Stolen Innocence

by S. M. Stryker

  The way she asks me about my family. me being lucky; I am lucky. I have a great family unit, something I would like when I have a family. What am I thinking? I know I want a family, but I always thought of it down the road, but she makes me think about settling down soon. I can see myself with her. What is it about her that has me thinking this way?

  These are my playing years, play the field and a lot of it, but I do care. Why does she affect me so much? I ask her to spend the next day with me. Where did that come from? I have a shitload of things to do, and I don't have time for this. I don't make time for women, they make time for me on my time. Why am I doing this? I never put off work for a woman, never. But this is different, I know deep down, this is real different. It's more.

  I'm really surprised at how low she thinks of herself. She doesn't think she is worthy of a me or maybe anybody. What make a person so insecure like that, she looked so lost. There’s definitely something more going on, and I want to know what it is.

  The way she looked up at me when I told her how I saw her, it was almost of disbelief but she enthralls me. Oh. My. God. It’s happening. I am starting to fall for her. Hell, I do have feelings for her. I am in so much trouble.

  Her issues all lie in her past, what could be so bad that she would think any person would walk away? However, the past is just that; the past, and I don't care, we all have pasts, we learn from and move on. I won't let her go. I will know her. I will stalk her if I have to. I know there is something between us, and what is with the flinching when I touch her? I apologized for my harsh reaction, but fuck, this isn't the first time I had touched her and she flinched. She has to understand my concern. Of course, there is anger there too, because I don't like it when other men hurt women. That just means they are cowards. I wish I could take her pain away. Whoever did this to her must have been doing it for a while gauging by how anxious she was.

  What am I doing? What is it about her? I've never wanted to spend time with woman the way I want to with Parker. I can't believe I'm thinking this. I think she's the one I have been dreaming of. I ask her to trust me. We can take it as slow as she wants, I can't believe she is going to try! I have to show her that she can trust me and that not all guys are jerks.

  God, that kiss was heaven. Her lips were warm and wet and taste so sweet. I didn't want to stop. She is my drug and I crave her.

  When I brought her lips to mine, I lose myself, it felt so, so right. She has infiltrated me completely. I feel... alive. I feel... terrified, but not in a bad way. I'm terrified because until she came along, I never considered the possibilities. Yep, this is totally it... I'm toast.

  I close my eyes and try to unravel what I’m feeling. It's too late; it's there, and that hole in my heart is being filled. Shit.

  We get to her room, and all I want to do is taste her again, and to hold her in my arms. None of the old fuck-em and dump them shit. Not with her. This is real. This is right... Shit... I'm all over the place.

  I gently kiss her on lips before I left.

  She wonders why I am drawn to her. How could I not be? I'm resolved to build her self-confidence, and to help her see herself as I see her; gorgeous, compassionate, passionate, and witty.

  God, I miss her already. Can I really be feeling this way? No, this is different. I need to call my mom. I pull out my phone and punch in her number.

  Shit, I didn't think about the time. As I start to press the end button when she answers.

  "Ian, are you okay, baby?"

  I sigh. "Hi, mom, I'm sorry. I didn't even think about what time it is . I’ll just call you later."

  "Ian, what's wrong? You called for a reason. Don't let what time it is stop you. Tell me what's going on.”

  "I met someone... she's different. We’ve literally ran into each other four times, but have only gone out once. But we talked for hours. She feels like an old friend that I have known forever but not seen in a long time, and we've picked up the conversation where we left off. She makes me smile and laugh and... feel alive. I haven't felt like that for... well... ever."

  "How does she feel about you?"

  "I think she feels the same. Every time we touch, there’s this strange zapping current that runs through me. I know she feels it too I see it in her face. I just feel like I'm falling in love with her, but I just met her. Is that stupid?"

  "Ian, you know what I think? We’ve been very open with you and your sisters about the importance of not letting something or someone slip through your fingers. I do believe in love at first sight and soul mates. Love is the most exciting and terrifying moment in your existence. It is scary because it is completely out of your control. The heart wants what the heart wants. But it takes two, to make the relationship work.

  "When your father touches me, even to this day, that surge is still there. My advice to you is if she means this much to you, and you can tell it is special, don't risk losing her. Fight for what you want. Sometimes you only have one moment, and if you don't take it, it could be gone forever."

  "Okay, I will. But, mom, there is something else. Someone has hurt her. I don't know, but I think it has to do with her adoptive-father. Her mother was killed several years back, and every time I bring up her adoptive-father, she shuts down."

  "Honey, you are going to have to give her time to trust you, and love will bring that trust. Then she will open up like a rose, and you will know everything. Give her time, care for her, cherish her, and she'll open up to you. Ian, you are a loving person. Trust your instincts."

  "Thanks, mom. I knew I could count on you to help clear my mind. I love you. Good night."

  "I love you too, Ian. Good night.”

  I don't think I have ever felt so alive as I do today. I can't wait to see Parker tomorrow. I know I'm not going to sleep, I mean, it was bad before remembering her beautiful blue eye, the gentle touch of her hands, her smell, I want to bottle it so I can smell her all the time, although I have to admit I haven't had that shirt sent to the cleaners, I can still smell her on it. Her innocence, when she was drying me off after throwing water on me, wiping my cock and not even thinking about it, God, I'm never going to sleep tonight. Those nights were bad because I didn't want her to slip between my fingers. I wanted to meet her but was afraid I would never see her again. But now that we've met, I want to be with her all the time. I have to tell her how I feel. I might be shooting myself in the foot, but she’s worth with the risk.

  Chapter 9

  The Falls

  Parker

  I wake up to the sun shining through my curtainless windows, stretching as I get out of bed. I smile, remembering last night, and that Ian and I will be spending the day together today. I unconsciously touch my fingers to my lips, and smile. I go through my routine with a skip in my step while starting my coffee, making my bed, and taking my shower. I put on a pair of straight-legged jeans, rolling them above the ankle, and put a purple tank top over a light pink camisole. It's a quarter to nine when I slip my flip-flops on. I grab a cup of coffee, walking to the window, looking out at the lovely day that's only beginning. I wonder what Ian is planning. I'm in deep thought when there is a knock at my door, pulling me back to the here and now.

  Opening the door, I'm whisked off my feet, being swung in circles in Ian's arms. It’s a good thing I put my coffee down to answer the door. I'm surprised, laughing hard.

  "I've missed you!" Ian says, as he holds me close in one of the best hugs I have ever had. God, I love this feeling.

  He's wearing a pair of khaki Bermuda shorts, a black v-neck t-shirt that shows the definition of his chest and stomach, and a pair of brown leather flip-flops.

  "Well, hello to you too!" I giggle, trying to catch my breath.

  "God I love that sound," he says.

  "What sound?" I question.

  "Your giggle; it's infectious." Still holding me close, he kisses me on my forehead.

  "I missed you too," I say, smiling up at him. "Do you want a cup of coffee before we leave?"


  "No, I'm good. Thank you though."

  "I know you are," I say, with a wicked smile, as I raise my eyebrow.

  He grabs me again in a hug, kissing my face. "Keep that up and we'll never get out of here."

  I giggle again. I bite my bottom lip.

  He growls. "I can't take it. My control is in shreds here, and you're biting your lip again."

  I chuckle as I let go of my lip. "We better get out of here then," I say.

  "You might want to grab a hoodie or a coat, just in case it gets cold."

  "Where are we going?" I ask.

  "It's a surprise."

  I grab my hoodie, my key, and my phone, as we head out of the apartment.

  “No purse?” he questions.

  “No." I chuckle. “I do have a purse fetish, I absolutely love them, but it’s just easier to put it in my pocket since I only have one key and put my phone in my pocket or bra.”

  We walk out of my apartment building, and I look for a car that I think is 'Ian worthy.' Out of the corner of my eye, I see it; a lifted Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is a beautiful metallic black with chrome accents, running boards, and has big beefy tires; it’s the ultimate boy toy. Ian leads me over to the passenger side, and a smile crosses my face.

  "What are you smiling at?"

  "I was curious about what kind of car you drove, and when I saw the Jeep, I knew it had to be yours."

  Opening the door, he helps me in. "This is just one of my cars," he states as he closes my door.

  The inside is almost as beautiful as the outside, with its black leather seats accented with white stitching. He has the top two pieces of the removable roof off. I haven't been in anything like this before. Ian gets in, and we take off.

  "There are a couple baseball caps in the glove box just in case you want to use one."

  "No, that's okay." I take the hair tie from around my wrist, using my fingers as a comb to work my hair up. I put my hair in a high ponytail before braiding it, using my second hair tie to secure it.

  "How's it look?" I ask.

  "Perfect."

  "What other cars do you have?" I ask.

  "I have a Cadillac CTS, a Dodge Challenger, and a BMW I8."

  I turn and look at him, my mouth agape.

  "Cars are my passion," he states.

  I smile at him. "So I figured; boys and their toys."

  The day is beautiful. The sun is out and there is just a slight breeze. It's only supposed to get to eighty degrees, so it won't be real hot. Although the best part is that I am with Ian. His smile could brighten up the gloomiest days. We are heading East on Highway 84, and I am surprised at how warm it is this early in the morning.

  We stop in Troutdale to eat breakfast at Historic Edgefield Inn. "I just read about this place. Have you been here before?" I ask.

  "Not to this one, but I have been to several of the other McMenamin's, I can't believe how many of them there are now."

  "I read that the main building is also the inn. It houses one of the restaurants, two pubs, and the wine room in the basement. There are other pubs on the property too; ten in all, I think." I share.

  "Wow, I didn't realize there were that many here, You can't drink yet, how do you know all of this?" Ian asks.

  "I read about it, like did you know it used to be a poor farm?"

  "Yes, I had heard that when they bought the property in the '90s," he says, he takes my hand and twines his long finger between mine as we walk into the lodge that housed the main restaurant.

  "I didn't know that they made more than just beer. But from what I read, they make wine, coffee, and hard alcohol too," I tell him, matter-of-factly. They also built an amphitheater. There have been a lot of well-known bands that played here; Chicago, Heart, Fun, One Republic, Norah Jones, Adele, Ringo Starr, and the list go on. Those are some great bands," I say. I'm really into music.

  "I knew a little about it but I didn't know they pulled those bands in though. I haven't gone to a concert in ages. Do you go to a lot of concerts?" he asks, as we wait to be seated, he pulls me into his arms planting a gentle kiss on my lips. I mew.

  "Not a lot. I won tickets a couple years ago to see Journey, Pat Benatar, and Lover Boy at the Gorge amphitheater. Journey was my mom’s favorite band; she loved Steve Perry, that's all she listened to when I was younger. I said as my mind goes back.

  "Did you go?"

  "Um, Yes, my best friend Bridget and I drove up there. The gorge was right behind the amphitheater. It was at the end of July two years ago. It was a good concert even though we were a long way away from the stage. I love all three of the bands, but Journey has always been one of my favorite bands. For sentimental reasons, but I do like their music, the drummer from Journey is from Oregon. Music just has a way of touching your soul. I mean, a song will come on the radio, and I’m instantly taken back in time to memories of what I was doing when I first heard that song. And at a crucial time in my life. Journey... it's my mom." I say.

  "I totally get it. Music has always been important to me too. It's the emotional connection that it leaves me with."

  After eating our breakfast, we wander through the main building, admiring the paintings on the walls. They are all very unique, and eclectic, all in bright colors. Some of them are like the hidden pictures that you find in children's book. There is a slight breeze from the door in the building being open and I can smell Ian cologne, "You smell so good."

  Ian pulls me into him, he is holding both of my hands behind my back and pulling me close to him, so close I can feel his erection. "Have I told you today how beautiful you are?" I stand there, taken by surprise at his words I am speechless. I mutely shake my head. He places his hands at my jaw line while he slowly runs his thumbs over my cheekbones as he looks into my eyes and says "you are the most beautiful thing I keep in my heart." A tears fill my eyes, I can't speak, my heart pounding, I think I am holding my breath and even if I could I don't know what to say so I say it the only way I know how, I pull his face to mine kissing him.

  "Ian, you are an unbelievable man, I don't know what I did to have someone like you in my life. Thank you." I say as I gently kiss him again.

  We continue down the halls of the inn hand in hand, the halls are long and are all decorated with murals. Some of them are of past residents, and some are whimsical, while others look like street art; but most are historical surrealism. We roam the hallways for a couple hours looking at all of them. Each picture tells a different story. Many are about guests that had come to live there when it was a poor farm. I don't have a favorite because they are all so interesting. We walk outside and roam the grounds, looking at all the gardens that are in full bloom. Wisteria and clematis hang from gazebos. The scent of daphnia and roses of all colors in bloom linger in the air. Bunches of yellow and white daisy are set behind mounds of lavender. The lofting scent of the herb gardens are amazing, and colors explode everywhere we look. As we walk the grounds, we see the different building that house the various pubs and restaurants located on the estate, picnic table scattered about, as patrons walk the grounds also enjoying the views with their pints of beer or glasses of wine in hand.

  "Can I ask about your mother?" he asks, "I don't want to upset you, but I would love to know about the woman that influence you so much."

  "What do you want to know?"

  "Tell me what you remember."

  Taking a deep breath, I start telling my memories. "She was my best friend, she looked like she could be my sister, long blonde hair, blue eyes and athletic bodies. She said I had a natural beauty, the real difference was that I have the long dark eye lashes and she didn't."

  We did everything together, shopped, pedicures, the beach. If she needed to go somewhere no matter where it was, she would ask me to go with her, and everywhere we went she always had Journey playing in the car." A tear rolled down my cheek as I brushed it away.

  "How did she die?" He asked quietly.

  "It was just before my thirteenth birthday and she said I co
uld have a big party," I say thinking back remembering. "the party was planned and she was going to pick up the decorations and cake," I take a big breath and blow it out. "she was on her way home when a drunk driver blew a stoplight and T boned the drivers side of her car killing her instantly, I was supposed to be with her, but softball practice was running long, I should have died with her." I say solemnly as I brush another tear away. "Her funeral was on my birthday."

  "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

  "It's fine, I think about it all the time, I think that maybe things would have been better if I would have died with her. I knew things wouldn't be the same but the got real bad after that." I shake my head as if to get the memories out of it and bring me back to the here and now. I smile looking up at Ian, "anyway, and here I am today." Ian doesn't say anything else, he just pulls my hand to his mouth and kisses it.

  "Well, I am glad you weren't with her; If you had been, I wouldn't have the opportunity to know you." He kisses me gently. "I'm glad you are here."

  After working off part of our breakfast, we walk back to the Jeep to continue our journey. It doesn't take long to get to where Ian is taking us. He pulls off the freeway in front of Multnomah Falls.

  "WOW! I knew it was close, but I didn't know it was this close to Portland."

  "Have you ever been here before?" He asks.

  "No, but have always wanted to." I almost whisper in reverence. "I don't know what it is about waterfalls that captivate me. They are so majestic with their raw power. They are all so beautiful, I am in awe, and this place has so many falls and they are so close to each other, with Multnomah Falls being the biggest and it can be seen from the freeway. There is a minimum of ten falls that you can hike to in that area." Ian chuckles, and I look at him. "What? Are you laughing at me?"