“I don’t think so. When you know, you just know.”
“Is this another effort to get into my pants?”
“Not hardly. Unless it’s working.”
He checked the last closet, finding it empty and satisfied that no one was hiding in the apartment.
“Is it working?” he pressed.
“Possibly. Right now, I’m not sure how I feel. Mostly just relieved that he’s going to be in jail until he sees the judge Monday.”
“What are you going to do after that?”
“I don’t know. I already filled out the paperwork for a restraining order. I’ll file that first thing Monday morning, hopefully before the judge hears Jim’s plea. Then I’ll show up to the hearing and hope that the judge calls on me.”
“What if he doesn’t?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. There’s no use worrying about things I can’t control that haven’t even happened yet.”
“Ain’t that the truth?”
Abby walked back through the kitchen and grabbed a pair of beers out of the fridge. She handed one to Trevor and led the way into the dining room.
Trevor sat down, watching Abby as she lowered herself into the chair. Even terrified, she was beautiful. She drained the beer quickly, setting it down on the table and staring at the empty bottle forlornly.
She was obviously still unsettled, and one beer wasn’t going to take the edge off. Trevor sipped his beer, watching her from where he sat. She was quiet and she looked so lost. Trevor was angry, but he wasn’t about to let on. It wasn’t her fault, but he was pretty sure that if he ever saw Jim again the man would leave with more than just a black eye.
Abby sat at the table across from Trevor, staring at her hands.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s no way I’m going to be able to sleep.”
“Do you want me to stay?”
Abby thought about it a moment. She was tempted to say no. She was the strong one. A rough and tumble kid from a tough neighborhood in Chicago, nothing had ever frightened her like this before. Being in Washington had softened her up, apparently. She should say no, should stand up and be tough, but she couldn’t. She had to be honest.
“I need you to stay with me. Just tonight, I just don’t feel safe.”
“I understand. And don’t worry. I might have come off a little pushy in the hospital, but I’ll be on my best behavior.”
Abby smiled.
“I appreciate it.”
“I can even sleep on the couch if you want.”
“But what if I don’t want that?”
Something in her voice had changed. Trevor looked up, startled.
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean. I sent you home tonight because I didn’t want to fall into bed with you too fast. I can’t keep my head on straight. But what if I don’t want to?”
“So you want me to sleep in your room?”
“I do. But that’s not all I want.”
“Abby. You don’t have to. I’m willing to wait for you. You’re sexy, you’re feisty and you’re amazing. But I can’t go to bed with you thinking that you’re only doing it because I saved your life.”
“I’m not.”
“How can I be sure?”
“Because we’re even. First I saved your life and now you saved mine. We’re one for one. Besides, the fact that I want to sleep with you has nothing to do with saving my life.”
“Then what is it?”
“Seriously? I would think a man with your experience would have noticed I’ve been trying to keep my hands off you all night.”
“No, I hadn’t noticed.”
He was being honest.
“Maybe you need your head examined. It was pretty obvious to me.”
“Maybe I do,” his voice grew husky. “You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find a gorgeous doctor to help me out with that, would you?”
He leaned across the table and kissed her softly, his lips lingering on hers.
“I might know someone.”
She winked, standing up from the table and walking out of the room slowly. Trevor watched the way her full hips swayed as she walked, licking his lips and trying to resist the urge to take her right there in the dining room.
She turned and flashed him a sweet smile that held a bit of wickedness.
“Are you coming, Trevor?”
She didn’t need to ask him twice.
*****
Trevor caught her before she made it to the bed. He pulled her roughly into his arms, his mouth crushing hers in a passionate kiss. He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her ever closer.
Their kisses were frantic as they moved towards the bed. Abby pulled Trevor’s shirt up over his head. He returned the favor, grabbing the hem of her soft, clingy dress and pulling it over her head in one smooth motion.
Trevor’s hand snaked around her rib cage and unclasped her lacy pink bra expertly, releasing her full breasts against his bare chest. He unbuttoned his own pants and shoved them down, kicking the last of his clothes off with little care. He would find everything later. Right now, he was on a mission.
Abby moved to slip her lacy thong off, but Trevor stayed her hand.
“I want to look at you when I take them off,” he said.
The room was dark, but the hallway light flooded the small room with enough light for him to see her clearly. Abby blushed, unaccustomed to being put on display.
She felt suddenly shy, but Trevor’s smile reassured her. She was petite and fit, but her curves had always caused her to feel a little self-conscious. Rail-thin wasn’t a word that would ever be used to describe her body type.
Trevor stepped back, drinking in the sight of her with a huge grin on his face.
“You’re perfect,” he said.
Abby struggled to take her eyes off him, but she couldn’t. He was unashamed, standing in the wash of the hall light bare naked and completely exposed. His erection stood boldly away from his body.
It was suddenly obvious why Trevor was so confident. He was gorgeous naked. Every inch of him.
Abby stood, skin afire beneath his gaze as his eyes raked over every inch of her. He knelt before her, and slid his hands over her belly. Strong fingers slipped into the waistband of her thong, giving a gentle tug.
Slowly, he slid the lacy panties down, watching as they revealed her sweetness. His breathing was ragged, hands trembling almost imperceptibly. When he revealed her essence, he pulled in a quick breath.
“You’re beautiful, Abby.”
He leaned forward, warm lips pressing against the mound of her sex. Abby closed her eyes, letting her hands work through his sandy blond hair. Trevor’s tongue darted between her folds, threatening to buckle her legs beneath her where she stood. She moaned, letting her head roll back and her eyes open slowly. She was finding it hard to breathe.
“You like that?” Trevor asked without moving his mouth away from her.
The resulting vibration felt nearly as good as his tongue, but she wanted more.
“It feels wonderful, but I want to feel you inside of me.”
“Are you ready?”
One eyebrow arched in disbelief.
“We can worry about foreplay next time. I’m ready now.”
“Next time?”
“Yes,” she was exasperated. “Aren’t you spending the night?”
“Yes.”
“Okay then.”
She didn’t say another word, just pulled him up, kissing him on the mouth and turning with him while they walked. When the back of his knees made contact with the bed, she shoved him down and straddled his hips.
“Hmm. I like your style. Short and sweet and on point.”
She covered his mouth with hers, quieting him as she hovered over his throbbing desire. She lowered herself onto him, taking her time and enjoying the feel of him as her body stretched around him.
Her eyes lock
ed with his and she smiled, biting her lips as she started moving. Her movements were slow at first, picking up speed as she went. Nails dug into his shoulders, leaning back to give herself some leverage.
Trevor cupped her round ass in his hands, squeezing roughly and moving her faster. Her climax built quickly. She buried her head against his neck and bit down, moaning low as she drew closer to orgasm.
Trevor watched her body move, enjoying the sounds of her pleasure as she chased euphoria. Without warning, passion overcame him, causing him to cry out and thrust ever faster. It was all she needed to send her over the edge.
She rode wave after wave with him, calling out his name and convulsing around him. He held her close, strong hands splayed over her backside and thighs.
She collapsed on top of him, still holding him inside of her.
“That was amazing,” she gasped.
“You are amazing,” Trevor countered.
They fell back onto the bed, both trying desperately to catch their breaths. A tangle of arms and legs, Trevor squeezed her tight while her body trembled with the final waves of her climax.
She pushed back, sitting up so she could look at him. Her face was positively naughty when she caught his eye.
“What?” he asked.
“Are you ready for round two?”
He growled, lunging for her and toppling onto bed with her. His still hard member slid into her and he moved quickly, drawing her pleasure to the surface again.
“I could do this all night,” Trevor ground out between thrusts as he hovered over the edge once more.
“Good. I’m going to hold you to that.”
No sooner had the words passed her lips than her head fell back and she writhed and quaked with a second orgasm. Trevor let go at the same time, burying his face in her neck and trailing kisses up and down her shoulder while she moaned and bucked beneath him.
Abby smiled and giggled, eyes twinkling with want.
Trevor met her gaze, wondering if she was serious.
“Again?” he asked.
“Again,” she replied.
“With pleasure.”
*****
Abby woke that afternoon, feeling lazy and quite satisfied. Her body ached in some places, but it was the good ache that you only get from a long night, and morning, of love making.
Trevor moved around the room in the fading afternoon light, completely oblivious to Abby. She watched him, unashamed. He was gorgeous naked, the picture of chiseled perfection.
He turned to pick up a piece of discarded clothing from the floor and caught her watching him.
“Want to go again?” he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
“No. I’m all set for the today. I have to work tomorrow and I’d like to be able to walk straight.”
“Suit yourself.”
“I like what I see, though. You look good naked. Have you ever thought of modeling?”
“I don’t think that the photographer would appreciate me constantly sporting a bruise.”
“I thought you were done with hockey. So the issue with bruises wouldn’t come up.”
“I never said I was giving up hockey. I said I would think about it.”
“So you thought about it and decided that your life was worth the risk?”
“I never said that either. I just said I wasn’t giving up yet.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I don’t know, Abby. It means nothing right now. Or maybe it means everything. I’m thinking about it.”
He pulled on his boxer briefs and his jeans and began digging through his overnight bag. Her heart sank when he pulled out his jersey.
“So that’s it, you thought about it, and you’re just going to keep going with your head in the sand? Don’t be foolish, Trevor. It won’t take much to end your life.”
“Jeez Abby, please. I have something I have to do. I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but I’m not willing to give up on my dreams just yet. No matter what the cost. Can’t you just trust me? I love you, and I’m taking what you said into account.”
He stopped, going to her and kissing her quickly.
“I love you. And if you love me, you’ll trust me. I’ve got this figured out, but I have to talk to Coach first and see what he says.”
“How is your coach going to make a decision without putting your life at risk? I don’t want to watch you die when you could have prevented it.”
“Abby stop. Just trust me, please.”
“How can I? You’re going to the game and nothing is going to change your mind. How is that any sort of compromise?”
“Come with me, Abby. Please. I need you there.”
Abby looked into his eyes, pleading with her to let go of the facts and let him live his dream. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t stand the thought of losing him.
“No,” she said finally. “You’re a grown man. If you choose this, then we’re through.”
“Just like that? You’re going to throw everything away because I won’t walk away from hockey? Who’s pig-headed now, Abby?”
“I care about you. Can’t you see that? I can’t just let you die.”
“I’m not going to die. Dammit, Abby. You’re not hearing me. I have a plan.”
“Your plan can’t compete with reality.”
“You know what? I can’t do this right now, Abby. I have to go. We’ll talk tomorrow. I love you.”
He leaned down to kiss her again, but she turned away.
“Fine, Abby. Be that way. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“If you’re still alive tomorrow,” Abby countered.
“Don’t be dramatic.”
“Why not? If you can be a complete idiot, I’m entitled to my drama.”
“Whatever, I’m out.”
“Leave. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!”
Trevor opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it and grabbed his bag. He stormed out of her apartment and slammed the door. The apartment shook and the sound echoed long after he was gone.
Abby’s face crumpled. Just like that it was over. She couldn’t be with a man that would take such careless risks with his life. She couldn’t watch him destroy himself for a game.
Abby showered and dressed quickly. She had nowhere to go, but she couldn’t stay in bed, naked and smelling of him and their love-making. The sooner she washed Trevor Miles out of her memories the better.
He would only break her heart.
Still damp from the shower, she ripped the sheets off the bed and marched to the washing machine. The urge to throw them away was strong, but they were her favorite sheets and she wasn’t irrational. If she threw them out because they reminded her of Trevor, she might as well burn her entire apartment to the ground.
And that wasn’t going to help anyone.
She dumped a heaping cup of soap into the wash and slammed the lid. She was so angry she wanted to scream.
What was he thinking? Didn’t he realize that he was her entire world and she didn’t want to live without him?
He said he loved her, but she didn’t see how that could be. How could you love someone and still choose a game over a long life with them? Abby didn’t know, but she doubted that Trevor did either. He was going after what he loved without worrying about the consequences.
Abby straightened up the apartment, cleaning up the dirty dishes they’d left and making sure that everything was where it belonged. She threw away any evidence of Trevor in her life, dropping it into the trash and tying up the bag. She placed the bag in the dumpster and took one more turn around her apartment.
Everything was back to normal and as it should be. Tomorrow, she would go to work as usual and forget that Trevor had ever been a part of her life.
It was settled.
So why was she still so angry?
*****
Abby paced the floor, her anger overwhelming her.
“What the hell is he thinking?” she said out loud to the empty apart
ment. “Maybe he wants to die.”
She was so angry. They had a good thing, and he was willing to just give it up for a stupid game. Hot tears threatened, but Abby pushed them back. If Trevor Miles wanted to end his own life doing something stupid and pointless, that was his fault.
But she couldn’t let it go. She couldn’t just walk away from the greatest love she’d ever known. She had to be there. Maybe, if something happened, she could save his life. What better way to use her skills than to save the man that she loved?
Or maybe nothing would happen and he would be fine. Not every game ended in a head injury, right?
“Yeah right. Don’t be naïve, Abbryana,” she admonished herself. “Something will happen, it’s only a matter of time.”
Decision made, she packed her doctor’s bag and headed to her car. She might not be able to stop him from playing, but she didn’t have to sit back and watch him lose his life if she could stop it.
She threw the bag into her BMW X5 and slid behind the driver’s seat. She wanted to race there, but it was hockey season, which meant the city of Blaine was blanketed in snow and ice. She was racing to save a life. She couldn’t risk losing her own in the process.
Abby tried to remain calm, thankful for the SUV’s handling in the icy conditions. She eased the accelerator down, tiny snowflakes flinging themselves silently against her windshield.
She got to the rink quicker than she expected. She jumped out of the car, shoes crunching in the fresh snow. Abby’s breath crystalized in the air before her. It was freezing, and she wasn’t dressed for this. It didn’t matter, she was on a mission.
She paid for a ticket, stepping through the doors and looking at the clock. Her heart sank. It was already the third period. The game would go on until someone won, and she wouldn’t have a chance to talk Trevor out of playing if he wasn’t already injured.
She stepped carefully down the stairs of the center aisle, ignoring the whispered hisses of the people she blocked as she went.
She couldn’t see Trevor. What number had his jersey read when he was admitted to the hospital? She couldn’t remember and she kicked herself for forgetting something so important.
But, with so many white men with almost the exact build of Trevor, it was going to be impossible to pick him out of the team.
Defeated, she took her seat to watch the rest of the game, setting her doctor’s bag on her feet rather than the sticky floor.
The Crime of Protection Page 44
