It’s nice to talk to Deion again. It feels like ages ago even though it was only a couple of weeks. Even Ashanti is surprised to see me and hugs me right away. We all stand there holding each other in the middle of his tiny garden. The people walking and biking by probably think we’re crazy, but I don’t care.
Nothing can beat this smile on my face as I hold these two. Even though we only lived together for a short while, I consider them my family.
“C’mon, let’s go inside and have something to drink,” Deion says, coaxing me in.
I turn my head and look at Easton for approval.
He nods. “Go on. I’ll wait out here.”
Deion pauses and gazes at him over my shoulder. “You can come inside too. If you’re thirsty, of course.”
Easton’s lip curls up into a half-sided smile. “No, thanks. I’m good. You two have some catching up to do.”
“Are you sure?” I don’t know why I ask him. It’s almost as if this whole thing is suddenly normal. As if he isn’t my captor, but just a guy I married who came to drop me off. But none of that is true, and this whole gesture … it means something.
“Yes, I’m sure.” Easton nods. “Besides, I have some phone calls to make.”
“Work?” I ask.
He nods again. I’m not sure if it’s the truth, but I don’t question him further because I recognize his expression. It’s a face that says, “I don’t want to bother you any further,” and I respect that.
Respect … I never imagined I’d feel any for Easton, yet I’m grateful for what he’s done.
With a smile, I nod at Easton and follow Deion inside, who closes the door behind me, leaving Easton alone outside. It’s the first time that I ever felt bad about being away from him.
“I can’t believe you’re actually here,” Deion says as we go into the kitchen, and he makes a pot of coffee.
“I know. I can’t either,” I say, sitting down.
He grabs two cups. “Did you ask him to bring you here?”
“No, it was his idea,” I reply. “As a surprise?”
He stops in his tracks. “Wait … what? As a surprise?”
I make a face. “I know, it’s hard to believe.”
“Wow.” He shakes his head as he pours two cups. “I did not expect that from that man.”
“Why not?” Ashanti asks as she sits down beside me.
“Well, because …” I clear my throat and look at Deion. I don’t know how to say this or even if I should. “Easton isn’t the easiest man to live with.”
“Like my dad,” she says, which makes me choke on my own saliva and then burst into laughter.
Deion raises a brow. “It’s gonna get harder if you say things like that, Ashanti.”
“I’m joking,” she says with a big smile on her face.
“Of course you are,” he retorts.
I can’t help but smile when I’m around them. Their presence could make anyone happy, and they always light up the room with their banter. The two of them are enough to make me feel right at home.
Still, the moment Deion places the cup of coffee in front of me, it’s as if something’s missing. Something I didn’t have before when I was still living here with them, hiding from the very man who brought me back; an ache for something more than this.
I clutch the coffee cop and try to remind myself that I’m here, in their home, under their wing. That I should be happy to see them again. But it’s Easton who thought this up on his own and brought me here out of his own free will.
He wanted me to be with them without him looking over my shoulder.
A taste of true freedom with no man hunting me in secret and no one to come and snatch me away. And that means so much to me that I want to run out there and pull him inside.
But I don’t.
It wouldn’t be right.
After all, Easton stole me away from them. He’s the sole reason Ashanti got kidnapped and why he had to bring her back. Deion knows what kind of a man Easton is, and it shows on his face.
“You’re still thinking about him, aren’t you?” he asks.
I nod. “I can’t help it.”
“He’s gotten to you,” he says, setting down a drink for Ashanti too.
I lick my lips and stare at my coffee. “Is that bad?”
There’s a long pause before he answers. “That depends on you and your needs. None of that is up to me to judge.”
I look up, and the gentle smile on his face makes me tear up. He’s too kind for this world.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he adds, clearing his throat. “Are you?”
“I’m okay,” I reply, taking a sip of my coffee. “Strangely enough, I’m more than okay.”
“Hmm.” He sits down too and cocks his head. “Does he treat you right?”
I nod. “In a way.”
He puts his coffee down and gives me an awkward smile. “What does that mean?”
I shrug. “He’s just … Easton. I can’t explain it. It’s how he’s always been.”
Ashanti throws us both a glance after every single sip she takes of her drink.
“Okay … but he doesn’t hurt you?”
I lick my lips. “Define hurt.”
His brow lifts, and we stare at each other for a second while my cheeks start to glow. “I don’t think I want to know anymore.”
I laugh at his response, and then Ashanti asks, “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” Deion explains. “Adult joke.”
“What joke?” She frowns. “Tell me.”
He pets her hair, and says, “Maybe when you’re older.”
“Aww …” She pouts.
I grab her hand, and say, “When I was your age, no one ever told me anything. And you know what? I wish I didn’t know now what they were talking about. It’s much easier not knowing than knowing something you wish you could forget.”
“Hmm … so it’s something bad?” she asks.
“No, not necessarily,” I say.
“Yeah, it’s bad,” Deion interjects. “Very bad. So bad, Charlotte can’t even say it out loud.”
The mortified look on his face makes me laugh. “I can, but I don’t want to embarrass you in front of your kid.”
“Good, because I won’t be able to finish my drink if I don’t get this image of you and Easton out of my head.” He shakes his head and takes a reluctant sip of his coffee while I laugh my ass off.
It’s the first time in a long while that I’ve felt so at peace with who I am and where I’m at.
And there’s no place I’d rather be at right now than with these two.
Easton
From afar, I peek through the windows. None of them see me while they talk as I’m hidden behind the darkened car glass, but I can see her. In all her beauty and pride, she radiates when she speaks. Her eyes sparkle, and her locks dance as she moves.
It was hard to let her go, to give her that freedom she craves so badly knowing she could use it against me. She could run away and never come back to me again.
But I had to take this chance. Had to make this leap of faith … for both of us.
The more I watch them, the more I realize I’ve taken from her the very thing that would make her happy, and that seeing her happy brings me immeasurable joy. This was the right thing to do.
I used to think I only wanted her to punish her and her father, that I wanted to control her so I could use her against him, but now I’m beginning to understand that was only a part of my obsession with her. Because the other part … it’s fallen so damn hard for this girl I can’t even keep my head straight.
“Sir, we should be going, or you’ll miss your appointments,” my driver says.
I sigh and nod. “Let’s go.”
But I don’t take my eyes off the window. Not until he’s started the car and driven out of view. And even then, I still picture her in my head, and I can’t help but smile.
Charlotte
I spend an entire day with them, playing with Ashanti in her room and in the garden, cooking food with Deion, and then eating a fabulous meal. We even play a game of cards afterward. It’s the perfect way to spend a day, and nothing was spent in angst or fear for what’s to come.
By the time someone rings the doorbell, I’m re-energized despite the whole day having passed. I’m not afraid as I open the door even though I know who’s there. Easton waits for me, but this time, there are no tears, only smiles.
“Hey,” I say, licking my lips. “I’ll go grab my coat.”
“I’ll wait inside the car,” he says, and he turns around and walks off.
Just like that, he’s left me alone again in their house again. It’s so unlike him, yet he managed to leave me without starting an argument or acknowledging his own dislike for leaving me with another man. Because I know how much he hates seeing me in another man’s arms. He must’ve cringed hard when I hugged Deion. Still, he didn’t say a word and let me spend the day with them. I can’t believe he did that. Has he changed so much?
As I grab my coat, I kiss Deion and Ashanti on the cheeks, and say, “I will see you again soon, I promise.”
“It was lovely seeing you again,” Deion says.
“More kisses next time!” Ashanti says, giggling as she hugs me tight.
“Agreed,” I reply, laughing too.
I make my way outside, and they wave at me as I walk across the pavement toward Easton’s car. With a heavy heart, I open the car door, sit down, and close it with a last, bittersweet wave goodbye.
Then the car drives off.
For the first time ever, I don’t feel bad about sitting next to Easton. It was my feet that pulled me toward him, my hands that opened the door. I sat down on this seat out of my own free will. No one forced me; no one made the choice for me.
It was me and me alone who chose, and it felt good.
Easton’s hand grazes over mine, and electricity shoots through my veins. He closes the window between this compartment and the driver’s compartment. Then he gently leans in and presses a kiss to my neck so soft that my lips shiver with delight.
I glance at him from the corner of my eyes, straight into his … and the deep, dark abyss sucks me in. I want to forget about my past, my pain, my life. I just want to live in the now with no regrets, no guilt, and no shame.
So I let him caress my hands and kiss my neck as I cock my head and close my eyes while a moan slips from my mouth. I no longer want to have shame for craving a man who’s bad for me. How can it be so bad if it feels so good?
“I missed you,” Easton whispers into my ear, and he nips at my earlobe.
“How could you stay away for so long then?” I murmur, gasping when his hand slides across my thigh and down between my legs.
“Because it’s what you needed from me … freedom.” His fingers graze my pussy, not enough to set me ablaze but enough to make me beg. “I hope you liked my gift.”
Liked it? I adored it. I finally got to see the only people in this country who I consider my friends.
Easton stops petting me and leans back. The sudden lack of touch and kisses leave me aching for more. “Would you like to go home with me?”
I frown, confused as to why he would stop and ask me things he’s never asked before. He’s normally so aggressive, yet it’s as if he’s holding back for me. Why?
I crawl onto his lap and wrap my arms around his neck.
He narrows his eyes. “Is that a yes?”
I smile, and say, “Thank you.”
And I cup his face and kiss him right on the lips.
This time, it’s not taken. This time, I’m not used.
It’s my choice to give.
And I crave to give him all.
