Kyle

“Are you watching me sleep?” Nina, still drowsy, opens one eye and looks up at me. “Cause that’s kind of creepy. Maybe even slightly stalkerish.”

Reaching under the sheets, I tickle the spot I know will make her squirm.

“Stop!” she squeals, wiggling around.

“Take it back!” I demand, continuing my assault and enjoying the fact that every little tickle causes her to rub against me in all the right places.

“Okay, okay.” She throws her hand over me, brushing up against me. “Oh my.” She blushes.

“Rise and shine.” I wink.

“Hmmm! I have a feeling it’s going to be a great morning!” She begins to stretch against my body.

She puts an arm against either side of my face. I turn my head to place a kiss against her skin, taking a moment to breathe her in.

“I just…” She stretches again, leaning against me until she’s rolled herself on top of me.

“Nice move.”

“I thought so,” she says with a wicked grin.

Rising up on her knees, she reaches down to find what she needs and slowly takes me in, one glorious inch at a time. She closes her eyes, throwing her head back, as if I’m her drug and she just got her fix.

“Nina,” I groan. “Safety first.”

I don’t want this feeling to end, being inside of her, no barriers. “Nina, condom.” I moan, the feel of her making me lose all thoughts, all control.

“Shh.” She places a finger over my lips. “I get it, safety first.” She picks up the pace and now I’m the one throwing my head back.

Faster.

Harder.

“Shit, Nina!” I’m about to explode. “Condom now!” I open my eyes wide, grabbing her hips, ready to move her off.

Not missing a beat, she places her hands over mine.

“I’m.”

Faster.

“On.”

Harder.

“The.”

Faster.

“Pillllllllll!” Nina screams out her release, while she rides out mine.

Collapsing on top of me, keeping us connected, she smiles. “Best. Morning. Ever.”

“I think I can do better.” I roll us over, making sure it’s a morning neither one of us will forget.

Nina

“Hurry up!” I holler to Kyle, who is obviously dragging from our little morning workout session.

“You were practically jumping out of a moving vehicle. Nothing safe about that, Nina!” he yells after me.

“Sorry! I need coffee, like stat.” I reach the door, but Kyle’s muscled arm reaches over my head to grab the door.

“Chivalry isn’t dead, Nina.” He opens the door wide for me to go through. “We are getting you a coffee machine after we leave here.”

“Aw. Someone tired?” I look back over my shoulder, giving him my best pouty face.

“Tired?” He stands up taller, puffing out his chest. “Of course not. I could have gone a few more rounds,” he says, walking past me.

“Oh really?” I stand, hands on hips.

Turning around, he stalks back up to me, pulling me into his arms. “There will never be a day I wouldn’t want you.” He leans down for a kiss.

“Screw it. Let’s just go get the machine now.” I spin around to head out the door when I see someone out of the corner of my eye and my breath catches in my throat.

Her. It’s now or never.

“Nina, what’s wrong?” I feel Kyle’s hand on my shoulder.

“Just give me a minute.” I reach up and pat his hand.

I’m not sure what I’m going to do, or what I’m going to say. I just know I have to see for myself that she is okay. Being a prisoner of abuse is no way to live.

As I get closer, I try to search for the words that will convince her to leave. Words that show her a stranger cares…understands.

“Excuse me.” I stand at the end of their table. “Hi. I know you don’t know me.” I scan her face. “I just wanted to let you know, that I know.” I give her a minute to register what I’m saying. “I know and you aren’t alone.” I reach out, touching her hand. “I promise. If you want to leave, I’ll help you. I’ll get you the protection you need.

“You little bitch,” her boyfriend spits out, coming up from behind. “Who do you think you are, coming in here and saying that? Don’t think I don’t notice the way you look at her.”

Bingo!

“Really, I’m fine.” Her eyes plead with me while she looks between the two of us.

“Penny, don’t talk to her.” He steps forward and she flinches.

“What’s going on over here?” Kyle walks up, standing in between me and the asshole.

“Your little girlfriend is putting her fucking nose in something that has nothing to do with her.”

“I’m serious…Penny, is it?” I step around Kyle to get to her. “I know it’s more than the faded bruises. I see the scars you try to hide.”

“Leave her alone!” The guy pushes Kyle out of the way and grabs hold of Penny’s elbow.

“Man, wrong move.” Kyle yanks the asshole back by the collar. “Learn to keep your hands to yourself.

“What’s wrong with you people? Your little bitch—” He’s interrupted when Kyle picks him up by the front of his shirt and slams him against the opposite wall.

“Someone call the police!” He squirms under Kyle’s grip.

“Yes, someone call the police!” Kyle agrees. “Time’s up, fucker.”

“Penny, my name is Nina.” I hold out my hand.

“Hi, Nina.” She rejects my hand and offers up a wave.

“Can we talk outside away from this?” I plead.

She nods, her gaze never leaving the asshole’s until she hits the door. The moment the door shuts behind her, her breathing picks up. Faster and faster, her eyes wide.

“Penny, look at me.” I stand in front of her trying to catch her gaze. “Just look at me. Right here.” I point between our eyes.

“In. Out.”

See my mouth.

“In. Out.”

Follow me.

“In. Out.”

“I’m so scared.” She pants out between breaths.

“It’s scary, but I need to know...does he hurt you?”

Nodding frantically, her body is racked with sobs. At this moment, the cops pull in.

“Listen, Penny. This is where you have to make a choice and it’s going to be one of the hardest things you ever do in your life.” I reach out for her hand. This time she takes it. Giving it a little squeeze, I say, “Do you want to leave? No more hiding. No more pain.”

“Yes,” she whispers.

“Sir!” I call out to one of the police officers. “We have a domestic dispute.

“Penny, I promise, everything is going to be okay.”