Here With Me Page 6

  I tease her mercilessly with my mouth and tongue, just lightly licking around her glistening folds. “Oh, please, Donovan,” she moans as her body bucks up off the mattress. Finally giving in, I give her just what she wants and within minutes, she’s screaming my name and coming on my tongue. I don’t remove my face until she’s finished falling off the edge of Climax Cliff.

  “There’s nothing quite as sweet as you are, baby.” Crawling my way back towards her, I don’t forget to trail kisses, following the same path as before. When I reach her, she grabs my face and crashes her lips to mine. I groan into her mouth as her tongue caresses mine. I know damn well she can taste herself in this kiss, and she enjoys the hell out of it. It only turns me on more, my dick begging to gain entrance. As if she’s a mind reader, she grabs ahold of it and rubs her swollen clit with my tip.

  Holy shit.

  “Take me. Now.” Her emerald eyes burn into my blue ones, and she doesn’t have to ask twice. I’m not gentle this time around. I’m already throbbing with anticipation and need for this girl. I fill her completely and she digs her nails into my back. Our eyes stay locked on each other as I pound into her, my balls hitting against her and that same sweet spot that is sure to make her come one more time.

  The red hot friction between us is likely to summon the fire department. She starts meeting my gyrations thrust for thrust and I know I can’t hold on much longer. Perspiration beads on my forehead as I speed up, trying to give her that one orgasm before I get mine. Instead, she comes with me and the garble that comes from the both of us is incoherent.

  “You’re so amazing,” I sigh in her ear as my body turns to Jell-O. Allie gives me a dazzling smile and I felt the love in my heart grow just a little bit more right then. I roll over to her right side but hold her hand in mine. Our breathing is in sync, both of us trying to let the air back into our lungs. After a few moments, our racing pulses came back down to normal.

  “Why does every single time seem to get better with you?” I ask. But I already know why. I’m still amazed by her beauty, her compassion, her heart, and her soul. One of these days, God willing, I will make her mine for a lifetime.

  She doesn’t answer and I realize she’s already fallen asleep. I almost forgot the kind of day we had. Being with her makes me forget about a lot of shit that happens in my life. I’m just wondering if it’s a good or bad thing sometimes. I know that I need to stay focused on her safety, but getting lost in Allie is just so easy to do. To think I let Claire run my life and that’s what I thought what love was supposed to be.

  I turn on my side and just watch her. Her chest rising and falling, her long eyelashes, the tiny freckle she has right above her upper lip. It’s the little things in life that make it worth living.

  Chapter 9

  Allie

  “Well, if it isn’t Allison Marshall, the girl that ruined my life.” Claire stands above me, her arms crossed over her chest and her dark brown eyes feel like they are burning holes into my skin. I try to move my hands, but can’t. They’re tied behind my back. I feel the gag in my mouth, so I’m unable to speak. I can no nothing but look at this horrible woman.

  “You think you can take my Donovan away from me? Do you honestly think he would want you after he’s been with someone like me?” She starts to pace back and forth in front of me. She’s wearing tight black pants and an even tighter white top, making her boobs spill out the top. Not cute.

  I want to scream, to yell, to have someone hear me, but nothing would come from my throat. I’m so scared, I know she’s going to kill me. I just know it.

  “You make me sick. I can’t believe you would think that he wants you. You’re nothing. Just some small town country girl that gave away her child as a teenager.” My eyes widen, shocked that she knows about Jackson. Hot, scorching tears burn my eyes and I have no way to wipe them away. “Aww, did I strike a chord with you, dearie?” I close my eyes, not wanting to look at her. Bile threatens to come up through the gag.

  “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” she screams right in my face, forcing my eyes to fly open. “You listen to me, you whore. Donovan Callahan belongs to me and me alone. I made him what he is and he knows it. He doesn’t want you anymore. He never really wanted you. He was only waiting until I got released from prison.” She was nose to nose with me within ten seconds. “You’re disposable. Nothing but trash that needs to be thrown out.”

  My teeth grind against the dampened cloth. Then, out of the corner of my eyes, I see Donovan walk into the room. Oh thank God. He’s here to get me out of here! I try to say his name but it only comes out jumbled.

  He walks closer, bends down to face me and looks into my eyes. All of a sudden, the blue eyes that I’ve come to know so well take on a cold, distant feel. “She’s right, Allie. I don’t want you anymore. You were just a pawn in this game. Sorry, but you lose.” He stands up and wraps his arms around Claire. He pulls her in and their mouths open before they touch, making me want to scream. No words come. I just watch as he ravishes her, touching her the way he used to touch me. The tears come hard and fast as my heart shatters right there on the cold, concrete floor.

  “Allie!” Donovan says and I don’t answer. Then I hear a high pitched wail and realize it’s mine. My life is over. I’m going to die right here, right now.

  My eyes open, seeing nothing but darkness and I scream.

  “Allie! Wake up!” Donovan flips the light on the nightstand and I can see. I’m still in his bed, in his old room in Savannah. My heart wants to pound right out of my chest. I bolt up and try to understand that I never left this room, it was just a horrible nightmare. I cringe when he puts his hands on me. The look on his face is confused, but it doesn’t stop him from pulling me on his lap. He slowly rocks me and tries to calm me down.

  “Baby, whatever it was, it wasn’t real. You were having a nightmare. Nothing happened.”

  I can’t hold back the sob as I bury my face into his chest. He strokes my tangled hair. Apparently, I was tossing and turning as well. “Geez, baby. What in the world did you dream about?”

  I don’t want to tell him, but I can’t stop the words from spilling out in between the tears. He listens, without interrupting me. He listens to every single, hideous detail and doesn’t blink an eye. All he does is keep rocking me, which does wonders in relaxing my frazzled nerves. When I’m finally done, I’m a blubbering mess, like I was reliving an actual event.

  “Baby, nothing like that is ever going to happen, I swear. Claire will never touch you or me again. And the only girl I plan on kissing is you.” His soft, warm lips graze my temple and again, he makes me feel safe. My eyes start to droop as his gentle swaying continues. The last thing I see before my eyelids become too heavy is Donovan’s blue eyes shedding a single tear. I bring my hand to his face and wipe it away, then I pass out, having no more nightmares.

  I wake up around eight in the morning and realize Donovan isn’t there. Groggily, I roll my tired butt out of bed and look for some clothes to put on. I forgot that I don’t have a suitcase, so I grab the shopping bags from we went to town…before all the mayhem really started. It seems so long ago, but it was only yesterday. I sigh, then pull out a pair of jean cutoff shorts and a black tank top. He even bought me a pair of black cowgirl boots, so I get a hankering to put them on. I go to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. When I look into the mirror at the girl staring back at me, she looks a lot younger than I feel. My body feels like it’s been hit by a Mack truck and the stress feels like it’s crushing my chest. I throw my hair into a slicked back ponytail. “It’ll do.” I walk away without looking back at my reflection.

  My boots click as I walk down the hardwood floor in the hallway. I have no idea where he would be in this huge house, so I decide I will start with the family kitchen, not to be confused with the staff kitchen, of course. Good a place as any. Plus I’m starving. After a few minutes, I come into an empty room.

  “Wonder where everyone is?” I open
the fridge to get some juice. I feel kind of weird just helping myself to whatever I want in here, but Donovan said to make myself at home. I grab the orange juice and a glass that probably costs more than my car, and pour myself some. I swipe a banana from the fruit bowl on the counter and meander my way around, trying to find some form of life in this place.

  After what seems like an hour walking aimlessly, I come upon a slightly ajar door and I hear deep Southern drawls coming from the room. One of them sounds like Donovan’s dad, Rob. I don’t want to interrupt them, but I’m curious if Donovan is in there with him. Then something Rob says catches my attention.

  “Claire was seen on the property late last night.”

  What the hell?

  The churning starts in my stomach and I feel my heart drop. How the fuck did this happen? I keep listening and I hear the voice of the man I love.

  “Shit, Dad. What am I going to do? Allie isn’t safe anywhere until she’s caught. I can’t let anything happen to her.”

  “I know, son. We’re trying our best to get her. The police are involved and I have my security team working around the clock. I have them watching your house, too.”

  “Should we stay here or go somewhere else? I’m at a loss here.” The stress is evident in his tone.

  “You need to stay put for now. At least here we have security systems and body guards. I don’t want you to be left alone anywhere.” He sounds stern and authoritative, like he’s not to be messed with.

  “But I have to get back to the clinic. I have to finish out my shifts so I can take my boards.”

  “Yes, I understand that. But I’ve made a few phone calls and they understand your situation. They’re willing to work with you on that. So don’t worry about it.”

  “What about Allie’s school? She starts soon and I can’t let her out of my sight. What do we do then?” His voice drops and I can tell he’s under so much tension, it’s heartbreaking.

  “She still has a few weeks, so we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Right now, it’s ya’ll’s safety I’m worried about.” I hear Rob get up and I start to walk back to the kitchen. I’m sure they didn’t want me to hear that, so I wouldn’t freak out. Too late for that. I’m flipping my shit right now!

  The door creaks and out walk father and son. “Allie?” they both say at the same time. I quickly spin around and give a warm, and probably fake looking, smile.

  “Good morning. I was heading down to the kitchen to get some breakfast. You two want something?” Distraction. Always use distraction.

  “Yeah, sure. Want me to bring you something back, Pops?” Donovan asks as he walks up to me and snakes his arm around my waist.

  “No, thanks. I’ll just get Ms. Chandler to bring me something when she gets here.” With that, Rob turns around and takes the hint that three’s a crowd.

  We walk back down the kitchen to get some food into our growling stomachs. On the way, he glances at me and asks, “How did you sleep?”

  “Oh, fine, thank you.”

  “What’s wrong?” He stops and pauses, waiting for my answer. Do I tell him what I heard? Will he get upset that I was listening when maybe I shouldn’t have been?

  “Nothing. Is there anything you want to…tell me?” Well, I said it. Looking into the crystal baby blues I’ve come to dream about, I patiently await his reply.

  His look turns from concerned to deer in the highlights. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, I was walking past your dad’s office when I heard you two talking. I know that Claire was on the property last night.” I cross my arms, a little more than miffed that he didn’t tell me to begin with. “I mean, don’t you think this is something I should know about? It is about my safety, after all.”

  He sighs loudly and runs his hand through that dark brown silk on his head. “I was going to tell you, Allie. I really was. I just…I just wanted to talk to my dad first. I’m terrified that she actually has the nerve to step one foot on this land, let alone sneak around our cars.”

  “The cars? She was that close?” Fear grips my heart and I feel like I need to sit down before I pass out.

  “Yes, but the alarm went off on my truck and it scared her off. Plus, we got it caught on tape. We can at least get her for trespassing.” His fingers run down my cheek. Even if we’re not really safe, he makes me feel that way.

  “Well, the problem would be finding her. I know this is a stupid question, but do you know it was her that was here? I mean, can you prove without a shadow of a doubt it was Claire?” I thought about how Russell Grady had a hand in putting her in the slammer, but then he recanted his statement, saying it wasn’t really her. The video showed a woman in a blonde wig and sunglasses, but they couldn’t prove it.

  “She’s the only one I can think of. But she was wearing black, and the car that was used was a rental. Paid in cash, of course.” His eyes look down at the floor as he realizes he doesn’t have proof. Now it’s my turn to touch his face.

  “We’ll get her, babe. She can’t keep this up forever.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m scared of. That she can’t keep this up forever and everything is going to come to a head, and I don’t want to think of what the outcome will be.” He throws his arms around me, crushing me to his chest and it feels so good to breathe in his scent. It was like I was made to fit exactly in this spot. Even with our very lives in danger, he’s the one trying to comfort me, when it should be reversed.

  “Don’t worry, please. I hate to see you like this.” He looks as if he’s aged five years overnight.

  “Did you even sleep last night?” I pull back a little to look up at him.

  “I did until you woke up screaming. When you finally went back to sleep, I laid there with my eyes open, upset about your dream. Then, like an hour later, the alarm went off. That was at about four this morning, so no, I haven’t slept much in the last twenty-four hours.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have never told you about that stupid dream. I guess the stress of practically being on the run is getting to me.” My arms find their place around him and I pull him even closer, our bodies molding into one another perfectly. It’s like we just fit, like the last two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. In fact, I’ve never felt more complete than I do right now. Everything would be perfect if that stupid bitch wasn’t chasing us. I almost feel like a coward, but as dangerous as this woman is, we can’t be too careful. There’s no way I was losing Donovan over her, and there was no way he was going to lose me. Neither will Jackson.

  Maybe it’s okay to be a coward.

  “Don’t be sorry to tell me anything. Please don’t think that you can’t come to me with something like that. I won’t be mad, I can promise you that.” He kisses my forehead, making me smile. “Come on, baby. Let’s go eat.” We walk the rest of the way in silence, hand in hand, and never once letting go. It’s like we’re afraid to do it, fearful that our tomorrow could be snatched away.

  Ms. Chandler is pouring a cup of coffee when we round the corner. Her grey eyes light up when she sees us. “Donnie boy! Allie girl! How are ya? Long time no see, loves.” She embraces both of us at the same time. I forgot everyone in this house is a hugger…like crush the life out of you hugger. I barely survived Megan’s.

  “Hi, Ms. Chandler. It’s good to see you, too.” I return her greeting, but not with quite the same megawatt grin she has plastered on her face.

  “I’m glad you’re working today. I missed you.” Donovan is released, then grabs two more cups from the cabinet. “How have you been?”

  “Honey, I’ve been doin’ just fine. Been busy as ever. Mrs. Callahan has been going out of town more frequently, which doesn’t seem to bother any of us.” She winks. Is anyone on Earth able to tolerate that woman? She takes the term “evil stepmother” to a whole other level.

  “I’m sure that makes my sister very happy.” He starts pouring the dark liquid goodness in the mugs, then grabs the French vanilla creamer. God, this man knows what I like, in and o
ut of the bedroom. I squirm at the very thought of him making my world shatter down around me. He notices, but only gives me a crooked grin. Busted.

  “Well, she is much happier when Mrs. Callahan is out of the house, but it’s odd. Your father seems happier too on the days that she’s gone.” Not that it’s that surprising. Donna is just bad from the inside out, from her dark soul to the plastic that forms her face.

  “Oh, speaking of Pops, he said that he was in his office and he wanted his breakfast in there. Want me to take it to him?” he offers, ever the Southern gentlemen.

  “No, boy. Don’t you worry about that. Now, I’ll see you both later on.” She gave Donovan a light squeeze on his arm. “And Donnie? Don’t you worry about anything. Your daddy’s got it under control.” He pats her hand, then she walks down the hall with a tray full of coffee, bagels and cream cheese.

  “So, anyways, let’s figure out what we want to eat, shall we?” He walks over to the fridge and pulls out an already made fruit salad and yogurt.

  “Donovan, we can’t stay here forever.” I don’t want to feel trapped. “We can’t let her run our lives. She did that to you before, don’t let her do it to you now.”

  “I’ve told you. This is for your safety. End of story.” The stern tone of his voice makes my back stiffen.

  “I understand that, but we can’t hide for the rest of our lives.” I won’t run away like a dog with its tail tucked between its legs. “I know that you’re concerned about my welfare and what not, but I won’t stay put. I’ll go stir crazy if I do.” I tear my eyes away from his heated stare. “Besides, I know how to shoot a gun.”

  His mouth drops as the realization of what I just said dawns on him. “You know how? Really? I’m kinda surprised. But I don’t want you to carry a gun. It’s dangerous.”

  “My dad taught me how to hunt when I was a kid. We used to shoot cans off the fence for fun. I rarely missed, so I’m pretty sure I can handle myself. I would just have to get a concealed weapons permit so I can carry it on me.” I sit down on the stool at breakfast nook. “It’s either that or I go completely insane cooped up in here, waiting for her to get caught.”