Pulling my head back up, I look at Jake. He has the same piercing hunger in his eyes as my lips find his mouth again. But as soon as it has started, it suddenly stops by a knock on the door.
Jumping, we’re both quickly pulled back into the reality of what’s happening around us. I jump off Jake, causing me to slip and fall off the bed. I start laughing at our comical situation. Stunned, Jake quickly bends down to help me up. “Shit, are you okay? I forgot where I was. Fuck.”
Jake helps me up, and I give him a smile. “Jake, calm down, it’s okay. Sit there, and I will answer the door. I don’t think you can in your state.” I glance down at his obvious arousal, and he looks down with me.
He pops his head back up and smiles. “I’m sure whatever he has to say will kill anything I have going on down here rather quickly.”
He sits himself on the bed and props a cushion on his lap. I let out a little giggle, straightening myself up before answering the door.
Marcos is there, clearing his throat. “Sorry to disturb you. I just need to have a word with Jake for a minute. I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear that I think we’re almost done and will be out of your hair before you know it.” A very red and all of a sudden shy agent Marcos is standing, not sure where to put himself. He obviously feels very uncomfortable, and by the looks of things, wants to be away from here as soon as he can.
Jake smiles towards him. “I’ll be out in just a second. I need to use the bathroom first.”
Agent Marcos nods, and I shut the door. “Oh, dear, how embarrassing was that?”
Jake throws the cushion on the bed. “Not only that, but it is not the sort of thing we should be doing in a house full of unwanted guests. As per usual, I don’t know what came over me.”
He gets up and takes himself to the bathroom, shaking his head as he walks. I sigh as I sprawl myself on his monstrous bed and wait for Jake to emerge. After a couple of minutes have passed, Jake reappears and takes in the sight of me before him.
“I have to get out of here right now,” he grumbles.
With that, he leaves rather abruptly, making me giggle as he shuts the door. I don’t know why I’m finding things so funny in a situation that’s far from amusing.
Laying on my back, I close my eyes, trying to relax. The thrum of the air conditioning is whistling in the background, and for some reason it’s a welcome noise. After a few minutes of listening to it, I start feeling tired. I concentrate solely on that sound and nothing else. It isn’t long before my eyes start closing, until no sound can be heard at all.
16
It’s so dark, but my other senses are heightened. I can smell the stench of whiskey fill my airways. It’s making my nose burn, and my stomach churns with nausea. I can’t see around me, but I can smell it all the same. I feel like I’m going to be sick.
And then I feel it. A pressure of a body on top of me—stopping me from moving. As I try to force out a scream, a hand clasps over my mouth. “You will get what’s coming to you, bitch. I’m going to rip your pussy apart, and you will love every minute of it. You’ve always been a little, fucking prick tease. I’m finally going to show you just how much you are. You belong to me. I own you. Do you hear me, Ana? I fucking own you.”
I feel the blood completely drain away from my face. I recognize that voice. I feel the pressure of his body pressed against mine, but for some reason, I can’t open my eyes. Why can’t I see?
Knowing that I will not allow this happen to me again, I try to wriggle and scream, but I can’t seem to move or get any sound out. I hear him laugh, and the fear is crippling me. Why is he here? And what does he want from me?
His hands are everywhere, and the weight of him is unbearable. I feel his hot breath on my ear as he whispers, “Soon you will be mine.”
I scream, kick, and punch out with of all my might. It’s him! That son of a bitch is here!
Suddenly, I feel a set of arms wrap around me and a soothing voice. “Ana, it’s okay. Ana, please, it’s Jake. You’re okay, you’re safe with me. Jesus, Ana. Please calm down.”
Gasping for breath, my eyes suddenly open wide to a darkened room. Sweat is pouring off me, and tears stream down my face.
And then it dawns on me. The nightmares are back. It has been a couple of years since I dreamed about Alan, and now he’s back again, taking control of my life.
I’m shaking from head to toe. How much did Jake hear, if anything? His arms are wrapped around me tightly as he rocks me back and forth, trying his hardest to comfort me.
“Please put the light on.”
He leaves me for a moment, and my body feels the emptiness. He switches the light on but is soon walking back to me. “Shit, are you okay? What was that about?”
I look at the bedside clock and see that it’s close to ten. Shit, how long have I slept for?
When all I do is timidly look at him, Jake grabs a tissue and tenderly wipes my face. “I’ll go start a bath for you.”
Looking up at Jake, I nod, glad that he’s not pushing this yet. The dream is still raw in my mind.
I watch as Jake disappears into the bathroom, and soon after, the sound of running water is heard. He emerges straight after and walks back over to my side of the bed. He’s completely dressed still, so obviously he hasn’t been sleeping. I’m starting to wonder where he’s been as he strokes the hair away from my eyes.
“You gave me a heart attack when you suddenly started screaming. You were kicking, and your arms were punching the air. You were shouting for someone not to hurt you. You were pleading.”
A fresh set of tears escape as I try to gather some sort of control. “I had a nightmare that someone was on top of me, and I couldn’t see his face. He had his hand over my mouth and told me I would soon be his. It was a nightmare, that’s all. I think all that’s happened today is just playing it out in my dreams.”
Jake sighs, gripping my hand with his. “You’re safe. You will always be safe with me. I promise.”
I smile, suddenly feeling better as my sleep-frenzied head starts to clear. “Where were you? Downstairs?”
“No, I was right here with you. When they all finally left, I saw that you were sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake you. You needed the rest after all. So I sat on the chair and just stared at you. I must have dozed off while I watched you sleep because the next thing I knew, you were screaming, and I thought the fucker had somehow managed to get in here and get to you. I cursed myself for dozing off.”
I let out a small chuckle. “You have to sleep, too, you know. You’re not a robot. You need rest just like everyone else. I’m sorry I scared you.”
He edges closer, pulling me into his arms. I bury my head in his chest and breathe in his scent. He’s so delicious and all mine. “You’re not to be sorry for anything. That fucker is the one who will be sorry when I get my hands on him.”
I pull my head back astounded. “You can’t take the law into your own hands. You of all people should know that.”
He heaves a big, deflated sigh. “I know that, but I really cannot be responsible for my actions if I find I’m alone in a room with him.” He gets up and gestures to me. “Come. We have a bath awaiting us.” I smile up at him before pulling off the covers to take his hand. “Would Miss Sinclair like some bubbles?”