Always Him

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The smell of coffee fills the air, the sound of soft breathing reaches my ears. I slowly open my eyes to see Diva, her brown eyes watching me as she stands by the side of the bed, her head leaning over my body. I reach out with my good hand and pat her head cooing softly as leans into my touch. fur is soft, with a small white patch under her chin. She has brown eyebrows, but for the most part, she is dark black with a shiny. I smile and say, "Come, girl. I need to go to the bathroom, then let's find Eli."

As I get out of bed, the pain in my ribs increases, and Diva whines as if can feel my pain. I gently pat her head, letting her know I am okay, and make my way to the bathroom. I relieve myself then wash my hands, face, and my teeth. My breathing becomes labored, and the pain in my arm and side intensifies, but I push through it. My face is swollen, and I know it will worse before it gets better. I grab my hairbrush and head to the living room, hoping to find help.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Eli's deep voice sounds from the kitchen as I round the counter island. I lean on it and give him what I hope is my best fake smile and say "Great! Could you help me with something? I'm having issues and Kat is not here right now. You're the only one I can ask." My voice betraying what I am trying to convey my face. It cracks and sounds wounded to my ears, and looking up at Eli's face, I know he doesn't anything I just said about being okay. But thankfully, he nods his head and rounds the counter with a plate of food.

"Eat this and take your meds, then brush your hair, love," his controlled and soothing voice brings back feelings from last night. My face heats as he hands me my medicine.

"About last night, um, I was wondering how you felt about what happened and if I should just stay out at the cabin. We both know he won't find that place; it's off the grid and he has never been to Huntertown, Indiana." I say, but it comes more rambling than anything else, and I shouldn't sound like this. I would love to be more confident. I take the pill for pain from the broken bones trying to look everywhere else. He moves closer and raises his hand to my face, and I flinch.

"Oh baby, you're safe. I was just going to move your hair out of your face. But anyways, last night between us..." He moves his hand again, slower this time, I watch his eyes, those eyes that I have loved for many years at different times and in different ways. He gently cups the side of my face that doesn't have as much bruising, and it feels so good. The warmth of his hand and the smell of his body make me lean into the touch.

"Oh baby, you're safe. I was just going to move your hair out of your face. But anyways, last night between us..." He to move his hand again, slower this time, I watch his eyes those eyes that I have loved for many years at different times and in different ways. He gently cups the side of my face that doesn't have as much bruising, and it feels so good the warmth of his hand and the smell of his body make me lean into the touch.

He smiles and leans down to me and softly kisses my lips. Charlie, you have always been in my heart and maybe I should have waited till you were healed but I don't regret what happen and rest assured if it wasn't for your suffering I would love to take you back to that bed and explore you even more.” His eyes darken he leans down and kisses me again. I thread my good hand in his hair, and I lick his bottom lip. Groaning Eli deepens the kiss and his hand his other hand that was on the back of the stool now has move to my hip. His shirt raises up and it causes his fingers to feel my bare skin on my hip and thigh. “f**k, you're addicting. He pulls back looks at me a grin and then seats in the other stool. “Eat, you need food to get health and to mend. After we get done with breakfast, we need to get you a new cell then go to the office and finish that report and get the order filled.’’ I take a couple bits of egg sandwich looking over at him. Heat settling in between my thighs and I moan. I clinch my thigh together and look at him.

He grins but drinks his coffee then gets up and takes Diva out to the back yard to let her outside and open the doggie door. He walks back over and looks up and meets my eyes causing blush to raise on my skin. He caught me checking out this amazing, sweet man. I finish my meal, and the medicine has kicked in.

“Now babydoll, we have to get your hair brushed I'll be gentle then we can go get you dressed. I know you may not want to go out but we need to get the police updated and you need a new cell.’’ His tone is smoothing as he gently stands behind me and starts slowly ranking the brush though my hair. The hair brush start to glide through my curls and every once in a while it gets caught in a tangle mess of curls. Eli’s amazing fingers very gently without pulling slowly get out all the tangles and somehow manages to get my hair up in a bun on to the top of my head. Something I normally would have styled myself for a day full of tasks. I chuckle and look into his eyes and say thank you leaning up to kiss his cheek. The fresh scent of sandalwood and just him. His stubble is soft against my lips and when I move back his eyes that are normally so blue are a blueish-grey and the corners are crinkled. His lips are in a smirk that could make a nun break all the rules. I softly whisper thank you and stand up to head back up stairs to find something that I could ware for the day and be comfortable in as well as find my cell.

Elijah moves behind me as we climb the stairs. Him being there is reassuring as we make it to the bedroom. I ask “ Do you happen to have any of Kat’s extra clothes? I know we need to go and see if my mom has some of my stuff but it been a while and I really dont want her or dad to see me right now. Plus Im not sure how ill be feeling after the police and we still have to change my cell or get a new one.” my voice start to raise as the tempo increase as well as my heart rate as anxiety hitting me all at once. I hear Eli’s voice but cant understand him I see him start to move and I crumble to the floor crying. My head starts hurting and all I hear is Max yelling at me “ THIS IS YOU FAULT! NO ONE CAN EVER LOVE YOU! YOU COULDNT EVEN STAY PREGNANT YET YOU THINK YOUR FIT TO WORK IN THE NICU! YOUR WORTHLESS! LOOK AT ME WHEN I TALK TO YOU!”

I don't know how long was on the floor but I felt the wet nose of Diva and her whine that slowly made me come out of my twisted brain and look at this sweet dog. I start petting her and look up at Elijiah who is now on the phone. “I don’t know what happened. She asked for a change of clothes and started to panic and when I went to calm her and tell her she was okay she fell to the ground and started screaming. How long has he been hurting her? “ His voice was thick with concern but dark with anger. He moves to the lounge chair and seats on the foot stool. His eyes never leave mine. Diva whines as my heart spends up and my heart starts to spend up. My eyes blur and the pounding in my ear gets loud again. Diva presses her head up against my chest, her cold nose brings me out of my head again. She lays down on my lap pressing her head up against me and looking at me with her big eyes. I start petting her again and breathe slowly trying to just pull myself together. My ribs ache and I welcome the pain and brace it. It is pulling me further into the now.

“Charlie, are you back? Just nod, that's all you have to do.” The voice is soft and comes beside me from the speaker of Eli’s iphone. Katherine was on facetime and her face looked so sad.

“I'm okay, Kat. Diva and Eli were here and I'm better now. However my ribs hurt and so did my head. I'm really tired, maybe it's just a concussion.’ I look up at Eil and ask “ do you think we can just have someone come here for the interview instead so i can take a nap?” . Elijah moves over to me, hands up in surrender and gently says “ I swear I won't hurt you but can i move you to the bed. Diva can come. I will call one of my detective friends and see what they want to do. I nod my head and clench my jaw which causes even more pain and I embarrass it even more.