Escaping to the CEO

Chapter 10

Eric POV

I got to her house in under five minutes. I got out of my car and leaned my back against the door with my arms crossed. I was wearing the sweatshirt that I had placed on her weeks before. I occasionally would catch a whiff of her scent in the fabric. It made me feel closer to her. I had been working out more the last few weeks, trying to distract myself from thinking of her. My arms were getting pretty tight now. I'll have to get some bigger sweatshirts and make her wear them for me so I can always have her scent around me.

She stepped out of the house, shutting and locking the door behind her. She placed her keys in her purse and looked up. I could tell from the way her jaw dropped slightly that she was liking what she was seeing. She hadn't looked at my face yet, but I could tell she was liking what she was seeing. I have to admit I was looking at her too. She had on knee-high black boots, a pink tweed skirt that came right above the boots. Her blouse was tight across her chest and the matching jacket made me want to rip it off her and press her against my body.

"You going to stand there staring or are you gonna get in?"

"Huh? Oh yeah I'm coming."

"I bet you are."

I walked around the car and opened up her door. She slid in and felt the leather of my seats. I knew I chose the right car to pick her up in. I just bought this Ford Escape right before going to rescue her. The seats were smooth feeling and I turned on the heated seat feature so she would have a nice warm seat to sit on. I shut the door and walked around watching her enjoy the car. I chuckled before I got in. She was starting to reach for her seat belt and I reached over and took it out of her hand, brushing my hand over hers. Her skin is so soft. I want to feel it over my body. I buckled her in and watched as her cheeks pink.

"I know a great breakfast place. You still like blueberry waffles, right?"

"How did you know that I like Blueberry Waffles?"

"Well, there's no point hiding it anymore."

I put the car in reverse. She was so quick pulling the parking break.

"Why do you keep calling me CD? How did you know I liked Blueberry Waffles?"

I bent my head low. Letting out a huge sigh. My hands were still on the steering wheel and I needed a minute before I could start telling her.

"Tell me or I'm getting out. I don't need a stalker in my life. I have an abusive husband who I'm trying to get rid of. I don't need to add a crazy stalker either."

"I call you CD because you bring music to my ears every time I see you."

I watched as her breath stopped. I pulled up the arm of my sleeve. I showed her the scar that I got from saving her from the dogs. The one that she sat by my side as I got stitch after stitch. She unbuckled and got out of the car. She started breathing rapidly and stumbling until she was on the side of her driveway on her knees in the snow. She was dry heaving. I knelt next to her rubbing my hand on her back in soothing light circles.

"It's an OK CD, let it out."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why Now? Why didn't you come back for me? Why didn't you rescue me before I got married? Why did you leave me and why are you back now?"

"Once you regain your composure, I'll explain everything. You deserve to know everything, and I promise to give that to you. You deserve that much."

Once she finally calmed down, I helped her to stand. I allowed my thumbs to lightly rub the tears off her cheeks. She was so beautiful and just touching her face like that. I knew I couldn't let her go again. She's mine.

"My beautiful CD. You're just as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was hoping by staying away from you that I could prevent you from finding out who I am. I wanted to protect your heart since I knew it was already broken, and I couldn't cause you anymore pain than what you were already in. I can't stay away from you any longer."

I leaned my forehead against her just hoeing her face in place. I closed my eyes just smelling her scent. When she wrapped her arms around me. My heart soared. She's touching me and letting me touch her. I will protect her with my dying breath.

I took her hand and walked her back to the car. I got back in and took the parking break off and continued on down the driveway. I reached my hand over the center console and took her hand in mine. I want to have a part of me touching her as much as I can. I brushed my thumb over her knuckles.

The drive was too quick, and Grace's Place loomed in front of us. When I first moved here, I used some of my money to help Grace keep this place open. She was struggling badly and needed help. So I signed on as a silent owner and let her do as she pleases. I've been slowly making improvements and upgrades to help the business run better. One of my customers is making her a new sign that should be ready by early next year. I can't wait to see the look on Grace's face when the sign gets installed. The one she has is so faded it's hard to read.

The restaurant was empty today, only a few regulars. Grace was moving around like usual and, with the smile she gave me, I knew she was going to pull me aside and ask me about my lovely companion. As she greeted me, her glasses slipped down her nose. She lightly pushed them back up. The chain swinging around her ears.

"Oh Eric! So good to see you again dear. Your usual seat in the back is open." I'll be over."

"Thanks Grace."

I put my hand in hers and led her to the back corner to my usual seat. I pulled out her chair as she unbuttoned her jacket and took a seat. Grace came over with her little notepad. I knew what I was going to be ordering, and I knew what the CD I liked. So quick and easy to order today. Also, I would give more time to explain everything to her.

"Hi Dear, My Name is Grace."

"Hi Grace, I'm Carrie. Just moved here a few weeks ago."

"Oh Where from?

"Rutland."

"Oh, I have some cousins there."

"oh cool."

"What brings you here?"

"Moved in with a friend from college."

"Oh that nice. Now what can I get for your loves?"

"Two coffees, two orders of blueberry waffles with whipped cream on top, with sausage, and I'll need a Togo box with chocolate chip pancakes for Anna."

"Coming right up. And tell Anna to lay off the s*x on the beaches she's getting too old to be drinking like she's a college student again."

"Will do Grace."

I reached my hand across the table, putting my hand in hers. I needed to be grounded before opening up like I was about to. I looked into her eyes. Those emeralds were looking back at me. I could see all the way to her pure soul and I wanted more. I needed more, I craved more.

"It's time I tell you what happened to me."

She sucked in a breath and waited.

"The day I left you. I didn't want to leave. I was told that my foster dad was transferring to Montana for work. He told my social worker that he was transferring, and they were moving. Turns out that was a lie. The group home I was placed in was in an awful location. It was in the worst part of Dallas. There were constant gang fights and drug deals all around the group house. I was sent to a reform school with the other boys. I was treated like an ordinary criminal. I was in constant fights, and suspended from school. I tried running away from the group home. Every time I was heading back towards you. I needed to make sure you were OK. Every time I got caught, and dragged back to the group home. I was beaten and locked in a room for days on end. Starved and hurting. Sometimes bleeding. The only thing that would get me through was thoughts of you. That kiss I gave you, I would think of your lips on mine. It would push me through.

I met Tommy, Desmond, Michael and Gerald. The five of us became so close like brothers. We went everywhere together. Became a family to each other. They saw the photo I had of you in my backpack. I never went anywhere without it. I keep it on my nightstand so you're the last face I see, and I made a copy that sits on a frame on my desk. The boys constantly told me to get over you. That there was better p***y out there. They're wrong. I tried dating other girls, I tried getting over you. But there is no getting over you.

When I turned 18, I was released from the group home. I finally made it back to your neighborhood. I saw my foster father. He was paid heavily to get rid of me. By your dad. And I was told you were happy, which frankly broke my heart into a million pieces. I was told you were getting married the next day. That was because it was your 18th birthday that you had a duty to fulfill by marrying that asshole. So I left. I told the boys what happened.

Next thing I know, I have a few million transferred into my account, and my foster family is dead. I started a construction company as well as invested in several other businesses around town. I invested in the boys' businesses as well as they have invested in mine. We're making each other hand over fist rich."

She stared at me over the steam of her coffee that was in her hand. Her mouth agape and eyes wide with questions.

"You can ask me anything you want. I won't hide anything from you. Your mine. I protect what's mine. Even if that means I have to be completely honest with you."

"I don't even know where to begin. This was so much to take in. I think my brain needs to take a few to figure out all that information."

"Take all the time you need."

"Thanks."

She set her coffee back on the table the sip she was about to have forgotten. She started pouring lots of sugar into her coffee and then the creamers she must have used six of them. Her coffee was so white and sweet I was waiting for Casper the friendly ghost to come out of it.

She stirred her coffee absentmindedly while she was trying to process everything.

She looked back up at me about to ask me a question. When I heard a loud screeching noise and a cascade of bullets flying through the building. I jumped up, tackled her to the ground and covered her with my body.