Open Wounds (Damaged Souls Book 2) (9 page)

Without a word, she got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom. She removed her crumpled dress and her bra and walked around the half wall to the shower. She turned on the spray and stood under it, letting the water mix with her tears of humiliation.

“Lexi?” Sloan called, standing on the other side of the wall.

“Don’t, Sloan,” Lexi said quietly.

Ignoring her request, Sloan came around the wall and stood behind her. He gently pulled her back into his arms. Her tears came harder.

“Why would you do that? You didn’t rape me, but you sure as hell made me feel like shit.” Lexi sobbed.

“God, I’m so, sorry Lexi!” Sloan apologized and kissed the back of her neck softly.

“Why, Sloan?” Lexi asked again, not backing down.

“B-because you refuse to say you love me. And it feels like I have such a fragile hold on this relationship. Like, if I’m not careful…if I look away for just a moment, you’ll slip from my fingertips.” Sloan sighed, releasing her and collapsing back onto the shower wall. “This might sound cheesy, but holding onto you is like holding on to grains of sand. Or trying to clutch water in my hand. It’s impossible.” Sloan finished with his head bowed down in sadness. “So I thought that maybe I could force it out of you. Make you see that you want me, that you need me.”

“Sloan, I thought that it was obvious how I feel about you. Of course, I want you and need you. There’s no question about that.” Lexi implored the tables now reversed, making her feel like the bad guy.

“Sometimes it’s just nice to hear it,” Sloan admitted, feeling like a weepy little girl.

“Please, Sloan. Just give me time. You came into my life and flipped it upside down. I was supposed to get my life back together on my own. Build myself back up, from the ground up.” Lexi explained, stepping closer to Sloan and looking up at him from under his wet hair hanging in his face. “I wasn’t looking for love. I wasn’t expecting to find love. And now that I have, it scares the shit out of me. Love has always equaled pain for me. So this respectful, passionate love is new to me, and I don’t exactly know how to process it yet. Just give me a minute. Okay?” Lexi beseeched him.

“Okay.” Sloan nodded his head solemnly. “I’m sorry for acting like a little bitch.”

“It’s alright.” Lexi giggled a little. “You’re my bitch.”

“Oh, thanks.” Sloan chuckled reluctantly.

“Hey, you said it!” Lexi laughed, as she handed him a bar of soap and turned to present him her back. “Truce.”

“Truce.” Sloan conceded, taking the bar of soap and pushing off the wall.

They washed each other with soft, loving touches. Their heat building again. But this time around, the need was mutual. Lexi gave herself freely and openly, as Sloan sat on the tiled bench with her in his lap. She slowly rocked into him, bringing them to a heart-melting climax.

After their shower, they dried each other off, and Sloan carried her to bed. And in the middle of the night, he turned to Lexi and made love to her again. Showering kisses all over her face and whispering ‘I’m sorry’, over and over again. And finally, they fell into a deep sated sleep, all forgiven.

Chapter 9

Every Breath You Take

Eric had been tracking Lexi’s movements for a few weeks, trying to get a feel for her schedule. But he hadn’t had much luck. She didn’t leave very often, mostly working on her paintings from the back porch of her house or in the backyard, away from the construction under way in her home. But on Monday he was in luck, twofold.

Not only did she leave the house with her easel and paint supplies to paint in the huge park in the main town square. But while he was watching her from a distance, he saw the sleek sports car of the guy that had taken her on a date a couple weeks back, pull up to a fancy little restaurant. The handsome black man and a beautiful blonde got out of the car, and he tossed the keys to the valet attendant.

Curious, Eric figured it was time to get some lunch and headed towards the restaurant since it didn’t look like Lexi was going anywhere anytime soon. He watched as the couple was being seated at a table on the outdoor patio. So when the hostess asked him where he’d like to sit, he chose the patio as well, pointing to an empty table right behind the couple and sitting almost back to back with the woman. And he nearly pissed his pants when he was able to listen to their conversation when the hostess finally left after giving him his menu, and the waiter took his order.

“You really like that guy, ecause there’s something seriously wrong that dude?! He nearly broke my hand!” The man said furiously.

“Ha! Do you
really
like Lexi? She was a complete bitch to me. And I didn’t even do anything to her.” The blonde shot back.

“Fine. There’s no use in arguing. I want her, and you want him. But there isn’t a whole lot we can do about it. Though I guarantee you, if he fucks up, I’ll be right there to wipe her tears. And that’s the truth.” The man said confidently.

“I’m not so sure there isn’t anything we can do about it. All it takes is a little brainstorming, to come up with a plan, and the perfect timing to pull it off.” The pretty woman said deviously.

“What did you have in mind?” The man asked.

“There are any number of events coming up. Even her little art show. If I could get him alone in a room for a moment, and then you bring her to the room at the right time, she’ll think he’s been cheating on her with me. And voila! We’re in.” She laughed lightly.

“Don’t you think he’d be too pissed at you, to want to be with you after that?” He asked doubtfully.

“You men are fickle creatures. As long as you have consistent pussy every night, full bellies and a beer in your hand, you all are happy. It doesn’t matter who it’s coming from.” The woman said crudely and bitterly.

“If you say so.” The man said, uncertainly.

Eric drowned out the rest of their conversation about some legal crap, with thoughts and plans of his own. He realized what the two people behind him represented.
Camouflage.
He figured that Lexi thought he was no longer a threat, since she hadn’t heard from him after she changed her number. He could mislead her into believing it was one of these two that wanted to do her harm.
Hell, maybe I could even pin anything I do to her, on them.

The waiter brought his food to his table, and Eric tucked into his plate with gusto. Smiling happily as he revised his original plan.

~~~

Lexi woke up bright and early the morning of the big day. It was the day that the final touches on the renovations would be done. It had been a long, tiring and nerve-wracking six weeks. But it was finally going to be done. And she was in the mood to celebrate.

She jumped out of the empty bed, Sloan was already up and working on the house. All that was left to do was install the kitchen appliances, put together the spare bedroom furniture and add little knick knacks and things to fill the spaces. But the latter was something that could be done slowly over time. Though she did have a few things already bought that she was going to put out, before the photographer from Home & Outdoor Décor magazine came to take pictures of the house.

The day before they had finished putting up the new gray wood siding on the house and painted the trim a fresh pristine white. The yard had been landscaped, and a little white picket fence put up around the front of the house. Lexi had had to work on her paintings elsewhere while they redid her beloved back porch. And her rundown gazebo was torn down and rebuilt, in a newer style with a lit stone path leading up to it and a special addition added on. A beautiful stone fireplace surrounded by incredible outdoor seating.

Lexi literally skipped to the bathroom to take a quick shower and got dressed in record time. She came downstairs to find Sloan and the gas guy working on installing the gas stove. The main floor and especially her kitchen was like something out of a magazine.

The dark chocolate brown hardwood flooring continued throughout the house. They tore down the wall in the hallway, separating the kitchen and the dining room, turning the space into an open concept area. The kitchen cabinets a bright white with black granite countertops. Brand new stainless steel appliances, coffered ceilings with recessed lighting, as well as some beautiful hanging lights over the main island.

They expanded the outside wall and added more windows, creating a brighter and more open space. The wall separating the office and kitchen was pushed back, making room for a small kitchen table and chairs. And the office was turned into a laundry/mudroom that led out to the back porch.

The formal dining room across from the kitchen was painted a light gray, a neutral color that could match well with a number of colors, just like the hall upstairs. So that Lexi could change up the style of the room, without needing to repaint. And in the middle, was an enormous dark wood eight seat dining table, with six stunning armless white cloth chairs, with dark wood legs across from each other. And the two chairs at the ends were high backed with arms. Though Lexi hadn’t been too sure that she would ever have enough people over to truly need such a big table. But she couldn’t help herself. She adored the table, the minute she saw it.

Lexi couldn’t keep the goofy grin off of her face as she took it all in, walking into the kitchen where the guys were working. Sloan looked up, and his breath caught at the radiant smile plastered on her face. Her joy was utterly infectious.

“Hey! Good morning, sleepyhead.” Sloan grinned at her.

“What? I’m up early today. I couldn’t sleep in. I’m
way
too excited.” Lexi bounced up and down on her on the balls of her feet.

“Yeah, we’ll be done here in just a little while. After we install the stove, we’re moving to the washer and dryer and then I’ll set up the guest bedroom furniture. And that’ll be it.” Sloan breathed deeply in satisfaction that can only be felt after accomplishing a job well done.

“Okay, perfect. I’m heading to the store to get fixings for a celebratory dinner.” Lexi beamed.

Sloan came around the island to plant a soft kiss on her lips. When he released her mouth, she smiled up at him and tucked his hair behind his ear and stroked her hand down the side of his face gently. And then she turned on her heel and skipped to the door to head out to the car.

As Lexi drove into town, she noticed that people were staring at her as she drove by. Some pointed and laughed while others looked in shock. She had no idea what was going on and wondered if everyone had lost their minds.

She pulled into a parking space at the grocery store. She reached over to grab her purse when she heard laughter coming from the passenger side of her car. Lexi looked up to see Victoria standing next to her car.

“Well hello, Alexis. That must be embarrassing.” She said, with a raised, perfectly arched eyebrow.

“What are you talking about?” Lexi grumbled, her hackles raised instantly at the sight of the blonde woman.

“Oh, you don’t know! Ha! That makes it even better. But I guess you wouldn’t be driving around if you knew.” Victoria smirked.

Lexi got out of the car and walked around to the side of the car and looked down at the passenger side of her car, a gasp escaped from her throat, and she covered her mouth with her hands in shock. Written in black spray paint on the side of her car was the word ‘SLUT’, in big letters. And instant tears of humiliation filled her eyes. The whole situation made all that much worse, knowing that Sloan’s ex had seen it.

“Did you do this?” Lexi asked the smug woman, barely reigning in her anger.

“Oh please, sweetie. I have
way
more class than that.” She said in a condescending tone. “I wouldn’t toy with you like that. What I want, wouldn’t humiliate you, dear. It would break your heart. But I think you already know that.” Victoria warned before turning and sashaying her way to her immaculate Mercedes Benz.

Lexi’s mood had deteriorated, in mere seconds. She went from the happiest she had been in her entire life, to disgraced and depressed as she tried to figure out who would do such a thing and why. The celebratory dinner forgotten, Lexi walked around the car and got back into the driver’s seat. She slumped down in the seat in shame, as she drove back to the house.

Once she got home, she got out of the car and dragged her feet as she walked up the front steps of her home. The pep that had been in her step only minutes before was gone. She opened the front door and walked in. Not able to make it any further than the steps leading upstairs, she turned and sat dejectedly on the second to last step.

Sloan heard the door open and close, and looked at the time, realizing that it hadn’t been that long since Lexi had left. Curiously, he walked to the front of the house and saw her sitting sadly on the bottom steps of the stairs. When she looked up at him, the bright, exuberant smile that had graced her face a little while ago, was gone. And in its place was the most pitiful look he’d ever seen on a person.

“Lexi, what’s wrong? What happened?” Sloan asked in concern.

“Go look at the car,” Lexi said, unable to say much more, too humiliated to even speak the offensive word out loud.

Sloan walked outside and didn’t notice anything out of place until he walked around to the passenger side. The moment he saw the spray-painted word, his level of fury shot up so fast that he literally saw red. He quickly strode back into the house and knelt down in front of Lexi, taking her hands in his.

“Baby, don’t worry. I’ll clean it up for you. Don’t let this take away from your happiness.” Sloan squeezed her hands gently.

“I know.” Lexi sighed darkly. “It didn’t help that the whole damn town saw it. Including your ex-girlfriend.” Lexi scowled.

“Who? Victoria?” Sloan asked. “She was never my girlfriend. No matter how much she wanted to be. And don’t worry about her. She’s harmless.” Sloan assured her.

“That remains to be seen. She basically told me that she’s going to take you from me.” Lexi admitted.

“Pssh! And that crazy witch is also slicker than snot on a doorknob.” Sloan snapped, making a giggle burst from Lexi’s mouth. “She’s full of shit, so don’t listen to her. I want her about as much as I want herpes. And she’s just as impossible to get rid of.” Sloan joked some more to pull more laughter from her. Though he couldn’t stop worrying about who would play such an awful prank on her.

Lexi’s laughter drew reluctant tears to her eyes, but she quickly sobered thinking of the same thing that was on Sloan’s mind. “But who would do it?” Lexi asked.

“I don’t know. Maybe Aaron. Or do you think it’s Eric?” Sloan thought out loud.

“God, I hope it isn’t Eric. But I haven’t heard anything from him in a while. And I don’t see how he could’ve found me.” Lexi said hopefully.

“Hmm…you could be right. But just in case, I really do think it’s time to get that gun. I want you to have extra protection just in case.” Sloan said seriously.

“Okay,” Lexi said quietly. She had a deathly fear of guns, after what she witnessed as a young girl. She had never held one, nor had any plans of ever using one. But she knew it was better to be safe than sorry.

“How about you go relax. Take a bath or paint, whatever you’d like. I’ll go clean the car and run to the store.” Sloan suggested sweetly.

“But now I’m interrupting your plans and the photographer will be here tomorrow to take pictures of the house and interview you.” Lexi protested.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this. Even if he has to interview me with bags under my eyes, from staying up late, I’ll do it. I don’t want you to have to drive the car like that.” Sloan said brooking no argument.

“Fine. But I’m helping you when you get back.” Lexi negotiated.

“Deal,” Sloan said before kissing her on the forehead and taking the car keys from her.