When she came out of the bathroom, I led her down to my truck, but only after she had checked her lock again and again to make sure it was all in place.
I kept my face calm, but I was fucking boiling inside. If he had been standing there I’d have kicked the shit out of him. Then when we got to the car, she looked around, her head darting back and forth before she climbed in and I shut the door behind her.
“It’s going to be okay,” I said as the engine roared to life. “Once we get this done, we’ll grab some food and we’ll both calm the fuck down.”
Jo nodded, but her lips stayed pressed together in a straight line.
I didn’t push her. I knew it was hard taking a stand for herself, especially when she was terrified. She tried to hide it, but I could see the terror on her face and she wouldn’t stop squirming.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“It’s just so... surreal. I never thought I would end up in this kind of relationship, where I had to do something like this. And what is this little piece of paper supposed to do? I mean, if he wants to get to me, he would. Does he just want to scare the shit out of me? He could have already done something last night while I was walking home.”
I gripped the steering wheel hard. I let her walk home on her own last night. If anything had happened to her… My head spun with the thought. God, I would never be so careless with her again. Never. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down. I needed to keep my wits about me. Not lose my cool if I was going to help Ivy. “We are doing this because it is a way to start a paper trail. Maybe it’s not a shield, but it’s a way to protect you. If he even shows his face around you, then he’ll be taken away.”
She nodded. “I guess that’s better than nothing.”
“Good. Just relax. I’m here now. He’ll have to get through me to get to you.”
“I don’t feel well,” she murmured.
“It’s just stress.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“What do you say to Chinese food and beer for dinner?” I asked.
“I say that sounds like a perfect night. I need to relax a little. I’m so wound up I can feel it in all of my stiff muscles.” She rolled her arms. “Everything hurts.”
“We can change that. Food and then a massage?”
Jo frowned. “I haven’t had one in so long I don’t think I can even remember what that feels like anymore.”
“Good, then it’s time for you to have the special works.”
“Yes, I’d love one.”
I smiled as she perked up a bit. There was still that undercurrent of fear, but at least it had lessened a bit.
It got even better once we went to the station. I knew all the guys there and they were very gentle with her. They believed her right away, and took her complaint seriously. Even though it was too cold in there and she shivered inside the enclosure of my arm, I could see it was a great relief for her to be able to tell the whole story of what had happened between her in the cowardly bully to someone who could do something about it.
When we were finished, I drove to the takeout place and ordered our food while she literally clung to me. She wouldn’t let me go until we were back in my truck safe and sound.
I wasn’t happy about the situation, but having Ivy rely on me and cling to me meant the whole world to me. This meant she had begun to trust me again. Even if she said she still needed time, her actions told me otherwise. I wasn’t going to take advantage of her vulnerability though. As I told her, I was here for the long haul. I would wait for as long as it took.
When we reached her place, she froze up in the car. Her hand was white from how hard she gripped the door handle.
I reached over and stroked her back. “I’ll come up with you and check your place out first, okay?”
“No, it’s okay,” she breathed. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’re not fine and you won’t be until you’re sure no one’s up there. Just stand in the doorway and I’ll check out the rest of the apartment.”
“Okay,” she said between gritted teeth. “Let’s do it.”
I searched through the apartment as she stood in the middle of the living room. Once I checked every corner of the place thoroughly, I made sure the front door was locked up and then set the food down on the coffee table. “I’m staying the night,” I said as I sat down.
“I’m not sure if that’s such a good idea.” She hesitated then she walked over and sank onto the couch.
“I’m staying and that’s the end of that,” I stated firmly. This wasn’t an issue that was even up for argument. “I’m not leaving you alone here tonight. I’ll sleep on the couch so stop worrying. Nothing has to happen between us.”
Ivy’s shoulders slumped. “Okay, thanks. I could keep protesting, but honestly, I really don’t want to be by myself tonight. I’m terrified he's going to show up and that door is just a few pieces of plywood stuck together.”
“If he tries that shit, I’ll be right here to show him how we treat bullies in this part of the world,” I promised as I opened up the bags of food and passed her a container.
Ivy smiled. “I’m not someone who encourages or appreciates violence in any form, but I have to say you saying that makes me feel a million times better.”
“That’s because you’re smart,” I joked, nudging her. “Cooper to the rescue, hmm?”
“Cooper to the rescue.” She leaned on my shoulder. “Thank you for everything today. I can’t express how much it means to me that you stayed with me and made sure I was okay. I don’t think I would have even left the bed today if you hadn’t come over.”
“I just want to make sure you were okay, that’s all,” I said as I reached over and stroked her hair. “I… care about you.”
“Thank you for caring,” she whispered, looking deep into my eyes.
Then I pulled her against my body and held her tightly. We stayed like that, pressed up against each other in the silence. I willed my own strength and power into her body.
By the time she pulled away, she seemed stronger, more confident, and calmer.
I quickly dished out chopsticks and sauce, then I handed her a beer.
Ivy turned on the TV and we watched some sitcom that didn’t really stick in my brain. Every time I could get away with it, my eyes slid over to her. She looked more like herself than before and I felt glad I was able to help her get back some of her strength. I would never give up on trying to get her back. If anything, the day had strengthened my resolve. She could take all the time she needed, but I would always be there waiting for her and keeping her safe.
After a while, Ivy yawned and stretched out. She rubbed at her eyes and I saw the tired look on her face. I picked up the remote and clicked off the television.
“What are you doing?” She mumbled sleepily. “I was watching that.”
“Five more minutes and it would have been watching you. Time for bed.”
She frowned. “I’m not sleepy.”
“I know you’re worried, but I’ll be here to protect you, okay? You need to get some rest after all of the stress of the past twenty-four hours. Tell me where I can get some blankets and a pillow and I’ll go get it for the couch.”
Ivy gave in. “You’re right. Here, I’ll get the stuff you need if you clean up the food.”
“That, I can do.” I gathered the leftovers and popped them in the fridge. Once all the trash was cleaned up I used the bathroom, then I walked back out into the living room to find the couch all made up for me.
Ivy covered her mouth and yawned before she nodded at it. “I’m going to turn in. I hope that’s okay for you.”
“It’s perfect,” I assured her. “Thanks. Go ahead and get some rest.”
Ivy smiled and walked to her bedroom.
I kicked off my shoes and tugged my shirt over my head. When I glanced up, she was leaning against the doorframe to her bedroom staring at me. I winked and her face flushed.
“Goodnight, Cooper,”
she said quickly before she disappeared into her room.
“Goodnight, Jo.” I grinned to myself as I stripped down to my boxers. That spark wouldn’t die down. Every time we looked at each other, I felt it surge to life between us. I climbed onto the couch and tugged the blanket over my body. Ivy’s couch was a bit short, so I tossed and turned for a bit until finally, I was as comfortable as I was going to get and I promptly started to doze off.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Cooper
“Get off of me! Stop!”
The shout ripped me from my sleep. The world was hazy and dark as I tried to get my bearings and figure out where I was. It came back in a rush… I was spending the night at Ivy’s place. I blinked a few times trying to figure out if the sound had been a figment from my own dreams when Ivy screamed.
I was off of the couch and into her room in record time. She clutched her pillow hard as tears ran down her face. Her chest rose and fell hard and I knew she was on the verge of hyperventilating. I lunged into bed with her and gathered her into my arms.
Ivy clung to me, shaking and gasping.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. It was just a nightmare. Nothing actually happened. I’m right here.” I stroked her arms, hair and back trying to calm her down. She clutched me so hard I felt her fingernails dig into my flesh, but I didn’t care. Ivy could destroy my flesh and I would still hold her. I would die for her
I would die for her.
The thought hit me hard and suddenly, I’d always known I still loved her, but thinking about it in that moment when she was a terrified, vulnerable mess, I knew it was true. I loved her so much I would die for her.
“I saw him.” Her voice trembled. “He... he was right here and ch-choking me. I can still feel his hands on my throat,” she sobbed. “Why won’t these fucking nightmares stop!”
“They will,” I assured her. “It’s just going to take some time, that’s all. I know this is hard for you, but it is going to get better. I promise.”
“What if it doesn’t?” She shook her head back and forth. “What if he never gets caught and he just tortures me until he finally drives me mad? I know now that it doesn’t matter where I go—h-he’ll find me. He already found me here. I have to leave. I have to get out of here before he actually kills me.”
I held her against my chest while she sobbed until her voice was raw and scratchy. I simply let her get all of it out. She’d been holding a lot in since she came back and what she needed was to let things out so she could face them and heal.
“Hey,” I finally said as I pulled her back a bit. “You’re going to be fine, okay? I’ll protect you no matter what happens. No one is going to take you away or hurt you on my watch. Do you hear me?”
Ivy looked up at me and nodded. “I hear you,” she said quietly. “I’m glad you decided to stay.”
“I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere.”
She looked up at me for a long time before she leaned up and kissed me. The moment her lips touched mine, I kissed her back.
Ivy’s arms wrapped around my neck and she straddled my lap. Her fingers pushed into my hair, her mouth gasping and moaning as she kissed me with every ounce of frustration, passion and lust that had slept inside of her. “I need you,” she mumbled against my lips.
I pulled back for a bit and we both panted. “Are you sure about this? I know you’re upset and I don’t want you to do anything that you’re going to regret.”
Ivy frowned. “Are you just saying that because you don’t want me now?”
“Hell no,” I said as I shook my head. “I never stopped wanting you. I couldn’t believe it when you showed up in my bar. It was Christmas and my birthday all rolled up in one. But the last time we did something, you said you needed time to think and I don’t want you to be rushed into this then regret it. Believe me, when I say it’s hard as hell not to just throw you down right now and have all of you.”
“Do it,” she breathed as she stripped off her tank top and squirmed out of the panties that she’d worn to bed. “I want to forget all of this, but more than that I’ve wanted you for so long. Since that first night I saw you in the bar.” She reached up and touched my face. “I want this.”
“Look, I don’t have any condoms,” I said with a groan.
“I’ve never been with anyone else except you and Brian and I never trusted him ever. So we always used a condom.”
“I’ve never been with a woman without a condom.”
“Good. I’ve just had my period, so there’s no chance of me getting pregnant.” Even before she finished speaking her bra came off.
I was stunned by all of her naked gorgeousness. There was only one word to describe her. Beautiful. She ran a hand over her creamy, full breasts that begged to be kissed and licked. Her thighs were curvy and I loved the way they parted for me as she reached out and took my hand. Ivy guided my palm to her breast and inhaled when I traced a finger over her nipple.
“I want you,” she reiterated. “I do. So, don’t hold back. I’m tired of not getting what I want.”
“Whatever you want,” I said, but it sounded more like a growl.
Ivy shuddered in response.
I wasted no time at all getting out of the black boxers that I’d worn to bed before I climbed on top of her. My lips crashed against hers, desperate and hungry as I drowned in the taste of her. Her body pressed up against mine, her pebbled nipples shoved against my chest as her tongue teased my lips.
I let her tongue inside of my mouth and caressed it with my own. My teeth sought out her bottom lip and I tugged it out as she moaned and wrapped her legs around me.
Ivy was on fire, her skin felt hot as she rubbed herself against me desperately. “More,” she moaned when I released her lips. “Give me more, Cooper.”
I nodded, too engrossed in her body to reply back with coherent words. My lips traveled over her chin and left a string of kisses to her throat. There, I stopped and took my time, licking and nipping until she cried out from underneath me. By the time I shifted to put my cock inside of her, I wanted Ivy to be drenched and ready to take every inch of me.
My lips moved downward and I covered her collarbone with kisses before I moved down to her chest and buried myself within those glorious breasts. I grabbed one and groaned as I opened my mouth and sucked her pink nipple inside. She tensed, her back arched and I rewarded her by flicking my tongue back and forth over her intoxicatingly erect nipple. I wavered between slow, torturous, and fast. I raked my teeth against her nipple and she cried out my name before I did the same to the other one.
“Fuck, you taste so fucking good,” I growled.
I couldn’t get enough of her. My head spun as I came up for air and released her nipple. I blew a soft breath on both of them and grinned when she shuddered in response. My mouth continued its journey south, lavishing her soft belly with attention before I pushed her thighs apart and sighed at the prize.
Ivy was already dripping wet. I ran a finger down her slit and collected her slick juices on my finger. I held it up and lapped at it moaning at how sweet she tasted.
She watched me the whole time, her teeth buried in her lip as she ran fingers over her nipples and tugged on them.
“And you look amazing,” I breathed up at her. “I can’t take my eyes off of how beautiful you are.”
Ivy groaned. “You’re not supposed to say things like that.”
“Why not? It’s true,” I said as I rubbed her clit with my finger.
“Oh God,” she groaned and tossed back her head. “Cooper,” she panted. “Fuck me, please.”
“Not yet.” I wasn’t quite done with her just yet. I intended to make her forget every fear she had, every thought of the bastard that decided to hunt her down like an animal. I wanted to take Ivy’s worries and fears and get rid of them, even if it was just for a little while.
My fingers opened her up and I dove between her shapely thighs. Her juices touched my tongue and I reveled in how good she tasted. I la
pped at her, eager and turned on. My hand wrapped around my own cock and I tried to quiet it as I flicked my tongue over her clit and heard her suck in a sharp breath.
“Cooper,” she moaned.
Yes, keep moaning my name. That was the only name I wanted on her tongue. I wanted to be the one to give her unlimited comfort, pleasure and love. That was my one and only goal with when it came to Ivy. I wanted to make her happy.
I pushed her thighs apart as she tried to close them because of the overwhelming pleasure she felt. However, I couldn’t let her get away so easily. I pushed two fingers inside of her and wiggled them until I found her G spot. I swear it quivered at my touch as I stroked it softly and pressed until her mouth fell open in an amazed gasp.
Ivy was teetering on the very edge, but I wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. Instead, I sucked in her entire clit. She screamed, the sound loud in the quiet room except for my slurping noises.
She ground down against my mouth obviously needing and wanting more of what I could give her. I released her swollen pussy and pushed three fingers inside her. Her body arched off the bed and worked them back and forth while I gently sucked at her clit. Her legs trembled and she moaned long and loud as the first orgasm washed over her. I felt the way she clamped down around my digits and watched as she came once, then again.
She stared at me in wonder as if she had never experienced a multiple orgasm before.
“Now, you’re ready,” I stated as I climbed between her legs. I gripped myself and slipped my thick cock along her slick entrance. Up and down. I knew I was bigger than most men, so I gathered up her wetness before I slowly pushed myself inside.
Her eyes widened with shock at the intrusion. “Jesus, you’re so big,” she cried.
“You will get used to it. Just relax.”
Let’s Start Over Page 13
