“We’ll take the elevator; you’re still trembling,” he breathed into my ear.
I shivered, both in fear and at the intimacy. We’d only said a few words to each other, and here he was, being my knight in shining armor. He was treating me like a china doll, making me feel fragile. Jonah was just what I needed right now.
I stayed in his embrace as we rode the elevator to my apartment. He continued to stroke my arm and give me gentle squeezes of comfort. I should have been concerned by his proximity, because I was sweaty after my run, but I was not bothered enough to care. I was taking every ounce of solace he had to offer, as well as any warmth because the chill was now bone deep.
My brain wasn’t functioning right; I was still back on the street with the guy pulling aggressively at my arm. My damn iPod wasn’t even the issue – he could have had it, and on reflection, I realized I should have just given it to him.
It just had seemed like he wanted more at the time, and it had frightened me.
I whimpered, my body shuddering as we walked toward my front door.
“We’ll get you settled inside, and then I’ll call the cops.”
He bent down, his eyes connecting with mine.
They held sadness but also a warmth that calmed me.
I nodded as he held his hand out for the key. I had to move away from him to retrieve it, instantly feeling the loss of his soothing heat. He pushed the door open and placed his hand on the small of my back, escorting me in.
To his credit he waited at the entrance, not wanting to step inside without being asked. I smiled at him and cocked my head. I didn’t think my voice was strong enough to actually verbalize anything.
Jonah stepped into the room. It was clear he was uncomfortable from the way he shuffled around. His sharp, blue gaze took in everything in one sweep. He frowned when it rested on my makeshift office in the corner.
“Two screens?”
I took a seat on the small bench near the window, wrapping my arms around my midsection.
“I’m a web designer. It makes things a little easier sometimes. You should see me when I have my laptop on there too.”
He nodded, coming closer and kneeling before me. He touched my arm just above the iPod pocket, grimacing. I turned, noting the rawness of my skin, before Jonah took hold of the lycra band and met my eyes. His words were gentle; his gaze intense.
“I’m going to remove this. Your arm looks sore, so it might burn a bit.”
I nodded, bracing myself as he gently slid the armband down. He placed it on the floor next to his feet and touched the reddened flesh on my bicep. I bit my lip to stop from yelping.
“There doesn’t seem to be any lacerations. It’s going to turn into one bitch of a bruise.”
“Thank you,” I wheezed out.
“Don’t thank me. I wasn’t exactly going to leave you, was I? I just wish I could have caught the bastard!”
When I looked down, he muttered an apology. It made me snicker. He was apologizing for cussing in front of me. I was certain no one had done that before.
“Where’s your phone?”
He stood up and began to look around the room. It was the first time I had been able to see his clothes. He was in plaid pajama bottoms and a simple white T-shirt. He must have been collecting his mail and heard the commotion outside.
“You don’t need to do that,” I whispered.
“Huh?” he asked, but comprehension dawned and seconds later I could see he understood what I was referring to. “Elle, you have to report this.”
“He didn’t steal anything, and I’m just a bit sore.
He didn’t do any damage, Jonah.”
His eyes widened. I realized it was the first time I had said his name out loud. I adored the sound of my name on his lips and wondered what he felt hearing his own name from mine. I watched his chest rise then fall deeply when he expelled a large gust of air.
“What if he tries again? Maybe this time the woman won’t be as strong as you.”
I guessed that was a back handed compliment and stopped a smirk from forming across my lips.
“I have nothing to tell them. It all happened so fast.
I bet you don’t have a description, do you?”
He mussed his hair and shot me the cutest pout I’d ever seen. My chest clenched.
“I guess not. But you still need to call them.”
I remained silent, studying him as he shuffled uncomfortably around the room. I was tried to concentrate on breathing in and out as he continued to distract me. He filled the space with his presence, my body sensing him no matter where he was in the room. He entranced me with his slow, steady steps around my furniture. I grimaced when he handed me the telephone and eventually buckled, calling the police.
Jonah waited with me until they arrived. He continued to pace around the room, averting his eyes from mine, but blushing each time they met. When the cops arrived, Jonah sat on the armchair facing me, prompting me when he thought I was struggling. He then offered up his version of events to the officers. I kept my tears at bay, desperate not to seem too weak to him. It took every ounce of strength I had not to lose it once the police left my apartment.
“Should I get you a drink?” Jonah asked.
“No, it’s fine. I want a shower. I feel really gross,” I replied with a sigh.
He looked me in the eyes; his jaw rigid.
“Can I do anything for you? You look like you’re going to pass out, Elle.”
I stood and walked toward him on wobbly legs but tried to put on a facade.
“You’ve already done so much.” I braced myself and rose up on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek. “Thank you, Jonah.”
I gasped in surprise, when he wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me back into his embrace. On a whim I placed my arms around his neck and hugged him close.
My body sprang to life.
It was as if a charge of electricity surged through my body. Every cell demanded more – demanded Jonah. I wanted to stay here with him surrounding me, making me feel so much better.
For one moment in time, I forgot what had happened in the street below.
All too soon it was over, and he was pulling away.
He’d become self-conscious, trying to get to the door as fast as he could. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. I thanked him again, and eventually he relented.
“Can I check on you later?”
I exhaled, liking his concern. “I’m good. I promise.”
He turned the handle on the door, adding before he left, “I’m sorry that this happened to you, Elle.”
The door clicked closed, I crumbled.
I collapsed onto the floor and sobbed, rubbing my arm where my attacker had tried to wrench the iPod from me. I’d never felt so violated.
Meow prowled across the floor, coming to rest on my lap and sniffing up at my tear stained face. He purred loudly, trying to comfort me in his own noisy way.
It only made me weep more.
I’d spent the rest of the day in bed, crying and hoping to fall into an exhausted sleep.
It never arrived.
I tossed and turned, trying everything I could. The mixed up images continued to swirl in my head. The whole assault was one big blur. The only thing that made any sense was Jonah.
He’d rescued me.
I turned onto my back and stared up at the ceiling.
He’d knocked on the door earlier, wanting to make sure I was doing all right. I couldn’t answer it; I’d still been crying and didn’t want him to know how bad off I really was. I now felt worse for ignoring him. I’d heard him playing his piano shortly afterward. The tune was sad and haunting. The attack seemed to have affected us both. I closed my eyes, hoping his melody would soothe me to sleep, and though it had for a while, I was no longer tired. I contemplated calling J.J. and picked up my cell. It went straight to voicemail. She was obviously asleep or busy with Elijah, her la
test boy-toy.
“Hey,” I said timidly. “It’s me. I just wanted to talk.
Something happened and I just needed a friend. Can you call me when you get this message? Thanks.”
I wasn’t sure how long it would be until J.J.
returned my call, but I hoped the sound of my voice would alert her to the urgency of it. I wanted to talk to someone, yet I didn’t want to call my mom. It would only add to her anxiety about me living here. It wouldn’t be fair to burden her in such a way, because she couldn’t come to comfort me. I had considered going back home, but leaving would feel like defeat on my behalf, and I didn’t come here to give up at the first hurdle.
Grunting in annoyance, I shoved the comforter off me and climbed out of bed. I retrieved my oversized sweater from the back of the small chair I kept near my vanity and walked into the living area. It was eerily quiet with only the low hum of the computer disturbing the silence. I wrapped my sweater tighter around my body and padded across the floor. My iPod lay discarded on the floor, still in the armband; I hadn’t moved it from where Jonah had placed it. I could barely even look at it. I was hurting. I had just wanted to be alone to lick my wounds.
I shivered at the memory of it.
Though I wanted to talk to someone, the only person who seemed to be awake and available was living above me. I wasn’t sure he’d want me knocking on his door so late at night. In fact, I didn’t know if he’d want me at his door at all. I just didn’t want to be here.
Alone.
Meow strolled out of the bedroom and glared at me. He mewled wanting to be picked up, and without question I did as I was asked. I stroked his head, feeling his purrs vibrate across his belly. He was a comfort. I wanted more. I needed human interaction right now. I swallowed my anxiety I collected my keys and cell. Keeping hold of Meow, I walked from my apartment and locked the door. The corridor was dark and horribly quiet, so I scuttled to the elevator as fast as I could. I didn’t want to walk up those stairs alone, and reasoned the elevator was safer. Meow pawed my chest, trying to get comfy in my arms, but he only managed to claw at the skin beneath my sweater. I hissed, adjusting him as the metal doors closed, and tried to get him to retract his claws, all the while attempting to talk myself out of this insane plan.
It was futile. I knew I was going to see him; I needed to hear his voice.
I realized, as I exited the elevator and walked up to his door, that I had no idea what I looked like. I’d been rolling around in bed and must look utterly disheveled. I supposed now was not the time to worry about vanity.
Pushing my nerves down, I knocked on the door and held my breath when the piano stopped. When Meow hissed, I noticed how tight I was clutching him and loosened my hold just as Jonah opened the door. He looked confused, rubbing at his naked chest, frowning.
“Hey,” he said on an exhale.
His voice was rough but smoothed my raw edges, and before I had a chance to stop myself I said, “I don’t want to be alone, Jonah.”
He nodded in acknowledgment and opened the door, allowing me to enter. I stepped nervously inside, not really sure why I’d come to him. Then it hit me.
It was the right thing to do.
I cradled the mug of coffee in my hands, trying to ignore the way my body tingled from Jonah’s proximity.
He’d been so sweet, letting me into his apartment; bringing me a drink; and sitting next to me in silent comfort. We’d said very little since I’d knocked on the door. I wondered if that was because he didn’t know what to say or if I made him feel uncomfortable. The air was thick with tension, and even though it was turning sexual on my behalf, I doubted it was the same for him.
I couldn’t even believe I’d come and knocked on his door at midnight. I knew I should’ve called J.J. or my mom, but Jonah was the only solace my body wanted right now.
It was crazy. I didn’t know him, and yet, I couldn’t deny the reality. It was sitting next to me in the form of my handsome neighbor. I stole a quick glance, only to see he was picking the same invisible fluff from his sweats as I was from my leggings. I knew I should feel embarrassed for going to him, but I didn’t.
I felt better.
Meow had raced across his apartment, and out onto the fire escape almost as soon as I’d entered. Jonah had called him back, and in the cat’s usual style, he turned and did what he wanted anyway. I should have gone after him, but all I could think of was seeking comfort. I just wanted to be held. I gulped every time Jonah shuffled in his seat, as it brought his thigh into contact with my own. Even though we were both clothed the connection was as intimate as if we were naked. My skin was electrified, my thoughts all jumbled. Jonah Quinn had me confused as hell.
“Do you feel better?”
I jumped at the sound of his gravelly voice. It seemed too loud in the quiet room, and my heart thundered against my chest. all I could do was nod. I didn’t trust my own voice. My reactions to him were never what I thought they’d be.
“I don’t want to question you too much. I just need to know you’re okay.”
I swallowed before admitting defeat and speaking, “I didn’t want to be alone, and I heard your music... ”
His fingers touched my wrist, sending little pulses up my arm. His eyes went wide, telling me he felt it too.
What was I supposed to do about that? I was at a loss for words. He proceeded to take the mug from my grasp and sat it down on the table. I nearly lost my ability to breathe upon his touch.
His dexterous fingers took hold of my hands, pressing them between his own as he turned in his seat to face me. I squeezed my thighs together at the intensity of his expression, feeling guilty for my response. Would my body always give me away?
“I... um... I waited up for you. I could hear you... crying. I just wanted to know you were sleeping before I turned in.”
His cheeks flushed the sweetest shade of pink. I smiled. I couldn’t stop it. We were mere strangers, and yet he’d stayed awake because he knew I was upset. Acting on pure instinct, I rested my head on his shoulder and inhaled his scent, closing my eyes to absorb the connection. Our breathing was steady, deep; our heartbeats both throbbing rhythmically, but his constant shuffling gave him away.
“Do you want me to leave, Jonah?” I questioned, my voice low.
I felt his throat constrict, but continued to focus on our hands. He hadn’t let go, so that had to be a good sign, didn’t it? I studied his fingers in the low light. I’d always expected them to be smooth, but I could see, as well as feel, the small calluses along the tips. I deduced that they were from his guitar playing, though from his huge desk in the corner, they very well could be from his drawing. I was still pondering those rough fingers when he spoke, his lips moving against my hair.
“N-no,” he stammered, nerves getting the better of him. “I’m glad you came to me. I’m not a real social person, so I’m sorry if I seem rather strange.”
I huffed then smiled, patting his knee. “Strange wouldn’t be on my top-ten list of descriptions for you.”
“Oh? What would?”
His voice was still low, yet I couldn’t miss the slight lift to his tone. So taking his lead, I kept mine light and teasing.
“Hero.”
“And?”
“Fishing for compliments, Jonah?”
“Elle, please look at me.”
It was a demand rather than a request.
Regardless, I did as he bid and tilted my head to meet his gaze.
I gasped at what I saw. The sound was captured in his mouth as his lips met mine. I was frozen in shock, allowing his lips to caress my own, and when the tip of his tongue touched mine I responded.
Jonah’s hands clasped mine tighter as our tongues slid seductively against one another. He tasted of toothpaste with a hint of the coffee he’d taken a small sip of. It was intoxicating. I moved closer for more, he released my hands so that he could hold my face and deepen the kiss. If I’d have been standing my knees would have buckled; his kiss w
as so startling. He was making the butterflies in my stomach go wild. This was a first kiss like no other, and one I didn’t want to end anytime soon.
When he moved a hand to my waist and tugged a little, I could only hope he wanted what I did. Our connection was severed for a moment while he sat back on the couch, but pulling at my hips. He wanted me to straddle him. My head was yelling for me to stop. I knew nothing about him. I was vulnerable, but then he seemed just as sad as I did tonight.
I bit down on those thoughts and sat on his thighs, facing him. His fingers squeezed my hips as I gazed down at him. His lips were swollen from the kiss, and his blue eyes sparkled. I liked his brand of comfort, getting lost in Jonah was exactly what I needed.
I had so many questions for him. I wanted to know where this was going, but when I opened my mouth to ask, he stopped me by placing a finger across my lips. He shook his head before moving his hand around to cup the back of my neck, then pulled me back down into a searing kiss. Our lips progressed from slow to gentle to crazed and desperate in a matter of seconds. Our steady breaths became short pants as the silence was filled with purrs of approval.
This was spiraling fast, and when he moved his mouth to my neck I knew that this was the time to stop him – to take stock of where this was heading. I forgot what I was thinking the instant his fingers pushed underneath the back of my sweater. They rippled across my rib cage at the same time his teeth started to nibble on my collarbone. My hands pushed into his hair, gripping the strands, hoping to gain an anchor in my twisted little world. Jonah only made the insanity worse when he rolled his hips, thrusting his arousal against me, clarifying exactly what he wanted.
I had two choices. Flight or fuck.
My loud moan when his tongue slid against the column of my throat gave me my answer. I couldn’t run now.
I wanted this – wherever it was going.
“Jonah?” I gasped.
He kept his face level with my chest; his fingers still tickling my back, when he spoke.