AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Of course I’m not dead. There is no way that I would hurt all over if I was dead. This whole train of thought is ridiculous. Needing to take stock of why I’m feeling so confused and out of sorts, I focus on what I can hear. I’m not ready to open my eyes yet. I'm in a vehicle. I think. There seems to be a rumble of tires on pavement. I’m warm and I’m not sitting in the seat. That’s weird, right? I know that it is, but I’m comfortable… kind of.
As I become more aware of my surroundings I start to feel the throbbing pain. So much of it. Everywhere. My face hurts, my throat too, but my ribs… that is where it is the worst. It’s like thinking about it makes my mind finally acknowledge that something is wrong. Searing pain rips through me and forces a moan past my lips as I try to open my eyes. They are swollen. My lids only lift enough to see that I am in a car and I’m not alone. I stir restlessly and try to sit up but firm hands hold me in place.
Silence falls around me and I can see just enough that I know that everyone is staring at me. It's a little awkward. I don't recognize any of these men.
Like a wave, the last two days come flooding back, and I scramble toward the door, ignoring my protesting body. I have to get away!
“It's okay, Pea. I've got you,” a voice whispers in my ear. Travis. I go limp against him. Oh, thank God! I knew he would come.
I know I’m missing something. A lot of somethings. The last thing I can remember is the smiling man. Travis busting down the door. Me telling Travis that I knew he would find me. I wanted him to know that I never gave up on him before I died. I was so sure I was going to. At least now my waking thoughts make sense.
I can’t recall anything after that.
Wetting my lips with my tongue I taste blood. I know it’s mine. I want to tell him that I love him. I need him to know. Now. I almost lost the chance to make sure that he knows how I feel. Have felt forever.
“Shh baby. Don't try to talk,” he murmurs against my cheek, his hand smoothing my tangled hair back from my face. “It’s not good for your throat.” He strokes me there with a gentle fingertip, but even that butterfly touch hurts. I feel bruised everywhere.
I nod my understanding and snuggle agai
nst his broad chest, nestling my face into the crook of his neck and breathing in his scent. He smells of warm fresh sweat and the faint hint of freshly washed cotton.
I need to taste him. I whimper, more a gentle exhale, and let the very tip of my tongue slip out to touch his skin. I just can’t help myself. His salty flavor bursts across my taste buds and I start to cry. I’m alive. He’s alive. I didn’t think I would ever get this chance again. Small noises come from deep in my chest and he pulls me closer, petting my hair and whispering reassuring words into my ear as I begin to purge all the fear from the last two days. Every sob sears my throat like swallowing shattered glass, but I still can’t stop them.
After what feels like forever, but is probably only several minutes, the vehicle slows to a stop. I stifle my weeping becoming more aware of my surroundings. There are two men packed in the back seat with Travis and I. We are in a parking garage. Another one. I shudder and Travis hugs me tighter to him. I’m never parking underground again.
“Where is Ana?” I ask, pushing myself away from him. I have to force the words past my bruised and swollen airway.
Travis smiles gently into my eyes and time stops for a long heartbeat. I try to smile back, but my lips don’t seem to want to cooperate. It kind of feels like when you go to the dentist and your face is numb. Except it hurts. But still, his face is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen and it makes me want to smile.
“With her husband,” he says, looking to one of the men, who nods but doesn’t say anything.
“Is she okay? Happy?” I croak.
“I didn't get a chance to talk to her. Or to Xavier. He brought her home while we were patching you up.”
I nod again, knowing that no more words will come from my tortured throat right now. My eyes meet his and plead for more information.
“Let's go inside and see how she's doing,” he says, opening the door and stepping out into a parking garage. Unlike the last one I was in, this one is clean, and several very nice cars are parked nearby, including an SUV identical to the one Blake had followed me in back in Spokane.
I loop my arms around Travis’ neck holding tight, but he barely jostles me as he lifts me out of the vehicle and strides toward an elevator. My lip pulls where it is split as I try to smile at him again. I’m so relieved and overjoyed to be here. I’m happy to be going to check on Ana too. The last few days have made us closer than I ever imagined we would be.
The elevator is the most luxurious I have ever seen; with a padded bench and plush carpet. Quiet music drifts through hidden speakers. It takes us straight to the penthouse of the massive building. Travis holds me close the entire time. When the elevator doors slide soundlessly open I squirm a little in his arms, silently asking to be put down. He hugs me tighter with a small shake of his head.
“Hold still, Pea. Just let me hold you for a little longer.”
How can I say no to that? Sighing, I relax in his embrace as he strides from the elevator to the door of the penthouse. Setting me down he presses a code into the electronic screen outside the door, unlocking it, then ushers me inside.
Turning to face him, I place my palms against the hard slabs of muscle under the thin cotton of his shirt and lift my face for a kiss. With a tortured moan he gives me what I want, his lips and tongue moving with the utmost care against mine.
It’s in that moment that I realize how fortunate I am to be here with him. The smiling man truly could have killed me. Grateful tears fill my eyes this time, and I fling my good arm around Travis, scraping my fingers into his hair and using it to tug him even closer to me.
I sink my teeth carefully into the softness of his bottom lip and suck it between mine and rub it with my tongue. Maybe it’s just a belated rush of adrenaline after so narrowly escaping death, but I don’t care. I don’t even care about my swollen mouth. I want more of him. His soft growl of pleasure urges me on, and I'm lost in the sensual slide of our mouths and tongues.
The sound of someone clearing their throat startles me. I jump away from Travis, gasping, my hand pressed against my racing heart. Male laughter erupts behind me and I whirl around to find Blake leaning against the wall in the living room.
“Hey, Faye.” Blake grins at me. I wave my hand at him like a dork. I’m a little embarrassed but still happy to see him.
“You okay?” I mouth at him, and he nods.
