Saving Easton Page 13

  "The day it happened, I felt in my gut something was wrong, but I didn’t know what or where, or if it was anything. Even though I've run everything over in my head multiple times, I can’t figure out where the leak came from, but there was a leak. Someone slipped our location that’s the only way they would be in the exact spot where we were crossing. We’d been watching that deserted road, and it hadn't been used in weeks."

  Allie stretches out, and I start petting her feeling more at ease, as I rest my other hand along the back of the couch.

  "We were ambushed. They killed two guys, and the others got out with some injuries, but they only took me. I'm not sure why me. Best I can tell, they thought I had some information, which I didn't. Why they thought I'd have it, is another reason, and I think there was a mole among us. Every day I prayed the mole was one of the guys that died that day, and that he got what he deserved. To this day, the Marines have never admitted to their being a mole; not that they would." I take a deep breath.

  Paisley reaches over and takes my hand in hers.

  "They used chloroform and knocked me out. When I woke up, I was in a cement room, and the only thing in it was me tied to a chair. There were no windows, nothing, but a drain in the floor. The only time there was light was when someone came in the room and turned on the overhead bulb. Until then, I didn't know what dark truly was. They kept me tied to the chair without food for about two days best I could tell. Every time they walked in, they would give me water.

  At first, they were nice, and then realizing there was a language barrier, they brought in a translator. They first tried to bargain with me and brought in a bed, chaining me to it with enough chain I could move around and get off the bed to use the pot they gave me for a toilet, but not enough to get to the door, where they would stand."

  Paisley squeezes my hand, and I look up at her to find a tender look on her face. Not one of pity or heartbreak. I already promised myself to leave out the gory details, and I will, but I want her to know what happened; to know this dark part of me.

  "Only tell me what you want, East." She says gently.

  "I want to tell you everything.”

  "Then, I want to hear it. Your battle is my battle, and we fight together."

  I know those words will stick with me for a long time. They’re exactly what I need to hear, and I vow the moment I’m out of here, they’ll be my next tattoo.

  "For a couple weeks, they left me alone with nothing more than water and two trays of food a day. Peanut butter sandwich for breakfast and some kind of soup at night. But the next time they came in, I was too weak to fight, and they knew it. It had been their plan all along." I say, pausing.

  Wanting to hold her for the next part, I motion Allie to the floor, and then pull Paisley into my lap. I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her head.

  "That's when they started to get mad. Each day they would come in and ask questions about things I didn't know. When I didn't give them any answers, they retaliated. It was different each day. Knives, burns, starvation. It was like they got off on my pain. So eventually, I shut down and didn't react, even to the pain. That pissed them off, and then they would leave me alone for days in a row. When I was finally rescued, they said I had been there just over a year."

  Paisley shifts then, and wraps her arms around my neck, and her soft lips trail kisses along my jaw.

  "I'm so glad you survived and are here with me today." She whispers against my ear, and despite the heavy conversation, my cock starts to stir.

  "When I got to the hospital, I was just used to shutting everything out that I didn't know how to stop. I didn't want to feel everything that would come with turning my emotions back on. I didn't want to deal with the pain, and I didn’t want to remember. So, I sat at the window and enjoyed the sun on my face, because it reminded me, I wasn't there anymore. Then, Noah showed up at my door and barged his way in." I chuckle and kiss the top of her head.

  "When he suggested I transfer here, I figured why not. At least, the food would be better, right? Then, you walked in, and I finally had a reason to get better; a reason to put this behind me. You seem to know just what I need, how far to push me, and when. Where everyone else was walking on eggshells, you weren't afraid to get mad at me. I hate you’re mad at me, sunshine, but that was the encouragement I needed for today."

  She sighs, and then pulls me down for a kiss. Her lips dance across mine in a claiming kiss that I want more of. I lay her back on the couch, thankful the dogs aren't in the way. I brace myself over her and look in her luminous, brown eyes.

  "Thank you for being the one I want to get better for," I tell her.

  "Thank you for opening up to me."

  "Always for you."

  I use my body to pin her to the couch, and she wraps her legs around my hips, pulling me in closer. I want to bury myself deep inside her, and I can feel her pulsing beneath me, as I angle my hips and grind against her, causing her to gasp. Having her wrapped around me, I realize I’m in love with this girl and want to spend the rest of my life with her. Only right now isn't the time to tell her. Until I’ve proven myself and told her brother about us, I need to wait. I want her to know without a shadow of a doubt that I mean it, when I say it.

  So, I swallow those words, grind against her again, and trail kisses down her neck.

  "Easton." She gasps.

  "Yeah, sunshine?" I ask, while kissing back up the other side of her neck and grind into her again. I’m addicted to the silky feel of her skin under my lips.

  "That feels so good. Don’t stop."

  "What does? This?" I grind my erect cock into her again.

  Her hips buck under me, and she lets out a low mewling sound, telling me I hit the right spot. I pick up the rhythm, as I kiss her and make love to her mouth the way I wish I could to the rest of her.

  Just a few of my thrusts, and she’s falling over the edge, but I swallow her screams of pleasure. Then, she's a limp rag doll in my arms, and knowing I was the one who did this to her, has me harder than I can ever remember being.

  She trails a hand down my chest with a smile on her face.

  "Your turn." She reaches for my cock.

  I take her hand in mine.

  "Nope, I got what I need. Knowing I can make you feel like this, is all I need today. Snuggle on the couch with me?"

  Lying down on the couch, I pull her in front of me, wrapping myself around her waist and tugging her close. Molly and Allie lay on the floor in front of us at our feet.

  Paisley takes control of the remote, and I settle in for a perfect afternoon. One of many more, if I play my cards right.

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 28

  Paisley

  I’m loving this new take charge Easton that has emerged. He's more confident, and that confidence is growing more each day. Watching him come out of his shell, is amazing to watch.

  Molly and I walk into the downstairs basement level, where Lexi's office is, and before we get to the door, Molly is already growling. A second later, Barbie steps out of Lexi's office all smiles. She smirks at me, and then heads upstairs.

  I'm frozen, standing in shock, thinking there is no way I just saw what I think I did.

  "Paisley." Lexi is snapping her fingers in front of my face.

  "Was that Barbie?" I ask still stunned.

  "Yes, she said you recommended her to volunteer here. Nice girl."

  Crap, this is what I get for not using names with Lexi and just calling Barbie Leeland's girlfriend all the time. I’m in panic mode.

  "No, no, no. Lexi, I didn't recommend her. She can't work here."

  "Shit." She’s leading me to a chair in her office, so I can sit down.

  "Go get Noah." I hear her tell someone behind me.

  Molly has her head in my lap, nudging my hands, but no matter how hard I try, I can't get them to move.

  "That's my brother's girlfriend," I say still in shock. "What the hell is she doing here? I'm missing something, Lexi. I
swear I am. Why is she so hell bent on this place?”

  "A lot of women see these guys for a steady paycheck with the VA benefits."

  "Everything they can get for being on the arm of a military man," Noah says.

  Noah's ex was with him for just that reason. I remember them telling me that.

  "She can't be here, Lexi. She was so dead set on... Oh, shit. Easton!"

  I'm running up the stairs through the lobby with Molly right at my side, and Lexi and Noah are behind me. I get to Easton's room, and just like I fear, there’s Barbie, and she isn't listening.

  "I said get out," Easton is saying through gritted teeth. His fists clenched at his side.

  Barbie has an arm wrapped around his arm and a smug, self-satisfied smile on her face.

  "Oh, come on. Leeland told me all about you, big guy."

  Molly is growling, and Allie is too, but it doesn't seem to faze Barbie. It's almost like she wants them to attack her, which Allie is getting ready, too.

  I shout, "Allie, down! Molly, Stay." Thankfully, both dogs listen.

  Sadly, my rage doesn't listen to my own advice, because it's me who lunges at her, and before I know it, I have a grip on her hair, and I'm whipping her away from Easton and flinging her to the ground.

  "Paisley, don't." Easton wraps his arms around me from behind.

  "I knew there was something going on with you two," she sneers. "Wait until Leeland finds out."

  "So, your whole plan was to expose us and drive a wedge between my family? This stunt isn't going to win him back." I raise my voice, and both Allie and Molly get between me and Barbie, facing her ready to lunge if needed. This time I’ll let them.

  "We will see about that." She straightens her clothes.

  Then I laugh, because this is all so ridiculous. "You don't get it. You were never the girl he was going to marry. You were the girl to get Mom off his back and to get his dick wet. Look at you. You’re going to be someone's trophy wife; not in a real relationship."

  "You bitch!" She screams and takes a step towards me, but Molly and Allie are right there, baring their teeth and growling.

  Barbie looks at them, and then at me.

  I shrug, "I'm not stopping them this time, so chose your next move carefully." She looks back at the dogs, then back to me, but it's Lexi's voice that fills the room.

  "We won't be needing you here in any way or capacity. Jake here will be escorting you off the property, and it's in your best interest not to step foot on it again." Lexi says harshly just as Jake comes in with Atticus.

  "Oh, great! Another one of your mutts. Of course, they’re going to defend you," Barbie sneers.

  "Yes, we protect our own here," Noah says not missing a beat.

  "Are you going to go willingly, or will I have to forcefully remove you?" Jake says in a cold voice.

  "I'm going." She heads towards the door.

  "Hey, Jake. Come back by, when you're done," I say.

  He nods, and he and Barbie head out the door. Once out of sight, Easton lets go of me, and the tension in the room disappears.

  "I didn't know," Lexi says.

  "I know, and it's my fault for not using names, when I talked about her."

  "We were going to invite you two over for dinner tonight. If you’re up for it," Noah says.

  "That's up to Easton." I turn to face him. "We’re having dinner together either way, whether it's here or there. What do you want to do?"

  "What time?"

  "Six okay?" Lexi says.

  "We’ll be there."

  Lexi and Noah leave, but his nurse Kaitlyn peeks her head in. "Hey, I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

  "Yeah, I'm okay."

  She nods and closes the door behind her. Easton takes my hand and sits me down on the couch.

  "Now care to explain what exactly just happened here?"

  ***

  Easton

  I don't like seeing Paisley upset. Even growing up, she didn't get upset often, as she was very much a go with the flow and relaxed type. So, to see her get so mad today, I know there’s something going on.

  At the same time, seeing her defend me. Fuck, if I don’t want to throw her on the bed and thank her with multiple orgasms. That’s still the plan, but first, I need to find out what's going on in that beautiful head of hers.

  Once we both get seated on the couch, I decide to get right to the point.

  "Now, care to explain what exactly just happened here?"

  She sighs, "That was Leeland's girlfriend, well, ex-girlfriend. They broke up after she went off on me at my parents’ house. She was pissed she wasn't allowed to come to visit you, when Leeland did, but the amount of anger she had, I don't know. It was like I was missing something."

  There’s too much space between us, so I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her into my lap.

  "Keep going," I say.

  "Lexi and Noah said she could be looking to attach herself to an ex-military guy from here for a steady paycheck, and the benefits of being on a veteran’s arm, but my gut says it's more than that. This seems... almost personal."

  "That's my gut feeling, too," I tell her.

  "Lexi knows about her, but I never used her name, or else she would have put two and two together, and this never would have happened."

  "No, don't go there. She would have found a way, no matter what. This was not your fault." I can't have her blaming herself for this.

  A few minutes of silence pass, as we snuggle into each other, before she speaks again.

  "Are you sure you’re up for dinner at Lexi and Noah's?"

  "I think so, but there’s only one way to find out, right?" I say, just as there’s a knock on the door.

  "Come in," I call out, and the man that was here earlier with Atticus steps in.

  Paisley tries to scoot off my lap, but I hold her tighter, and she laughs. "Easton, this is Jake. Jake, this is my Easton. Sit down and join us." She gestures towards a chair.

  My heart is racing, and I wonder if he can tell I'm barely keeping it together. It has nothing to do with a stranger in the room, but with Paisley calling me hers.

  "Hey, Atticus." I smile at him, and he looks up at Jake.

  "Go on, boy." Atticus runs over to me, licking my hands in hello, and then greets Molly and Allie, before returning to Jake's side.

  "Paisley tells me you’re doing security here?"

  "Yeah, Noah made it very clear he's holding the lead position for you, but yeah, I'm volunteering. It’s Paisley's idea. She thinks I need social skills."

  "You have social skills,” Paisley says. “You just need to get out of the house and out of your head. Plus, Atticus already knows everyone here. Though, this was a hell of a first day on the job."

  "Yeah, it was. Guess there won't ever be a dull moment here, huh?"

  "From what Lexi tells me, no there won't be," Paisley says.

  I watch Jake, and he’s watching me, even though he's talking to Paisley. I like that his eyes aren't on her. He's making it clear to me he isn't interested in her like that, and I respect that.

  "How's Atticus for you?" I ask.

  "He's good. Still nerve racking to have him full-time and be responsible for him, but now, I couldn't imagine not having him. How is Allie doing for you?"

  "Pretty much the same. I'm glad Paisley pushed her on me, but it's still a bit nerve racking, knowing she depends on me. Though, after a day like today, I plan to spoil her rotten."

  "I believe it," Paisley says, leaning down to pet Allie.

  "Well, I better get back out there and meet everyone. I'd like to sit down and talk again." Jake says, standing up.

  "Yeah, stop by anytime.”

  He nods and closes the door behind him.

  "So, we have about three hours, before we have to be at Lexi and Noah's. What would you like to do?" Paisley asks.

  "Hold you.”

  "We can snuggle on the couch and watch TV."

  "Sounds perfect."

  We la
y down on the couch, her in my arms, and the dogs on the floor in front of us. It's simple and perfect. Those three hours fly, because before I know it, we’re ready to go to Lexi and Noah's.

  "Do you want to walk or drive over?" Paisley asks.

  "Let's walk. I think it will do the dogs good.”

  "I agree."

  We walk hand-in-hand. I thought the further I got from Oakside, the harder it would be, but it's not. With Paisley beside me, and the dogs walking with us, it doesn't bother me at all.

  There’s a walking trail through the tree line on the side of Oakside, and as we break through the trees, I can see a white colonial style home with bright colored flowers out front.

  Lexi and Noah greet us on the front porch and pay more attention to the dogs than to us.

  "This is normal every time I'm here. It's like I'm just the person that brings the one they’re really visiting with." Paisley says with a smile on her face.

  "Oh, hush. I think we’ll eat on the sun porch." Lexi says, leading us inside.

  We follow her inside to a beautiful, rustic home with barn doors and white and gray paint. The sun porch is in complete contrast with its cement floors, waist to ceiling windows, and bright pink, orange, and yellow pillows and decorations.

  "This must be your room," I say.

  "Yep. Noah has a man cave upstairs, though he hardly uses it. He's always in here with me."

  "I'm wherever you are," Noah says, not missing a beat.

  "I hope you don't mind eating more casually,” Lexi says. “When the sun starts to set, the weather is just so nice, and it would be a shame to eat inside."

  "This is fine." I agree.

  "Easton, would you help me carry the food in?" Noah says.

  I follow him into a white farmhouse style kitchen with pops of color that scream Lexi.

  "You’re doing okay?"

  "Yeah, this is a lot easier than I thought it would be.”

  "Okay, good. This is the only time I’ll ask. But if you want to leave for any reason, at any time, no hard feelings. I'm just glad you’re here."

  "Thanks." We load up the two trays with meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, and corn.