Healing Hands (6 page)

Sophie stumbled blindly towards the bathroom retching violently she crouched over the basin and
emptied the contents of her stomach, she heard steps racing up the stairs and heading towards her
but her breathing was so erratic she instinctively screamed and threw herself on the floor cowering
into the corner clasping her throat scratching it with her nails everything was slipping into a tiny
circle of vision she saw her angels face his mouth moving slowly but she had white noise in her
head no sound was making sense he started to rub her back but she threw herself away from him
screaming banging her hip on the shower tray, the pain shot through her brain and it helped focus
her for a moment and she looked at Marcus in despair.

Marcus had no idea what had occurred he had heard her run to the bathroom and her retching
noises he shot upstairs to see if he could help assuming she was ill but what he saw broke his heart
into pieces, Sophie was a shivering wreck totally ashen doubled over and the way she was
scratching at her neck was in human he tried to coax her out of it but his mere presence seemed to
make her more terrified, he had witnessed panic attacks before but this was severe she could harm
herself. She wriggled out of his grasp and just seemed to throw herself without any care and as she
landed he heard a tearing noise and saw she had cut her thigh on the tile edging of the shower, it
looked quite deep he had to help her quickly as she was bleeding profusely, thank God he had
driven in his Cayenne his bag was always kept in the boot, he knelt beside her she had started to
come back to herself a little the pain had distracted her and snapped her out of her frenzy she
stared at him helplessly he stroked her cheeks wiping her tears.
“Honey you are hurt I am getting my bag then I am going to look at that leg OK I won't be a second”
She nodded at him so he knew she had understood, he stroked her face again and she closed her
eyes. Marcus went to his car and fetched his bag brought it upstairs and put it next to the bed that
was when he saw the note “Shit who the fuck did this guy think he was and what the hell does he
mean by “this time” he would get answers when she was calmed down, there was obviously a lot
more to her story and he needed answers but right now her leg was priority, he slipped the note
back in the envelope, that was going to forensics if he had anything to do with it. He walked back
into the bathroom, Sophie was sat hugging her knees rocking herself but she was definitely calmer
now, he put his arms underneath her and indicated he was about to lift her up she wrapped her
arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest desperate for safety and some contact with
him, he lay her on the bed on a towel and peeled off her torn trousers, the cut wasn't too bad one
or two stitches should suffice he set to work cleaning the wound and carefully taping a gauze to it
after stitching. Sophie laid back and watched as yet again her angel tended to her wounds, soon he
would think her far too large a burden to deal with and let her go. When he had finished he drew
her into his arms and held her tightly she felt his heart beating rapidly she saw he had moved the
note so he must have read it and put two and two together, blimey where to start she drew back
and sat herself on the pillows drawing the cover up to her bare legs, “Marcus I need to tell you
how I got away from Jasper” he was about to interrupt but she stopped him “no let me tell you
everything first then you speak”
Marcus listened as Sophie told him the entire story. When she told him the part of the attempted
murder he stood and paced the floor fists clenching biting his lip to prevent vile language escaping,
now the letter made sense he wanted her dead this was serious the fact she couldn’t inform the
police because of the fear of blackmail added to the problem, he needed to sort this once and for
all. The letter had been posted late last night so someone had told him where she was that means
she had been spotted at the wedding, someone must have tipped him off, Marcus had a sudden
blast of memory Duncan had been at uni with Jasper Bonavia he remembered him taking the piss
out of his ego and how sick he was, he sat back on the bed forlorn he was the one that had put her
in danger and his family had caused this she was in danger because of Duncan just like Livvy had all
because of his burning jealousy of Marcus.
“Sophie, did Duncan say anything to you strange yesterday?” she looked at him and nodded
“he said he recognised me but couldn't work out where but how would he know to tell Jasper?”
“he was in uni with him if I had known the whole story before yesterday I would never have taken
you, baby it’s all my fault I am so sorry” he put his face in his hands Sophie pulled him towards her
“No please don't take any blame for this, it could have happened at any time it was inevitable, but I
need to leave before he gets to Anglesey it won't take him long to get here he must have searched
rentals to track me to this address I stupidly rented the cottage under my own name” Marcus
jumped in to action “you will be safe at my place I have good security, I will contact my dad he has
his own security company so I will get some extra men drafted in, he will be happy to help leave it
to me, you just get everything you need are you sure you feel alright now?.”
Sophie stood carefully her leg throbbed but it wasn't too painful, “I will be fine it’s passed now
“she needed to pack and now she knew her Samaritan was still with her she felt stronger and got
to work packing away her life for the second time in a matter of months.

Marcus drove through his gates and Sophie soon realised why he was insisting on her staying with
him despite the fact that Duncan would probably have told Jasper about her relationship with
Marcus, the huge security gates were controlled by his remote were guarded with two CCTV
camera's and any visitors had to speak through an intercom to get permission to enter. The
gardens were spectacular and well-manicured and the house stood with its rear facing the Menai
Straits, apparently there was a mooring at the end of his land, Marcus had inherited a share of his
grandfather’s money when he died and even though it was divided between the children and
grandchildren it still left him with a handsome bank balance and with his position at the hospital
Dr Taylor was a wealthy man. A woman was waiting on the steps to the entrance and behind her a
very tall imposing looking man Sophie assumed they were his house keeper and grounds man,
they were expecting an extra guest.
“Dr Taylor and Miss Merchant, welcome Samuel will take your cases Miss, “ Mrs Boyle or Florence
as she wanted to be addressed was a thin looking woman with almost jet black wiry hair set in
short perfect curls, she had a real sparkle in her eyes and Sophie sensed a warmth that she found
comforting, The extra security were on their way sent by Don whose security company hired only
ex-military staff, they were being sent a pair of ex marines called Griffin and Hobbs, they would be
sent off to familiarise themselves with the surroundings looking for possible breeches in the
perimeters and set up new surveillance equipment no expense spared.

Sophie followed Florence into the main entrance and the housekeeper went off to the kitchen to
make the Doc's favourite coffee Samuel took her bags up to the master suite, Marcus wanted her
in his bed from now on, the couple were left to themselves.
“well what do you think?” Marcus wanted to be sure Sophie felt secure and could relax here she
looked around the grand hall and thought how glorious it must have been in its period, she
wandered through the downstairs with Marcus following her she loved the lay out and the ceiling
heights and windows were exceptional, her overall impression was that Marcus had neglected it a
little, it just needed some love to bring it back to its former glory days.
“its beautiful I love it, the views are breath-taking, so much land out the back I can't wait to
explore but first does the bathroom have a large bath tub ? I would like nothing better than a soak
after we have a hot drink of course” she gave him a subtle smile and licked her bottom lip, “soak it
is” he replied pulling her close enough to drop a kiss on her now wet lips, he had backed off after
her panic attack letting her gather herself and now it seemed she had recovered and was back to
flirting with him, lucky me he thought smiling knowingly down at her.
The coffees were delicious and Sophie sat looking out over the gardens and the Straits beyond
wondering how far away her predator was, she shuddered and leaned into to Marcus who
wrapped his spare arm around her waist stroking beneath her top on her rib cage, the hunger in
his eyes hit Sophie and she felt herself well up with emotion, he still wanted her after he knew
everything, it almost hurt to feel the love she had for him at this moment. Marcus took her cup
and put it on the table “bath time for Sophie” he smirked picked her up and gently and carried her
up the sweeping staircase to the master suite, Florence passed them on the stairs and beamed at
them, she was so thrilled to see Marcus in love, it had been a long time coming she had watched
him after Livvy died and feared he would never allow himself to love again, it was wonderful to
witness it happening and she had a very smug proud look on her face as she retired for the night.
The master suite was luxurious the bed was enormous and dressed in pure white linen with soft
throws and scatter cushions in beige and chocolate, the view was magnificent as the bedroom was
facing the rear so she could see the water in the distance. Marcus placed her on the chaise longue
in the bay of the window so she could appreciate it while he ran the bath. “you can't soak for long
baby as the stitches could loosen so a quick one and then we need to dry it properly so you don't
get it infected” he kissed the top of her head and went back to watch the water. Sophie so wanted
everything to be perfect after their wonderful night of passion on Saturday but she felt he was
treating her with kid gloves not only because of her leg but her state of mind, she would have to
show him she was now perfectly OK.
When Marcus came back out with the bath ready he was halted in his tracks as Sophie was totally
naked stood waiting for him, without dropping his gaze he hastily removed all his clothes much to
her delight then marched over scooped her up his erection teasing her buttock as he walked, he
gently stood her in the bubbles and watched her lower herself slowly into the warm water, she had
tied her hair up in a loose bun high on her head to stop her hair getting wet, it gave him a fabulous
view of her pure white neck and throat, she winced slightly when the water first reached her cut
but then sank down until only the top of her voluptuous breasts were visible.
“are you sharing” he asked sheepishly she shuffled forward to give him room to sit behind her she
had to put her legs over his so he didn't press on her wound. She lay her head back on his chest
and he kissed her neck she moaned and she tilted her head to allow him access to her ear lobe
which was usually hidden under all her hair he nibbled the lobe and licked the outer circle of her
ear, she was practically purring in his arms. She could feel his erection digging into her lower back
and automatically rubbed herself against him which made him bite harder on her ear and growl
deeply, she loved the little noises of pleasure he made, it gave her confidence that she was doing
things right, she had never touched Jaspers body during sex, she was always restrained so she had
no idea of the power it gave her making a man putty in your hands, no wonder he never allowed
her to take charge, control was something he obsessed about. Sophie was in heaven now and the
growing need to feel him inside her was making her writhe against him, he massaged the bubbles
into her breasts rolling her nipples and lightly pinching them each time she groaned, Sophie lifted
herself using his knees as leverage and angled herself so his penis was at the apex of her thighs he
instantly grabbed her hips slid her down so he was sheathed inside her sending water surging over
the floor, they rocked together with Marcus continuing to nibble her neck and throat, Sophie was
too soapy for him to hold firmly enough so he eased her up out the water and she stood up but
lent forward so her hands gripped the edge of the bath, he could now easily plunge her depths and
she thrust her hips backwards swallowing as much of him as she could and he took every inch she
gave until they reached a crescendo of pleasure, both their knees buckled and they gently lowered
themselves back in the water. Marcus was acutely aware they had been caught up in the moment
and he hadn't used any protection but it felt impolite to ask at this point” Don't worry Doc I get the
three monthly shot of contraceptive so no need to panic we should be good, and I had all my
health checks done after Jasper just to be sure, I would have stopped you if I hadn't been sure we
would be OK, I am assuming as a Dr you have regular blood tests anyway?”
He was relieved she had read his mind but was also thrilled as he hated using condoms he loved
the way she felt without them and enjoyed the fact they had got carried away in the moment.
“I do have periodical tests yes baby and I am clear too now let’s get you clean and then get dry
before your cut gets too wrinkly” he kissed her head and got himself out to leave her to her
administrations, he threw on his robe and went out to the bedroom.
Sophie had a moment to enjoy the relaxing bubbles but her leg was throbbing a little so she
stepped out and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel, she needed to unpack and dig out her robe and
comfy clothes as now she was under house arrest she would need to feel at home.
Marcus had phoned his parents whilst at Sophie’s and they were coming later they had been
horrified when they heard what Duncan had done to Sophie and Barbee was in turmoil after
hearing about Sophie’s past, Don had heard the case and knew some of the history, he also knew
Jasper was a dangerous piece of work and was keen to do all he could to help her, firstly they
wanted to discover Duncan’s motives behind his betrayal but when they tried to contact him he
was unavailable they had turned up at his flat and let themselves in. Duncan had left them a note
explaining he had left the country so he was out of the line of fire and that he hoped his brother
would see his motives although partly selfish, had come from a good place and hoped once he had
all the facts he would be more understanding, Sophie very much doubted there would be anything
he could say that would make any of this understandable. Duncan had also left an envelope for
Sophie so she was curious as to what he may have said. Don was putting out feelers and doing
background checks to see if he could find anything we could use against Jasper to get rid of him
quietly it was a long shot but you never know. Marcus had booked a couple of weeks off work, the
hospital weren't happy but couldn't argue, there was no way he was leaving her even for an hour,
she congratulated herself on such a perfect find as a lover, a friend and a guardian he was she
could not have found better.