The next morning, the police came to Riley’s estate. He and Rachel had left the scene, emotionally and physically exhausted from the day of fear, anxiety, and panic. Once they had returned to his room, they had simply snuggled up and fallen asleep in one another’s arms. They had tossed and turned, both having nightmares of Melissa chasing them, but one would comfort the other until they fell back asleep, only for the other to repeat the process. The last few hours the nightmares had started to fade, and Rachel felt a bit rested when she awoke around nine that morning.
The police sat at the dining room table with Rachel and Riley, and steaming cups of coffee were given to all. Paperwork and computers were spread across the vast table. Riley’s lawyer, Erica Leevey, sat next to him.
She was a petite woman with thick brown hair and bangs. Her glasses were rimmed with a thick black metal, and her blue eyes held an icy, intelligent gaze. She was in her early fifties, her age beginning to show with slight wrinkles and greying hair. Her mouth was pursed as they reviewed the security tape from Riley’s office.
“I’d say that girl has a hell of a punch,” she commented, her voice rough from years of smoking.
Riley chuckled. “You’re telling me.”
The deputy sat across from Riley and opened his hands as he began to relay the latest news.
“Right now she is in recovery downtown, but she really can’t go anywhere; both her legs are broken in multiple places. Regardless, we have security at the only entry door, Once the doctors give the go ahead, we’re going to move her to the prison hospital, where she’ll be locked up but able to recover while we continue putting the case together. Currently she’s charged with assault, breaching a restraining order, and attempted manslaughter.”
Erica nodded and looked to Riley and Rachel. “That’s good for you two. That means she can’t come after you anymore. And we have a solid case. Riley, you did the right thing not laying a hand on her. I think we should go hard and try to lock her up for the max sentence at a facility. It’s clear she’s completely unstable and unable to be a functioning member of society, only one who wants to maim and cause harm.”
Erica shook her head as she looked back to the video where Melissa was being dragged out of the room.
Riley wrapped his arm around Rachel and pulled her close.
“So we can go back to our normal lives now?” he asked the deputy and Erica.
The two looked at one another and nodded. “Yeah, I think so.”
Erica stood up and looked out at the landscape that surrounded them.
“I think she’ll be locked away for quite some time. You two need to get your lives back. But take it easy the next few days and go talk to someone. This was an incredibly traumatizing event; don’t be surprised if you experience some increased anxiety and paranoia over the next couple of weeks.” Erica warned, her eyes going back and forth between the two of them.
Rachel nodded. “I know, I still feel like she’s waiting around every corner.”
The deputy reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. “I promise you, Miss Ellington, she will not be getting out of that room.”
Rachel let out a dry laugh. “I know, but considering the past week and how slippery she has been, it makes me doubt everything. How a person can be like that…”
She drifted off as she returned her eyes to the tape that was playing. Melissa’s face paused on a sneer, those wild eyes staring at nothingness.
“It’s just terrifying.”
Riley pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “I know, beautiful. We’ll get through this.”
Rachel leaned into him, and the world seemed to fall away. The pain, anxiety, and worry may still eat at the back of her mind, but his warmth and compassion grounded her. She felt safe in those arms, curled up in his presence and surrounded by his smell. To her, he was her new home, and he was beginning to become her everything.
“Mr. Harris, we’ll be in touch as we continue on the case. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to call.” The deputy stood up and reached a hand out; Riley shook it and the officers headed out. Erica watched them go and then returned her gaze to Rachel and Riley.
“I’m sorry you two had to go through this. The wrath of others can be truly chilling.”
They nodded in agreement. Rachel looked out at the afternoon sun and then down at Frankie who sat at her feet. She reached down and ran a hand through his silky fur.
“Well, let’s hope it’s really all over.”
…
The next few days were spent settling back into a routine. Because Rachel still didn't feel safe, Tom stayed with her in the office. She returned to her apartment briefly, but being alone scared her, so Riley convinced her to continue staying at his place. Sarah had left her voicemails and texts, but Rachel was feeling so anxious from the whole incident, she hadn’t had the energy to respond to her friend until one morning Sarah barged into her office and sat down across from her friend, eyes looking over her with worry.
“Rachel, where the hell have you been? What’s going on? You haven’t responded to any of my texts or calls? I thought you were dead!”
Rachel gave a dry laugh. “Well, I almost was.”
Sarah gasped. “What the fuck does that mean?!”
Rachel took a deep breath and told her best friend everything. Tom was outside the door, so he couldn’t hear Rachel telling Sarah the details she was supposed to keep to herself. She just couldn’t hold it in any longer; she needed to let it all out to someone. By the time Rachel stopped talking, she was crying and Sarah was hugging her tightly.
“I’m just so scared now, Sarah. I don’t want to live like this.”
“I know girl, and you can’t. You have to stop focusing on all the bad stuff. You have to look at the good and try to move on. I know that’s easier said than done, but it’s true.”
Sarah pulled back and looked at her friend.
“Look, she’s in a cell right now. There’s no way she’s getting you. That’s your anxiety tricking you; it’s been on overdrive the last few days, so it’s going to take some time to return to normal. But you have a new boyfriend, you’re in a gorgeous city with lots of adventures waiting, and your job has been super understanding, so you’ll be able to pick up at the pace you’re comfortable with.”
Rachel nodded in agreement. “I know, you’re right. Except about the boyfriend part… I don’t know if Riley and I are there yet. It feels like a lifetime, but it’s only been two weeks.”
Rachel shook her head as she realized that this had all unfolded in such a short amount of time.
Sarah laughed. “Oh, Rachel dearest, that boy is head over heels for you, and considering that traumatic events bring people closer at warp speed, I’m going to say you two are official.”
Rachel gave a small laugh. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
She wiped away her tears as her friend continued.
“And you need is to feel safe in your apartment again. Why don’t you invite Riley over there and spend some time settling in. You’ve been here almost a month and still haven’t unpacked. It will be therapeutic.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea. I guess you’re right.”
Sarah hugged her again and stood up.
“Alright lady, I need to get back to work. But you feel better. Text Riley and tell him the plan, and we all need to get drinks sometime soon. You’ve been through hell and back with this man, and I haven’t even met him!”
Rachel smiled up at her friend. “Sounds good, girl. I’ll be better about staying in touch.”
Sarah left and Tom went to step back in, but Rachel held up a hand. “It’s ok, Tom. I’d like to be alone if that’s alright.”
He replied with a warm smile and a nod and closed the door.
Rachel let out a sigh and looked out to the city below. Sarah was right, and simply venting to her friend had lifted her mood considerably. She looked at the beautiful sunny day and smiled. She was letting fear rule her life, but that wasn’t right. She was Rachel Ellington, the badass woman who had always taken care of herself. This trial and tribulation had tested her strength, but she was still standing, with Riley at her side.
She thought of his face and felt her heart warm. Sarah was right—this had brought them closer together than Rachel had thought she could ever be to someone. But they had been so consumed with it, they hadn’t been able to do the normal things that couples did, like go on dates or hang out and watch Netflix on the couch. It had all been this experience so far from reality. It didn’t even feel real, and Rachel needed that now; she craved normalcy. An idea popped into her head and she excitedly grabbed her phone, pulled up her text messages, and typed quickly.
“Hey handsome, can you come over to my place tonight? I want to do some setting up and unpacking, maybe watch a movie?”
Rachel watched as she saw he was typing a response, the text coming back quickly.
“Of course, gorgeous. I like that plan. I’ll bring Frankie back with me. Want me to pick up something for dinner?”
She smiled and typed her response.
“That would be great, surprise me with something tasty. I’m really craving a burger though!” She added a winky face, and he responded with a face blowing hearts.
She set down her phone and leaned back in the chair. The anxiety that had been following her around for days began to dissipate, like a dark cloud blowing away. She was excited to think about them unpacking her stuff—her telling him the stories that went with everything, Frankie hanging out on the couch, and then them sitting down to a movie together. She looked to her computer screen, and suddenly work seemed so much easier.
She opened her emails and started working, a smile still on her face. Sarah had been right; she couldn't let this incident ruin her new life. The city awaited her, filled with delicious food, masterful structures, unique museums, and political history that were so unique to this area. She wanted to experience it, explore it, and dive in with her friends and with Riley. She wanted to go on a bike ride through the park, take a trip to the rural areas outside the city, and enjoy what this new life had to offer.
The hours passed quickly as Rachel caught up on emails, learned some new bits of information about the tax law, and entered company numbers they had received for one of their clients. Before she knew it, it was five o’clock and time for her to head home. She smiled as it occurred to her that it was really starting to feel like that here in DC.
…
Rachel was opening up a box when her buzzer indicated Riley had arrived. She felt her heart flutter, and she smiled as she skipped over to the door. She opened it to see him standing in the doorway, his large frame taking up most of it. He was holding a dozen roses and a bag of takeout, prompting her to clap her hands then reach up, wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him.
“Evening, sexy.” She smirked as she took the roses. He stepped in, put the takeout on the counter, and sat down at the bar stool.
“Evening, gorgeous. Glad to see you feeling better.”
Rachel nodded. “Yeah, I talked to Sarah today, and she gave me some good advice. I’m feeling a lot better.”
“That’s awesome. I like seeing you happy.” He reached out his arms and pulled her into a warm hug.
She sighed as she smiled at that feeling of home, then she gently pulled back and looked into his eyes.
“I am curious. I know nothing about this has been normal, but are we official? Or are we still figuring things out?”
Riley smiled at her and kissed her forehead. “We’re official, darling. I really can’t imagine my life without you at this point, though I do look forward to returning to the normalcy of getting to know one another.”
Rachel kissed him on the cheek then walked over to one of the boxes.
“Good. Well the first step is you helping me unpack and asking about all the weird shit I own.”
He chuckled. “I’m looking forward to it.”
She pointed at the take out. “What did you get?”
“Bare Burger, best burgers in town.”
“Mmm, let's eat then start unpacking all this shit.”
Rachel set the table with utensils, napkins, and some extra condiments. Then she dove into the burger with ferocity and moaned in pleasure.
“Agreed, hands down, best burger I’ve ever had,” she told him through a mouthful of food.
He chuckled, his own mouth full of the delicious beast of a burger. “My absolute favorite, you gotta try their milkshakes next time.”
Over the next few hours, Riley and Rachel went through boxes and boxes of her items. He asked her about her collection of Star Trek DVDs, her old beanie babies, and her softball equipment. They went through an album that was entirely just her and Sarah, and he laughed at her crazy Halloween costumes and listened to the stories of how they would sneak out in high school.
Riley put together her shelving units as Rachel put away laundry. The apartment was beginning to turn into an actual living space, rather than a heap of furniture and boxes. He even hung her photos on the wall—the images she had taken in the Allegheny Mountains on a trip with Sarah one summer. He complimented her abilities, and she told him about the year she had studied photography in hopes of pursuing it as a career.
Riley watched her with curiosity. He had never met anyone else with so many talents, so much desire to learn, and such incredible uniqueness. She was a gorgeous, intelligent woman who enjoyed new adventures and nostalgia all the same. As they went through her life in these boxes and the memories that had helped form her, he felt a pang of sadness that he didn’t have the same to share with her.
Rachel felt the shift and looked to him with concern. “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
She stopped folding laundry and crossed her arms at him. “No, that’s not a nothing face, that’s a something face.”
He gave her a small smile and sat down on the couch, his hands folded as he looked around the room.
“I just wish I had things to share with you about my life, but there’s nothing.”
Rachel sat down beside him and rested a hand on his knee. Her eyes met his, and she leaned in until their foreheads were touching.
“None of the materialistic stuff matters, Riley. It’s all about what brought you to where you are.”
She reached a hand up and stroked his beard, and he closed his eyes at her touch.
“I know, it shouldn’t bother me, but it does. I would love to share those things with you.”
Rachel shook her head. “Trust me… everything you have shared with me has been plenty.”
He kissed her and pulled her close, his beard tickling her as he gave her kisses along her cheeks. Her laughter made him smile.
“Ok, ok, I think we can call it on unpacking for the night. How about we watch a movie?”
“That sounds good. What are you in the mood for?” Riley leaned back, and Rachel grabbed the remote then snuggled up in his arms as the screen came to life.
“Not anything scary,” Rachel said with a serious look as she began to go through the features.
After a few minutes of searching, she landed on Planet Earth.
“I’m a sucker for nature. Do you mind?” Rachel asked.
Riley shook his head. “Not at all, I’ve actually never seen it.”
Rachel’s jaw fell open, and she gently pushed Riley’s chest in shock, “You’ve never seen Planet Earth?!”
“Well, I mean technically…” he grinned at her as he motioned to the city, meaning he had seen planet Earth.
She rolled her eyes at him. “Well, you’re in for a treat. Best series of nature documentaries out there.”
Rachel clicked the feature, and the scenes began to play with David Attenborough’s voice narrating. Riley watched in awe as the epic, slow motion captures of nature and its glory played out on the screen, Rachel smiling at the familiar feature she loved so much.
The next episode played, but Rachel began to feel her attention turn toward Riley. She studied that handsome face, the perfectly shaped beard and his hair that was in soft wavy tousle. He hadn’t styled it today, but the natural look was just as sexy, soft and wavy. It was thick, and she couldn’t help but run her hands through it. He leaned into her touch, and she kissed him gently on his neck line, carefully working around the scratches. His eye had become less swollen, and the bruises were beginning to heal.
He looked at her with hunger, and the mood shifted from relaxed to desire laden. He leaned in, and his soft lips touched hers. Rachel felt the excitement and electricity swim through her veins; her clit throbbed in arousal, and she felt herself begin to grow slick. Riley moved in closer. His hands reached behind her head and pulled her closer, his body and scent enveloping her. She pressed into him, and her hands explored those broad shoulders and chest. He ran his hands down her back to her ass and squeezed it, then in one fluid motion, pulled her into a straddling position. He smiled up at her, and she looked down at him with lust.
The two began to make out, tongues twisting and flicking, the sensation hot and bringing every touch to a sensual surface. Rachel reached down and pulled off her shirt. Her breasts were perched in her bra, and Riley reached up and around and undid the clasp, letting her luscious curves fall out and into his face. He licked delicately at her nipples, and she purred in pleasure, growing even more excited and hungry.
She reached down and pulled his shirt over his head. His bare skin rippled with the motion, and Rachel had to reach up and feel that thick, muscular chest for herself. He smiled at her, kissing her breasts and up her neck, until he was nibbling at her earlobes. She groaned in felicity and felt his groin grow hard in response to her noises and the rolling motions of her hips. His hands ran along her spine and then around front to her peaks, squeezing until she gasped and her eyes rolled back. He took her in his mouth and sucked, his tongue teasing the sensitive skin.
She reached down and pulled off his belt. With fluid grace, he stood and scooped her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he easily hauled her off to the bedroom. He laughed as she giggled. As soon as he entered the room, he tossed her on the made bed, so he could reach down and tug his pants off, then his briefs. Rachel reached up and grabbed his aching cock, his erection full and hard for her. He stood at the foot of the bed and she began to blow him, her lush lips wrapping around the soft skin. She began to go up and down, her tongue teasing the tip and head with each stroke, making him gasp in sexual ecstasy.
She continued to suck, relaxing her jaw and taking him all the way to the back of her throat. His hands reached down, and his fingers grasped her hair, rough but gentle enough as he guided her motions. She moaned. Her eyes looked up at him as his eyes rolled back, his thoughts numbed in self-indulgence. She slowly released him, her hand coming up to stroke him even more. He stood as her hand toyed with his shaft, his muscles rippling and rolling at each brush of the sexual thrill.
He looked down at her and then crawled onto the bed. Lying down on his back, he gestured for her to come forward. Rachel smiled and gleefully did as instructed. She rested her clit over his mouth, and he began to tease it with the tip of his tongue. She gently rocked at the motion, her thighs resting on both sides of his head as she straddled him and he dove into her bare lips.
She hissed at each caress of his tongue against her throbbing down below. His lips lightly nibbled and toyed with her, and the slick excitement was now more than she could take. Each motion made her rock harder and harder. His beard tickled her thighs, but the feeling made it only that much more seductive. His big hands were clenched around her ass as they squeezed in his own pleasure. His hazel eyes met hers, casting heat that made them both feel as if they were in a daze of euphoria.
Rachel moved down. She needed his cock inside of her. She ran a hand down his muscled abs and to his V as she slid onto his dick. They both gasped in elation as he slipped inside her. Rachel smiled down at him. Biting her lip and letting out a growl of excitement, she began to rock and thrust as he hit her warmth and delight inside.
Riley met her motions with in-synch , intoxicated by the rhythm of his shaft piercing her and the delicious feeling of being inside her. His hand rested on her hips and the two of them rolled on the waves of ebullience. Rachel felt the anticipation of the orgasm; it was ebbing and flowing with each fluid motion. She closed her eyes and her head rolled back as she let the world go. He reached up and pinched at her hard nipples, the feeling almost too much to bear. She advanced quickly on him, the growing feeling in her middle making her eyes flutter and her body squirm. She needed that release—she needed to scream in exuberance.
With a sudden flash, she felt the spasm rock her body, and she dug deeper into her orgasm. She screamed at the top of her lungs, the feeling of him satisfying her more than she could take, her face frozen in an elated grin as the feeling reverberated in every fiber of her being. Wave after wave crashed into her, and the feeling was unprecedented, unmatched in its pure vivaciousness. She felt the throbs fade, and she collapsed breathlessly onto his sweaty chest.
He laughed and she looked up to see his bright grin. She smiled back, and they flipped over, his dick still deep and hard within her. He felt her pulsing around him, the feeling so elating he felt he could ride the surf of her exuberance all night. He quickly rocked his hips and as he hit the right spot, his eyes rolled back and in a matter of moments he felt himself unfurl within her, the explosion behind his eyes matching that in his body. Each throb as he revealed himself sent the sensation of pure bliss throughout his being He was breathing heavy as he gave a final thrust then flopped onto the bed beside her.
After a moment of them catching their breath, he looked at her with a coy smile. “I’m awake now.”
She laughed with bright eyes. “Yeah, me too.”
He paused and gave a cocked brow of curiosity, “A drink?”
She thought for a moment then nodded. “I think a shower and a walk to the bar sounds about perfect right now.”
They kissed and then got up and headed to the shower. They got cleaned up, and it dawned on Rachel that this new normal was better than anything she had ever experienced with a man. She watched as Riley stepped out of the shower and toweled off that giant frame. She smiled at him and pecked him on his bearded cheek, hoping this would last forever.
They changed into fresh clothes then headed out the door and into the elevator. Riley kept a hand resting on her shoulder as the exited into the lobby. Rachel saw Tom outside waiting and they greeted him as they went down to Busboys and Poets, a spot Rachel had fallen in love with when she had discovered their book selection and rich history of African American artists, writers, and musicians.
The streets were relatively quiet for a Thursday evening, though several groups passed as they chatted and laughed. They saw other couples walking hand in hand as they pulled their light spring coats a bit closer. The day had been warm, but in DC spring fashion, the evening brought a chill to the city. Summer would be here soon, with humid, swampy heat and scorching days that made walking on the concrete less tolerable.
As they entered the restaurant, they took a seat at the tall bar. The bartender grabbed their orders and the two of them slowly nursed their drinks as they chatted excitedly about their weekend plans. Rachel took another sip of her moscow mule and looked at Riley with curiosity.
“So, what trail should we hit on the bikes? It’s supposed to be sunny and clear on Saturday, sounds like a good opportunity.”
He took a sip of his bourbon. “Well, I think we should head from your place down to the Mall. You can see all the famous monuments up close, and we can take our time making it over to Arlington. Once we go over the bridge, there is a great bike path along the river and outside the cemetery. It’s worth a walk through, but I think bike ride would be nice for the cool weather. It doesn’t last long with the summer heat.”
Rachel smiled and reached over, resting her hand on Riley’s knee and reveling in his warm glow. The evening passed slowly. They enjoyed a couple more drinks and talked about the adventures they could take in the summer. Riley admitted he liked to escape the heat with a trip out of the country to New Zealand or Australia. Rachel was eager to hear more, and he told her that she would absolutely be joining him this year.
“The fall and winter there are so different from here, but it’s nice to get out of the humidity for a bit and go during their off season. Sydney is gorgeous, and there is this great ranch outside of it where you can ride and drive cattle?”
Rachel gave him a look of surprise. “Didn’t know you were a cowboy?”
He laughed and gave her a wink. “And so much more.”
Rachel glanced at her phone and saw 1 am was approaching, and she still needed to work tomorrow morning. She let out a groan and showed the time to Riley, who frowned and stuck his tongue out at the realization that the night would have to come to an end.
“Well, I guess we should head back.” Rachel sighed.
Riley nodded. “Is it ok if I stay at your place?”
Rachel felt her heart jump in excitement; he still did that to her.
“I’d love if you stayed.”
Riley nodded and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met and they smiled as they pulled away from the warmth of one another. They paid their tab and headed out, Rachel’s arm hooked on his as they headed toward the exit.
For a brief moment, Rachel caught the eyes of a man who was staring at them. He was tall and stringy, his black hair was shoulder length and greasy, his hand almost blackened with dirt, and his grey eyes looked wide and crazy. He caught her off guard, and she felt her heart sink at his image. Was he a homeless man who had sneaked in for a drink? He held a glass of beer in his hands, and his eyes looked down at it then back up at Rachel as she passed.
She felt her worry fester. He had been watching them. She felt the anxiety claw at the back of her skull, the racing heart and stress beginning to return as it felt the same as watching out for Melissa. She looked back as they exited and the door swung shut, but Tom stepped behind them and the man didn’t move from his spot.
She shook her head and leaned into Riley. Like Erica had said, she was traumatized; she had to come to terms with the fact that the fear wasn’t going to disappear overnight. The negative vibes would linger, but she had to work to replace them with good ones. She looked up at Riley. He smiled back at her and she felt herself relax. He was just a stranger watching them; that was all.