Shattered Puppet (Rag Doll) (6 page)

Collapsing to the bed, he rolled beside Cree. “I’m sorry. I need a minute.”

“Sorry for what?”
She asked, perplexed.

“You didn’t orgasm. I’m not done yet. I just couldn’t control it.”
He said sheepishly.

“Oh, it’s okay. I never do. I mean, I never have,” she blushed.

“Never?” He didn’t expect that answer, not knowing how often she’d…

She shook her head.

“Then today shall be your first,” he grinned. “We aren’t nearly through here.”

Cree rolled up to her side. “You don’t have to…”

“I want to. I want you to feel pleasure,” he whispered. Carter took her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a sweet, tender kiss on her hand. Turning her hand over, he circled her palm with a fingertip.

She watched his hand, playing with her palm. It was a tiny motion, but one that felt blissful. It had never been about pleasure before. It was always just a job or she was a vacant vessel. This was different. He wanted her to feel good. He wanted her to enjoy the experience. More than anything, she felt special for a rare moment in time
, almost like she was good enough. He wanted her. He truly wanted her to feel pleasure. It was foreign to Cree. It had never been about her. Ever.

Carter teased her body, paying
attention to every inch of her skin. As he slipped his tongue between her legs, her body buckled and pressed to him. She’d never…oh right there, oh dear goodness, that’s nice…The orgasm hit her at full force. There was no questioning what was happening. It was almost blinding. Her body collapsed deeply back into the mattress as it released the immensely built up energy. And lying beside Carter, she turned to him. “Thank you,” she sighed and then closed her eyes.

Wow. Is that what it’s supposed to feel like? Why has she never felt that before? Her thoughts drifted in and out, quietly, casually, and nothing seemed to bother her. Relaxed and happy, she let out an exaggerated sigh. “We need to do that again,” she said with a giggle. “I’ve never…” she stopped herself. Just enjoy the moment.

Carter was beside her, his eyes smoldered with desire. He tangled his fingers through her hair and leaned in to kiss her again. He didn’t expect to feel this way. He wanted to cradle her, comfort her, and keep her warm and safe. He wanted to protect her, be her hero, and pull her from her former life. And yet his life was in shambles. It was all some twisted fantasy. If they could be together for just a little more time, maybe she would feel it too.

“What are you thinking?” She watched his face. It was soft. His muscles slacked and he didn’t clench his teeth or tense his jaw. This was a side of Carter she really liked. The side that was comfortable lying in bed beside her; his guard down and untethered to who he thought he was supposed to be.

He shook his head. “Nothing really; it was nice to see you let go. That’s all.”

She smiled. “I did let go, didn’t I? Sometimes I forget how to laugh, smile, and be happy.”

“Life can be rough.” It didn’t have to be. If they made better choices, if they tried new things, if they tried together…

She agreed and turned to rest her head on his chest. “Carter, thank you.”

“It was my pleasure.” He loved how her face felt pressed against him. This could be trouble; he felt himself falling, and he had no desire to stop.

The head games started not long after. She’s a hooker, a common day whore. It’s her job to make you feel like a man. The reason you’re falling is because it’s part of the game, the charm. This is what she does. She manipulates men, makes them feel good for a buck or two
. He hated that the thoughts were even there. He didn’t want them to be. He wanted to pretend like he didn’t know the truth. The truth is that he was sent on a mission to collect her friend Crystal. What he did instead was fall for the girl that told him nothing, got paid to have sex for a living, and would be gone by morning’s light when he dropped her back off.

His words were unexpected. “I could fall in love with you,” he whispered as she drifted into sleep.

Cree wasn’t asleep yet. She heard the words, but pretended she didn’t. The experience, it was nice, but she didn’t love him. Sure she liked him, was even warming up to him, but love? How? How is that even possible? They barely know each other. Cree’s mind spun making it hard to sleep. She didn’t dare open her eyes and let him see she was awake. She wasn’t ready to say words he might hope to hear.

As morning came, the couple knew it was time to head back. Cree had a life back there, though it wasn’t a good one, it was still a life. Her sister was there. Her life. Her lack of friends. Her crappy job. Why was she going back again? It was the place she called home, but what was home, really?

By the time she got back there was message after message from Kendle on her phone. She should have called. She planned to call more, but she got lost in the experience. When she finally returned her sister’s calls, Kendle was beside herself.

“Where have you been? I was worried you’d be found in a ditch somewhere. You need to check in more often,” she said, panic laced her voice.

“I’m an adult. I’m not a child,” Cree reminded. “I was gone for a while. I was taking a break.”

Kendle knew it wasn’t her business, but she wanted to know more. She knew not to press. She changed the topic. “So, have you thought about the statement? I’m going forward with the case. I’m pressing charges against him. I just wanted to see if you’d do it with me before we take that path. We can make him pay for what he did to us.”

“I don’t know.” Cree’s words were soft. Dr
edging it all up again seemed pointless, and yet she hated him for what he did to them. She’d have to relive it, tell them details. “I don’t think I can.”

“Cree, for me? Please. Think about it some more.”
Kendle suggested quietly.

“I’ll think about it.” She was afraid. Her face would end up plastered on some newspaper as fodder and gossip, her family splashed across news channels. She didn’t want to be seen, to be known, and she didn’t want to live in the past. Kendle would have to do this on her own.

Carter was sprawled across the sofa. When Cree hung up the phone he checked in on her. “Are you okay? The smile is gone from your eyes.”

She sat down. “My sister wants me to go after our father. He molested us…” the words were out before she could stop them. Almost no feeling was attached to them. She’d gone numb when it came to her father. Most of the feelings came out in her nightmares subconsciously when she couldn’t control them. “Anyway, she’s pressing charges.”

Carter sat up. Things made more sense. “I’m so sorry.” His words were real, spoken from the heart.

She shrugged. “It’s in the past. I want it to stay there.”

He didn’t know what to say. He could understand her sister wanting to go after him as much as Cree wanting the past to stay buried. He had his own secrets and issues, and sometimes the easiest answer wasn’t the best.

“I don’t want to talk about it, okay?” She confirmed.

“Sure.” He stood and stretched. “I’m going to go find something to eat. Do you want something? I guess I’ll need to be heading out in a few days. I have some fire to face.”

Cree looked at him. What if it was bad? “Will you be okay?”

“I hope so. If you don’t hear from me, I’m probably floating in a river somewhere,” he tried to make light of it, but that wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities. Running forever wasn’t an option. They’d catch up to him eventually. He’d have to pay back his uncle and hope that was enough.

“I’ll go with you. Can we just grab some take-out?” She said, almost afraid to let him out of her sight now. What if she lost him?

With their brown bag of take-out, they headed down the hallway toward Cree’s room.

“Crystal?” Cree was shocked to see her there. “What are you doing here?” Crystal didn’t know she stayed here. Was she visiting a customer?

“Cree?” Crystal wasn’t expecting her there. “Hey, yeah, just a customer that wanted some extra attention,” she winked.

“Crystal?” Carter turned to look at Cree. The look of panic in her face gave it away. She didn’t even think about it when she spoke her name. Their eyes locked on one another.

“Crystal! Run!” Cree shot out before she could stop herself. What had she done?

Crystal looked at her friend, confused, but if Cree said to run, there was a reason! She saw the look in the man’s eyes who was standing beside Cree. It was almost a look of recognition. She twisted to change directions and bolted.

Carter jumped and ran, easily catching up with her. He grabbed her shoulder. “Wait.”

“Carter, no! If you love me, you’ll let her go.” Cree shot out, terrified something might happen to her friend and she’d be responsible. It all happened so fast. The pained expression in her face called to Carter.

He spun to look at Cree on hearing the words. Crystal jerked around and sank her teeth into Carter’s arm. He yelped loudly and yanked his arm away from the girl. Crystal knew this was the time to get out of there. She tore down the hallway and slammed into the door to the stairwell. Down the steps, two at a time…go, go, go. She was out a side door and running. She had no idea who he was, but it was obvious she was in trouble. Tearing out the side, she cut a path through the cars in the parking lot and
then as far away as she could get. Risking a turn over her shoulder, she only slowed when she knew he was no longer behind her.

“You’re bleeding,” Cree said. “You need to get help. She’s a drug user. It’s a human bite,” Cree rambled.
She pulled at his hand. “Let’s go. Hospital.”  She could barely get a full sentence out. Everything was spinning, things happening unexpected, and now this.

Carter was stunned. “My keys are in my pocket
. Can you drive?” He was starting to feel woozy.

“I don’t know how,” she admitted. She’d never gotten her license.

“Okay, I’ve got this.” He stopped and closed his eyes. The adrenaline of the moment was catching up. Carter bent over and took a deep breath. Cree stood watching him, feeling helpless. “Okay, I just needed a minute. Come on.” Carter dug through his pocket and pulled out his keys. “I can’t believe she bit me.” He was talking to himself as much as he was to Cree. “Who bites people? It’s archaic?”

“She was scared,” Cree said. “You grabbed her.” She didn’t say anything else. She simply looked out the window, wondering what would happen next.

Thankfully the hospital wasn’t far away and they were pulling into the parking lot in less than ten minutes. Heading to the emergency room, Carter went to check in. He sat and waited with Cree until they called his name.

There was no polite conversation, there were no rushed words. There was silence. When Carter was called back, Cree sat and waited. Watching him walk through the doorway, her mind took off. Her reaction was automatic, the one that wanted to save Crystal, and the one that worried about Carter.

She sat quietly, her hands on her lap, her mind going in circles. She’d grown attached to the man she barely knew. She’d made love to him. She felt things. The problem with feeling things is the fear that the things you care about can be yanked away, and then you’re only left with the pain. She’d had enough pain to last her a lifetime. Caring was dangerous; it left her vulnerable.

Carter finally reappeared. His arm had been cleaned up and had a prescription for antibiotics. There was a pharmacy attached to the hospital so they headed over to get it filled. Finally leaving the building, they walked to his car.

Carter froze.

“Hey Carter,” the man said.

“Dad? What are you doing here?” The tone in his voice was rigid, cautious.

“They called me. I’m listed as your emergency contact in their system. I was wondering where you’d gotten off to. Who’s the broad?”

Cree said nothing and watched the exchange between the men.

“I’m fine.” Carter’s voice was tense.

“Your uncle is looking for you.” No emotion.

Carter looked away. “Right.”

“Did you find the girl? You can’t stay away forever,” his father warned. He shook his head. “I can’t believe you turned against your own family.”

“I’m her. I’m the girl.” The words were out before she could stop them. “I’m Crystal.”

“That’s not Crystal,” his dad said.

“I am,” she insisted. “It’s me you want.”  Cree’s heart raced. She’d sacrifice herself. If Carter went back without the girl, what would happen?

“Dad, she’s not Crystal. Don’t listen to her.” He turned to Cree. “What are you doing? You can’t fool around like this, not with my family.”

“Eh, watch your mouth, I’m right here,” his father shot.

“I’m Crystal,” she said. She stared at Carter’s father. “Take me.”

His father laughed. “You’re not Crystal.”

“I am. How do you know?” She wanted to be brave, but it was getting harder.

“I know Crystal. You’re not her.”
He turned his attention back to his son. “Tomorrow, you show up tomorrow, no more of this nonsense. It’s time to be a man.” With that he turned and left.

Cree’s voice fell to a whisper. “Don’t go,” she urged Carter. “What will happen? Please don’t go.” The truth was before her. She didn’t want to lose Carter.
She didn’t even know how it happened. All she knew is the thought of something happening to him turned her stomach. She cared what happened. She cared.

Carter looked to Cree. He saw it, felt it. Her words. They were important. Carter brought Cree closer and kissed her forehead. “It will be alright. I need to do this.”

“Then I’m going with you,” she blurted out.

He shook his head. “No way; I’m not involving you in this anymore.” Ironically he involved her in the beginning. Only he couldn’t have known he’d fall in love with the girl. Wow. Love. Was he in love?

Driving back to the hotel, there was silence again as each was wrapped in their own thoughts. After parking the car in the lot Carter finally spoke. “I’ve kept you distracted for too long. It’s time for me to leave. I’ll be back for you, okay? It might take me a while, but either way, I’ll be back.”

“And what if you’re not?” She swallowed hard. “What if you never come back?” Tears welled up in her eyes. “What if I lose you?”

“You will never lose me.” He was touched. He knew they were words she didn’t take lightly. “You, me, we’re a thing now. I’m going to leave you some cash before I go. This should cover you for a while. Promise me you won’t go back. Not now. Not that we’ve been together.”

“I can’t make promises.” She turned away. “It’s not about the money.” She was embarrassed and felt bad hurting him.

He reached out to Cree. “I know, baby, but you don’t need that anymore. You have me.”

“Promise me you’ll come back.” Her voice cracked. She couldn’t hide the worry.
What if they…no, don’t think like that
.

“I will be back.” He looked into her eyes. “Do you hear me? I will be back.” The intensity in his stare told her what she needed to know. The look smoldered. Carter’s breathing was slow and steady. “I will be back,” he whispered.

“I’m scared,” she admitted.

He reached to her, pulling her closer. “Let’s go inside,” he said after a brief hug.

Cree unlocked the door and went in, Carter right behind her. “Let’s go to bed,” she suggested. She wanted nothing more than to lie naked with him, their bodies pressed together tightly. “I want to feel you against me.”

Carter was cautious with his arm as he pulled it out of his sleeve. Undressed, he climb
ed into bed with his new lover and drew his fingers through her dark hair, taking in every detail of her face. She was a beautiful woman. He wanted to memorize every single detail…something to hold on to in case he didn’t make it back.

How did it happen? How did he fall in love? That wasn’t the plan; it through a wrench into everything. He didn’t want her involved, and yet it started with Cree. She should be protected. He should protect her. But how could he, when he could barely save himself.

“Let’s get out of here,” she whispered, wanting to run away again.

“I can’t keep running.” He hated that answer, but it was the truth. He had to face the consequences of what he’d done. “It will be okay. They’re family. They won’t hurt me.” He knew that was a bold faced lie. Getting hurt wasn’t out of the equation, but more than anything he didn’t want Cree worrying about.

She knew he was lying, she saw it in his eyes. His voice may have been firm, solid, trying to plead his case, but his eyes told the truth. He was nervous, almost afraid. He had no idea what would be waiting for him when he got there. He didn’t have Crystal, but he had a past with his family that left him looking bad.

Cree rolled up onto
Carter. Pressing her lithe frame to him, she slipped her legs in a tangle around his. Carter held her gaze. He stroked her cheek and leaned up to kiss her. Cree’s lips were soft and full. Her kisses were as sweet as honey. They dripped with desire and left him begging for more. She was hardly shy with her body or her charms, but her kisses were like gold. He knew this was true intimacy, not the bought kind.

Her breasts pressed to his body. They were warm and beautiful, perfectly shaped in his eyes, and fee
ling them against his own chest…he grew hard. Between her tender lips and her supple body, Carter yearned for more.

A long, lingering kiss spilled between them. Carter nibbled and teased her, sucking her tongue into his mouth. Each moment that passed stoked the fire in his belly. After making love, they collapsed in a heap from exhaustion.

Cree curled into the nook of his arm to rest her head on his chest. “I’ve never felt this way,” she admitted. “It’s a little scary, but it’s exhilarating at the same time.”

Carter grinned. “I didn’t expect to feel like this. I had no idea when I met you…” he trailed off. “Now I don’t want to leave you.”

“You promised me you’d be back. You didn’t lie did you?” She didn’t want to know the answer. Her belly knotted up.

He soothed
Cree the best he was able. “I’m going to do everything in my power to get to you.” Carter kissed her forehead and whispered, “I’ll be back, baby.”

Cree was used to lies. She was used to waiting for the other shoe to drop. Only this time, she desperately hoped he wasn’t just speaking empty words. She wanted to feel this way forever, safe in his arms. Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic, but she’d never felt this way, ever…with anyone. Wanting to be held, wanting to be kissed, wanting to snuggle in bed, it was all new to her.

Before Carter got out of bed he turned to Cree. “We’ll start over when I get back, okay? We’ll try somewhere new, do something different.”

He left in the morning. She prayed he’d come back. She prayed to a god she wasn’t even sure existed. He had to come back
. She needed him.