Unexpected Consequences (2 page)

Fear should paralyze me, eat me from the inside out, but instead it was but a small flicker in my soul. A dimming candle at the very last of its wick. Was it stupidity to believe she could be the one that wouldn’t treat me like shit? To hope she wouldn’t cheat or lie or hurt me in some way?

Not all women were my mother, or my ex-girlfriend. I knew that deep down, but convincing my mind was a different matter. She still stared at her feet, her breathing growing more rapid, and I realized I hadn’t responded.

“Korah,” I said, stepping closer. “You know how broken I am, but dammit, I care about you, too. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She took a step forward. “Then don’t.”

Shaking my head, I groaned. “I probably will. It’s what I do. I destroy good things.”

“What if you don’t? Or what if I hurt you?” she countered.

Burying my face in one hand, I mumbled her name and opened my other arm for her. She melted into me, sinking close in my embrace. Her sweet vanilla scent assaulted my senses, her soft body woke mine with awareness. I wrapped both arms around her, urging her closer, and exhaled heavily.

“Korah,” I sighed. Her name felt right leaving my lips.

“Dane,” she replied. Her soft voice tickled my skin as her breath heated my already turned on body.

I trailed my fingers the length of her spine, delighting in her responding shiver, and tipped her chin to face me. “Korah, I’m not promising anything at this point but to be there for you. I won’t
whore
around, as you so gently call it. I’ll try my best, but you have to know it may not be enough.”

Her silky hand caressed my face, her dark eyes holding the fate of my heart in them. “Dane, I know you’re broken, but I am, too. I don’t know how to trust. This will be a learning experience for us both. All I ask is you try, and that’s enough for me.”

I thought of her experiences with Christopher and how she so slowly was learning to trust me, to allow me to see the part of her he’d broken so badly. She was right, of course, by saying we were both broken. Two shattered souls trying to make a relationship, work would be a tough challenge, but I knew if I could do it for anyone, it would be this magnificent creature in my arms.

Lowering my face, I took her lips in mine, gently kissing away any doubt we both held. Harmonious movement of our lips led to our bodies following suit. We explored each other in a new light, throwing all insecurities out the window and only being Dane and Korah.

We came together again and again, each time more significant than the first. She fit around me perfectly, every inch of her luscious body calling to me like it was mine. Pleasuring her was like a drug, I wanted it, needed it. Hearing my name leave her lips was like hearing your favorite song on the radio. An unexpected delight, a thrill for the small moment, except the thrill of Korah didn’t go away. It stayed with me, softly humming in my soul at all times.

She was more than I deserved, yet everything I desired.

###

“Get dressed, we’re going to go out to celebrate our brokenness,” I chuckled at my own joke as I jumped off the bed.

“Ha ha, you’re so funny,” she mocked with an eye roll, but her pink, full lips pulled at the sides revealing a smirk. She stretched, her tight body moving in ways that should be illegal, causing my mind to drift to our earlier activities.

We got ready much slower than it should have taken, both losing control of our hands and prolonging the other. Once we were finally ready, we headed out only to run into Jack on the stairs. He sneered when he saw me, his eyes settling on Korah with a sinister gleam.

“Well, well,” he sang, using his free arm to draw attention to the broken one. “What do we have here? You weren’t the one he had over here last night,” he lied.

Korah tensed, but didn’t comment, only saying, “You must be Jack.”

He walked up a few steps, stopping directly in front of her. “You can do better than this douche, I promise you that. I’m sure he’s told you plenty of lies, but this,” he pointed to his arm menacingly, “is all his fault. He pushed me for talking about some girl named Korah. So tell me, how does that make you feel? You aren’t the only one.”

I bit back a smile, almost chuckling at his idiocy. She placed her hand in mine and squeezed, a movement I would have never thought would bring comfort.

“Please, tell me more about this Korah girl. And why isn’t he in jail if he did that to you?” she said calmly, even adding a bit of edge like she was upset about it.

“His friend talked me into dropping the charges, and I did it like an idiot. As for Korah, I don’t know much about her, but I asked if I could have a go when he was finished and the next thing I know, he was pushing me. Now, honey, don’t you worry, I’d be even happier to have a go at you. Give me a call when you come to your senses,” he said with a wink. He stepped around us, walking in the direction of his room.

I spoke loud enough for him to hear me. “Let’s go, Korah, dinner is waiting,”

She giggled as we left. My only regret was I wished I could see the look on his face as he realized who he was speaking to moments before. Once we stepped outside, I pulled her to me, allowing her scent to sweep over me and calm me.

“Korah, there wasn’t a girl last night.”

She nodded against me. “I know. Cale’s told me about him.”

“Cale? When did you speak to Cale?” I questioned. I hadn’t seen my friend since early yesterday evening.

“This morning when I walked in on him and Leela in bed,” she admitted with a growing blush.

I laughed heartily, imagining the horror she endured. “Were they in the middle…” I started, earning a smack on my upper chest.

“No!” she exclaimed, her cheeks glowing brighter. “Ohmygosh, no. They were finished. But still naked and yeah…”

We laughed together this time. Never did I think I would enjoy laughter so much. We talked on and off the whole way to breakfast, learning more about each other with every topic. She loved animals, hated onions, wanted to travel someday, and her dream was to write for a magazine.

I wanted her to reach her goals more than I wanted to reach mine. What did that mean?

“So, back to Cale,” I said, shifting the topic after we finished eating. “Did you see his junk?”

She squealed, throwing her napkin at me before burying her face in her arms and laying them on the table. I heard her mumble. “Oh my God” a few times.

“Is that a yes?” I asked with chuckle.

She nodded once, lifting her face enough to say, “Only for a second.”

I grinned widely, taking her hand in mine and pulling her up. “It’s ok. I won’t get jealous since you showed me a few times this morning you like my junk quite a bit.”

The adorable blush I was seeing more and more arrived again. Narrowing her eyes, she replied, “Do you get jealous, Dane Davidson?”

“Not usually, but I might if it concerns you,” I admitted.

It was true. Korah Daniels turned my life upside down and I didn’t know anything about who I was anymore.

The court date with Christopher was less than a week away. I dreaded it as much as I wanted it over with. The restraining order, hospital reports, and witness accounts were all in my lawyer’s hands, as well as mine and Dane’s statements. He had to be convicted and pay for what he did, I didn’t see any other choice. I wouldn’t be able to sleep without knowing he was locked away, getting help, or something.

Dane and I were slowly, but surely, working through one issue at a time. He was a deeply complicated person, each layer of him that peeled away revealing a new and exciting detail. He was mysterious yet open, caring and gentle, but a strong protector when I needed him to be. Our relationship was still undefined, but I was seeing it wasn’t warranted. We cared for one another, immensely, and that really was all that mattered. Labels were just that; a meaningless word to describe a never-ending emotion that ran passionately through each of us.

Jack was lying off the taunting after almost meeting me at the frat house, story I still giggled about when I thought of it. His shocked expression as he saw me, the utter stupidity as he told me about myself. A part of me wished we could have recorded it for Dane to watch over and over. His ecstatic delight in it was amusing to say the least.

Leela and I began our self-defense classes two weeks ago. I’d found out a few things since beginning them. One, I wasn’t in very good shape and needed to start running or something. Two, I was much stronger than I ever imagined. Three, if Christopher ever snuck up on me again, I now knew how to get his ass off me.

Each class grew my confidence and strength a little more. It was empowering to take control, refuse to be a victim anymore. I no longer hated Christopher, either. The more I thought of him, the more I felt sorry for him. It really was a shame he was so incredibly weak. He needed help more than he needed anything.

I hoped he got it, as long as he stayed far away from me.

“Korah,” Leela said as she stepped into the living area, hair wrapped in a towel. She scowled as she stared at me and said, “You aren’t ready.”

I looked down, studying my yoga pants and tank top. “Yes I am.”

“We’re going out with the boys, you need to wear something else. I mean, you look cute, but don’t you want to make Dane drool?”

I gazed at her, not knowing whether to laugh or be angry. I chose the former. “Lee, we’re going to practice our self-defense moves. I think this is fine. I’m not getting dolled up to go sweat it all off.”

She raised a brow, smirking. “Do you get dolled up for dates?”

I nodded, not sure where she was going with this.

“Well, don’t you usually end up sweating that off, too?” she quizzed, raising her brows up and down suggestively.

I groaned, laughing loudly as I stood. “Whatever, Leela. I’m not getting changed. I want to make sure we’re actually learning something is all.”

She sauntered off, telling me I would probably regret not utilizing my hot factor later on. She was crazy.

Dane found me attractive at my worst. Hell, he told me I was the most beautiful girl when I had black handprints around my neck. He kissed my faint scar daily, the two inch white spot across my cheek a constant reminder of what I’d been through.

Of what I’d survived.

The memories tended to suck me in, drawing on my deepest worries and fears, reminding me I was still the same Korah. The one who was abused and broken, who allowed a man to hurt me without truly fighting back, but now I was fighter Korah, who didn’t allow anyone to have control, to hurt me that way. The memories wouldn’t win, I no longer allowed them to control me and make me feel less than I was.

Leela sucked me out of my internal struggle when she bounced back in the room, hair curled and her face fully made up. She looked beautiful, but I knew her face would look messy by the time we were finished while mine would only be sweaty.

Dane liked sweaty.

“You ready?” she asked, checking herself once more in the mirror on the wall before turning to me expectantly. She tapped her foot, signaling she was through with waiting for me.

I jumped up, saluting her with a mocking grin, and headed to the front door. “Let’s go, Lee. The boys are waiting.”

###

The school gym wasn’t too crowded, but there were a lot of people on the floor, making me anxious about practicing. Consciously, I knew everyone would be worried about their own workouts, not paying attention to anything I did, because really, why would they? But a part of me still felt insecure about it. The small voice of low self-esteem echoed within my mind, telling me they would all watch and laugh as I failed over and over again as I attempted to protect myself.

I really needed to knock that voice out.

Leela and I stretched and worked our muscles as we waited for Dane and Cale to show up. Dane swore he was on the way, yet he wasn’t here. I should be annoyed, I wanted to be, but ultimately it wouldn’t do any good, so I dealt with it internally and moved on.

We chatted and laughed as we burned our way through the warm up. Dane finally arrived, looking as sexy as ever in his sleeveless shirt and basketball shorts hanging low on his hips. My eyes settled on the dip that showed, imagining all the ways he used those hips. He cleared his throat, flashing me a seductive smirk when I regained my composure.

“Miss me, Korah?” he chuckled.

Pursing my lips, I glared at him. “No.”

Leela giggled beside me, then slid her arm around Cale, greeting him with a kiss I was too young to witness. I felt my cheeks grow hot and cursed, knowing Dane would soon be making fun of me.

He didn’t though, he wrapped me in his arms, sinking his lips to mine and assaulted my mouth with a passion rivaling our friends. Losing myself in his touch, as I usually did, I quickly forgot we were in public. All insecurities, worries, and doubts left my mind as Dane took over, his tongue doing things that should be illegal, leaving me dizzy and weak-kneed.

Leela’s voice broke us apart, revealing an audience of a few people on the mat. Some snickered while others rolled their eyes. My whole body flushed, from my toes to my forehead, and I buried my face in Dane’s chest.

“Let’s practice in the park,” Dane suggested, linking his fingers with mine.

“Practice what, exactly?” I said coyly, giving him my most innocent gaze.

He groaned, tightening his grip on me, and leaned to my ear. His hot breath tickled my sensitive skin, his teeth nibbling gently on my earlobe before whispering, “We’ll practice whatever you want later, baby. You look good enough to eat in those clothes.”

Inhaling sharply, I allowed the intensity of his gaze and his words to wash over me, bathing me in Dane. He knew how to turn me on with a simple look, a word, a smile. He was too sexy for his own good and I was seeing why so many women had fallen for his charms in the past.

And damn if I wasn’t lucky he kept coming back.

We eventually made it to the park, finding a wide area allowing us plenty of room to move freely. Dane knew I was taking classes, but had yet to see the progress I’d made. My nerves were on edge worried about how he would perceive me. It was useless worrying, I knew, because he seemed to support anything I did.