I Won't Give Up on You (5 page)

The giggly store clerk smiled, and I scowled. When the clerk came to the magazine, I saw her sigh.

I captured her wrist that held the magazine, and she gasped, locking eyes with me, I caught the look of fear, but I snaked a smile on my face. Grazing my thumb over the increased pulse on her wrist, my fucking dick was hard off of the fear in her eyes.

“When’s your break?” I asked as I looked over the counter at the short fucking skirt she had on.

Her smile was devilish. “In about five minutes.”

Smiling, I brought her hand up and kissed the wrist I was just hurting. “I’ll meet you out back.”

Grabbing my purchases, I headed to my car and threw my shit in the back. Getting in the car, I pulled around back and waited for her. Right on time she walked out, twirling her hair around her finger. I purposely parked where she couldn’t see me. I needed to observe her for a few seconds. Palming my cock through my jeans, I watched as she lit up a cigarette and relaxed against the side of the building, letting her head rest on the cement wall.

I quickly got out of my car and stalked up to her before she even had a chance to react to my presence. In one swift move, I flicked the cigarette out of her mouth, covered it with one hand, and grasped her wrists together, binding them behind her back with my other, all before she was able to react. Putting my face directly next to hers, I whispered in her ear, “Don’t fucking scream, don’t make a fucking noise. Understand?”

Her big brown eyes locked with mine, and she nodded her head. Taking the hand away from her mouth, I lifted her skirt and drug my finger between her legs.

“You fucking like to be manhandled, don’t you? You’re so god damn wet.”

Taking my cock from my pants, I managed to sheath myself with one hand. I ripped her thong off her body, throwing it to the ground

Thrusting my cock into her pussy was heaven. She was so wet. “Fuck, honey, you feel so good.”

I slammed into her harder and harder.

She felt so warm and good. I felt my orgasm start to build. A few more pumps and my balls tightened to my body. The ripples flowed, and I came hard in the condom.

I pulled out of her body. Taking off the condom, I tied it shut and tucked myself into my pants. She straightened herself.

“Thanks, Mark. I needed that. I love when we pretend we don’t know each other.”

“Nina, you’re ruining it.”

She laughed and took out another cigarette. I pulled it from her lips and took a drag before handing it back. “Next time, I want you to suck my cock.”

She made a clicking noise with her tongue. “Nope, you know I don’t do that.”

I leaned closer to her ear. “You will, and you’ll enjoy it.”

Pushing myself off the brick wall, I walked back to my Charger. Slamming the door, I started the car and pealed out of the lot, leaving two very long black tire marks.

Off to the courthouse to see what this judge was going to do.

Having to park a few blocks away, I took the back route. I saw him. He looked like he was in his own little world. Wanting to fuck with him, I pulled my hood over my head and moved so I would run right into him.

Clipping his shoulder hard, I muttered, “Watch it, buddy.” I kept walking, wondering if he would recognize my voice. He didn’t, and I just laughed. I must’ve been late, though, if he was already walking away from the courthouse. I quickened my speed, making my way to the jail that’s attached to the courthouse.

The clock clicked over to three in the afternoon, and I shifted uncomfortably on the metal bench in the visiting room. The door buzzer sounded and the prisoners walked through in a single file line. Most of the people around me jumped up and hugged their loved ones; however, I stayed seated until she reached me. I kept my eyesight lowered. White tennis shoes came into my line of sight, and I stayed frozen.

“You may look at me.”

A shiver traveled through my body from her words. I shifted my gaze up. She placed her hand in front of me. I accepted it and placed a soft kiss on the back.

“I’ve missed you, Mistress.”

She slid in across from me and crinkled her nose. “You reek of sex.”

I blushed and looked down at the table. “I’m sorry, Mistress.”

“Shut up, Mark, you aren’t fucking sorry.”

I dared to look up at her. I saw the evil gleam in her eye.
God damn, I love her
.

She shook her head and looked away. “You disappoint me.”

“Beverly, please—”

Her head snapped back around and her eyes darkened. “You are not allowed to call me Beverly.”

“I’m sorry, Mistress.”

Noticing the guards weren’t looking, she leaned over the table and whispered in my ear, “If I was alone with you right now, I’d fucking whip you to a bloody pulp.” She licked the outer edge of my ear before biting down on it hard. I whimpered, and my cock strained in my pants.

She leaned back and glared at me as she crossed her legs.

“I suppose you heard I’m up for bail?”

“No, ma’am.”

She scowled. “You didn’t make it to the hearing on time. I expected to be out already.”

I hung my head. “I’m so sorry.”

“Whatever, what news do you have for me?”

I looked around at all the happy families and frowned. “She’s still in the hospital, but I have it on good authority that she will be getting out today, actually.”

“Have they set a date yet?”

I shook my head. “Not to my knowledge. I’m sure they will soon.”

“Well, their wedding will be a living nightmare that they won’t survive.” She laughed. That sound made me shiver, and my cock twitched.

“Am I making you hard, little boy?”

I nodded.

“If you bail me out, you can take me home, and I can have my way with you.”

“I’d like that, Mistress.”

TWO MONTHS LATER—Present Day

My heart is beating a million miles a minute. I’m running as fast as my legs will take me, through alleys and down back roads I’ve never seen before. My chest is tight and the puffs of steam from my breath surround me in the cold. The dark shadow following me is making me run faster down the street. That’s when I hear the bang. Pain radiates through my leg. I collapse to the ground. “Help,” I scream, “please help me.” Blood is everywhere. Reaching down I touch just above my knee, it feels like mush. I start shivering and crying.
Why is no one helping me?

Sitting up in bed, I’m drenched in sweat and breathing hard. Tears are streaming down my cheeks. A warm hand reaches out to sweep my hair from my forehead. I gasp and jump as it touches me.

“Bre, it’s okay,” Caston soothes.

I take a deep cleansing breath as I try to shake the dream from my mind. “Oh, Caston, it was horrible. She was after me again.”

“She can’t get you, I promise.”

“But she posted bail, she’s out there somewhere.”

He sits up and wraps his arms around me, I turn into his chest and breathe in his scent. Kissing him on the hard, solid muscle, I take comfort that I’m in our bed, in our home. It was just a few months ago I was lying in a hospital bed. Now my life consists of physical therapy every day, but at least it makes me leave the house.

He lifts my chin with his finger, making me look up into his ice blue eyes. “Bre, I promise.”

“Are you sure?” Eyes wide from nerves.

He looks down at me and leans in to kiss my lips. As he captures them, he pushes a little, deepening the kiss and taking my breath away. In his husky, just awoken voice he assures me, “I swear on
my
life. Trust me.”

“I trust you, Caston.” My voice is barely audible.

Leaning down, slowly easing me onto my back, he starts kissing my jaw. I let out a soft moan as my insides clench with desire. His hands palm my breasts and tweak my nipples as his mouth sucks and nips its way down to the swell. Slowly his hands slide down my sides, he grabs the hem of my top and draws it up over my head. My long hair fans over my shoulders, framing my face.

“God, your beautiful, Sabrina,” he says breathlessly.

His warm mouth sucks one of my nipples in, and his tongue twirls around, causing me to arch my back in pleasure. He starts trailing soft kisses down my stomach. His hands glide down my sides until he’s gripping my hips as he presses his erection into my leg. I can feel how bad he wants me, and I’ve been craving him too. It’s been way too long.

“I need you, babe.”

As his fingers hook the tops of my silk panties, he tugs them down and brushes the scar on my leg. I immediately tense and pull away.

“I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?” Worried, Caston sits up, looking down at me.

I quickly slip my camisole back on and inch away from him. “No, I just can’t, Caston.” A tear slips down my cheek, but I turn my head into the pillow before he sees me crying. My hand reaches down to touch my wrinkled skin above my knee, and my stomach churns, wanting to purge our beautiful dinner. It’s so ugly and deformed.

“It’s okay.” He scoots in close to my back and pulls me into his embrace. Placing a kiss on my shoulder, he says, “I love you, Bre. I’m the luckiest man in the world. Do you know how beautiful you are?”

I take a deep breath in and silently blow it out. A few more tears slide down my cheeks, soaking my pillow. I can’t respond when I don’t feel those same things. I drift off, praying I can sleep peacefully.

Waking from another dream, my breathing is hard and shallow as my eyes flutter open.

Caston’s hot body is still wrapped around me. I could tell by his even breathing that he was still asleep even though my body jolted awake. I move his arm off, gently sliding my body to the edge of the bed. Pausing briefly as I swing my legs over, I look back over my shoulder at the sleeping man who loves me unconditionally.

I feel my chest start to tighten, and I know a panic attack is coming on. Not wanting to break down in front of him again, I grab my crutches and get myself into the bathroom before I begin sobbing. Resting my back on the closed door, I slide down to the floor, hanging my head between my knees. I’m crying so hard I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. My heart hurts, and my whole body is tense.

I need to focus on the good. I need to remember back to happy times. Looking down at my engagement ring, I twirl it around my finger, and my chest slowly starts to relax. Love, our love, will get me through this. He’s being so strong for me. I need to be strong for him. We’ve both been handed some big bombshells. Life has a funny way of doing that when you thought you had it all figured out. We both vowed to each other we won’t give up, and I have to believe we’ll make it through.

Picking myself up, I hobble over to the sinks. I splash some cold water on my face and look at the reflection in the mirror. It’s amazing how someone can look normal on the outside when they’re torn to pieces on the inside. From the waist up I’m like I always was, but now from the waist down I’m deformed. The bullet from Beverly’s gun did a number on my leg, ripping it to shreds. The doctors don’t think I’ll be able to dance again. I can’t accept that. Therapy has been going well. It’s tedious, but I know it’s the only way to actually help my leg. Shaking my head, I keep my head held high. I can’t let this define me. Step by step I will get my abilities back.

Hobbling out to the balcony, I settle down on a lounge chair and raise my legs up onto the ottoman. The warm, clear night lets me breathe easily. Leaning my head back, I stare at the moon and fall asleep again.

I wake up to the sun warming my face. I have a soft knitted blanket placed over me, and I know that Caston has been up looking for me. This has become second nature lately. It’s been two months since I was in the hospital and a little over three months since the shooting, but I still can’t seem to shake the dreams that haunt my sleep and the panic attacks that plague my waking hours.

Stretching to wake my tight muscles, I glance over at the door to our room. Seeing it’s open, I take a deep breath to steel myself before I face another day. The cleansing breath wakes my senses with the smell of the soap from Caston’s shower wafting out on the morning breeze.

Snapping out of my day dream, I swipe away the tears falling down my cheeks. Damn these things never seem to quit. Not wanting Caston to see me crying, again, I get up. He’d placed my crutches next to me, since I left them in the bathroom. My doctor said I shouldn’t use the crutches and I should actually work on using on my leg, but it still feels wrong and stiff. Plus, I get around a lot faster with them. Making my way through the room, I’m out the door and heading for the stairs before Caston comes out of the bathroom.

We only moved back up here a few weeks ago. We’d been staying in a spare room on the first floor, so I didn’t have to climb the stairs with my crutches. It wasn’t right, though. Yes, I was home and with Caston, but we weren’t in our room, in our bed. Once my therapist assured Caston I could handle stairs with help, I convinced him to move back upstairs. Now, here I stand, regretting my decision. My stomach clenches.

As I’m about to take my first step down, I’m swept up into the arms of the man I love. I let out a small scream and playfully smack him on the chest. My crutches noisily tumble down ahead of us. “You scared the shit outta me.”