Carol's Image (13 page)

Carol, wary, looked up at him, judging his honesty. “Apology accepted.” Sighing, she looked down at her feet momentarily, then speared him with her gaze. “What do you want me to say, Tom? I’m not going to run to you every time a man looks my way.”

“Angel, I get that. What I want you to get is that you do your job. You do your job well. People are gonna be grateful and tell you that. But what I wanna know is if or when someone gets in your space or in your mind and makes you uncomfortable. That shit doesn’t fly with me. I don’t wanna hear from someone else that my woman was uneasy. That comes from you.”

Carol looked back down, seemingly in thought. Tom walked the few steps needed to re-wrap his powerful arms around her.

“I’m not tryin’ to take anything away from you, angel. I’m not tryin’ to control you. I just want you safe.”

Nodding against his muscular chest, she felt her anger ebb.

“Gotta confess, babe. I’m a man who likes to be in charge. I like to take care of what’s mine. But I’m new to relationships, so I’m gonna go overboard sometimes.”

Leaning her head way back, she looked into his eyes. “I guess we both have to get used to this.”

“Angel, I meant what I said earlier. I’m never gonna throw anything in your face. I never meant it that way. I know you’ve struggled with makin’ good choices when it comes to stress. I just wanna take some of that burden off of you.”

Sighing, she tucked herself back against his chest. “Tom, I’ve come a long way since my teenage and college years of eating and throwing up or running it all off as a way of dealing with stress. Most things in my daily life don’t affect me at all that way. I handle it and move on. I just still struggle with dealing with my parents. Or reminders of them. That is where my biggest struggle comes from. Not my job. Not you getting mad. All this, I can handle honey.”

He rested his chin on her head, loving the feel of her in his arms. “I guess we’ll figure this out as we go.”

Giggling, she agreed. “Yeah, Tom. That’s usually what relationships do.”

Squeezing her tighter, he kissed the top of her head.

Carol smiled, listening to his heartbeat against her ear. “I hear your heartbeat,” she whispered.

“It beats for you, angel,” he replied.

F
or the next several days, Carol noticed Bert coming by the ER security desk but he was turned away each time. Finally on the third day, she walked over to one of the security guards. “Marcus, that man who keeps coming in. What does he want?”

“Carol, I was just going to come look for you. I wanted to let you know that as of right now, I am making a formal report on him and banning him from this area.”

Marcus, known for taking his guard duties seriously but also for having a jovial humor, surprised her. Shocked, she asked, “Why? What did he do?”

“He doesn’t need to be down here. Says he’s visiting his brother, and since his brother came in through the ER, he claims that this is the only way he knows how to get to his brother’s room. He’s been denied for the past two days and shown the front entrance. Now he comes in today, asking about you.”

Eyes wide, she felt a trickle of fear move down her spine. “Me?” she said on a whisper.

“Yep. Said you’d been real helpful, and he wanted to know when you got off shift today so he could thank you.”

“You didn’t tell him, did you?”

Marcus replied, looking hurt. “What kind of idiot do you think I am, girl? Hell no, I didn’t tell him. He gave me the creeps, and I told him to leave and not come back. And, I’m filing a formal report banning him from this ER.”

She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry Marcus. I know you wouldn’t tell him. He does seem creepy, but maybe he truly is just lost and then wanted to say thank you.”

“Now who’s being idiotic, girl? You keep away from him; you see him, you turn and run. In fact, isn’t your shift about over? You let me know, and I’ll walk you to your car.”

Thanking him, she headed to the break room. Seeing Sofia, she told her what was going on.

“You going to call Mr. Hot Stuff?” Sofia asked.

“Can’t you just call him Tom?” Carol asked laughing.

“Why? When my names are so much fun and so much more appropriate.”

“Anyway, to answer your question, I guess I had better. He wasn’t too happy with me when I didn’t let him know. It was weird, Sofia. He was demanding, but not like my parents. He is caring, but in a completely different way than Ronald ever was. I just don’t know what to think, but I will assure him that Marcus is walking me out.”

Giving her a quick hug, Sofia walked out calling, “Honey, that is what I was talking about. There can be a man that likes his control – in the bedroom and out of it. That doesn’t make him an asshole if it is all about you. And from what you are telling me, Mr. Tight Pants is all about you! And you can tell him that I said hello!”

Her mood lighter, Carol grabbed her cell phone as she put on her coat. Tom answered on the first ring.

“Hey angel. What’s up?”

“I’m just letting you know that Marcus is walking me to my car. It seems that Bert has been showing up asking about me, so Marcus is filing a report and …”

“Carol, you stay right where you are. Don’t step outside that hospital. I’m coming.”

She huffed, “Tom, this is ridiculous. Marcus is big, protective, and he’s armed.”

“And angel, I’m tellin’ you this is non-negotiable. Do. Not. Leave. The. Building. Without. Me.”

“You don’t think this falls under the category of you going overboard.”

“Nope. Not until I’ve had a chance to ascertain the situation myself. Jake and I are on our way.”

Carol was standing at the security desk, looking at a grinning Marcus.

“So your Mr. Hot Detective is coming to get you?”

“You’ve been talking to Sofia,” she accused.

He just laughed before his attention was then taken away by an ambulance entering the area. Turning back to her, he warned, “Don’t go out by yourself.”

“I promise,” she replied. “I’m just standing right outside the door so I can see Tom when he comes. See you tomorrow.”

She moved to stand outside the ER doors, walking slightly to the side so that she would be able to see the road leading to the hospital. Suddenly, a movement in her peripheral vision startled her. Whirling around, she saw Bert walking up to her from the side.

Glancing back toward the ER doors, she saw Marcus with his back to her. Backing away from Bert, she moved closer to the doors, next to the unloading ambulance. Feeling protected there, she looked at Bert but did not smile.

“Carol, I’ve been looking for you. I missed you the past couple of days.”

Determined to shut him down, she spoke sharply. “Bert, this is my place of work and you cannot come here looking for me. You have already expressed your gratitude for helping your brother, so there is no other reason for us to talk.”

A kicked-puppy dog look flashed across his face. “But I just wanted to see you again. You’re so nice and awfully pretty.”

Raising her hand, she replied, “Bert, the security guard has informed me that you are going to be banned from here. Do not contact me again.”

Heavy, hard, fast footsteps were heard coming from behind her.
I know those footsteps. Oh lordy, this could get ugly.

Whirling around, she plastered a huge smile on her face while walking quickly to him.

“Tom, I wondered when you’d get here honey.”

Tom, sizing up the situation, wrapped her in a big hug and smiled down into her face. “Hey babe. You ready to leave?” Jake stalked up beside Tom, creating a wall of protection. Tom eyed Bert over Carol’s head, staring straight into his eyes.

Bert looked nervous and turned his gaze to the sidewalk.

“Well, I guess I’ll be going Carol,” he said. “It was nice seeing you again.”

Tom pulled Carol back so that he could see her expression. “Tell me now, what is goin’ on, angel. I wanna know what is happenin’ so I know how to respond.”

Just then Marcus walked out of the door. “I see she found you. Good.”

Marcus, Jake, and Tom watched as Bert walked through the parking lot. Marcus cursed, “I told him to stay away.” Looking at Tom he said, “I’ve put in a request to ban him.”

Rounding on Carol, Tom looked down in anger. “Angel, what the hell were you doin’ out here by yourself? I told you to wait inside.”

Embarrassed to be chastised in front of Marcus and Jake, Carol retorted, “I was just standing by the door, Tom. Marcus was right inside. I was not out in the parking lot; I just wanted to be able to see you when you drove up.”

Tom, his arm still wrapped protectively around her shoulders, looked at Marcus. “What’s up?”

As Marcus explained the situation with Bert, Carol could feel Tom’s body getting more solid. Still. Every muscle tight.
Oh Lordy.

Stealing a glance up at his face, then over to Jake’s face, she dropped her eyes quickly.
Breathe. Just breathe.

Tom could feel when the change in Carol’s demeanor appeared. He could feel the slightest trembling in her shoulders and noticed her staring at her tightly clasped hands.
Comfort. She needs comfort.
He slowly rubbed her shoulder and back, rubbing his hand gently up and down.

Jake took notes on Marcus’ reports, noting Tom was holding on to his anger by a thread while trying to comfort Carol.

Jake commented, “We’re gonna check him out more thoroughly. So far, he’s checked out fine. Lives with mom. Dad died a few years back. Has nothing to do with his brother’s drug business. Something’s not right, though.”

Marcus nodded and assured them he would walk Carol to her car at the end of her shift, and when he wasn’t on duty, another security guard would take care of her.

“Angel, you on board with this?” Tom asked, giving her shoulder a slight squeeze.

Grateful that he was finally asking and not just telling, something she was sure he was not accustomed to doing, she looked at all three men, replying, “Yeah. I think that’s a good idea. I’m not afraid of Bert, but I admit he gives me the creeps even if he is just being nice.”

“Nothin’ nice about makin’ someone uncomfortable, Carol,” Jake spoke. What and who was important to Tom was important to him.

She just nodded, feeling safe once again. Noting that Jake and Marcus had been doing the talking, she glanced up at Tom. His expression was hard, but his eyes were warm as they looked back down at her. Smiling a small smile, she felt her body being pulled in tighter to his.

“Takin’ you home, angel. Where are you parked?”

Carol pointed in the direction of her car, as Tom and she walked away from the others after having said their goodbyes.

After buckling in, she looked over at Tom, noting the expression in his face. “Are you still mad?” she asked softly.

Sitting in the driver’s seat with his hands on the steering wheel, he sat quietly for a moment. Just as she thought that he wasn’t going to answer, he looked over at her, his eyes doing a sweep of her face before setting on her eyes.

“Angel,” he said shaking his head, “I’m pissed as hell, but not at you. Pissed at Bert. Jake and I will be paying him a visit.”

“Oh Tom, don’t hurt him!”

“Angel, while I may want to pound the fuck out of him for makin’ you uncomfortable, I’m a cop. And Jake’ll be with me to make sure.” He held her eyes, his face no longer as tight. “Carol, lettin’ you know now that I want you filin’ a restrainin’ order on him.” Holding his hand to her lips as she began to argue, “Nope. Not relenting. If I could be around you twenty four-seven, I would. But since I can’t, I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

Leaning toward her, stopping only when his lips were barely touching hers, he continued. “Gotta say, angel. While I love bein’ able to sleep with you whenever we want to at your place, I’m don’t like you livin’ alone.”

Breathing him in, she leaned back slightly. “I haven’t told you yet, but I’m getting a roommate.” Moving forward to kiss him, she felt the loss as he reared back.

“A roommate? Who’d you get? Have you checked them out? Do you know them?”

Rolling her eyes, she sat back against the seat. “Geez Tom. I can handle getting a roommate, you know. I have been living on my own before, and I’ve had roommates for a number of years. Anyway, I found her on Craig’s List.”

Carol stared in fascination at the instant change in Tom’s face.
Purple. He’s actually purple! Oh shit.

“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me? Craig’s List?” he roared. Taking in her wide-eyed response, he mentally counted to ten.

“Angel, I’m tryin’ here. Honest to god tryin’. You see good in the world and try not to see shit around you. A man like me, in the job I have, I see fuckin’ shit every day. Your goodness touches me, babe, but I want to make sure the shit doesn’t touch you.”

Rubbing his hand over his face breathing deeply, he continued, “I want her name and address. Gonna check her out for you. Please.”

Carol nodded her agreement. After the incident with Bert, maybe being extra cautious wasn’t such a bad thing.

Exhaling her agreement, he leaned back over, sealing his lips onto hers. Licking her seam, he slid his tongue into her mouth, slowly exploring as his tongue danced with hers. The kiss went on for several minutes, growing in intensity as he felt his dick swell uncomfortably in his pants.

“Damn, angel. I gotta have you drop me back off at the station, and I don’t wanna go in with a hard on.” Hearing her giggle made him smile.
I like that. Like hearing my girl happy. Wanna keep that happy in her as much as I can.

“When is your next day off, babe?”

“I work two more nights, and then I have three days off,” she replied.

“You gotta do what you gotta do, angel, but I’m not crazy about you workin’ the graveyard shift all the time.”

She looked into the handsome face of the man she had come to care for. Smiling shyly, she said, “I’ve been thinking about that, honey.”

*