Evan's Addiction

by Sara Hess

  Evan’s amber eyes darkened. “The dick is in jail, and Elizabeth is fine. She’s been in a couple times to see you but you’ve been out for almost two days.”

  “Really!?” My heavy-lidded eyes strived to widen in relief and surprise.

  They’d caught the guy, Elizabeth was safe, I was safe, and I’d been sleeping for almost two days? There was a window behind Evan and I could see that it was dark outside. I also noticed that there was a shit-load of flowers and plants everywhere. Was I in a hospital or florists?

  Evan’s head dropped on my arm diverting me from the flora overload. “Damn Shaw, these last three days have been the longest and worst of my life.”

  “I may have been sleeping for most of them but they weren’t a cup of tea for me either.” I shuddered in memory.

  He inhaled and exhaled deeply, and then surprised me by climbing into the hospital bed with me. I could see that he was trying to do it carefully so as not to hurt me. His large frame barely fit in the small bed as he lay on his side next to me.

  His lips caressed over my jaw, down my neck, and then up to my ear. His whiskers scraped at me lightly and I shivered, closing my eyes in pleasure as unmanageable tears spilled down my face. His touch seemed so very reverent.

  He must have tasted them because he lifted his head with an anxious frown and put some space between us. “What’s wrong? Shit, am I hurting you?”

  I shook my head as the tears kept flowing. “No, I…I never thought I’d see you again. He wasn’t planning to give me back if you paid that ransom. He was going to sell me off to some fat, sick pervert for sex.” I sobbed softly…and crap, did that hurt my stomach.

  The amber of his eyes seemed to burn with an unholy fire as he cupped my cheek. “I know. Elizabeth told us everything that she went through and what he had planned for both of you. It’s all my fault. I put you in that assholes’ sights. I’m so sorry, Shaw.”

  I blinked through the tears. “It’s not your fault; it’s my freaking bad luck, but at least it was me and not Maya. He told me at first he planned to take her but decided against it because of Nola.”

  Evan’s gaze sharpened. “Landon’s going to flip his fucking lid when he hears that. But in regards to your bad luck…” His thumb brushed away my tears. “I want you to think about what it brought you; a scholarship, David…a friend who was so concerned for you he got you a necklace with a tracker in it making it possible to save you…” Wait?! What was that? “Carrie and a dozen other friends willing to kick-ass for you, and while I hate…hate…” He spit out. “…that you were taken, the fact that you were saved Elizabeth and other girls from being shipped off as sex slaves for fat, perverted men. The cops might even be able to find the other girls he sold. Officer Delaney told me the filthy cocksucker kept records. So what you think is ‘bad luck’, I think is destiny.” He exhaled and set his forehead to mine. “I know you’re my destiny.”

  Each word out of Evan’s mouth got me more choked up, but the last part wrung the breath right out of me. “What?”

  “When you didn’t come back to the apartment that first night I was freaking out, Red, and this was before I knew something had happened to you. The next morning when you still hadn’t made it back I wanted to tear that asshole Ford apart because I thought he’d done something to you. When that guy called me and said he’d taken you it felt like my soul was being sucked from me. Thinking about what he might be doing to you, that I might never see you again, it was like a vice was squeezing the breath and life from me.” He set his lips to my temple. “I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I don’t ever want to imagine it again. I love you, Shaw.”

  If the heart monitor wasn’t still beeping I would have said my heart stopped. Evan loved me!? That…that was impossible. I wished with my whole heart, body, and soul that he did, but…he just couldn’t. I wasn’t that lucky. Love wasn’t for me.

  “How…you can’t love me.” I shook my head in shocked disbelief. “You probably just think that because of everything that happened. Sometimes extreme situations…”

  Evan’s thumb gently pressed against my mouth. “Shaw, the first time you sliced and diced me I was hooked. I thought I was perfectly content with my life before you came along, but then you showed me I had no fucking idea what that word even meant. When you gave me a second chance I let myself go with the flow again, pushing all the emotions I was feeling for you to the side to contemplate at a later date because I’m a dipshit and like to live in the moment, but when you were taken those feelings rose up and punched me in the gut. The fire in your hair may have first caught my attention, but it’s you that’s been making me burn ever since. You’re everything I never knew I wanted; a surprise gift from the universe.”

  My gaze clouded with unbelievable tears and I gripped the forearm attached to the fingers stroking my face. “No ones loved me.” I whispered. Not in twenty years. All anybody did was throw me away, hand me over to the next family, ignore me, use me, or harass me.

  His brows pinched in anger. “That’s not true. David loves you. Carrie loves you. Sam loves you. You’ve worked your way into Nic’s and everyone else’s heart, even Dan’s. Given more time and your willingness to open up more, they too will love you. However, none of them will love you as much as I do, and I have a feeling its the kind of love that gets worse; digging itself so deep it will be impossible to get rid of.” Evan tenderly kissed my nose, each cheek, and than lastly my lips; teasing them softly. “Just thinking about it is making me look forward to it.”

  My nails dug into his flesh weakly and tears trickled from my eyes as my heart cracked open to the possibility. “I don’t have anything special to hold you so I was just trying to enjoy the time I had with you. I wanted to be able to look back and have at least some good memories.” I drew in a sobbing breath. “God, for the last week I’ve been so afraid you were going to tell me time was up.”

  He frowned and resting his head on the pillow next to mine he combed my hair away from my face. “Is that why I felt like you were distancing yourself lately…and why you walked away from me at the courthouse?”

  “You said everything was a struggle with me from beginning to end and when I heard the word ‘end’ that was all I could focus on.” I sniffed.

  “That’s not what I meant at all.” Evan protested with a regretful expression. “I was angry that the judge had me paying Ford’s medical expenses, and I knew you were feeling guilty about it and that made me angrier. I got pissy with you because I wanted my way but you were being stubborn, and you know how spoiled I am.” His lip hitched up. “That asshole should be giving you money for all the grief he’s put you through. You work hard for what you earn and I know that what you’ve saved you view as a means to a new chapter in your life.” I had never told him that and I was only slightly surprised that he figured it out. “I don’t want him taking anymore from you.” His expression had gone a little hard talking about Ford, but now it softened. “As for the struggle I’ve had with you; every single moment has been entirely worth the effort, because you’re worth it, and what’s more, I enjoyed all of it. You’re a treasure Shaw and I would go through the fires of hell to win you and thank the Lord for every pain and burn.”

  I tried swallowing the bucket of tears welling up inside me but I couldn’t contain them all because a small waterfall gushed down my cheeks. This was better than any of my dreams making it difficult to believe. All I’d wanted was for Evan to care for me, want me, keep me.

  An unexpected huge yawn hit me and I brought my hand up to cover it because with how nasty the inside of my mouth tasted my breath had to stink.

  “I can’t believe I still feel tired…and oh god, my mouth feels so gross.” I sniffed, wiping at my wet face.

  With a kiss to my soggy face Evan reached over my body and brought back a cup of water with a straw. I sipped from it thirstily. After I was done he returned it and rested his head back down next to mine.

  “Go ahead and go back to sleep if
your tired.”

  I frowned groggily. “I don’t want to close my eyes. I’m afraid you might disappear. I almost lost you. When I was in that cage I was more distressed at not seeing you again then I was at the thought of the fat pervert who might buy me.” I wondered distantly if I would be this open if I wasn’t so tired. “Hey, are they giving me pain medicine?”

  He inched closer caressing my mouth softly with his and when he pulled back the amber of his eyes was sizzling with all sorts of emotions. “Yes, you probably just got another computerized dose. And Shaw, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here when you wake up again. I promise. You need your rest to get better. The quicker you get better the sooner I can jump your bones.” His grin looked as tired as I felt.

  My lids drooped and a loopy grin tugged at my lips. “I hurt.”

  Evan’s expression instantly turned alarmed. “Where? I’ll call the nurse.”

  He started to get off the bed but I grabbed at his arm weakly, blinking through the drowsiness that was hitting me hard. “It’s my lip. I have an owie on it…can you kiss it and make it better?”

  He stared at me flabbergasted for a moment before flopping back down next to me with a sigh “I’m going to get you back for that later.” But he grinned in relief.

  “Not my fault…I’m pretty sure it’s the pain meds.” I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer.

  Firm lips brushed over mine. “I love you, Shaw.”

  I fell asleep clutching his hand hoping this wasn’t all a dream.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  When I blinked my eyes open I was confused for a moment, but as drowsiness receded memories inundated me; kidnapped, Elizabeth, rescued, Evan, hospital, Evan said he loved me…Evan said he loved me! Did I dream that? Where was he? I could smell him faintly on the pillow but he wasn’t here. He said he’d be here. Unless it had all been a dream.

  I looked around frantically but instead of Evan I found Elizabeth, completely clothed this time in jeans and a hoodie, her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was sitting in the chair Evan had been sitting in last night before crawling into bed with me…at least, I think he had.

  “How are you feeling?” She asked, her eyes somber.

  “Where’s Evan?” I asked, my gaze flickering around agitatedly.

  “He’s in the bathroom.” She pointed to a closed door to my left. I heard water running and my anxiety calmed. “I don’t think he’s left your side the entire time you’ve been here, but he said you woke up last night and he wanted to jump in the shower real quick so he wasn’t stanky when you woke again.” She grinned faintly. “I think you might have downplayed his feelings for you.”

  My muscles unwound at the knowledge he was truly here. Searching for the remote to the bed I inclined the upper half so I wasn’t lying flat. “Evan told me you stopped by twice already. Thank you, but you didn’t have to; I’m fine. I’m sure you have lots of other people you want to be with. I’m just the girl you got stuck with for a few hours.” Elizabeth had been gone for a month. Her friends and family must want to smother her with joy that she was back home safe.

  She shrugged and several emotions crossed her face, but mostly she looked sad, and weirdly guilty. “I needed to make certain you are going to be okay. We may have only been together for a short while, but it was an intense short time; a shared horror-filled captivity.” She whispered, eyes inward.

  I held out my hand and watched as she shook herself out of her thoughts to take it. “Are you doing okay?” I asked. After all that time with that psycho she was probably going to need a little therapy.

  A tear slipped down her cheek. “I still can’t believe I’m out of there; that we were rescued. They told me the reason we were was because a friend of yours hid a tracking device in a necklace he gave you, and for a whole different threat against you. It all seems so incredible.”

  Evan had mentioned that last night; something about the necklace David had given me. I was going to have to find out more about that later.

  “Evan thinks it was fate.” I murmured.

  Libby squeezed my hand and her expression turned tearfully guilty again. “I’m sorry you were taken, but at the same time I’m so very glad you were, because I know I would have been shipped off as some sex slave. That probably makes me seem so selfish…”

  I shook my head stopping her. “If I had to go through all that again so you and other women would be safe from that disgusting, crucky asshole, than I would.” Elizabeth gave a tearful grin at my reference to her swear word. “Evan told me that they may be able to find…” The sound of high-speed clicking had my head swiveling towards the door to find some guy taking pictures of Elizabeth and me. “What the hell…” I uttered.

  “Oh god…” Elizabeth moaned covering her face.

  Neither of us finished what we were saying because suddenly the camera was snatched from his hand and then Blake appeared holding the guy by the scruff his coat.

  “Let me the hell go!” The guy screamed. “Give me my camera or I will sue your fucking ass.”

  “You can try after the hospital, cops, and these girls get done with you.” Blake growled angrily, shaking him slightly. Blake was twice the guy’s weight and height so I could see it wasn’t difficult for him to do. “You’re not supposed to be up here. Get some security up here.” He yelled out into the hallway.

  I stared at Blake and the other guy having no idea what was going when all of a sudden the door to the bathroom swung open hitting the wall with a ‘bang’. I jumped and felt Elizabeth start next to me. Evan marched out with a towel wrapped around his waist and shaving crème covering half his glowering face.

  My gaze locked on him like steel to a magnet. God, he was gorgeous. Please let what he said to me be real.

  “What the hell is going on?” Evan glanced around the room and noticing I was awake his gaze lit up. Seeing him relaxed something inside of me I didn’t even know was coiled tight.

  “This guy snuck up here and was taking pictures of Shaw and Elizabeth.” I couldn’t help noticing that Blake’s intent gaze fixed on Libby and that it didn’t waiver as he explained the situation.

  A scowling Evan took the bulky camera out of Blake’s hand. It looked like he was examining the pictures.

  “Come on, dude. It’s just a few pictures.” The guy bleated. “No harm was done. I’m just doing my job; paying the bills.”

  Evan hit some buttons on the camera and then shoved it in the guy’s stomach. “You’re lucky I don’t smash this thing to dust, as well as you, assbag. You know you’re not supposed to be up here. However, I’m going to let the cops deal with you.”

  Just then two guys in uniforms sprinted into the room breathing heavily. With disgusted looks they hauled camera guy away while he complained the whole time.

  Evan spun and strode over to me. His expression was anxious as his knuckles stroked my face. “You okay? How are you feeling?”

  I wanted to just melt into his touch but…“I’m good, but what was that? Why was that guy taking pictures of us?”

  Blake walked over to the end of the bed as Evan sighed. “There are a horde of journalists and paparazzi outside biting at each others ankles in the hopes of getting yours and Elizabeth’s story. A few others have tried getting in here like that douche-bag but they were caught before they could get to the room. Fucking scum think their rights to a fucking story are more important than your healing and privacy.”

  “Evan, go cover yourself up and finish your face. You’re making Elizabeth uncomfortable.” Blake blurted out with a grunt.

  I glanced at Libby to find her face flushed and her gaze flickering over Evan and then moving to Blake, and staying there. Her discomfort was obvious, but I could see that she appreciated the view of Blake over Evan. I don’t know why but that was her prerogative, and it’s not like I wanted her drooling over Evan anyway.

  Evan shook his head with a grin. Bending down he gave me a soft kiss. “Be right back,” he whispered before striding ba
ck into the bathroom.

  I might have pouted at his absence. “Is what he said for real?” I turned to Blake and Elizabeth.

  “Yes.” Elizabeth sighed and wrapped her arms around herself looking pained. “It’s awful. They’re camped out at my house too. I had to hide in the trunk of our cook’s car just to come see you. I nearly passed out each time being stuck in that enclosed space. It seems I’ve become claustrophobic.” She laughed self-derisively her face pale.

  I reached for her hand again and she clutched at it almost desperately.

  “Damn vultures.” Blake growled angrily. “Don’t you have somewhere else you could stay to get away from them; a friend or relative?” His gaze was fixed intently on her.

  Elizabeth inhaled a shuddery breath. “After everything I just wanted to be back in my old room; around things familiar, but I don’t know now…everything is just so…” She swallowed back what looked liked more tears and let the rest of whatever she might have said trail off; either unable or uncertain how to continue.

  I squeezed her hand in comfort. “I’d invite you to come stay with me but it looks like my place isn’t going to be much better.” Hell, where was I going to go to get away from all this? I certainly didn’t want all the publicity.

  Her lips twisted up in a not so humorous smile. “My parent’s would let me anyway. They’re mad I slipped away and right now they’re on their way here to pick me up…but can I…can I get your number so that maybe we could talk?”

  The desperate yearning in her tone was impossible to say no to. After what we went through I wouldn’t have anyway. “Of course.” I ticked off my number and watched her load it into her phone. She also wrote down hers and handed it to me. “Unfortunately, I don’t have a phone at the moment. Jerk-off probably destroyed it.”

  “I’ll get you a new one today.” Evan said walking back into the room in jeans and a long-sleeved dark blue thermal shirt; his face clean shaven and his hair styled. My heart lifted with the fact that he was back in the room.