She then crawled into bed with the bottle of wine and tried to drink the memories away. Just my luck. The bottle was almost empty to begin with so I can’t even get drunk enough to forget. To forget the way his mouth kissed as though he was sucking my breath to live himself. To forget the way his arms felt as they wrapped around me. Protecting me, or giving himself something to hold on to. To forget how is dick felt buried deep inside. And to forget that orgasm. Nope, not happening. So she lay in bed, finally falling asleep dreaming about the mysterious man in the room directly under her.
* * *
A few hours later, Sarge was on his feet although still wobbly. Stoney rubbed his dog’s ears, speaking soft words to him as his hands were being licked. “What did I do, Sarge? The first ray of sunshine that enters my world in two years and I bang her up against the wall like some two-bit hooker.”
The darkness of the past couple of years swept over him. The drugs, the fights, the lawlessness he had to participate in to get up in the organization. Every one of those actions took a little bit of his soul until he wondered if he had a soul left. Would I have gone down this path if I had known how it would have ended or how long it would take? Rubbing his hand over his face, he pulled himself out of the darkness that was threatening to overtake him.
Sarge’s large doggie eyes looked into Stoney’s face as though he understood the words.
Shaking his head he said, “What’s more, she’s the kind of forever girl I always wanted to find. And I have to find her in the middle of this fucked up mess. She’ll never know the real me and I can’t even stay around to explain it or make her feel better.” The realization that he should never see her again sliced through him. “I gotta get this done. Then I gotta get out. Then maybe…ah hell.”
Bending down, he wrapped the blanket around his dog, then stood to his full height. Looking around one last time, he quietly left through the back door, slipping out into the night.
Chapter 4
The next morning, Annie jumped out of bed at the sound of the alarm without hitting the snooze button. Anxious to get downstairs to check on Sarge, she hurried through her morning routine. Looking in the mirror, she spent an extra minute on her simple makeup and smoothing her hair. What do I say to Stoney? What do you say to a man that you had sex with on the first night? First night? Hell, it was an only night. Hanging her head in embarrassment for just a moment, she shook off the feelings and looked back into the mirror. Girl, for once you did something spontaneous. Get back down there and face him.
Going with her pep talk, she hurried down the stairs and entered the clinic through the back door. “Stoney?” she called. “How’s our patient this morning?”
The silent clinic was her only greeting. Walking into the recovery area her eyes darted around as she realized it was empty. No Sarge. No Stoney. The room looked just as she left it last night. Everything in its place. It looked as though there had never been any activity. Stunned, she walked over and peered into the laundry bin. There were the blood covered scrubs. It wasn’t a dream. He was here. The realization dawned on her. He couldn’t wait to get out. He didn’t want to see me this morning.
A strange feeling of disappointment filled her. She walked slowly over to the wall where just hours earlier she had been with him. Placing her hand up against the cold surface, she wanted to feel some of the heat that she had felt then. But all that was left from last night was the cold on her fingertips and the memories. You are such a fool.
Her eyes caught an envelope taped to the door that led to the alley. Walking over and with shaky hands, she opened it. Five one-hundred dollar bills were inside along with a note. Pulling the note out, she read: Thanks for the help. Sarge seems fine. I hope this covers the cost of the surgery. I needed to leave before the morning. Stay safe. Stoney
Eyes closed, she clutched the money and note in her hand. Sucking in a huge breath, she suddenly turned and walked to the reception area. Putting the money in the bank bag, she headed out the front door. There is no way I can explain this to Suzanne. First stop, bank. Fine. I can do this. I had my one spontaneous one-night stand. No more. From now on, I play it safe and if I’m destined to be a cat lady, then so be it!
After her trip to the bank, Annie ran to the butcher shop and then to the market down the street. Greeting the storeowners as she went, she tried to lighten her mood. Mr. Tochi at the market was always trying to set her up with his nephew.
“But he’s an accountant and wears a suit to work,” he pleaded. “You’re a doctor. You would make a good match and make pretty babies.”