Open Wounds (Damaged Souls Book 2) (11 page)

Lexi sat on the steps and looked down at Tank, who cocked his head to the side in question. “I don’t know either, boy,” Lexi said, scratching the dog behind the ears.

A few minutes later, Lexi heard the bedroom door open. She looked up when Sloan called to her and saw him looking over the banister in the hallway. He told her to come up and then disappeared again. She looked down at Tank and shrugged.

“Stay,” Lexi commanded when Tank whined at her.

She walked up the stairs and walked into their bedroom. She rounded the corner of the sitting room and stopped in her tracks, at the scene before her. Sloan stood in the middle of the room, on top of a plastic tarp with art supplies spread out on it. His feet were bare, and he had removed his t-shirt, only standing in his low slung jeans.

“Uh…what’s this? You don’t plan on killing me and then rolling me up in that tarp, do you?” Lexi joke, nervously.

“Yeah, real funny.” Sloan shook his head and rolled his eyes at her. “Anyway, I figured since you love to paint, and I love to have sex, we could combine the two.”

“Huh?” Lexi frowned looking at the setup.

“I found a couple’s body paint kit. It’s completely safe. Come here, let me show you.” Sloan said holding out his hand invitingly.

Lexi walked over to him. She kicked off her shoes before stepping on the clear tarp. He raised her face up to his, and he kissed her deeply, rekindling what they had started outside. He raised her arms above her head and slowly slid her blouse up and over her head, teasing her with soft caresses as he went. He unbuttoned the front panel of her pants, and they dropped down around her ankles. Lexi stepped out of them, grabbed her blouse and pants and tossed them on the bed.

She stood before him in just her bra and panties, feeling awkward and bare, in the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. Sloan slowly walked around her, touching her here and there with light butterfly touches.

“Do you have any idea how lovely you are? How your skin glows bronze in the sunlight? How your expressive eyes sparkle, like the leaves in the summer sun?” Sloan complimented her, in a voice thick with arousal.

“No, I don’t,” Lexi said shyly.

“You are…trust me.” Sloan said and then caressed his lips across her back from one shoulder to the other.

Lexi trembled as his lips, and soft hair passed over her hot skin. Then she felt his hands at the clasp of her bra. He unhooked it and drew it down and off her shoulders and arms, tossing it to the side. Sloan knelt down behind her and eased down her panties, taking little nibbling bites at her incredibly round ass that he often took the time to worship. Her panties dropped to the floor, and she kicked them away with her toes.

Sloan stood back up and walked in front of her. Standing a few feet back, out of her reach, he popped the button on his jeans and pulled down the zipper. He pulled down his pants and flung them away. His boxer briefs quickly followed, and Lexi swallowed hard at the sight of his muscular physique. His thick erection standing proudly from his body, pointing directly at her.

Kneeling down, Sloan picked up a plain unframed canvas and spread it out on the tarp. When he was done, he instructed Lexi to stand on the canvas while he grabbed a medium sized jar of black paint and a brand new paintbrush. Lexi watched him curiously as he walked over with the paint and brush in either hand.

“Now I don’t want you to worry. The paint is non-toxic.” Sloan assured her as he dipped the brush in the black paint.

Once the brush was coated with paint, Sloan placed the brush at the base of her throat and stroked it down in a straight line to the top of her mound. Lexi shivered at the cool paint on her feverish skin. He plunged the brush back into the jar and walked around to draw a matching line from the top of her spine, down to her tailbone.

Giving up on the brush, Sloan placed it to the side, for later. He poured the black paint into one of his palms and rubbed his hands together. He smeared the paint down her back and ass. Lexi sighed at the feel of his hands on her.

When he finished coating her backside, she reached over and picked up the red paint jar. She dipped her finger into the paint and with her index finger she traced a path around his nipple, and a hiss escaped through Sloan’s teeth. And becoming bolder, she poured more paint onto her hands and smeared it over his defined chest and chiseled abs.

His control slipping slightly, Sloan cupped Lexi’s face in his hands, black prints staining her face as he kissed her. He drew her close the red paint rubbed off on her breasts and stomach. He pulled her down onto the canvas and laid her down. The black paint on her back spread over the plain white material.

Sloan opened a jar of blue paint, and with another brush, he stroked the blue paint around her tight nipples, drawing a moan from her throat. He poured some of the paint into her bellybutton and immersed the tip of brush into the pool of blue. He smoothed the brush across her skin, tracing the triangle of hair at the apex of her thighs. Her thighs automatically opened to him, and he flicked the paint brush across her clit. Lexi cried out, and Sloan continued to brush the soft bristles over her hardened nub. Her hips pumped up towards it, and her hands pressed down onto the canvas, staining it red.

The light strokes brought her to a sudden and intense orgasm. Stronger than she could’ve imagined from a paintbrush. And she cried out as her body tensed. Sloan crawled over her body and teased her entrance with the tip of his manhood as he flicked his tongue over her parted lips. The blue puddle on her tummy spreading between them and running down her sides, dripping seductively on the canvas.

Sloan sat back on his knees and reached for the red paint. Holding it above her, he tilted the jar to the side and dribbled the paint onto her shoulders, her large creamy breasts, and stomach. Starting at her shoulders, Sloan smoothed his hands down her soft curvy body. The red and blue mixing together, turning purple. He slid his hands up her body and down her arms, his paint slick hands and fingers entwining with hers.

Sloan stroked forward, finally sliding into her tight heat. He thrust into her deeply. Their paint drenched bodies sliding easily together, with each pump of his hips. He then pulled out, and flipped her onto her stomach and quickly entered her from the back. He gently bit down on the skin of her back as he groaned from the feel of her pussy gripping him like a vise.

Lexi reached out to grasp something to hold onto, and her hand knocked over the blue paint bottle on the tarp, her hand smeared in the liquid. Sloan turned her back over and clasped her waist, he flipped onto his back. Straddling his hips, Lexi placed her hands on this chest, giving her leverage to ride him. The blue on her hand smoothed over his skin. She rocked her hips into him, and he reached up to cup her breasts in his large hands. His work-roughened fingers circling her nipples. And Lexi threw back her head and arched her back as he pumped up to meet her.

Ready to take control, Sloan clasped her waist to hold her in place. He pummeled her sopping core, her paint stained skin rippling with every powerful thrust.

“Sloan!” Lexi screamed his name as her climax washed over her and quivered around his cock.

“Ah, God!” Sloan shouted as he came hard, inside her fluttering passage.

Lexi collapsed onto him, completely spent. His chest heaved, raising her up and down with every breath.

“Wow! That was so…so…athletic! You were all over the place!” Lexi groaned in exhaustion.

“I had to make sure our ‘love painting’ was good,” Sloan said, stroking his hands lightly over her back.

“So that’s what this is called, a ‘love painting’?” Lexi asked.

“That’s what
I
call it. Wanna look?” Sloan asked.

“Does that mean I have to move?” Lexi asked groggily.

“Yes. Come on lazy bones.” Sloan grunted as he lifted her dead weight off of him.

They untangled their limbs and slowly stood up to look down at their artwork.

“Oh, my!” Lexi exclaimed in surprise. “This looks really great. Very abstract. Especially to someone who doesn’t know how it was created. But I can literally see how a lot of the paint strokes were made.” Lexi looked at it objectively.

The canvas was a smattering of black, blue and red with sections of purple from the colors mixing. It was bright and quite striking.

“Well, I’m glad that you like it, because I also bought a stretching kit, to stretch the canvas. I figured if it was any good that we can hang it up somewhere.” Sloan informed her.

“You really want to put up our ‘sexy time’ painting, where
anyone
can see it?” Lexi asked in shock.

“Of course! No one needs to know unless we tell them.” Sloan reasoned.

“But
I
know!” Lexi argued.

“Oh, don’t be such a prude. It’s beautiful. You said so yourself.” Sloan said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her nose. “I think we should call it “I Love Yous” by Bolden and Stryker, to honor the day,” Sloan said, feeling a little sentimental about the pivotal day.

“Mmm…perfect.” Lexi smiled up at his paint-smeared face, letting his look of love wash over her like a healing balm.

“Take a shower with me?” Sloan asked, and Lexi nodded, unable to speak around the conspicuous lump in her throat.

He pulled her into the bathroom and into the shower, where the colorful paint circled down the drain as they washed each other. After their shower, they spent the rest of the afternoon christening every inch of the newly renovated cottage with their lovemaking. By evening they were too wiped out to do much of anything besides order a pizza, soak their aching limbs in the big claw foot tub and then passed out in the bed. Wrapped in each other’s arms.

Chapter 11

You Make My Dreams

Lexi and Sloan spent the rest of the week and weekend, enjoying each other before both their lives shifted into fifth gear. Sloan would be starting work on another renovation, for a wealthy family on Monday, and Lexi would be checking out venues for her art show. As well as starting some jobs she’d been commissioned for, for some of Dom’s friends and colleagues that she’d met at the wedding. They weren’t sure yet how their daily work schedules would affect their lives. So they appreciated what little freedom they had left, for the time being.

They packed picnics and shopped for more items for the house. They hung their ‘love painting’ on the wall in the living room, that made Lexi blush every time she looked at it. They also registered and bought a gun for her protection. Sloan took her out to target practice. The first time she felt the weight of the gun in her hands, she shook so hard she nearly dropped it. It was a small silver semi-automatic pistol, with a black handle. Easy for her small hands to hold. But it still didn’t stop the tremors from coursing through her body, at the thought of using a gun.

The first day on the shooting range, when she held the gun up with shaky hands and shot it at the paper target, she dropped it like a hot potato, feeling the kick of the gun. The bang of the discharged bullet, causing a flashback of the last time she had heard a gun fired. But Sloan stood behind her, helped her hold the gun and take aim. Her nerves calmed, and she gained strength with his body wrapped solidly around hers and his steady heartbeat at her back.

Sloan had been nervous to go to the shooting range, hoping that he didn’t have a flashback, himself. But his worry and concern for her PTSD somehow soothed his, this time around, even with the sounds of guns being shot around him.

They practiced every day, and by the weekend she was consistently hitting the target in the chest and head. Sloan called her a natural. He teased her, saying that once her nerves and fears had subsided, she was well on her way to becoming an expert marksmen. She had to agree that she was getting pretty damn good.

The week had been idyllic, and everything seemed perfect, but Sloan began to notice that something was a little off with Tank. The big dog seemed sluggish and slept a lot. And he took a turn for the worse on Sunday evening.

They were in the kitchen fixing dinner when Tank walked in and puked on the floor. Sloan looked up at Lexi, with worry in his eyes. They both started to panic when they saw that there was blood in the vomit.

Without much thought for anything other than saving his best friend, Sloan didn’t hesitate to scoop Tank into his arms. Reading his mind, Lexi grabbed the car keys and her purse, on their way out to the car. She grabbed her phone, searched for nearby animal hospitals, pulled up the directions and backed out of the driveway.

“Mr. Stryker?” The vet said as she walked into the waiting room. She was a tall, curvy woman with kind brown eyes. Her brunette hair, piled on top of her head, in a messy bun.

Sloan looked up from where his head had been in his hands, Lexi rubbing his back soothingly.

“Yes. How is he?” Sloan asked anxiously, worry etched in every line of his face.

“He’s gonna be fine.” The doctor said, with a warm smile as both Sloan and Lexi blew out harsh breaths of relief.

“Thank God!” Lexi said, collapsing back against the hard waiting room chair.

“What was wrong with him?” Sloan asked.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but it looks like someone poisoned him. And if you would’ve waited ‘til morning to bring him in, he would’ve been dead.” The veterinarian informed them.

“Shit! Sorry, excuse my language.” Sloan burst out and then apologized, ever the Southern gentlemen. “Who would do this? What kind of poison was it? Do you know?” He asked in frustration.

“Yes. We ran some tests, and it looks like they used rat poison. But they did it in small doses over time. I’m guessing that whoever did it, didn’t want you to notice until it was too late.” She said regretfully. “Anyway, we’re going to keep him for a couple of days for observation, to pump him full of good stuff, and ensure that he’s okay.”

“Alright. That’s probably for the best, anyway. Until we can figure out, who’s behind this.” Sloan said, barely containing his fury.

They got up, and Sloan reached out a hand to shake the vet’s in gratitude. Lexi did the same.

“We’ll call you when he’s ready to come home.” The vet told them before they headed out the door.

Sloan opened the driver’s side door for Lexi, not trusting himself to drive, being so distracted with concern. Once he slid in on the passenger side, Lexi turned to look at him with worry.

“Who’s doing this?” She asked, quietly.

“I have no idea. But first the car and now my dog. What the fuck is next?! I feel like a damn sitting duck!” Sloan shouted, hitting the dashboard with his fist.

“Should we call the cops?” Lexi asked, jumping slightly at the punch.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you” Sloan apologized, running his hands through his hair roughly. “There’s no point in involving the police. We have no evidence of who this could be. And they can’t dust your car for fingerprints, not like they even would have in the first place because I already washed the car to get the spray paint off. We’ve got nothing to go on, and that’s exactly what they’ll say to us.” Sloan said in frustration.

“Fantastic,” Lexi grumbled sarcastically.

“We don’t know who this fucker is yet, so just be aware of your surroundings. And don’t forget the things I’ve taught you.” Sloan warned.

Lexi’s hands shook as she tried to put the key in the ignition. Sloan reached out his hand to grab hers, and he gave it a gentle squeeze.

“Everything will be fine. I’ll be there to protect you.” Sloan comforted her.

“And if you’re not?” Lexi said, looking at him with panic.

“You know how to protect yourself. You are
so
much stronger than you realize.” Sloan stroked a finger down her cheek.

“I hope so.”

~~~

“You’re leaving a little early, aren’t you?” Lexi asked as she put the sandwich she had just made in a plastic baggie.

“Kevin is picking me up, and he’s gonna run me by the animal hospital first. I want to stop by to check on Tank, on the way to the house.” Sloan explained apprehension still written all over his face.

“Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. And don’t worry he’ll be fine.” Lexi assured him, loading the rest of his lunch in the lunchbox she had bought for him.

“You didn’t have to fix me a lunch, you know?” Sloan said grinning down at her.

“I know. It just felt…normal. I’ve never had normal. I
like
normal.” Lexi admitted bashfully.

“Normal is good,” Sloan said softly, turning her towards him and leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips.

“Mm…hmm.” Lexi moaned appreciatively against his lips.

The sound of a horn honking outside pulled them apart.

“Alright, that’s Kevin. I better get outta here. I don’t wanna be late on my first day.” Sloan said, his voice filled with nervous excitement.

“Okay. Have a great day at work, dear.” Lexi smiled brightly, handing him is lunchbox.

“Thanks, honey.” Sloan played along, before giving her another quick peck on the lips, and striding out of the door.

Lexi sighed with irritation as she started to make her way upstairs to get ready for her day of work. She couldn’t be happier with her growing relationship with Sloan, or more frustrated over the dark cloud that hung over their heads, ready to burst at any second. She felt that there could only be two people that wanted to do either of them harm. Aaron or Eric. She refused to believe the latter. If she did, she would cower in fear in a corner, and never come out.
Please God, don’t let him have found me.

~~~

“You sure have stirred up a little drama since you’ve been here. And you’ve only been here a couple of months. Fresh meat, I guess.” Lexi’s current subject Tanya said with a tinge of jealousy in her voice.

Lexi was in the process of painting the spoiled Savannah housewife. The obviously bored housewife had approached Lexi at the wedding, requesting her services because she’d always wanted a painting done of her. Lexi had accepted, wanting to build her name up throughout the community. But now she wished that she had been a little more selective in who she worked for.

Tanya was stretched out on an ornate chaise lounge, in some slinky white satin negligee that contrasted nicely against her light brown skin, though did nothing for her figure.
Satin really does show
every
lump and bump a woman has.
Lexi thought as she photo-shopped the flaws in her mind, in order to paint a more perfected picture of the vain woman on canvas.

She had nicely done extensions down her back and an extreme amount of makeup on for such an early hour. When she batted her overly long fake eyelashes, Lexi thought she felt a small breeze blow by. And her nails were manicured into sharp points and painted fire-engine red.

Never mind the fact that it looked like she had put on every item in her jewelry box, as well. She even wore an awful diamond encrusted necklace, with a giant pink heart-shaped diamond in the middle.
This ain’t the Titanic. You aren’t Rose, and I’m definitely not Jack!
Lexi chuckled behind the large canvas.

“What’s so funny?” Tanya asked curiously.

“Oh, nothing. Just that you think I could stir up drama. I’m pretty boring.” Lexi said, stifling her laughter at her private joke.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. Aaron Grace can’t stop talking about you. I swear he’s obsessed.” Lexi definitely heard the jealousy that time. Apparently being married didn’t matter.

“Aaron’s a nice guy.”
Maybe.
“But he’s too perfect for me. I’m an average girl. That likes average things. High society is too fancy for me.” Lexi said, nipping the conversation and possible gossip in the bud.

“Hmm…that’s too bad. There’s nothing better than being pampered by a wealthy man.” Tanya smiled slyly.

“If you say so.” Lexi rolled her eyes behind the canvas, praying for the day to be over quickly.

Several hours later, Lexi stumbled out to her car, feeling like she had lost several vital brain cells, during the course of the day. There was only so much discussion about shopping, reality stars and the endless possibilities of having a
Real Housewives of Savannah
series on TV, that one person could handle.

Lexi shook her head as she put her collapsible easel in the trunk of the car. Though one thought made her giddy as she slid into the car and started the engine.
The new issue of H.O.D magazine is out today!
Lexi threw the car in drive, pulled out of the U-shaped driveway and drove in the direction of the nearest grocery store.

Once Lexi got there, she headed straight for the magazine aisle. Her eyes scanned the rack, and when they landed on the Home & Outdoor Décor magazine, she nearly fainted.

“Holy shit!” Lexi gasped, and the woman passing by pushing her cart, grumbled at the offensive language. “Sorry.” Lexi cringed as the woman stuck up her nose and kept walking.

Slowly she reached out and picked up the first magazine on the rack. She rubbed her hand over the cover as she looked down at Sloan’s face plastered on the front. It was a breathtaking picture that Jack had taken of him, in front of the house.

Sloan’s arms were folded over his chest, his biceps bulging in the blue t-shirt that could barely contain them, and that made is eyes sparkle more blue than normal. His forearms looked corded and veiny. His beautiful dark hair was tucked behind one ear and hanging slightly in his face on the scarred side. His face was serious, the lack of smile, and sexy stubble showing off his full sculpted lips. And his sultry gaze through the picture, was steamy enough to melt the panties off of a nun. He oozed dangerous sex appeal, even through a picture. The blurb next to his picture reading,
The War Vet that’s Bringing Sexy Back to Home Renos: A Real American Cinderella Story.

Fanning herself with the magazine, Lexi grabbed a few more copies and headed to the checkout line. She thanked her lucky stars that he had found her and was extremely patient. Not only was she enamored with his physical appearance, but she was also captivated by his strength, spirit, and mind. She knew great things were coming for him.
Starting with this ridiculous magazine spread.
She couldn’t wait to show Sloan.

Lexi pulled up to the house, and she smiled brightly looking at her beloved home. The new landscaped yard gave the house the perfect curb appeal. They had decided to go with a combination of yellow and white flowers to brighten the gray of the house. The combination was inviting, especially on the front cover of the magazine, with the gorgeous man in the foreground.