Chained (8 page)

She gave me a look that said he was guilty as sin. What was it with people and trust issues?

“Seriously, Tammy? Wayne? No way. I’ve known him for the last three months. He’d never do that. He wouldn’t harm a fly.”

“But you want to call Bob?”

I sighed because I knew what Tammy was thinking. On occasion, she was a nice girl, but I did wonder how on earth she got into volunteering there at times. She was worried about using what little budget we had.

“Yes, I’m calling Bob, but you don’t have to worry. I’ll pay for it.”

Tammy laughed. “
You
want to pay?”

I didn’t like her tone. “Yes, I will. Rachel is in pain and needs help. How can I ignore that?” I was probably sounding more vindictive than I meant to be, but it was hard when someone was obviously being uncaring and stubborn.

She didn’t answer me, so I took that as my cue. “I’m going to call Bob. I’ll use my own phone.” With that, I swung around and went into the office to find Bob’s number. Once I had it, I put it into the phone and called both Rachel and Wayne in.

I dialled the number and it rang a couple times. “Hello?”

“Hi, Bob. It’s Olivia from the kitchen. I’m ringing because I need you to take a look at someone for me.”

“Okay, I’m free. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”

I smiled. “That’s great. I’ll see you then.”

“Olivia?”

“Yes?”

“What am I looking at?”

I sighed and looked over at Rachel. “I have a lady here named Rachel. She’s been badly beaten. She won’t go to the hospital, so I thought I’d call you. I’m just worried because one of her eyes seems to be swollen shut.”

I heard him sigh. “That bad, ha?” He went quiet for a moment. “I’ll bring my things and be there as quick as I can.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

I put the phone down and looked at Rachel and Wayne. “He should be here in about fifteen minutes. Don’t worry. He won’t tell anyone. Part of his services involves not alerting the authorities.”

Both Wayne and Rachel breathed out a sigh of relief. I smiled, then got out of my chair. “I’ll get you both something to eat.”

Once I grabbed them some food, I walked back toward the office. Tammy spotted me. “Have you left them on their own in there?”

I almost rolled my eyes. “I’ve been gone less than two minutes. I think they’ll be okay. I’ve got to get them something to eat before the doctor gets here.”

I didn’t wait to hear if she had anything else to say. Instead, I marched into the office and placed the plates and cutlery down in front of them.

Wayne licked his lips. “Smells great, Olivia. Thanks.” He gave me a big, beaming smile.

I placed my hand on Rachel’s shoulder and she looked up at me timidly. I gave her a tender smile and gently squeezed her arm. Tears pooled in her good eye and I had to look away before I started crying myself.

Instead, I sat down and, whilst they ate, read the morning paper, looking at the time every two minutes.

Bob turned up just as Wayne and Rachel had finished their meals. “Bob,” I said, smiling, as he came through the door. “So nice to see you.” I went over, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and turned to Rachel. “This is Rachel. As you can see, she’s got quite an injury to her eye.”

Bob looked at her. “Yes, so I see.”

I pointed at the door. “I need to get to the soup kitchen to start my round, but please come and find me when you’re done, Bob.”

He nodded with a smile. “I will.”

I squeezed Rachel’s shoulder and nodded to Wayne before walking out the door. I went into the kitchen to fetch the containers, walking them all into the dining area. Tony helped me because Tammy was nowhere to be seen, for which I was grateful.

Just as I was loading the last tray, Tammy appeared, a false smile on her face. “Are they still in there?”

I nodded. “Yes, Bob is with them now. I’ve told him to come and find me when he’s done.”

She nodded, went to open the front doors, then disappeared towards the office. She was probably making sure they left and didn’t touch anything. I didn’t mind. At least I could just get on with service.

Thomas walked in first, a worried expression on his face. “Is Rachel okay?”

I nodded. “I’m sure she is. There’s a doctor with her now. She will be out in a minute.”

He pointed to the plates. “Shall I get an extra one for her?”

I shook my head. “No need, Thomas. She and Wayne have already eaten.”

He handed me his plate and shook his head. “Terrible business, Olivia. How can one street person do this to another? It’s just not right. We’re supposed to stick together, not steal from each other.”

I gave Thomas a caring smile. “I know. I guess there are some bad eggs out there. Know what I mean?” I thought back to Freddy and it almost made me shudder.

“I do. I wish I didn’t, but I do.” Once I placed everything on the tray for him, he smiled and thanked me before walking off.

After about twenty minutes, Wayne came out with Rachel and smiled at me. They both walked over and hugged me.

“What did he say?”

I grabbed the next plate and put some food on it before handing it out.

“He said I’ve probably fractured my cheekbone and I should really get an x-ray to make sure there is no displacement. I told him I had no tingling or anything. He just said okay and told me to take some ibuprofen.”

Just as she said this, Tammy and Bob came out of the office. She saw how busy I was and offered to take over. I wasn’t sure whether she was being kind, or whether she was taking over just so I could settle the bill with Bob. I kind of had a feeling it was the latter.

Thanking her, I turned my attention to Rachel. I placed my hand in my pocket and pulled out a twenty. “Here, take this.”

Rachel shook her head and tried to force the money back to me. “No. You’ve done enough.”

I turned to Wayne. “Does she have enough money to buy some medicine for the pain?” He shook his head, so I turned to Rachel. “Take it. I won’t take no for an answer.”

Rachel sighed and looked unhappy. Reluctantly, she took it from me and gave me another hug. “Thank you so much, Olivia. You’re such a sweet girl.” She had a tear in her good eye as she gently pinched my chin.

“Don’t mention it, Rachel. I just want to see you get better.”

They both nodded and, after Wayne squeezed my hand, made their way out the door. I saw Thomas quickly following after. He was obviously eager to make sure she was okay.

I turned to Bob. “I guess you’ll be wanting to get paid now.” I smiled sweetly and walked towards the office. “Follow me.”

I walked in and grabbed my bag. I took my purse out and dug out two fifty pound notes. I held them out to Bob, but he just stared at me without taking them. “It’s a hundred, isn’t it? Or has your rate changed?”

Bob shook his head. “No…but why are you taking money from your bag?”

I sighed. “I told Tammy this was on me so she didn’t have to use the money from the petty cash.”

Bob stood there indignantly. “That’s what it’s there for, though.”

I nodded. “I know. It’s just… I just wanted to do the right thing.” I sagged my shoulders and Bob stared at me.

After a minute, he sighed and walked towards the door. “I can’t take your money, Olivia. This one’s on me.”

“But… But…” It was too late. He was out the door before I could argue.

Feeling bad, I placed the money back in my purse and went in search of Tammy.

I stayed for another hour, helping with all the cleaning up. By the time I was finished, it was close to twelve. I was a little excited at the prospect of going home to see Kit, but I wanted to do some shopping first.

I took a little stroll down the high street and bought two pairs of jeans, two tops, and some socks. I wasn’t sure about Kit’s waist, so I had to improvise and hope for the best. He looked like he may have been a thirty-four, so I went with that.

By the time I got to my street, I was virtually skipping towards my door. I was starting to get hungry, so I’d picked up a couple sandwiches on my way home.

When I walked in, I shouted up the stairs, “Kit, it’s just me!” I smiled, loving the fact I was talking to someone in my home. I was usually met by silence.

He didn’t answer. Part of me worried, but another part of me thought he may be asleep. I went into my utility area and found Kit’s things still sitting there.

Without a thought, I picked up his key, went to my drawer, and placed the spare key to my front door on his key ring. It just felt right somehow.

Putting his key back, I took my coat off, placed my handbag on the floor, and raced up the stairs with Kit’s new clothes and sandwiches.

When I walked in, I found Kit under the covers, shivering. He looked just as bad as when I saw him last night. Quickly setting everything down, I raced to him and placed my hand on his forehead. He was cool and clammy. I looked at the nightstand and saw that the tablets had been taken.

“So…so cold.”

I squeezed his hand, which was clutching the sheets, and got up to walk around the other side. I stripped down to my bra and panties, got under the covers, and scooted towards him. I placed my arm around him, and he pushed his back into me, seeking out my warmth.

“It’s okay, Kit. I’m here now. I’ll keep you warm.”

His shivering went on for a while, but once he stopped, I could tell he had fallen asleep. I should have gotten up to eat something, but I felt my own eyes drooping a little. The feel of Kit’s warm body pressed against me, coupled with his soothing breathing, made me sleepy. Before I knew it, I was away with the fairies.

*****

“I know what you want. Your husband doesn’t know how you like it, but I do.”

I woke up with a jolt to find Kit hovering above me. His eyes were wide and unfocused again.

“Kit, what’s the matter?”

“I know what you want and I’m going to give it to you.”

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. “What are you talking–”

Before I could finish, he ripped my panties off and lowered his head. “Kit what are you–” He spread my legs and flicked his tongue on my clit. “Oh god!” I actually saw stars dancing behind my eyes.

What in the hell was he doing?

His tongue danced on my clit, sending me into oblivion. Whatever he was doing made my breath come out in gasps, my head to feel dizzy, and my body to spasm with every lick.

But this wasn’t right. Through my ecstasy, clarity tried to seep in. Kit didn’t know what he was doing. He was delirious again.

“Kit… Kit…” I could hardly talk, hardly get the words out, as his tongue swirled harder and harder around my clit.

I clutched the sheets. “Oh god, Kit!” I squeezed my eyes shut as a feeling like no other crawled up from my hips to my breasts. I didn’t know what it was, but it was building and building, virtually blinding me.

“Kit, you shouldn’t be doing this. You’re delirious!” He flicked his tongue again and I arched my back. “Oh no!” I didn’t know what was happening, but my whole body tensed. Kit just carried on his onslaught, even speeding up the pace. Did he know something I didn’t? Surely he wasn’t conscious that he was doing this.

All thoughts disappeared the moment Kit swept his tongue from the bottom of my clit to the top. He swirled his tongue around and that was all it took for me to fall over the edge.

Out of nowhere, I screamed his name, my body convulsing beneath him. I grabbed the sheets as my body rode the wave of this magnificent orgasm. It was so intense, I didn’t care that I screamed the place down.

Kit stopped, and I was left absolutely breathless and confused. I didn’t know what the hell just happened. “Oh god…oh god…oh god…” I couldn’t stop saying it over and over again. I was high on some powerful shit.

When I calmed enough to realise that something very weird was happening, I looked down and found Kit staring at me with wide eyes.

“I hurt you. I forced you.”

I shook my head and tried to get up. “Kit, it’s fine.” I tried placing my hand on his shoulder to calm him down, but he flinched away from me.

“It’s not fucking fine, Olivia. Stop trying to make me out to be something I’m not. I use people. I fucking hurt people.”

Oh, my god. How do I explain to him that what he did was the best experience of my life without it sounding sordid?

I felt the guilt rise then. “I’m sorry. I should have stopped you. I just couldn’t. I…” I didn’t have a proper explanation.

“I forced you.”

I shook my head. “That’s not true.”

Kit slid off the bed and bent down to pick up my ripped panties. “I forced you.”

This was going from bad to worse. “Kit, please. You’re not well. You need to rest.”

Kit violently shook his head. “I need to get out. I need to go before I hurt you again.”

He raced down the stairs so quickly, I barely had time to register he was leaving. Getting up, I grabbed my jeans, pulled them on, and raced after him.