“Please,” I whispered, trying to stop the tears from coming. “I’m afraid. If you take me home right now, I’ll never say a word to anyone. You can go and we can forget about all of this.”

He had driven for the last twenty minutes without saying a word. When I tried to read his face it sent shivers down my spine. His eyes kept darting from left to right and back as if he were looking for something. His breathing grew rapid; even more so than after he had chased me.

It appeared as if he was going over in his mind all the things he was about to do. At one point he looked over and stared directly at my chest. He ran his tongue over yellowed teeth and made a barely audible ‘mmmph’ sound.

In all the books about women’s safety and self-defense they tell you never to get in your attacker’s vehicle. They say that your chances for survival decrease significantly if you allow yourself to be taken to a different location.

I’d always thought to myself how stupid do you have to be to let some creep put you in their car? I’d always just assumed I’d have the wherewithal to kick him in the balls or something and run for help.

But that certainly wasn’t the case in real life. The fear is almost paralyzing when a determined maniac is holding a six-inch knife against your ribs. You just keep thinking to yourself, someone will save me… I’ll keep waiting for my chance. But your chance doesn’t come, or at least mine hadn’t.

During the drive, I considered opening the door and jumping out. The car was old and it had those pop-up style locks that could easily be pulled. I nearly tried it when he slowed to take that first turn. It was too hard. I couldn’t force myself to do it. I knew that taking my chances with whatever injuries may come from jumping was a better option than doing nothing and letting fate play out. Again, when faced with the harsh reality, it wasn’t so easy.

When he pulled into the alley, I knew what he was going to do. He parked in a way that completely stumped any plan I had to get out and run. With the passenger side hugging the exterior of the building, the only way out was past him.

Rick let the engine idle for a moment. His dead eyes bored into the concrete wall in front of us. The fact that he told me his name was maybe more chilling than anything else. It made things clear that he didn’t plan on letting me go. The way he went about the whole thing told me that this wasn’t his first time doing something like this. It was all too calculated.

He was a predator. A pervert sitting alone, drinking in his car, waiting for someone to take advantage of. And there I was. Oblivious to the dangers of the world, unprepared. I bet when he saw me get out of that car he thought he had it the lottery. Young, pretty, all alone… vulnerable.

But he wasn’t making his move… We sat in dead silence for several minutes as I tried desperately to think of a way to escape.

There was a noise from outside the car, but before I could focus on it I noticed that his lips had curled up into a smile.

“Bout time we get started,” he whispered. “Come here.”

“No!” I screamed. There was no way I was going easily.

He grabbed ahold of my left wrist and pinned it to the door while hoisting himself across the seats and back on top of me. The stench of dirty clothes, tobacco, and sweat didn’t faze me this time. He struggled to control my free hand but I swatted him away. I was able to post up on my elbow and strike out with a kick. It hit him flush in the balls. I heard the air escape his lungs.

“Fuckin’ bitch! You almost made me cut you.”

He still held the knife but for some reason it didn’t scare me now. I knew he wanted me alive.

He drew back his fist and swung with full force at my head. I dodged it at the last second and it landed with a thud against the passenger window. I struggled and squirmed against his substantial weight. I put everything I had into it but his strength was too much.

He reached for my neck. I tried to push him away but my one free hand couldn’t match his. His fingers found my throat and slipped to either side. He bared down with a crushing grip.

I flung myself spasmodically back and forth, putting every last bit I had into surviving. The fight was draining the life out of me. My struggle for oxygen was real. As I focused all of my energy on staying conscious his fingers started to probe and tug at the button on my jeans.

I’m let my eyes relax. My will to fight wasn’t gone, but my ability was. How could this happen to me? Things like this don’t exist in my world. I wanted my mind to go to a happier place, to block out what was about to transpire. That’s when my gaze fell beyond my attacker’s shoulder and came to rest on a heroic face. Staring back at me with eyes full of concern and rage was a man I knew I’d never met. Somehow, he still seemed vaguely familiar.

The rest happened in a blur. The man from outside ripped the door open, almost taking it clean off its hinges. He pulled my attacker away, freeing my fragile body.

I scrambled to a sitting position, hugging my knees to my chest. It was like a scene from an action movie. This guy -my savior- was pummeling the would-be rapist into dust. Sharp, bad-intentioned punches were coming one after another, raining down on his head.

He dragged him from the car by the collar of his shirt and flung him against the building. Rick hadn’t made a sound. I think he was having as much trouble figuring this out a I was.

In the moonlight, I got an unobstructed look at my hero. He was tall and lean, maybe 6’3” with big shoulders and thick, defined arms... A modern day Spartan with dark hair and piercing, angry eyes.

I managed to squeak out a sound which caused him to turn his attention in my direction. The intensity in his face nearly melted me to the ground. He had a strong jaw and a couple of days’ worth of stubble the gave his handsome face a hint of ruggedness.

With my hero’s attention solely on me, my captor took the opportunity to scramble away like a frightened child. The mystery man snapped his head around and started to give chase toward the entrance of the alley. I ran after him, reaching the main street and shouting loudly.

“Wait… please! Don’t leave me alone out here.”

He stopped in his tracks and came back to me begrudgingly as the filthy man moved out of sight.

“What the hell is going on?” he said. “Do you know that fuckin’ guy?”

“No, I… he grabbed me near the Stop ‘n Go on 22^nd. He made me get in his car and brought me here. He was trying to…” I trailed off as the magnitude of the situation settled in my chest.

“You saved me,” I said, having a hard time maintaining eye contact. Out of sheer habit I sucked my lower lip and arched my back.

“You shouldn’t be out alone so late. You know that’s not smart right? Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I think I’m fine. Maybe a bump or a bruise here and there but I’m tough.” I said.

“We need to call the police… I don’t carry a phone when I’m out running. Where’s yours?” he asked.

“On the street where he grabbed me,” I replied. I turned and looked back into the dark alley toward the car.

“I think I saw a cellphone in the car...”

I took a step back into the alley but gasped when a strong hand grasped at my shoulder.

“Stop. Someone else is back there,” he said, peering into the darkness. All I could hear was the idling engine of the old Buick. Before I could protest, the engine roared. The wheels screamed as it spun round, high beams blinding me as I stood in directly in its path like some kind of stunned animal.

“Get out of the way!”

I screamed as he pushed me aside just in time to watch the car come tearing past, speeding away.

“Who the fuck was that?” the man asked, staring after the car.

“I don’t know… We were alone,” I whispered, breathing hard. Mr. tall dark and handsome had just saved me for the second time, and all I wanted to do now is run away and forget any of this had ever happened.

“Well I’m pretty sure your friend there had some company…”

“My God…”

I was crying now… Crying like I’d never cried before. Emotions were rolling over my body. If this man hadn’t come… If he weren’t there for me… He reached out and combed the hair out of my face with his fingertips.

“What’s your name?” he asked calmly.

“I’m… Bria…”

He stepped closer and my mind went blank. His thin t-shirt clung to his abdominals like plastic wrap.

“Let’s get you out of here, Bria,” he said.

“Wh- where’s your car?” I asked.

“Nearby. I was out for a run but we’re close to my gym. I’ve got a phone there. We can call the police from there and I’ll give you a ride home when we’re done...”

“Okay.” I let him lead and stayed at his hip like a new puppy dog. As we walked away from the alley, I kept my head on a swivel, looking for my attacker.

“He’s gone Bria. Don’t worry.”

His confidence was out of the ordinary yet still so real. I felt safer walking with him than I ever had felt in my entire life. The way he spoke was comforting, not because he was the nurturing sort, but because he did it with a tone that showed he could never be wrong.

“Just up ahead,” he said. “I own the gym. I’ll go in and grab a clean shirt while you use the phone. I’ll have you home before Kimmel is over, princess.”

The gym looked more like a damn cathedral. The front doors stood more than fifteen feet high.

“This is your place?” I asked.

“Yup.”

“It’s huge. So what, you’re like a fitness trainer or something?”

“Yeah, something like that. My name’s Luke Greer. Pleased to meet you.” Luke stuck out his hand as if to offer a formal introduction. It was cute.

“Bria,” I said, letting my hand be enveloped by his.

“I know, you told me all ready,” he said with a wink.

Electricity shot through me when we touched. My cheeks must have gone a rosier red than the gas station attendant’s. I tried to play it cool but he was so attractive. When he turned his attention to the front lock I had to steal a gaze at his running shorts. Even in the dim light I could make the outline of his impressive size. The man was carved out of steel. Everything about him was fluid and sexy. The way his muscular build moved was so… flawless.

“Coming?” he asked.

I shuffled in behind him as he flipped on the bank of florescent lights. Inside was a massive open room full of neatly spaced equipment. The floor ran from wall-to-wall with thick blue mats. On the perimeter, there were punching bags spaced at about twenty foot intervals. In the far corner was a huge platform, sort of like a boxing ring, but with a cage around it.

“That’s like those things on tv,” I said. “You know, where the guys fight… it’s a boxing thing, right?”

“That’s the octagon,” he said. “An eight-sided fighting platform inside of a cage.”

“Do people who come here actually do that?” I asked.

“Only the crazy ones,” he said as he used one arm to yank his shirt off over his head. “I’ll be right back. Phone is in the corner. Police aren’t worth a shit on this side of the city but maybe they’ll get something done if you make a report. You get a good look at either of the assholes?”

“I guess,” I whispered, wishing his face was clearer in my mind. All I could think of was the shining blade in his hand, or the way he’d grinned at me… And I hadn’t gotten so much as a glimpse at the man who tried to hit me with the damn car.

Luke disappeared down a hallway off the main entrance without waiting for my response. I don’t know that I could have said much anyway. I was too mesmerized by the view from behind as he strolled away.

This place was absolutely enormous. As I waited for him to return, I made my way over to the cage in the corner. There were blood stains on the canvassed floor that looked like they had accumulated over years of use. I tried to imagine the mentality someone would have to have to climb into one of these things to fight another person. He was right, you’d have to be crazy.

I found the old phone wired up to the wall and made the call. A bored sounding woman on the other side of the line took all the details I could remember. The type of car, color, a basic description of my attacker… I asked if they were going to send out a detective, but she made it clear they were all tied up tonight on a triple homicide. If I wanted to make a more formal report, I’d need to go down to the station tomorrow…

I hung up the phone more than a little disappointed, just in time to see Luke emerge from the back of the Gym.

“Was wondering how long that was gonna take you. Let’s go darlin’. People wait for me, I don’t wait for them,” he yelled from across the gym, a crooked smile on his face.

That was kind of assholish, I thought. Men don’t usually talk to me like that. But what could I say about it? The guy was an absolute Adonis. He probably gets away with talking to people like that all the time. Not to mention the fact that he just saved me from that disgusting pig. I guess I’d have to be okay with letting it slide.

Luke rolled his shoulders and turned his head to the left, stretching out his sinewy muscles. Then he made his way across the gym.

“So… What do you think about my gym?” he asked, nodding toward the cage.

“I think it looks a lot like a torture chamber,” I said, pointedly.

“I guess it is… But a little torture never hurt anybody,” he said, laughing.

“Just seems like a rough way to make a living,” I replied, staring back at the cage.

Luke seemed to bristle at the comment. “C’mon, let’s go sweetie. The tour’s over. Gotta get you home for the late show.”

We walked together back into the night. With the alarm set and the building secure we headed for his car. I expected an oversized truck with huge wheels but what I saw was a bit more impressive. Luke drove a sleek, silver Maserati. It was a beautiful sports car, fitting of his general appearance. His gym must be doing well if this is what brings him to work every day.

“Hop in,” he said, opening the door and guiding me toward the seat. The car smelled like new leather and it carried a slight hint of whatever cologne he wore. It was something I recognized, but couldn’t quite nail down. It was a good brand, not the in-your-face expensive stuff that a lot of guys with money wore.

“I like your car,” I said, with a little too much flirt in my voice. I regretted it immediately. It sounded like something a smitten teenager would say to her crush.

“Yeah,” he replied. “It’s fun… Tell me again how you ended up with that freak in the alley?”

I swear it looked like he was trying to sneak a peek down the front of my torn shirt. His eyes must have been just a tick faster than mine though, because I couldn’t catch him.

“I was just walking home… I don’t know. I think he started stalking me when my friend dropped me off at the gas station for eggs.”

“Eggs?” His crooked smile hurt me a little.

“Yeah. Eggs. So what? Like I was saying, my friend was giving me a ride and I had her stop so I could pick up some eggs for tomorrow morning. I live close by, so I was gonna walk the rest of the way and…”

My eyes welled up. Everything came to a boiling point. Damnit. I was normally so good about keeping my emotions under control.

“Easy, kitten,” he said. “I was just asking. You’re okay. You’re not hurt. He didn’t get you. You should probably be a little more self-aware next time is all I’m saying.”

He gave my shirt a playful tug. “This little number’s seen better days, though. These too.” His fingers dragged down the soft flesh on the back of my arm and found the rips in my jeans.”

I couldn’t tell if he was playing with me or not. My brain was so frazzled because of the past hour I didn’t know what direction to go.

“Alright then, Bria... Bria who loves her eggs in the morning and fights off bad men at night… Where’s home?” Luke drummed his fingers impatiently on the wheel.

I told him and we drove the rest of the way in a comfortable silence. He could tell I was done and had the good sense to let the conversation fade. It felt weird to be sitting next to someone I just met and not feel anxious... Luke’s confidence and easy demeanor seemed to do away with any need for mindless chit chat. The sexual tension on the other hand… That could be cut with a knife. My thigh still tingled from where his fingers had touched me.

“This it?” he asked, breaking the silence.

Before I could reply he was out of the car and looking around. I was hit with a pang of anxiety and jumped out after him.

“Uh yeah,” I said uneasily. “This one’s me.” I pointed toward my front door.

“The one with all the crazy plants?” he said.

“Excuse me! I happen to love those plants,” I said, finding a little bit of energy. I walked over and started fussing with them.

“No, they’re great,” he laughed. “It’s just… there are a lot of them.”

I fumbled for my keys. My hands were shaking and it took an agonizingly long time to find the keyhole. I could feel his eyes surveying me from the rear. When the key finally slid in and found purchase, I breathed an audible sigh of relief.

“What’s in here?” Luke said, as he playfully grabbed the door knob and shoved past me and into my condo.

“Wait, don’t go in there,” I protested. I couldn’t remember what kind of shape I’d left the place in and was embarrassed that he might stumble over a pile of dirty clothes or a stack of work files.

I leaned in after him and flipped the light switch. “You know, I’m grateful you saved me and everything, but I really have to question your judgment if you think it’s a good idea to go pushing your way into a girl’s home after she was assaulted.”

“Whoa…” he said, with an exaggerated look of astonishment on his face. He hadn’t even heard my protest, or if he did, he didn’t care.

“I guess the front of your place was just the appetizer. It looks like a damn rain forest in here.”

He stood in front of me looking over the assortment of ivies and evergreens and potted trees and vines.

“I just like houseplants a lot, so what?” The blush immediately returned to my cheeks. I gave him a shy smile. “It’s kind of a hobby, you know? It helps with the stress.”

“Hey, that’s cool,” he said. “Besides, it smells nice in here… Kind of reminds me of camping.”

“Thanks, I guess.”

It was odd the way he was walking around in my apartment. He acted like he owned the place. Normally, it would piss me off but for some reason this was turning me on.

“What’s this?” he asked, lifting the framed degree from my wall.

I tried to snatch it away from him but he held it over my head.

“Give me that. You shouldn’t just go through other people’s things.” I jumped and made another grab for it but he kept it away with ease. I lost my balance and fell forward into him, steadying myself with one hand against his rock hard pecs.

“Oh, sorry,” I said, pulling my hand back like I’d just touched a hot stove top.

He gave me a knowing grin and held the framed document in front of my face. “So you’re a lawyer, huh?”

“No, I’m not, and I’ll take that back, thank you very much.” I yanked it from his hand, coyly hiding it behind my back.

“It’s says Northwestern University of Law – Bria Hudson. That’s you isn’t it?”

I wasn’t comfortable with him being so familiar, but I didn’t hate it.

“It’s just a degree, that’s all,” I said, still trying remain mysterious.

He raised an eyebrow and my legs turned to jelly.

“I’m a paralegal with the Jones and Schreiber firm. I haven’t taken the bar yet.”

“Hmm, smart girl…” he trailed off in a way that suggested he was talking more to himself than he was to me.

Our eyes met again. This time I tried to force myself to hold his gaze. He seemed to enjoy the challenge.

Finally, I had to break the silence. It was too much. “So, uh, I don’t even know if I thanked you yet, but, uh…”

“Not a problem,” he interjected. “Happy to help.” He said it absently. His attention was focused elsewhere.

With burning eyes, he took in the full view of my body. I’d never had a guy so arrogantly stare at my ass the way he was doing. Just like earlier, this should have been something that made me mad, but I think I was liking it as much as he was.

I took a cautious step toward him. He grabbed my hand and pulled me close. What was I doing? I barely knew this guy and I was about to jump into his arms. But I wanted him… badly.

And that’s when my brain sort of short circuited.

“Okay, goodnight, then,” I blurted as he leaned in to kiss me.

He stopped in his tracks but didn’t pull back. He lingered not less than a foot from me with an amused look on his face that said ‘really?’ Are you really going to turn me away because I know that’s not what you want?

After a moment that seemed to drag on for eternity he finally pulled back. “Goodnight to you as well, Bria Hudson.”

With a nod, and still sporting that look of amusement, he glided across my apartment to let himself out. I desperately wanted him to turn back and give me another once over with those hungry eyes, but he didn’t. I heard his engine start and then he was gone. I sat down on the arm of my love seat and wondered what the hell just happened.