Authors: Aliyah Burke
It‘s rare and he never speaks to me, but all it takes is a single look.‖
Kacy took a deep breath and continued as one of the women next to
her grabbed her hand in support. ―This new guy wants a relationship and my
heart tells me to give him a chance but my brain can‘t get beyond my past. I
don‘t want to lose this guy because I can‘t let go.‖ She frowned. ―I guess I
don‘t know how to let go of the past.‖
One of the women asked, ―Do you get any bad feelings from him?
This new man?‖
―Not a single one. He is so kind and so gentle I almost don‘t believe
it‘s real.‖ Kacy grinned. ―He cooked me a lobster dinner last night. I took him
with me to see Adam.‖ The women were amazed by that for they knew about
Adam. ―But the second I begin to believe that maybe it will be okay this time,
I panic.‖
―Not all men are abusers. That is the main thing we need to remem-
ber. There are good men out there,‖ the meeting coordinator said. ―My
husband is one of them. Lots of us are married now. If you let Kirby keep you
from him, then he still wins. And we don‘t want that.‖
―No. So I should give him a chance, then,‖ Kacy stated.
―We all know the signs of abuse and if you see them, get out. Call
anyone of us, but just get out. Who knows, though, maybe he is ‗the one‘ for
you.‖ The woman looked at everyone there.
―And if he is, we want to be invited to the wedding!‖ Another wom-
an said, only to be echoed by the others in the room.
―I am blessed to have such wonderful, supportive friends,‖ Kacy
said.
―We all are. Well, ladies, I think that is a wonderful note to end on.
Group hug!‖ The fifteen women stood in a circle, hugged, and prayed for
their continued safety and for the other women who hadn‘t yet found a way
out from under their abusers.
Kacy walked out with one of the newer women. ―Let us know how it
goes with this guy, Kacy,‖ she said with a wink before climbing into her car.
―I‘ll do that,‖ she responded, waving as she unlocked her car and slid
behind the wheel.
Sitting behind the wheel, she picked up her cell phone and stared at
it for a moment. Quickly, before she could change her mind, she dialed a
number and pressed call.
―Hello?‖ the deep, masculine voice said.
―Is it too late to change my mind about drinks?‖ Kacy asked as she
shook her head over the heavy metal music she heard in the background.
―Never,‖ he promised. ―Where do you want to meet?‖
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―Well, I‘m in Suffolk, so I can come to your place,‖ she said.
―Here?‖
―Maybe not; why don‘t you suggest a place.‖ Closing her eyes, she
prayed she wouldn‘t be too embarrassed to look at him when she got there. It
was obvious he didn‘t want her at his place.
―No, no, here is fine. I want to show you my place. Just keep in mind
I am a man living alone,‖ he said.
―I don‘t want to impose.‖
―
Liebling
, I want you in my place. Where are you? I will give you di-
rections.‖
Kacy told him and he relayed how to get to his place. Shutting her
phone, Kacy started her car. She knew exactly where he lived. It was a few
blocks from where she had done some electrical work. Twenty minutes later,
since she‘d stopped off at the store to get some ice cream and toppings, she
pulled into a parking space at his apartment complex.
Ernst was outside waiting for her. The second she got out of her ve-
hicle, he was moving towards her. ―What took you so long? I was getting
worried.‖ He pulled her into his arms and kissed her like she was his only
chance for life.
―I stopped at the store,‖ she rasped when he backed off her mouth.
―Ice cream and toppings.‖ Kacy grinned.
―Of course,‖ Ernst said. ―Well, come on up.‖ He took the bag from
her and peered inside. ―Looks like there are more toppings than ice cream!‖
―Well, I like my toppings.‖ Kacy locked her car and fell into step be-
side him.
―Stairs or elevator?‖ he asked.
―What floor do you live on?‖
―Top floor.‖ His eyes moved over her drawn face. Her happiness was
forced. ―Let‘s take the elevator.‘
―Okay.‖ Kacy stepped in beside him and remained silent as it went
up to the eighth floor.
Ernst watched her as the elevator rose. ―What made you change your
mind?‖
―I‘m not entirely sure, but I wanted to see you.‖ The doors slid open
and he gestured for her to step out first.
―I wanted to see you too. And I‘m glad you called.‖ He opened the
door to his apartment and allowed her to enter before following.
Kacy took in Ernst Zimmermann‘s apartment: big screen television,
leather furniture, a game console. ―Very nice,‖ she said.
―Let me put this in the freezer and I will give you a grand tour.‖
Ernst walked past her, touching her gently on the small of her back briefly.
She slipped off her shoes and waited for him on the hardwood floor.
He was wearing a pair of jeans and a button-down brown shirt that was
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completely undone, showing off glimpses of the chiseled muscles of his chest.
Her throat was dry from her desire for him.
―Come on.‖ He beckoned to her. ―This is my living area.‖ His shirt
opened as he turned a circle to show off the room.
―I gathered that,‖ Kacy quipped.
―Let me show you the kitchen.‖ Ernst led her to a room that was the
total opposite of her kitchen. Appliances of all kinds were on his countertops.
Copper pots were hung from the walls and they were spotless.
―You cook a lot.‖
―I like a good meal when I am home. I don‘t always get good things
when we are deployed.‖ He took her by the arm and led her down a narrow
hall. ―Bathroom is right here.‖ The door was open.
Kacy looked inside. Clean again, but definitely masculine—not a bit
of color or softness in it. ―Looks like a bathroom.‖
―Well, that‘s good. This is my workout room,‖ he said, opening
another door.
Kacy stuck her head inside. Lots of bars—there was even one in the
doorway. A home gym was in a corner. A heavy bag, free weights, and tons
of things she had no idea what they were also filled the room. ―Wow! Do I
want to know what this bar in the door is for?‖
―Chin ups, pull-ups, among other things,‖ Ernst said, watching her.
―I don‘t think I could do one. How many do you do?‖
―A lot. You can do one; go on, give it a try.‖
―Give it a try?‖ Kacy shook her head. ―I couldn‘t even reach that
bar.‖
―Come on, Kacy, I‘ll help you,‖ he coaxed.
―You won‘t let me fall?‖
―Never,‖ he vowed. ―And I‘ll even help you up.‖
―What? You gonna lift me up there?‖ She looked up and then said,
―Bring me a chair or something.‖
Ernst chuckled. ―It‘s not that high.‖
―Not for you,‖ she complained. Suddenly there was only air beneath
her feet. Ernst had lifted her right off the ground.
―Grab on,‖ he instructed.
Kacy did. ―I can‘t do this, Ernst.‖ She kept looking up.
―Of course you can.‖ She glanced down and he grinned. ―But take
your time; I‘ve got a great view right here.
She trembled from the feel of his warm breath on her belly. ―I can‘t.‖
―Yes, you can. Pull yourself up. Just once. Come on.‖
Kacy swallowed, swallowed again, and pulled. She got her chin
above the bar and yelled, ―I did it!‖
Leaning against the wall close enough so he could grab her if she
needed it, Ernst was eagerly watching her. ―Yes, you did. Can you do it
again?‖
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―No, my arms are trembling.‖ Kacy turned her killer eyes on him.
―Help me down?‖
―Give me one more. I‘ll let you have first take of toppings,‖ he
bribed.
She watched him. ―Once more and then you will help me down?‖
―Just one.‖
―Okay.‖ Kacy pulled herself up so her chin was over the bar one
more time. ―There,‖ she panted. Lowering herself so her arms were fully
extended she said, ―Help me.‖
―I‘m right here. Let go.‖
―I can‘t feel you,‖ Kacy said.
―Trust me, Kacy. I‘m not going to let you fall.‖
She let go and found herself in his strong embrace. ―You caught me.‖
Kacy said as he slowly set her on her feet.
―And I always will. Now, I believe you have first choice of toppings.‖
―Don‘t I get to see your bedroom?‖ Kacy blurted out. ―I showed you
mine.‖
C H A P T E R T W E L V E
Pure fire raged in his eyes. ―I will show you whatever of mine you
want to see.‖
―I‘ll start with your room,‖ Kacy said.
You’ll end there, too, if I have any say in it.
―Very well, it‘s right down
here.‖ Ernst placed his hand at the bottom of her spine and propelled her
towards his room.
―I‘ve always wanted to see what a den of sin looked like,‖ she teased
as he opened the door.
He chuckled. ―No den of sin here, unless you want to help me com-
mit some sins,‖ Ernst offered.
―Pushy,‖ was all she said as her copper gaze took in the bedroom.
A platform bed with a dark-brown comforter and matching pillow-
cases on it rested along one wall. An armless chair was in the corner by a
table and lamp. The room was sparse aside from basic furniture.
―Not what you were expecting was it?‖ Ernst whispered beside her.
―No,‖ Kacy admitted. ―Not at all. Do you not want to decorate?‖
―I desperately want a woman‘s touch in my place, but until now, I
hadn‘t found the right woman.‖ He wrapped his hands around her waist,
bringing her to rest against his chest. ―Although, I am not here enough to
really enjoy anything. So I guess it works out.‖
She pointed to some frames on his dresser. ―Are those pictures of
your family?‖
―Yep.‖ He went with her to the frames.
Kacy picked up the one with four people in it. ―Mom, Dad, a brother,
and you.‖
―I‘m the baby. My mother‘s name is Nonnie. My father is Otto, and
my brother‘s name is Adolf.‖
A smile cracked Kacy‘s lips as she looked up at the man beside her.
―As in Adolf Hitler?‖
Ernst shook his head as he remembered their exchange in Hawaii.
―Adolf is a very common German name.‖
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―So he could give me some German, then.‖ Her fingers traced lightly
over his brother‘s face. He was classically handsome but nothing close to the
man beside her.
―Over my dead body,‖ Ernst growled.
Kacy shoved him with her shoulder. ―Hey, I seem to be having
enough trouble with this German in my life now. The last thing I want to do
is add another one in the mix.‖
―There wouldn‘t be trouble if you would just agree to date him,‖ he
purred.
―I have some things to tell him before I can do that.‖ Her fingers kept
busy tracing the designs on the frame.
Taking the picture from her, Ernst tipped her face up toward him
with one fingertip. ―I‘m all ears.‖ He regarded her intently.
―Can I get some ice cream first?‖
―How do you eat so much and not get fat?‖ he asked as his mouth
snuck up in an amused grin.
―I am fat,‖ Kacy said, ―I‘m just too addicted to ice cream to care. And
toppings.‖
He laughed out loud. ―Can‘t forget your toppings.‖ Lifting her up off
the floor, he spun them around in a circle. ―Okay, let‘s get you some ice
cream.‖ He kissed her and shooed her out his bedroom door, vowing before
long her dark body would be spread out on his mattress. ―And you‘re not
fat.‖
Dishing up the chocolate ice cream, Kacy flipped a bunch on her
white shirt. ―Damn it,‖ she swore as she tried to get it off.
―Just take it off and wear mine,‖ Ernst said, watching her blot water
on her chest, slowly exposing one lace-covered breast to his eyes.
―I‘ll be fine.‖
―I won‘t. There isn‘t much hidden with a wet white shirt, Kacy.‖ His
voice was deepened by desire.
―I see your point.‖
Not yet you don’t.
―Here.‖ He slipped off his button-down and
handed it to her, then turned his back so she could slip into it.
When he thought enough time had passed, he faced her again. ―My
shirt never looked so good.‖ His sexy voice made her open her closed eyes
and pull down the collar of his shirt she‘d been inhaling.
Ernst wanted to drop to his knees and bury his face in her stomach.
She was so frickin‘ beautiful standing there in her blue jeans, socks, and his
brown shirt. Feral flames burned in his eyes as he reached for his bowl of ice
cream and sat down at the table waiting for her to join him. She did, and soon
they were eating ice cream.
―What did you want to tell me?‖ Ernst asked as he ate a spoonful of
caramel sauce.
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―I need to tell you something before you decide whether you want to
have a relationship with me. Or attempt one.‖
―Sweetheart, unless you are telling me that you are married, there is
nothing,‖ he put down his spoon and stared at her, ―and I mean
nothing
you
can tell me that would change my mind about having a relationship with
you.‖
Kacy couldn‘t hold his gaze. Messing with her ice cream she said,