The next day we both woke up early. Derek called his work and asked if he could have the rest of the week off. I had to redo the laundry as I'd forgotten about it. When Derek got off the phone with his work he called the building manger. He asked if there was a way to keep certain people from getting into the building.
Some buildings had door men or needed you to be buzzed in but ours had neither. The man said he could maybe post some fliers around the building or keep an eye out but for now the best we could get was additional locks added. It wasn't great but it was something. Derek had the manager schedule someone to come over tomorrow.
We spent the rest of the morning doing our own things. I mostly cleaned and worked on the puzzle Polly brought me. Derek watched TV but never stayed on any one channel for too long. At lunch we were both quiet. We each seemed to have a lot on our minds.
We left for the lawyers earlier than we needed to. Any qualms I had about a restraining order were gone now. A few days ago I'd worried it might be too much but now that he'd come to our home I knew it had to be done. Even when we were kids...he'd...he'd never come to my house.
We had take two buses and walk four blocks. When we got to the Metrin building the lawyer's office was in, we found we still had an hour and a half left until our appointment. We wandered about the area until we only had a few minutes left. We checked in at the lobby and then went up to a small office on the eleventh floor.
The lawyers' secretary took our name and we sat in comfy leather chairs until it was time. I admit sitting in that small office I felt out of my element. All of this began to seem beyond me. I never thought I'd be in a lawyer's office especially for a restraining order.
When it was finally time the lawyer, Chad Corwick, came out to greet us. He seemed nice enough. He said we could call him Chad and got us each a bottle of water. His office was twice as big as the waiting room and the chairs were just as comfy. He made sure we were settled in before he began.
"Denny tells me neither of you have any experience with a lawyer so I'll try to explain things as we go along. Feel free to stop me at any time and ask questions. How this works is, I've set aside an hour for consultation. This hour is completely free. You can take the advice I give you at no cost but if you decide you'd like for me to be your lawyer then we can sign a formal contract and I can get to work on your specific needs. For right now, we're just going to discuss your situation and possible legal options you might have. Does that sound alright to you two?"
We both just nodded and he went on, "Alright then. Now, Denny has told me some of your situation but with any client I find I like to hear it from them, if you don't mind."
Again we both quietly nodded and then I took a deep breath. I longed for the day when I wouldn't have to repeat this, when Roan Attley would no longer be an issue. I closed my eyes and then began, "Roan Attely is a man who has recently returned into our lives. When I was a kid he used to bully me-"
"She downplays it," said Derek, interrupting me. "He abused her and tried to kill her."
I opened my eyes and looked at Derek, upset he'd interrupted. I didn't downplay things. I just…I just didn't like going into all the details with people I'd just met. Of course this was a lawyer, so maybe I needed to.
"When was this?" asked Chad, taking out a notepad.
"When they were in middle school," said Derek.
"Was he ever formally charged with anything, or given a restraining order in the past?"
Derek looked at me, unsure.
"No, I don't think so." I said, "I'm not really sure what happened to him back then. They removed him from school and up until a month ago I have had no contact with him. He did tell me that he got help, some sort of treatment, but I don't know what kind."
Chad made some scribbles on his notepad and then spoke, "Alright, so this man was a problem when you were younger and has recently returned to your life and started bothering you again."
"Yes," I said before Derek could. He just looked at me and I went on, "About a month or so ago, I ran into him at a reunion party a friend of ours was holding. We didn't really have contact but he and his family showed up at my work a few weeks later. I don't know if he knew that I worked there or not,"
"He probably did," said Derek.
"But," I went on, "He later came in on his own and apologized for the things he did as a kid. He claimed he'd changed...and seemed sincere. I...I accepted his apology."
"And then," said Derek continuing, "He kept coming back again and again, harassing her, claiming he wanted to make 'amends.'"
"What sort of amends?" asked Chad.
I sighed, "He claimed he wanted to make me happy, thinking it would make up for the pain he'd caused me in the past."
"And how did he think he could make you happy,"
Derek scoffed but didn't say anything. I sighed again, "He suggested we spend time together and become friends. He wanted to make a good example for his kids." Derek scoffed again this time, shaking his head as well, "While I accepted his apology I turned down the offer of friendship. I don't wish to have anything further to do with him."
"Understandable," said Chad, "Did you at any point make your feelings known, let him know that you no longer wanted any contact from him?"
"From the beginning," said Derek.
"Well," I said, having thought about it, "The first time I think I was confused. I told him his apology was enough and he left. The second time though I did ask him to please leave and not come back. Later that night he approached me outside my work with flowers."
"I see. How many times all together has he approached you, unwanted?"
"Uh...let me see. Well, the second time, if it doesn't count then outside my work, in the park, and at our apartment," I realized it was only about three times. I didn't know if that was enough. I cringed wondering if this was an over-
"Each time he's gotten worse," said Derek, sensing my hesitation. "Given what he did back when they were kids, any contact as far as I'm concerned is too much. But he's come to her work, he's been waiting for her outside, and that day in the park he should have had no idea she was there. And just yesterday he showed up at our apartment when we didn't give our address out. I'm pretty sure he's been following her."
"I see," said the lawyer making more notes.
"Oh, the day in the park he also hurt her wrist," said Derek. I lifted my hand before he could. The lawyer looked at it for a few seconds and nodded, "Have you taken photos of that? It could be considered assault and battery. Has he made any threats as well?"
"Yes," said Derek.
"Well, uh...it's complicated," I quickly said.
"How so?" asked Chad.
"That day in the park...he might have accidentally squeezed my wrist too hard." Derek was glaring at me. I knew he didn't think so but I went on. "I don't think he meant to on purpose and as for threats..." I trailed off, continuing to look at Derek. I wasn't sure if I should say.
Derek clenched his fists and continued for me "When she told me he was bothering her again...I went to have a few words with him. It got physical." Chad looked closer at Derek now, his cut and bruised face, his wrapped hands. I knew this wasn't good, especially when you saw how bad Roan looked. Derek went on, "He has implied to her that he might press charges against me…that he's only not because of her."
"I see..." said Chad.
"I… I don't think he can," said Derek. "I did strike first but he did push me and we both fought. It wasn't just me doing it,"
"Just to clarify," Chad said, "He pushed you after you hit him?"
"No, he pushed me first," Derek responded, "then I punched him. It… kind of went on from there."
"I see," said Chad. "Well, let me just point out that if he shoved you, and that was the first physical action between you two, then he assaulted you and your response could potentially be construed as self defense. And if that's the case then you really shouldn't misrepresent yourself by saying you struck first."
Things got really quiet as he thought for a moment. When he spoke again I found myself holding my breath. "Until you get a restraining order in place, I would advise having as little contact as possible with Mr. Attely as you can. Also, whenever possible, avoid altercations of any kind. That being said, you should take pictures of your injuries as well and consider getting a lawyer just to be safe."
"Okay," said Derek.
"Could we hire you for that if he presses charges?" I asked.
"Yes," he said, "I work a number of cases."
"Don't worry about me," said Derek, agitated, "I'm more concerned with her right now. What are our options?"
"Well, given what you told me, I think you should start with a temporary restraining order and then look into something long-term if you think it necessary."
"Yes," said Derek, "I don't want him coming anywhere near her again. What would we need to get the temporary restraining order in place?"
"Well, you would need to establish sufficient evidence, a pattern of unwanted contact, proof that he has been harnessing you and that you consider yourself in danger."
"How...do we prove that?" I asked I wasn't sure about the danger part. I mean, he was upsetting me, scaring me, but so far he hadn't really hurt me. Not like when we were kids.
"Pictures of your wrist would help. Detailed accounts of instances, witness statements, if anyone has see him bothering you-"
"My sister," said Derek, "She was there that day in the park."
"I don't think she saw anything. Even then, Derek, I'm not sure about the danger,"
"Closet, Kiri," said Derek as if that settled it.
"I know but that was back then. What if...what if we can't...What if we don't have enough, right now?" I asked, "What happens then?"
"You won't know unless you see a judge but I wouldn't give up. If, somehow you did get denied just keep track of everything. It all adds up."
I sighed and Derek took my hand, "Alright, so when could we get this started? I'd like to get this set up as soon as possible."
"Well, if you decided to hire me, what I would do is start with a contract. Then I'd have you go home and both write statements about what has been going on between you and Mr. Attley. I'd get them notarized and have pictures taken of your injuries. I would have my team start the paperwork and we would petition the court for a hearing date where I could present your case for a restraining order before a judge. I would start with a temporary restraining order, no contact of any kind. Then I would set another hearing date for something long term, about a year or possibly two, and from there we would continue to renew or extend it."
"Okay..." said Derek, "Yesterday when he came to the apartment we called the cops and filed a police report. Would you want that too?"
"Yes...a police report is really good. Any legal documents would hold up in court and help your case."
Derek nodded, "Okay, well, let do this. You're hired. Let's get started."
"Alright," said Chad. He opened a large book on his desk. "I can have my secretary put you in the books and get a contract drawn up as early as tomorrow. For my pricing, I start billing at 275 dollars an hour which is standard. Court appearances will go up to around 400. There are also extra cost-"
He trailed on and my eyes grew wider and wider as I listened, taking in his pricing. Derek didn't seem fazed one bit. I began trying to do the math in my head and it got dizzying. We'd just moved into a new apartment and had signed a year's lease. We were saving up to get married. This...this was going to cost.
"That's a lot," I said without thinking and then quickly added, "More than I expected," I didn't want to be rude but truthfully I hadn't really thought about the costs. I'd just been so torn up wondering if this was necessary. I knew it was. I knew he wasn't leaving me alone. But still...it felt...overwhelming.
I hadn't asked Roan to return into my life. I hadn't asked him for an apology and for him to keep bothering me. Now...now he was going to interfere in our lives for a while. We were going to have to take legal action against him and it was going to cost us a chunk of our savings if...if we had anything left after this.
Chad could see my reluctance, "You are free to look around. Our prices are standard for this type of work. I offer each of my clients a full disclosure and breakdown of their expenses."
"It's fine," said Derek, squeezing my hand. He looked at me. "If it keeps you safe, and that bastard out of our lives for good, I don't care how much it costs,"
"I know. I just...I want to make sure we can afford it,"
"We can," said Derek. "I'll pull more hours at work, take bigger projects on."
I wanted to talk it over more but I could see Derek had made up his mind.
"Okay," I said, "How many hours does something like this usually take?" I wanted to get an estimate.
"Usually it's a lot of paperwork," said Chad, "And the judge will usually review it in a matter of minutes. I'll try to get you a rough breakdown tomorrow when you come in to sign the contract,"
"Okay," I said.
"Alright, after this I'd like you both to get pictures of your injuries and write up detailed statements. Dates, times, people who might have been around to witness what was going on is also good. If you can bring them in tomorrow when you sign the contract I can have my people working on them right away. I will be out of the office tomorrow but if you have any other questions my secretary can direct you to another team member. Or leave me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible"
"Okay," we both said.
Then Derek asked, "How long do you think this will take?"
"I'll try to get a court date for early next week. We can present the judge with your case and see where it goes from there. If we have significant evidence the restraining order will be granted and delivered to Mr. Attley that same day,"
"Good," said Derek. "And if he breaks it at all?"
"You can have him arrested immediately." said Chad.
"Good," said Derek happily.
I was glad that he would leave us alone but I worried about his family. I knew Alison wasn't going to like this. At the same time…maybe she'd realize he was causing us problems. That he wasn't staying away. Perhaps the restraining order would make him listen, something I couldn't seem to do.
Chad gave us each a business card and we got up. Derek shook his hand and we went out into the waiting room. We spoke to the secretary and set up a time to come in around eleven tomorrow, with statements and pictures and to get contracts signed and things notarized. I kind of zoned out as we got into the elevator and rode it down.
When we were outside walking to the bus stop Derek took my hand and said, "Let's get some ice cream." All things considered, he seemed to be in a good mood. I didn't know if he was faking it to reassure me or if he really was.
Ice cream did sound nice right about now but I shook my head, "We shouldn't. We're going to need the money,"
He just kept smiling at me, "That's why were getting it now," said Derek, "We might not be able to afford it later,"
We both laughed but it sadly might be true. A man came up from behind me, bumping into me as he passed. For a second his cold fingers intertwined with mine, sending a chill up my spine. I pulled my hand to my chest and glanced at the man. For a second I thought he looked like...Roan. I froze right then and there, thinking it couldn't be yet my pulse quickening as I stared at the man's back. He just kept walking.
Derek was still laughing and walking, "Seriously we-" Still holding my hand, he jerked to a stop when I didn't move. He looked at me wondering why I'd stopped. When he saw the panic on my face he said, "What...What is it?"
I considered brushing it off. I...I wasn't certain it was Roan. I didn't want to upset Derek. I'd only got a partial glance at him and yet...and yet I felt it was him somehow. I kept stared at his back as if I expected him to turn around. I furrowed my brow and Derek followed my gaze, "You see something?" and then he paused for a moment thinking, he quickly adding, "...someone,"
I looked at him and our gazes locked for a moment. He just knew. "Kiri!" he called, getting upset. I could see the flash of anger in his eyes.
"I don't know..." I stammered, "I could be mistaken..."
"Where?" he demanded.
"The man who just bumped-"
Derek looked away from me to the man now. He was waiting to cross the street. Without hesitation Derek took off after him. As he drew closer he called out, "HEY! HEY YOU!" The man started crossing the street but I noticed him quicken his pace. Derek did as well and called out, "ROAN!"
The man burst into a run then and I quickly realized it was him. I hadn't been mistaken. What the fuck was he doing here? Derek cursed and took off after him, leaving me behind. I didn't know what to do. If I should stay or go after him. In the end I decided to go after him, worrying he might get into another fight.
I moved quickly and had to wait to cross the street. By the time I did I couldn't see Derek anymore. There were a lot of people coming up from the subways and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of people. I looked around me everywhere and began calling out, "DEREK...DEREK!"
Several long minutes passed. The people started to disperse but I still couldn't see him. I bit my lip and took out my phone. I considered calling him but then I saw him across the street a ways down. He was bent over and looked winded. I started to go to him. When he saw me he put his hand up for me to wait and came to me.
"What happened?" I asked.
"He...he was too fast," said Derek, "I lost him."
"What was he even..." I began.
"It doesn't matter," said Derek. Grabbing my arm he pulled me up to the curb and whistled for a cab. "We're taking a cab." he said.
"Derek,"
"He's getting more brazen," said Derek. "From now on you don't go anywhere at all without me...and we take a cab."
"We can't afford to do that all the time,"
"We can't afford not to. He's messing with us." said Derek.
When the cab came we got in and went straight home. Derek was upset the whole way. I just kept replaying what had happened. We were talking, laughing, and he bumped me, touched my hand. Why? Why? What was he gaining from all this? Up until now he'd been apologizing. This was...just…I tried not to think about it but when we got inside Derek got us paper and pens.
He wanted us to write down everything, including today, to get it all ready for tomorrow. We spent hours working on our statements and then I made dinner. Afterward Derek took pictures of my wrist. I took pictures of his face and his hands. He took off his shirt and I found a few bruises on his chest, side, and back.
When it was done Derek gathered everything together. I found it hard to sleep that night thinking about everything. After a while I got up and watched some TV. It was around three in the morning. A few minutes after I got up Derek got up too. He came out onto the couch with me and we snuggled.
We didn't go back to bed until around seven. When our alarm went off at ten, we got dressed and called a cab. We went to the lawyer's office and signed a contract. We had our statements notarized and turned in our pictures. Then it was just waiting until they contacted us with a hearing date. We picked up something for breakfast and did some shopping. I also remembered Candice's second birthday was on Saturday. We picked up some toys and got home just in time for the maintenance man to install more locks.
While he installed them we ate and put everything away. When he left, Derek looked online for cameras and other security items. I didn't think we would need them once we got the restraining order but Derek wanted to make sure we caught him when, and not if, he broke the restraining order. I thought Roan would have to be insane to try to talk to me after that but I didn't argue with Derek.
On Saturday we went to Polly's. We let her know what was going on and gave Candice and even Mara a gift. We had cake and came home late in the afternoon. I started prepping to go to work the next day and Derek suggested I called Bonnie and extend my week off until Thursday. I didn't think it was good to miss so much work. True, I'd only be missing Sunday and Monday, but still I couldn't expect Bonnie to keep making up my shifts.
We got into a small argument but in the end we both knew we were going to need the money now. Derek went over things with me. He made me swear to keep my phone and bottle of mace on me at all times. He would walk me to work tomorrow and pick me up on Monday. When he had to work, he'd walk me to work and Polly would walk me home. He knew I wasn't too happy about needing an escort but until the restraining order went through I'd deal with it to stay safe.
If Roan came into work I was supposed to ask him to leave. If he didn't I wasn't supposed to argue, just call the police like I would for any unwanted customer, and then call Derek. Mostly every plan ended in call Derek. I swore I would stay safe but I admitted I was nervous. I kept thinking about him showing up at the apartment on Wednesday and then just bumping into me on Thursday. I don't know why but Thursday bothered me more...maybe because it really meant he really was following me.
I knew he was waiting for me outside work and had found out where we lived, but those were places I was supposed to be: work, home, the park in between. The lawyers on a Thursday afternoon...Did he know about the appointment or did he just...wait outside our apartment and follow us? And why bump into me when he could have gone completely unnoticed?
It kept me thinking. Did...he want to see me? No, he could have done that from afar. So why? I remembered the coldness of his fingertips against mine. Had he wanted to touch me?I trembled at the thought. I realized I was just spiraling out. I didn't know what he was thinking. I didn't want to know.
That night we both went to bed early and I left early for work so we could take it slow. It was still dark out and the entire time Derek just kept looking around for any sign of Roan. When I got to work I opened up like I normally did and told Derek he could go. He just nodded but hung back. After an hour I realized he was still there outside. I told him to go home to get some sleep. He moved and I thought he went home.
However, when I was opening the cafe and the morning crowd was coming in, I saw him across the street. I shook my head and helped the customers. They talked about their day and the weather as I filled their orders. When I was done and the cafe was empty I texted Derek he might as well come in and have breakfast.
He came in and I made him a small coffee and let him have his pick of the donuts. He hung around for another two hours in the sitting area, dozing off and on. After that he thought he might as well stay until I got off. I wanted to argue with him but at that point I was tired and it was kind of nice having him here.
When I got off at two we did Monday's grocery shopping. I doubted Polly was going to want to do it with the kids in tow. We went home and I made an award winning frozen lasagna with fresh french bread. We watched a movie we both wanted to see and then some TV afterwards. Derek rested his head on my lap and passed out on the couch, not used to my hours. I ran my fingers through his hair and watched him sleep off and on. For a few hours things were peaceful and seemed almost normal.
When I was finally ready to go to sleep I woke him and we brushed our teeth. We went to bed and the next morning I got up early like I normally did. Derek needed a bit of motivation to get up but when I threatened to go without him he got up and took me to work.
Again he hung out for a while, dozing off at one of the tables. I prepped things like I normally did and opened on time. The normal Monday morning rush came in and it kept me busy over the next few hours. When Derek had to go to work he slipped me a quick kiss over the counter and I slipped him some coffee and a bagel with his favorite blueberry spread in a bag.
I kept busy until almost nine that morning and then it was just me. It was weird being on my own. I think I hadn't been alone since Thursday. I usually found the quiet of the cafe calming but now it felt kind of eerie. I cleaned up and thought I'd work on manger duties to distract myself but first I checked my phone to see if Derek had texted.
I found he'd texted me that he'd gotten to work on time and was just checking in with me. I texted him back telling him things were finally slow. He must have been busy because he only texted me a heart. I texted him a heart back and sat down at the computer.
I caught up on some emails and began ordering supplies. I saw our piping bags had finally come in. I decided to stick with the company after all. I made up the new schedule and was getting into paychecks when I heard something strange. It sounded like a chair sliding on the floor up front. I'd heard the sound enough times to know what it was but I hadn't heard anyone come in.
I bit my lip and got up from the computer to check it out. When I got up front, I saw Roan standing in the sitting area leaning on a chair he'd pulled out. My eyes widened as I wondered how he'd come in without me hearing. I stepped back and he said, "I'm done trying to work with you. I've been nothing but patient and kind, Kiri."
I wasn't going to listen to his bullshit! Whatever it was, not this time. "Get out!" I said clear and confidently. I knew what to do. Derek and I had been over this. I'd treat Roan like any unwelcome customer. "You are not welcome at Greta's anymore! We are refusing your now or I WILL call the police!"
Unfazed, he said "I am filing charges against Derek."
Again, I knew not to respond to this shit. I'd given him a proper warning, now it was time for action. I turned to go to the phone and he added, "I'm sueing for medical bills and damages, physical and mental. I hope you got a good lawyer the other day because you're going to need it."
"It was you, the other day," I said pausing even though I knew. I still didn't understand. "What is wrong with you? Why are you doing this to us?"
"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with you? I'm not doing anything to you. All I have done is try to make amends and you had me picked up by the police."
"YOU CAME TO MY APARTMENT!" I shouted like it was fucking obvious. I walked to the phone. Before I could pick it up, he went on.
"I have a witness to my assault." said Roan. I paused, looking at him, "They took video, Kiri. It's going to play real well in court!"
I swallowed. "Bullshit! He didn't assault you. You pushed him first!"
Roan laughed, "Is that what he told you? He came up to me and told me to back off. I told him, politely I might add, that this was between you and me. That I needed to make this up to you. Then he threatened me! I didn't want any trouble so I said...sure...okay whatever." Sure whatever, it sounded familiar. Roan went on, "I went to leave, figuring I'd just come back later. Your fiancé however, attacked me from behind without any warning!"
"No!" I said, "He wouldn't do that!" I knew Derek; he would never attack someone from behind. Not even someone he hated. He was a good man, a real good man.
"He kept hitting me, Kiri, even when I was down. I was lucky I was able to fend him off."
"No…" I said shaking my head, not believing him for one second. "You're lying!" It couldn't be true.
"I know you don't trust me, Kiri, but video doesn't lie." Roan said taking out his phone. He started playing a video. I heard yelling. I couldn't see from behind the counter but it sounded like a fight. I pulled away from the phone. I knew I shouldn't. I knew...but it was Derek...my Derek. I couldn't let Roan fucking Attley ruin the man I loved.
I moved out from behind the counter and went to Roan. He held the phone so I could see what was playing on it. The quality and the angle wasn't the best but I saw what looked like two men fighting...I couldn't see their faces clearly but I recognized Derek's jacket. I swallowed not able to take my eyes off it. At one point Derek was on top of what must have been Roan just going at him. It...it didn't look good.
Why...why had Derek lied to me? I didn't understand. It didn't make sense. Roan pulled the phone away and I glared up at him with tears in my eyes. "What do you want?"
"Nothing," said Roan like he was the good guy in all this, "But to make amends to you."
"FUCK YOUR AMENDS!" I spat angrily, "YOU'RE RUINING OUR LIVES!"
"I'm not the one who started a fight," said Roan.
I didn't know what to do now. What were we going to do? There was no way a judge would throw this out. Derek could actually go to prison.
"Please, sit," said Roan, motioning to a chair a few feet away. "If...if we talk and you give me a real chance… I'll...I'll delete the video for you and even sign something saying I won't press charges."
I looked at him skeptically. He wasn't making sense either. Why would he just do that for a real chance to, what, prove he was a good guy? If he was a good guy he would have left us alone. He made me sick. I continued to glare at him as he simply sat down in the chair he'd pulled out. Begrudgingly I pulled out the other chair and sat at the table with my arms crossed, "Okay!" I said bitterly.
"Alright," he said taking a deep breath, "Now, I want you to get to know me. So tomorrow night have dinner with me and my family."
I scoffed at him in disbelief. "You want me to have dinner with you and your family." He was fucking psycho, holding this over my head, making me do what he wanted. This wasn't amends. This was...this was blackmail.
"What I want, Kiri, is for you to get to know me. The real me. The me I am now." he said.
I think I already knew who he was. He pretended to be all good, all wholesome and changed, but he was still the sick and twisted boy who used to bully me all those years ago. I just sat there, listening as he went on. "I think if you got to know me, know my wife and kids, we could be real friends."
All of this...mess, destroying our lives, and he wanted to be friends. Friends, like I could ever... I couldn't believe him. I couldn't take anymore of this shit. It was making me sick...truly sick. I think I finally understood killing them with kindness.
"FINE!" I said getting up. "FINE YOU WIN ROAN! WE ARE FRIENDS NOW IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?! FOR ME TO COMPLETELY FUCKING FORGIVE YOU?"I was so fed up, so upset I got right up in his face, "TO BE YOUR BEST FUCKING FRIEND AND PRETEND LIKE NOTHING EVER FUCKING HAPPENED BETWEEN US! IS THAT WHAT YOU FUC-"
Roan moved fast. Without warning, he shot up from his chair, sending it falling back to the floor. In one fluid movement, he grasped hold of my wrist and waist, pulling me into him. It...it all happened so fast...One minute I was losing it on him, releasing all my built up anger and the next...the next...the next... his lips... were tightly pressed against mine...in a mother fucking kiss. |
