Mitch nodded. “He started opening up to her. Shows he trusts her on some level.”
“Then why the hell is she so shattered?”
“He worked her over thoroughly,” Nik expounded, earning him a nasty glare from Tar.
“Is this really necessary?” he snarled at Mitch.
“‘Fraid so, Tar. She’s our ticket in.”
“Look, Tar, he never took it too far,” E chimed in. “I get she’s bruised and sore. Try to think of it as sparring.”
Now that registered with Tar more than anything else. He’d been undercover numerous times and understood how to gain the trust of the ones being investigated. To stay as safe as possible, they had to train. Sometimes that meant using weapons on one another. And anyone who did marital arts knew you’d have some marks after a good sparring round. His heartbeat began to regulate as the SEAL in him grasped the mission systematically. Keeley would hurt, but she wasn’t in imminent danger. From what he could see, none of her bruises were serious. Plus, she didn’t have any fresh lacerations. She moaned out, “I’m fine.”
He kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you into a hot bath.”
E stood, leading the way to a cavernous bathroom. “Want me to draw the bath for you?”
“No. I’ve got it,” Tar replied.
“I’ll be upstairs when you’re done.”
“Thanks.”
Tar noticed E locked the door before closing it. Gratitude filled him for his friend who understood all too well what he was feeling right now. His only mission, at the moment, was to take care of Keeley.
Tar sat on the edge of the oversized tub with Keeley nestled against his chest. He turned on the water as he soothed her. “I’m going to help you out of this robe so I can bathe you.”
“Mm-hmmm,” she hummed out.
He lifted her into the tub and quickly shucked off his boots and clothes, sliding in behind her. She leaned back relishing the feel of skin against skin. He reached over to shut off the water before it overflowed. Grabbing a sponge, he squeezed water over her tight muscles. Tar took great care to be gentle, massaging her as he went. He poured a lavender body wash onto the sponge to cleanse her. The smell of Braxton was clinging to her and he re-lathered her to rid any trace of him. Next, he poured water over her head then shampooed. Massaging her again from head to toe, not wanting to do anything more than take care of her.
Other than a few “oh’s” and “ah’s” from Keeley, she stayed silent, enjoying Tar’s tenderness. She didn’t deserve him. Girls like her did not deserve anyone’s kindness, she thought, but couldn’t bring herself to ask him to stop. She came close to confessing everything, yet stopped herself each time the words threatened to spew. He wouldn’t understand. Add that to the fact, she actually enjoyed the fear as well as the pain Braxton provided. She could live a double life. Hell, she’d done it before. Easy peasy. He’d never be the wiser as long as she didn’t get sloppy. At least she’d learned a thing or two since she was a teenager. Keeley was a pro at covering things up, especially from those she loved. Protecting them from the blackness of her soul was necessary. That kind of darkness should never be set free, destroying all in its path. If it devastated her, fine. She was fully aware it would claim her eventually.
Keeley woke up in the guestroom at Lacey and E’s place. Tar was beside her with his large hand resting on her hip. She flexed, testing her body, feeling better than she should. The man lying next to her was the reason why. His miraculous massage in the hot bath did wonders. Guilt slammed her. She ran her fingers lightly through his hair. He groaned, “Morning, Beautiful.”
Of all the pet names he had for her, that one brought tears to her eyes. It simply wasn’t true, and she fought hard not to protest. “Hi, Handsome,” she cooed before placing a light kiss on his lips.
“Mmm…you sore?”
“Not like I should be.”
“Good.” He deepened the kiss as he pushed her back to the bed, hovering over her on his elbows.
“God, yes, please,” she murmured into his mouth as he eased inside her.
They made love, slow and tender, a beautiful joining of two souls. Keeley couldn’t stop the tears as she climaxed. “You okay?” Tar inquired.
“Perfect,” she replied, realizing it was the truth. Her tears weren’t from sorrow, regret, guilt, or shame. She was crying at the perfection of the moment. One she wanted to lock away and cherish forever. Keeley didn’t have many of them, but the ones she did have…meant the world to her.