Sweet Heat Rising (Thoroughbred Men Series) (15 page)

22

Matt took her to her place because it had to be her idea and her decision, even if it was against his wishes. He thought this was a bad idea and had no clue what brought on the fact that she was wanting to go home. He pulled up front and walked her to the doorway, Sarah unlocked it and Matt went inside first.

Sarah walked in and could feel tears begin to roll down her cheeks. Her pretty little home was still in shambles from where it had been ransacked the other day. She was frustrated that it was still unknown who had done it, although she was certain herself at who it was--and he was still out there.

Matt asked if she minded him cleaning up a bit while she rested. He placed the pillows back on the couch, and picked up a blanket on the floor for her to cover herself in. He got her comfortable on the couch and handed her the remote while he moved to the bedroom to pick up there first so she could sleep.

He hung clothes and shoved items back into drawers. He stripped the bed and asked her where the sheets were.  He remade the bed, picked up the pieces of the planter that had been thrown against the wall, and washed the dirt off the wall. Matt removed the police tape from her bathroom knobs and used glass cleaner to get the black powder used for fingerprints off the handles.

Sarah got up and got out the vacuum and proceeded to help. She could not just stand by and watch him clean her house and go through her things; it was awkward. She asked him if he could take her to the hardware store and get some latches for the doors after she vacuumed.

He offered to go and let her rest, but she didn't want to be alone. He took the vacuum from her and asked her to rest again. He watched as she stubbornly shook her head. “Sarah, I don't want to argue about this, you need to rest,” he said firmly.

Sarah again shook her head and said, “No.” and tugged on the vacuum. “I cannot let you do everything, I am not helpless,” she said insisting on aiding him. She watched as he gave her the vacuum and moved to pick up items from the kitchen area that had been thrown onto the floor. He picked up pieces of stoneware plates, glass, scooped up debris from plants she had on the counter and shredded cookbooks. It looked like there had been a small battle in the kitchen.  Sarah finished vacuuming and moved to sit back down on the couch, exhausted. She was more worn out than she realized.

Matt suggested that maybe they should stay the night at his place, until they could make this one a bit safer for her. Sarah nodded silently. He surveyed the rest of the small condo, making note of things he may need to get in order to finish the cleanup. He watched as Sarah gathered a few more items from her drawers and closet, a few toiletries and put them in a plastic bag. She picked up the bag and placed it over her shoulder, he saw her flinch and took the bag from her stubborn hands. Matt checked the back door making sure it was locked, he then walked her to the front door and pulled it tight, locking it with Sarah’s keys. They headed back to his apartment in silence. When he arrived, Sarah was dozing in the passenger seat.

She got out of the car, stumbled against Matt and walked with him groggily up the stairs. He took her straight back towards the bedroom and laid her down. He went back to the car and got her bag. Matt returned, locking the door behind him and went to check on her. She was sound asleep fully dressed. Matt slipped off her shoes, socks, and covered her gently.

The next few days were spent relaxing together. They played a few games around the apartment, going on walks around the park and a few errands. Matt took her to a gun range in hopes of her getting her conceal/carry license or some other form of security. He was genuinely concerned that Tyler was still out there and going to come after her again.

Sarah was very apprehensive about shooting a gun and it terrified her to think of injuring someone. She was not ready yet, but agreed with Matt that she needed something of the sort. She wimped out and bought a few small cans of mace. One for the store, one for her purse, her car and her apartment. He tried to have her get a stun gun but the loud pop of it activating made her jump and she was afraid she would drop it before it got used. Plus, you had to get close enough to reach out and touch the assailant.

They went together to the police department and she gave her statement. Matt held her hand for support as she spoke with the detective. It made his stomach roll listening to her talk about it. She had not wanted to talk about it prior and he was more concerned now than ever before. Tyler could have easily killed her. He knew he had hit her repeatedly but he could have done so much more too, especially when she lost consciousness.

She did not remember getting bitten or being punched in the stomach, however, the bruising said otherwise. So, he had continued his assault on her after she had passed out...what made him stop? Whatever it was he was sincerely thankful.

Sarah asked if they had any idea of Tyler’s whereabouts or any leads. The police informed her they were patrolling her neighborhood and watching her store, but nothing as of yet. Tyler had not returned to his home and his car was nowhere to be seen. This did not comfort her at all.

Sarah asked when it would be safe to return to her shop and the police advised her to get security measures in place and she just needed to be cautious. Sarah left the station very frustrated and dejected. How was she supposed to run her business if she couldn't open the shop or was terrified it was going to happen to her again…or worse?

Matt was also concerned. He knew Sarah was absolutely determined to make sure her shop was successful, it was her livelihood. She had not said much over the last few days about her house and the bills, but he was sure it was silently eating at her. Matt was going to have to return to his work too. He was currently using up vacation time he had accrued. Thankfully his supervisor understood completely and allowed him to take the time off with such short notice.

Matt called the security system company again. He explained what had happened and how they had ‘missed’ the installation appointment. The receptionist was extremely understanding and offered to send someone out in the morning. Matt thanked her and agreed to meet them at the bakery early. He asked if they could do a second install at her condo too, and again they agreed.

Sarah was thrilled that she was going in to her shop tomorrow, unbeknownst to Matt she planned on opening up to get some sort of income in the door. She was afraid that her savings would not be enough to cover her bills and she wanted to throw herself back into her work, to get in a routine again and move forward.

That night, as they lay in bed together, Matt spooned Sarah and just held her. Sarah broke the silence and whispered to Matt “I am so sorry it happened.” She wondered if she had led Tyler on at some point. She looked back over the last few months, tried to figure out what she had missed and came up blank, other than Tyler had been interested in her. She felt ashamed that she was such a bad judge of character, that it had put her in danger.

Matt rolled her over and looked at her in the dim light. “Baby, there is nothing to apologize for,” he said and kissed her tenderly, stroking her hair softly back from her forehead. He could not believe she was apologizing for some nutcase who’d assaulted her!

Sarah could feel so many emotions coming over her and pulled him down gently to kiss her again. She needed to be held and loved by him, to wipe away the memories. She needed comfort and tenderness. He had been so kind to her, but had given her so much space it was a bit lonely. He was a perfect gentleman, but she wanted her lover too. She was afraid the bruises and marks were driving him away.

Matt kissed her softly at first, trying to be cautious of her still tender lip. He gently laid butterfly kisses along her cheekbone and kissed her chin. He watched as she arched her neck to give him more room in order to keep touching her. Matt raised up on his knees and forearms, and slid her shirt upwards, exposing the two pale globes in the darkness. “Ah God, I have missed tasting these sweet things,” he said, licking each nipple softly and cupping each breast. He knew how she liked him touching her and he wanted to make her feel good, cherished.

Sara slid her knees into the air eagerly parting her legs. She allowed him access to every part of her, aching to be touched. Anything to wipe away the thought of Tyler hitting her and touching her. She could still imagine his angry face and wanted Matt’s loving expression to wipe it from her mind.

Matt drew his fingers all over her body, touching each spot and kissing it tenderly. He slid her panties down her legs and petted her smooth softness. He felt every inch of her skin, delicately kissed and whispered to her softly to make sure she felt secure and wanted to be loved.

Sarah wanted to feel him too. She reached down and tugged at his boxers. She watched as he quickly yanked them downwards to help her. She sighed in contentment and touched his body, needing to feel him.

Matt was trying to take it slow and show her how much he loved her but she was driving him wild. He leaned down and kissed her creamy thighs and teased between, lightly stroking a finger as he kissed her again capturing her tongue with his. Matt settled between her legs and rubbed the tip of himself against her and slowly slid inside inch by inch. He propped his elbows on either side of Sarah’s head and just looked at her, staying still once completely seated in her warmth.

              Sarah opened her eyes and tugged at him trying to encourage him to move, she smiled and tried rocking her hips to get a bit of friction. He smiled and kissed her again. Sarah finally laughed nervously, “What are you doing?” she said, trying again to get some motion. She wondered if he was having second thoughts and wondered if the attack by Tyler ruined his desire for her. She felt insecure and could not help it.             

Matt swallowed hard and looked at her loving face adoringly. “Sarah, I have never been so scared as I was when I got the phone call from the police. You have made me so happy and given me such peace in my soul. I never want these moments to end with you and I was scared I had lost you, darling. I have been through the loss of a loved one before, I would never be able to continue if I lost you in my life. I can’t lose you,” he said softly.

Sarah looked up at him wide eyed at the intensity in his voice. “For me too, I was so scared I would not see you again or that you would not want me anymore. I was so afraid he was going to kill me,” she confessed, brushing a lock of hair off his forehead, “and that I would not have a chance to tell you how much I love you” she finished in a whisper, looking deeply into those beautiful blue eyes. “I love you Matt Geary,” she repeated, earnestly.

Matt looked at her tenderly at the earnest declaration. “I love you too, princess,” he said softly and kissed her. He kissed her with every ounce of love he had and slowly made love to her. He held, touched, stroked her and made her moan in pleasure. “You're my everything, my world,” he whispered and began to pound into her more fiercely. He tried to be gentle as possible but he wanted to be one with her and his desire took over. He leaned down and suckled on a nipple as he continued to drive himself into her. He grasped her hips and arched them, grinding himself into her quivering heat.

Sarah could feel the passion blossoming, her body milking his shaft and shattering her into a thousand pieces. His intensity made her feel loved, it did not frighten her. She needed him to lose control, to love her wildly. She needed him to drive out any fears or memories so that it was only them that mattered.

Matt drove again into her body against her clit, felt her explode and let out a shout of his own as he lost his essence into her. He stayed with her, kissed her and held her. He heard her tell him again of her love. Matt held his hand over her heart as she fell asleep. He would always try to protect her heart.

23

The next morning, Sarah awoke before the alarm. She was excited to be heading in to oversee the alarm installation and the fact  that she planned on opening up today.  She was also terribly nervous that Tyler would show or watched the bakery. She wondered how bad the shop looked. She anticipated that the food in the cases had molded and assumed there was debris everywhere to be cleaned.

She got ready quietly and started the coffee for the two of them. She heard Matt get up and get into the shower. Sarah poured him a cup and took it to him in the bathroom, setting it on the counter and drawing a heart in the steam on the mirror. She was so happy and content. He loved her.

Matt turned off the water and grabbed her, clothes and all. “Morning, gorgeous,” he said kissing her and holding her to his wet body. He heard her squeal, “Stop it,”  and laughed when she exclaimed, “you're getting me all wet.” That was the idea!

Matt kissed her again, and said devilishly, “I plan on really getting you wet later.” He watched as Sarah blushed hotly and stammered, abashed by his lecherous remark. Matt laughed as she walked off. He loved making her shy around him and she was adorable when embarrassed.

Matt finished getting ready, tossing on shorts and a T-shirt. He planned on getting new locks for the bakery today when they installed the alarm. He also planned on putting new ones on her condo. Matt was also going to take her back to the store and get something a bit stronger than the little mace cans she picked out, he thought wryly. If Tyler came back, he wanted her to be able to make sure she could get away, not piss him off.

They headed out together and arrived at the bakery. He would not let her go in yet until he checked it. Sarah waited in the locked car until he walked though the shop and waved her in. Sarah walked in and flipped on the fryer like normal. She then surveyed the kitchen. Matt was in the corner picking up bits of the chair that had collapsed when Sarah fell. He had also gathered up some yellow police tape and had it wadded in his hand. Matt stood and looked at Sarah as he tried to gauge her reaction. He didn't want to see her cry again, she had shed enough tears.              

Sarah stood silently, hands clenched, staring at the floor. There was her blood on the floor next to her workstation table where she had awoken. She was furious. “I am going to get a gun,” she said calmly, fury evident in her voice, “because I am going to shoot his worthless hide.”

She hated guns, they scared her, but the thought of using one on Tyler had its appeal. She did not intend to get a ‘peashooter,' she intended to do some damage if she ever had to fire at him in defense. She intended to take off a limb if she ever saw him in her store again. She was never going to be helpless again.

Matt nodded in agreement and felt a bit of relief. He was glad she would have a way to protect herself, as long as she didn't injure herself. He would take every measure he could to make sure she was safe at her shop or at home, especially if she was alone.

Sarah got out the cleaner and quickly wiped down the entire front of the shop. She then moved back into the kitchen area and began cleaning there too. She wiped down all the counters, ran the dishes thru the washer and grabbed a trash bag. Sarah threw out the food that was left in the case, the bags of day old bread-that were now almost a week old, and grew more determined to open back up. She opened the till, and shut it again. Tyler had emptied it before leaving. Figured.

Matt said nothing, got out his wallet, opened the drawer and put several notes inside of the trays inside the till. Sarah looked at him questioningly and surprised by the gesture. “So you can make change when you open today,” he said supportively and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Do you have anything to put back in the case?” he said trying to get her busy so she didn't focus on what Tyler had done.

Sarah loved him more and more. She was so touched that he knew her so well, that she would want to open back up so quickly. “I should have some things and I will need to prop the front door open, so people can see that I am open again. I do not want the little sign to be the only indication that BatterUp! is open. I need a big day to make up for lost profits,” she said hopefully.

“I think I am going to make something fun since I do not have yeast donuts in the warmer,” she made a face and yelled, “ewwww!” Sarah raced over to the warmer. She held her breath, grabbed the large bowl that was in the warmer, dumped it quickly into the trash. “As I was saying, since I do not have a fresh batch of yeast dough I am going to fry up churros and bundle them. It is going to be a bit different but fun!” she said lightly. She got out her double boiler and started the pot on the stove.

Sarah opened her refrigerator case and sighed in relief. Tyler had not touched her stock. She got out several loaves of dough she had stored carefully, ingredients for the churros, and happily saw the cakes she had made were all perched on the shelves and untouched. The panne cotta ramekins would have to be tossed. It was not safe to serve. She stacked the ramekins on the counter and would wash them out.

She placed the cakes and cupcakes on the workstation to thaw. Sarah saw Matt had started the coffee maker for her and was presently pulling out the mop from the cabinet. Sarah offered to make some soapy bleach water for the mop head.

Matt insisted he would take care of it for her. “Go ahead and start baking. I can do this for you. I can firmly say that you do not want me to do that” he said pointing at the food on the workstation. He refused to let her clean up her own blood off the floor. He was surprised to see it there and infuriated again at Tyler that he had caused injury to her. Mopping and cleaning would get his mind off of him picturing the different ways he would injure Tyler if he ever saw him again.

Sarah laughed joyfully at his comment and grabbed the dough, placing the loaves in shaped pans so each had a pretty pattern in the case. She took a few of the loaves and cut them, made bread knots, placed them on a pastry sheet and glazed them with an egg yolk wash. The case would not be full, but it would be very appetizing. She quickly made up the churro dough and set it aside. Sarah then mixed up the buttercream frosting and put it in the small freezer to cool quickly so she would pipe it onto the cakes. She would be a bit late opening up the shop at this rate, however, it would open.

Sarah put the churro dough in a large pastry bag equipped with a large star tip. She squeezed out multiple sticks of dough and cut them, carefully dropping them into the fryer. She repeated this pattern over and over again. Sprinkling the warm donut sticks with cinnamon and sugar. She placed four to five sticks in several different decorative cups and tied each group with a curly ribbon. Presentation was everything sometimes. Once she finished the dough, she grabbed the butter cream and filled a new decorating bag.