Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46344 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 232(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Removing his clothes, he took a quick shower, changed into a pair of boxer briefs, and climbed into bed. He had weapons all around his room in case of intrusion. Picking up the reading book from the shelf, he began to read where he left off.
Now, this was a rare pleasure for him. He wouldn’t ever admit it to anyone else in the world, but he happened to love reading romance books. It helped him to relax after a long day, and the sex was kind of cool to read as well.
He was settling down for a really kinky bit when the first scream erupted.
Dwayne slid his bookmark into place and put the book on the cabinet beside his lamp. Listening for another scream, he was out of bed the moment he heard it and making his way across the hall just as yet another ear-piercing scream released.
Charity was up in bed, holding the bedding to her, looking panicked.
“They have me,” she said.
“They don’t have you. It’s a bad dream. No one is getting past me.” He stepped up to her, cupped her face, and forced her to stare into his eyes. “Look at me, Charity. You’re safe.”
“I’m safe.”
“Yes, you’re safe with me. I’m not going to let anyone or anything hurt you.”
“You’re not going to let anyone hurt me.”
He smiled. At least she was repeating everything he said, which had to be a good sign. He was going to see it as such.
“Get some sleep, Charity. It was just a bad dream.”
“Wait. Please.”
He’d already turned toward the door and paused to look at her.
“Please, stay with me.”
He looked at the bed.
“Not for sex. Just to … I don’t feel safe.”
“I’m just going to get something,” he said.
Grabbing his gun from the other room, and his alarm, he made his way back into her room. She was lying down, watching the door.
He placed everything within reach on the cabinet beside the bed and climbed beneath the covers.
Dwayne tensed up as her arms came around him, holding him like a fucking teddy bear. When the fuck did that happen?
He didn’t want to push her off, and slowly, as the minutes passed, he felt her fall asleep. Great, just fucking great. He was a pillow now.
****
Charity didn’t want to leave Dwayne, but she knew he had other things to do than take care of her. Her parents were waiting, and as she sat in his car, she should be running toward them.
“Your family is good, just so you know.”
“Good?”
“Yes. They’re not going to hurt you.”
“I know.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear. It was back to being blonde now after all the dirt had been washed out.
“What’s wrong, Charity?” he asked. “They’re waiting for you, and you’re sitting here.”
“I’m scared.”
“Of what?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she hated that as well.
Being weak wasn’t her. Far from it.
“What if it happens again?”
“Being taken?”
“Yes. I don’t … next time they may not wait to, erm…”
“Rape you?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to be watching.”
She turned to look at him, not liking that sudden jolt in her body. “You are?”
“Yes. You won’t notice I’m there, but I’m going to keep an eye on things.”
“I’ll notice.”
He smiled. “Men who are expecting me don’t notice I’ve arrived until it’s too late.”
“I’m not like most men.”
“No, you don’t have a cock or balls.”
She chuckled. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Get out of the car and go over to them.”
“No, I know about that. I mean about the rest. What do I do? I can’t … everything makes no sense to me anymore.”
She stared at her lap, not really sure what to say or what to do. Prolonging their time together was important to her.
“You forget about it. It didn’t happen.”
“But it did.”
“Then you’ve got to learn to ignore it. No one is going to hurt you because I’m going to make sure of it. Your parents got me involved, and they paid me handsomely for the privilege. You’re a strong woman, Charity. You can’t let them win.”
“What if they already have?”
“Not possible. You’re alive. You’re sitting here about to be reunited with your family. No one else can win. Only you can let that happen. Be strong and fight it.”
She nodded her head and released a breath, opening the door of the car at the same time. “Thank you, Dwayne, for everything. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. I hope I won’t be seeing you again, Charity.”
She giggled and climbed out of the car. “I can’t believe I just did that. I’m weird. Bye, Dwayne.”
He watched her go. She looked so nervous, and he waited to see the reunion. Her parents rushed forward to embrace her, holding her close. There were tears exactly like he expected. Of course there would be.
Charity was a nice girl.
She deserved to go home to a nice, warm bed and to be safe. Her father nodded toward him, and he saw how grateful the man was. Dwayne acknowledged him, and only when the small family was in the car driving away did he leave.