by Mary Abshire
Andrew walked into the room. He kept his gaze on her as he walked up and took her hand. She wondered what had been going on inside his mind. Did he want to fight? Did he want to yell? Did he want to rip off her clothes and make love to her? She hoped for the latter as he pulled her to the bed.
“Sit,” he said, and she did. He stood in front of her and ran a hand through his hair.
“What?”
He lowered his arm. “I was listening to a couple of doctors talking today. One mentioned narcotics and another mentioned a drug used to induce comas. I got to thinking about my earlier days as a nurse and remembered the names of a couple of drugs we had to use in trauma with severely injured patients.”
“Okay.” She didn’t know what else to say.
“I’m pretty sure I can get access to the drugs in the maternity ward. And I know how much to administer for one of those drugs to kill quickly.”
“That’s … great.” She felt more like slime now that he’d proven he could get a drug to kill Susan. No, she felt like shit.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you trust me?”
“Yeah, you know I do.”
“Then why did you go behind my back?”
She inhaled a long breath. “I honestly didn’t think it would bother you so much. I wanted you to have the option of using the poison. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings or make you feel incompetent. That was never my intent.”
“I wish you would have told me first.”
“Even if I had, you wouldn’t have wanted me to ask him for the poison.”
“You’re right, because I wanted to get something myself. We don’t need him, but you think we do. I’m willing to bet you would’ve gone behind my back anyway. Am I right?”
She swallowed hard as she considered the question. Troy would do anything to help her and she knew that. So asking for something from him came easy. Was it the right thing to do? No, but jobs got done quicker.
“I won’t lie to you. I probably would’ve asked him even if you’d told me not to,” she said.
“That needs to change. Do you realize that?”
She looked down as she thought about his statement. She wanted to stop going to Troy for assistance, but wanting and doing were two different things. She’d done well after they’d arrived in Springfield by conducting her own research and contacting people to learn more about Susan. The progress had been slow, but they’d managed to get pretty far on their own. So why did she still think she needed Troy’s help? She didn’t. She trusted Andrew, so why would she go to Troy when Andrew could handle everything? It was foolish on her part, especially when Troy always demanded some kind of payback.
“You’re right.” She met his gaze. “We don’t need his help.”
“You don’t,” he corrected.
“I don’t,” she said with a slight smile.
“You have to trust and have faith we can do things together. Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t doubt us.”
She nodded, knowing logically he was right. They’d proven they could handle matters working together.
“I’m sorry. I really am. And I will do better.” She thought of their time in New York when Andrew had apologized to her and had vowed to make changes. It seemed the roles had been reversed this time.
Andrew stepped closer. “Now, do you realize what you would’ve given up if you’d killed her?”
“A chance to go to heaven.”
He brushed her bangs aside before he held her face in his hands. “You would’ve given up me, my love, and our future together. I know it’s difficult for you to believe, but I think I was supposed to meet you. Everything has changed for me since I met you. And yes, you have even changed me. We were destined to be together. We’re not perfect beings, but we are perfect for each other. I believe it and I never want to lose you. So if you love and care for me, then listen and have faith. We can be happy in this life and the next, I promise you. Don’t destroy the precious gift we have. Please.”
His tender words struck a chord that ran deep into her heart and chilled her. No man had ever made such a confession to her. From the day she’d found him naked on the road her life had seemed so surreal. She didn’t believe they had been fated to meet, but what he’d said made sense. They balanced each other like yin and yang. He’d never hurt her or forced her into anything. She’d made her choices and she didn’t regret them. Which meant she loved Andrew.
Her eyes began to fill with tears. Her heart wanted to believe everything. To listen and have faith, as he’d said. They could be happy. They were happy. They were in love and what they shared felt better than anything she’d ever felt before. But some part of her brain argued she was living in a fantasy. Nothing could be so good and last. She closed her eyes as fear began to swell within her.
“I want to believe what we have is real and it will endure over time. I do,” she said and a tear ran down her cheek. “Help me.”
He kissed her gently once and then twice. For the third one, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him for a longer, more intimate, and hungry kiss. He invaded her mouth and took his time exploring. Her body tingled with desire while her heart jumped. She wanted him, but not solely for sex. She wanted him for love and to make him happy because that’s how he made her feel.
He ended the kiss but kept his face close to hers. “I will help you.”
If anyone could show her the truth and what was real, Andrew could. Somehow, she knew he could love her the way she needed to be loved. Only he could show her the right path to take in the crazy world they lived in.
He lifted her shirt away from her head before removed his own. She kicked off her shoes and then crawled back over the bed while he removed his scrubs. Eyes full of promise stared at her. The beat of her heart sped. He crawled on the bed between her legs and unfastened her jeans. While he tugged them down her body, she unclasped her bra and removed it.
“Do you have any idea how much I would die if I couldn’t be with you?” he asked. “I have waited too long for you.”
More tears threatened to spill from her eyes. This time love filled her, not fear.
She held her palm up. “Come to me.”
He took her hand and she pulled him closer. His concrete shaft poked her belly as he lowered himself on top of her. She tenderly raked her nails over his scalp and he closed his eyes briefly.
“You are the only man I can love with all my heart.” The words felt honest and true as she said them.
“We can do this.”
“We will do this,” she confirmed.
His lips curled before he brought them to hers. The tender kiss grew into one that left her hot and starving for him. He rocked his hips, rubbing his erection against her. His solid chest chaffed her hard nipples. She spread her legs wider and roamed her hands over his solid back. When she raked her nails over him, he moaned softly. The man was everything she wanted and everything she needed. She had to be the luckiest woman, and if she ever did something to lose him, she would be the stupidest.
Andrew slipped his rigid cock into her with wet depths. Groaning, he slowly filled her. Her body buzzed with need for his love. She sucked on his tongue and brought her legs up to his back. His slow pumps fueled her sexual hunger. She loved how he felt inside her, so thick and so solid. He moved her knees over his shoulders and thrust into her. She moaned and dug her nails into his ass. His movements quickened. With each drive into her, he rubbed her sensitive core, bringing her closer and closer to bliss. This was heaven on Earth and she never wanted it to end.
Blood rushed through her as he slid into her again and again. She was on fire, inside and out as she neared her climax. His muscles and entire body were tense as if he were ready to come too. He worked harder to go as deep as he could. Her body felt ready to combust. The abrasion on her nub and the fullness of him deep inside became too much. Her release arrived with loud moan and strong contractions. Panting, Andrew continued toward his goal. When he reached it, he covered
her mouth and sucked on her tongue. His shaft hammered at her inner walls, keeping her orgasm from dying. He felt so good and so right. And the love they had felt pure. She never wanted to lose him.
Life was crazy, twisted, and full of pain and sorrow. She’d seen and felt enough. Andrew had shown her true happiness and given her love. He’d asked for trust and help in destroying demons. The doubt and fear in her mind hadn’t completely disappeared, but her heart knew what was best. They had a limited time on Earth, but an eternity to spend together if she was willing to accept him. She wouldn’t deny her love for him any longer.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Andrew rolled onto his side and noticed something missing. There should’ve been a warm body lying nearby. He opened his eyes and found himself alone in bed. A sheet covered his legs. He sat up and looked around the dim room. Sunlight squeezed into the room from the edges of the curtains. Emily’s purse and keys were sitting on the dresser. She couldn’t have gone far without them. The doors to the hall and bathroom had been shut, but the closet one remained open. He listened for sounds and heard a lawn mower somewhere outside. Where was the woman he loved? He breathed in deeply and smelled a delicious meaty aroma. He had a good hunch where he could find her.
He left the coziness of the bed. It wasn’t as comfy without Emily anyway. He found his clothes on the floor where he’d left them earlier. The memory of her confessing her love he’d branded to his brain so he’d never forget. The make-up sex had been incredible too. His dick twitched thinking about her kiss, the feel of her soft body, her scent, her inner depths… He loved everything about her and it seemed she finally realized it. He gathered his boxers from the floor and slid them on before leaving the bedroom.
The sound of something sizzling drew Andrew’s attention to the kitchen. He rounded the corner to find Emily cooking. She wore running tights that reached her calves, a white tank top, and a sports bra. She’d bound her hair behind her head and the tail end brushed her back when she moved. Her phone, earplugs, and some kind of band with a case lay on the center island. A large pot sat on a burner in the back, but she didn’t pay any attention to it. She was too busy with the pan before her. As quietly as possible, he walked the long way around the island. Too engrossed with the food in the pan on the stove, he snuck up behind her. He planted a kiss on her shoulder and she jumped. The pan in her hand clanked on the burner.
“Damn it Andrew,” she said, startled.
He slipped his hands around her waist, then up to her breasts. The sports bra flattened them too much. “You left me alone. I don’t like it when you do that.” He kissed her shoulder again. His cock stiffened from touching her soft skin. He pressed his erection against her.
“Yeah, well I started to think you had a monster in your stomach. It was making too many scary sounds,” she said.
“Was it really?”
“Yeah,” she said, nodding. “I would’ve fixed breakfast this morning, but we were occupied.”
“Mm… I’d rather have you than food any minute of the day.” He squeezed her body to his and enjoyed the memory of him making love to her.
“Your stomach disagrees.” She flipped over the large steak in the pan.
“Is that for me?”
“Yes. I wasn’t sure what time you’d wake up, so I wanted to have it ready. I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t fix anything else. There are plenty of raw veggies in the fridge to snack on.”
“What’s in this other pot?” He stepped to the side and peered in it. Beans were soaking in water.
“I’m going to fix a bean and sausage jambalaya later. I found a recipe online.”
She speared the steak with her fork and placed both on the dish setting close by. The meat looked juicy and not too well done. After she turned the burner off, she placed the hot cookware in the sink. While she rinsed the pan, he claimed his hunk of meat and headed for the table. The vertical blinds were open. Sunlight brightened the house. He took a seat where he could look outside.
“Do you want anything to drink?” she called out.
“Water is fine.” He lifted his fork and realized he was missing something. “And I need a knife.”
He gazed out the window at the demon’s backyard. Brian was swinging from the playground set. Susan walked by her patio window, holding the baby.
Emily set the bottled water on the table before handing the knife to him. “Brian’s been outside playing for a while. I haven’t seen Mark or Sara.”
“Thanks.” He took the knife by the handle from her. “Sit with me.”
She ran her fingers into his hair, tilted his head, and then brought her lips upon him. Her touch alone made his cock swell, but when she gave him a kiss, it enlarged even more.
“I’m going for a jog. I ate while you were sleeping. Since the bitch is home, I’d like to check out what she’s doing.” She slid her hand away, but he caught it.
“Emily, please don’t—”
“Relax, I’m not going to do anything.”
“Promise?”
She gave him another kiss. “I promise. I’m not going to do anything to cause a problem.”
She sounded sincere, so he believed her.
“Where’s the poison?” he asked.
“In the top drawer with my underwear. Chill, angel, you have me. I’m not going anywhere. Other than around the neighborhood while I jog.” She gave him a cocky grin.
Her words brought him a wave of happiness. Yes, he had her and he wouldn’t let her go. It made him feel better now that she had accepted it. He released her hand as she walked away.
She stopped at the center island and retrieved her phone. After she strapped it to the side of her arm, she pushed one plug into an ear. “Leave the door unlocked for me, okay?” she asked on her way to the hall.
“Sure thing.”
He heard the front door open and shut as he cut into his steak. He took his first bite of the meat and moaned. She’d seasoned it well.
He took his time enjoying his juicy steak and staring out the window. Brian had stopped swinging and stared riding his slide over and over again. He ran around the play set, throwing his arms out as if he were a bird trying to fly. Watching him brought a smile to Andrew’s face. He’d had a happy childhood and had been able to run and play. His parents had loved him, shared time playing with him, and had always been available when he needed them. Even on the day he died.
Having finished his food and water, he sighed and pushed the plate forward. His punishment for his promiscuities had showed him a new world, one where he’d fallen in love. He believed his relationship with Emily had been predestined. It took someone strong and independent like her to show him the error of his ways. At the same time, she needed someone like him to learn and change too. They made a great couple.
With his plate and empty bottle, he headed to the kitchen. After he tossed the bottle in the bin, he rinsed off his dish in the sink. From the window above he saw the demon carrying a tray of flowers. She had her hair pulled back, and wore jeans, a t-shirt, and gardening gloves. She stopped along the side of her home and kneeled with the tray. Emily jogged by and the demon shifted her gaze. The demon stood and removed her gloves while she followed Emily’s movements. Susan rounded the corner and disappeared from Andrew’s sight.
He shook his head in disgust as he put his dishes in the dishwasher. He wished he could walk up to Susan, shoot her, and then destroy the demon if he knew he could get away without getting caught. Such a shame people didn’t see her crimes and couldn’t see demons disguised as humans. Maybe the world would be different. Safer. Happier. He dropped a cleansing cube in the dishwasher before he started the wash cycle.
His chance to kill Susan was drawing near. He could feel it. All he needed to do was get his hands on a narcotic or one of the drugs used to induce comas. With the right dosage, either one would kill her within minutes. Police could do an autopsy and would find she’d overdosed, but he and Emily would be long gone. There would be nothi
ng for the police to suspect he was involved, especially since he had helped take care of the kids and had a good record as a nurse. What motive would he have to kill Susan? He just had to make sure nobody would see him with her when the time came.
Andrew returned to the bedroom and picked up his clothes from the floor. He should’ve washed them like he typically did, but he’d had other things on his mind when he’d arrived home. The scrubs weren’t that dirty, but he preferred a fresh set before starting a shift. He recalled the time on the microwave before he’d left the kitchen. It had shown close to three in the afternoon. His shift started at nine tonight, so he had plenty of time to clean his clothes.
He stopped near the dresser before leaving the room. Emily had said the poison was with her underwear. He’d prefer the toxin be stored in a different place, somewhere away from her clothes. The poison might come in handy one day, so he wouldn’t get rid of it. He opened the drawer where she kept her panties and saw a white FedEx package laying at the bottom. The temptation to take a bottle of poison struck him. If the neighbors were gone, he could visit Susan and force her to drink it. She’d die within minutes and he could destroy the demon. But Brian and the baby wouldn’t have any supervision until somebody noticed or Mark arrived home. Andrew couldn’t leave the children unattended. He shut the drawer and walked away. His plan to kill her in the subbasement of the hospital would work. There was no need to change his plans.
After he started a load of clothes in the washer, he hopped in the shower. Emily would return in the near future, so he wanted to be clean for her. Maybe she’d want to run that wicked tongue of hers all over his body again. Perhaps she’d slide his cock between her beautiful lips and suck him. The mere thought aroused him. He’d like to slip between another pair of lips and fill her.
