“Well, you’ve fucked him a few times. Now maybe you should fuck me.”
I’m about to push the door open and bail on this asshole when he grabs my arm and pulls me around to face him. Before I can resist, his mouth is on mine, one hand holding the back of my head to him. My initial reaction is to scream but that just gives him the opportunity to push his tongue into my mouth. I can taste the cigarette he’s been smoking and it makes me want to retch.
I’m struggling to pull back when the hand that was on my arm reaches for my coat and pulls the zipper down. Slapping his hand away, I feel his chuckle as he grabs me tighter and reaches his hand into my shirt, grabbing my breast in his hand and squeezing hard.
Panic overwhelms me and I switch into fight mode. With all my strength I try to yank my head out of his grip. When he finally lets me go, I fly backward into the window behind me, smacking the glass with a loud thunk.
I reach back and grab my head, the pain overtaking my senses. As soon as I hear the click of his seatbelt release, I grab behind me for the door handle and pull. I fall out onto the parking lot and scramble away from the car. I’m about to get up and make a run for it when I see a flash of someone’s headlights.
Relief washes over me as I realize that I’m not alone in this parking lot and someone’s here who can help me. After another second, I realize that it’s Nate truck, but the driver’s side is empty. He’s already at Boyd’s door yanking him out of the car by his jacket.
Chapter 12
I sit in a daze, not even getting off of the pavement as the ice and snow soaks through my pants. I’m still holding the back of my head where a huge bump has already formed and now I’ve also started shaking.
I started crying at some point, too, but it didn’t even register except for the tears that are making my face extra cold.
I watched Nate pull Boyd out of the car in an all-consuming rage. He threw him on the ground and started beating the shit out of him. For some reason, it just made me feel worse. You’d think I would feel relieved that he’s here to help me but Boyd isn’t even able to fight back. He took one hit from Nate to the face and he’s been down ever since.
Coming to my senses I pull myself off the ground and run over to Nate, grabbing him by the arm and yelling at him to stop.
Boyd is on the ground, certainly no longer a threat. Nate turns around, following my hand where I’ve been pulling on him. I pull my hand back when I see the look on Nate’s face. He’s caught in a cloud of rage. The vehemence in his eyes is enough to make me pull my arm back and step away.
All of a sudden I feel out of my element in more ways than one. Nate isn’t the man I thought he was. Then there’s this creep on the ground who just tried to assault me but now I feel sorry for him after seeing how Nate worked him over. And why in the hell am I feeling sorry for a guy who just groped me? He deserved what he got, right?
And then it hits me. This isn’t me. I don’t deal with my problems by using violence and I’ve never been around a guy who has been drunk or high…whatever Boyd’s deal is right now. I want to blame Nate for putting me in this situation in the first place. But before I worry about anything else, I need to get the hell out of here.
I run around the car, grab my stuff and take off toward my apartment building.
“Leah!” Nate calls behind me.
I can’t deal with what’s happening right now so I don’t turn back, I just keep running. I don’t stop until I’m in my apartment. I slide to the floor, my back against the door. I’m shaking and cold but I can’t seem to get myself off the floor to do anything about it.
Eventually the throbbing in my head gets me moving into the kitchen for an ice pack and pain medicine. From there I just keep moving. I strip my clothes as I walk through my bedroom on the way to take a shower. I might have to burn the clothes based on how awful they smell but I’ll reassess that decision when I’m not feeling so emotional.
Standing under the steady stream of hot water in the shower, my body slowly stops shaking. I’m able to process what happened with a more rational mind and I can feel myself starting to calm down. Nothing terribly awful happened and now I’m home safe. That’s what’s important.
But the next thing I need to work through are my feelings for Nate. I mean, up until this happened I’ve been completely smitten with him. Can’t stop thinking about him, head over heals and all that. Now I feel like I have no idea who this man is or what we’ve been doing the past few days.
I’m dressed, my clothes are in the washer and I’m actually contemplating eating something when I hear the front door open. I don’t turn around right away even though I can feel Nate standing behind me.
Eventually I turn around but I don’t step toward him. I wrap my arms around myself and look at his face. All of the anger is gone. His eyes are back to the calm brown with gold that look at me and see everything that I try to hide. The longing that I see there warms me instantly, my heart starting to pound faster in my chest.
He hasn’t taken his jacket off which tells me he isn’t sure what’s going to happen next either. He’s at the entrance to the kitchen and I can’t get out without walking past him. He takes a step toward me and my response is to back away.
I see the flash of pain in his eyes before he drops his head and stares at the floor. When he looks back up at me with his hands on his waist and a smoldering look on his face, I almost fold and collapse into his arms.
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
I nod my head yes. I don’t trust myself to talk. I’d just start crying and then I wouldn’t get through the questions I have for him.
“Are you afraid of me?” he asks next, searching my face.
Now it’s my turn to look away and study the floor. I want to be honest with him but I have to figure out what it is that I’m really feeling.
“I think,” I say, looking at him again, “that I don’t really know you, how I thought I did.”
I can tell this pisses him off by the way he looks away and exhales but I’m not going to stop.
“You think I’m like that asshole?”
“No. But…”
“But what?” he asks. I don’t like his tone but I can’t tell if he’s mad or frustrated or what. He’s so intense. It’s a side of him I don’t feel like I know as well.
“Why did you ask him to check on me? He’s a total creep.” I ask quietly, not wanting him to get upset or take things the wrong way. I’m not blaming him that this happened but I sure as hell don’t get why he’d want that creep anywhere near me.
“I didn’t ask him. I asked my friend Knox to keep an eye on you and make sure your car started in the parking lot. I was worried because it was so cold again and you haven’t had the battery changed yet.”
“Oh.”
“You’re always by yourself at night, closing the shop alone. Walking out to the parking lot alone. I usually keep an eye on you to make sure you’re okay. But I couldn’t tonight so I asked Knox to.”
“Knox is a good guy but he left early tonight. Boyd was closing so he asked him to check in with you.”
“What did you do with Boyd?”
“I drove him home and put him on his couch. He’ll be fine, Leah, just some bruises tomorrow.” His hand goes through his hair in frustration, a move I recognize that he’ll use when he’s trying not to touch me. “I freaked when I pulled up and saw you…” His voice trails off. He can’t bring himself to say it. “I couldn’t handle that he put his hands on you and I lost my temper.”
“I was so glad you got there when you did.” I whisper.
“I can’t believe this happened. Did he hurt you?”
“Just kissed me and groped me. I hit my head on the window when I was trying to get away from him. I’ve got a knot on my head, but otherwise I’m okay.”
“Motherfucker,” he says. His anger flares, his fists tight against his thighs.
I find myself hesitating again, unsure of what should happen next. What I want
to happen next.
“I called Knox to check in and make sure you were okay. He told me he left early to go out with a girl but Boyd would check on you and I freaked out. I don’t trust him. I got here as soon as I could. I’m so sorry this happened.”
“Yeah…I think I just need some time, Nate. I need to sort through all of the things I’m feeling and figure out what happens next.”
Now both hands brush through his hair in frustration. I know he doesn’t want to leave but I can’t think straight when he’s in the same room as me. Suddenly I feel like I’ve fallen too fast and I can’t catch my breath.
I want him. Lately I think he’s all I want. But I don’t know if I can live the kind of life he lives or be around the kind of guys he surrounds himself with. We might just be too different after all.
“If you don’t want me here, I’ll go,” he says. As soon as he says the words I want to tell him to stay. I bite my tongue.
When I don’t say anything, he turns and walks out the door.
Chapter 13
As soon as the door clicks I want to run after him. What the hell is wrong with me? This is what I wanted, isn’t it? The reckless chance I told myself I’d take in order to find something exciting in my life. And Nate hasn’t disappointed. I can’t blame him for what happened with Boyd. His heart was in the right place.
I doesn’t take long for me to realize that I’m an idiot. I was shaken up by what happened tonight but I should be in Nate’s arms right now, feeling safe and loved. Not standing here alone, pushing him away. Maria always teased me for being such a sucker for love and now that I’ve found it, all I’ve done is question it.
I’m trying to decide if I should get my shoes or find my phone when the front door opens and Nate strides through, radiating emotion.
“Leah, this is bullshit,” he says, standing in front of me. “It’s bullshit! I’m not a violent man, you have no reason to be afraid of me. You mean everything to me and if some creep is going to put his hands on you he deserves to get his ass kicked. I’m not going to apologize for that.”
“Nate…”
“And another thing, I’m not friends with guys like Boyd. I’m not friends with guys who would hurt women. And I can guaran-damn-tee you that you’ll never see Boyd again. No one’s going to hurt you and I’m not going to apologize for that. I’m sorry if I’m not what you imagined I would be.”
“Nate, stop…”
“Just let me finish, okay?” He’s so intense, standing in front of me, putting it all out on the table. A flood of heat courses through my body. His passion is contagious. I want to tell him all of the things I’m feeling too but I can’t get a word in.
“I fell in love with you a long time ago. Long before we actually met. Anytime I caught a glimpse of you it would make my day better. I knew way back then that you were out of my league. You’re beautiful and smart, you work so hard…” He trails off trying to gather his thoughts, trying to get it all out. “And you deserve better than me but I’m selfish and I want you for myself.”
“I want you, too,” I say. He’s standing just inside the doorway, almost in a daze. So I step closer and put my hands on his chest. “I was wrong when I said I didn’t know you. After spending a week with you I know you better than ninety percent of the people in my life. I just freaked out tonight. But I don’t want you to go.”
“Thank God,” he says, closing the distance between us and pulling me in for a heart-stopping kiss. “I wasn’t going to let you go anyway.” His hands caress my body as his lips start to explore. “Not in a creepy way or anything, I was just going to convince you that we’re so good together.”
The next thing I know, our clothes are on the floor mixed in a big pile in the middle of the living room. I’ve completely given myself over to him, letting him take the lead but always begging him to give me more.
His hands explore every inch of me. There’s a delicious tingling sensation that follows his fingers as he moves down my body, squeezing and messaging my skin. The sight of him going down on his knees in front of me makes my desire pool between my legs.
I lean back against the wall and it’s cold on my hot skin. Nate’s hands squeeze my ass, then slowly pull down my panties. He gently blows on my pussy, the contrasting temperatures on my body making me crave the next sensation while I’m moaning my next command.
“Touch me, Nate,” I say. I’m already begging for more and we’ve hardly begun. I’m so conflicted when we start fucking. I want him fast and hard, instant gratification, but at the same time, I want it to last all night.
“I’ll give you what you need, baby.” His finger touches me so gently, teasing me with the pleasure that is sure to come.
“Harder. I need to feel you now.” He pushes his finger inside of me and I cry out. I push into his hand, needing friction. Sliding his finger out, he pushes back in with two fingers, filling me with so much pleasure I cry out again.
“You’re so beautiful, baby. I can’t believe you’re mine.” I look down and his eyes are on me, filled with all of the emotion that he struggles to express.
Reaching down with my hand, I need to touch him. Show him how much I need him too. I caress his cheek while he brings me to the brink of an orgasm with his fingers.
“I don’t want to come until you’re inside of me,” I say, desperate for the intimacy of our bodies being completely joined.
He stands up, leaning his body over me, supporting himself against the wall while passionately kissing me. Our tongues twist and lick each other feverishly while my hands feel all of the hard muscle and smooth skin from his torso, up and around his shoulders and arms. I let my fingers brush through his hair, memorizing how all of the parts of his body feel.
I’m clinging to his neck and shoulders when he lifts me from the floor and slowly slides me back down right onto his throbbing cock. I’m so wet he’s able to push himself completely inside of me with one thrust.
“Oh God. You feel so good,” I say. Moaning with abandonment, I hold on tightly as he starts pumping into me. This position is so deep, I can feel him touch the end of me with every thrust.
His hands are squeezing my ass, pulling me to him. Making me take every thrust as deeply as I can.
“I could stay inside of you forever,” he says, his thrusts pumping into me. I’m squeezing him so hard, being greedy, not wanting to let him go.
My legs start to tremble they’re wrapped around him so tightly. I’m wound like a string, knowing that one of these thrusts will send me reeling and I’ll be lost in pleasure, with him. Every thrust has my pussy begging for more. It strikes me how complete I feel when we’re together like this. I was fucking crazy to let him walk out that door. Now needing him so much has quickly brought me to my tipping point.
“You want it so bad. Take it,” he says. “You can have all of me.” He’s pounding into me making my breasts bounce as I anchor myself against the wall. I can tell I’m close from the warm pool of sensations building at my core.
“I want you so bad, Nate. I need you.” My head is thrown back, eyes squeezed closed as I absorb the thrill of every thrust.
“I’ll take care of you, Leah.”
With his words, I let myself fall. The orgasm consumes me and all I can do is hold onto him while my pleasure courses through my body. He strokes in and out of me a few more times, drawing out every single bit of pleasure.
His last thrust makes him come hard. My pussy squeezes him tightly as his cock pulses his release deep inside of me. He moans my name into my hair and neck, hugging me tightly as I take everything he has to give.
Eventually my legs are tired so I slowly let them back down to the floor. Nate slowly pulls out of me, leaving me feeling empty. He bends over and picks me up, carrying me back into the bedroom.
The bedroom is dark and quiet. We snuggle under the blankets together, his arms wrapping around me. His fingers like to play when we’re lying together like this. They start innocently enough, tracing shapes
and designs on my skin. It doesn’t take long for them to venture to more intimate places.
Tonight, he slips his finger back inside of me, using my arousal and his semen as a means of rubbing my clit until he’s worked me into a screaming frenzy. Watching me get off like that always has a way of getting him ready again.
We’re kissing, our hands going wherever they want to go, doing whatever they want to do. When I need to feel him inside of me again, I slide my body over his and rub myself along his hard cock.
I’m about to take him again when his hands hold my hips in place. I look at his face to see what’s happening, why he won’t let me have what I so desperately crave.
“Tell me first,” he says quietly. “Tell me how you feel.”
“I feel horny for your cock,” I say. Smiling in the dark, I feel him chuckle below me. Surprisingly enough, I don’t blush. I feel confident, something he has made me feel from the beginning.
Slowly leaning over, I kiss him, putting my whole heart into the kiss.
“I love you,” I say.
He smiles in the dark, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close for another kiss.
“I love you, too,” he says. “Let me show you how much.”
I giggle as he flips me underneath him and throws the blankets over our heads. My giggles quickly turn to sounds of pleasure as he does indeed show me just how much he loves me.
Epilogue
One year later—Valentine’s Day
“I thought I told you to wait on the couch?” I call into the kitchen where I can hear Nate clanging dishes. The remains of our Valentine’s Day dinner are scattered across the kitchen table, the candles still burning. Nate must have started cleaning up the mess when I told him I was going to get dessert ready.
I walk over to the table, pick up the candles and take them to the coffee table. I’ve just bent over to set the candles down when I hear the crash of a dish falling and breaking on the tile floor behind me.
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