Pursuing Korah (Intoxicating Passion #4) (2 page)

I shook my head again and his face fell. Reaching up, I lifted his chin so he looked at me. I patted the pillow beside my head, pointing to him, and back. I hoped he understood what I meant. I wanted him to stay. He was so concerned, each line on his face etched in worry.

“You want me to stay?” he asked almost breathlessly.

I moved my head up and down once, giving him a soft grin.

“Anything you want. I won’t leave this time, Korah. I promise.”

I raised a brow, signaling I’d heard that before, and grinned. It was meant to be funny, but he gave me the most intense, intrusive, longing gaze I’d ever seen before.

“I mean it. I’m here. I’m not leaving. I have to tell Cale and Leela cause they’re waiting for me outside the door. I’ll be back in a minute though and we’ll get comfortable.”

I smiled again. I really needed some damned paper. Smiling and barely moving my head wasn’t much communication. How long did the doctor say it would take to heal again?

Dane slipped out, turning to give me a smile before hanging his head out to talk to my friends. I snuggled to one side, my head lolling to the side. The medication was making me drowsy and my eyes closed before I could stop them. I barely felt Dane crawl in beside me, put his arm around my head, and press a soft kiss to my forehead. He murmured something to me, but I couldn’t make it out. The darkness settled over me, whisking my pain away for the moment, and sinking me to a deep sleep.

###

The night was restless with nurses in and out. Brandy left early in the morning, leaving me with a sour faced middle aged woman without a lick of courtesy for her patients. She kicked Dane out of the bed at seven a.m., claiming it was
against hospital policy
and even threatened to call security when he demanded to know why.

I didn’t care, though. He stayed by my side, pulling the seat over as close as he could get and falling back asleep holding my hand. I was in and out of consciousness, but Dane was always the first person I saw.

My throat was raw, pain shooting through my mouth every time I swallowed. The doctor finally came in around noon, ushering everyone out. I couldn’t protest, I still didn’t have any damned paper, but he finally explained to me what was going on. It could take weeks to heal and I would need vocal therapy to recover my voice. I didn’t fully understand it all, but I nodded anyways. Doctors were short and to the point, but Google was my friend. I was discharged shortly after and while Leela was around, ready to take me home, Dane insisted he must come with us. I didn’t protest. He screwed up and while I dared him to prove he cared, I didn’t doubt this was real, true emotion coming from him. He couldn’t act and pretend with the concern he had written all over his face.

“They say you have to be wheeled out by a nurse,” Dane leaned down to whisper, giving me a dramatic eye roll. “I told them I’d do it, but they won’t let me. I don’t think they like me much around here.”

I tried to laugh, but the pain was too much, so I patted his chest instead. He flinched beneath my touch, and he gave me a desirous gaze. Was it wrong to want Dane so badly? Especially since the last guy I’d dated had beaten me up hours before?

Conflicted was an understatement.  We left the hospital. The fresh air felt good on my lungs. It revived my soul. The ride to the apartment was quiet. Leela sat in the back and kept patting my shoulder. She was worried and probably wanted to help, but I didn’t need it. I decided last time Christopher wouldn’t have control over me and I wasn’t going to let him win.

Leela had a stack of stationary on my nightstand with a coffee cup full of pens sitting beside it. I smiled gratefully, wrapping her in a big hug.

“I knew you’d probably be going crazy not talking. And I noticed the hospital didn’t give you anything to write with, so I stocked you up,” she grinned, grabbing the top pad and a pen.

Thank you!
I wrote in big letters on the page, covering the bottom with hearts. She always knew what I needed before I did.

She grasped me again, whispering, “He’s not left your side. Don’t push him away. He’s not Christopher.” She gave me a wink before bidding Dane goodbye and slipping out the door.

I turned, where Dane stood hugging Elle to his chest with a lopsided grin on his face. “What’s her name?”

Elle
. I wrote and held it up.

He petted her trunk, nodding. “It fits.”

I rolled my eyes, and tried to speak. “Shower….” I croaked out hoarsely. The pain was undeniable. I couldn’t stop the tears from forming.

He was by my side instantly, pulling me to his body. “Don’t talk, Korah. They told you it would hurt. I’ll get Leela to help you with the shower,” he said, moving away.

I grasped his hand, shaking my head. I pointed to him, then my bathroom, and tugged him after me.

Chapter Three-Dane

My heartbeat drummed in my ears. My heart was about to fly from my chest. Korah led me to her bathroom, stopping in front of the shower and looking at me intensely with those gorgeous bedroom eyes she possessed. She undressed, peeling each layer of clothing off to reveal her bruised and beaten skin. She dropped her eyes, embarrassment seeping from her pores as she self-consciously covered herself.

She peered up, shaking her head and I stepped forward. “Korah…are you trying to kill me?” I whispered hoarsely. I ran my palms over her arms, her silky skin heating under my touch.

She shook her head again, and moved to speak.

I placed a finger on her lips, “Don’t. I’ll get paper.” Dashing from the room, I grabbed what I needed and ran back to her. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but having Korah naked in front of me was making my thoughts blurred, my breathing erratic.

Don’t touch her, Dane.

I handed it over, trying to keep my eyes from roaming her luscious, bare body.

She scribbled quickly and handed it over, her cheeks burning red.
I want my control back. Christopher took so much from me. It’s hard to explain. I need to know I’m desired.

The words settled and I gazed at her. “Korah, can’t you see how badly you’re desired?” I growled, pointing to my bulging pants. I moved closer, tossing the pad and pen in the sink. “I want you so damned much right now, but I won’t do it. You’ve had a horrific night and I want you to know I want you for more than your deliciously beautiful body,” I admitted, running my hands up and down her arms, then caressing her back.

She leaned into me, her breasts pressing against my chest. How I wished my shirt was off.

As if she could read my mind, she slowly unbuttoned from top to bottom, peeling it away and dropping it on the floor. My pants followed. Her small fingers moved ridiculously slow, but I stopped myself from interfering. Soon, we both stood naked, my need for her obvious.

She smirked, turning to start the water. That’s when I saw the streaks of sores going up her back, fresh injuries from when she fell on the concrete. My fingers brushed over them, and she turned, her eyes filled with sadness.

“You’re still beautiful, Korah. Every inch of your body. I want to ravage you. Just push you forward and take you right here.”

She licked her lips, pushing back with her ass causing me to groan loudly.

“No, I was serious. Besides, I want to hear you scream and moan and you can’t use your voice right now, Angel Eyes,” I scolded, pulling her to me so her skin covered mine. I finished getting the shower ready, and picked her up, placing her under the warm water. Hot showers were the best, but the trauma from tonight prevented that.

I kept true to my promise. I lathered her hair, gently washed her body. She watched me curiously, but didn’t try to make a move on me. I would have caved if she had. The sight of Korah standing under the water, it trickling over her skin and making her look so incredibly sexy made it difficult for me to think straight. I managed to wash her, help her with what she needed.

After rinsing her hair, she lifted her arms to shampoo my hair. I felt her hot breath on my skin and before I could stop her, she pressed her lips to mine. Her tongue dove in, shattering my resistance. She kissed me with an intensity I’d never felt from her, completely knocking me senseless. All too quickly, she pulled away and finished lathering my hair, acting as if nothing happened.

Shit.

We stayed in the shower until the water grew cold. She towel dried me, and I her, before we both slipped into her bed in nothing but our underclothing. I had no choice, I only had the clothes I came in. We cuddled, something I wasn’t acquainted with, but hell, I was doing all kinds of new shit lately. Why not add cuddling to the list? She finally drifted off to sleep, her even breathing inviting me to join her.

###

The next few days were a learning experience for both of us. Korah tried to talk at least once each hour I was with her, and I usually ended up stopping her with a kiss. I was getting used to kissing only her, and I really enjoyed it, but it was definitely new and unchartered territory for me.

Were we together, an official boyfriend and girlfriend? No.

Would we be? Probably.

Was I scared? Absolutely terrified.

I left her side only to go to the house and class. Cale stopped by her apartment a few times to see if I needed anything, but I knew it was a ruse to see Leela. Speaking of, Leela mothered us both, fawning over Korah and ensuring she took medications and knew when her appointments were while she insisted on feeding me every few hours.

I didn’t know how she kept up with everything.

Korah’s first therapy session had them both in tears when they returned, and deep down, I was relieved I had a test that day and couldn’t go. The bruises, the scratches, and knowing she was injured inside were enough for me. The thought of seeing her in more pain almost made me want to drop everything so I could hold and comfort her.

It was three days after her hospital release that the cops showed up with her police report. The officer eyed her closely, handing over the paperwork.

“Ma’am, we don’t usually deliver these. I wanted to make sure you got a copy. Someone will be calling you with a court date soon,” he said, then turned to me. “Probably you, too, Son.”

Confused, I responded to Korah’s raised brow with a shoulder shrug. “What do you mean, Sir?”

He ran a hand down his face. The stress of his job had taken a toll on his face, leaving him wrinkled and looked completely worn out. “That boy, the one that did this to her, he’s thinking of pressing charges on you.”

Korah shook her head furiously, waving her hand around as if to say
no, no, no.
I was genuinely intrigued, unsure how this was possible.

“Why haven’t I been notified?” I questioned.

“He got bail today and whoever paid for it was there that night. He witnessed you sticking up for her and claims it was more than necessary, so Christopher decided to press charges, but we talked him into getting a lawyer first. It won’t fly in court.”

Korah tensed beside me, her back rigid as the papers fell from her hands. I pulled her to me, crushing her to my side and running my hand up and down her arm for comfort.

“We didn’t expect him to get out so soon. What can she do to protect herself?” I voiced the thoughts I was sure ran through her mind.

He gave her a sympathetic smile, running a hand through his balding hair. “Well, a restraining order would be good, but I’ll be honest, that piece of paper won’t stop him from coming after you if he’s gonna. I recommend you getting it so he’ll get into more trouble with us if it happens, though.”

Korah closed her eyes, exhaling heavily, and laid her head on my shoulder.

I offered my hand, shaking his and said, “Thank you, I’ll take her down to the station today to get that in order.”

He smiled, then lay a hand on Korah’s forearm. “I’m real sorry you got caught up with that guy. Seems like you got a good one here, though, so be safe. I suspect court will go in your favor. Not many judges side with an abusive man around here.”

She smiled, squeezing my side, and looked at me expectantly.

“I think she’s wanting me to tell you thank you for her. She still can’t use her voice, unfortunately.”

Grimly, he shook his head. “I saw that in the paperwork. I hope you get to feeling better soon, ma’am.” He turned and left after, leaving us in a somber mood.

Could Christopher legitimately press charges on me? Korah didn’t need the stress of worrying about this monster and his crazy antics. While I knew it was entirely possible Christopher would gain bail, I secretly hoped Korah wouldn’t realize it. Leela and I talked about it while she showered earlier, both swearing to never leave her alone for when the inevitable happened.

I only wished she didn’t know he was free. The fear in her eyes, the way it moved through her, consuming her mind, body, and soul, frightened me. No one should live in fear, especially of someone they once had feelings for.

No matter what happened, whether she decided she wanted nothing to do with me or confessed her undying love, I wouldn’t leave her side. She wouldn’t be left feeling vulnerable and open to his abuse again.

I would protect Korah with everything in me.

Chapter Four-Korah

The court date was a month away. According to the district attorney, it was a good time frame, but I wanted to get it over with and put behind me. I dreaded seeing Christopher again, even in a safe setting, but Dane, Leela, and Windi promised to be by my side the entire time. Cale hadn’t said much, but I suspected he would show, as well. He and Leela were spending time together, but with everything going on, I hadn’t had time to grill her about it. I saw the stolen glances and the doe eyed look Lee had when she was around him.

She was totally head over heels for him. I’d known her since I started college and not once had she ever acted this way around a guy. Sure, she dated and flirted and who knew what else, but the same guy coming back…the looks…the silly grin she had on her face when I walked into the living room and she was staring at a wall. It was new. I prayed it was reciprocated.