Chapter 8

 
Picking the millionth splinter out of her finger, she continued digging at the hole in the wall. She knew beyond the attic door was some space. Ten years ago, an electrical fire had hit the house and the backstairs that led up to the second floor hallway had caught on fire. Instead of building another staircase, Nanna hired someone to just build a ladder. So if there was another fire, no one would get trapped on the second floor. Another thing Nicole remembered the fire doing was messing up the attic, which was why her bedroom was almost like a closet. Nanna had enclosed the burned walls, promising to redecorate the upstairs as soon as they had the time. But other things happened and they were never able to get to it. The guy who had done the construction on the house though had made a makeshift closet sort of with a door over the ladder. But Nanna, thinking some crackhead might come and try to get in, put a master lock on the door.
Nicole knew exactly where the lock was positioned at by looking at the nail holes, but she also knew it would be faster to get the hinges off the door too and she could jump on the roof and go down. Her objective after that would be to make it to Cleo's house and get help for herself.
One hinge was loose and by the end of the night, she would have the other hinge off. From listening to the vents, she knew Nanna was still alive. Lynne and Marvin were arguing about ways to make the death look as natural as possible. They had told the nurses to stop coming.
Marvin had told her if she attracted any attention to her while she was in the room, he would come up there and beat her. He checked on her constantly during the day, but at night she knew he was with Lynne. Most times, he could hear them together. In a way, she almost thought her mother was becoming a prisoner in the house just like she had been. But he needed Lynne in order to get to the money that he wanted when they sold Nanna's business.
In two weeks, Mr. Mills would be paying a visit to the Laundromat to look it over and sign the papers. He insisted on meeting at the Laundromat, even though Lynne had tried to convince him to meet at Mills' office. If Nicole got out in time and contacted him, then there was a chance of saving the business. Whatever her mother had used to entice Mr. Mills to buy the business, she would have to find a way to get him not to buy it.
Right now, she had to work on her present objective and get out of there.

Cold rain practically froze her limbs to the bone. But she made it to Cleo's street and knocked on the door. She knew Cleo would be home because she had heard that they'd switched Cleo to the afternoon shift and that another girl worked the evening. But she walked by the Laundromat, making sure to look for Cleo's car.
When no one opened the door, she went around to a bedroom window and knocked on the glass pane. A light came on and she rushed back to the front door. Cleo flung the door open, ready to cuss someone out. But then the cigarette fell out of her mouth as she realized who the person was knocking on her door at three in the morning.
Helping her onto the couch, Cleo ordered her daughter to bring some covers and water. The oldest son was told to get some warm tea and put the leftover stew in the microwave. In between commands, Cleo kept demanding Nicole to tell her what happened.
"Tired," was all Nicole could say. She hadn't eaten in a month. Her first attempt at eating the cat food had made her throw up and her second attempt had almost killed her. She hadn't tried to eat anything else except some old junk food and candy she had in the book bags around her room. With the leak in the walls, when the rain came, she managed to drink, but not a lot because the salty water made her stomach hurt.
"I'll call the police," Cleo said, going to the phone.
"No. He'll kill me, Cleo. I can't let them know."
"He already has tried to kill you, Nicole. Look at you. You're almost skin and bones."
Nicole tried to sit up, but her body protested. Dizziness struck her immediately. "I need to find Mr. Mills before they get him to sign over Nanna's business. I can't let it happen."
"I'll go get someone to help us," Cleo said.
"Who?" She gripped Cleo's shirt, terrified Cleo would call Marvin. She didn't know who she could trust at this point because no one had come to help her. Cleo had been the closest she knew that had some dislike for Marvin, but she didn't know anymore.
"He's the neighbor. He's been looking for you."
"Who?"
"Just let me go get him." Cleo broke from her grip and ran out the front door.
Nicole knew she had to go. They'd take her back over there and Marvin would kill her. She gathered all her strength and got up, using the wall to get to the front door. The children just stared at her. She wrapped the covers around her for warmth against the frosty December air and went out the door. Almost falling down the stairs spraining her ankle, she made it and began to hobble down the street, not caring in what direction she was going.
Someone behind her called her name, but Nicole was delirious. She wasn't going to let them take her back. Somehow she'd get help from someone--anyone. Footsteps were getting close and she tried to run as fast as she could. She tripped over the sidewalk, hitting her nose on the cement. Warm blood flowed down her face, but she scrambled up and continued to run, not caring anymore where she went. She just wanted to get away from the footsteps.
"Nicole, stop!" the deep voice yelled.
The only thing she could surmise was that Marvin had caught up with her and was now going to kill her. This only gave her more strength. But everything looked so fuzzy and dim, yet she ran. Her body wanted to stop, but her mind was gone.
Darting through a muddied field, she jumped over a knocked down tree. So did the pursuer, who grabbed her pants leg. She fell again and when she tried to scramble up, something held her down by the legs. It was so dark and her vision was failing her because even her eyes were cold. She turned on her back and kicked at the large dark figure that crawled up her body as she tried to scoot back and get away. Finally, he pinned her. She couldn't scream because her throat hurt so much. She sobbed, fighting.
Ethan shook her so hard, but that only increased her fight to get him off of her. Finally, he slapped her cheek and she almost passed out. This sort of deluded her sense of balance that she had to fight for her own consciousness, ceasing her physical fight for a moment. Through the haze, she heard, “Nicole stop it! It's me!"
It couldn't be. Dear Lord not him. "Ethan," she rasped to be sure.
He had pressed his ear down to her mouth to hear her. "Yes, Nicole. Let me help you."
She sobbed, but this wasn't in fear. It was great relief as he scooped her cold, muddied body up and began to carry her. It didn't matter where he took her. She had a feeling she would be safe with him until at least the morning. Then she could get him to help her. He would help her, even if he probably did want sex. It didn't matter as long as he helped her.

Ethan looked down at her as they got into his home to see her in an exhausted sleep. Cleo followed them and she was too busy looking around the strange front room to notice where he laid Nicole. But when she noticed him heading to what looked to her to be a couch worth more than eight of her paychecks, she told him to stop. She ran in front of him and laid out a clean blanket she had brought from her home, knowing Nicole would need it when he brought her back.
Ethan impatiently let Cleo busy herself in getting the other blanket off before he laid her down, then he wrapped her up. "I'll take care of her, Cleo. Thank you." He wanted to be alone with her.
"We should call the police."
"Did she say so?"
"No. She told me not to or Marvin would kill her."
"I'll take care of everything. If she doesn't want the police called, we won't call them yet."
He went over to the fireplace and turned up the heat by adding more logs on the fire. When he turned to Cleo, he said, "Come over in the morning."
Cleo gave him a wary look. "Maybe she should stay at my place."
"I'm going to take care of her. I'll call my doctor and have him check on her and help her. Can you do that this time of night?"
"I could take her to the hospital."
"If she wanted to make known what was wrong with her, that would have been her first destination, don't you think?"
Cleo agreed, reluctantly. "I'll be over early."
"Don't call anyone or let anyone know where she's at, Cleo,” he warned in his most serious tone. “At least until we can find out what happened to her. Obviously, she's terrified."
"She said she had to speak to Mr. Mills, but I don't know who that is."
"Can you find out?"
"I guess if I nosed around. I'm supposed to work a double at the Laundromat. I could look through some of Marvin’s stuff while he's out picking his nose and gambling away all his money."
"Good. Do her that favor and then I want you to see if you can find information about Nanna too for her mind’s sake. I'm sure she wants to know about her grandmother if she doesn't know anything already."
Cleo nodded and left.
Ethan turned back to her sleeping form and knelt by the sofa. Unwrapping her, he took off the clothes she wore that were practically molded to her body. Though she was asleep, she protested with moans. But, that was about it. Sleep seemed the best for her.
Dr. Desmond arrived about five. By this time, he had gotten her up to a guest room with a king size feather bed with lots of warm covers to bury her in. It had been difficult not to look at what he had revealed as he had taken off her clothes and cursed himself for becoming aroused at her.
"Mostly she's dehydrated. I started an IV for her to get her nutrients back. It might be a couple of days, but I'll be sending a nurse over in the morning to change the IV. If she awakes and demands to take it out, let her. But, make sure you keep her on the diet I've specified until she feels better." He handed him a paper. "It's a simple diet of soups and liquids; nothing heavy or dairy products. I've given her stitches to her nose and over her eye. Someone beat her pretty bad repeatedly. It wasn't just one time, but several times. Luckily there are no bones broken. But, she will need a lot of rest."
"That's understandable," he agreed.
"I'll make out a report for you. Whoever did this to her should be charged with something. There's even bite marks on her back and ..." he paused, looking very disturbed. "She was violated from behind. It looks like this took place over a week ago, but I can't be sure."
He cursed under his breath and hit the wall. "Fuck!"
"When she awakes, don't question her immediately. Just take it slow. If she wants to talk, then let her. But don't push her. I took some Polaroid pictures also and I'll keep these with the file. If she wants to press charges, I will be available."
Ethan thanked him and pressed a check in his hand. "Thank you, Dr. Desmond."
Once the doctor had gone, Ethan returned to her room and sat in the chair next to her, watching her sleep. He sat vigil there all night until the crew arrived to work on the home. He sent them home with pay. The nurse came to change her IV and give her another sponge bath. Ethan saw the nurse’s look of distrust and he excused himself to get something to drink.
A shot of whiskey calmed his raging nerves. James was in the office and he told James to come to the site as soon as he could, but not to tell his bitch ex-wife where he was going. He knew Lynne still contacted him, but he would wring his brother's neck if Lynne showed her face in front of him. How could that woman allow this to happen? She had been in the home at the time of Nicole's supposed disappearance and she didn't know what happened to her daughter?
At least that was what Lynne had told the police when they had asked her of Nicole's whereabouts.
Ethan knew Lynne was lying. She knew exactly where Nicole had been and what that monster did to Nicole. Had Lynne held Nicole down for her uncle to rape her?
Nicole had been missing for about a month and Marvin had begun to tell everyone the girl had disappeared from her grandmother's bedside and run off. No one questioned it because everyone was aware of how bad Marvin treated her. It seemed logical, except to Ethan, who had come to know Nicole from what the customers and neighbors said. Nicole would never leave Nanna's side, no matter how bad Marvin was. She would never leave Nanna for anything.
Cleo came late that afternoon when Nicole was still sleeping. Ethan had changed into some black jeans and a nice black silk shirt. Right before she had arrived, he'd just gotten out the shower so his hair was still wet.
She seemed strangely alarmed at his disheveled appearance as she came in the front room. When she didn't see Nicole on the couch, she became alarmed.
"She's up in the guest room," he assured her.
"I would like to see her."
He didn't feel very comfortable with letting her see the rest of the house. The front room was specially modified to block others from seeing what the rest of the house contained. It wasn't that he didn't trust Cleo; he just knew the neighborhood he was in and couldn't go around showing off what kind of money he was investing into the home. Why he chose this side of town was only one reason - Nicole. In the end, he surmised that it had to do with wanting to be closer to her. He planned to sell the property once he had finished his revenge against Lynne. But now his plans were definitely going awry. How could he not care that something like this had happened to Nicole?
"Now, Mr. Black or I really will call the police."
"She's sleeping," he said stiffly.
"I don't care if she's dead. I want to see her."
He led her straight to the guest room, making sure he closed the doors to the other rooms so she wouldn't see the other parts of the lavishly furnished home. Soon as she saw Nicole lying on the bed with the tube in her arm, Cleo practically shoved him aside to get to her to see if she was still alive.
"How is she? The doctor really came?" Cleo demanded to know, looking Nicole over carefully.
Ethan nodded. "He said she was beaten repeatedly on different days and she was molested."
Cleo gasped. Tears welled in her eyes as she pushed the hair out of Nicole's. Reaching in her purse, she pulled out her comb and brush. "I'll fix her up real pretty. She'll like that."
"You don't have to."
"It's the least I could do. She always wore those ugly ponytails. She's pretty, Mr. Black, just like her heart." She was crying more. "I should have known. I should have told her to stay with me, but I...I didn't know."
He came around the bed. "I don't think anyone knew, but he called with the test results and she's clean. There’s no infection, just scars."
Cleo held her hand. "I'll be back with some gowns for her. Is there anything you might need for her?"
"Nothing I can think of. Did you find anything out at the store?"
She dug through her purse and pulled out a torn piece of paper of a Laundromat sales slip with a name and number on it. "This is all I got. They plan on selling the Laundromat to this guy. They stopped the nurses from coming to see Nanna. I heard him talking to the doctor on the phone and he was lying to the doctor, saying he had gotten a private service for Nanna's care instead of the doctor's appointed nurses."
"What was the doctor's name?"
"Rucker. Dr. Rucker."
"Do you know the hospital she was rushed to last time?"
"The one nearby. Henry Ford."
"Thanks Cleo. Go ahead and get the stuff for her."
Cleo started to go past him, but she stopped, noting the concerned expression on his face as he stared longingly at the bed. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you last night and even today."
"I'm sorry I didn't trust you."
"She's a good girl and don’t deserve to be hurt. She's never done anything to anyone. If I'd known this was happening to her, I'd done more; much more. Thank you for helping her." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "You're a rare man, Mr. Black." When she was gone, he went to the bed.
Would Cleo still think like that when he broke Nicole's heart? All of his help wouldn't be for naught. That kind heart of hers would be useful in persuading her to give him her virgin heart. She would fall for him as soon as she opened her eyes and want to give her heart to him for his goodness. Cleo would tell her how he went out of his way to help her out and provide for her, and she would love him.

James came over shortly after Cleo left. The woman had changed Nicole from the ugly hospital-like robe the nurse had brought to a nice long gown. She'd brought over five other gowns of different styles and colors. In addition to this, Cleo had brought a bag the size of a duffle with every hair instrument ever used. After an hour of washing, pressing and curling, she had gotten Nicole to look like a sleeping beauty with her natural shoulder length hair so soft and beautiful that Ethan couldn't help but run his fingers through it once Cleo had left.
He allowed James only to glance at Nicole and in that quick glance, James gasped. "Damn if she don't look like her mother."
"She's not. Not in the least, so get any ideas out your mind."
"Should I be saying the same to you, brother?" he asked suspiciously, hearing the over-protectiveness in Ethan's voice.
Ethan sat down in the front room after opening the cabinet where the bar was and poured them both shots of whiskey. "I just have every intention of helping her."
"And yourself?"
"Shut up," he growled.
James chuckled, his green eyes much softer than his brother's, but contrasting with his pitch black hair, which he kept short. "I was just kidding, brother. So what's up?"
"What has Lynne said to you?"
"She's asked me for money, sex, and the usual. I've got Kris blowing her off these past two weeks. With the new projects you've got going, it's keeping us busy. What made you start the home improvement stuff? Winter's usually slow for us."
"I know, but I saw a need in these neighborhoods. Lots of single women need handy men around the house. Women see me and they flock like bees to honey from changing a stupid light bulb to lighting the gas. I figured we'd keep the guys on with internal home knowledge instead of laying them off like usual for the extra work. Is it good business?"
"Yeah, especially with the pay first plan."
"These aren't our regular customers. I don't want to get shagged. But, I also don't want to steal anything that doesn't belong to us."
"That's understandable." James downed the whiskey and coughed a bit as the fluid warmed his veins. "What do you plan on doing with her now? Getting the officials to arrest Lynne?"
"Only if she wants to press charges. We'll have to see once she wakes up. Until then, can you do me a favor?"
"Maybe. The last favor was getting those pictures of your wife to look real good for the detective." He chuckled. "I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the ride, but she can get pretty boring at times. I don't know how you did it for three years."
"Fuck you, James. You only did it because you were trying to make up for shagging my wife in the first fucking place. But I need you to put up with it a little more. Think you can do that for me?"
James didn't look pleased, but he reluctantly nodded. "I guess, but you'll have to tell me why."
"I need to give Nicole time to get well. They plan on doing something and I think they wanted her out the way in order to do it." He passed his brother the information about Parker Mills. "Find out what he has to do with the business without getting up Lynne's suspicion, would you?"
"That's fine." James stood up. "You'll owe me a big birthday gift, brother."
"You'll get a kick in the ass."
James hooted, amused. "I'll pass."

Two evenings later, Nicole slowly opened her eyes and just stared up at the wall. He watched her from across the room, not drawing any attention to him. She looked around the bed and the dimly lit room. Ethan knew he could not be seen in the dark corner.
Sitting up, she pushed the covers away and inspected the IV in her arm. After a few moments, she yanked the needle from there, then tried to move, but gasped and flushed all over.
"I wouldn't be so quick to do anything," he said from his corner.
She turned sharply in his direction. Ethan came forward and sat up on the bed. "The nurse will be here in an hour to check on you. She'll take off the catheter."
Her throat was dry and he knew this. There was a cold pitcher of water next to the bed. He filled it for her in a glass, and then handed it to her. "You've been sleep for a couple of days. You had a fever the first night, but it went away. Dr. Desmond said you'll feel like shit, but he gave you a shot of antibiotics. The nurse will be able to take care of any other concerns when she comes."
She nodded, but there were still a lot of questions in her eyes.
Lightly, he kissed her cheek. "Cleo's coming over when she gets off at one. I told her it was alright although I didn't know you'd be awake then. Get some rest." He pointed to a bell on the table next to her. "If you need anything, just ring. There was a small infection in your throat, which is why it feels like you swallowed a million nails."
Again she nodded and smiled softly.
He started to leave the bed, but she took his hand to hold him there. Leaning over, she kissed his cheek and whispered, "Thank you."
It was his turn to blush. When he got up this time, she let him as she laid down. She was asleep before he returned to his chair. He moved it closer to the bed while he waited for the nurse to come.
He left the room to give them privacy. David's mother, who was a great cook, brought over some soup. David had told his mother that his girlfriend had gotten real sick and was hurt bad. The woman was kind and since Ethan had helped with a lot of things around her home that her landlord wouldn't take care, she was more than happy to give him a hand at sticking to the doctor's diet for Nicole. Tonight, she brought a nice cream soup with mushrooms and finely diced chicken with noodles. It smelled delicious.
"I brought an extra helping for you, too. You should eat as well."
Ethan had to insist she take the money he offered, and reluctantly she did and left.
When the nurse left, he returned to Nicole's room. She was changed into a nice pink gown, her hair freshly combed, still down although the front drawn back out her face, looking very refreshed after the warm sponge bath.
He placed the tray carefully on her lap. It was big enough to hold both of their bowls. He made tea for her while he took a cold beer. She looked amused at this as she tasted the soup and smiled with pleasure. Ethan told her who had cooked it and then explained the neighbors had been more than helpful with him since they found out he was taking care of a sick "friend."
"They've never met you, but they knew I wasn't out as much as I usually am and David's mother let them know I was taking care of an ill friend. They've been giving me so much help that I'm almost overwhelmed with saying thank you so much."
Her voice was but a whisper when she said, "Thank you cards."
He snapped his fingers. "That's a good idea." He winked at her in thanks for her great idea.
They ate and he talked nonstop about everything from Nanna's condition to who Parker Mills was. Nanna was getting worse, but holding on. What they were telling her about Nicole's whereabouts was unknown to anyone.
Parker Mills had offices out in Southfield and as soon as she was well, she could contact him for a meeting.
Again she thanked him and he told her, “Quit that. It’s no problem.”
Nicole looked away, seeing the look of concern in his eyes. Why he'd offered his hand of friendship out this way was a mystery to her, but she intended to get down to the bottom of it. When they were done eating, he took the dishes away and then brought in a toothbrush, with rinse and a bowl. After she brushed her teeth, he asked if she needed anything else. She pretended tiredness and he left her so she could rest. When he thought she was asleep, he came back in and sat down beside her to stare at her.
Nicole kept her breathing even and slow. She was glad when Cleo came by. He left them alone and Cleo filled her in on the other things he had gone out his way and done. Cleo even helped her to the bathroom, which she'd been too embarrassed to ask him to help with. There was one connected to the room.
Nicole tried to speak, but was only good at muttering one word sentences with hand gestures. Cleo let her know she was at one of the houses he was fixing up. Nicole was shocked to know he was the one who had bought the houses next to Cleo. He was working night and day on them and his other projects, until she had came here. He never left the house now at all and had said he'd gotten someone to assist him on the other projects.
Before leaving the bathroom, she paused at the mirror and was shocked to see herself. Cleo explained she had taken the liberty of doing that. Nicole had never had her hair done except to have her ends cut and her hair washed and pressed. Other than that, she oiled it every three days and put it up in a ponytail or cornrows.
"Do you like it?" Cleo asked.
She nodded her approval.
Cleo helped her back to the bed and tucked her in. "I'll be back in a couple of days. Don't try to rush yourself. If you need me, make him come get me, okay?"
Nicole assured her she would.

The next morning while he was passed out in the chair by her bed, she got enough strength to make it to the bathroom by herself. When she came out, he was by the door and startled her, making her trip over her feet. But he caught her and carried her to the bed. Her throat was feeling much better, but she didn't strain it by fussing over him carrying up. When he laid her in the bed, he didn't draw away and she didn't force him to move his arms from around her.
They stared long into each other's eyes. His then wandered down to her lips and she felt him edge closer.
"How do you feel?" he asked, genuinely concerned.
"Fine." She cleared her throat. "I feel good."
The intenseness in his eyes affected her greatly, but she hoped he didn't notice and think her shivering was because the room was cool, when it was her body reacting to his proximity. How could she possibly be thinking of making love to him at this point in time, although the nurse said she was fine to carry on any usual activities? The nurse had even noted that her boyfriend seemed very concerned about her well being and would need "comfort." She hadn't gotten over the idea of the nurse thinking she was his girlfriend, let alone assure her she wouldn't be doing any "comforting."
He released her and sat in the nearest chair. "You sound better."
"I feel better."
The doorbell rang. "That would be breakfast," he figured and rushed off.
Before returning, it looked as if he'd gotten washed up and changed into another shirt. He smelled nice and he hadn't buttoned the shirt up at all. She tried not to notice the well defined muscles on the bare darkly tanned skin, with the rippled stomach muscles. This time, there wasn't an extra plate of food on the tray for him and he watched her eat quietly, staring at her.
She was famished and quickly downed the grits and eggs with toast on the side. There was another bowl of leftover soup from last night and some orange juice. When she was done, he again brought the toothbrush and bowl. It was too kind of him and she was feeling rather spoiled.
"I think I should leave soon," she said when he returned after disposing of the dishes.
"Where will you go? Back home to Marvin?"
"Back home to Nanna."
"I could help you get her out of there."
"And do what? Take her to a hospital. She wants to stay at home."
"Even when they could kill her?"
"I'm not going to argue with you." She pushed the covers off her legs and sat up with her feet on the floor. "I would like my clothes to leave."
"I threw them away. They were filthy."
"Then I can borrow some from Cleo."
"I have some more for you, but you'll rest. A couple of more days won't kill you to rest. The rest was much needed and you don't need to be out in that weather after that horrible infection in your throat."
"You don't have any right keeping me here."
"I will and you'll like it."
Angrily at his stubbornness, she said, "You're no better than Marvin."
He came over to the bed in two strides. "Then maybe I ought to rape you like he did," he seethed over her.
Her breath caught in her throat at his cruelness, but she fought the tears that wanted to come at the painful memories. When he reached out to comfort her, she snatched away and moved from him. "Get out!" she ordered.
Ethan huffed and left, slamming the door behind him. Damn woman drove him to lose his calm. She thought nothing of herself or her safety. If she wasn't the most unselfish person he had ever met.
Nicole stood up and went over to the closet. There wasn't anything in there so she went over to the dresser, where only gowns and underwear were. Cursing, she went back to the bed. She wouldn't stay here another moment with him. He was kind one moment, hurtful the next. Not another moment.
He didn't come back to her room until dinner, when he delivered pasta in cream sauce. He didn't eat with her, but left some books to read, which she eagerly read to keep her mind occupied. When she awoke the next morning early, she listened out for him in the hallway. When she didn't hear anything, she opened the door and walked out the room to the bare floor of the hallway. There was some hammering going on downstairs so she assumed that was where he was. There was a chill in the air, but that was fine and she wouldn't be out here for long. Going down the hallway, she opened the first door she got to. This was another bedroom and she gasped as the bed was even bigger than hers with bars at the top. The decor was a beautiful lavender and gold, and she could tell this had been an extra room with the wall taken out. There was a private bathroom in there and curiosity got the best of her and she entered it.
The largest bathtub she had ever seen occupied this one. Along with the gold and black décor was a beautiful bear rug in the middle of the floor. She couldn't resist kneeling down and touching the soft fur. Then, she froze at the light chuckle behind her. Looking around, she gasped, seeing him naked standing over by the sink located behind the door. Quickly turning away from him, she huffed. "Could you put something on?"
"Excuse me, I'm in my bathroom," he snapped.
"Then I'll leave." When she started to do that, the door closed and she refused to look in his direction, knowing he was purposely standing in her way.
"Why?” Ethan asked. “Obviously you came in here for a reason."
She flushed and angrily turned to him, not caring that he was standing there akimbo naked as the day he was born. "I came to find some clothes."
"And who do you know puts their clothing in the bathroom?" he questioned.
"Shut up!" she snapped.
"If you think that's going to get you out of here, then you've got another thing coming."
"I don't care if I was dying, you are the most frustrating man I've ever met and I wish I never met you!"
His eyes narrowed to slits and he moved toward her slowly, like an animal stalking. "Then maybe I ought to take you right back to Marvin so he can kill you."
"He won't kill me."
"He'll just molest you again."
So angry, she slapped him, then gasped and quickly apologized, stepping back from him. "Leave me alone."
He rubbed his cheek, then moved over and put a towel around his waist. "You aren't stepping foot in that house, Nicole. Not as long as he's there."
"I need to see Nanna."
"You need to take a rest. I'm sure Nanna would agree. You almost died out there and he almost killed you. I won't take you back there so he can kill you."
"They'll hurt Nanna."
"What if I go over there and see her?" he suggested.
"I want to see her."
"You don't think I can?"
"I want to see her!" she stressed, even more frustrated. "She's my grandmother. I've taken care of her since she got sick. They'll hurt her just like they always wanted to."
"Then they'll hurt you. We can call her doctor tomorrow," he assured her, coming back over to her. "I swear Nicole. I'll do what I can to help you as long as it doesn't jeopardize your life."
"What do you care for?"
His long strong fingers gently caressed her cheek. "Because it's a free country."
"Or because you think this is going to get you a good fuck. Well think again, Ethan." She walked away from him, toward the door. "I'm not the least attract-"
She would have finished if his lips weren’t covering hers and she wasn't responding like her life depended upon it. She would have finished telling him how much she detested him if she wasn't pushing the towel off of him and touching his beautiful body like it was the last thing she would ever touch.
So when he laid her down on that bearskin rug and began to kiss her all over, pushing her gown off her body and sucking the tips of her breast, sending waves of ecstasy through her nerves, she couldn't think of one thing disgusting or disliking about this gorgeous man. Every part of his body worshipped her deep chocolate skin to passion's goddess. As his mouth paid homage to her womanhood, sending mind and body in a fit, she knew she would want this man again and again.
His mouth moved up to capture hers and she could taste herself on his lips, increasing the eroticism. Carefully, he placed a towel underneath her as he also placed the tip of him at her womanly orifice. She was way past caring how he would end her wanton torture. She just wanted him more and more, but felt him stiffen slightly.
Ethan was straining, holding back from giving her any pain. But, her writhing was driving him crazy. Wrapping her legs around his waist securely, she thrust upward and at the same time, pushed his wrist away so that he buried himself deep inside of her. The hot searing pain made her scream so high pitched that she couldn't hear her voice in her own head. But he'd heard it and thought he'd killed her by the way her whole body stiffened.
Slowly her eyes opened and Ethan waited for her to tell him to continue. But the seriousness caught him off guard. He leaned down to kiss her, but she turned her face away.
She spoke deep and slowly, "Get...off."
He wasn't sure if he heard her right. "Nicole, we haven't finished-"
"Get off!"
Ethan was sure she just didn't understand what was going on. She had just lost her virginity and it was okay to be scared. "Let me finish-"
"No!" With great strength, she dislodged him and jumped up. "Stay away from me!" Running out of the room, she didn't stop running until she had gotten into her bathroom, where she locked herself in.
He was right behind her, with the towel loosely around his waist. But he didn't catch the door before it closed. Knocking, he said, "Nicole, you can't just leave like that in the middle of it."
"I can and I did," she screamed from the other side of the door.
"You're just confused."
"No, I was confused before all this. But now I know why Marvin never wants me to do it. I should have listened. Stay away from me, Ethan."
"Dammit, Nicole. Give me a chance."
"You had your chance, Ethan." She was making a lot of racket and for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what the hell she was doing. Water was running suddenly and he heard her getting in the shower.
He wanted to break the door down and just as he was preparing to throw his shoulder against it, the door opened. She'd straightened her gown. Her hair was thrown back into the ponytail and she walked straight back in his room. He followed her, waiting for her to say something - anything regarding what had just happened. But she was paying more attention to the walls than to him.
"Nicole, it was your first time. It was supposed to hurt."
"It was?" she asked. "I guess next you're going to say I shouldn't tell anybody. Or it's our secret?" Tears welled up in her eyes at the horrible memories of Marvin's words.
"No. I'm not him. I'm not your uncle." He sounded hurt, but she didn't care. He'd hurt her.
She found a drawer with some jogging suits and grabbed a shirt and pair of pants, then slipped them on. "I'm leaving. I'm going back home and you aren't going to stop me."
"Dammit Nicole-"
"If you aren't going to stop me, then don't stand in my way, Ethan."
He came over to her. She was being stubborn and hardheaded. Was she crazy? Did she understand Marvin could kill her? "Do you even care about your own life, Nicole?"
"Not when Nanna's life means a lot more to me. She means more to me than my own because she fought so hard for me to be here, Ethan. If I could, I would give my heart to her to make her better. Don't you understand?" She cried, tears streaming down her cheek.
He pulled her in his arms to hold her. "Yes Nicole, I do. I'll help." His kissed her cheek as her arms went around his neck in appreciation for his understanding.