AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We do, and we are close,” I sigh. “We have a sister, too. She hardly ever comes home, though. She’s a doctor in the Navy.” I want to say more, but I’m not going to dump my family’s dysfunction on Marley after the day she’s had. She’s here for protection, to feel safe, not listen to me whine about my sister’s death wish. We enter the lift, and I put it in motion. “There’s a staircase as well as this lift. I’ll show it to you once we are upstairs.” Marley nods as we rise up to the next floor.
We exit the lift at the end one end of a long hallway. Up ahead on the left is the staircase that also leads up to the second floor. There are bedroom doors along right side of the hall and at either end. Six in total. I have my room and five guest rooms which is one for each of my siblings and mom. I let her look at each one as we make our way along the second floor hallway. They each have a balcony that overlooks the ocean below. My bedroom is at the far end of the hall.
“Wow,” Marley says her voice full of wonder when she sees my bedroom. The room is large with a huge floor to ceiling windows next to a set of French doors that lead out onto a largebalcony overlooking the ocean. She walks toward the balcony her eyes fixed on the scene before us. The sun is beginning to set, and although it’s behind us setting in the west and we are facing the east, the sunlight glimmers off the waves as they make their way toward shore. It’s a beautiful sight. One I’ve enjoyed many times, myself. Second only to a sunrise over the ocean.
I watch Marley as she takes in the stellar view. I move forward, opening the doors, and rolling out onto the balcony. A gentle breeze is coming off the water, bringing the salty smell of the ocean to my nose. I breathe deeply. Nothing helps to relax and calm me after a long day, like sitting out here on the balcony, watching the ocean. Marley lays her hand on my shoulder as she comes to stand next to me. “I could get used to this,” she says on a breathy whisper. I glance over at her and think to myself, ‘so could I’.
Marley takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. I watch her in awe as she soaks in the ocean air. Her body relaxes. Her face becomes serene. She is by far the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I want her more than I ever thought I could want a woman. I look down at my legs as I wonder: will it matter to her that I’ll never be able to walk? Looking back up at Marley, the answer that comes to mind is no; it won’t matter to her. She’s never treated me any differently than she has any other customer at the Bistro, except I have noticed she talks to me longer, looks at me with appreciation from time to time, which makes me a happy man. I’ve enjoyed our conversations over the last year or so. Marley is an intelligent woman with a zest for life. We have discussed everything from books, movies, and music to politics, religion, and sports. We haven’t always agreed on everything, but we’ve found we have a lot of things in common.
Most of our conversations have been brief, but last week, I went by the Bistro in the late afternoon. I’d gotten lost in reviewing security footage on a case. It was after two in the afternoon before I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch. When I got to thediner, it was mostly empty. Marley was sitting at a table eating her lunch. She had gotten up the moment she saw me entering the door, hurrying over to seat me at a table. I hadn’t wanted to interrupt her meal. I knew she must be tired and needed to rest.
“Hi, Luke,” Marley greets me as I enter the restaurant. “Let me get you a table.” She begins to look over the restaurant map at the hostess stand.
“The place is nearly empty,” I comment. She glances up at me and nods her agreement before looking back down at the map. “I hate to eat alone. Would you mind if I sit with you?” I propose. Her eyes widen, shock evident on her face that I would suggest such a thing. “That is if it’s okay with you and with management, of course. I don’t want to get you in trouble with your boss.” She’s immediately shaking her head as her face reddens.
“Oh, no, I don’t mind at all.” Marley’s statement comes out in a rush. “And the owner won’t mind. Sally needed to make a phone call to check on her daughter, so I told her I’d take care of things until she finishes her call.” I smile at her. She is such a kind, thoughtful woman. I follow her to the table where she’d been sitting. She moves one of the chairs away from the table making room for me in my chair. “What would you like to drink?” Marley asks.
“I don’t want you to have to wait on me. I wasn’t trying to intrude on your lunch break,” I tell her. She smiles warmly at me.
“Actually”—her smile widens— “today is my day off. I just came by after class. I was starving, because I was running late this morning and didn’t eat any breakfast. So, I’m not tired from work. Let me get your food and drink for you.” I relent and give her my order. I can’t keep from watching the way her hips sway as she hurries into the kitchen to place my order with the cook. I know I shouldn’t be looking at her ass, but she has a mighty fine one. It’s full and lush. I’m itching to squeeze those rounded cheeks. My mouth waters as I imagine her naked body in my bed. I’d grip her buttocks as she kneels over my face while I devour her sweet nectar. I shake my head to clear the highly inappropriate thoughts from my brain. Where did that image come from? I’ve feltattraction to her before, but I’ve never had such an explicit thought about her before. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been with a woman or even taken care of myself. Perhaps that’s what’s brought on these images.
Marley returns minutes later with a large bowl of chili and a grilled cheese sandwich along with a glass of sweet tea. She places the food and drink on the table in front of me. “Did I forget anything?”
“No, everything looks great.” I smile up at her. “Please sit and finish your lunch.” She smiles sweetly taking her seat. I lower my gaze to my food as flashes of our naked bodies writhing together enter my mind, once more. I will my brain to stop picturing her without any clothes. I haven’t even asked her out on a date. Yet I’m picturing us giving one another mind blowing pleasure. I need to get my head on straight. Slow things down and do this right. I like Marley. I’ve known it for a while, but I haven’t tried to see if she feels the same about me.
Oh, I’ve seen her give me an appreciative look from time to time. Her eyes on my biceps as I wheel myself around. I might be in a wheel chair, but I still work out, mostly my upper body and abs. I have to keep my arms and core strong so I can remain independent. I live completely on my own and have since about a year after my car accident. I’ve had plenty of women tell me how handsome I am, not that I agree with them, but I know I’m not a troll.
Focusing on my food, I scramble to find a topic of discussion to keep the conversation going with Marley. Something she said, strikes me. She said after class. I wonder what kind of classes she’s taking so I decide to ask.
“You said you came by after class?” I end my statement as a question. She looks up to nod at me. “What kind of classes are you taking?”
“I’m in culinary arts classes.” Marley beams. “I love to cook, so what better career to have than to become a chef?” I smile at her enthusiasm. “I’m just getting started, but I’m really loving it so far. I don’t ever expect to be head chef at a five-star restaurant, but I’m enjoying learning all about the craft.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” I tell her. “You could be a head chef someday.I can tell you have the intelligence and determination to become whatever you want.” Her whole face lights up at my words, closely followed by a bright red hue.
“I don’t know about that,” Marley replies modestly. “But thank you for saying so. I haven’t always made the best decisions. I started college right out of high school, but dropped out after two semesters. I just couldn’t do it at the time.” She pauses, blushing. I can tell there’s more to the story than she’s telling, but I don’t push her to reveal her secrets. She’ll tell me in time. She continues after a few minutes.
“I really would like to have my own restaurant one day or maybe a bakery. I absolutely love to bake. I guess you can tell by looking at me.” She flushes again. I frown not exactly taking her meaning. When she notices my confusion, she clarifies her statement. “I’m not exactly a skinny Minnie, Luke. I like to bake, and as I live alone, I eat what I bake. Therefore I’m a little fluffier than I’d like to be.” I realize she’s worried about her weight. I roll my eyes before I think about what I’m doing.
“Marley, you look beautiful,” I tell her honestly. “You have a very attractive body and a great personality to go with it. Don’t be thinking you need to change yourself into what society finds acceptable. Be happy in who you are, because I think you’re amazing. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Another lovely shade of red blooms over her face and neck at my words, which only fuels my inappropriate thoughts from earlier. Thoughts about other things that could make her flush. She swallows hard, looking back down at her sandwich before she speaks.
“Thank you, Luke.” Marley’s voice is husky. She clears her throat before continuing, “I think you’re the first man to say I’m beautiful.” Her eyes flit up to meet mine. I smile at her, hoping she will see the sincerity of my words.
“I’m happy to be the first,” I tell her. “But you should have heard those words long before now. How is it you don’t have a husband or a boyfriend?” Marley looks at me for a long moment, and I begin to think I’ve read her wrong. Maybe she does have a boyfriend. “I’m sorry, Marley. I shouldn’t have assumed you weren’t involved with someone.”
“It’s okay, Luke.” Marley’s lips pinches together. “I don’t have either one. I’ve dated over the years, but I’ve never really met anyone I was willing to change myself for long enough to keep a long-term relationship going.” She shrugs her shoulders before looking back down at her food.
“Why would you have to change yourself?” I ask her, genuinely curious about her statement. Her head jerks back up to meet my gaze. Her face frowns as she considers her response.
“Well, I suppose, because I’ve been told I talk too much,” Marley says, “I’m too needy, opinionated, or too independent. Oh, and the best one is I’m too sensitive. I tried a few times to change myself, to hold back my thoughts about how I felt or was being treated, but I decided life’s too short to walk around on eggshells or to feel hurt all the time. I’d rather be alone than to be made to feel like I’m wrong at every turn, that I’m not good enough.” Anger floods me as she speaks. I can’t believe any man lucky enough for Marley to give him the time of day would think she needed to change who she is for them.
“Don’t change yourself for anyone,” I say with more anger in my voice than I intend for her to hear. “Any man lucky enough for you to pay him some attention should be thanking his lucky stars, not trying to change you.” I shake my head at the audacity of some people. Always thinking they are better than others when in reality they are on the ones who need to do the changing.
Marley’s hand squeezing my shoulder draws me from my memories. Looking up into her lovely face, I see the evidence of her worry and fear. I hate seeing it. I want to wipe it all away, but I can’t, at least not yet anyway, but soon. I’ll keep her safe until I can remove the threat against her.
MARLEY
Luke’s home is gorgeous. I knew he was a successful businessman, but I never dreamed he’d live in such a swanky place. He has a freaking beach house for heaven’s sakes. I grew up barely getting by. I’m a little embarrassed he’s seen what’s left of my home. He didn’t look appalled to have been in there. Still he’s used to this…I look out at the fabulous ocean view from a large balcony. The salty, sea air with the waves crashing on shore is so relaxing.
