Redemption Road (Roughneck #3) (4 page)

Chapter 6

My paranoia was taking over. I was lying in bed early that night; I just wanted to get to sleep, but it wasn’t happening. Every little noise would cause me to jump. It was a windy night, so that sure didn’t help. I was a nervous wreck. Trying to fall asleep at 8:30 just wasn’t going to work. So I got out of bed and headed into the living room to watch TV. Hopefully a comedy would take my mind off of my fear. I sat on the sofa and realized how chilly I was, so I went back into my new bedroom to grab the throw blanket off the bed. I noticed my phone light was lit up, a text message. I grabbed it as I was heading back into the living room, turning the hall light on. I was such a scaredy cat.

Jake: Lover boy left you home all alone I see.

Shit. I knew I wasn’t just being paranoid. It’s like I could feel my skin crawl when he was close by. My stomach started doing flips, and my knees started to bounce under the blanket.

Me: Nothing is going on with him. I just needed a place to stay after you HIT ME!

Jake: Don’t put the fact that you’re a whore off on me.

He really was crazy.

Me: Just stop. Stop calling. Stop texting.

Jake: Your pussy must not have been good enough for him. He ran out pretty quick on you, don’t you think?

Jake: Left you all alone.

Me: STOP!

Jake: I’m not surprised though. You’re not good enough for anyone. I only kept you around because I felt sorry for you. You’re a piece of shit, no one will want you. Not for more than a fuck anyway, don’t forget that.

Me: I’m turning my phone off now. I’m done with all of this.

Jake: Maybe I’ll stop by then. I can keep you company until lover boy comes home.

Me: If you show up here, I’ll call the cops. I swear to God, Jake. I’m not playing your games.

Jake: Stupid Bitch. None of this is your call. I’ll make you understand that. Since you’re too stupid to figure this out on your own.

I didn’t respond and his texts stopped. Thank God. Maybe he would leave me alone, for tonight at least. He seemed to get crazier by the second. I had always known he was a spoiled only child, used to always getting his way, but this was ridiculous. He didn’t get to control me. I was tired of being controlled, told what to do and how to do it. I had never really even stood up for myself, my whole life, but it was time I did. I had no one else to fight for me, so it was time I fought for myself.

I started flipping through stations and decided on an old comedy that I would watch in silence. I felt like I had to listen for outside noises so the sound wasn’t an option. I hated living like this. I just wanted him to leave me the hell alone.

Around ten o’clock, I heard Kash pull into the driveway. I didn’t have to check to see who it was, the sound of his engine gave it away. The relief I felt knowing that he was here, caused my whole body to relax. At least I wasn’t alone anymore. Not that I was sure Kash would defend me against Jake, but I was pretty sure that Jake was too much of a pansy to try anything with Kash here.

“Hey, Mackenzie,” Kash said, as he walked through the front door.

“Hey,” I said quietly, pulling the blanket up over me, remembering that I was in a tank top, braless, with tiny matching shorts.

“Are you ok?” he asked, as he looked at me with those beautiful eyes.

“I’m good,” I said with a tiny smile; it’s all I had at the moment. What else could I say? I’m better now that you’re here. I’m better now that I don’t think my psycho ex-boyfriend will show up. I’m better, that just looking at you soothes my soul and drives me crazy all at the same time. All of those answers were out of the question.

He flopped down on the couch beside me and rubbed his face. I could smell beer on him, although he didn’t seem drunk. He almost seemed stressed.

“Are
you
ok?” I asked, as I turned in his direction and watched him.

“Yeah, I am,” he said, as he stared right through me with those eyes that melted me.

The good butterflies started again, and I realized I needed out of this room. Now.

“Well, I better get to bed,” I said, as I got off the couch quickly, holding the blanket in front of my chest.

“Damn, sweetie,” he said, as he was biting his lower lip, when I turned to look at him. I realized that my shorts were really short and my ass was probably hanging out of them.

“Oh, sorry,” I said quietly, holding one hand over the front of the blanket and the other over the back of my shorts.

“Don’t apologize for that,” he said with a little laugh, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Good night, Kash,” I said, trying to hide the ridiculous smile I had.

“Night,” he said, as he stood and headed towards the bathroom next to my room.

Once I was in my room, I heard the shower start. He just showered earlier today; he must have needed to get cleaned up after whatever or whoever he just did while he was out. The thought of it bothered me, which was stupid, because we aren’t together. As I laid in my bed, I couldn’t help but picture him all soapy and wet, the water running down his body. Then, as I listened to the water running, I heard the slightest little moan. Oh my God, maybe I longed for that sound so bad I imagined it. But I knew I hadn’t when I heard it again. I couldn’t help but allow myself to picture what was going on in that shower.  Surely, he just got laid when we was gone? Was his sexual appetite that strong? Probably so.

The house was pretty small, and it was so quiet I couldn’t keep from hearing those delicious sounds. He was so sexy, and I felt a tingle between my thighs just listening to them. I couldn’t help but place my fingers inside my panties, the urge was too strong, listening to Kash. I started to touch myself gently, but my fingers started moving faster as the sounds from the bathroom became more intense. Oh, my God. I imagined Kash on top of me, inside me, making those noises. I felt the tightening in my stomach as my long overdue orgasm took over. I tried to keep quiet, but it was too intense. I let out a quiet cry as my fingers continued. Once it was over, I immediately got embarrassed. I realized the shower water wasn’t running anymore. What if he heard me? My insides were still trembling when I heard a quiet knock at my door. Oh, no.

“Come in,” I said quietly. My voice had a raspiness to it that it had never had before.

Kash walked through my door in a pair of boxers, still wet, and he smelled amazing. He didn’t speak at first, he just walked over to my bed. My trembling insides made their way to the rest of my body. I was shaking all over. When he got to my bed, he hovered over me and grabbed my hand. He smelled my fingers, and then put them in his mouth and sucked on them for a few seconds. It was dark in my room, but I could see his eyes close as he licked my fingers.

“So fucking sweet,” he said quietly, when he took my fingers out of his mouth. I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, just staring at his completely unexpected gesture.

He kissed my forehead, and then stood up straight.

“Goodnight, Mackenzie.”

“Night,” I tried to say, but I think I just mouthed it, because no sound would escape my mouth.

Kash turned around and walked out of my room, shutting the door behind him.  That was the most shocking, yet erotic, thing that I had ever experienced, well second. The first was the day I walked into this house and had sex with Kash without even speaking to each other. It was a whore move on my part, and I felt so guilty for it. But there was something about him, and he just proved it again a few minutes ago. Resisting him was going to kill me, there was no doubt about it.

Chapter 7

The next morning, I woke up feeling calm for the first time in months. Maybe it was the moment I had with Kash, maybe it was because I felt safe for the first time in forever, maybe it was because I didn’t have to wake up next to Jake. Whatever it was, I was thankful.

I was actually early this morning, and had time to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee before going to work. I had a stupid grin on my face as I gathered all my stuff together to head out the door. That smile quickly faded when I looked at my car in the driveway. All four of my tires were flattened. Damn it. I knew it was Jake. I just wanted him to leave me alone. Maybe I should try to file a restraining order against him. But I couldn’t even prove anything. My bruise was fading. I should have went to the police that night. Why didn’t I?  I couldn’t prove he flattened my tires, and doubted slicing up a stupid stuffed animal was against the law. I really, really hated him. He was trying to make my life hell, but I wasn’t going to let him. I wasn’t going to let him run my life, my emotions. No matter how hard he tried, I would find a way to fight back. I was sick of being a doormat. Those days were over.

But getting to work this morning was a different story. What the hell was I going to do? Sam had to be at work two hours before me, so I couldn’t ask her for a ride. I didn’t want to ask Lainey. Shit. I only had one other option as my eyes stared at the sexy muscle car parked next to mine. I walked back into the house and shut and locked the door, just in case. I sat on the couch for a minute, trying to gather up the nerve to knock on his door. I had to be at work in twenty minutes, I didn’t have a choice. I took a deep breath as I stood up and headed to his bedroom door.

I knocked lightly but didn’t get a response, so I waited just a minute. Nothing. So I knocked again a little louder. Still nothing. I glanced at my phone and checked the time. I really needed to get going. Should I just open the door? What if there was someone in there with him? Although, I didn’t think that was the case, after last night. I didn’t have any other choice but to turn the handle.

My hands were trembling as I opened the door. But I almost fell against the door when my eyes took in that sight. He was sprawled out on his stomach, sleeping. A blanket was just below his boxers, covering only his ass and the top of his thighs. The rest of his body was exposed. It was beautiful. His tattoo was practically staring at me, begging to be touched. It’s hard to believe I never noticed it, the one time we were together. But, I guess it would have been hard since he had me pinned against the wall. The memory of that day put a weight between my legs that I had to squeeze together to try and relieve the pressure.

The sound of the door opening didn’t stir him at all. He was perfectly still. He looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake him, but I really needed to get to work. I walked over to the bed, slowly.

“Kash,” I whispered. But he didn’t respond. He was a heavy sleeper. I could only see the back of his head, but I wanted to run my hands through his hair so bad. Damn, he was sexy.

“Kash,” I repeated a little louder, and touched his shoulder this time.

“Hm,” he grunted, but didn’t move. So. Freaking. Sexy.

“Hey, Kash, I’m sorry to wake you,” I said, in my sweetest voice, since I was about to force him out of bed when he looked so comfortable.

“Mackenzie?” he said, with a raspy, sexy as hell voice, as he turned his head and faced me. He hadn’t opened his eyes yet, but I was already about to collapse.

“I’m sorry,” I said, apologetically.

“What’s wrong?” he said quietly, as he tried his hardest to open his eyes. I could tell it wasn’t easy for him. He really was in a deep sleep.

“Um,” I was speechless all of a sudden. How do I tell him my psychotic ex-boyfriend sliced my tires?

“Sit,” he said, and patted the bed beside him. When I hesitated, he just gave me a sleepy smile and patted the bed again. So I sat down on the edge of the bed.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Would you mind giving me a ride to work? I really hate to ask,” I said quietly.

“Is your car messing up?” he said, as he propped his head on his elbow.

“Not exactly,” I said.

He just gave me a confused look.

“My tires are flat,” I said, as I ran my hands through my hair, nervously.

“Tires?” he asked.

“All of them,” I said.

“All of them?” He repeated my words.

“I think Jake sliced my tires,” I said.

“Are you shitting me?” he said, as he sat up quickly, suddenly completely awake.

“I wish,” I said with a weak smile.

Kash jumped out of bed and looked out his window.

“Mother fucker,” he said, as he turned around and put a pair of shorts on, then headed out the door.

I wasn’t expecting that reaction out of him. I’m not even sure what I was expecting out of him, but it wasn’t that.

By the time I walked out of the bedroom, Kash was already halfway to my car. When he got there, he was bending over inspecting my tires.

I stood behind him, not knowing what else to do.

“Piece of shit,” he mumbled. I just stood there.

“Let me get dressed real quick, and I’ll take you to work,” he said, as he patted my lower back, and then jogged past me into the house. I just stood still in the driveway.

“Come inside and wait,” he said, as he stopped and turned around and looked at me from the doorway.

Once Kash was dressed, we got in the car in silence. I wasn’t sure what to say. I was embarrassed. I was disgusted with myself for staying with someone like Jake for so long.

“Thanks for giving me a ride. I really appreciate it,” I said.

“It’s no problem,” he said as he kept his eyes on the road, but I noticed him biting the inside of his cheek.

“Sorry I had to wake you up,” I said.

“I don’t mind, really,” he said, as he looked at me and gave me a wink. His sleepy eyes were long gone. Those piercing blue eyes of his were in full force.

Melted. Butter.

We pulled into the vet office and Kash put the car in park.

“Thanks again. And I’m sorry. Again. For waking you up,” I said, as I gave him a little smile.

“Stop apologizing,” he said with a laugh. “I told you I don’t mind, and I don’t.”

“Ok,” I said, as I opened the car door and started to get out.

“You were a nice sight first thing in the morning,” he said with a grin.

“Ditto,” I said with a stupid smile, and slammed the door behind me.
Ditto.
Who even says ditto? I’m an idiot. I couldn’t force myself to look back, even though I sure wanted to. I wanted to get one more look of that beautiful face of his. But I didn’t. Instead, I kept walking towards the door.

“Was that Kash’s car I heard?” Sam asked, as she walked in from the side door that lead to the large animal kennels and over to the sink.

“Uh… yeah,” I said, as I looked around at the other girls in the front office, as well as the two clients sitting in the waiting room with their dogs. I nodded my head for Sam to follow me to the break room so I could put my stuff away and clock in.

Sam was right on my heels, and I could feel her eyes burning into the back of my head.

“Where’s your car?” she asked, as soon as we walked through the doorway and there was no one else around.

“I woke up this morning and all of my tires were sliced,” I said with a look of disgust. This was going to set me back hundreds of dollars. I wasn’t even sure how much new tires cost. It would probably clean out a big chunk of my savings, though. Luckily, I had emptied my bank account and kept it under my mattress. I didn’t trust the fact that Jake worked at the bank. I didn’t think he would compromise his job, but after this little stunt, who knew how far he would go?

“Shut up!” Sam said, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Crazy, huh?” I said, and shook my head.

“Girl, he’s psycho, did you call the cops?” she asked.

“No. I was too worried about being late for work again, and I can’t even prove that he did it,” I said.

“You should at least file a report or something,” Sam said.

“I probably will after work,” I said. But I had to get my day started, so I walked over to the computer to clock in. Thanks to Kash and his quick delivery, I was actually on time.

“He’s fucking nuts, Mackenzie,” Sam said quietly before she walked out of the break room.

Don’t I know it. As I was putting my things away, I checked my phone before I put it up. I expected a text from Jake, but I got one from Kash, instead. I didn’t even know he knew my number.

Kash: I’ll give you a ride home from work –Kash

Me: Thanks, but I’ll figure something out.

Kash: Be there at 6.

Me: Thank
s


I wasn’t going to argue with him, because the truth was I needed a ride. I didn’t want to walk home in the dark. Moon was home, so I didn’t want to bother Sam about it. This sucked. But I knew I had to put all of this out of my mind and concentrate on work. I had a long day of software conversion ahead of me, and I couldn’t afford to mess it up.