Rescue Me(41)

If anyone can make me laugh and cry at the same time, it’s my sister. She has a way with words that makes you want to laugh your ass off.

I absolutely hate feeling helpless when it comes to Joel. If I would just let my conscience speak for itself, I would be so much more balanced and at peace. When I turn to look at the man I am one hundred percent sure I love with everything within me, my vision becomes clearer as I see nothing but love glancing back at me.

I take small steps until I reach Adam and when I do, all sense or reason is locked away tightly. He says nothing to me but instead lifts me into his arms and carries me down the hall. I twist my head around to glance at my sister and mouth, ‘I love you’. I get a wink and an ‘I love you, too’ from her. I lay my head on Adam’s chest and the comfort of just being in his arms soothes me.

“What are you doing?” I whisper as he places me on the edge of the bed.

“Stay here, babe. I will be right back.” I sit there for a few minutes contemplating everything that has happened this evening. I know Joel so well. He will not give up. For whatever reason he is here to try and hurt me, and my inner self knows the only way he can accomplish that is through Sierra. What he doesn’t know is, I am stronger than I was, and I will be damned if I let that prick of an excuse of a man get his hands on my daughter.

Adam comes walking back in trying to juggle a bottle of wine and several candles in his hands. I just sit there with my mouth hanging open as I watch him enter the bathroom. I tilt my body as far as it can go on the bed so I can stare at the sight of his beautiful, tight ass in his sweats. I never even noticed he didn’t even have a shirt on as I watch him light the candles and turn the lights off in the bathroom.

He saunters in to the bedroom and lowers himself in front of me. After he removes my socks, he kisses each one of my toes and then places them delicately back on the floor. Meeting my eyes, he sticks out his hand for me to take. I put my hand in his and he slowly lifts me off the bed and strips me of all my clothing.

“Go climb in the bath. I hope the temp of the water is okay for you. Let me just check on your sister and make sure she is okay, then I will be in to join you.”

Inside the bathroom, I see all the candles around the tub and the bottle of wine sitting on the floor. I step in and immerse myself in the water. The temp is perfect and the aroma coming from the bubbles smells so good. It’s my favorite wildflower scent. As I lay my head back, I smile over the fact that Adam seems to know exactly what I like and need. Like the fact that baths calm me, and that I love wine and candles and the smell of wildflowers. For such a tough man, he really is a romantic when it comes to taking care of me. I love the fact that when I talk, Adam really listens to what I am saying. It doesn’t matter what I am talking about, he listens, and the most important thing is he remembers everything I tell him. I love the way he is with the girls and the way he cares for Shayne. He is the first person to jump in and protect those around him that he loves. I simply love him. I shoot straight up in the tub after that latest revelation. I do. I love him.

The expression on my face must be a shock to Adam as he steps into the bathroom gloriously naked. I do a double take at the hottie standing before me. Damn, I have the urge to just climb out of this tub and have him take me right here. He bends down and picks up the bottle of wine, bringing it to his lips and taking a giant swig. I simply watch as he drinks half the bottle. Even that is sexy as hell.

“From the way you are looking at me, I would guess you’re happy to see me?” His tone is cocky as hell when he pulls the bottle from his mouth. I have to give myself a mental headshake before I can finally speak.

“I am always happy to see you,” I reply huskily.

“Good, now scooch your sexy ass up so I can climb in there with my woman and hold her, because something tells me she needs it right now.”

Oh, hell. Here he goes with the Mr. Romantic side again. When he climbs in and has me positioned how he wants me, he reaches for the bottle of wine. I take a long sip as he puts it to my lips.

I lean back on his chest. “You know, I have never drunk expensive wine straight out of the bottle before. I kind of like it.”

“I’m glad you do.” He gently starts to run his hands up and down my arms. “I need you to tell me that you’re okay, Erin. You have come so far and I don’t want him to set you back.”

I am not sure how to answer that, so I give myself time to think for a minute before answering him the best way I can.

“I won’t let him tear me down again, that’s for damn sure, but I do think it is time for me to tell you some of the things he did to me.” I turn and look deep into his eyes and try to decipher whether he is going to be able to handle what I am about to tell him. He simply nods. I turn back, not wanting to face him as I speak. It amazes me that I can go from seeing Joel for the first time in years, to thinking about how lucky I am to have a man like Adam, then back to thinking about Joel again. So with a small sigh and a feeling of confidence and contentment, I relive my worst nightmare all over again.