Freeing Her (39 page)

“
I know. It’s so weird.
How did he get so fucked up? Was is because he resented the fact he
was my dad’s son?”

“
Who knows? Sometimes
people are just born bad.”

“
That’s so creepy.” Gabby
shuddered.

“
Do you want me to stay
home today?”

“
No, and I’m going to work
today too.”

Kolson pulled away from her so he could get
a good look at her. “You sure about this? You up to it?”

“
Yes. It’ll do me
good.”

Later that day, Kolson called and told Gabby
he had a surprise for her and she needed to be ready to go out by
five thirty.

“
Look beautiful, like you
always do, kea.”

“
Where are we
going?”

“
I’m not
telling.”

# # #

Gabby came home from work early to get ready
for her surprise. She was ready to go at five thirty, like Kolson
requested.

“
Gorgeous, as usual.” he
said when she walked out.

“
So?”

“
You’ll see.

They went to dinner and
then on to see
Phantom of the
Opera
. Dinner was outstanding and the play
was unlike anything Gabby had ever experienced. She had tears in
her eyes for most of it because the music was so poignant, she
wouldn’t let go of Kolson’s hand. He promised to download the score
for her as soon as they got home.

“
That was the most
beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Gabby said as they walked out of
the theater. The music was so awesome. Thank you,
Kolson.”

They climbed into the car and started back
for home.

“
So you really enjoyed it,
huh?”

“
Yeah, I ...” and all of a
sudden, Gabby burst into tears. She cried her eyes out, for so many
things, but mostly because she was sad that Danny’s life had been
so tragic in so many ways. Even though he had terrified her, there
had to have been a reason somewhere for it and the kindness in her
heart tried to find the why behind it.

“
It’s okay, you can cry
all you want.”

“
I’m sorry. I really did
love the show.” She sniffed.

Kolson rubbed circles on her back. “I know
you did, kea. I could tell by the way you squeezed my hand the
entire time.” Then he kissed the top of her head.

“
Thank you for taking such
good care of me. And for loving me.”

“
I hope you don’t cry like
this when I take you to the opera.”

“
Is it as good as the
theater?”

“
It’s unbelievable. We’ll
do that next. Seriously can’t wait to see your reaction. Oh, and by
the way, don’t forget about spending next weekend at my parents’
house.”

“
Are you sure about
going?” She sat up and faced him. They were in the back seat of one
of his limos. The shadows of the night danced across the planes of
his face and it was too dark to read his expression.

“
Uh-hmm. I want to be
better about seeing my Mom and she loves her little get-togethers.
It will be relaxed. Not like last time.”

His casual attitude didn’t fool her one
bit.

“
Kolson, what aren’t you
telling me?”

“
Nothing, kea. It’s just
one night. I’m doing it for Mom.”

“
I’m not buying it. You
hate that place and after what happened between us the last time we
went, I’m not too sure I want to go back.”

“
Oh, Gabriella, I was
overreacting. I’ll be fine.”

“
Kolson Hart, you can say
a lot of things to me, but don’t you ever lie.”

“
I’m not. This will be
fine. I’ve been feeling guilty lately about not ever seeing my
mother. Dad called and invited us so I said yes. I didn’t think it
would be a huge deal.”

Gabby was silent, digesting what he’d said.
She didn’t believe him. Something else was happening, but he wasn’t
going to tell her. She’d have to resort to other tactics to find
out.

They pulled up in front of their building.
As they walked in, hand in hand, her brain spun. When the elevator
doors closed behind them, she attacked. Turning on him, she shoved
him back against the wall and grabbed the lapels of his jacket.

“
Tell me the truth. What
the hell is going on?”

“
You’re turning me on,
that’s what.”

“
Stop. You know what I
mean.”

“
Gabriella, it’s a matter
of spending one goddamn night at my parents’ house. Can you drop
it? You’re making something out of nothing.”

Her eyes dug into his, assessing,
evaluating.

“
And if you don’t stop
looking at me like that, I’m going to fuck you right here. I mean
it.”

The doors opened and he carried her out, not
stopping until he reached the dining room table. She felt the edge
of it dig into the backs of her thighs as he laid her down. He took
his arm and cleared everything out of the way—silver candleholders
and crystal vases cradling floral arrangements crashed to the
floor.

He leaned over her and said against her
mouth, “I’d like to shred this silk right off you, but I know it
would piss you off since it’s the first time you’ve worn it.”
Standing back up, he jerked it up to her waist. “I’m going to fuck
you in here, and then I’ll get rid of the damn thing.” He slid his
fingers beneath the elastic of her thong and asked, “Yes, or
no?”

“
Doesn’t matter.” She
panted. She was ready for him and didn’t give a damn about her
stupid panties.

He snapped the thing into two tiny bits of
lace. His hands spread her legs and he murmured against her thighs,
“Throughout dinner, while you were mmming over the food, all I
wanted to eat was your pussy.” His tongue made one long, drawn-out
lick, and then tunneled into her depths. “God, you taste good.
Never tasted anything this sweet.” He went back down on her,
licking everywhere but her clit. She arched up against his mouth,
seeking that place, trying to get him to touch her there. But he
wouldn’t. He laughed as he lifted his head. “I know what you’re
trying to get me to do. You want more, don’t you?”

“
Yes. You’re a fucking
tease.”

“
You tortured me all night
in this sexy dress. Call this payback. If you want to come, you’re
going to have to do it yourself while I tongue you,
Gabriella.”

Her hand moved to her sex and she flicked
her clit while he flattened his tongue and bathed her with it. Then
he stood back as he watched her. He pulled his cock out and stroked
himself as she masturbated.

“
Put your fingers inside
yourself.”

She moaned as she did it.

“
Don’t come yet. I don’t
want you to come.” He spun her around so her head was now hanging
off the end of the table. “Suck me while you play.”

She took his cock deep inside her mouth.
Tongue licking and swirling around his piercing, she worked his
head and then took him in as far as she could take it.

“
Oh fuck, Gabriella,
that’s so damn sweet.”

She sucked his cock as she played with
herself. But when he grew closer to his release, he wanted inside
of her. He pulled out of her mouth and spun her back around. He
grabbed her hand away from her sex and took her fingers and sucked
on them.

Gabby wanted to squeeze her legs together
but couldn’t because he stood between them. She writhed on the
table and said, “I need you inside me. Now, Kolson.”

Releasing her hand, he clutched her around
the waist and in one swift motion picked her up and thrust his hips
into her, burying himself deep inside. She put her arms around his
neck and wrenched his hair as she called out his name. His hands
wrapped her legs around his waist and slammed her into the wall as
he drove into her over and over, until they were breathless.

Every single thing about their joining was
violent … their passion, their touching, their emotions. The air
around them was charged with it. Her hands held on to him, gripping
his shoulders with a singular strength, and her heels dug into his
ass. Her mouth sought his skin, tasting everywhere she could reach,
biting and licking him. When they kissed, it was with the ferocity
of two people desperate for each other. She bit his lip and tasted
blood, and when her orgasm hit, it was like a cannonball crashing
into her and ripping her apart. Everything in her body tensed
brutally, pulsating, bringing his own on, milking him until he was
bone-dry.

When it passed, they stood together, wrapped
in each other, trying to collect themselves. They sucked in air,
trying to replenish lost oxygen. Their gazes were locked, but
neither spoke, trying to assess what had taken place between
them.

“
You bit me,” he finally
said, licking his lip.

“
Hmmm. You crazy fucked
me.”

“
That I did. And you liked
it. You crazy climaxed on me.”

“
That I did.” She gave her
head a little shake. “Are we good here, Kolson, because that really
was crazy.”

“
Yeah. I’m good. I’m real
good. What have you done to me, Gabriella?”

“
The same thing you’ve
done to me.”

He grabbed her lower lip
with his teeth and gently tugged. “I lose myself with you. I’ve
never done that before. I don’t
ever
lose myself. Lose
control.”

“
Good, because I’m lost in
you and would be lost without you.”

“
Every time we fuck, I
lose more and more of myself to you. I gotta say it worries
me.”

She tightened her legs that were still
around his waist and rubbed her cheek against his. “Oh, babe,
you’re not losing anything. You’re sharing. And the part that
you’ve given me is the best part of all … the part that I’ll
treasure.”

He rubbed his rough cheek
against her softness. “You don’t understand. I’m different with
you. My urge to control isn’t here. Well, maybe a little. But I
want
more
with
you. I want it
all
. Including the future.”

“
So do I. And we can,
someday. But you know what has to happen first, right?”

“
Yes. And I’ll tell you
one day. Soon, perhaps.”

“
I’ll support you, the
same way you did me.”

His lips brushed over hers, stroking them
lightly. “I love you more than I can tell you. Let’s get some
sleep, kea.”

“
Walk me to bed, babe,
’cause I don’t think my legs are worth a damn.”

# # #

On Tuesday, the news broke
regarding Gabby’s parents. Most of the media reported the
following:
A civil suit had been filed
against Mr. and Mrs. John Anthony Martinelli by Dr. Gabriella
Martinelli for child abuse, child neglect, and aiding and abetting
the act of rape of a minor. The charges go back sixteen years. Dr.
Gabriella Martinelli, a psychiatrist practicing in Manhattan, is
the daughter of the plaintiffs. Dr. Martinelli was also part of the
manhunt for Daniel Martinelli, which had been ongoing for the past
month. Mr. Martinelli had been charged with rape, attempted rape,
attempted murder, assault, attempted kidnapping, aggravated
assault, and battery with a deadly weapon. Mr. Martinelli’s body
was found late last week. He allegedly took his own life to avoid a
lengthy prison sentence. A suicide note was found in his possession
admitting his guilt to the aforementioned crimes.

Their phones did not stop ringing. The media
wanted to interview Gabby. Exactly like the attorneys had
predicted, she had become an instant sensation. The perfect
scenario for a psychiatrist. Now she didn’t want to go out for an
entirely different reason. Kolson surrounded her with a team of
bodyguards just to keep the nosy paparazzi at bay. The phone at the
office rang nonstop. People called from all over to get an
appointment with her. If they had any instance of sexual abuse,
they wanted to go to the doctor who had dealt with it herself.

“
What a damn monster this
has created.”

“
It’ll pass.”

“
I hope so. This is a much
bigger crazy train than I thought it would be.”

“
Gabriella, you know I’m
here, if you need me for anything.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, her
phone rang again. She looked at the number and gasped.

“
What is it?”

“
My parents’
number.”

“
You’re not supposed to
talk to them. Stan will shit a brick if you answer it.”

Gabby hit the record button and put it on
speakerphone. “Hello?”

“
What do you seek to gain
by all of this?”

Her father’s voice, the one that used to
addle her so much, filled the room. This time, however, the effect
on her was more of a bother than anything.

“
Hello, Dad. What I seek
is the truth. I’m tired of being called a liar. For years Danny
terrorized me while you and the rest of the family stood by and
supported him. You gave him carte blanche to rape and beat your
daughter. You accused me of being sexually promiscuous. I was
raped, for Christ’s sake, and as my father, you were supposed to
protect me. But what did you do? You threw me right back into my
rapist’s arms. Do you even know how many bones that disgusting
piece of filth broke? Do you? Don’t bother to answer because of
course you don’t. You didn’t care enough to notice. You never came
into my room to check on me. You never once came to find out why I
tried to kill myself. What kind of a man allows that to happen to
his child? What kind of a shit parent does that?”