Safe With Me, Part 8 (The End) Read online

  When he came back inside the room he immediately started to undress. I was glad my eyes adjusted enough to let me watch. He cursed and stumbled around, almost falling as he wrestled one foot from his jeans. When he was finally naked, he put his phone on the nightstand and lifted the covers, then launched himself onto the bed hard enough to make the wooden frame creak, loudly.

  Instantly, his arm was around my back, pulling me close. He used one leg to bring the bottom half of my body tight against him as well.

  I had to turn my face to breathe. He didn't seem to notice he'd pressed my nose and mouth against his chest. I loved how his hard chest felt against my cheek, rising and falling with his breath. Mmm…and Polo Blue, a scent that would stay with me forever. He always wore the perfect amount.

  He tenderly ran his fingers through my hair and kissed my forehead. "I'm gonna sleep so good tonight." Another kiss. "Now that I got my woman back. Ain't fuckin' slept in weeks."

  Tears — my old friends. They always knew just when to sneak up and clobber me. I closed my eyes as tight as possible to try not to let any drip onto his chest. Did he really think we were back together? Were we back together?

  The most important questions were: Would he remember any of this in the morning? And how hung over would he be?

  The smell of his breath slowly filled my nostrils, now smelling of toothpaste instead of beer. And inexplicably making me smile.

  I listened to the beginning of his quiet, comforting snore before closing my eyes for the night.

  Susie

  Saturday, January 29, 2011

  8:23 AM

  After a moment of groggy disorientation, I startled awake for the third time in eight hours. The order of events was always the same.

  Open eyes gently. Immediately close them. Try to fall back to sleep.

  Wait, this isn't my bedroom.

  Person beside me, emitting a dull snore.

  There's a person beside me?

  Oh shit, it's Tyler!

  And then I'd jolt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped in my face.

  Since it was now daylight, I no longer had to strain to see him there in full, naked, sinewy form, spread out in the middle of the bed, leaving almost no space for me. He was on his stomach, the back of his head turned toward me. Hair strewn across the pillow. Large expanse of skin and muscle laying right there with nothing but a sliver of sheet barely covering his sculpted ass.

  I wanted to stay there all morning and let my eyes drink it all in, but unfortunately, I had to pee. I stayed there for just a little while, replaying last night's events. Would he remember coming here? Should I make him leave as soon as he wakes up? From the volume of his hearty breathing, it sounded like it may be hours before he'd come out of this coma.

  I carefully put my feet on the floor, stood, straightened my little white cotton nightgown, and walked gently around the bed and out of the room. A few minutes later I reentered the room, walking softly to avoid the squeakiest floor boards.

  Why'd he have to look so good? His cheek was against the pillow, his mouth wide open, inhaling breaths that sounded like growls. His arms were spread wide, elbows bent, wrists near the headboard on either side of the pillow.

  Oh Lord, I forgot how thick those shoulders were. I wanted to slide into bed beside him and disappear in his arms. And if he'd been awake and coherent, that's what I would've done.

  But instead, I brushed some of his hair aside and put my hand on his back. His soft skin was warm to my touch. He remained perfectly still, lost in oblivious slumber.

  Gently, I traced the ridges of his shoulder muscles with my fingers. I'd gazed upon this man's body a thousand times and never really stopped to analyze it like this. It wasn't like me to treat a naked man like a spectacle but I was in love with him. And for all I knew, I may never fall in love again. I wanted to memorize everything.

  I laid my palm flat against his back, gliding down his spine until I got to the only part of his body that was covered. So, naturally, I uncovered it, letting my hand slide down under the sheet to feel his ass. Mmm…so taut and perfect. I gave his right cheek a tiny squeeze and looked at his face to make sure he was still asleep. Oh, how I missed those powerful muscles and the brute force he always put behind them.

  I smiled as I thought about the times he'd taken me on that very bed where he slept. I especially missed the weekends when we'd lock ourselves in this house and go from bed to couch to shower to chair to table until we wore ourselves out.

  Damn it!

  I squeezed the back of his thigh.

  Damn it again! If only I hadn't fallen in love. Sex and love…a terrible combination. Made my pain a million times worse.

  Just then, Tyler sniffled and let out a loud groan.

  I flinched, pulling my hand away, my heart pounding like thunder. I felt a little calmer when I saw his eyes were still closed.

  His nose wrinkled as he produced another groan, then halfway opened his eyes before shutting them again. "Bright."

  "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'll close the blinds. You need anything else?"

  "Water." He pressed his palms against his eyes and sat up, yawning. "And sleep."

  "Okay." I was familiar with his hangovers. He usually recovered pretty well just by sleeping in.

  Tyler yawned again and swung his legs around to stand up. Now I had the full frontal view.

  Oh, I didn't need to see that. What, did I expect it to shrink or something?

  I sighed under my breath. I knew it wasn't the size I missed. It was him. I simply missed him.

  I rose to my feet as he lumbered off to the bathroom without saying another word. I quickly shut the blinds then went to the kitchen to get him a large glass of water with a flexible straw in case he was ailing too much to lift his head to take a sip. As I put the straw in the glass, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a glass canister. I didn't even realize I was smiling. I guess it made me happy to take care of him.

  I took the water into the bedroom to leave on the nightstand. As soon as I placed the glass on the coaster, I heard his footsteps. When I turned around he was walking toward me, rubbing one eye.

  "Hey," I said. "Your water's here. Let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

  Our eyes met. A corner of his mouth pursed, forming a smirk.

  Did he remember last night or not?

  He closed his eyes, yawning as he walked to the bed. He must have been able to see through his eyelids somehow, because he reached down and took my wrist as he walked by, pulling me along to the bed. In a scratchy voice, he said, "Come back to bed."

  I opened my mouth to respond but he was already sitting on the sheet, pulling me toward him. His eyes were unfocused and sleepy. He attached his other hand to my arm and forced me to the bed as he maneuvered his way under the covers. Soon, I was there beside him, this time facing the opposite direction, my eyes closed. His arm was around me, holding me much tighter than necessary.

  It took a few minutes for him to fall asleep. His grip remained firm for a long time until he rolled over on his side and let me go.

  I didn't think I was tired enough to sleep, but the next time I opened my eyes the clock said 12:13.

  He would wake up soon, and then what? I hadn't the faintest idea. I wanted him to leave, and I didn't want him to leave. I wanted to give him another chance, and at the same time I wanted to kick him out.

  The image of his face appeared effortlessly in my thoughts. Usually I had to strain to remember it. Not today. I saw that dumbstruck expression, the one he showed me before I made him leave the house. He'd never understand me. Maybe I didn't even understand me. But at least I could never break up with me; he could. And eventually, he would.

  A voice entered my thoughts, confirming my decision. Filthy piece of trash. Worthless. Never should've been born.

  He may not have been my real dad, but he was right about a few things. Asshole. God, I hated when he was right.

  I blotted my eyes with the sheet and
got out of bed without looking at Tyler. It was time to move on once again. Forget how sweet and perfect and sexy and naked he was. Just forget.

  First stop was the bathroom.

  Second stop was the bong in the living room to finish up the bowl I'd packed the prior evening. Four hits and it was gone. And I felt no different. Couldn't get high anymore. And that sucked.

  I rolled my eyes and found my phone. Less than three minutes later, I clicked 'purchase' for a bottle of orange-flavored liquid that was supposed to arrive on Monday to cleanse my body of chemicals. Maybe it would help me get high again. If it didn't, it was time to switch from a bong to a vaporizer. And if that didn't work? I shuddered to think…

  Next stop was the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. Tyler would surely want a huge glass of coffee over ice when he woke up. It could give him the energy he'd need to get out of my house. We didn't have to speak.

  As soon as I turned off the water in the sink, I heard slow footsteps behind me, then a throat clear. Then there was no movement at all.

  I stood there, trying to wait him out. I knew he wanted my attention.

  I waited a little while longer before realizing this was a great time to tell him to leave. Tell him the coffee'd be ready in a few minutes, then call Caleb to come get him. Hell, he was probably the one who dropped him off last night.

  Deep breath. Place carafe on counter. Turn around.

  Oh fuck. Why'd I turn around?

  He stood in the doorway, mighty and naked, one hand holding the door frame, the other at his side. His big brown eyes were hard. Angry. Cutting right through me like daggers.

  Making my pussy clench.

  I wanted to look away, but couldn't. No amount of blinking helped. His eyes drew me in and held me there, making it difficult to breathe.

  I had to break the silence. My lips opened…but my voice…paralyzed. Useless. Gorgeous naked Tyler. I loved him. Needed him. In every single way.

  And on every single piece of furniture in my house.

  Please, please tear me apart. Put this ache to rest.

  His eyes narrowed. "Coffee, huh?"

  I gulped. "Yeah. And then you gotta go."

  He produced an abrupt, sarcastic chuckle, then turned to walk in the direction of the bathroom.

  I shrank back against the kitchen counter, catching my breath.

  What was I supposed to do? He'd pulled the rug out from under me once again, and I was stumbling, trying to steady my emotions. God, nothing made sense anymore.

  As deep as possible, I inhaled a trembling breath, then blew it out.

  Back to the coffee pot to distract me until my thoughts cleared.

  I poured the water, then took a filter out of the cabinet. As I was about to scoop out the coffee, I thought I faintly heard him brushing his teeth.

  By the time I heard him exit the bathroom, fresh hot coffee was dripping into the carafe. I watched it drip to have something to focus on instead of him.

  My pulse raced as his footsteps drew closer.

  I saw his misshapen reflection in the glass. He walked up behind me and stood still, making no sound besides breathing. I dared not turn around. What would I say? What would he say?

  After a few agonizing seconds, he swept my hair back to uncover my ear, his hard cock poking my back. Then his hands were on my waist, lifting the hem of my short nightgown, exposing my naked ass.

  His hot breath suddenly filled my ear, whispering, “You owe me.”

  Oh fuck. I inhaled a hard rush of air and almost lost my balance.

  You’re all I need, Tyler. Just give me what I need.

  He immediately started to caress my neck with his tongue. Its velvet magic shot fire through my body. His hands moved to my wrists, holding them tight against my stomach, trapping me in his muscular arms.

  I opened my mouth, barely able to breathe. Air filled my lungs in trembling fragments.

  He suddenly spun me around, locking my wrists together behind my back.

  I stared up at him, dazed.

  He licked his plump lips, his eyes slowly going from my chest to my face and back down. He looked everywhere but into my eyes, like I was an object and he was merely sizing me up. His voice was quiet, but serious and unwavering. “You still owe me some time. Here’s how you’re gonna repay that debt, darlin'.” His eyes settled on my lips as he shoved me backward, pinning me between the kitchen counter and his giant, erect penis. “We’re gonna go upstairs. You’re gonna unlock that room.” He let go of one of my wrists, but he had me pinned so tight, I still couldn’t move. Using his free hand, he slid one finger across my bottom lip. “All day today and tomorrow. Your plans are canceled. You don’t answer the phone. You don’t answer the door. You don’t answer to anyone but me.” His eyes finally met mine with a slightly evil glint. “You’re not my girlfriend, either. You’re my property.”

  Holy shit. My knees went weak. I may have fallen down if he weren’t propping me up. I kept my eyes on his, trying to show no emotion. “What if I don’t want to?”

  He chuckled, then stepped back just enough to give his hand adequate space to reach down between my thighs.

  “Uh!” I was too late to try to stop my shriek in reaction to his touch.

  Tyler’s fingers glided slowly between my soaked lips. “You want to.” His face was serious and intense. His thumb touched my clit as his fingers slid easily inside me. “Ooh, yeah. You want to.”

  I closed my eyes, my chest tightening. His fingers worked slowly, hitting every spot just right. I let my mouth hang wide open so I could breathe.

  “Did I say you could close your eyes?” he asked.

  “What?”

  “Open your eyes, Susie."

  I opened my eyes and peered up at him. What the hell was going on? In the past, even when he was rough with me, there was still an underlying sweetness — a smile hidden in there somewhere. Not today. He didn’t resemble my sweet Tyler at all. Today, there was something sinister and exciting in his big brown eyes.

  His beautiful bare chest… dark hair tumbling across his shoulders… his face sober, warning me of hidden intentions. Giant cock piercing my stomach.

  I was amazed at what he could do with one hand.

  “Oh!” My eyes closed as the pace of his fingers quickened, going deeper inside me, his thumb grazing my clit each time.

  “No.” His voice was stern. “Open your eyes. Don’t make me tell you again.”

  I opened them. Hell, I never meant to close them but it was my natural reaction to close my eyes while moaning in ecstasy. "What's gotten into you?" I whispered.

  His sarcastic chuckle returned. Then, in a throaty whisper, he said, "You're so fuckin' unfair to me. Throw me away. Delete me outta your life."

  "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to call you that day—"

  "No! You talk when I say you can talk." His lips pressed together tight, eyes piercing mine. The fingers inside me were no longer moving. "You're so fuckin' selfish. You'd rather just let me hurt than give me another chance. You—"

  I interrupted him without thinking, my words frantic. "That's not true! It wasn't selfish. It was the best thing—"

  "Shut up!"

  With fury in his eyes, he took his hand from between my legs and put both hands on my shoulders, suddenly turning me until I faced the hallway. In the very next instant, his arm was against my stomach, pinning my arms down as he bent me forward just enough for me to feel my gown lift.

  And then, his open palm struck my flesh…hard.

  I screamed, shocked by the pain. Holy shit, I hope he doesn't do that again…

  But he did. In the same spot. At the top of my left thigh.

  "Ow!"

  And then again, same spot. Twice. Hard.

  "Dammit Tyler!" I twisted at the waist, trying to get out of his grip.

  He tightened his arm under my stomach. "You brought it on yourself, darlin'." His palm hit my flesh again, this time a few inches higher. "Told you not to talk." His tone was cold and
unyielding, like he believed I was due this punishment. He spanked me two more times in that spot, making me shriek.

  I squeezed my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as if it somehow shielded me. I wanted to cry, and not just because of the sharp, searing pain, but because I could tell he really thought I deserved this. Was he doing it for my benefit, or using my naked behind as an outlet for his anger? I had no idea. Either way, it made me sad. At least the physical pain was a distraction from that sadness.