SAVAGE LOVE

Chapter 3

“Well, no more waiting for you, handsome.”

I reached up on my tiptoes to plant a kiss on his lips, which he returned with a much more passionate response. He gripped my face in between both of his hands and tasted me like he’d been starving for months. I’d been starving too, and I couldn’t wait to get back to his apartment and show him just how much.

“Where are you parked?” I glanced up expectantly at him as he rocked back onto his feet and broke eye contact with me.

“Erm… my car is off the road at the moment. I was gonna call a cab. Is that okay?”

He started fidgeting and looking uncomfortable. Maybe it was embarrassment? I couldn’t tell. I wasn’t bothered about his car though. I just wanted to get out of this station and get on with the rest of our lives.

“Come on then. Let’s get out of here,” I replied, grabbing his hand and weaving my fingers through his as I gave him a sexy look.

His smile smoldered back at me, as he no doubt contemplated what was to come the minute we fell through that front door of his.

“Lead the way, beautiful.”

“So, waffles or pancakes for breakfast? What d’ya think, baby?” Timothy tapped his fingers on the fridge door and sighed. “I need to go out for it though. I’ve got zero stuff in here to cook for you.”

Timothy stood with his back to me, peering into his fridge as if the food would magically appear if he stared long enough. He wore black boxers and nothing else, and although I was hungry for more than just food, looking at him, I could see he’d gotten skinnier. He looked like he needed a decent meal and some sun on his skin. He was pale, and his eyes didn’t have the same sparkle to them that they usually did. Instead, they seemed dark, sunken, and somewhat lifeless. Good thing I was finally home to take care of him. He looked like he needed it.

I walked over to stand behind him and snaked my arms around his warm body. Cuddling him close to me, I grinned to myself, thinking about all the ways we reacquainted ourselves with each other last night… and again this morning.

“I don’t mind what we have. I could pop out with you and we could eat out this morning if you like?”

I felt him tense slightly under my grasp, and then he blew out a breath before he said, “I kinda need to run an errand on my own this morning. I figured I’d kill two birds with one stone. Is that okay?”

He didn’t turn around to gauge my reaction, just held himself in place as I frowned at the back of his head. What private errands did he have to run? We didn’t keep secrets from each other, we never had. But I wasn’t about to start arguing on our first morning together, so I brushed it off.

“Sure, no worries. I’ll take a shower while you’re gone.”

He groaned and turned around in my arms then pulled me closer into his chest. “Not fair. I wanted to shower with you today.”

I laughed and pulled away from him, patting his chest. “But you have important secret errands to run, so… better get going, handsome. Don’t be long though. I’m looking forward to my waffles, and whatever else you’ve got in store for me today.”

Timothy lurched forward and grabbed me, kissing me so hard he made my lips ache. He ran his hands down my back to cup my ass under my short, silky nightie, then he lifted me onto the kitchen counter.

“You won’t be leaving this apartment when I get back. Not for a very, very long time.”

“Better get lunch and dinner when you’re out then too,” I teased, and jumped off the counter. I headed to the bathroom, giving my hips the best, most seductive sway I could muster.

Five minutes after Timothy left, I heard his mobile ringing from the living room. When I went to look at the display to see who was calling, I didn’t recognize the name. I didn’t give it a second thought though. Timothy and I had been in a long-distance relationship for over four years. There were bound to be facets of his life I wasn’t familiar with yet. I wouldn’t dream of answering his phone when he was out. I was never ‘that girl’. The one who has to look through her boyfriend’s phone for peace of mind. I trusted Timothy with my life and I always would.

So I picked up his phone and put it in the middle of the coffee table, where he would see it straight away when he got home. I hoped this Ed character wasn’t planning

on monopolizing any of my man’s time today, though. I had plans of my own for him.

About an hour later, the door to the apartment flew open, and Timothy stalked in looking decidedly pissed and minus any tasty goods.

“Did you eat my breakfast on the way back by mistake?” I joked, hoping he’d have something hidden away for me.

He held his hands out at his sides and shrugged in a dazed and confused way that told me food was the last thing on his mind. Something was going on with him, and I needed to know what it was.

“I’m so sorry, babe. I completely forgot. I’ll go back out and get you something.”

He went to leave, but I darted across the room to block his path.

“No, don’t. It’s fine. I can take another look in the kitchen and see what I can rustle up. Failing that we could… order in?” I looked up into his eyes pleading, hoping I could settle the jittery nerves he seemed to be battling with.

He smiled back at me, but he looked exhausted. I was starting to get nervous myself. What was up with him?

“You left your phone here. I wasn’t snooping or anything, but you had a missed call.”

He wasn’t listening to me. Instead, he was pacing the living room and looking agitated.

“Who’s Vin?” I asked.

At the mention of the name, he stopped dead in his tracks and glared at me.

“Did you speak to him? What did he say to you?” His irritation was escalating now and I didn’t like it one little bit.

“No,” I spat, feeling slightly hurt that he’d even question me. “I already told you, I let it go to voicemail.”

He nodded, muttering, “Good, good,” under his breath, as he rubbed his bristly chin, deep in thought.

“So? Who is he?” I pushed. I was determined to get some kind of answer from him, seeing as this man’s name had such a profound effect on his mood.

“No one,” he snapped.

“Yeah, right.” I put my hands on my hips and pierced him with my stare, daring him to challenge me. “So next time he calls, I can answer it?”

“Hell no!” He launched himself across the room to stand over me, his nostrils flared and his eyes darting over my face, as if he was accusing me of something I hadn’t even done yet.

I stood on my tiptoes, meeting his gaze to show him I meant business too.

“Then tell me who the hell he is, and why you’re starting to sweat talking about this.”

Sensing I wasn’t about to drop this anytime soon, Timothy wrapped me in his arms and whispered, “Baby, let’s not argue. It’s just some guy I know. He was probably ringing to see if I was up for a drinking session today or something like that. I feel on edge today, that’s all. I’m sorry.”

“No. I don’t buy it.” I pushed away from him and went to stand by the window. We’d built our relationship on honesty, and transparency. I wasn’t about to compromise that now, not for anything.

“Fine,” he huffed, exasperated, and sank down onto the sofa.

He sat with his head bowed, running his fingers through his hair and failing miserably to hide the internal debate he was having with his conscience.

“s**t,” he cursed. “Bianca, come sit down with me. I think there are some things I need to tell you. I haven’t been completely honest with you lately.”

My stomach fell to the ground with dread. Oh God, what was he going to tell me? Whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be good; I could gather that much.

I took a fortifying breath and turned around to face the music. He was hunched forward and his hands were dangling loosely in-between his knees. That’s when I noticed how badly he was shaking. Why was he nervous? What the hell was he going to tell me that’d make him shake like that?

I sat down next to him and turned my body to face his, but he stayed facing forward and blew out an unsteady breath.

“I need you to keep an open mind, okay? Can you do that?” He turned to look at me with sheer dread painted across his beautiful face.

“I can’t make any promises, Timothy. Not when you’re looking at me like that.”

He leaned forward again and ran his hands over his head, then grabbed my hand to hold in his as he spoke.

“I’ve f****d up, Bianca. I’ve f****d up big time, babe.”

“What have you done?” I tried to pull my hand out of his, but he wouldn’t let go of me.

“I missed you so much, and everything was just-” He sighed with such despondency it tugged at my heart, but the nauseating dread still crept over me like ice freezing in my veins. “Everything was dull, less colorful. I didn’t feel like I could get through each day without you.”

“Is there someone else?” I had to ask. I didn’t want to, but I needed to know.

“No! Jesus, no. Bianca, there’s no one else. There never could be anyone else. I love you, baby. I love you too much sometimes. That’s part of the reason I struggled. Why I’m here right now, like this.”

“Spit it out, Timothy, because I have absolutely no clue what’s going on with you. I’m freaking out here.”