It Was Always You by S.L. Sterling (17)

I had spent the last four days at Parker’s. The police had finally called to let me know they had collected all the evidence they needed. I was welcome to return to my home. I wasn't looking forward to going back. I didn't want to say anything to Parker, though. After all, it had taken nearly two hours to convince him to take me home.

Pulling into the driveway, he shut the truck off. "Are you sure you’re going to be okay alone here tonight while I'm at work? You can always stay at my place, if it makes you feel better."

"I know I can, but I will be okay." I had decided that this was something I had to do. I didn't want to get involved in this conversation again. I couldn't stay at Parker’s forever, and besides, I loved my house. It just so happened that something unpleasant had happened here, but I felt I had to face it in order to move on.

He climbed out of the truck and came around to open the door. Grabbing my hand, he helped me down.

"I’m going to check the place out and make sure everything is safe before I leave." We walked hand in hand up the walkway.

"What are you going to do while I’m at work?" he questioned.

"I was going to hit the gym, do some laundry, and maybe watch a movie."

He took the keys from my hand and unlocked the front door, then held it open for me, smacking me lightly on the ass as I walked through in front of him. Grabbing me around the waist he kissed me on the back of the neck.

I followed him as he checked out the house. The last room we came to was my bedroom. He was making sure the slider was locked as I stood staring at the bed. The blankets were still messed from that night. I could feel my heart start to race, and I was getting cold, the room starting to spin.

"You should be good now." He turned to look at me, concern growing on his face.

I stood staring at the bed, where Dean had attacked me.

"Tatum, did you hear me?"

"Hmmm?"

He frowned at me.

"Yes, I heard you. I should be good." I shook out of my stare and looked to Parker.

"Are you sure you want to stay here? You don't have to," he said, coming around from the far side of the bed and wrapping me in his strong arms.

"No, I do. I can't let myself be afraid of him anymore," I said while buried in his chest, his warmth soothing me.

"Well, you know I'm a call or text away. Elliott and I will be in the next district over. I'll have one of the guys drive by tonight?"

"No, Parker, it's not necessary." I knew I was preaching to the choir. He would do whatever it took to make me feel safe.

"I'll come by after I get off shift. We can go for breakfast in the morning." He gave me a final squeeze and headed to the front door.

Taking my spare key from the drawer I placed it in his hand. "Just come in when you get off shift." I reached up and gave him a soft kiss. "See you in the morning." He walked to his truck, waving as he backed out of the driveway.

As soon as Parker was gone, I walked back into my bedroom. A chill ran through my body just being in there alone. I kept feeling as if Dean was standing behind me. I wouldn't be able to sleep on these sheets or with these blankets until they were clean.

Quickly, I stripped everything and separated the loads. After everything was in the wash, I filled a bucket with hot water and went in to mop the floors. Funny as it was, I could still smell Dean in the room even after everything had been cleaned.

I continued throughout the house, washing all the floors. Finally, the silence was getting to me, so I turned the radio on and filled the house with happy music. Once the loads of wash were switched, I headed to the kitchen to make myself something to eat. It was already four, and I was starving. Parker had started at two and was only two hours into his twelve-hour shift. Opening the fridge, I realized after I ate, a trip to the market would be in order.

It was such a beautiful afternoon that I decided to walk to the market. The wind off the bay was cool and soothing after all the hard work I had done. Bags in hand, I turned the outside light on and locked the door. Taking a look around, I started off in the direction of the market. I noticed a black car parked on the opposite side of the road. It looked as if someone was sitting in the driver’s seat. I took a deep breath. I needed to stop being paranoid. He was in jail.

Ten minutes later, I walked into the market’s parking lot. I headed inside and grabbed some groceries—not too much, just enough to be able to carry home and feed me until I could do a proper shop. I paid for my sale and headed home. Walking out of the market, I saw the same black car sitting across the parking lot. This time, there was definitely someone sitting in the front seat.

I kept my eye on the car and could feel my heart start to race. Taking a deep breath, I focused on getting home. Why hadn't I driven? After walking a little way up the road, I checked back over my shoulder. The car was pulling out of the parking lot and headed in my direction.

"It’s all in your head. The guy probably had to go to the store," I told myself. I reached into my pocket to text Parker and realized at that moment I had left my cell phone on my charger. "Shit.” I picked up my pace.

Breathless with anxiety, I walked up my driveway and looked back over my shoulder. There parked on the side of the road across the street was the very car with the same silhouette of a man sitting in the driver’s seat.

I started to shake and had a hard time getting the key into the lock. Once inside, I shut and locked the front door, dropped the groceries, and slid down the door. Pulling my knees into my chest, I wrapped my arms around them and started to cry.

As soon as I finally pulled myself together, I grabbed my phone and dialed Parker’s number. It went to voicemail, so I tried Elliott—same thing. They were both busy. I typed out a text to both of them and got up off the floor. When I checked across the street, the car was gone.

"You’re being crazy. He is in jail," I said aloud to myself.

I pulled the blind closed on the window over the sink anyway and put away the few things I had bought. I kept getting the feeling that someone was standing behind me and kept glancing over my shoulder. I was going to drive myself crazy. I had worked myself up so much. I put the kettle on and ordered a pizza for dinner before making my bed and closing all the curtains in the bedroom and living room.

I went to pour the hot water into my mug and jumped at the sound of a knock on the door, causing me to spill hot water all over the counter.

I set the kettle down and checked through the peephole. It was only the pizza guy. Opening the door, I slipped him the money and took the pizza. Before shutting the door, I glanced up and down the road again. I wanted to see if that black car was still there, but it was gone. Locking up the door, I flipped the outside light on for Parker and took my tea and pizza into the living room. I quickly changed into my shorts and tank top and curled up under a blanket on the couch to watch a movie.

I checked my cell phone during the first commercial and saw a message from Parker.

I put my phone down and checked the time. It was almost ten. I turned to Elliott who took a sip of his coffee and punched a message into his phone. He was grinning like an idiot when another response pinged in.

"Jen again?"

"Yeah. How’s Tatum doing?" he asked, putting the phone down.

"I don’t know. I'm worried about her. I don't know if I should have left her there alone. Ben says there's no black car, and there hasn't been one all night. But she's insisting that she was followed to the market and home again tonight. I've had him patrolling the area all night."

The thought of her freaking out by herself was almost too much for me to handle. I was still pissed I had missed her call, but we were in the middle of an arrest. I couldn't stop what was going on and answer.

"I know; she sent me a text as well. She's so damn stubborn. You'd never have been able to talk her out of staying there. You know that. But I do agree with you, it may be too soon for her to stay alone, but I swear you'd never convince her, so don't beat yourself up over it."

He took a bite of his burger. It was the first chance we'd had to stop and have dinner all night.

He was right, I had to stop. As much as I wanted to protect her, I couldn't do it if she wasn't willing to be protected.

"I was thinking of taking her away this weekend, go down to my parents’ cottage. Would that be okay with you?"

"Parker, man, you know I've always approved of you being with Tatum. You don't need my permission if you want to date my sister. I think taking her away is a good idea. She needs it, get herself back together." He chuckled and checked his phone, typing in another message.

"Are things pretty serious between the two of you?" I asked before taking a bite of my burger.

"Yeah. I think I may ask her to move in with me. This long-distance thing is going to be too hard. I want to be with her."

My phone buzzed in my pocket. Looking down at the screen, I saw a new message from Tatum.

Putting my phone down, I took a drink of my coffee and leaned my head back against the headrest. "Let’s hope we don't get any more calls tonight. I'm beat."

My phone buzzed again. Checking the screen, a new message appeared.

"Fuck, Ben just sent me a text. There is a black Audi sitting across the street. Ben's keeping a lookout."

I wanted to get over there, but if we got caught leaving our district, we'd be fucked.

"Do you have any time you can take? We could always take off early," I said, looking over and seeing Elliott's face buried in his phone.

"Yeah, lots of time. How about we head back to the station?"

I pulled my truck into Tatum’s driveway. The front light was on. Ben had sent a text to me twenty minutes ago and let me know the car had finally left. I locked up the truck and walked to the front door, putting the key in the lock.

Once inside, I shut the outside light off and locked the door then made my way down the hall, trying to be quiet so I didn't wake her. I stopped just outside the bedroom door, shut my phone off, and emptied my pockets, leaving everything on top of the entertainment unit.

I went to take another step, the floor creaking underneath my weight, and heard Tatum scream, "Get the fuck out! Cops are on their way."

I pushed the door open and saw Tatum curled under the blankets. Quickly, I kneeled on the bed and grabbed hold of her arms. She kicked at me and let out a blood-curdling scream.

"Tatum, it’s me. It’s just me. Calm down." I ripped the blankets off her and grabbed her, pulling her into me. "It’s just me."

She was breathing hard and was incredibly sweaty. Pulling her tight against my chest, I tried to calm her down.

"Parker?" She finally stilled.

"It’s just me, baby. You okay?" She began to cry while I held her in my arms.

"I...I...I have been watching the black car all night. It wouldn't leave." Her chest heaved.

"It’s okay. Ben was watching. I thought you went to bed at ten?"

"I did. I got into bed and started hearing things. I tried hard to shut it out of my mind, but it got worse and worse."

"I'm sorry I scared you, but I figured you were asleep. We took a couple hours off early. I didn't want you to be alone any longer." I nestled her head into the crook of my shoulder and held her, smoothing her hair.

It didn't take long to calm her down, but she was so warm. I wanted her to cool off before going to bed, so I picked her up and carried her to the shower.

I pulled my wet hair up into a ponytail, threw on a T-shirt, and went into the kitchen to make us both a cup of tea.

"I missed you tonight," I heard from behind me.

"I missed you too." I felt his hands run over my upper arms and start massaging my shoulders.

"I want you to know you’re safe with me," he whispered into my ear.

I closed my eyes and relaxed into him, letting the tension from the day seep out of my aching muscles. “I know that.”

Turning me around, he grabbed me under the ass, picked me up and set me on the counter. He angled his towel-wrapped body between my legs. His hand gently brushed my cheek, leaned in, and placed his lips against mine, his tongue finding its way into my mouth. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he pulled me closer into his body and deepened the kiss. I let out a soft moan. I loved kissing this man.

Kissing and sucking on my ear and neck, I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of him. The feel of his lips on my neck drove me crazy. Picking me up off the counter, he carried me into the other room and out onto the back deck. He placed me down on the deck, still holding onto my hand. He sat down on one of the lounge chairs and coaxed me to straddle his lap.

"I want to take you away this weekend, to my parents’ cottage, get you away from here for a bit. What do you say?"

"Elliott and I are supposed to be hanging out this weekend."

"I've already cleared it with him; he said to go. So you’re all mine."

I smiled, leaning my forehead against his. I could feel his arousal through the towel hitting me in just the right spot. I ground down on him and kissed him again. His hands massaged my breasts, his thumbs rubbing over my tightened nipples.

"Lift your arms over your head," his said, his voice quiet.

I was hesitant and looked over my shoulder in case anyone was out on the beach.

“There is no one out there, baby,” he whispered.

Doing as he asked, I removed my T-shirt, casting it off to the side. He sat forward, taking my nipple into his mouth and sucking hard. I let out a whimper as he swirled his tongue around my nipple and then switched to the other side, gently biting and sucking.

"I love these," he whispered. Placing his hand between my legs, his thumb found my clit. He rubbed me through my soaked panties with enough pressure to make me moan. "Baby, you’re so wet. Fuck, I love it," he whispered against my neck as he continued to rub me. "I want you on top of me now," he said into my mouth. Shoving my panties to the side, he undid the towel from around his waist.

I rose onto my knees, and he positioned himself at my opening. Gripping my hips, he guided me down on him, every inch stretching me. A quiver went through me once I was seated on him.

"Fuck, you’re so tight," he said, caressing my back and sitting still until I was used to him being there.

When I was ready, I ground down on him as he thrust up and into me. He pulled me down to meet my mouth.

"I want to feel you come, baby," he whispered into my ear, sucking the lobe into his mouth.

My release came quickly in this position. I tightened around him, and a deep groan came from his lips, his thrusts getting faster and deeper before he filled me. Collapsing against him, he held me while staying inside of me, kissing my shoulder, until we both caught our breath.

"Ready for bed, sweetie?"

I nodded.

I curled into Parker’s arms and rested my head on his chest. He held me tight against him and kissed the top of my head. Rolling me onto my back, he rose up on his forearm and leaned down and kissed me slow and deep.

"You know what I'd like?" he asked, looking into my eyes.

I shook my head.

"You. Again." He reached up and turned off the light on my nightstand, and his lips met my mouth.