Get Off on the Pain(61)

Walking past my computer, I stop and stare at the folder that reads ‘Memphis.’ Every time I look at it my heart skips a beat and then feels as if it’s being ripped from my chest simultaneously. It’s like everything inside me aches to see him. The feeling is so strong that it takes my breath away.

I glance over at my bed, realizing that there’s no way I’ll be getting sleep anytime soon, at least not until I know that Memphis is home and safe. I just hope he doesn’t disappear like he already has a couple times before. I can’t handle that. Not now.

Taking a seat in my black chair, I click on his folder and an instant rush of excitement runs through me as his pictures pop up one by one, stealing my damn air. It’s insane that he has this kind of affect on me, even when he’s not physically present. He’s special to me no matter what he says, and now that I’ve had him . . . I’m not giving up on him whether he tries to make me or not. I can’t.

My eyes scan over the pictures and stop when ones of me and him together catch my attention. My whole body heats up from the images before me and it only makes me want Memphis more. The way he made me feel is unforgettable and you can see it all over my face as he pleasured me. Something about seeing me naked with him is so damn beautiful; it’s hard to turn away from. I don’t want to.

My breath hitches in my throat and I look up when I hear Alex’s truck pull into the driveway next door. Before I can control my feet I’m jumping onto my bed to look out the window. I shove the curtain aside and my heart sinks to my stomach. I get a sick feeling in my chest when I only see Alex.

Alex tilts his head to look over at my window. He looks worried and that look makes me want to puke, but I push it back and try my best to stay calm.

Don’t panic. There’s no need to panic.

A small smile creeps over Alex’s face as he nods his head at me. Then he mouths that everything is okay. I just nod my head back and get ready to move from the window, but stop when I notice a small white car pull up.

My heart speeds up in anticipation of Memphis getting out of the car. It has to be him. Who else would it be?

I notice a headful of beautiful, long, reddish-brown hair as a woman steps out of the driver’s side and grins at Alex. They both look so happy to see each other that I can’t help but to smile to myself before closing the curtain and lying back on my bed.

Another hour slowly passes before I finally hear Bailey leave with Landen. It’s got to be getting close to two a.m. and there’s still no sign of Memphis. I want to go next door and ask Alex, but the white car is still out front and I don’t want to disturb whatever it is that they’re doing.

Yawning, I take a deep breath and roll over on my side to turn on some music. I need anything but silence right now. I need something, anything to take my mind off Memphis.

Suddenly my emotions are beginning to get the better of me, so I pull the blankets around me and try to get comfortable. It just doesn’t feel the same though. I feel lonely and . . . empty. The feeling is overwhelming.

Closing my eyes, I pretend that I’m back in Memphis’ bed, wrapped up in his strong arms. I moan as I imagine the smell of his skin. Something about being so close to him makes me feel safe and cared for. I have to admit that it’s something I’ve never felt before. I’ve had two short relationships and neither one of them ever made me feel that way, not even a little. There is no comparison whatsoever.

I take a deep breath and it’s almost as if I can really smell him. Something about that makes me feel happy inside, and I find myself smiling like an idiot.

“God that smell is so sexy,” I whisper.

“So are you.”

Throwing my hand over my chest, I sit up real fast and almost scream with joy when I see Memphis standing in the doorway. My heart speeds up as he steps into my room, and that’s when I see it. His face is bloodied and bruised, his hands cut open, and his shirt is splattered with blood.

“Oh my God!” I jump out of bed and run over to him. “What happened Memphis? Are you okay?” I run my hands over his face as panic surges through me. Seeing him this way breaks my heart more than I could have ever imagined. Every single part of me screams and aches to take care of him and take away his pain.

“Did this happen in the alley, Memphis? Talk to me! You look bad, really fucking bad. I can handle it. I’ve seen more shit than you could ever imagine over the course of my life.”

He shakes his head and grips my hands, bringing them down to his chest. “Nah. None of those fuckers in the alley could do this kind of damage to me. Trust me.” His jaw steels. “This is something that I really need you to stay out of. Do you understand me?”