Trust Me (32 page)

“You are cleared to resume all normal activities, Miss Scott. Your bruises are healing nicely, and they should be gone within the next week or so. Please call the office if any new symptoms should arise.” The doctor lays a business card on the kitchen table, and then he starts packing up his things into his bag.

“Thank you, Dr. Ferguson, for everything.” I pick up his card and put it into my pocket. I like him as a doctor. He has a calm bedside manner that doesn’t ratchet up my anxiety.

He snaps his bag shut and picks it up. “You are most welcome, Miss Scott.”

He walks out of the house.

It’s been three days since I was released from the hospital. Since then, this is the first time I can remember being alone. Between Damien, Sam, Dr. Ferguson, and the nurses, I’ve been in someone’s sight the entire time.

Damien hasn’t made love to me since before the incident, and it’s starting to wear on me. At least, he is sleeping with me in the same bed, but he refuses to take it further than a gentle kiss, like I’m only a dear friend. He’s even been wearing pajamas to bed. After he had to listen to the answers I gave the officer, part of me wonders if Damien is repulsed by me because another man tried to touch me, even though I have no memory of it.

Aimlessly, I start walking through the house as I think about one of the interrogations.

“Miss Scott, I’m Officer Daily, and this is Officer Huron. We’d like to ask you a few follow-up questions regarding the alleged drugging and assault.”

This is the second time the police have come to the house since I was released from the hospital. Although it’s a different set of officers, they have all used the word
alleged
. I hate that word.

We are all seated in the formal living room. Damien wraps his arm possessively around my shoulders as we sit on the couch.

“Hello, officers. I’m not sure what more I can do to help. I have no memory of the event. I told the previous officers everything I remember from the party, which wasn’t much.”

When Officer Daily shifts in his tight uniform, I notice residual doughnut flakes on his collar.

“We’ve spoken to Mr. Wales and Miss Matthews extensively about the event, but we have a few other follow-up questions for you, Miss Scott. Officer Huron is here to observe the questioning,” Officer Daily says.

I give a polite smile as he pulls out his little notepad.

“Were you and Mr. Brad Paxton ever sexually active?”

My face flames with embarrassment. Damien looks like he’s going to shoot through the roof. Before he has a chance to respond, I lay my hand on his knee and squeeze gently, hoping to keep him at bay.

I look Officer Daily straight in the eye. “No, Brad was only an acquaintance I saw at events I attended with my friend, Sam Matthews.”

As he jots down a few things in his notepad, I notice his comb-over from this angle.

“Did you dance with Mr. Paxton at an establishment named the Hitchin’ Post?”

Oh geez.
By his tone, it seems like I’m being accused of doing something wrong.

Trying to keep my voice level because my stress is increasing, I say, “No, I danced with Sam. As I was leaving the dance floor, Brad dragged me back and tried to dance with me.”

“So, you did dance with him?” The officer is just sitting there, looking at me.

It’s as if he’s trying to catch me in a lie. The way he’s treating me is becoming borderline hostile. I give Damien’s knee another squeeze.

“No, there was no dancing. He tried. I refused.”

Officer Daily notes a few more things. “Earlier that same evening, did you elect to sit in the front seat with Mr. Paxton as he drove to the Hitchin’ Post?”

I feel Damien’s posture get more erect beside me. This officer has about reached the end of his rope. It’s as if he’s jumbling the order of events that evening to throw me off.

“Yes, I sat in the front seat. Seven other girls were also in the car, and when they picked me up, the only seat available was the front seat.”

He continues making notes in that damn notepad. I want to go grab it and beat him with it. I’m the victim here.

“So, you two went together to the Hitchin’ Post?”

Damien stands up. “I think that’s enough for today. I do not appreciate you coming here and harassing my girlfriend with false accusations in that condescending tone. That asshole drugged her, and he was going to rape her. Point the fucking finger in the right direction.”

Both officers rise from their seats.

Officer Huron speaks for the first time. “Sir, we meant no disrespect. Thank you for your time. We’ll be in touch.”

They leave.

Going up to Damien, I give him a hug from behind.

“Alli, I’m ordering extra security detail for the house until this is behind us.”

My anxiety starts creeping into the red zone, and I tighten my hold on Damien. “Am I still in danger?”

“No, baby. You’re safe. I’m just taking more precautions to make me feel better about your safety.” He turns around and gives me a kiss to soothe me.

Every once in a while, an image from that night flashes through my mind, but I can’t keep it long enough to form anything concrete. Brad has robbed something from me that I’ll never get back, and it’s annoying and scary at the same time.

As I round the corner on the way to Damien’s office, I nearly run into Ben.

“Excuse me, Miss Scott. I didn’t see you there.”

He instinctively reaches to steady me, but then he immediately withdraws his hands.

“No worries. I was just going to see Damien.”

Since my accident, Ben has been very nice, and he has tried to help in any way he can. I’m glad that he’s accepting me as Damien’s serious girlfriend.

“Just so you know, he’s been on a conference call for quite some time. How are you feeling?” He adjusts the bag he’s carrying on his shoulders.

“Better. Thanks for all you did for Damien and me while I was in the hospital. I appreciate it.”

He smiles as he shifts from one foot to the other, obviously embarrassed from receiving the compliment. He has a nice warm smile that matches his eyes.
He should smile more often.
I cannot help but return his expression.

“No problem, Miss Scott. Have a good day, and let me know if there is anything you need.”

I smile and nod, and then he continues his way down the hall.

As I approach Damien’s office door, I can hear his aggravated voice rising in that no-nonsense tone. I pause outside the door, waiting for a better moment to enter.

“Listen, I am not coming there to sort through some squabble that you should be able to handle with the amount of money you get paid. If you can’t sort out your department’s shit, I’ll hire someone who can. No, consider that a statement of fact. In three hours, I want an update on the progress that has been made, or make no mistake, I will follow through.”

Good grief.
It’s rare for me to see him in true business form. I get such a tender side of him that this part of him surprises me.

After hearing him slam the phone down, I knock on the door.

“What?” he yells.

Oh, he doesn’t want to be bothered. I should have known.
I don’t know why, but I’ve been feeling so timid and unsure around him lately.

Through the door, I mutter, “Um, never mind. I’ll come back later.” I start walking down the hall as fast as I can.

I just feel so out of sorts with Damien right now.
Maybe I just need to go home for a few days to think everything through.

I hear Damien calling my name from behind me, and I stop and slowly turn to face him. He’s striding toward me with a look of concern on his face. Even when working from home, he wears a button-down shirt and business slacks. If it were me, I wouldn’t get out of my pajamas.

“Alli, I didn’t know it was you. Is something wrong? Are you feeling okay? What did the doctor say?” He touches my arm as he looks me over.

I love his touch.
I shake my head. “Um, I’m fine. Dr. Ferguson says I’m good to go. I was just coming to say hi. You’re obviously really busy, so I’m thinking about going back to my place.”

He stands more erect. “No.”

Geez, he’s not going to order me around like this.
I’m immediately riled up.
I cannot believe he’s actually pulling this again instead of discussing things with me.
“No?” I ask, my voice reflecting my shock.

“No. If you need something from there, I will get it for you. Other than that, you need to remain here.”

His sternness takes me off guard. Everything is just out of sync with us.

I smile, trying to keep the peace. “There’s nothing in particular I need. I just thought I should check on my place. You can finish up your business, and then we will see each other later. I’ll have Sam pick me up since my car is not here. She’s in Atlanta today, so it’s not a big deal for her to drive me back to Waleska.”

He begins rubbing his forehead. “Alli, I’m not going to argue with you about this.”

“Good. Give me a call later after you’re done working.”

I turn on my heel and make it about three steps before he scoops me up and carries me down the hall.

He’s not the only one who can be irritated.
“Put me down, Damien.”

“No, we’ve discussed this.”

“No, we’ve discussed that I would not vanish completely off the face of the Earth with no way to communicate with me. I never agreed to being held a prisoner. We also discussed that you wouldn’t just command me around like a dog.” My voice is escalating in volume.

He doesn’t say a word as he carries me down the corridor. I just want to scream with all these emotions I have bubbling around inside me.

He stops in front of a wall and pushes open a door hidden within the paneling.
How clever.
He brings us into a room I haven’t been in before, which is odd. The room is exquisite with its rich, warm inviting colors. The deepest chairs and couches I have ever seen are arranged in the middle of the room. I look around in awe at the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining three walls. The fourth wall in the back of the room is made of glass with water running behind it. I can hear the sound of the water flowing, and it’s very soothing.

Almost in wonder, I say, “How did I not know about this room? It’s wonderful.”

“It’s a surprise I had done for you. It’s a place for you to come and relax. They just finished it.” He strides toward one of the couches and gently deposits me on the edge.

I honestly have no words as I continue to take in the room.

He kneels in front of me. “I’m not keeping you prisoner, Alli. I just had to deal with you being drugged and nearly raped. Brad has been released on bail, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting you out of my sight until he’s back behind bars. He’s probably pissed beyond belief and looking to finish what he started.”

The blood completely drains from my face. I had no idea.
Brad’s out there, potentially looking for me.
No wonder Damien has been so agitated. However, it still doesn’t explain the nonexistent sex part of our relationship.

“I had no idea. How did it happen? Can they rearrest him?”

Sensing my unease, he sits beside me and brings me to him. “You’re safe, Alli. Just please listen to me on this. I’m a little on edge, and I’m sorry I just didn’t talk to you. I panicked. He was supposed to be refused bail. My lawyers are working with the prosecutor to file a motion to have the bond revoked. They should have him within the next twenty-four hours.”

After taking a deep breath, I put it all out there. “Is that why you won’t touch me? Because you’re afraid he’s going to get to me again and taint me more than I already am? I can’t remember what happened exactly, and I understand if you don’t want me anymore. I just need to know. You’ve been so different with me these last few days.”

He looks at me incredulously, like I just grew two heads. “What are you talking about?”

I fiddle with my T-shirt. “We haven’t
been together
since before the incident. I just want you to know that I understand. You don’t have to keep up pretenses any longer.” I’m trying to keep my emotions under control in case Damien tells me that he doesn’t want me anymore.

“You think I haven’t touched you because of what you’ve been through?”

I nod my head as tears start to pool in my eyes.
Damn betraying tears.

“That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. It’s taken everything I’ve had in me not to take you and make love to you until we both can’t walk for days. I have this urge to let the world know you’re mine, and nobody fucks with what’s mine.”

My head snaps up. “What? Then, why?”
I’m so confused.

“Because you’ve been through a terrible ordeal, and I don’t want to hurt you with how possessive I’ve been feeling. I never want you to think that I don’t want to be with you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and I was waiting until I knew you wanted it. If I even tried to kiss you deeper than what I’ve been so far, I wouldn’t be able to stop.

“I’m so desperate for you, but keeping you safe in every aspect possible will always be my first priority. I want you to move in with me, Alli. I’ve been trying to get you to move in for months. I’m in love with you, and like I’ve said a thousand times, I’m never giving you up.”

The thought of losing Damien has been terrifying. I start to cry at his eloquent and beautiful words. “I’m sorry. It’s been painful, thinking you don’t want me anymore because I didn’t listen to you. I’m so sorry. I just…I don’t know. It’s all so overwhelming.”

He grabs me and pulls me to him, and he starts soothingly stroking me. “Baby, nothing has changed between us. I just wouldn’t be able to handle it if you thought I was
him
. I didn’t want you to panic while I was making love to you. I would stop anytime you wanted me to, but having images of the attack come back to you and then associating me with him would absolutely kill me.”

Oh, wow.
He was afraid I would have some sort of flashback and struggle against his touch. There’s no way in this world that could happen with him. “I could never think you were him.”