knee. He suspected she wasn’t even aware of them.
With his eyes shut and his mind someplace else, he didn’t feel her stop.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. “You’re not into this, I can tell.” She let out a wobbly sigh.
“It’s not that. I’m into what you’re doing.”
“But it doesn’t feel good; I’m bad at it.” She moved away from him and lay on her side, covering her face with her arm.
“No, Grace, believe me. I was thinking about what happened with Cody.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I can’t stop thinking about it. I care about you. What did he do? You have some weird bruises.” He put his hand on her side then her knee.
“He attacked me,” Grace said after hitching a breath. “I was at the ATM.”
“What? How?” Mikey reached for her, pulling her to his chest, his gut filled with dread.
“I’m all right. I-I got really scared. Good thing I know a little self-defense.”
He rubbed circles on her back. “Jesus. I hope you reported this.”
“Of course. But I didn’t know his last name. I was going to ask you if you knew it later. I wanted to forget this night.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I could have told you over the phone. It’s Pollard, as far as I know. He always pays in cash and I usually don’t ask for more information unless the client pays with a card.”
“I didn’t want to bother you.”
“Bother me? Never.”
She nodded against his chest. A lopsided smile perked up the corner of her mouth.
“Do you want me to talk to the police?”
“No. It’s handled,” she said.
Mikey brows knitted together. “What’s handled?”
“The investigation or whatever. I’ll text the detective in the morning. You know what’s funny? I already thought the idiot was creepy before.” She shivered.
“Yeah I kind of thought that myself. Dammit. I’m so sorry I introduced you. What did the police say? Cody must’ve followed you.”
“Totally.” She gasped. “Crap, does he know where you live?”
“I don’t think so.”
God. I hope not.
Mikey never thought he would be grateful Brayden would be staying away for a few more weeks. “I think—”
“Shhh.” She put a finger up to his mouth then kissed his lips. “Let’s not think anymore.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Grace
This feels so right.
Mikey’s warm, smooth skin over hard muscles pressed up against her body. Grace squirmed in his arms and he hardened for her again. He rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Her hands pushed down on his shoulders as she straddled him, her black hair forming a curtain around his face. He smiled up at her. His eyes smoldered like an invitation to join them together.
Her slow, steady rhythm brought forth wonderful noises from him. The power she had over him eased her mind about being attacked. She wanted to be in control tonight. Mikey somehow anticipated what she needed from him.
Mikey’s inhales quickened the way only a man’s did during sex. His manhood thickened inside her. He was getting close to orgasm. The idea made her wetter. Hotter. She sat up more, removed her hands from his shoulders, and placed them on his thighs behind her. Her hair whipped up and around as she tossed her head back. Her cries echoed off the ceiling. She pulsed all around him. His hips surged up and he thrusted into her.
“Oh. Oh. Grace,” he said, sucking in air with each word.
Sweat glistened on his forehead and moistened the back of her neck. His eyes clamped shut and he arched his back. He grabbed her hips like he needed to keep her from escaping. They rode out the waves of ecstasy as one.
After he was spent, she laid out beside him. “I’m starting to like sex more and more.”
“What?” He chuckled. “You didn’t like it before?”
“I did, but not this much. My ex thought I was cold. I wasn’t, I just didn’t like having it with him.”
“I’m not even going to ask why.” He paused. “Okay. Why?”
Grace smiled. The laughter that followed wasn’t something she could do before, when she thought about her bad marriage. “He was an ass. Always too busy for me. Never hugged me unless I asked for one. Then he’d want sex and, well, I didn’t feel like doing it. I guess I needed more attention…”
Shut up, Grace. He doesn’t want to hear about this.
“M
ore attention?” He drew out the second word, looking for more explanation.
She blushed. “I don’t know. I’m not needy or anything, but—”
“I don’t think you’re needy.” He rolled onto his side and rubbed her arm.
“I guess I wanted him to pay a little more attention to me. He was an attorney and gone all the time. Then he expected me to put out without so much as a kiss on the cheek or a hello, how are you?”
“Sounds like a moron. I don’t treat my women like that.”
“Women?” She narrowed her eyes at him.
He grinned and tucked her to his body. “I’m only seeing you, you know.”
“Okay.” Grace tried to keep the skepticism out of her voice and failed.
“Honest. I’m not a player or anything. Although I’ve had more than one girlfriend in the past.”
“At the same time?”
“No, I didn’t mean at the same time, Grace. I know how to treat a lady is all I’m saying.” He ran his fingers through his hair.
God, she needed to clamp her mouth shut with a vice grip.
“Are you trying to tell me you don’t want me to see other people?”
“Yeah, sorry,” she squeaked and buried her face in the crook of her elbow.
“Don’t apologize. I understand. And I’m not seeing anyone else. I want to see where this goes. Like I said, I care about you,” he said.
Grace exhaled like a slow gas leak. “Yeah? Me too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Grace
Grace lay sprawled out on Mikey’s bed. She scissor-kicked on the blue velveteen blanket and reveled in the softness.
“What are you doing? You’re shaking the whole bed.” Although he faced away from her, she could tell he was smiling.
“Nothing. This blanket is awesome.”
He chuckled and rolled onto his back this time. “It’s only a blanket.”
