Fight for me

Chapter Four

I sat there shocked to my core, I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't have come straight out of her mouth. The life she has lived was almost torturous for a 17 year old. 

She told me about how her dad died and how she blamed herself. She was at a sleep over with her best friend and she got scared and asked her friends parents to call her dad to come and get her, how he got hit by a drunk driver and instantly died at the scene. Her mother blamed her for everything and became distant and cold towards her. Since her husbands death she has had a string of drug and alcohol addicted boyfriends and brought them into her house. They all treated her badly, but Steve, her mothers current boyfriend was worst of all. She told me about her Christmas break, about all the things he did to her. He hit her and abused her both mentally and physically, she told me about how he tried to force himself into her and i almost demanded her address there and then so i could go and kill the piece of scum myself. She told me how she hadn't had a father figure in her life for so long she didn't even know what to look for in a boyfriend so hasn't bothered trying.

It broke my heart hearing her story. I held her, so tight, as i listened to her story. I needed her to know i was here for her, that i was nothing like her mothers boyfriends. I would care for her and aim to be a positive role model in her life. She deserves to be treated with respect and kindness and she needs to know that.

Once she was finished she cried, she cried for so long i lost track of time, but i didn't care. I Just needed to hold her and comfort her. When i heard her cries soften I spoke

"Rosa?" 

"Mmmhm?" She responded. I could tell she was almost asleep. 

"I'ts time for bed i think" I said with a soft chuckle. 

She curled her body into me hugging me tighter. I almost didn't get up, it felt so nice being held. I pushed such thoughts from my mind and hopped up, carrying Rosa bridal style i walked into my bedroom and pulled back the covers. I lay her down but before i could cover her in blankets she let out a sign of protest before unlacing her sweat pants and pulling them off, throwing them to the ground. She rolled over and cuddled into herself. I pulled in a quick gasp of air when i noticed her red lacy underwear hugging perfectly to her ass. NO! my inner voice called out. I quickly threw the doona over her and left the room. I let out a sigh before jumping in for a cold shower. This girl would be the death of me. 

I was dreaming again, only this time it was my brother in one of the black suits. 

"Nikolai?" I asked "what are you doing?"

When he didn't respond i looked to my right and seen Rose. She was looking up at him but i couldn't see her face. "NO ROSA!" i called out, she looked over into my eyes and all i could see was pain, as if i was the one doing this to her, I was the one putting her through more pain. She reluctantly held her arm out for my brother and he grabbed it, throwing her into the back of the SUV. 

I shot up from my position on the lounge and shook my head. For years my dreams hadn't changed that much, but tonight it was Rose i needed to protect from my brother. I got up and made my way into the shower, noticing on my way that it was 4am. I scrubbed my body clean in the hot water and towelled myself dry, cursing myself for forgetting to get clothes out of my room last night. 

Reluctantly i walked into my own room, not wanting to wake Rose up. I looked up into my bed and really wished i hadn't. Rose was curled around my pillow with one of her legs over the top of the doona, her perfect round ass showing off her lacy red underwear. I felt my c**k twitch and looked to the floor. I couldn't have these feeling for her, not now, not when she needed someone in her life to support her and care for her, she needed a father figure. I could do that? Couldn't i? I could be the one person she so desperately craves. 

But my eyes couldn't resist such temptations, they slowly made there way up and landed on her. My breathing became heavy and all i wanted to do was touch her, plant soft kisses all over her body. Replace every bad touch she has ever experienced and replace it with love. 

I let out a sigh, No, i couldn't do that to her. My past was too dangerous for her and would only end badly. As soon as she had her life back on tract she would be out of here and be able to live her life they way she wants. 

I quickly grabbed some clothes and ran down stairs, feeling i needed it i had a quick gym session before going for my jog today. My mind was all over the place and i just needed some sort of normalcy this morning. When i rounded the corner to my street i started to walk. I caught my breath and slowly entered my apartment building. I walked up the stairs and all i could think about was a shower. But the sight that greeted me was so much more spectacular. 

Rose was in my kitchen, she had the music blaring through the speakers, surprisingly she was listening to a song from the 80's and dancing around like no one was watching, her butt was moving and she still only had on my T-shirt, it did hang just below the middle of her thighs but still, she could have thrown on some pants and stopped the sweet torture she was putting me threw. 

I wanted to surprise her, so i quietly closed the door behind me and freely enjoyed the show in font of me. She was moving her hips from left to right and bending her knees. I could hear her singing along with the song and the thought of bending her over my kitchen counter and f*****g her until she forgot her own name was all i could think about. She let out a high pitch squeal which brought me back to reality. 

She had noticed me watching her and her cheeks instantly glowed bright red. 

"Why didn't you tell me you were back!" She scolded. 

A small smile filled my lips and i replied "was just enjoying the show" 

Fuck! I should not have said that! Would a father figure say that? NO, what was i thinking, i cant be a father figure to her. I could only act has her protector and hope that that was enough. 

Thankfully she ignored my comment and instead said "I hope your hungry, i made breakfast" 

She turned and rifled through my cupboards before placing a plate in front of me. She placed three pancakes, four rashers of bacon cooked perfectly and scrambled eggs onto it, she also placed the maple syrup in front of me just near my plate and sat her elbows on the marble table top directly in front of me while her hands held her head up. She had a smile on her face while waiting for me to try my breakfast. I looked into her eyes and seen happiness, i also noticed when the sun from the glass windows in my apartment shon into her eyes that she had flakes of green running through them. They were the most spectacular eyes i had ever seen. 

I looked down at the breakfast she had prepared for me and couldn't think of the last time anyone had made me a meal like this before. Maybe when my parents were still alive? I started with the pancakes and before i knew my entire plate was empty. I looked up at her a realised she was just finishing her breakfast as well, when did she grab hers? i looked at her in confusion.

"That good huh?" she said with a laugh. I looked down at my empty plate and let out a laugh as well. 

"It was delicious, thank you" i replied. 

"Your more then welcome, My dad and i used to cook the same thing every Saturday morning, he taught me everything i know" She said with a smile. "I cant remember the last time i cooked for anyone else" she let out a little sigh. All i wanted to do was go and console her, hug her tight and never let her go. I wanted to do something else for her as well. 

"Do you have anything planned for today?" i asked. 

"Umm, no" she said while taking the plates and putting then in the sink. She turned on the water and i jumped up the help her. 

"I was thinking, i could take you back to your house after my classes and we could get your things?" 

She froze half way through washing a plate. 

"Rosa?" I hesitated, maybe it wasn't a good idea. "We don't have to, i just thought you might like to get a few of your things"

"Would you be there with me?" She finally asked. 

"Of course i would be. I will walk you in and i will help you pack, you tell me what you need and ill do it. You'll never be alone with him again"

She looked up at me and smiled but it didn't quite reach her eyes. 

"Okay, lets do it" She said as she continued to wash her plate "I ran out without my phone and Lilys probably been blowing it up waiting for me to reply"

"I finish classes at 1230 today so we will leave after that?"

"Sounds perfect" She said but i could tell she was nervous about it. 

She needed to confront him, to fight for herself and put him, and everyone else her mother has brought into her life, in the past. So she can grow into an even more amazing version of herself.I knew she had it in her, she was so strong. She just needed to realise it for herself.

++++++++++

"You ready?" I asked Rosa as i walked through the door. Classes went really slow today so i was glad to be out of there. I walked around the lounge and stood in front of her. 

She let out a deep breath, looked up at me and smiled. My chest clenched at the sight and i thought about leaning down, grabbing her in my arms and planting a kiss on those perfect lips of hers.

"As ready has ill ever be" she replied. 

I held out my hand and she accepted, standing up.

"You have nothing to worry about Rosa, I wont let him touch you" 

She half smiled and nodded her head. 

We walked downstairs, out the doors and hoped into my truck. 

She was quiet the whole way there. When we pulled up out the front of her house she visibly tensed. The house looked run down and the front lawn desperately needed to be mowed. 

I reached my hand over and rest it on her knee, giving it a small reassuring squeeze. 

She looked over to me our eyes locking, she didn't move for at least a minuet. I tried to pour all my strength and courage into my eyes and let her soak it up. 

"All right, lets do it" she said, 

We both hopped out of the car and up to the front door, she went to knock but instead turned the handle of the door and walked straight in. She didn't stop, as i was following her i looked over to my left and noticed a man with a drink in his hand sitting in front of the TV, he seamed to stare at us as if trying to figure out if we were real or not. His eyes were glazed over and he was slumped back in his chair. Pure rage filled my face and i stopped and turned to walk towards him, how dare he hurt my Rosa! He made her life hell and for that i was going to make his hell as well. 

His eyes met mine and he shot up from his seat and tried to settle himself, it was then that i noticed an almost empty bottle of bourbon on the floor next to him. Rage shot through me again and i clenched my fists. 

"What the f**k are you doing in my house?" He yelled at me. 

A wicked smile played on my face as i thought about ending his life. But something stopped me, i turned to see Rose behind me, she had hold of my wrist and was pleading with me to let it go. Her eyes sending love and kindness through me. My fists un-clenched and i realised i was here to help her not get revenge for her. 

"Rosie you w***e, now your bringing men to the house to f**k? I should have known, your just like your mother" Steve spat at her and i turned and punched him in the face. I didn't mean to, it was as if my arm had a mind of its own. I did enjoy it though. Blood splayed from his nose as he brought his hands up to hold it, he fell back in his chair and made loud groaning sounds. 

I quickly grabbed Rose and asked her to walk to her room and start packing. Her house was small and dirty, the carpet was stained and could use a good vacuuming, or 10. The kitchen had a mountain of washing up to do in the sink. Their was barely any furniture through out the house and i hated myself for not finding her sooner.

Once we walked into her room my mouth shot open in disbelief. It was beautiful, the walls were painted a light grey in colour and she had photos of all her loved ones hanging around. She had a double bed tucked into the corner with a floral red bed spread and matching pillows. She had a huge silver mirrored dresser that was topped with make up, candles, jewellery and other little nic-nacks. In the corner was a large mirror with a hair straighter sitting in front of it. To my right just by the door was a large tiered rack that was filled with shoes. My brain instantly wondered how she could afford such nice things. My mind shot back to her step father calling her a w***e and for a second i thought maybe... No, there was no way she was like that. She would disrespect her body in such ways. 

I felt her throw a huge black duffel bag at me and i barely caught it. I looked at her and she had a little smile on her face.

"What ever your thinking stop. My aunt lives in Paris and her husband is like some super important rich business man, so she sends me things almost every month" Well that was a relief "Can you empty my dresser please?" She asked and pointed to the huge silver dresser on my left.

The first draw i opened i nearly had a heart attack. It was filled to the brim with lacy underwear and bras. I immediately threw them all into her bag and considered leaving everything else out, forcing her to walk around in just these all day. You probably shouldn't do that, my inner voice told me. I continued on with the rest of the draws and was surprised at how much this bag actually fit. 

Once i was done i turned around and seen her sipping up an even bigger suit case. I looked around to notice a few of her shoes were missing, her bedside table was now empty and her tall boy doors were open with a few gaps from missing hangers. She grabbed her pillow and put it on top and looked up at me with a smile. 

"Is this to much stuff?" She asked. 

I laughed at that. "You could bring the bed if you wanted" 

She was about to laugh until her eyes met with something behind me. Terror planted on her face as she took a step backwards. I turned around to see Steve standing in the hall way, his nose had stopped bleeding but there was still dried blood covering his chin and droplets on his chest. It was then that i noticed the large knife he was holding. 

I let out a booming laugh that made him jump. I'm sure he was going for scary, but compared to the men i have faced in my past he looked about as scary has a puppy. 

His expression faulted as he said

"You need to get out of my house. NOW!"

"No worries at all, we were just leaving" I said. 

"NO! your not taking my Rosie" he yelled back. 

HIS Rosie! How dare he! she was mine! MINE! 

"Listen, this can either go one of two ways, Steve" i spat out his name with as much venom as i could muster "You can move aside and calmly let us leave or.." and i really hoped he picked my next option "You could come at me with your little knife there and i can give you a broken jaw to match your nose" 

I eyed him with amusement trying to taunt him into a fight. When he didn't move for a while i called back to Rose.

"Rose, do you have everything you need?" 

She moved behind me and i heard her open another bag and throw a fee things from her dresser in and her straighter. She came to stand behind me and whispered, "Y-yes" 

"Good girl, now grab your suit case and stay behind me okay?" I said hoping that i sounded calm when in reality i was bubbling with anger, i wanted to hit him, to hurt and maim him, but i needed to remain in control of that. If Rosa seen what i was capable of she would never look at me the same again. 

She grabbed her bags, i still had her duffel in my hand and we started walking towards the door. 

"You better move now" I said calmly but my eyes shot daggers into him. 

He squinted his eyes and wobbled back further into the house, still holding his knife. We started walking out and i made sure to face Steve at all times so that Rose wouldn't be anywhere near him, just like i promised her.  

"Now Rosa, i need you to go and put your things in the truck. I'll be right behind you okay" 

I felt her nod against my back and heard as the door began to open. 

Just then Steve yelled out "NO! you cant take her" and started running towards me holding his knife above his head. 

I was trained for this. I dodged past him and grabbed his wrist holding the knife, i squeezed hard enough to get him to drop it and twisted his arm up against his back and twisted around him and held his upper body up against my chest, immobilising him. We were both now facing Rose and i noticed her staring, small tears began to trickle down her cheek. 

"Go to the truck Rosa!" I called out but her tears were replaced with anger and she started to stamp towards us. She stopped in front of us, her eyes holding pure hate in them as she looked at Steve. 

She slapped him, "You will never touch me again! You will never say my name or yell and scream at me ever again! You don't control me anymore and i don't fear you. You are nothing but scum and i will never think about you again. You. Are. Nothing" and she slapped him again. 

My chest filled with pride, she was so strong, so brave and i was so proud of her. I knew she had it in her. 

Steve tried to struggle but i had a firm grasp on him. "You little b***h, I'll get you back for this!" 

I threw him to the ground as hard as i could and i was pretty sure it winded him. 

I picked up the duffel bag, grabbed Rose around the waist and we walked out together. Not even bothering to close the door behind us. We put her things in the truck and drove off.

She was so happy, he smile never faulted the entire drive home. When we got back to my apartment she practically danced up the stairs. It was beautiful to watch. We put her things in my room and i turned to look at her. 

She was radiating happiness "I feel.. I cant.. Oh my god!! I cant believe we did it" She started jumping up and down and before i new she jumped straight into my arms wrapping her legs around my waist. 

"Thank you! Thank you so much" She said as she started to calm down. She pulled her head back to look at me. "Really, you don't know how much this means to me"

I couldn't take my eyes off her, she looked so pure and happy. She fit perfectly in my arms and i never wanted to let her go. 

I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled "It was my pleasure Rosa" 

Then i felt her lips on mine, i tensed as she pried my lips apart with her tongue. She tasted so sweet with a hint of mint and i was hooked, but we shouldn't be doing this. I was about to pull her away when a small moan escaped her lips and i lost control. My hand moved to cup the back of her neck while my thumb caressed her cheek and i opened up to her. Our lips intertwined with so much passion, id never felt anything like it before. I deepend the kiss, drawing more sweet moans from her mouth that vibrated against my lips. My hard c**k sitting nicely against her ass. I walked forward and pushed her back up against the wall, i was rough and i expected her to cry out in pain but instead she moaned louder making my c**k twitch with anticipation wondering how far i could take her. Her hands were in my hair pulling me closer, i didn't think i could be any closer until she reached down and in one swift motion she pulled my shirt from my body and over my head. She let out a small noise of protest at the sudden loss of contact. Her noises were driving me crazy and the second my shirt was off her lips were instantly back on mine. She started roaming my body with her hands, grabbing and clawing at me. The small scratches stinging as she went, i found myself moaning, which wasn't something i usually did. 

She felt like the half of me i was missing, i needed her more then i have ever needed anyone. But she was 10 years younger then me, we shouldn't be doing this. Its wrong, but f**k it felt so damn good. 

Her hands travelled down to my fly and i felt her shaky hands trying to undo it. It was then i realised how wrong this truly was. I was taking advantage of her while she was so vulnerable. 

I brought my hand down and grabbed hers, i broke away from our kiss and was panting trying to catch my breath. I looked up and noticed how bright red her lips were from how rough and needy our kiss had been. They looked beautiful and i almost kissed her again, but instead i sighed. 

"Rosa" i said still trying to catch my breath "this is wrong, your 17"

She looked into my eyes, her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. She seamed dazed as if not knowing what had just happened. 

She loosened her legs of there grip around me and i held her until she placed her feet on the ground. She looked down towards my chest and i noticed her cheeks becoming red. She was embarrassed.

"Rosa?" I needed her to know this wasn't her fault, it was mine. I shouldn't have taken it this far and i certainly didn't want her to be feeling embarrassed about it.

"Look at me Rosa" I commanded not daring touch her in case i lost control again. She slowly started to lift her head, It was then i noticed the tears.

"NO!" i yelled way to loudly, making her jump. Instincts took over and my hands came up and grabbed her cheeks, using my thumbs to wipe away her tears. "Rosa i am so sorry, i didn't mean to lose control like that" 

"I thought you liked me" she said through sobs. 

I was stunned. How could she think that i didn't like her? If only she knew how much i truly did. I would do anything for her. She wasn't upset because id hurt her or taken it to far, she was upset about me stopping it. Hell, i was a little pissed about me stopping too. I knew that if i claimed her as mine that i would be hooked. I would never let her go and i couldn't do that to her! Not with my past. It may seem safe now but being on the run you can never know. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, every loud noise or new person in my life is a suspect and couldn't bring other person into that. Especially not Rosa. I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her because of me. 

"I do like you Rosa, I like you too much. But your 17! It would be wrong of me to take advantage of you like that" 

Almost instantly she spoke so quickly

"Its my birthday next weekend" the smile on her face was breath taking. "and its not taking advantage if i want it too"

She will be the death of me, i was sure of it. When i didn't speak for a moment she took the opportunity to grab my hand and walk me out the door. 

"Come on, i'm hungry" she said with a smile. 

Yep.. I was f****d. 

++++++++++

For most of the afternoon i stayed down in the gym. Realising how i felt about Rosa was bad news. It couldn't happen, i wouldn't let it. I would avoid her as much as i could, starting today i wouldn't let my feelings get in the way of taking care of her and making sure she could have a bright future, even if that meant not being apart of it. I looked at the clock and realised it was almost 7. I should probably go up and cook something for her. 

I dragged my sore muscles up the stairs and opened the door. She was sitting on the lounge watching a scary movie on Netflix, she was huddled up with a blanket and cuddling a couch cushion. In unison i closed the door just as a scary part of the movie made a loud bang! She jumped and tucked her head into the cushion, after a second she poked her eye out and looked up at me. 

"Oh my god! You scared the crap out of me" she said while holding her chest. 

I gave her a small smile, trying to hide how absolutely adorable she was in that moment. 

"Are you hungry?" I asked while walking to the kitchen. 

"Umm, yeah sure" She said hesitantly. "Are you okay?" she looked worried. 

"Yeah, just pushed it to hard at the gym is all" 

"Oh, okay" She came and sat on the island bench and crossed her arms on the marble counter top. 

"What are we cooking?" she said with a smile. 

+++++++

Sunday was mostly uneventful. I overheard her talking to her aunt about moving out of her house and i heard her cheers of enthusiasm from my seat on the lounge. I was glad she had family that so clearly loved her. I wondered why she didn't just move to Paris? It seamed like the sensible thing to do. When i asked her she said that she couldn't leave her friends. They meant to world to her and i resented them for keeping her here, even though they didn't know about her situation. 

I told Rose that she would be sleeping in my room and she protested, a lot, but i wasn't having it. I would have to convert my office into a second bedroom for her. 

I avoided her for the most part, with the exception of meals and her demeanour changed throughout the day. She became quiet and by dinner time she barley spoke two sentences to me. That was good, it made controlling my feelings so much easier.

I lay on the couch unable to sleep, i tossed and turned thinking about anything and everything. My mind was so clouded with what to do that sleep was the last thing i could concentrate on. I had almost given up on the idea of even trying to fall to sleep when heard a strange noise coming from the bedroom. I popped my head up over the couch and looked into my room. Rosa left the door so i could see right in. She was tossing and turning and making pained noises. Worried i hopped up and stopped at the door, the blankets were completely thrown off of her and she was laying in a white tank top with tiny red booty shorts. 

"DADDA" i heard her call out as she trashed again and i realised she was having a nightmare. 

"Rosa?" i called out but she didn't wake. I walked over to the bed and rest my hand on her shoulder, nudging her slightly. "James?" she said in confusion. I sat down next to her but realised she was still dreaming. She was dreaming about me, just as i had about her. 

"I'm hear baby girl" i said softly. Just as i had her eyes shot open.

"James?" she said again, then again "JAMES!" she shot up and wrapped herself around me. She was panting and i could feel a light layer of sweat on her skin. 

"You.. You saved me" she whispered. I wrapped my arms around her and groaned. 

"Your safe now Rosa" She let out a sigh. 

If only i had known how far from the truth that really was.