The further away from the house we get, the better I feel. Justin drives carefully trying to miss any bumps in the road. I lean my head back against the seat and watch him. He continuously looks over at me and doesn’t say anything, simply smiling. I can’t help but wonder how this remarkable person found his way into my life. I haven’t done anything amazing in this world. In fact, I’ve probably caused more damage than anything else. Everything I touch turns to shit. Yet, here he is, sitting right next to me, promising me that everything is going to be alright. That I’ll be alright. Before my eyes close, the last thing I see is this beautiful guardian angel next to me.

The bright, beautiful sun is warm against my face as the breeze blows through my hair. I look down, and I’m wearing the most beautiful yet simple white sun dress. It’s made from the softest cotton material with a lace overlay. Entwined throughout the lace are the most elegant pink rose buds. I’m standing in an endless field filled with wildflowers in a rainbow of colors, hundreds of butterflies dancing across the tops. In the middle of the field stands a single tree. The sun bounces off it leaves like it’s been dusted with something magical. It stands so tall and proud in all its glory. It has roots that are solid and would hold onto the earth that no matter what happened around it, it would always be there. It’s right where it belongs.

It calls to me as if it wants to share its strength with me. The dirt under my feet is soft and warm as I make my way down to it. The flowers seem to part as I walk, giving me a path to follow.

A masculine figure steps out from behind the tree. He doesn’t advance toward, me only reaches his arms out to me. The sun moves inhibiting my ability to see who it is. Raising my hand to block its bright rays. Finally, I can see the stance of the figure there is no question who it is. It’s Justin.

He stands tall and strong just like the tree. With him, I would be able to plant roots and withstand anything the universe chose to hurl at me. I would be triumphant and strong just like Justin and the tree. I would be right where I belonged.

I love the image of that kind of me. I want nothing more than to be that person. I start running toward him. The closer I get, I see his solid form and that beautiful smile on his face. There’s a look in his eyes that there is nothing else in the world that he wants more than me. He stretches his arms out, catching me as I leap into them. Clutching me tightly, he swings me around in circles. My long dress swirls around us, similar to the butterfly’s sensual dance with the flowers.

Setting me gently to my feet, he slides the strap of my dress off my shoulder. He starts kissing and softly bites his way across my collar bone and up my neck. Pulling my ear lobe between his teeth, he whispers, “I need you, Sarah. I need to feel you, taste you. I want to ravish you. I want you to be mine and only mine.”

His touch makes my entire body shiver and yearn for more. He slides the other strap of my dress slowly from my shoulder, causing my dress to flow down to the ground. He lowers his hooded, smoldering gaze from my eyes down to my naked body. My nipples are hard and stretching out to him, begging for his touch. He runs his hand up the back of my neck, grabbing a handful of hair. He pulls, causing my head to tilt back, arching my aching body toward him. The throbbing between my legs longs for him and needs to be satisfied.

He lowers his head, taking one of my taught nipples into his mouth, licking and sucking. His tongue dips into the valley between my breasts and begins to work his way lower down my body. He cups each breast in his hands pulling on each nipple. I let out a whimper, my heart races and my legs begin to shake in anticipation.  

 He places his face into my mound of aching flesh. “My God, you smell amazing. I can’t wait another minute to taste you.”

He takes my leg and places it over his shoulder and dives into my dripping wet pussy. Running his tongue back and forth, showing my bud special attention with quick flicks, then slow tantalizing circles. It’s more than my body can handle. I plummet into glorious ecstasy.

As I start to collapse to the ground, he wraps his arms around my waist, catching me, slowly lowering us to the ground. “Oh, Sarah. I’ve only started with you.”

The words and the sultry tone in which he says it reignites my burning desire for him. I reach, grabbing a handful of his T-shirt, and start pulling. I want his bare skin against mine so bad that I start ripping his shirt. The sound of the fabric tearing sends a rush of animal-like hunger through me. I pull harder until it comes completely from his body, discarding the shredded pieces to the ground.

Justin sits back on his heels. I quickly unbuckle his belt, lower the zipper on his jeans, freeing his rock hard cock.  I take it into my hands and start stoking up and down with smooth even movements.  As my rhythm increases, Justin starts rocking his hips. I squeeze the base of his dick and his balls at the same time, causing him to make the most delicious sound from deep within his throat.

“Jesus, Sarah! I’m going to bury my cock so deep inside of you. I want to hear you screaming my name. Begging me to stop, yet threating to kill me if I do.”

Before I let go of his dick, I bend down and flick my tongue across the head, licking the delectable moisture that has formed on the tip and running down the side of his long hard shaft. He lets out another groan before pushing me back against the ground, pinning my hands above my head. Looking into my eyes, he gives me a sensual grin before he takes his cock and slowly slides it into me. It feels unbelievable as he fills me completely and slowly begins to plunge deep inside of me over and over.

I wake up to someone rocking my shoulder and a soft voice. “Kitten, we’re home.”

“What?”

“We’re home.”

My brain, foggy with sleep, prevents me from understanding what’s going on. Son of a bitch. I was only fucking dreaming. Blinking my eyes, I try to get them to adjust to the bright sunlight. I lift my arm to block the light from my eyes. Pain shoots through my side. It takes everything I have not to scream, so I just clench my teeth as hard as I can.

Justin is standing next to me. “It’s alright. I’ve got you.”

He carefully reaches across me, unbuckling the seatbelt. He slides one arm under my legs and the other gently behind my back, while lifting me out of his truck. We’re outside a light gray duplex with white trim. There’s a tree in the front yard, its golden colors of fall sparkle in the morning light. I tuck my head into his neck as he carries me with ease up the sidewalk. 

When we get inside, I don’t take my face out of his neck. He smells so good, a very manly, woodsy, yet sweet smell. The stubble on his chin tickles my cheek as I snuggle in closer. I’m beyond exhausted. It’s taking all I have not to fall asleep in his arms.

I hear what sounds like a herd of elephants running towards us. “Hey, buddy what’s going on? Calm down. Calm down.”

Wondering who’s he talking to? Is someone else here? That’s when I hear what sounds like snorts and then a sneeze. It’s not a sound that I’ve ever heard human make. I open my eyes when Justin sets me down on the sofa. Right there only inches from my face, staring at me is the cutest Bull Dog I’ve ever seen. He’s got a face that makes me want just to grab it and pinch his cheeks. I try to say hi, but before I can I say anything, he gives me the wettest, most slobbery kiss right across the face.

“Hey, Bruce. Take it easy. That’s my girl.” Justin laughs, and he rubs Bruce’s head, making his wrinkles flip and flop everywhere.

He puts his front paws up on the couch, sniffing and grunting as he checks me out. “Hi there, Bruce. It’s nice to meet you.”

He inches closer to me, and I can see him trying to get his back leg up on the couch. He looks at Justin as if he’s asking if it’s okay to get up with me.

Justin picks him up and sets him back on the floor. “Okay, old man let’s not get too excited.”

Justin helps me get settled on the couch. He brings me a soft blanket, a pillow, and a hot cup of tea.

Carefully tucking me in and handing me the TV remote, he announces, “I’m going out and get your bags. Are you going to be alright for just a second?”

“Yeah, I’m good.”

He bends down and gives me a kiss on the forehead. Looking at Bruce, he asks, “You coming?”

Bruce starts to bounce around wagging his entire butt since he doesn’t have anything but a little nub for a tail. I keep flipping through the channels until I finally find reruns of Three’s Company. I snuggle in for some no thinking, comedy. Justin and Bruce don’t take long at all. It’s the cutest thing when Bruce comes trotting in with my scarf and Justin right behind him lugging my giant suitcase.

Bruce comes over and drops my scarf next to me. He looks up at me with the proudest look on his face. I start scratching his head and talking in a goofy voice. “Oh, what an adorable good boy. You’re just the cutest thing ever, aren’t you? Yes, you are. Such a good boy.”

He immediately starts wagging his butt again and giving me kisses. Justin sets the suitcase down and sits in a chair that next to the couch. “Hey, dude. Back off. I’m getting a little jealous here,” he teases.

Bruce slowly starts inching his way up on the couch. I carefully scoot over to make room for him. Justin starts to call for him to stop but he’s too late. Bruce has made his way up and is making himself comfy.

I start petting Bruce’s soft, pudgy body. “He’s fine, Justin. It’s nice, ya know, I always wanted a dog when I was younger.”

“What? Didn't you have one? Why not? Wow! I can’t imagine growing up without a pet.”

I don’t want to go into the fact that Stella was allergic to everything, so I just shrug my shoulders. “Don’t know, we just didn’t.”

“Well, I’m pretty sure you have one now.”

I look at Bruce, and he’s rolled over, so he’s lying on his back sound asleep. “So, how did you come up with the name Bruce? It just seems so… I don’t know, human.”

“Shh, don’t say that too loud. He thinks he is human.” Justin gets up and comes over to the couch, sitting down on the end by my feet. He lifts my legs gently not to hurt me and sets my feet on his lap. “I named him after my idol, Bruce Lee. I grew up watching his movies with my dad. He’s the reason I got interested in martial arts. To say I had a lot of shit going on in my head when I was younger would be an understatement. I developed one hell of a temper. I started kickboxing to help get out some of the aggression I had pent up. Once I got started, all I wanted was to learn and master more. It gave me direction, something that I could focus on, I guess you could say. Now, I get the honor of teaching others.”

I love the way he speaks when he’s talking about something that he feels passionate about. It flows from him like water through a river. He opens up a deep part of his soul and paints the most amazing picture to share with only you.

“Sarah, I know you don’t want to talk about what happened today. But I want you to give this some serious thought. Once you get healed up, I would like to teach you some self-defense techniques.”

I lift an eyebrow at him because there is no way in fuck he can be serious. “Justin, I can hardly walk and chew gum at the same time. I swear the floor hates me and all chairs and walls are nothing but a bunch of bullies.”

“Like I said, just give it some thought, and we’ll cross that bridge another day. But you are going to learn some moves.”

Bruce starts to kick his feet in the air. “See, even Bruce can do some kind of self-defense. He’s breaking out his best moves.”

I tickle the pads of his feet. “Your daddy’s a little nutty, isn’t he? I think you’re just chasing a bunny. Aren’t ya boy?”

Bruce jerks, hitting me right in the ribs. Clenching my jaw, trying not to show how bad it hurts, I wait for the pain to pass.

“Shit! Are you okay? Fuck, I’m so sorry.” I know Justin wants to move but doesn’t want to run the chance of hurting me.

Justin lifts my feet slowly then jumps up and grabs Bruce setting him on the floor. “I wish you would let me take you to the hospital. I know you don’t want to go because, well you don’t want to deal with any shit. But you can just make something up. I just really want to know that you’re okay.”

“Justin, no. I’ll be fine. It’s just going to take a day or two.” I can tell by the scowl on his face that he’s irritated with me.

“Damn it! You’re the most bullheaded person I think I have ever met in my life. You know, I am so fucking tempted to throw you over my shoulder and carrying your ass to the hospital kicking and screaming.”

“Justin, I said no,” I say, sternly.

His domineer softens. “I’m just worried about you. You have some pretty serious looking gashes that probably should get stitched, and those bruises are just brutal. I start to say no again, but he cuts me off. “I know. I know. You’re not going. So, if I compromise, and I stop nagging you about going to the hospital. You have to do me a favor.”

I’m a little skeptical.  “And exactly what favor might that be?”

He gets down on his knees in front of me. Taking my hand in his and looking me directly in the eyes. “You stay here with me. Not just for a night or two, but until you don’t want to be here anymore. While you’re healing, you let me take care of you. When you’re healed you let me teach you some self-defense? And please, please don’t go anywhere by yourself.”

I think about everything he just said. But from the words ‘you stay with me, not for just a night or two,' no matter how bad the physical pain is right now, it doesn’t compare to the pure bliss I feel in my heart right now.

“Deal.”

He puts his head down on our hands. When he looks up his face has relaxed, and his eyes have softened. “Thank you.”

 “Justin, will you lay down with me?”

“Kitten, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I don’t want to hurt you. This couch isn’t exactly big.”

“Please, I need to have you close.”

He gets to his feet and disappears into the kitchen. I hear the clunks of cabinets opening and closing, and then the water running in the sink. When he gets back, he hands me a couple of pills and a glass of water.

“It’s some pain meds I got after my knee surgery. You think you’re hurting now, just give it some time.”

In a discouraged voice, I muster out, “Well, that sounds fabulous.”

I know he’s right, so I put the pills in my mouth and wash them down with the water. He moves to the back of the couch and carefully crawls in behind me. I can tell he’s not really laying down but holding his weight on his arms, making sure not to put any pressure on me.

“Justin, for real, lay down, please. I want you to snuggle in and wrap your arms around me. Hold me and promise me that you’ll never let me go.”

I feel the couch dip as he settles into the couch. I adjust so that I’m as close to him as possible. Looking back at him, I say, “There, isn’t that more comfortable?”

He smiles at me. “Yeah. You’re right, it is. He gently pulls me in closer. One arm stays wrapped around me. I can feel his warm breath as it caresses my cheek. He leans in close and softly whispers into my ear, “I promise, I’ll never let you go.”

We lay there for a while not saying a word. He starts playing with a lock of my hair. Between the pain meds and his touch, I feel my eyes growing heavy.

As I drift off to sleep, I swear I hear him say, “I hope you know that you’ve stolen my heart. It belongs to you.”