No Choice

by Steele, C. M.

  “Fuck me. Damn, Nat, you’re fucking sexy as fuck. A little thin, but fuck, babe. I missed you. Come on, let’s get a drink.”

  It was twenty minutes later when I was about to get serious with Jeff again. He had his hand wrapped around my waist, “Nat, baby, I can’t wait. Let’s go back to my place and pick up where we left off.” I nodded and closed my eyes as he bent down to kiss me.

  All of the sudden, I felt his hands pulled roughly off me. I opened my eyes to see a fuzzy-looking Cameron who roared, “You’re in deep shit, Natalie. Take her.”

  This had been the worst month of my life, and it only got worse the moment I heard him tell my Natalie that they were going back to his place and she’d agreed. My men came with me this time around because I needed the assistance, although right now I felt I had the strength of ten men. This bastard dared to touch what was mine. I punched the motherfucker with a right straight to his pretty-boy face and dropped him on his ass.

  “You come near her again, and I’ll kill you.” I walked out with the help of my sister and one of my guys.

  When we got into the truck, I was so angry I took her into my arms and threatened the shit out of her.

  “If you ever let another man put his hands on what’s mine, I’ll kill you,” I growled as I stared at her.

  “Let me out! You cheating son of a bitch! I hate you,” she cried and started slamming her fists in my already bruised ribs, so Tim grabbed her and held her off.

  “Calm down.” I said that to her, but it was like I was saying it to myself.

  We’d arrived in Champaign to get my woman back, but just as the plane landed, Van received that picture from Emmy. We didn’t make any stops and rushed into town, and before I knew it we were at the party. I disregarded all doctor’s orders and came to win my woman back, only to find her in the arms of another man.

  I wasn’t leaving here without her because at my side is where she fucking belonged, and I needed to straighten some shit out. I grabbed her chin roughly, turning her to face me.

  “You’re mine. Don’t ever think about leaving me again. I’ll find your ass and kill any man you even say hi to, then I'll lock your ass up until you learn the reality of your situation. This is our forever,” I growled as jealousy ate at me.

  I pulled away from her ass before I went too far. I was seeing red. I knew she’d been angry with me after my mother’s party, but I thought she would be fine and things would be okay the next day. I couldn’t have been more wrong because she stopped taking my calls and changed her number.

  As we drove on to the hotel, I thought about what happened to get us to this point.

  Things were great the first week. I was on fucking cloud nine. Work was intense because I was knocking all deals out of the way to be with her. I was hoping to take some time off when she graduated, just for us, but as I came home one night from work, everything changed.

  All I remember was my brakes giving out as I went around the bend toward my condo. I woke up the next day and even in all my pain, I called her. Over the next three weeks I made the biggest mistake of my life. I hid my accident from her. My calls were more sporadic—not that I didn’t want to talk to her every hour of every day, but I didn’t want to burden her with my problems. Plus, someone was out to get me, and I didn’t want her hurt. I loved her so damn much and missed my giggly woman. We didn’t know which of my enemies did this, so I tried to keep my distance from her. I was told it would be months for me to heal completely, so I couldn’t physically protect her.

  The left side of my body had been damaged severely. My arm, two of my ribs, and my leg had been broken as well as some cuts and bruises. None of those hurt as bad as the sound of “the number you have reached has been changed.”

  My mom’s party was obviously Nat’s last attempt to make this work between us. I knew that I should’ve stayed in bed at home that night, but I felt obligated to be there. My parents told me to stay home, but I didn’t listen. My world was turned upside down that night. It was all because of that stupid bitch Courtney Lancaster. Of all the people to show up to my mother’s party at the Oak Valley Country Club, it had to be her. We’d been seeing each other months before I’d met Natalie. I ended our hookup because she wanted more than just fucking. She’d gone crazy on me then, but I ignored it. That was a big mistake.

  I’d been looking at my phone, reading a text my Natalie had sent me. I was going to call her later when I went out for air, but that bitch came up to me and snatched the motherfucking phone out of my hand. I tried to hurry and go after the broad, but I was in a wheelchair. Ten minutes later, I found her and she’d hung the phone over the pool.

  “You can have it back if you tell everyone we’re back together.”

  “We hooked up twice, and it wasn’t that memorable. Why would I want you when I’ve got the perfect woman?” I was pissed. All I could think about was her being the one who snipped my brakes.

  “You’re a fool,” she said before she tossed my phone to the ground, shattering it on impact, and kicking it into the pool.

  I didn’t tell Natalie the truth then because I didn’t think she would believe me since Courtney and I had a past, but now I wished I’d been honest from the time I woke up in the hospital.

  We got to the hotel, and that was when she noticed my injuries. The shock was clear on her face, but it didn’t stop the anger there.

  When we got up to the room, Tim told her, “Don’t hit him. Wait until he’s healed before you start. You could accidentally kill him.” Then he left us alone.

  “I don’t know where to start.”

  “How about the truth? Did you or did you not sleep with her?”

  I paused too long, so she got up and walked to the door.

  “I’m done. Stay away from me, Cameron,” she shouted with tears.

  “It was more than six months ago.”

  “So how did she just happen to have your phone in her bedroom?”

  “That bitch stole my phone that night. I don’t know if you can tell, but I can barely walk. If I could’ve fuckeda woman,it would’ve been you. I’d show you who the fuck you belong to, and you’d better believe I will, soon.”

  “Why were you with her? Why did she claim you two were engaged? When did this happen?” she cried. It fucking broke my heart, and Courtney would pay big time.

  “Natalie, she showed up at my mom’s party with another one of the guests. I tried to avoid her, but I was in a wheelchair and limited in my movements. I was looking at the text about your last test when she took my phone right out of my hands. You can ask my sister, she came out before I was able to climb out of chair and choke the bitch. I can’t believe she contacted you. Why didn’t you tell me when I talked to you the next night?” I accused.

  “Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Why didn’t you tell me something happened to you? You’re here all broken, and this is the first time I’m finding out about it.”

  “I’ve made so many mistakes this past month, but I plan to make it right. I promise. Please come sit down here. I’ve been dying to see you, and seeing you in the arms of another man gutted me today. I’m angry with you about it, but I know that it’s my own fault.”

  She came and sat down on the bed next to me. I used my good right hand and grabbed hers. I caressed it, and I knew as her pulse raced that she still felt something for me, or at least I’d hoped so.

  “I’d just finished talking to you when I left the office. The accident happened on my way home. I hadn’t gotten far before I crashed. I’d pressed my brakes when I came around the ridge, and they failed. I crashed down an embankment and into a tree.” I paused when she gasped.

  I pulled my phone out of my coat and showed her the headline from the next morning, so she knew exactly what day this happened.

  She read the headline out loud:

  Billionaire Business Man Cameron James Involved in a Nearly Fatal Accident.

  She barely finished the sentence because her body was racked with sobs.
I took the phone from her and held her as best as I could.

  “I knew if I told you, you’d have come to Seattle, and I knew how important graduating was to you and you were almost done. The thing is… I wanted you with me, but I knew that my accident wasn’t an accident—someone cut my brakes. That’s why I called less and less. As much as I needed you, I needed you safe. I thought if I hid my relationship with you, you’d be protected, but I was wrong. I’d hurt you the most.”

  She wrapped her arms around my neck as she cried, “I wish I was there.”

  “Look at me, Natalie,” I commanded. She pulled away enough for me to see into her beautiful, bright hazel-green eyes.

  “I love you. I’m sorry, but I love you. I know there’s danger ahead, but I selfishly need you.”

  “I love you too, Cameron. I’ve missed you, and her call to me broke my heart.”

  “What did she say to you?”

  “She told me you two were together that night… and… that you’d left your phone at her place and for me to stay away because you two were getting married.”

  Damn, the tears falling from her eyes were killing me. “Please stop the tears. I can’t take it.”

  “I can’t help it. My heart’s been breaking for days.”

  I wanted to kill that bitch. “I’m sorry I ever dealt with her. Before you ask, she wasn’t one of the debutants that we talked about. I met her elsewhere, but later found out she knew some of the dumb bitches that belonged to the country club.”

  I felt her lips on my neck and I wanted her kisses, but I was fucking jealous about the other guy whose cologne I could smell on her clothes.

  “Tell me. Who was the guy I decked who’d been touching you?”

  “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”

  Anger raged through me. “Go in the bathroom and take a shower, now,” I growled

  “What?” she asked.

  “You smell like him. Go take a fucking shower. The thought of his scent on you makes me want to snap his neck. Go now.”

  She got up and walked into the bathroom without a word. I’m glad that her bitchy roommate wanted to rub Natalie’s makeover in my face. It’s what got me there before she hooked up with that fuck. It didn’t escape my notice that she was thinner than I remembered. I stared at that photo on my sister’s phone the whole way from the airport to the party. She was smiling, but it was clear that she wasn’t happy. The dress was a tight purple wrap thingy that clung to her. She looked amazing, only she’d worn it for someone else. That sexy look wasn’t meant for me.

  When we were in the truck, I could smell the liquor on her breath. I remembered her telling me that she didn’t like to drink because of her parents’ problem with alcohol. She was a mess and went back to her ex-boyfriend. Courtney was going to pay for that. It was bad enough that the handsome asshole already had what was mine, but she’d been so hurt she went back to him to cope.

  Her cell was in her purse on the bed next to me, and I took it out because it kept ringing. I prayed it was that asshole from the party, so I could have a reason to kill him. It was Emmy calling like crazy.

  “Emmy, Cameron here.”

  “You bastard. I sent Vanessa that picture to show you what you lost… not for you to come and snatch her up. You deserve a punch. You damn well be ready to receive it.”

  “Calm down. It was a big misunderstanding. Call Vanessa, she’ll tell you. Either way, Natalie is busy tonight. Also I want you to know that I appreciate your love and concern for her.”

  I hung up the phone because I heard the shower turn off. She came out in a towel. I might not be able to fuck, but I sure as fuck wanted to. I’d missed her, and this was the first time she wasn’t fully dressed in front of me. It was pure torture.

  “I don’t have any clothes here.” She shrugged sheepishly.

  “My luggage is right there. Get a pair of boxers and a shirt.” She got dressed, and now it was my turn to get ready for bed. I still needed some help undressing. Thankfully I could manage some shit on my own, but it wasn’t easy. Once she was dressed for bed, I called her to me.

  “Now, undress me.”

  As some big guy was carrying me to the truck, I turned to see Cameron knocking Jeff out cold. That was bullshit, and I was pissed. He had a lot of nerve after his betrayal. At least Jeff never cheated on me and broke my heart and trust. I looked out the window to see what would happen, and then I noticed his sister and some other big guy helping him to the truck.

  He was wearing a long-sleeved Mariners tee shirt and joggers and looked hot as hell, but then I realized it wasn’t a long-sleeve shirt. He had a cast on his left arm. Even in my drunken state I could see that he needed help getting to the car, and I knew it wasn’t because he got into it with Jeff.

  I lost control when he looked at me. I wanted to be in his arms and have him tell me how much he missed me, which only angered me further. He cheated, and I let him have it, forgetting that he was hurt until the big behemoth, who made Cameron look small, held me back.

  When Tim, the big behemoth, warned me not to hurt him until he was healed, I sobered up. I saw the terrible injuries he suffered. He’d been through something, but he still betrayed me so my concern for his injuries paled in comparison to the injuries he caused in me.

  By the time he showed me the article on his phone, my heart had forgiven him. My mind was out for revenge on his ex-ho. She did this to me; granted had he talked to me, he wouldn’t have caught me with another man and about to give him my pussy. I still wanted to kick him, but he was getting a pass until he was healed. There wasn’t a doubt that I owed him an ass whooping for keeping something so important away from me. My safety and education be damned—I almost lost him.

  When he told me to shower in a jealous rage, my pussy juiced. He was commanding when he wanted to be. I did as I was told and got into the shower. As I washed Jeff’s scent and cologne off of me, I thought about all the naughty phone calls we’d had.

  We’d never gone as far as phone sex, but we got close several times. I’d taken out my trusty vibrator after every call with Cam and thought about him tasting my pussy like he promised he would. I damn near came in the shower just thinking about it. I hurried and rinsed off because I truly missed him.

  I knew if he couldn’t have sex with me tonight, there was no way he could’ve fucked that broad like she claimed. It hurt that he had before, but it was the past, and I’m adult enough to get over it. I didn’t regret that he was going to be my first, but I wasn’t his. It was just the way of things. Men were oversexed since their teens, but he was mine now, and if this bitch wanted him, she’d have to go through me.

  He commanded me to put on his clothes, and I creamed a little more. I guess I was one of those submissive women. Mentally I was like, “Yes, master.” In reality I was too shy for that type of sexual behavior.

  “Now, undress me,” he ordered. I hesitantly walked up to him wearing a white V-neck undershirt, slightly wet from my hair, and a pair of red and blue plaid boxers. I watched his eyes darken as he looked at my nipples that had the nerve to harden instantly.

  When I approached, he was breathing heavily, and I knew that it was from desire. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted it up and over his head. Luckily, the cast was only on his forearm. He groaned slightly, but smiled when I tossed it on the floor and looked back up at him. I didn’t dare look at his chest. I saw the outline the moment he walked out of the party. His muscles were well hidden under his suits.

  “Baby, you can look. It’s all yours,” he said, daring me to look at his strong, furry chest, but I still refused to look.

  I looked into his eyes and asked, “Is it really?”

  “Damn it, Natalie. Before this shit, did you doubt me?”

  “No, but I’m sorry.” I started to break down. Everything with him was new territory. I sheltered myself from the pain of rejection, and he took me out into the storm of life but hadn’t shielded me from its harm. I didn’t know how to trust him to go back o
ut into the storm.

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s my fault you doubted me, but I promise that my mind, body, and heart have been all yours since we met. Now, could you please help me with my pants?”

  I didn’t reply. I just pulled them down and was taken by shock to see he’d gone commando. His long, thick cock was extremely hard and nearly hit me in the face. I giggled.

  “I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you I was naked underneath.”

  “Yeah, right, I bet you forgot. Or maybe you just wanted me to get a close-up of what you’re working with.”

  He used his good arm and pulled me up to face him.

  “Careful, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

  “I don’t care. I’ve missed you. Now, let’s get to bed.”

  “You’re going to sleep like that?” I said, trying not to look like a horny virgin.

  “Yep—better get used to it.” He climbed up and scooted onto the bed, pulling the covers from underneath him, then patting the spot next to him.

  I climbed in with him, glad that there was some barrier between us. Not that I didn’t want to be with him, but he was hurt.

  He laid on his right side and tucked me into his body. Being there in his arms felt right.

  “I love you, my Natalie, and I promise to worship you forever,” he whispered in my ear before gently taking it between his teeth for a nibble.

  “Promise,” I said almost pleadingly.

  “I promise,” he whispered solemnly.

  Chapter 4

  I held her all night. I was too afraid to let go, or she’d be gone. I didn’t take the painkillers because I didn’t want this moment blurred by the medication. When I woke up the pain was strong as hell, but not as bad as it’d been these last few days.

  I was pretty much working from home since my accident, so I decided I might as well stay until her graduation. I wasn’t going to leave her alone with young men who clearly wanted her a lot. It still galled me that she was with someone else. I wondered if they’d been together before the party and were just coming out again as a couple. Either way, it really didn’t matter—she was mine. Nobody was going to take her from me.