The night air was cool against her skin, making her tuck her hands under her arm pits to ward off the shivers that were trembling through her limbs. It wasn't all that cold, but the fear of Cole finding her was still coursing through her system. Staying in the shadows, just to be sure not to attract any attention, she made her way to the clothing bin she used to raid for her and her mother. Tears of relief pricked her eyes as she saw the bags sitting against its red side. She doubted she had the strength to break through the locked door. While sending a silent thank you to the heavens, she began pawing through the bags until she had a jumper, track pants and socks added to her body. The feel of material against her skin felt foreign, in a good way. With a renewed sense of inner calm, Kelly rose and continued on her way. As she was heading out of town, she saw a big green sign that read "Rosebery 67km." She smiled as she strode down the road.
She was finally free.
~ * ~
"I cannot believe I caved in." Adele grumbled as she tugged on her hiking boots.
Kit chuckled, "You've given that man the slip for how long now? You've done well to last this long without caving in to his charms, doll."
"You're not helping, Kit. You know why I can't give in."
"Adele, your mother wouldn't want you hiding away from life because of the choices she made and were made for her. She would want you to live." Kit wrapped Adele in a hug as she continued speaking. "I know where you're going today, keep your phone close. If you feel threatened at all, call me and I'll come running. You know I will."
Adele hugged her friend back.
"I know, Kit. Thanks, what would I do with out you?" She was so grateful for everything Kit did for her.
"Let's see, you'd be staying home getting bored out of your mind because I wouldn't be pushing you to accept the attention of a hot man who's chasing you down?" Kit said on a laugh.
Adele couldn't help but chuckle along with her.
"You're totally insane, Kit, but you know I love you for it, right?"
"Oh, don't go getting mushy, doll. You know I love you like a sister and let's leave it at that."
Their sisterly bonding moment was broken by the doorbell.
Adele headed to the door to greet Dominic; he had been avoiding her for the last three days. She was certain it was because he didn't want to give her a chance to back out, but she found she missed not seeing him every day. He always found ways to see her during the day; he really was very sweet and attentive toward her.
She opened the door and froze as she drunk in the beauty that was Dominic. From his lean waist and broad shoulders to his ice blue eyes and cheeky grin... Adele blushed as she realized she was staring and he'd busted her. She felt his heat warm her as he stepped up to her. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he began to whisper in her ear.
"Good morning, beautiful, you look radiant this morning." He kissed her cheek which she was certain still showed her blush. He pulled back slightly, loosening his hold so he could look down at her face.
Adele gazed wide-eyed up at Dominic. She was going up in flames from his kiss and his touch. Why did this man affect her so when no man had ever before even caught her eye? Dominic's arm was still wrapped around her waist; her neck still tingled from where his hot breath had been while he had whispered in her ear. He had told her she looked 'radiant' but no one had ever called her that. She was average height, had average brown hair and a larger than average body--nothing a man would find appealing she was sure. Kit thankfully saved the day by coming up behind her to hand her a small backpack.
"Here you go, doll. Don't let him whisk you away without your stuff. Hi, Dominic." Without taking his eyes from hers, he reached out and took her bag from Kit. She guessed he must have missed her too.
"Hey, Kit. How are you going?"
"I'm doing okay, Dominic. I'll leave you two be so you can get going. Catch you both later." Kit walked back into the house, leaving Adele alone with Dominic.
"I've got everything covered for today, Adele, you don't need to bring anything but yourself."
"It's just habit, I guess. I always take a first aid kit and water with me everywhere. It's kind of like a security blanket," Adele said quietly while she felt her face heat further with embarrassment. Dominic seemed to pick up on it and let it go, slinging her bag over his shoulder.
"Okay, so we're all set. Let's get moving. It's going to be a hot one later this afternoon, so the earlier we get there the better."
With his arm still firmly around Adele's waist, he led her down the drive to his metallic blue Toyota Rav 4.
"I'll be able to get fairly close to where we're going in the Rav so we won't have to far to walk later when it gets hotter."