Open Wounds (Damaged Souls Book 2) (6 page)

“Self-defense instructors often try to teach women certain maneuvers to break a chokehold. But I’m here to tell you…they don’t work. And they won’t work for you. The minute you try to break the hold is the minute they will just start squeezing harder. The key is to inflict pain and stun, long enough for him to let you go so you can get away.” Sloan explained logically.

“Okay. Don’t try to break chokehold. Won’t work. Pain and stun. Got it.” Lexi listed off.

“Now, I want you to pretend to choke me and I’ll show you what to do,” Sloan instructed.

Lexi took both hands and tried her wrap them around his fairly thick neck. He smiled down at her in encouragement.

“Obviously, you don’t want to get in this position and that’s what the neck slap is for. If you can do that before they can get you in this hold, fantastic. But if they do get you in this situation, I want you to pull back both of your hands. And then with
all
your might, I want you to smash them, palms out into his face.” Sloan demonstrated the move in slow motion, lightly touching her face with both palms. “It will literally be the last thing he will be expecting. And more than likely, he’ll lose his hold on you. Then you run like the fires of hell are on your tail.”

“Understood.” Lexi nodded her head once sharply.

“Okay, do you think you can handle me grasping your neck while you practice the move?” Sloan asked gingerly.

Lexi took a deep breath, blowing it out quickly. “Yeah. I’m good.” She said as she looked Sloan in the eyes, trying her best to remember that he was her gentle lover, not her abusive ex.

Slowly he raised his hands to her neck, not wanting to make any sudden movements, in case she freaked out. Lightly he wrapped his fingers and thumbs around her throat. They both breathed in deeply.

“Are you okay?” Sloan asked thoughtfully.

“Yep. All good.” Lexi answered, shakily.

“Alright. Now bring back your hands, and then bring them forward, palms open. Hitting as much of my face as you can. Just go easy on me this first time, alright?” Sloan grinned.

Lexi pulled back her hands like he instructed and pushed forward, gently smacking the majority of his face. Sloan released her neck and took a few steps back. He nodded his head, letting her know that he was going to advance again.

“Harder this time,” Sloan informed her, before stepping towards her.

Once again, he gently wrapped his hands around her neck, and this time when she struck, it was enough to make a smacking sound. But just the little force that she did exerted was enough for him to instantly drop his hands, and turn his face.

Blinking rapidly, Sloan shook his head quickly, to clear his sting. “Well, that stung a little. Now if you smack with all your strength, you’ll be guaranteed a window to get away.” Sloan reassured her. “Now for the next type of attack. And probably the most commonly used. The attack from behind.” Sloan said as he turned her around by her shoulders. “I think men like to use this move because they can move you from point A to point B, easily. Now, you’ll only have a few seconds to get him to release you before he takes you to a spot or place you don’t want to be. Wiggling free won’t be an option. Trying to smash your foot down on top of his, like so many self-defense classes teach you to, won’t work either. But there is one place that you’ll probably always be able to reach. His groin.” Sloan stepped closer to her back and lightly kissed her temple.

“So I’m going to wrap my arms around your arms and chest tightly. Once I’ve got you, I want you to reach down and back, between my legs. When you feel my groin, I want you to squeeze.” Sloan paused for emphasis. “But remember, this is just a demonstration. No need to get carried away, alright?”

“Alright.” Lexi smiled, looking back at him.

“Squeeze too hard, and you won’t be getting any sweet lovin’ for quite some time,” Sloan warned.

“We can’t have that.” Lexi giggled.

“On three. One. Two. Three.” Sloan quickly grabbed her around her upper torso, holding her arms down at her sides.

Lexi found that her forearms were in fact, able to move. She brought her right arm down and reached back franticly for the bulge in his jeans. Finding it, she applied mild pressure, and that alone made him drop her like he’d been burned.

“Perfect! You’re doing so great, Princess.” Sloan said, high-fiving her when she turned to look at him, with a proud smile gracing her face. “Keep in mind that smacking the carotid artery, hitting the face and grabbing the groin can be used in multiple situations as well. Like if he gets you on the ground or grabs you by the hair. And I’ll show you all of that too. But whatever you do, please try not to let him get you to the ground. The first three moves, if done correctly, should keep that from happening. Also, if anyone ever pulls a knife on you, please do not try to take it from him. And use the fleshy parts of your body to protect vital parts and organs. Your arms or legs.” Sloan said, backing away from her to demonstrate.

He turned his torso to the side and raised his arm up to protect his body then raised his leg as well, protecting his torso with his thigh. Lexi watched his every move, taking it all in and filing it away for a later date.

“Don’t worry about memorizing all of it at this very moment. We’re going to practice these moves until they become second nature. Muscle memory is a beautiful thing.” Sloan put her mind at ease, before dropping a quick kiss on her forehead. “Alright, let’s keep going.”

They spent the next hour going over a few more maneuvers. Then he pretended to attack her over and over in different ways until he felt that she had each technique perfected. And Lexi realized that he was right. The more she practiced, the more in control she felt. It gave her a sense of confidence and safety that she had never in her life felt before.

As they both glistened with a light sheen of sweat in the morning sun, Lexi gazed at Sloan’s ruggedly handsome scarred face and thanked her lucky stars that she dropped her groceries a few weeks back. Setting the wheel in motion, for this wonderful man to enter into her life.

Thank you, God. Thank you, mom. Thank you, auntie.
She silently thanked them, like she often did.

~~~

Around noon the next day, Lexi was working on another painting of Sloan. It was a painting that she pulled from her memory of him lying in bed, after they had made love. It was a closeup of his face as his dark hair hung limply over half of it. It was sexy and sweet, and made her toes curl just thinking about it.

Her phone started to ring, where she had it sitting on the old table next to her. Always a little nervous, even after she had changed her number that it would be Eric, she breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that it was Dom. Stepping out the door of the screened in back porch to get away from the den of destruction going on in the house so that she could hear, Lexi pressed the answer button.

“Hey Dom, what’s up?” Lexi answered brightly.

“Lexi! Oh my God! Girl, I’m
so
excited! So the editor of that magazine I was telling you about, emailed me back just now. They want to do a full spread on your house!” Dom screamed into the phone, getting right to the point.

“What?” Lexi said shocked, having forgotten about Dom’s plan.

“They loved the war veteran story, and what Sloan has done so far. They want to know the minute the house is done because they’re going to send out an interviewer and photographer, to cover the story and takes pics of the house, and Sloan!” Dom explained further, barely stopping to breath in her excitement.

“Are you serious?!” Lexi exclaimed, trying hard to stay calm.

“As a heart attack! They want Sloan’s number so that they can ask him a few preliminary questions. Probably about the timeframe of when the house will be done, maybe a little about his background. Stuff like that.” Dom informed her.

“Oh my goodness! He’s gonna lose it! Wow, thanks so much for this Dom. He needs all the help and word of mouth he can get.” Lexi cheered and hopped around in delight, over the turn of events.

Lexi gave Dom Sloan’s contact information, before ending the call. Once she hung up, she started to jump and dance around in the grass.

“Is that a new dance I don’t know about?” Sloan’s baritone voice came through the screen door, scaring the crap out of Lexi.

“Oh! You scared me!” Lexi yelped as she clutched her chest.

“Sorry. I always seem to interrupt your little happy dances. So what has you dancing the jig in the middle of the yard?” Sloan asked as he opened the door, and stepped down the few steps to the ground.

“I just got off of the phone with Dom. She got an email back from the editor of the magazine she contacted. They want to do a full spread about you and the house!” Lexi burst out, clutching her hands to her in front of her, trying to contain her elation.

“Are you for real?” Sloan asked in disbelief.

“Yes!” Lexi squealed.

“Hot damn!” Sloan shouted, before scooping Lexi up into his arms, and spinning her around until they were both dizzy. “I officially have changed my opinion of that meddlin’ woman,” Sloan stated, his southern accent a little thicker in his enthusiasm.

He kissed Lexi soundly on the lips and then placed her gently back on the ground. He grinned down at her like a besotted fool. And unable to contain himself, he grabbed her face, kissed her again and then started to dance a jig of his own.

Lexi giggled at his antics.
Ah, what the hell!
Then she joined in, and they started dancing together. Sloan linked his arm with hers and began to skip round and round, doing a do-see-do. They heard a loud bark and turned to see Tank looking out through the screen door, catching them in the act.

They collapsed into the grass in exhaustion. They stared up at the bright blue sky, and big fluffy clouds as they caught their breath. Lexi turned to Sloan and propped her head up on her hand to look down at him.

“I didn’t realize that you’d be
this
excited about it. You seemed pretty nonchalant when Dom mentioned it.” Lexi wondered out loud.

“I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Life has been pretty tough, with little to get too happy about. The last several weeks with you have been the best of my life. And each day just keeps getting better and better. I think I thought it was too much to ask, to have this happen too.” Sloan admitted honestly.

“Well, I think it’s time for both of us to have a little joy in our lives. I’d say we earned it. Don’t ya think?” Lexi gave him a sassy smile, finally starting to believe it herself, that happiness was possible for them.

“Yes, I do.” Sloan looked up at her, love shining in his eyes.

“So I’m assuming you came looking for me because you’ve worked up an appetite?” Lexi asked, deflecting the look he gave her. She didn’t want him to say the words attached to the look,\ when she wasn’t sure she could say them back.

Sloan sighed in mild disappointment, but let it go. He didn’t want to ruin the celebratory moment. “Yeah, I couldn’t ignore the growls any longer.”

“Alright, let’s go fix something to calm the beast,” Lexi said, sitting up.

Sloan jumped up with the agility of panther. He held out his hands, and Lexi took them gladly, as he pulled her to her feet. He instantly pulled her into a warm embrace, squeezing her tightly to him.

“Thank you,” Sloan whispered against her soft hair.

“For what?” She asked into his hard chest.

“For having faith in me,” Sloan answered, barely containing the emotion in his voice.

“You’re welcome,” Lexi said simply.

Chapter 6

Royals

The week leading up the Dom’s wedding, Sloan was the grumpiest that Lexi had ever seen him. It didn’t help that one night he had another flashback and woke up screaming in a cold sweat. As well as his deadened nerves bothering him more than usual, making work on the house difficult for him. Even the excitement of the magazine wanting to do a spread on the house, showcasing Sloan’s work, did little to brighten his mood.

When they went shopping for a suit for him earlier in the week, he had been a grouchy bear the whole time. Lexi knew that Sloan despised high society, but she didn’t realize that he hated it that much. And as she soaked in the tub Saturday afternoon, the day of the wedding, she had heard the last grumble she was willing to listen to, as Sloan stepped out of the shower.

“Sloan! That’s enough! I know you don’t want to go to this wedding. I know that you hate high society. But we both have to do what we have to, in order to get ahead. You need the clientele, and I need people willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on paintings. To have an interest in my work, so that they’ll come to my art showing. We don’t have any choice. So stop your damn whining and grumbling under your breath! You’re not ten for God’s sake!” Lexi burst out, her relaxing bath turning into anything but.

“I know. I’m sorry.” Sloan hung his head in shame. “It’s more me, than anything. I’m hoping people don’t look at my scars like I’m some kind of freak. And also, I’m worried that if one of those stuffy bastards says anything, which they probably will, I’ll lose it on them and embarrass you. The last time I was in a room full of wealthy people, I attacked one.” Sloan sighed deeply. “It didn’t go over too well then, and it won’t now.”

“Come here,” Lexi said, holding out her hand.

Wrapped in just a towel around his hips, Sloan walked to the tub and pulled over a little wooden stool that Lexi had purchased to use as a place to sit and apply her lotion after bathing. He sat down on it and took her hand in his. He took the sponge from her and began to bath her back as she spoke.

“Sloan, sweetie. You can’t hide in this house forever. You have to go out there and make a name for yourself. So you can be successful in your own right, without the help of your parents.” Lexi said softly, before leaning over slightly to kissing him on his shoulder. “You’ll do great. And if not, I’ll be there to help you. So stop worrying. Let’s think of it as a fun night out. All we do is work and stay cooped up in this house. It’ll be nice to get out. Some drinks, and maybe even a little dancing.” Lexi coaxed.

“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to take you out on a proper date. I was raised better than that.” Sloan said sadly.

“Stop that! That’s not what I was trying to say, and you know it. I don’t need to go on a date to know that you care for me. You show me every day. More than anyone I’ve ever been with. I’m just saying that we need a break from work. It’s time to go play a little.” Lexi finished, looking up at him coyly. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Oh, you wanna play. Well, we don’t need to leave these four walls for that.” Sloan smirked as his hand moved from her shoulder to her neck.

Sloan’s eyes locked and held Lexi’s green gaze, as his hand traveled down her wet skin. He traced his index finger around her areola, puckering her nipple. Her mouth opened on a gasp. He continued down her damp, slippery body, down under the water. Finding what he was looking for, Sloan ran his finger up her slick opening, touching her sensitive nub at the top. A soft cry escaped her lips, and Sloan leaned in to flick his tongue against her open lips.

“Unh, Sloan!” Lexi groaned, her hands gripping the edge of the tub and her hips pumping forward, towards his skilled fingers.

“Yes, princess? Tell me what you want?” Sloan asked against her lips, before dipping his tongue into her panting mouth.

“More.” Lexi moaned when he released her lips.

Obliging her, Sloan stroked two fingers into her heat, hooking them to press against her G-spot as his thumb circled her hardened clit. Lexi’s cries became louder and more frequent, the water in the tub sloshing on the sides from the frantic movements of her hips.

“Will you come for me?” Sloan asked, looking into her hooded green eyes.

“Aah…” Lexi cried incoherently. “Stand up.” She ordered him.

Sloan followed her command and stood up next to the tub. Lexi tore away his towel. His beautiful manhood stood at the ready. Lexi flicked her tongue against the pearl of liquid that seeped from the tip. Sloan’s hips pumped towards her reflexively, and he grunted with pleasure. Grasping him at the base, Lexi slid her mouth down his long thick shaft.

“Fuck, Lexi!” Sloan shouted.

He bent over her, placing one hand on the tub as the other dipped back into the water to finish what he had started. He fingered her aching sex while simultaneously flicking her clit. Lexi continued to glide her mouth up and down his length, his hips thrusting forward of their own accord.

It wasn’t long before his skilled fingers brought her back to the brink. Lexi moaned around his thickness, and Sloan cried out, close to the edge himself. He slid her clit between his fingers, gently rubbing back and forth. Lexi’s body tensed in response, her thighs squeezing his hand to her, her lips tightening around his cock, as she screamed around him. The vibrations sent shudders through his entire being, and he came hard inside her awaiting mouth.

After swallowing down his cum, Lexi released him on a gasp. Sloan collapsed onto the stool at the same time as she fell back against the tub, both spent.

“Woman, you’re gonna be the death of me. Why do you always drain me of every ounce of energy I have when I have to go do something, because now I just wanna take a nap?” Sloan said in exhaustion.

“First of all, you started it. And second, at least you’re relaxed now. Am I right?” Lexi responded, with a satisfied and sated Cheshire cat smile.

“Well, you do have a point. But how am I supposed to resist a tub of steaming hot chocolate? Hmm?” Sloan gave her a sexy smirk.

“Uh, I’m guessing as hard as it is for me to resist the hot vanilla love muffin, coming out of a steamy shower, wrapped in nothing but a towel and a smile.” Lexi grinned.

“‘Hot vanilla love muffin’?” Sloan asked with raised eyebrows.

“Just following your lead.” Lexi threw back. “Anyway, I need to get out this tub and finish getting ready.” She sighed, water sluicing down her curvy body, as she stood up.

Sloan swallowed hard, trying to tamp down his resurging need for her. He turned away from her delectable glistening body, grabbed a giant fluffy towel to wrap around her, and to distract himself. He swathed her full compact figure in the giant towel and lifted her out of the tub with ease.

“Alright, beautiful. Let’s get ready, so we can get this over with.” Sloan sighed with resignation.

~~~

Sloan let Tank out to use the bathroom, one last time before they had to leave and filled his food and water bowls while he waited for Lexi to finish getting ready. He was grateful once again that Lexi hadn’t forced him to get super fancy for the wedding. It just wasn’t his style, and they worked around that. Especially since her style was also very laid back, but feminine. She understood him.

They had decided on him wearing a pair of new dark-washed relaxed fit blue jeans, brand new black boots, and a black belt. They paired them with a pretty cerulean blue V-necked t-shirt, in the nicest material that Sloan could ever remember a simple t-shirt being made of, with a price tag to match. And to dress up the look, they added a sharp semi-shiny charcoal gray suit jacket. The jacket was in the newer style. The sleeves tighter so that he could push them up, giving the jacket a slightly more relaxed look.

He kept his beard low, to distract from his scars and just cleaned up the edges. He had considered doing something different with his hair, maybe slicking it back. But in the end he kept it in his usual style, loose and hanging in his face unless he tucked it behind his ear. He felt more comfortable that way, using his hair as a shield against stares.

Sloan heard the click of heels on the stairs and came around the demolished entrance to the kitchen that was under construction. Lexi stepped down from the last stair and turned the corner, the wedding gift she had bought for Dom and Tony, clutched in her hands. When their eyes met, she stopped, and they each slowly took in the other.

Sloan swallowed hard at the vision Lexi made. She wore a stunning red dress. The sleeves were short and capped. The bust scooped down, showing off a lovely amount of cleavage, just enough to make a man lose his train of thought, but still high enough to stay classy. It cinched at the waist with a sash tied in a bow in the front that cascaded down into the flowing dress. The dress was made of multiple sheer layers that floated around the tops of her shapely calves like silk. And she wore strappy muted gold heels. Just one strap buckled around her pretty ankles, and one bejeweled strap over her red painted toes. The simple yet sexy shoes, making her legs appear longer and shapelier.

Her hair had a side part and was smoothed down and back into a sleek, curly afro puff, at the back of her head. She wore giant gold hoops at her ears. Her makeup was a flawless natural look with hints of gold in her eyeshadow and lip gloss. And her skin glistened like polished bronze from the moisturizer she had applied to her skin.

Sloan’s blood pounded in his ears. Love radiated from the roots of his hair to the tips of his fingers and toes. He reached up and absentmindedly rubbed at the ache in his chest, where his heart thudded thickly.
Dear God!

“Never in all my life…” Sloan started, unable to finish for fear she would reject his words of love. “You’re a living daydream.” He opted for a compliment instead.

Lexi flushed at his flattering words. “Sloan, you look phenomenal! Like a rock star on the red carpet. Seriously!” Lexi breathed, and he turned red in response.

“So, uh…you ready to go?” Sloan asked, self-consciously shoving his hands into his pockets, pushing aside the praise.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” Lexi smiled shyly.

Sloan walked the short distance to her, taking the gift from her hands to hold for her. He leaned down and kissed her temple, then laid the side of his face against hers. He took a deep breath through his nose, taking in her sweet fragrance, and whispered softly to her.

“You don’t have to answer, just listen.” He paused to find courage. “I love you with every fiber of my being. From the moment I laid eyes on you, you made me want to be a better man. Everything I do is to make you proud. You gave me my purpose back. And for that, I could never repay you.” Sloan finished softly.

Pulling back, he cupped the side of Lexi’s face with his right hand, caressing a thumb across her cheek. Her eyes were glassy with unshed tears, making her green irises glow like two emerald jewels.

Sloan could see the love in her eyes though she still refused to say it again. He smiled sadly and kissed her softly on her full plump lips. Turning, he looked down at Tank, who was wagging his tail with eagerness to go for a ride.

“Sorry, buddy. You weren’t invited to this party. I’m gonna need you to stay and look after the house.” Sloan said to the big dog, leaning over to rough up his fur. “Stay. Watch.” Sloan commanded as he stood back up. Tank’s tail stopped wagging, and his stance straightened hearing the direct order. He was now in watchdog mode, all business and no play.

Nodding his head in approval, Sloan walked to the door and opened it for Lexi. She started for the stairs as he locked the door.

“Wait. Stop right there. A lady should never have to walk down the stairs unassisted if at all possible. Especially dressed in heels.” Sloan scolded lightly.

“Oh sorry, Prince Charming. It has been a long time since I was in the presence of a real gentlemen. If ever.” Lexi teased, taking the arm he offered her.

“Well, you’re in the South now, princess. Chivalry has been drilled into most of us since birth. You all say it’s dead, but it’s been right here in the South all along.” Sloan winked at her playfully, deepening his accent.

He walked her down the steps, and to the car. He opened the passenger door for her and closed it once she got in. As he walked around to the driver’s side, Lexi reached over and unlocked the door for him. Sloan got in and grinned at her slyly.

“
A Bronx Tale
?” He asked quirking up an eyebrow.

“Ha! Yeah. It’s a good movie.” Lexi giggled at being found out.

“It is. So I guess you’re a keeper then.” Sloan stated as he turned the key in the ignition.

“I hope so” Lexi said under her breath as they pulled away from the house.

They were about fifteen minutes outside of downtown Savannah when they reached the gates of what looked like a sprawling affluent community. Sloan handed the wedding invitation to the guard at the gate. The guard checked it and then handed the envelope back before opening the massive iron gate. As Sloan drove through the neighborhood, Lexi’s mouth hung open in disbelief.

The streets and sidewalks were absolutely spotless. Instead of regular standard issued city approved streetlights, they had old-fashioned light poles that looked like they should be lit by a guy on stilts in the 1800s. Each yard was huge, and the landscaping was immaculate. And looking at the houses they drove by, Lexi felt the term house should be used very loosely.
More like mansions. Or better yet…palaces.