“She seemed to have this odd desire for her independence all the sudden, but I figured it was a typical teenage girl thing. Why?”
“Never mind. It’s nothing.”
“Ava,” he gripped my shoulders turning me to look at him, his eyes demanding me to talk to him.
“Promise me, you won’t tell her I said anything.”
“Tell me,” he commanded.
“Promise me.”
“Fine. I promise.”
“I’m probably reading too much into it. It’s just, she said a few things this weekend and her mood at times seemed like something was bothering her. She got some texts that seemed to upset her pretty bad at lunch. I wasn’t sure if maybe she talked to you about it?”
“No. I’ll look into it though.”
“By look into it…I hope you mean you will talk to her, not get your security team to invade her privacy.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to her.”
“Good.”
“Though you just made my task harder by denying me the use of my security team and making me promise not to tell her it came from you.”
“I have faith in you. You’re a smart, determined man when you put your mind to it,” I grinned.
He tickled my side, causing me to squirm with a fit of giggles. I wiggled away, running to the bedroom for protection. I jumped on the bed, grabbing a pillow as a poor choice in weapon as he came chasing after me.
“Stop!” I laughed, warning him with the pillow.
He skidded to a stop at the edge of the bed, still ready to pounce. “And what are you going to do with that?” He nodded towards the pillow.
“Come any closer and you’ll find out,” I threatened.
His eyes glistened with intrigue, not backing down from the challenge. He stalked around the edge of the bed with his devilish grin on his face. I stepped across the bed, the mattress providing an unstable foundation below me.
He pretended to lunge for me, and I fell for it, swinging the pillow at him, missing him as he ducked. He lunged again while I was off balance from my swing, tackling me into the bed. I screamed with laughter, trying to crawl out of his arms. He tickled me relentlessly as I squirmed in his arms. His own laughter harmonizing with mine.
“Okay!” I choked out through my giggles, “You win!”
He ended his torturous tickling with my surrender.
“You should know by now, I’ll always win, beautiful.” His smiling face hovered over me, pressing his body over mine.
“We’ll see,” I said unperturbed.
“Yes. We will,” he smirked.
He skirted his hand up my thigh, looping his thumbs in the waist band of my pajama shorts and panties, pulling them down my body simultaneously as he lifted up onto his knees. He discarded them to the floor, staring down at me with a gleam in his eye.
My body tensed with the suspense of waiting for him to make his move. He lowered himself, leisurely trailing kisses up my leg, starting at my inner knee moving towards the apex of my heat. My breath hitched.
“Is this you winning or me?” I breathed.
His head lifted with a juvenile grin. “Both,” he stated simply before dropping his head again…working his magic with his lips and tongue. My magician.
I was definitely the winner.
CHAPTER 18
Mondays. I hated Mondays. They always came too fast and they were always hectic at work. This particular Monday I was dreading its beginning as much as its end.
After work, I texted Rhett from the back of the town car, letting him know I was on my way home. My phone vibrated with his response.
R: Will be late.
I responded, disappointed.
A: Okay. x
Although lacking his usual sentiments, his response wasn’t a surprise. I was becoming accustom to his late nights. I still hated it, though. Especially, tonight. Tonight, I planned to tell him about my conversation with Owen when he got home.
The car slowed in front of my apartment building. I looked up from my phone as Jim opened the car door.
“Thank you, Jim,” I stepped out of the car, searching for my keys in my purse as I walked to my building. I was halted by Jim’s strong hand on my arm.
“Ms. Conner,” his voice was firm. I looked up at him to a stern expression. He glanced towards the door of my building. I followed his eyes to Owen, who was leaning against the wall.
“Ava,” Owen smiled, pushing off from the wall, coming towards me.
“Hi, Owen,” I said my brows furrowing together. What was he doing here?
“Sorry to drop in on you unexpectedly. I hadn’t heard from you, and I was in the area. Figured I’d check up on you. See if you had some time to talk.”
“Oh,” I responded, caught off guard.
“You still want to talk, right?”
“Yes….Sorry….I do. Do you want to come up?” I offered. I did still need to close this chapter with Owen. I guess now was as good of time as any. I could knock both Owen issues out all in one night.
“Works for me,” he smiled.
I started to move again, but was halted once again by Jim. “Ms. Conner, I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said in a low voice just audible enough for me to hear.
“It’s fine, Jim. It’ll only be a minute,” I smiled reassuringly at him, “He’s a friend.”
Jim nodded, reluctantly releasing my arm. I walked past Owen, letting him in the building to follow me to my apartment. We walked in an uncomfortable silence. As I nervously unlocked the door, I started to feel like maybe this was a bad idea.
I should have probably went to a public coffee shop or something. If Rhett were to come home and see him here, this would not look good. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath through my nose as I opened the door. It would be fine. I would explain things to Owen quickly, and he would leave. Rhett was working late anyways.
I walked into my apartment, stepping aside to let Owen in and closed the door behind him. I watched him, letting the door hold me up for support as he stood in the middle of my living room, looking around.
After taking it all in, he turned to face me. We stared at each other awkwardly. At least, awkward for me. He was smiling brightly, not knowing I was about to tell him nothing would ever happen between us.
“So.”
“So…How are things, Ava?” he grinned.
“Good,” I moved away from the door. We stood in another awkward silence.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I finally asked. I don’t know why I offered. I didn’t want him to stay long enough to finish a drink, but I couldn’t think how else to break the ice. This whole situation was making me on edge.
“I would love a drink,” I could hear the salaciousness in his voice. Shit. He was getting the wrong impression. It was too late now. I had already offered.
“What would you like?”
“Do you have a beer?”
“Sure,” I responded hesitantly. I moved towards the kitchen, needing the space. I opened the fridge in search of a beer.
“How are you feeling?” He called from behind me, “Did they ever figure out who drugged your drink?”
I halted - startled by his question. My hand trembled around the bottle of beer. The pounding in my chest drowning out the sounds around me. I never told him what had happened in the bar that night. How did he know about the roofy? I remained frozen in the open fridge door, trying to figure out how I could get to my phone to text Jim without Owen knowing.
“Ava?”
I jumped. His voice was too close. Owen was no longer in the living room. My entire body went rigid. I slowly closed the fridge door, turning towards him. He was inches from me, his eyes blackening. Panic fired through every nerve in my body. Fight or flight instinct kicking in.
“Is that for me?” He looked at the beer in my hand. I nodded, shakily handing it to him, unable to find my voice. He took it, setting it on the counter, stepping closer to me as a coldness spread through me. I s
tepped back, hoping he would get the hint. He stepped forward, closing in on me until my back was against the wall.
I was trapped. There was only one way out of the kitchen and it was through him. His hand moved to my hip. I flinched. My chest constricting. My breathing becoming difficult.
“God, Ava…you’re so fucking sexy,” his hot breath hit my face as he stroked his hand down my long hair, resting it on my breast. He pressed his body against me, and I could feel his bulge. I closed my eyes, trying to black out what was happening.
“Owen,” my voice shook, “Please-”
“Shhh,” he pressed his finger to my lips. “You don’t have to beg, Ava. I’m going to give you exactly…What. You. Want.”
I shook my head no, leaving my eyes closed tightly. He pressed his lips aggressively to mine. My hands flew to his chest, pushing hard against him. I flicked my eyes open when I no longer felt his lips.
His eyes were narrowed. He was seething as his jaw tightened. “I know your game, Ava,” he gritted out, “You fucking want this. I’ve watched you…you like a man that takes what he wants.”
“No,” I shook my head at him, anger surging through me now. He pushed back against me. I tried forcing him away again, but his hands tightened around my wrists, pinning them above my head, “Stop fighting it, Ava,” he hissed in my ear.
He used one hand to keep my wrists pinned to the wall – his grasp painful – while the other worked hastily to rip the buttons open on my shirt. I twisted and squirmed, fighting my way out of his grip. I bent my knee, slamming it upwards into him. He grunted with pain. “Fuck!” The back of his hand connected with my face. The pain stung as I hunched over, feeling where it radiated from.
I looked back up at him as he charged at me. My scream pierced the air as he pushed me back up against the wall. I closed my eyes, continuing to kick and scream, thrashing out at him. A single tear escaped from the corner of my eye when I started to feel myself lose the fight.
The weight of his body was suddenly gone. I heard the repeated pounding of fists hitting and bones cracking. I flung my eyes open. Rhett was wailing on a crumpled and bleeding Owen. Jim flew into the room, pulling Rhett from him. Rhett started to charge again, but his effort was impeded by Jim.
“Rhett!” he yelled in warning, breaking Rhett out of his uncontrollable rage. “I’ve got the fucker,” Jim assured him. Rhett’s body remained hardened as it heaved up and down with enraged breathing.
Rhett nodded. “The police?” his gruff voice was strangled.
“They’ll be here any minute,” Jim stated.
Jim hauled a lifeless Owen to his feet, dragging him out of my apartment. Rhett’s eyes shifted to me. The color drained from his face as he took me in. My legs lost their strength as I collapsed onto the tile floor, sobbing. His arms were around me instantly, pulling me into his powerful body.
They had the power to protect me and comfort me all at once. I clanged to his shirt with my fists, letting the tears cleanse the fear and guilt from my body. “I’m s-sorry,” I cried, “I’m s-so sorry.”
“Shhh, babe. You’re okay. Everything’s okay.” I shook my head as he reassured me. This was all my fault. Once again, I ignored his requests and my better judgement.
I felt the hardness of the floor below me disappear as he scooped me up in his strong arms, carrying me to the living room. He sat us both on the couch. I remained in his arms on his lap, clinging to him.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly, “Did he-”
“No,” I shook my head, responding through my tears. “You got here before anything…”
He let out a breath of air and kissed my head as he pulled me even tighter into him. I could barely breathe, but I didn’t care. His tight embrace made me feel safe. I could hear his heart pounding rapidly in his chest. I squeezed him back. He saved me. If he hadn’t shown up when he did…I shuddered. I didn’t want to think about what would have happened.
“How? ...I mean why? …You’re here,” I finally managed to say, looking up at him. He was here. I needed him, and he was here. I searched his eyes for answers. What had him home so early?
“Eric sent me the footage.”
Oh. I dropped my eyes.
“I saw that little prick talking to you and the look on his face….,” he grinded his teeth - his breathing becoming forced. “I’m sorry, Ava…I should’ve been here sooner. But when I saw…I was pissed. I didn’t want to come home angry and out of control. Damn it!” he yelled, throwing his head back on the couch, taking a deep breath.
“I missed it the first time I watched. I was too distracted by just seeing you two talking. I had to replay it a few times. It was hard to see, but I saw him flick the roofy into your drink. As soon as I saw that, I left the office to come home. I was already driving when I got a text from Jim saying that you had company, so I didn’t waste time getting here.”
“I’m sorry, Rhett. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you Owen was at the bar that night. I–”
“It’s okay, beautiful,” he tucked my hair behind my ear. “I know you had your reasons. You don’t need to explain.”
“They were stupid reasons. Stupid. I was going to tell you…. I’m such an idiot. I can’t even trust my own instincts.”
“Stop,” he demanded his voice leaving no room for argument. “Listen. This is not your fault. None of this.”
I nodded.
There was a knock on my door. I jumped, Rhett’s hold tightening on me. “That’s probably the police.”
He shifted me reluctantly from his lap to answer the door. He stepped aside, allowing two officers to walk-in. Rhett spoke first, filling them in on what he saw in the videos and what he found when he arrived. I worried he would be in trouble for beating the crap out of Owen, but they assured me it was in defense and not to worry. Either way, I knew Rhett had the best attorneys and nothing would happen to him.
After they spoke to Rhett, they started questioning me, getting my statement. When they were done, they thanked me for my time and suggested I see a doctor as soon as possible. And then they were gone.
Rhett locked the door behind them, turning back to me. I was still sitting on the couch, bundled in a ball of remorse and fear. Rhett walked back to me, crouching below me.
“They’re right. We should get you to the hospital tonight.”
I shook my head, “I don’t want to go.”
He watched me, contemplating whether to give in or demand I go. “I’m fine,” I assured him.
His thumb lightly brushed the spot on my face where Owen had hit me. I flinched at the pain of his light touch. His eyes darkened. “I think we should go. Get you checked out.”
“Please, Rhett,” I pleaded, not wanting to go.
He was quiet for a moment, finally relenting with a sigh, “Okay, beautiful.”
I gave him a weak smile of gratitude. “I want to shower.” He nodded his understanding, moving to help me up. Once he got me settled in the bathroom, he left to make a few calls and get some ice for my face.
I stepped into the warm spray, letting it purge my body of Owen’s touch and smell. I scrubbed harshly, ignoring the pain in my wrists and face. I thought about all my conversations with Owen and whether there were any warning signs I missed. And when I couldn’t find any, it only made me feel worse with self-doubt. I sat on the tile floor huddled in a ball, crying as the water fell on my back.
The water ceased. I looked up at Rhett standing over me with the saddest eyes. I knew I had to look like a broken mess. It was how I felt. He grabbed a towel, wrapping it around me and then lifted me in his arms.
He placed me on the toilet as he delicately dried my body. I sat motionless, letting him do all the work. He disappeared from the room, returning moments later with an oversized t-shirt.
“Raise your arms,” his voice soft but firm. I complied. He pulled the t-shirt over my head. I breathed it in. It had his scent and it immediately made me feel safe like nothing could hurt me as long as I was wearing h
is shirt. It was a ridiculous thought, but I felt secure none the less.
His arms linked under my knees and behind my back as he picked me up, carrying me to the bed. He laid me down, picking up the ice pack that was waiting on the night stand. He sat at the edge of the bed beside me.
“This might hurt a little,” he said as he moved the ice pack to my bruised face. I flinched. A small hiss releasing through my teeth. He held it in place as he observed me.
“I spoke to Eric….They found Chris.”
“Where?”
“In a rehab.”
Relief fell over me. “That’s good…right?”
“Yes. It turns out he checked himself in. Apparently, when his little girl interrupted his attack on her mother, it triggered a wakeup call for him.”
“I’m glad he’s getting the help he needs.” I was. It told me there was still a chance the old Chris was in there somewhere.
“Ava…even if he does get better, I still want you to keep your distance from him.”
“I will.” And I would. I have learned too many times that I needed to trust Rhett’s judgement. He obviously read people better than me.
I gripped his free hand to reassure him. He flinched slightly at my touch. I looked at his hand, seeing it bruised and slightly swollen from hitting Owen.
“Rhett, your hand.”
“It’s fine. I’ll ice it after you’re taken care of.”
I opened my mouth. “Don’t argue, Ava. I need to take care of you first.”
“Okay,” I said weakly, understanding his need.
He leaned in, kissing my forehead in appreciation. The rest of the time he was quiet and so was I. I closed my eyes, feeling drained from everything.
After a few more minutes, I felt the cold ice pack lift from my face, and the bed shift below me. I opened my eyes, finding Rhett standing. He stripped out of his clothes as I watched his muscles ripple. He crawled into bed next to me, pulling me into my spot in his side.
“You need to ice your hand,” I tried again.
“Go to sleep, beautiful.”
I lifted my head to his mouth, connecting my lips with his, needing his mouth to be the last thing my lips touched. Not Owen’s. I laid my head on his chest to listen to his heart. It was back to its normal rhythm. I let the steady beat soothe me as I fell asleep.
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