by Mackenzy Fox
I quickly grab a brick and hop back over to my resting place, holding the rope between my hands as I slump down and take up the same position. Just as I close my eyes, I hear the door open. That was close.
He comes towards me again and kicks my leg. I wish he’d stop doing that.
“Come on, wake up, you stupid bitch,” he complains. “I got plans for you.”
Pain and anger and adrenaline course through my body as my survival instincts kick in. I’ll be damned if I’ve come this far and finally found the man of my dreams only to be robbed of it before it’s even begun. No, that’s not going to happen; I’ll fight to the death. I’ve got so much more to do.
He crouches near me again and I know now what I have to do. I have to fight him.
He leans closer to me. “Such pretty skin,” he mutters close to my ear. “Pity you’re worth so damn much or I’d keep you for myself.” I can’t hide my shudder as he licks the side of my face.
My eyes open suddenly and our eyes meet. Before he knows what’s happening, I swing the brick around from behind my back and slam him in the side of the head. He guffaws from the impact and I have enough time to swing again, knocking him off balance as I put all my might into hitting him with the sharp edge, I know it’s gone into the side of his skull as blood spurts everywhere. Yes!
“You fucking bitch!” he screams, doubling over while holding his head and his ear as he wails in pain. I make my escape as he momentarily tries to steady himself and fails; he falls to the side as I try to scramble across the dirty floor. The trouble is, my feet are still bound and I can’t run, so I hop away furiously using my hands on the floorboards for support. I get almost to the door when I hear scuffling behind me, he grabs my legs and pulls me down to the floor as I tumble and fall hard. I scream as he crawls over me, my face pressed into the ground.
I cry out as he slams my face into the floorboards. “Please,” I beg.
“Too late for that!” he spits as he holds me down with his arms. “I think I’m going to enjoy this after all.”
He slams my head back down again, and this time, I see stars. Don’t pass out, don’t pass out.
He barely gets the words out when I hear a crash come from another part of the house. My heart is racing in my chest as I feel him lift off me due to the commotion, he doesn’t get far as the door swings open and then I scream when I hear loud voices, then shots fired. Someone falls.
I hear a familiar voice or at least I think I do. Maybe I’m hallucinating?
I feel someone roll me over and I don’t have the strength to fight them off, everything is going in slow motion and my world is turning black before my very eyes.
Someone got shot.
Someone fell and they aren’t getting back up.
“Morgan!” I hear Jaxon call as he grabs my body and pulls me to him. I’d know his voice anywhere.
“Am I dead?” I manage but it sounds more like a croak.
“Nobody’s ever going to hurt you again,” he says into my hair. “I promise, I’m here now.”
I loll my head back as he catches it in his hands and I close my eyes.
“I love you, Jaxon…” I say as I feel him shake me. “I’m sorry…”
The world stops spinning.
I hear voices but they sound far away. I hear something beeping. I try to open my eyes but my head feels so heavy.
I think I can feel someone holding my hand but I can’t be sure, what I do know is that I can’t feel anything, my body feels numb, my head no longer hurts. I wince as I open my eyes.
“She’s awake,” I hear a woman’s voice, then; “Morgan, can you hear me? It’s Dix.”
I rub my eyes as she slowly comes into vision.
“Dixie,” I wince. “Where am I?”
She glances over to the other side of me.
“He hit you hard, baby girl, you have a fractured cheekbone and cracked ribs, you’ve been out cold for hours.”
I glance down and see the fingers that stroke my hand. Strong, muscular, tanned. I look up and Jaxon’s worried face looks down at me.
“Babe,” he says, cupping the side of my face with his other hand. “Welcome back.”
I smile, or try to. “Jaxon?”
“It’s me,” he breathes quietly. “I’m here.”
My mouth is parched. “Water.” I manage. He immediately lets go of my hand, and a few moments later, he brings a straw to my mouth and I take a couple of long hard gulps. That feels so good.
“What happened?” I ask, he takes the glass from me. “Someone got shot.”
“The guy who kidnapped you,” Jaxon states, his eyes flick up to Dixie’s. “I shot him.”
I stare at him wide-eyed. “You shot him?”
“Yes, and when I shoot to kill, I don’t miss.”
I feel cold and I shiver under the revelation of what he’s telling me.
“You killed him?”
“Unfortunately, no,” he sighs. “The cops got there before I could pummel him to death with my bare hands.”
“Jaxon…” I murmur, trying to sit up. He and Dixie both gently push my shoulders back to the pillows, not allowing me to move.
“Slow down, tiger,” Dixie says, perching on the side of my bed. “Take it easy, you’ve got broken bones, a concussion, severe rope burn, not to mention the trauma of being kidnapped! If I weren’t so relieved to see you, I’d be so freaking mad at you right now.”
I glance at her. “Why are you mad with me?” I ask, unable to register what I’ve done.
She rolls her eyes. “Seriously, Morgan, you never told Jax about Ellen, who just happens to be Helen, right?”
I close my eyes. Oh, that.
I can’t look at Jaxon. I feel like such a fool. I didn’t think he needed to know that I’d made a mistake and paid Helen money to not leak what happened to me, I thought that had all gone away.
“Plus, you know how bad cafeteria coffee is, that’s a crime in itself,” she adds, trying to lighten the mood, but as I gain the courage to look at Jaxon, he doesn’t look at all impressed.
“We’ll worry about all of that later,” Jaxon interjects, not sounding impressed either. “Right now, you need to rest and recover.”
“My dad…” I splutter, suddenly remembering.
Dixie pats my hand. “He’s woken up.” She smiles with relief. “He’s going to be alright, Morgan, he’ll have to make some serious new lifestyle choices but the main thing is that he’s going to be okay.”
I sag back in relief, tears spring to my eyes.
“Thank God,” I say. “And Leon?”
“Leon’s one tough son of a bitch,” Jaxon smirks, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Everything’s going to be okay, just like I said.”
I stare at him wordlessly. He’s done so much for me, and on top of all of that, he’s now my rescuer; he could have killed someone defending my honor.
“I’m going to go get some coffee from the café next door.” Dixie discreetly excuses herself. “You want anything, Jax?”
He shakes his head, looking up at her momentarily. “I’m good thanks.”
She closes the door quietly as she leaves.
Jaxon brushes my brow bone with his thumb. “I was so worried about you.” Pain crossing his face.
“Oh, Jax, I’m so sorry…”
He puts a finger across my mouth.
“It seems you’re a bit of a rookie when it comes to this relationship thing.”
I roll my eyes; he always has to be Mr. Macho.
“There’s gonna be some ground rules from here on in.”
“Oh no,” I moan. “I’m not even out of hospital yet and here you go with your ground rules, we both know how well that went down the first time.”
He shakes his head, exasperated. “First, you’re not to go gallivanting off where the fancy takes you without security ever again, especially when there’s an imminent threat.” He holds up one finger, then another. “Two, if we’re going to make it work bet
ween us, we can’t have any more secrets. I knew nothing about you paying off Helen, frankly, I’m disappointed you didn’t say anything, if not to me then at least to Leon, you can’t imagine how I felt hearing that. Why didn’t you tell me?”
He looks so disappointed, I can’t stand it.
“I’m sorry, Jax,” I whisper, ashamed.
“Three, when you’re better, I’m going to thoroughly spank you for being so cavalier, especially after everything with your father and Leon.”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t thinking, Jax. Was Helen behind the whole thing?”
“It was her ex-boyfriend,” Jax says through gritted teeth. “He caught wind of what was going on with Helen getting the cash and thought he’d get in on the act too; the worst part is, he was involved in some kind of human trafficking, he was going to extort money out of you first then sell you to the highest bidder.”
I stare at him wordlessly. “Don’t even get me started,” he adds, shaking his head.
“W-What?” I stammer, a cold shiver runs through me.
He brushes the hair back off my forehead and kisses it. “Don’t worry about that for now, the police will be charging him and he’ll sing like a canary with the charges he’s facing if he knows what’s good for him. I’m just so glad that we found you when we did.”
He looks and sounds pained as he watches me closely.
“How did you find me?” I can feel the tears build up in my eyes.
“I found Helen, then we were able to locate him, she had nothing to do with the kidnapping.”
“Jesus, Jax.”
“I know,” he says. “Lewis is recovering from being tasered, I haven’t had the chance to deal with him yet, Ryan’s beside himself.”
“God, poor Lewis.”
He looks down at me. “There’s nothing poor about him,” he barks. “But it’s my fault, I shouldn’t have left you, you’re my responsibility.”
“I told you before; I’m not made of glass.”
He gently strokes the hair off my forehead. “I know, but you scared me, MJ, and I don’t like being scared like that, you hear me?”
I nod, lost for words.
“Where do we go from here?” I dare to ask.
He pretends to think and taps his finger on his chin. “I don’t know, MJ, but you can bet your bottom dollar it’s not gonna be alone.”
My heart surges. “Do you mean that?”
“If you can learn to confide in me and not shut me out,” he murmurs. “And occasionally listen, though we know that part won’t be easy for you since you like to try to be in control and backchat me any chance you get.”
“Speak for yourself,” I hit back.
He grins at me as we fall into our usual back and forth banter.
“Though I do like you back-chatting me in the bedroom.”
My lips part as his eyes darken.
“Yeah, so what’s my punishment?” I whisper.
He leans down to my ear. “That thing you like me to do with my mouth.”
I giggle. “You’re insane, Westbrook; did anyone ever tell you that?”
“Yes, you daily.”
“So, we’re good?” I say, my voice soft, hopeful.
“As long as you don’t keep me out, MJ.” He holds my chin lightly as I look up at him, I know honesty is important to him. “We got a deal?”
I nod, tears welling in my eyes. “Yes, we have a deal, D.B.”
He snickers and shakes his head.
“When can I drag you out of here?” He kisses my temple.
“Now?” I reply hopefully.
He smirks again. “You know something, James?”
I shake my head; the way he looks at me takes my breath away.
“I love it when you occasionally listen.”
“Don’t get too used to it,” I taunt.
He leans in and kisses me lightly on the lips. “Only I could love you, MJ,” he whispers. “And only I could put up with your mood swings and your back-chatting.”
I smile contentedly as he looks down at me with those beautiful eyes. “Yeah, well, only I could…” I start but he leans down and closes the gap before I can finish. He always has to have the last word. Always.
But I think I like it that way, in fact, I know I do.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Epilogue
Morgan
Three months later
I enter my apartment to the most delicious smells. Who knew that Jaxon could cook? It’s probably something I never would have known if not for our fateful circumstances.
“Mmm, something smells yummy,” I say, kicking my shoes off as I walk like I usually do. When I make it to the kitchen, I see the glorious sight of Jaxon in ripped jeans and a white t-shirt that clings to every muscle in his body, and… an apron. Never in a million years would I have pictured Jaxon Westbrook wearing my apron.
“Don’t you know it,” he replies, turning to me as I dump my purse on the breakfast bar. He leans over the counter and kisses me. Oh, yeah, Jaxon is quite touchy-feely as well, something I also may never have found out, in fact, he can’t keep his hands off me which I don’t mind at all.
“What’s cooking, sexy?”
He gives me a wink and goes back to stirring the pan that’s bubbling on the stove top. I look toward the table and see it has been set.
“Mushroom stroganoff,” he states, tipping white wine into the pan as it flames up the sides.
“What’s the special occasion?” I wonder, leaning on the countertop.
He turns to look at me over his shoulder.
“Your dad’s coming over.”
Jaxon has been the one most vocal about me and my father trying to get back to a better place than where we left off. After Leon being shot and Dad’s heart attack, things have certainly been different around here. For one, Dad had never even seen my apartment until a month ago. Now we have dinner once a week and also do brunch. And he fully approves of me and Jaxon being in a relationship, in fact, he annoyingly dotes on Jax more than he does me.
“Don’t pout,” he says, turning back to stir the pan. “Small steps, remember?”
“It’s not that,” I reply, coming up behind him, I wrap my arms around his waist. “You sent me that photo at lunch and I thought we might have a little… umm… free time before then.”
I feel him chuckle under my hands.
The man is insatiable, that’s all I can say. My year of celibacy has certainly caught up with me since being with Jax. We have sex every other night, and it’s glorious, he just gets better and better.
“My baby is horny?” he muses, ever the romantic. I can’t see around him as I’m too short, but I can feel him stirring the mushrooms.
I move my hands around to cup his butt and I squeeze; one of my favorite things to do.
“You shouldn’t send me photos like that,” I say, my voice muffled into his shirt. God, he smells so damn good.
I feel him move the pan off the stove.
“Oh, we have time, baby girl.”
I pull away from him.
“Yeah? Well, what if I just changed my mind?” I retort, playing our little spat game that always gets him going.
He turns and looks down at me darkly as I back away.
“You goading me, little one?”
“You should stop with the cute names, it’s very unbecoming,” I laugh, using his words against him that he once used on me. “No drinks and long work hours makes Morgan a dull girl.”
Honestly, we’re like a couple of teenagers.
“You don’t mind me using cute names when I’m slamming into you from behind.”
I bite my lip, I’ve never been with anyone who talked so dirty, I kind of love it.
I turn and sprint to the bedroom, knowing I won’t get far. I don’t, I barely make it to the door and he’s got me, he pulls me back against him as I try to wiggle free, this only turns him on all the more.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you, Jax?
I’m not that kind of girl,” I start as his mouth comes down to my neck and he bites it hard. I yelp. He walks me into the bedroom, his hips pressed flush against me and I can feel he’s hard.
“I made you that kind of girl,” he growls in my ear. “And you’re wearing my favorite skirt, MJ.” His hands move up my hips and the sides of my body to cup my breasts. “I’ve been thinking about taking you all day, you know that?”
“In between chopping the mushrooms?” I giggle.
I sag back against him as he kneads my breasts. God, I’m his in every way and doesn’t he know it.
“I’m multi-talented, you know that, always been good with my hands.”
“You know how that song goes?” I muse, bumping my hips back into him. “A little less conversation, a little more action please?”
He swats me on the ass and I yelp. While he’s down there, he grabs the hem of my skirt and yanks it up, still walking me towards the bed, his hands roam my butt cheeks and he growls in my ear.
“Naughty little girls get spanked when they backchat.” He taps my ass with his palm as I laugh. “This is no laughing matter, MJ.”
“You in an apron is beyond hot,” I tell him.
I wiggle my butt back into his erection and he groans. “You make me lose my mind,” he says, his fingers move to my blouse and begin unbuttoning the buttons. “You know that, beautiful?”
I nod while moving my butt from side to side, knowing how turned on he is. Once he loses patience with the buttons, he just pulls the whole thing over my head and then yanks down my bra, his fingers moving to flick my nipples gently as he nibbles on my ear.
“You’re insatiable,” I tell him on a groan. He knows how to touch me just right.
“You know it, babe, never said I was a saint.”
I feel him move, then the apron, followed closely by his shirt, goes flying over my head. I want to see his body, but he holds me there against the end of the bed, pinned with his hips, he bends down and pulls my panties down then rolls my skirt higher. He wants me now, like this, me standing and him behind.
