Run to You (11 page)

Travis

  Seeing those big beautiful eyes again sits me heart at ease.  My mind was flooded with an array of what ifs…what if I hadn’t shown up in time, what if I hadn’t come in to work.  I couldn’t think of anything when I entered that room.  When I saw him on top of her like that, all I saw was red.  Being tossed out that window was nicer than he deserved. 

  Having her here in my arms, I don’t ever want to let her go.  And I don’t plan to ever again.  I lay my head on hers and listen to the subtle sound of her breathing.  It’s a soothing sound, something that I would have never thought of as comfort before.  I guess it makes sense though, as a baby you fall asleep to the sound of your mother’s heartbeat.  For me this sound is much more, for me this sound is home.  A couple of nurses come in to check her vitals.  The doctors had only wanted to keep her overnight for observation.  It took her two days to wake up, providing all checks out this afternoon she gets to come home. 

  I want to ask her to move in with me, but I’m not sure if she will say yes.  Maybe it’s too soon but she’s all I think about.  I can’t imagine my life without her anymore and I don’t want to.  When I lost Sam, the guilt nearly killed me.  It consumed all of my thoughts.  I won’t let guilt do that to me again.  I won’t lose Chloe, not again.  I love her.

    “Travis?” she asks with a yawn.

    “Yes darlin?” I answer and softly kiss the top of her head.

    “I’m sorry.”

    “For what blue eyes?” I turn her slightly so that I can gaze into those gorgeous blue pools.

    She sighs, “For pushing you away.  For not trusting you.  For hurting you.”

    “Hey,” I tilt her chin, “You have nothing to be sorry for, we both made some mistakes.  It’s done.  It’s what we chose to do from here that counts.  I don’t know about you, but I learned something very important.”

    “What’s that?”

    “That I took you for granted.  You opened up to me and I didn’t do the same to you.  There’s a lot I need to tell you.”

    “Okay…what?”

    “Not right now, you need to rest now.” I say.

    “I’m fine, I feel like I’ve been doing is rest, if it’s important then just tell me.” She urges.

    “Okay blue eyes, if you’re sure…” She nods so I continue. “A few years ago I lost someone too.” I exhale.  “She was my high school sweetheart.  I thought she was the one, I loved her.  I came home early one day and found her…found her screwing my boss.  I was furious, I started pounding on the guy, nearly killed him, Brian had been waiting for me outside and heard Sam scream.  He pulled me off of him, but the damage had been done, the guy ended up in coma and eventually died from internal injuries.  I killed him.”

  Her eyes widen but she doesn’t move away from me.  “I’m so sorry Travis that’s… that’s horrible.”

    I shook my head.  “Sam felt horrible about the whole thing, she didn’t want her reputation to be tarnished or be the cause of me getting locked up so she lied to the police, told them that the guy was trying to rape her and that I saved her.  Samantha had a hard time living with the guilt and I refused to take her back.  It became too much for her, I came home one day and found her sitting in my room my gun to her head.  I didn’t reach her in time and she pulled the trigger.  She took her own life.  And it was my fault.”

    “Oh my God…Travis,” her arms wrap around me.  “It was not your fault, you didn’t make those choices for her.  She is the one that cheated, she’s the one that lied.  You are not to blame for that.”

  I love this woman.  Even after everything I just told her, she’s not judging me.  She’s not running.  No, instead she’s just staring at me with those beautiful eyes, accepting me.  My heart soars.

    She receives the all clear shortly after my revelation.  I help her into the truck and secure her in like the precious cargo she is.  Looking over at her sitting there in my truck makes my heart ecstatic.  She smiles at me and I melt. I would do anything for this girl.  She owns me.

    “Uh, Chlo…I don’t know where I’m going,” I smile.

    “Oh, right.  I-uh…I received an inheritance from my dad and got an apartment up town, but I-I…”

    “What’s wrong darlin,” I ask as she stutters.

    “It’s just, I don’t really want to go home, alone.  I mean I know he’s gone.  I just-I’m just not ready.” She sighs.

    “Hey,” I reach up and cup her cheeks, “You don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.  How about we go to my place for a while, you can stay as long as you want. Okay?”

  She nods and smiles. 

  My apartment is empty when we arrive, which is perfect I’m not ready to share her just yet.  She sits down on the couch and I quickly prop a pillow up behind her back.

    “Are you hungry?  Do you want something to drink?  Are you in pain, do you need your meds?” I ramble.

    She laughs, “I’m fine, Travis.  I’m not broken, not anymore.”

    “I know, I just-I just still can’t believe you’re here.  That you didn’t run.”

    “There’s nowhere else in the world I’d run to, from now on I’ll always run straight to you.” And then her lips are on mine and all is right in the world.  My arms wrap possessively around her, attempting to shield her from the outside world.  She is mine and I’m going to claim her right here on my couch.

Chloe

  Last night was incredible, I don’t even know how I ended up in Travis’s bed.  His arms are again wrapped securely around my naked body.  His legs tangled up in mine.  His soft breathe is soothing against my neck.  My stomach growls, so I carefully untangle myself from Travis’s grip; not wanting to wake him.  I slip on one of his t-shirts from his closet.  I am almost to the door when I hear a groan.

    “Where are you going beautiful?” Travis asks while rubbing the sleep from eyes.

    “I was just a little hungry and wanted some coffee.  Last night drained me,” I smile.

    “Drained you huh? Are you complaining?”  A sexy grin spreads across his face.  I find myself biting my lip.

    “Nope…no complaints here.  Last night was perfect.”

  He strides toward me with a sexy confidence I’ve never witnessed from him before.  He looks different somehow, more confident; lighter on his feet.  He looks dangerous but in a sensual way and I want him.  I crave him.  I can’t stand it anymore, before I can even think I close the distance between us and am instantly lifted into his arms.  My legs wrap around him and I force our bodies closer together.

  I can’t get enough of him, he staggers back and we collapse into a tangled mess onto the bed.  I’m straddling him, his hands are in my hair and my arms are around his neck.  When his fingers skim under the hem of my shirt, my body tingles.  My shirt is pulled off of me in an instant and dismissed back to the floor.  His hands go to my breasts and begin gently squeezing him, his fingers massaging tiny circles around my nipples.  A moan escapes my mouth and he squeezes harder.  His lips are like fire against mine, he’s feeding a completely different kind of hunger now and I’m famished.  There is nothing between us, no clothing barrier to prevent his erection from skimming over my wetness and it feels mind-blowing.  When he finally enters me I nearly unravel.  His thrusts are slow at first and then it’s as if they develop a mind of their own, becoming more desperate.

  My hips ride in perfect rhythm with his, matching every thrust.  Our bodies are sweaty and my lips are swollen but I don’t care, I need him.  He’s sitting up now my legs wrapped around his waist, when his fingers graze my clit the sensation is too much and it forces me to release the pressure that’s been building.  “Travis,” I moan into his mouth.

    “God Chloe you feel astounding,” he pants as he follows my release and we collapse onto the bed.  “Still hungry?” he asks with a smirk.

    “Starved,” I respond and we both laugh.

Travis

  Once I’ve quenched both of her appetites, we curl up on the couch.  I’ve made up my mind, I have a plan and now I just need to figure out how to execute it without her knowing.  I smile down at my beautiful girl and begin plotting. 

    “I think I need to take a shower, and maybe I should consider going back to school.” She says.

    “Ok darlin, Brian and Jax should be home soon so make sure you’re dressed before you come out.  We’ll discuss school later.” I tell her, I didn’t like the way they ogled her last time.

  She just laughs and kisses my cheek before she heads back toward my bathroom.  I pull out my phone and begin my plan.

   
“Hello?” Katie answers.

    “Hey Katie, I need your help.” I say and reveal my plan.

  She agrees but not before squealing in excitement.  Now I wait.  Katie calls Chloe like clockwork as soon as she finishes her shower.  Chloe comes in and informs me that Katie wants to take her to lunch and have some girl time. I fake some disappointment and she assures me she won’t be long.  Chloe tells me she couldn’t refuse, that she actually missed Katie’s annoying perkiness.  Once she leaves my job begins.  Brian and Jax arrive just in time and I put them to work.  We start scrubbing the apartment top to bottom.  I leave them to finish up while I head to the mall. 

  Once I enter the jewelry store I start searching for the perfect one.  It doesn’t take me as long as I thought it would, it calls to me.  It’s perfect.  A stunning white gold with a ½ ct. princess cut diamond.  It has a small cluster of black diamonds circling around it.  It instantly reminds me of her, darkness surrounding a beautiful light.  I have the woman at the counter wrap it in a small black box and make my next stop.

  The flower shop, I pick up a dozen red roses.  Classic, I know.  But that’s what she is to me, a classic beauty.  Once I arrive back at the apartment I begin to light a few candles and start preparing dinner.  Jax and Brian have both been informed that they need to make other sleeping arrangements for the night.  I decide to make her favorite, homemade lasagna.  It smells fantastic.  I set the table, put up a few finishing touches and begin the hardest part.  The words.  I get a text from Katie telling me she just dropped Chloe off downstairs, I kill the lights it’s show time.

Chloe

  Shopping with Katie was actually really fun, I forgot how much I missed her.  Even though she annoys me at times, she’s become one of my best friends.  When I unlock the door to Travis’s apartment the lights are off.  There are candles lit everywhere and it smells like warm vanilla, my body relaxes as the scent fills my senses.

    “Hello? Travis?” I call out and then I see him.

  He comes into view and my heart stops.  He’s wearing a suit, an actual suit.  Sleek black pants, dazzling white button up shirt that matches the color of his amazing smile, topped off with a black suit jacket.  He looks…he looks delicious. He smiles brightly at me as he approaches.

    “Um, what-what are you doing?” I ask as I bite my lip.

    He takes my hands in his but doesn’t say a word, instead he kisses my lips.  Nothing over the top just a gentle brush against my lips but it makes my body quiver.

    “I missed you,” he speaks.

    “I missed you too, what’s going on?”

  He leads me into the kitchen where the once plan table has a bright red table cloth covering it.  The center of the table contains a large black vase filled with a dozen crimson red roses.  Sparkling white china sets the table with white cloth napkins neatly folded under the silverware.

    “Travis, this is…this is beautiful, but I feel extremely under dressed,” I chuckle in embarrassment.

    His index finger lifts my chin to meet his eyes, “You are always the vision of perfection to me.”

  He slides my chair out for me and then places a dish on the table.  The enticing aroma of lasagna engulfs me.  It looks and smells delicious.

    “Lasagna?” I ask, stating the obvious.

    “Your favorite,” he smiles as he pours me a glass of wine.

  We eat in silence, I have so much I want to say and ask but I’m stunned.  I don’t know what’s going on but I’m just enjoying the moment.  Once we finish eating he picks me up from my seat and carries me into the bedroom.  There are more candles lit surrounding the bed.  The way the candle light dances in his eyes is intoxicating.  He places me gently on the edge of the bed.  My eyes follow his every move.

    “Chloe,” his voice has a rasp to it that I’m not used to hearing and it’s incredibly sexy.

  He takes my hands in his as he kneels down in front of me.

    “We’ve been through so much in such a short time.  There was a time when I thought I’d never find my match, that one person that challenges me, that makes me want to be a better man.  When I saw you at that club that night I was mesmerized by you.  I couldn’t get enough of you, I craved you that first moment.”

  My cheeks redden but I can’t stop looking into those piercing eyes.  My breathing increases and my heart flutters.  “Travis,” I start but he interrupts.

    “No, let me finish Chloe.  I was lost before you, living life but not really living it.  You breathed life into me, you have become the air I breathe now.  Without you, I cannot exist.  I want to be the one to make you smile, to make you laugh…the one that lights up your heart as you have radiated mine.  You have become the sun to me, you have chased away every ounce of darkness that plagued my heart. Chloe Marshall, will you marry me?  Will you run to me one last time?”  He says as he pulls a black box from his pocket.

  I can’t speak, I’m frozen where I sit.  This man is astounding.  It must have taken me longer that I thought to respond.

    “Chloe?” He asks, looking worried.

    “Yes!” I scream as I tackle him to the ground, “A thousand times yes!” 

  When he kisses me I am certain for the first time in my life that I’ll never need to run again.