Deception, page 19
No.
She didn’t want his touch; she never had. But the thought of such without her consent had her in knots.
Her guts churned, like they had earlier. She was going to vomit.
In one swift movement, she pushed him away, jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom.
Grace just made it to the toilet in time to lose everything her stomach had held, which wasn’t much.
She was still heaving when Charles came up behind her and put his hand on her back, rubbing small circles around, trying to comfort her.
Tears streamed down her face.
How could he do that to me?
She kept trying to tell herself he hadn’t really touched her, she’d been dreaming after all, but her shirt was out of place. She hadn’t fixed it, but now, in between heaves, righted herself.
Grace began crying then.
The sobs racked her body as she grabbed the edges of the toilet bowl, trying to push the feelings of his hands on her, far from her mind.
Charles moved to the sink to get a wet washcloth wet.
She flushed and tried to stand up, but lost her balance and fell on her backside.
Instead of helping her up, he laughed. “That’s my Gracie!”
She narrowed her eyes and shot daggers at him, but he didn’t see it.
He offered her a hand.
Grace reached for it; she couldn’t get up on her own.
Charles pulled her upright, but the movement was too fast and she got dizzy, seeing stars, and she almost fell into his arms.
“I’ve got you.” His voice was sweet, and he kissed the top of her head. “Do you wanna go back to bed?”
“No!” She didn’t mean to scream it, but bed was the last place she wanted to be with him.
He studied her face, and his eyes glinted with a hardness she hadn’t seen since she’d turned the tables.
Grace’s heart skipped and she swallowed. Tried to smile. “I think I need to eat something. Taking medication on an empty stomach did me in.” She slipped from his embrace and left the bathroom.
It was now or never. Time to try and get free.
Please, let this work.
Blaze was aghast at his shitty luck. It’d taken nearly an hour to get the plane back to the gate and unloaded. Being in the back of an overheated cabin had almost done him in. He was ready to hop in his car and drive there.
I’d get there faster at this rate.
The airline rerouted everyone to another gate, but the new plane wouldn’t be taking off until 3:30pm.
The crowd erupted into argumentative voices, many sharing their deep concerns over missed connections and displacements.
He was among them, but there was nothing he could do. Blaze had to wait, like everyone else, to get on the new flight.
He walked to the new gate, an unpleasant sensation engulfing his stomach. He put a hand over his abdomen. Maybe he just needed to eat something. He hadn’t had food in almost twenty-four hours.
Blaze picked the first restaurant closest to his new gate, wavering on whether or not he should have a beer, but discarded the idea. He was hungry but found himself picking at the burger, more than eating it.
Can three-thirty just get here already?
He paid his check and joined the other disgruntled passengers.
The two hour flight felt like a lifetime.
Would it be easier if she doesn’t want me? Or finding her with Charles? He wouldn’t hurt Grace… would he?
Blaze pulled his phone out of his back pocket, eager to turn it back on the moment the plane’s wheels had hit the ground. It powered up and pinged with alerts. There were numerous texts from management, which he ignored, and a few voicemails, one was from Nick.
“You’re probably in the air but I wanted to let you know, soon as we finish on Jimmy I’m heading to the airport. Already have a car lined up. I just need you to text me the address. Bro, it’s not for you. I mean, it is. But I promised Hope I’d do everything I could.”
Good thing. I will kill Charles if he has hurt her. In any way.
The next voicemail made his stomach clench tight. It was Richard.
“Thank you for your call. I’m glad our Grace has such good friends. I’ve tried to reach out to her, to no avail. It went to her voicemail. Jason said he’s got a golfing buddy that lives out that way. Woke him up, but he said he’d be glad to check on her. In the meantime, let me get you her address.”
He’s worried too.
Blaze could hear it in his voice.
There was also another voicemail from Richard.
“All right, Mark stopped and said everything’s okay. But I’m hesitant to think so. I left a message with Jason to call me back. His buddy said Grace’s husband answered the door and said all’s good. I was under the impression she wasn’t married. I’m very glad you’re headed that way. I’m becoming worried. Please, let me know when you arrive.”
Charles!
Blaze pushed his way off the plane, not waiting for the people in the rows in front of him to exit, nor did her care if people thought he was rude. He practically ran though the terminal, cursing that the damn train was taking too long. It was the only way to get from the terminal to the main building.
The bile rose in his throat as he waited to get a taxi. Blaze wanted to bowl over everyone and jump in the first one that drove up, but there was a security office helping direct travelers.
Finally in the back of an old smelling yellow cab, he barked the address to the driver. “Hurry!”
It was almost six p.m. and he was worried about what he was about to walk into.
Worried?
No.
He was scared.
Charles had never physically hurt a girlfriend before. So…he wouldn’t hurt Grace, would he?
His phone rang and he looked down to see Nick’s number. “I’ve landed, obviously, and I’m waiting for my rental. What’s your ETA and where am I going?”
“I’m in a cab; we just left the airport. Damn I wish I’d known when you were landing. We should get there about the same time, if you can drive faster than this dipshit is. Thank God. I need you there, because I don’t know what I’ll do to Charles if he’s hurt her.”
“I know, I’m right there with you. I don’t know what’ll happen next. But I’m sure Grace is okay. She seems like a strong woman. But Charles. He’s been acting weird, the lashing out; I hope he hasn’t started using again. My brother’s been clean for almost a year now. Drugs make people unstable and known to do things they otherwise wouldn’t.” Nick was scared, too. His voice wavered.
No doubt it was for his brother, as well as Grace. Hell, he was probably scared for him, too.
“I gotta let you go; I need to set up my GPS. I’ll see you there.”
“Thanks, Nick.”
“Dude, don’t go in without me. Promise.”
It wouldn’t end well if Blaze went in alone.
“Then you better fly like the wind.”
Chapter 28
Grace pulled the leftover Chinese food out of the fridge, along with the bottle of wine.
It broke her heart that this special bottle of wine she’d held on to for so long, saved for that special occasion, was now being served to her captor; just after he’d had assaulted her in her sleep.
However, it also would be what saved her.
He sat on the couch, scrolling through the guide, trying to find a movie.
She’d convinced him that after being ill from the medication she’d taken, that nothing sounded better than some food, wine, and curling up on the couch with him and a good flick.
Charles wasn’t having any luck finding something he liked, and was getting agitated.
She suggested he look through the box of movies she’d recently packed up, right beside the entertainment center and not sealed yet.
He looked through the box, making more noise than a kid with wooden blocks
Grace had dished out one plate of food and placed it in the microwave. As it rotated, she poured two glasses of wine. She listened carefully to make sure he was still rummaging the movies.
She pulled the small bottle from her pocket and took four pills out. She planned to crush them and put them in his food and wine.
Her first idea was put it all in the wine but if he tasted the slight bitterness of the Tylenol PM in the wine, he might set it down and not drink it.
If she put it in the food too, he was more likely to consume all four. She needed him to take that.
Crushing them would make noise she didn’t want Charles to hear, so she watched the time count down on the microwave.
She got a spoon ready. The moment the timer binged, she crushed the pills. Then swept it all up into her hands, dropping some into the glass of wine, and putting the rest into the Sesame Chicken and rice, stirring it all in.
Grace swished the wine around, watching the crushed pills dissipate within the liquid. She finished preparing her own plate before taking Charles his.
“Pick one of these.” He gestured to three DVDs, as she handed him his plate.
“Oh, I don’t care, I love all my movies. You can pick.” She went back to the kitchen to grab his wine.
Damn, only having one working hand sucked. It took her three trips to bring everything out.
She sat on the far left side of the couch and Charles loaded the movie of his choice. She ate her food very slowly, using her upset stomach as an excuse.
Normally Tylenol PM took about 45 minutes to work, but she prayed it kicked in faster; the bottle stated not to chew or crush it.
She wasn’t expecting the movie he’d chosen and it caught her off guard.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.
Could he have picked a more obvious title? It was about a small town girl who won a date with a handsome Hollywood star. Her best friend, who happened to be the boy next door, was hopelessly and secretly in love with her.
She’d always loved the movie, but at that moment, it brought her so much anguish. Grace kept glancing at Charles, trying to see if he’d eaten his food, but he was too wrapped up in the movie. She picked up her glass of wine and touched his leg to get his attention. “Charles, sweetie, this is a very special glass of wine.”
He looked at her suspiciously.
She caught the look and ignored it. “I bought this bottle at a little vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington, and I’ve been holding on to it for a while now, saving it for a special occasion.”
He smiled, turned to the coffee table, and picked up his glass.
“When I bought it, I didn’t know what that would be. At first, I almost opened it when I got the part of Maddie. But it didn’t seem right. Then, when I got home the other day and found your roses, I knew the time was right to open this bottle.” She tilted her glass toward him.
“Here is to us, and to many more scenes together.” He brought his glass to hers and they clinked them together. Before she took a sip, Charles leaned forward, clearly wanting their lips to meet, as well.
She gathered her courage and followed suit, letting their mouths brush before pulling back. Grace upended the glass, drinking it all in one gulp.
Luckily, he did the same. “Maybe we should do a little rehearsing,” he teased. “I think our stage kiss could use some work. I do believe you once told me I wasn’t kissing you right.” He leaned over and slipped his hands into her hair, gripping her head so he’d have better control. He brought them together, tempting her mouth to open so their tongues could dance.
Grace was grateful her stomach grumbled right at that moment.
They broke apart laughing.
“All right, I’ll let you finish eating lunch, but...” Charles waggled his finger in front of her face. “I’m taking care of dessert.”
She fought a cringe. If things worked out, he’d be passed out before the movie was halfway over.
“Would you like another glass of wine,” she asked about twenty minutes later.
They’d finished their food but Charles was showing no signs of drowsiness.
Grace tried to ignore encroaching panic. Maybe the Tylenol PM wasn’t as effective because he still had some drugs in his system. She had no clue what he’d taken the first night he’d come but it was something bad, like heroin or meth.
She just didn’t know enough about drug abuse to have any real idea. So she figured one more Tylenol PM shouldn’t hurt him.
She stood up, grabbed her glass then reached for his.
“I normally don’t drink much,” he said. “But since we’re celebrating, I guess one more wouldn't hurt.”
She smiled, her first real smile in days. Grace returned to the kitchen and poured more wine. She was just about to pull the small bottle from her pocket when he joined her in the kitchen.
“So what’re we drinki...” Charles wobbled and grabbed for the wall for balance. “Gracie... I don’t feel so good. Grace...what... did... you... do?” His words slurred.
“Nothing, sweetie. I’m just getting us more wine. Come on, back to the couch. We have a movie to watch.” She didn’t bother adding more medication. She walked around him, setting his wine on the table before coming back for her own.
He stood in the same spot, still gripping the wall for support.
“It’s my turn. Let me help you.” She stepped next to him and Charles put an arm around her shoulders.
It took all her strength to get him to the couch.
He fell with a great harrumph.
Grace helped get him settled on the couch in the correct position. She wanted to run but he was still conscious enough to stop her.
She needed to wait until he was fully passed out.
Just a few more minutes!
She could play along just a little longer, then she’d be free.
Grace sat beside him and he slipped his left hand onto her thigh, gripping tight, as if to hold her in place. She put her hand over his, so she would feel him relax, and it’d give her a better idea of when to bolt.
She waited until the movie was over.
His grip hadn’t lightened. His head was against the couch like he was sleeping.
She started to get up, and his fingers dug into her thigh. She couldn’t stop a cry from shock and pain.
His head snapped up. “Whatcha doing, Gracie?” Charles was no longer slurring, but still sounded out of it.
“The movie ended, I was just going to put in another one. Any suggestions?” Grace did her best to hold back tears. She’d been so sure this would work, so sure she’d be running down the stairs of her apartment by now.
He finally let go of her thigh and sighed. “I picked out three I liked, so put one of those in.”
She got up and looked over at the pile. The films were all rom-coms like the last one.
Charles was clearly trying to say something with his choice of movies.
Grace reached to the pile, not bothering to look at what movie. It didn’t matter. As she got it into the DVD player and closed it, she glanced back over at Charles.
His head was leaning back against the couch again.
She held her breath and started toward the front door.
Charles hadn’t moved yet, his breathing was shallow, so she kept on her path.
She’d just lifted the chain on the door when the opening credits started, blaring the theme music of the studio house.
His head shot up.
With a few curses, Grace dashed to the couch, curling up next to him as if she’d never left. She put her left hand on his chest as if nothing was amiss, ignoring the pain in her wrist. “I love this movie, I am so glad you picked it,” she said.
“What movie?” Sleep coated his voice, making it thicker.
She hadn’t bothered to look. Luck was on her side, and as the movie began the lead actor’s name came on-screen. Patrick Dempsey. “Made of Honor.”
“Oh.” Charles’ eyes slid closed again.
Grace trailed her fingers up and down his chest and stomach, hoping it would lull him to sleep.
Instead of helping him sleep, it was helping him in other ways.
She snatched her hand back, praying the erection would go away.
“Don’t stop Gracie; that feels really good.”
Will he ever fall asleep? Jesus!
Grace didn’t want to encourage him, so she waited a few moments to see if he’d fall asleep on his own.
Charles tried reaching for her, still not opening his eyes.
She gave up and put her hand back on his chest. Every time she stopped, he’d call her back to him.
Not quite halfway through the movie, she couldn’t take it anymore.
Grace eased off the couch and he reached for her.
She was expecting it and moved before he could get a grip on any part of her. “Go back to sleep, sweetie, I’m just going to the bathroom,” she said in a sing-song voice.
He put his hand back down and she slowly slid to the front door, which was nowhere near the direction of the bathroom.
Grace had her hand on the lock when she heard his voice.
It wasn’t from the couch.
Charles was right behind her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Chapter 29
Grace’s heart stuttered and tripped. She could taste the fear in her throat. She had to come up with something in a hurry.
She faced him, her hand still on the doorknob. “Sweetie, I was just going to get the mail. The office manager will start to worry if I don’t come down. We don’t want Jeanette getting into our business, do we?”
Apparently, Charles didn’t agree with her ‘perfect’ excuse.
“Quit ...calling... me... sweetie,” he screamed. “If she saw your face she’d be all up in our business in two seconds!”
She played stupid. “What’s wrong with my face? I mean, I didn’t put on any makeup today. Heck, I haven’t even looked in a mirror in a few days.”
Charles touched her cheek ever so gently and sighed. “I hurt you, Gracie. I didn’t mean to, but you made me do it. You made me hurt the one thing I love most in this world.” He slipped his hand further back so he could delve his fingers into her hair. He stepped closer so he could take control of her mouth.
She didn’t want his touch; she never had. But the thought of such without her consent had her in knots.
Her guts churned, like they had earlier. She was going to vomit.
In one swift movement, she pushed him away, jumped off the bed and ran to the bathroom.
Grace just made it to the toilet in time to lose everything her stomach had held, which wasn’t much.
She was still heaving when Charles came up behind her and put his hand on her back, rubbing small circles around, trying to comfort her.
Tears streamed down her face.
How could he do that to me?
She kept trying to tell herself he hadn’t really touched her, she’d been dreaming after all, but her shirt was out of place. She hadn’t fixed it, but now, in between heaves, righted herself.
Grace began crying then.
The sobs racked her body as she grabbed the edges of the toilet bowl, trying to push the feelings of his hands on her, far from her mind.
Charles moved to the sink to get a wet washcloth wet.
She flushed and tried to stand up, but lost her balance and fell on her backside.
Instead of helping her up, he laughed. “That’s my Gracie!”
She narrowed her eyes and shot daggers at him, but he didn’t see it.
He offered her a hand.
Grace reached for it; she couldn’t get up on her own.
Charles pulled her upright, but the movement was too fast and she got dizzy, seeing stars, and she almost fell into his arms.
“I’ve got you.” His voice was sweet, and he kissed the top of her head. “Do you wanna go back to bed?”
“No!” She didn’t mean to scream it, but bed was the last place she wanted to be with him.
He studied her face, and his eyes glinted with a hardness she hadn’t seen since she’d turned the tables.
Grace’s heart skipped and she swallowed. Tried to smile. “I think I need to eat something. Taking medication on an empty stomach did me in.” She slipped from his embrace and left the bathroom.
It was now or never. Time to try and get free.
Please, let this work.
Blaze was aghast at his shitty luck. It’d taken nearly an hour to get the plane back to the gate and unloaded. Being in the back of an overheated cabin had almost done him in. He was ready to hop in his car and drive there.
I’d get there faster at this rate.
The airline rerouted everyone to another gate, but the new plane wouldn’t be taking off until 3:30pm.
The crowd erupted into argumentative voices, many sharing their deep concerns over missed connections and displacements.
He was among them, but there was nothing he could do. Blaze had to wait, like everyone else, to get on the new flight.
He walked to the new gate, an unpleasant sensation engulfing his stomach. He put a hand over his abdomen. Maybe he just needed to eat something. He hadn’t had food in almost twenty-four hours.
Blaze picked the first restaurant closest to his new gate, wavering on whether or not he should have a beer, but discarded the idea. He was hungry but found himself picking at the burger, more than eating it.
Can three-thirty just get here already?
He paid his check and joined the other disgruntled passengers.
The two hour flight felt like a lifetime.
Would it be easier if she doesn’t want me? Or finding her with Charles? He wouldn’t hurt Grace… would he?
Blaze pulled his phone out of his back pocket, eager to turn it back on the moment the plane’s wheels had hit the ground. It powered up and pinged with alerts. There were numerous texts from management, which he ignored, and a few voicemails, one was from Nick.
“You’re probably in the air but I wanted to let you know, soon as we finish on Jimmy I’m heading to the airport. Already have a car lined up. I just need you to text me the address. Bro, it’s not for you. I mean, it is. But I promised Hope I’d do everything I could.”
Good thing. I will kill Charles if he has hurt her. In any way.
The next voicemail made his stomach clench tight. It was Richard.
“Thank you for your call. I’m glad our Grace has such good friends. I’ve tried to reach out to her, to no avail. It went to her voicemail. Jason said he’s got a golfing buddy that lives out that way. Woke him up, but he said he’d be glad to check on her. In the meantime, let me get you her address.”
He’s worried too.
Blaze could hear it in his voice.
There was also another voicemail from Richard.
“All right, Mark stopped and said everything’s okay. But I’m hesitant to think so. I left a message with Jason to call me back. His buddy said Grace’s husband answered the door and said all’s good. I was under the impression she wasn’t married. I’m very glad you’re headed that way. I’m becoming worried. Please, let me know when you arrive.”
Charles!
Blaze pushed his way off the plane, not waiting for the people in the rows in front of him to exit, nor did her care if people thought he was rude. He practically ran though the terminal, cursing that the damn train was taking too long. It was the only way to get from the terminal to the main building.
The bile rose in his throat as he waited to get a taxi. Blaze wanted to bowl over everyone and jump in the first one that drove up, but there was a security office helping direct travelers.
Finally in the back of an old smelling yellow cab, he barked the address to the driver. “Hurry!”
It was almost six p.m. and he was worried about what he was about to walk into.
Worried?
No.
He was scared.
Charles had never physically hurt a girlfriend before. So…he wouldn’t hurt Grace, would he?
His phone rang and he looked down to see Nick’s number. “I’ve landed, obviously, and I’m waiting for my rental. What’s your ETA and where am I going?”
“I’m in a cab; we just left the airport. Damn I wish I’d known when you were landing. We should get there about the same time, if you can drive faster than this dipshit is. Thank God. I need you there, because I don’t know what I’ll do to Charles if he’s hurt her.”
“I know, I’m right there with you. I don’t know what’ll happen next. But I’m sure Grace is okay. She seems like a strong woman. But Charles. He’s been acting weird, the lashing out; I hope he hasn’t started using again. My brother’s been clean for almost a year now. Drugs make people unstable and known to do things they otherwise wouldn’t.” Nick was scared, too. His voice wavered.
No doubt it was for his brother, as well as Grace. Hell, he was probably scared for him, too.
“I gotta let you go; I need to set up my GPS. I’ll see you there.”
“Thanks, Nick.”
“Dude, don’t go in without me. Promise.”
It wouldn’t end well if Blaze went in alone.
“Then you better fly like the wind.”
Chapter 28
Grace pulled the leftover Chinese food out of the fridge, along with the bottle of wine.
It broke her heart that this special bottle of wine she’d held on to for so long, saved for that special occasion, was now being served to her captor; just after he’d had assaulted her in her sleep.
However, it also would be what saved her.
He sat on the couch, scrolling through the guide, trying to find a movie.
She’d convinced him that after being ill from the medication she’d taken, that nothing sounded better than some food, wine, and curling up on the couch with him and a good flick.
Charles wasn’t having any luck finding something he liked, and was getting agitated.
She suggested he look through the box of movies she’d recently packed up, right beside the entertainment center and not sealed yet.
He looked through the box, making more noise than a kid with wooden blocks
Grace had dished out one plate of food and placed it in the microwave. As it rotated, she poured two glasses of wine. She listened carefully to make sure he was still rummaging the movies.
She pulled the small bottle from her pocket and took four pills out. She planned to crush them and put them in his food and wine.
Her first idea was put it all in the wine but if he tasted the slight bitterness of the Tylenol PM in the wine, he might set it down and not drink it.
If she put it in the food too, he was more likely to consume all four. She needed him to take that.
Crushing them would make noise she didn’t want Charles to hear, so she watched the time count down on the microwave.
She got a spoon ready. The moment the timer binged, she crushed the pills. Then swept it all up into her hands, dropping some into the glass of wine, and putting the rest into the Sesame Chicken and rice, stirring it all in.
Grace swished the wine around, watching the crushed pills dissipate within the liquid. She finished preparing her own plate before taking Charles his.
“Pick one of these.” He gestured to three DVDs, as she handed him his plate.
“Oh, I don’t care, I love all my movies. You can pick.” She went back to the kitchen to grab his wine.
Damn, only having one working hand sucked. It took her three trips to bring everything out.
She sat on the far left side of the couch and Charles loaded the movie of his choice. She ate her food very slowly, using her upset stomach as an excuse.
Normally Tylenol PM took about 45 minutes to work, but she prayed it kicked in faster; the bottle stated not to chew or crush it.
She wasn’t expecting the movie he’d chosen and it caught her off guard.
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.
Could he have picked a more obvious title? It was about a small town girl who won a date with a handsome Hollywood star. Her best friend, who happened to be the boy next door, was hopelessly and secretly in love with her.
She’d always loved the movie, but at that moment, it brought her so much anguish. Grace kept glancing at Charles, trying to see if he’d eaten his food, but he was too wrapped up in the movie. She picked up her glass of wine and touched his leg to get his attention. “Charles, sweetie, this is a very special glass of wine.”
He looked at her suspiciously.
She caught the look and ignored it. “I bought this bottle at a little vineyard in Walla Walla, Washington, and I’ve been holding on to it for a while now, saving it for a special occasion.”
He smiled, turned to the coffee table, and picked up his glass.
“When I bought it, I didn’t know what that would be. At first, I almost opened it when I got the part of Maddie. But it didn’t seem right. Then, when I got home the other day and found your roses, I knew the time was right to open this bottle.” She tilted her glass toward him.
“Here is to us, and to many more scenes together.” He brought his glass to hers and they clinked them together. Before she took a sip, Charles leaned forward, clearly wanting their lips to meet, as well.
She gathered her courage and followed suit, letting their mouths brush before pulling back. Grace upended the glass, drinking it all in one gulp.
Luckily, he did the same. “Maybe we should do a little rehearsing,” he teased. “I think our stage kiss could use some work. I do believe you once told me I wasn’t kissing you right.” He leaned over and slipped his hands into her hair, gripping her head so he’d have better control. He brought them together, tempting her mouth to open so their tongues could dance.
Grace was grateful her stomach grumbled right at that moment.
They broke apart laughing.
“All right, I’ll let you finish eating lunch, but...” Charles waggled his finger in front of her face. “I’m taking care of dessert.”
She fought a cringe. If things worked out, he’d be passed out before the movie was halfway over.
“Would you like another glass of wine,” she asked about twenty minutes later.
They’d finished their food but Charles was showing no signs of drowsiness.
Grace tried to ignore encroaching panic. Maybe the Tylenol PM wasn’t as effective because he still had some drugs in his system. She had no clue what he’d taken the first night he’d come but it was something bad, like heroin or meth.
She just didn’t know enough about drug abuse to have any real idea. So she figured one more Tylenol PM shouldn’t hurt him.
She stood up, grabbed her glass then reached for his.
“I normally don’t drink much,” he said. “But since we’re celebrating, I guess one more wouldn't hurt.”
She smiled, her first real smile in days. Grace returned to the kitchen and poured more wine. She was just about to pull the small bottle from her pocket when he joined her in the kitchen.
“So what’re we drinki...” Charles wobbled and grabbed for the wall for balance. “Gracie... I don’t feel so good. Grace...what... did... you... do?” His words slurred.
“Nothing, sweetie. I’m just getting us more wine. Come on, back to the couch. We have a movie to watch.” She didn’t bother adding more medication. She walked around him, setting his wine on the table before coming back for her own.
He stood in the same spot, still gripping the wall for support.
“It’s my turn. Let me help you.” She stepped next to him and Charles put an arm around her shoulders.
It took all her strength to get him to the couch.
He fell with a great harrumph.
Grace helped get him settled on the couch in the correct position. She wanted to run but he was still conscious enough to stop her.
She needed to wait until he was fully passed out.
Just a few more minutes!
She could play along just a little longer, then she’d be free.
Grace sat beside him and he slipped his left hand onto her thigh, gripping tight, as if to hold her in place. She put her hand over his, so she would feel him relax, and it’d give her a better idea of when to bolt.
She waited until the movie was over.
His grip hadn’t lightened. His head was against the couch like he was sleeping.
She started to get up, and his fingers dug into her thigh. She couldn’t stop a cry from shock and pain.
His head snapped up. “Whatcha doing, Gracie?” Charles was no longer slurring, but still sounded out of it.
“The movie ended, I was just going to put in another one. Any suggestions?” Grace did her best to hold back tears. She’d been so sure this would work, so sure she’d be running down the stairs of her apartment by now.
He finally let go of her thigh and sighed. “I picked out three I liked, so put one of those in.”
She got up and looked over at the pile. The films were all rom-coms like the last one.
Charles was clearly trying to say something with his choice of movies.
Grace reached to the pile, not bothering to look at what movie. It didn’t matter. As she got it into the DVD player and closed it, she glanced back over at Charles.
His head was leaning back against the couch again.
She held her breath and started toward the front door.
Charles hadn’t moved yet, his breathing was shallow, so she kept on her path.
She’d just lifted the chain on the door when the opening credits started, blaring the theme music of the studio house.
His head shot up.
With a few curses, Grace dashed to the couch, curling up next to him as if she’d never left. She put her left hand on his chest as if nothing was amiss, ignoring the pain in her wrist. “I love this movie, I am so glad you picked it,” she said.
“What movie?” Sleep coated his voice, making it thicker.
She hadn’t bothered to look. Luck was on her side, and as the movie began the lead actor’s name came on-screen. Patrick Dempsey. “Made of Honor.”
“Oh.” Charles’ eyes slid closed again.
Grace trailed her fingers up and down his chest and stomach, hoping it would lull him to sleep.
Instead of helping him sleep, it was helping him in other ways.
She snatched her hand back, praying the erection would go away.
“Don’t stop Gracie; that feels really good.”
Will he ever fall asleep? Jesus!
Grace didn’t want to encourage him, so she waited a few moments to see if he’d fall asleep on his own.
Charles tried reaching for her, still not opening his eyes.
She gave up and put her hand back on his chest. Every time she stopped, he’d call her back to him.
Not quite halfway through the movie, she couldn’t take it anymore.
Grace eased off the couch and he reached for her.
She was expecting it and moved before he could get a grip on any part of her. “Go back to sleep, sweetie, I’m just going to the bathroom,” she said in a sing-song voice.
He put his hand back down and she slowly slid to the front door, which was nowhere near the direction of the bathroom.
Grace had her hand on the lock when she heard his voice.
It wasn’t from the couch.
Charles was right behind her.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Chapter 29
Grace’s heart stuttered and tripped. She could taste the fear in her throat. She had to come up with something in a hurry.
She faced him, her hand still on the doorknob. “Sweetie, I was just going to get the mail. The office manager will start to worry if I don’t come down. We don’t want Jeanette getting into our business, do we?”
Apparently, Charles didn’t agree with her ‘perfect’ excuse.
“Quit ...calling... me... sweetie,” he screamed. “If she saw your face she’d be all up in our business in two seconds!”
She played stupid. “What’s wrong with my face? I mean, I didn’t put on any makeup today. Heck, I haven’t even looked in a mirror in a few days.”
Charles touched her cheek ever so gently and sighed. “I hurt you, Gracie. I didn’t mean to, but you made me do it. You made me hurt the one thing I love most in this world.” He slipped his hand further back so he could delve his fingers into her hair. He stepped closer so he could take control of her mouth.
