“Yes. And now very wet.” I wade back to the shore.
“Is there a better way to be?” he asks salaciously.
I roll my eyes and splash him again. Men.
Once dry, Michael picks up both boards. “I’m going to the North Shore to surf tomorrow,” he tells me as we walk to our cars. “Want to come? There’s supposed to be a kickass party on the beach, too.”
“That sounds like fun,” I tell him as he slides my surfboard into the backseat of my Jeep.
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up around noon. I have to work in the morning.”
“I’ll be ready.” I smile. I am nowhere near skilled enough to surf North Shore waves, but I like hanging out on the beach and watching everyone else. Especially Michael.
“You know, I can come over later tonight if you want.” He steps closer to me and puts his hands on my hips, smelling of salt and sand. “That way I don’t have to wait a whole twenty-four hours to see you again.”
“Is that such a torturous amount of time?” I flirt.
“For me, yes. You, I wonder sometimes.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I question him.
Michael doesn’t answer; instead, he leans in and presses his lips firmly against mine. I kiss him back, but the fire doesn’t burn as brightly on my end. I’m trying, I really am, but the past and all these crazy feelings I have are holding me back.
Michael sighs when I pull away, pressing his forehead against mine. “One day, whatever demons are inside of you are going to have to come out. And when they do, I’ll be right next to you.”
I stare into Michael’s big brown eyes. They’re so sweet and kind. I almost feel guilty for keeping all my secrets from him. But what would he think if he found out about my past? That I was owned? Or that there’s an hysteria of conflicting desires inside me that I can’t make heads or tails of? I don’t respond because what can I possibly say? I can’t make him any promises or give him any guarantees.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” I kiss him chastely on the lips.
“I’m counting on it.” He spanks me playfully on the ass, and I’m flooded with a million emotions, and way too many memories to even count. My breathing speeds up and my head feels light as I climb into my Jeep. “You’ve been such a good kitten; it spared you from ten.” I try to hide everything I’m feeling as I turn on the car, unsure if Michael senses anything is off. I say one last goodbye, and then speed away with the ghost of Kayne’s hands stinging my ass.
I drive around until it’s dark, just letting my idle thoughts wonder. “You are so sexy. I can’t tear my hands or my lips or my eyes off of you. You’re my most prized possession. I meant it when I said I would kill for you, Ellie. I’d do anything for you.”
I pull into my little apartment complex a few hours later, park, and then just sit in the car under the cover of night. I clutch the steering wheel and rest my forehead on my hands. How would I even begin to look for him? Someone who doesn’t exist, at least on paper. Maybe I should put an ad on Craigslist. Desperately seeking slave owner.
It’s official. I’ve completely lost my mind.
I think what I really need is a big glass of wine, a bath, and a sleeping pill. Maybe a dozen of them.
As I get out and walk to the front door of my duplex, I resolve to put Kayne Roberts behind me. Right now, this second. My life is good, I’m living out my dreams, and I have an amazingly sweet guy who is trying his damnedest to be everything I need. What more can one person ask for? “No matter where you go or who you’re with. You’ll always be mine.”
I walk up the steps to the second floor landing like I’m dragging rocks. I’ve been bugging the super for weeks to fix the porch light. I hate coming home late and not being able to see my front door.
“You know, Ellie,” a male voice says from behind me, and I nearly jump out of my skin. “The first rule of protection is self-awareness. And a young, beautiful girl like yourself, sitting in her open Jeep all alone in the dark, just begs for some sick pervert to pounce.” Jett emerges from the shadows, the small light from his phone illuminating his features. I freeze in place for a split second before I tackle him. “Jett!” It’s an involuntary reaction.
“I missed you, too, sweet thing.” He chuckles, squeezing me hard. I’m overwhelmed with emotion as Jett holds me in his arms. And in Jett fashion, he hugs me for as long as I need.
“Do you make a habit of lurking around dark porches?” I ask shakily, “Or just mine?”
“Depends,” he answers flippantly, releasing me. I can’t see much of his face, but I can make out the shadow of his smile.
“What are you doing here?” I gain my wits while wiping away the stray happy tear from the corner of my eye.
“Do you want me to tell you while we’re standing in the dark, or shall we go inside and talk?”
“Inside.” I quickly unlock the door and flick on the lights with Jett right behind me. My apartment isn’t anything extravagant, it’s nothing like the opulent room Kayne kept me in. My most expensive piece of furniture is a Pottery Barn couch. I figured I was going to be doing a lot of studying in my little living room, so I might as well be comfortable. I haven’t regretted my purchase for one minute.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask nervously. Why am I suddenly nervous?
