Carol's Image

by Jordan, Maryann

  Heading over to the sink, he took one of the clean wash clothes, soaking it in cold water.

  Walking to the door, he knocked. “Angel. Let me in.”

  “Tom! What are you doing here?” she said, panicked.

  “Babe, let me in.” He pushed gently on the door. Pulling her out of the stall, he wrapped his arm around her, supporting her, holding the wet washcloth to her face.

  “What happened, angel? Are you sick?”

  “I had to get rid of it. I had to get rid of dinner,” she spoke on a whisper, her body shaking.

  Tossing the cloth into the trash can, he wrapped her in both of his arms, pulling her body into his tight embrace. Rubbing her back with his hand, he willed her body to calm.

  “What happened, babe?”

  Shaking her head from side to side, she pressed her face into his chest.

  “Eyes, angel. Eyes on me.”

  She lifted her face, leaning way back to peer into his eyes. Pulling her lips in tightly again, she breathed through her nose, trying not to cry.

  “What happened?” he softly asked again.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I don’t want you to be sorry, angel. I want you to tell me what is goin’ on.”

  Looking back down, she spoke on a whisper. “I…sometimes…purge when I’m stressed. I…I… haven’t done it in a long time. Just…”

  “Angel, eyes on me,” he ordered quietly.

  She shook her head, not wanting to see the repulsion she knew would be on his face. No one knows this. Why did I tell him?

  Tom brought one hand around to cup her face, gently pulling her face up to his. “Eyes, angel.”

  Pulling her lips in again, she brought her eyes up to his. Blue eyes met blue eyes. No repulsion. No anger. No aversion. No distaste. Just warmth. Comfort. Care.

  “Are you seein’ someone to help you?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been seeing a counselor since I was twenty years old. First at the university, then I found someone here in town. She retired, and I have a new one, but I hardly have to see her now. Just when I feel like I need it.”

  “You know what makes it worse?”

  She nodded again. “Stress, new situations, feeling out of control…pretty much everything that has been happening in the last few days.” She paused for a moment, seeming to work something out in her mind. Raising her eyes back to his, “Anything to do with my parents.”

  Tom nodded, not wanting to keep asking questions at this time, especially standing in the middle of the ladies’ room. “Let’s go, angel.” He kept her tucked tightly as they walked back out of the restaurant. Not looking at the questioning glance of the hostess, he walked her out to his truck helping her up into the cab.

  The ride home was silent. Carol was mortified that she had confessed to him her illness. Well, it was nice while it lasted. Mental note to self – never confess to a hot guy that you throw up sometimes on purpose. A total mood killer.

  *

  Arriving at her apartment, Carol’s hand on the car handle, she quickly said goodnight as she began to open the door.

  Tom’s voice rumbled through the truck. “Angel, I once told you what I’d do if you open that door before I was ready.”

  Her head snapped around, a questioning look on her face. I’ve already laid myself bare, might as well make it final. “Tom, you don’t have to play nice right now. I know what I have. I know how to help myself, but sometimes, when life is stressful, I have to remind myself to make healthier choices. I didn’t do that tonight, and you have no idea how sorry I am about that. But the fact of the matter is that I shared something with you that I haven’t told anyone. I don’t even know why I did it, but I can’t take the words back. But you don’t have to pretend that this doesn’t repulse you. Let me just preserve as much dignity as I can out of this evening, and say goodnight.”

  Not saying a word, he jumped out of the truck, stalking around to her side. Opening her door, he reached in and plucked her out of the seat. Squealing, she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling.

  Carrying her upstairs to her door, he slowly slid her body down his as he set her on the ground. Not letting go, he held her tightly from chest to knees. “Keys, angel.”

  Confused, she reached into her purse, handing him her keys. Opening the door, he ushered her in. Looking around, he saw a perfectly ordered apartment.

  The living room walls were painted a pale color and held a large burgundy sofa and chairs. The walls in the dining room were a darker color and surrounded a nice table with four chairs. The apartment had wooden floors, and a rug was in the middle of the living room. She also had a large screen television on the wall opposite of the sofa. A huge window took up most of the wall at the end and overlooked the park next door. He could see a hall dividing the apartment and assumed the bedrooms were down there.

  Pushing her gently toward the back hall, he ordered, “Angel, go put something comfortable on. I’m waitin’ here. We’re talkin’ about some of this shit that’s got you so fuckin’ clueless and we’re talkin’ tonight. So go change clothes.”

  Cool blue eyes narrowing, she hissed, “Stop ordering me around. I am not a child, and I do not need a caveman telling me what to do!”

  Sighing as he realized that he wasn’t making a very good impression, he closed his eyes for a moment. Opening them again, seeing her staring at him, doubt and questions in her gaze, he began.

  “Carol, I’m a man who wants to take care of you. I’m not trying to order you around just for the hell of it, and I’m not tryin’ to take anything away from you.” Stepping close, encouraged that she remained still, he continued as he placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “I want to talk to you and I want you comfortable while we do it.”

  Taking a deep breath, Carol agreed. Walking into her bedroom, she knew why she agreed. He’s too nice to just dump me at the door, so he wants to explain why we can’t see each other anymore. Well fine. I’ll give him that. Taking off the dress and heels, she pulled on yoga pants and a soft t-shirt. Tossing her hair into a messy bun on top of her head, she quickly brushed her teeth to get rid of the acid taste.

  Looking into the mirror, she shook her head. Why did you do that? You haven’t purged in a couple of years. You gave in when you saw Ronald and the mention of dad, along with that damn invitation, and that ‘old friend’ Anita. You scared off Mr. Hot detective out there, all by giving in to the temptation. You’re a fool, and you deserve this guy running for the hills away from you.

  Taking a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come, she walked back into the living room. She noticed him giving her a head-to-toe scan. Seeing him sitting comfortably in the middle of her sofa left her wondering where she should sit. Where does one sit when getting dumped? Jesus, Carol…get a grip.

  Before she could decide what her next play should be, Tom raised one arm. “Come here, angel.” Seeing her hesitation he said it again, this time the warmth of his words beckoned her. “Come on, babe.”

  Walking toward him he reached out, snagged her hand, and gently pulled her down on his lap.

  Confusion must have shown on her face because he questioned, “What’s wrong?”

  “Is this the normal breaking up position?”

  “Clueless.”

  “Will you stop calling me that?”

  “When you stop acting it, I will.”

  Huffing, she decided to let him have his way. The sooner he said what he needed to say the better. Then she could go back to her lonely existence.

  Tom hauled her around so that she was straddling his lap, facing him. Holding onto her hip with one hand, the other hand curled around the back of her neck.

  “Carol, weeks ago, I got a gift. Got visited by an angel and swear to God, I knew I needed that person in my life. I spent a couple of weeks scourin’ the city lookin’ for you. When I laid eyes on you in the ER, I knew…knew I wanted you. Not one thing has changed. Nothin’.”

  He paused a se
cond to make sure she was following him. Her eyes, glued to his, kept him going. “Found out you got shit for parents. I don’t know the story, but hope you trust me soon to let me in. Found out you’ve got an eating disorder. That only makes me want to take care of you more, but it sure as hell doesn’t make me want to leave. I hate that I’ve got a past reputation with some women, and I can’t stand the thought that brings you pain.”

  She started to lower her head, but his hand on her neck gently kept her face on his.

  “But angel, this is you and me together. We get all this shit out in the open and we deal. We talk it out. We work it out. Hell, sometimes we even fight it out. But babe, if you want this as much as I do, then you and me are happenin’.”

  His words flowed over her, seeping into all the hidden crevices of doubt and pain. Her eyes went warm, and tears pooled in them threatening to spill over. Care. Comfort. He’s not rebuffing me. He wants me. Me.

  A tear escaped down her cheek, and he wiped it with his thumb.

  “You want to work things out with me?” she asked, still looking unsure.

  “Angel, that’s that clueless shit I was talkin’ about. You’re gorgeous. You don’t seem to know it, but we’re gonna work through that ’cause someone has taken that from you. You are smart with a good job, a carin’ job, an important job. I’ve got a feelin’ your folks don’t see it that way, and that matters to you, but we’re gonna work through that too. I’m feelin’ goddamn lucky that a woman like you is givin’ me a chance. You don’t seem to realize that either. But gettin’ my drift, angel? We’re gonna work through that too.”

  She thought back to Sofia’s words again. But honey, there can be the kind of man who gives you everything he has to give… and would give anything just to take care of you. You’ve never had that before…might be just what you need.

  Her hands shot up from his shoulders to the sides of his face, and she pulled him in for a kiss. Her lips moved over his, feeling, memorizing. He let her take control for a moment before deepening the kiss. He angled his head, pulled her in and took over.

  Carol, lost in the kiss, could no longer tell where she ended and he began. His tongue explored every crevice of her mouth tangling with her tongue thrust for thrust. Sucking her tongue into his mouth before slowly letting it slide back, he heard her moan appreciatively. Nipping at her lips, he then smoothed over the sting with his tongue.

  She lost all sense of time as the kiss continued. Long. Hard. Wet. Feeling as though she needed him for her very breath, she sucked him in.

  He found himself just as lost in the kiss. Never had he kissed a woman for so long, usually turning kisses into just the preamble for sex. Kisses were only the way for a man to get a woman turned on, wet, ready. But this. This was something even he had no experience with. Sliding his hands down to her ass, he kneaded the globes. She was tiny, but her ass filled his hands perfectly.

  Grinding herself on his jean covered dick, she felt the need to create the much needed friction.

  Tom, wanting to take care of her, moved quickly, rolling back onto the couch with her tucked into his side. Sliding his hand down the front of her yoga pants, he found her folds slick and ready. Gently pushing a finger into her waiting pussy, he began thrusting first one finger and then adding a second. Jesus, she is tight. How will I ever fit without hurting her? His dick ached as it pressed against his jeans, but he wanted this to be all about her. Continuing the kiss while fingering her, he could feel her inner muscles clenching.

  Panting, she could feel her orgasm building as she kept riding his fingers. I’ve never felt this before. Maybe I’m not frigid. “Tom, Tom,” she moaned.

  “Eyes, angel. I wanna see you when you come.”

  Blue eyes gazed at blue eyes, as she plummeted over the edge. Her pussy walls clenching around his fingers, she rode out the waves of pleasure.

  Finally coming back down, she relaxed as he slid his fingers out of her pants and into his waiting mouth. Watching him suck her juices off of his fingers, she leaned back up to kiss him, tasting herself on his tongue.

  Lying together on the couch for a few minutes in blissful silence, he then rose and pulled her up with him. Walking down the hall toward her bedroom he paused at the door.

  “Can I stay, angel?”

  Smiling a dreamy smile, she answered, “I think I would lock you in if you tried to leave.”

  Laughing, he walked into the bedroom, pulling her along with him. She went into the bathroom first, changing out of her yoga pants, pulling off her bra, but leaving on her t-shirt and panties. Returning to the bedroom, she saw him lounging against the headboard. I’ve never had a man look at me the way he does. Nervously, she licked her lips as she hesitated.

  Tom noticed her nipples pebbling through her t-shirt. God, she is beautiful. Willing his dick to behave, he held out his hand to her.

  She slid in beside him and he pulled her in tight.

  “Just lettin’ you know, we’re not doin’ anything tonight.”

  Carol, twisting around to peer into his face, was ready to question when he continued.

  “Babe, you’ve had a rough night. I want you to rest, and I want to be here with you to make sure you do. I also don’t want to leave now and have you go back to bein’ clueless by talkin’ shit inside your head. So I’m here. We’re sleepin’ together and then we’re gonna start workin’ on what we talked about earlier.”

  Leaning in to kiss her gently, he raised back up. “Got me, angel?”

  Relaxing with a smile on her face, she reached up to caress his cheek.

  “Yeah Tom. I got you.”

  Tom, breathing easy for the first time all evening, just replied, “Thank fuck.”

  Smiling, she snuggled in as he pulled her tightly to his strong body. She slept all night. No fears. No dreams. Just peaceful sleep.

  Chapter 8

  Tom woke the next morning, staring at the beautiful woman lying in bed with him. He never stayed with a one-night stand and the few fuck-buddies that he had over the years meant nothing to him other than a chance to have a steady partner for a couple of months. He never felt anything for them, other than physical for the one-nighters, and some friendship for the buddies.

  Grimacing, he thought about those buddies. After a while, the women wanted more commitment from him that he did not feel, so the relationships ended…if he was honest, they usually ended badly. That was why he stuck to one-nighters. They were physical, no promises of tomorrow, and no hurt feelings.

  Looking back down at her, he knew this was different. Curled up on her side, with her hand tucked under her pillow. Tousled, yellow blond hair framing her face like a halo. Rosy lips slightly open as she slept. She was such a puzzle. Strong, yet fragile. Thinking back to their conversation of the previous evening, he knew she shared more with him that she had her friends. Something’s there between us. I know it. I know she knows it. I just have to make sure she keeps knowing it.

  Her eyes opened sleepily, and she gazed at the handsome visage in front of her. Hard, defined muscles covered his chest and abs, tapering down to a trim waist. Raising her eyes, she focused on his strong jaw, covered in beard stubble that made her wet thinking about it between her thighs. Continuing her perusal, she looked farther up into his blue eyes that were staring back at her. She blushed, realizing that she had been caught ogling the man in her bed and tried to roll away.

  “Oh no, angel,” he said as he rolled on top of her to keep her from leaving. “I’ve been starin’ at all this beauty for a while. Don’t want it hidden.” Leaning down, he touched his lips to hers in a gentle kiss, which quickly became a hard, wet, tongues clashing, sucking, nipping good morning kiss.

  She felt the fires building in her core, began to grind her hips, feeling his swollen dick pressing between her legs. Running her hands along his back, she marveled at the feel of the muscles there as well. Jesus, he is built. Feeling the power of his muscles as he began to move against her, she desperately hoped he was ready to
take this to the next level. Please, no more talking right now. Just take me. Take all of me. Mark me. Make me yours.

  He felt her body responding and knew she was ready for him. Sliding his hand to the bottom of her t-shirt, he slowly peeled it upwards, lifting it over her breasts as he then pulled it off her and tossed it to the side. He palmed her breasts as they filled his hands. He loved the feel of them; full, but not heavy. Looking down at their perfection, rosy tipped, aching for his mouth, he leaned over taking one in his mouth. Pulling it deeply in, he rolled his tongue around the hard pebble. Sucking, nipping, he worshiped one breast while his hand rolled the other nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

  She grabbed his head, holding him to her breasts as the electricity fired down to her pussy. Sliding her hands down his neck toward his back, she felt his muscles cord underneath her touch. Hips undulating against his straining cock, she threw her head back and moaned.

  He raised up, hearing her mewl at the loss of contact. Grabbing her panties with one hand he pulled them down and off, then slid his finger into her folds. Crooking his finger deep inside, he began the movement that quickly had her purring as he watched her face in fascination. Never watched a woman’s face like this before. Never cared before.

  She felt the pressure inside build as his fingers continued their dance inside of her wet pussy while his other hand fondled her breasts. Almost panting, she couldn’t seem to make the last climb up toward…what, she didn’t know. She just knew she had to get there.

  Crooking his fingers, he hit the spot that took her over the edge. Screaming out his name, she closed her eyes in ecstasy, as the orgasm pulled her into oblivion.

  He felt her pussy walls contract around his fingers as he watched her face when she came. Goddamn, fuckin’ beautiful. Leaning down he pulled his fingers out, licking them before taking her mouth in a hard, wet kiss.

  Tasting herself on his kiss, she wanted more. More kiss. More Tom. More everything. Opening her eyes, she saw him gazing down at her. Smiling, she reached down grasping his cock through his boxers. “One of us is overdressed,” she said, raising her eyebrow.