When I stepped in, I found her in just her bra and underwear, timing it perfectly. I wasn't trying to see her fully naked. I knew I was already invading her privacy. Her hands went to the clasp on the back of her bra, but I called her name before she undid it.
"Lisa, I'm sorry I'm in here I-" my voice faltered as she turned and I saw the massive bruise over her stomach. I had never closed the distance between me and someone else so fast. My hands traced over her wounds carefully, assessing them closely.
"What the hell are you doing in here, Davis?!" She sounded mad, and rightfully so.
"He did this to you?" I let the hurt show in my voice, as if him hurting her hurt me, too.
She pushed my hands off her and stood proudly. Her eyes held mine as she looked angrily at me. She took a step back, but I followed. This continued until her back pressed against the lockers.
"Answer my question, Lisa," I used a firmer tone, now that I had her cornered.
"Don't worry about it, Davis," she said, trying to push me off, but I didn't budge.
"Of course I'm going to worry about it, Lisa. No man will ever get away with hurting you. I'll make sure of it. So you can either tell me his name now, or I'll figure it out for myself later. Either way, he's getting his ass beat," I promised, holding her chin gently.
My face wasn't far off from hers, being so close I could feel the exhale of her breaths against my lips. She didn't push my hand away this time, instead; she stared at my eyes. We stayed like that in silence for a while. Her eyes left mine, and I caught her staring at my lips for just a second. It was enough to inch me further.
I'd never been so bold before, so daring as to follow a woman into the locker room. Daring enough to corner her and hold her gaze for so long. Now, daring enough to lean down until my lips just barely grazed against her own.
I knew I was years older than her, and this was wrong on so many levels, but Lisa was special. I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. By the way she was reacting, it seemed she was attracted to me too. I let her decide whether to push me away or push herself towards my lips further. Thankfully, she chose to kiss me.
Her lips were the best thing I'd ever tasted. Her hands strung through my tied up hair as she pulled me closer. She pressed her body against my own as our kiss deepened. My heart hadn't felt this way in years, speeding so fast I thought it'd suddenly stop.
My hands gripped her hips with need, pulling her pelvis closer to mine. Simultaneously, she slid her hands down, holding onto my biceps tightly. Her lips left mine as she trapped me in her sea of blue. I couldn't look away.
"What are you doing, Davis?"
"I'm honestly not sure. All I know is that I want to keep you safe, to make you feel better. Will you let me?"
7: Care For You
Lisa's P.O.V.
**Song Suggestion: Don't Give Up On Me by Amber Leigh Irish**
Davis' question caught me off guard. I didn't think he saw me in this way. That he had found me attractive or wanted anything more to do with me. I thought he had found me too weak, maybe even irresponsible. Yet here he stood, offering to keep me safe. Words I never knew I needed to hear before.
Safe.
But how could he? This isn't something that could be fought with physical strength. My happiness meant the undoing of Lucas' new life. I couldn't put myself before him again. He was my little brother, yet he protected me from our father all my life. Now it was my turn. I was the older sister.Ishould have been protectinghimall this time.
I knew what was happening, letting it occur because I was too scared to take a beating alongside him. I would never forgive myself for it. This was my penance, and I would happily accept it.
"You can't," I whispered, wishing my words were untrue.
I would love nothing more than to accept this Viking of a man before me. To let his muscular arms wrap around me and fight away my darkness. Sadly, it could never be, at least not at the price of Lucas' happiness. Not just his happiness, but Olive's and sweet Abi's as well.
"Of course I can, Lisa. Let me prove it to you."
His words sounded so convincing, so determined. He clearly wanted to fight for me, but there was no way he could fight this. No way for him to beat this out of Dad. Dad was cruel and relentless, and God, does he hold a grudge like no other.
"You don't understand."
I shook my head, pushing against his chest. I know I wasn't pushing hard, but he took a step back, respecting my wishes. His eyes were soft as they looked at me as if I was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. I had never been looked at this way, with such gentleness. It melted me to my core, opening a wound in my heart I didn't know I had. One that bled to feel this way.
"Then help me understand, Lisa. Please," he whispered in a begging tone.
"It's my dad. He's.." I sighed, trying to find the right words.
