I recap everything to my girls. I decided to leave nothing out because I'm confused and could use some advice. I mention how much care Jace gave when I woke up. The close encounter on the bed. The attempt to hook up with me. And how he took over my call with Brad. "Oh, damn...he took the phone and said all that?!" Lil's mouth hangs low.

"Yeah...Jace started all of this."

"Why is he fucking with Brad? He can't possibly be bored." Jess shakes her head.

"Maybe he is..."

"That dude has a set schedule and toy factories...he's not bored."

"True...that's like saying he's lonely. Why did he come onto you, knowing you have a boyfriend?"

"I don't know..."

"That's weird of him to do..." Lil grimaces.

"Ummm...are we from the same planet?" Jesse scoffs. "That's not weird; that's hot. Who knew our girl could lure in a billionaire?"

"More like her dream guy."

"He isn't my dream guy!" I snap.

"Babe...you drooled over him for a year."

"I know what I want. It's not him!" I stew in irritation. "Brad is closer to my ideal guy...despite his temper."

"So...you're saying you love him?"

I stare at Lily, then at my hands. "I care about him."

"Do you love him?" Jess repeats Lil's question. "Because that hotheadedness proves he loves you."

"I still think it's puppy love." Lil disagrees. "She'd know if it was more."

"I care about him...that's all I can say for now. I think it could lead to love down the line. Brad was perfect before Jace interfered."

Helen pushes in a cart of four plates of ratatouille and wine. Lil gets up to help her pass out the plates. "I can't help it...I'm a waitress." She cracks.

"It's in the DNA for us." Hel jokes. "Where has your other friend gone?"

"Oh, he'll be back soon. I'll hold his plate." Lil brings two plates my way. "Doesn't she remind you of Joyce?"

"Omg!" Lil gazes at her as if she's an exotic animal.

"Who's that?" Jess is lost.

"Someone who used to work at the club, she retired. I swear Joyce was a baker in her past life...or a florist. She had that kind of warmth."

Helen waves a dismissive hand. "Oh, you girls are too kind."

"You have to be her twin, separated at birth." I joke. "Where's your birth certificate? I need to verify." Lil hackles as she hands me two glasses of wine.

Helen chortles uncontrollably. "I haven't laughed this hard in so long!" She gives Jess a meal and drink. "I needed that." She continues the spurts of laughter on her way out. This time she doesn't close the door. I think we made her forget how to navigate her job.

"Well, she's a good audience." Lil titters.

"Yeah, she is." I smile and dig into the colorful veggie dish. It's sweet, spicy...and moist. "Wow!" I stab a larger quantity onto my fork and devour it.

"Oh!" Lil and Jess taste the dish and share the same overwhelmed sound effects.

"I'm gonna need this recipe." Jess munches. Lil exclaims over the explosive flavors.

A knock comes from the door. We all look. It's Brad. The embarrassment is solid on his face. He stands in the doorway with his hands clasped together. My boyfriend's eyes are ashamed. I give a slight smirk and hold up his plate. Brad is humiliated by his actions...that's a good thing. He knows it was wrong. He can't snap at me like that. He circles around the bed. Lil surveys him. Her defensiveness returns. I can't blame her. Brad was a threat...I honestly thought he was going to hit her. He sits beside me. I hand him the plate. "All better now?"

"Yeah...sorry, I lost my shit." His voice is low and feeble. Brad addresses this to the three of us. "I don't know why I did that. Can you guys forgive me?"

Lil lowers her eyes, judging him. She isn't going to forgive him. Jess nods. "We forgive you."

"Jace is the problem... not you," I admit.

"I don't like you being here. I know we've been over this already. I just don't like it."

"It's only for a few more days...you can stay the night. The bed is big enough."

Lily ticks her tongue. "You're in no condition for foreplay."

"We're just going to cuddle...for real this time. Nothing else."

"Hmmm..." Her caramel eyes probe me. "I don't put it past you."

"Pinky swear?" I jab it her way; she accepts the truce.

Helen comes to collect dining ware. Lil and Jess are ready to retire, so she escorts them to their room. Brad lays back on the elevated bed. I do the same.

This is the first time I've shared a bed with a guy. I revel in this new milestone I've unlocked. Our bodies are far away. Brad must be reluctant about hurting me while in this state. I reach out to hold his hand. "Come closer."

"You pinky swore. This is how it started last time."

"I'm incapable of doing anything." I chuckle. "News flash, I'm not wearing the bandages for fashion."

"I'll take heed of what Lil said."

"Fine!" I sulk. "I don't want to cuddle, anyway!"

Brad holds my hands and softly massages them. His chestnut eyes have a depth so raw that I stop fussing to analyze it.

He's staring at me as if I'm the only thing in the world. His dread of severing this connection is untested. It's a look my mom had whenever I got the flu as a kid. A glimpse of taboo. As if breaking eye contact would cause me to vanish from existence. It's misery and cherishing rolled into one. A bond I don't think I'm ready for. "I love you." he declares.

I have to respond; I can't go mute like last time. "And I adore you." I cringe. "Sorry, that's the best I can do right now. Don't hate me."

"No...that's perfect. Better, actually." His cushiony lips smack against my hands. He tries to kiss me, but I cover my mouth. "What?"

"No kissing...my lips need care. I'm sure they're chapped."

"I don't mind."

"I haven't had a toothbrush."

"So?" Brad is unbothered.

"But..."

"I'm forgetting how you feel." He slides my hands from over my mouth and dives into me. His lips are rough. The stroking is heavy, so are his breaths. I cup his face and reel him closer. Brad places an arm on each side of me and angles his neck. Our mouths consume each other. I bite his bottom lip; he does the same to mine. His fingers work down my chin and underneath my neck. He glides his hand down to my chest.

I grab hold of his wrist when he nears the bandage there. "Don't..."

"I know, no sex." He kisses me. "I need to touch you."

"Not while I'm like this." I whisper lifelessly. I peer down at the sticky patches covering my body. Dread and low self-esteem destroys me. "I'm hideous."

"No, you're not."

"I am." My eyes gloss.

Brad smooches the bandages on my head, my chest, then the ones on my arms. "I'll do this all night to prove you wrong." I giggle and sob. He continues with the task. Every visible white strip on my body is pressed by his gentle lips. He's sure to be extremely delicate. I love how precious his touch is. Love how he worships me. Brad returns to my mouth to make out aggressively. We grumble, inhale, and exhale in unison.

For the next two days, we chill in the rec room playing games. Lily chooses an alien one, Area 51. Jess dominates NBA Jam. I resort to the Simpson's, since I'm familiar with it. I played the website version as a kid. Brad battles champions in Marvel Super Heroes. Helen provides us with freshly baked pizza and steak fries. This is our routine for the first day.

On the second day, we're made aware that there's a movie theater. To our disbelief, we find a fully stocked concession stand complete with fountains and employees. The workers whip up nachos, hotdogs, popcorn, and slushies. Inside, the theater replicates an IMAX stadium from an AMC Showplace. It's double date suitable, so that's what we do.

The theater is quiet. There's only the four of us in the whole place...and everything is free. Lil and her boo sneak to the back row to get busy while Brad and I swallow each other's tongues. He's kissing me like his life depends on it. I like how heavy his skin is on mine. My lips have never moved so fast; even when I practiced kissing, it was always slow. Passionate, romantic, and long.

I don't mind his enthusiasm, tho. It's sexy as hell. The booming surround sound of an action movie tantalizes our hunger.

An uproar of moans from the back of the room draws my attention. The sound of the sex session in the back adds a porn soundtrack to our steamy moment. "Get it, bestie!" I catcall.

"I wanna hear you cry like that," Brad whispers into my ear, then clamps his teeth onto the lobe. I catch my breath. His tongue is like a sword down my collarbone. He uses two fingers to twist my nipples through my hospital gown. I wail and clench my teeth. He squeezes the tender, protruding flesh. I squeal. Brad grunts against my ear. "Louder." The popping of guns obliterates the surrounding speakers. "I can barely hear you." Brad leans to suckle my nipple through the fabric. He bites and stabs at it with his tongue while curling his fingers around the other.

I yelp, whimper, groan, and sigh. This time, it's audible over the exploding speakers.

After the naughty deed, we go to a shopping center below the beach house. The storefronts consist of House Of Bijan, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Victoria's Secret, Dior, Hollister, Macy's, and H&M. "This guy is loaded!" Jess exclaims.

Brad, who is my wheelchair chauffeur, stops walking me ahead. I lean my head back to look at him. "What?"

"Let's go back to the room."

"We've been naughty enough. Don't you want to shop?"

"No." He replies bitterly.

"Please? I need stress relief."

"I could help you out with that in the room." He flirts.

"I want to shop," I pout. "Come on...you're my pusher-man." I sing the iconic drug song from the 70s. "Be my pusher-man." Brad chuckles and guides me forward.

We join the girls inside Victoria's Secret. Lily is chatting with a cashier with her card out. She has three bras on the counter. "Wait, that's insane!!" Her wide eyes find me. "Maddy, we don't have to pay for anything!"

"Huh?"

"Tell her," Lil advises a tall woman at the counter.

She's super pretty and has a fantastic shape. Her boobs are to die for. I wish I had them. "Since you all are guests, you're excluded from paying for goods."

Jess nears the counter with heaps of lingerie and shapewear. "Join the shopping spree!"

I pick out a lacy bodice and hold it against my gown. "You like it?"

Brad smiles ear to ear. "Yeah...but the hospital gown is sexier. I think I'm into a patient fetish because of you."

"So..." I raise my brow. "Do you want me to get it or not?"

"I'll buy it for you."

"But it's free..."

"I'd rather not have this be a freebie from him. I'll pay." He settles with a rigid tone.

I suppress my attitude to avoid another controversy. "Okay." I hate having to tiptoe. I'm used to having word battles without consequences. I don't like training myself to be tamed.

I compare this dilemma to what Jace said. I like how snappy you are. I like your zing. Was that true? Or would he get peeved by my outspokenness after a while? Men prefer women to obey and listen...they're always going to demand and desire that. It gives them power. Still, I wonder if Jace is an exception. He did say he could endure anything. Does that include women who are a handful? I haven't seen him since the deck chat. Where is he?

After hitting up Macy's and H&M for dresses, we call it a night. Brad holds our bags while we eat cotton candy. Back in the room, Brad drops my bags at the door and carries me to bed. The teenage version of myself swoons and fantasizes this as a groom crossing the house's threshold with his bride. He lays me down carefully...and rests his arms beside me.

The cotton candy stick I hold divides us. Brad bites into it and slurps. My eyes broaden, and my lips part. The stimulating noise from his mouth fire me up. He slurps on. The long gulp he does finishes me down there. A squirt of cum moistens my underwear. "It's not sweeter than you." He mutters sensually. His teeth tears a piece off and slips it between my lips. The fluffy treat evaporates on my flaming tongue.

Brad watches it lubricate my mouth. I swallow a heap of liquid. The gulp is loud. He moans while tracing his fingers up my leg. I restrain his wrists to stop him from reaching the bandages. "No!" My body stiffens in alarm. My confidence fades. It's insane how fast I become insecure.

"Maddy, you're still sexy."

"You have to say that; you're my boyfriend."

"I mean it."

"I'm not sexy like this," I mutter bleakly.

"Do I have to kiss them again?" I stay mute and wipe my eyes. He kisses my tears from my cheeks, then does the same to the bandages. The feel of his mouth on the wrappings is as soothing as a massage. I relax my tensed body and close my eyes. Brad kisses each bandage until I drift off.

I'm on the road surrounded by darkness. I'm back in the void. My eyes survey my skin. There are missing patches of flesh. The wounds cover every inch of my body. Every lash the road dragged across my skin is visible. Blood drips from the scars and onto the gravel. I lie in a pool of red, watching my tortured body. Terrified of the gruesome scars.

"I'll never be the same." My thoughts echo the void. "I can never wear my dream dress. My wedding dress will have to hide everything. Long sleeves and solid fabric. I can't wear the sexy lace one I fell in love with." The oozing blood and hideous flesh haunt me. "I'll have to cover my skin." I weep. The word "skin" resounds the empty space, devilishly taunting me.

I wake to the sound of a news report. My hand rubs my eyes. I sit up and shield out the sun. Brad is in front of the TV. He has a hostile stance...one identical to a ramped-up pitbull. His arms are out at his side in a braceful manner. His back is bone straight. I squint at the TV.

"...it has been confirmed by the Denver Police Department. Henry Fleck, the Uber driver from the Hart case, has been apprehended at a forest reserve. He surrendered to the squad an hour ago." A profile picture of the man displays on the screen. I clutch the sheets. My chest deflates. "The suspect has been escorted to the department for holding. The Chief speculates that a mob will form and is prepping to fortify the precinct."

The chief, who's at a podium in front of the press, claims the screen. "This is a disturbing case, but rest assured, justice will be served. To all those who are disgusted and enraged, please keep your distance from the precinct."

The monitor clocks my heart rate at 170. Brad turns to me. He has the most feral eyes I've ever seen. One belonging to an animal...a predator on the hunt. What's that look?? It doesn't make sense! Am I still dreaming?? "Brad...???" His nostrils flare, and his fists ball. "I'm gonna make this right." He stomps to an end table, swiping his keys from it.

My heart drums. It beats so fast that I'm sure I'm close to cardiac arrest. The monitor has the flat-lining tone again. "NOO!!" I shout raspily. "DON'T!!" Brad dismisses my desperate plea. He charges to the door with a brutish stride. "PLEASE, BRAD???!! COME BACK!!" I swing my legs to the edge of the bed and wobble to my feet. I end up falling. I'm too crippled by my nerves to drive my body. I heave in a wad of air. "LILY!!!!" I screech.

My heartbeat vanishes from my ribcage. My eyes blur. My ears muffles. I fight to stay conscious. I can't slip away! "MADDY??!! WHAT'S WRONG??" I hear Lily better than I see her. My vision is hazy. Her face is vague...I can't make out any features.

I raise a shaky hand to the TV. Lil follows, reading the headline:

Uber Driver Arrested In Denver.

"Brad...he's going there. He...left in his car."

She reacts to my hoarse words instantly. Lil dashes from the room like a track star. I hear her gym shoes streaking down the hall.

Jess comes to the doorway; her body language speaks distressed. "What is he thinking?!!"

"Ring the bell, get the doctors!" Lil yells from afar.

Jess rushes to kneel before me. My oxygen levels decrease. My lungs sting and tighten. They're closing!! She seizes the bell and rings it like a whistle. "I'm calling the cops."

"No! He'll get arrested...he's too angry! That'll get him hurt. Don't call!" My squeaky voice is hectic.

"We have to call someone...Lil is on foot, Brad's in a car!" She continues the frantic bell ringing.

"I know." I fight for air as if I'm drowning.

"Just breathe, Maddy, don't talk. Breathe." I heave, filling my chest like a pufferfish. The female doctor hustles in and helps me from the floor. Jess whips out her phone. "We have to call someone."

"Who do we call?!" I ask breathlessly.

"Please calm yourself." The woman injects a shot into my arm. "You're alright; just breathe."

Jess's phone rings, she answers fast. "Did you stop him?" I wait for her reaction, hoping it's good...but the look she gives is tragic. "He's gone...Lil said he was doing at least 80. She couldn't keep up with the car."

I close my eyes and inhale deeply. "We can't just let him go."

"No...no police. Maddy is right; he'll antagonize them." Jess says into the phone while clutching her forehead. "Maybe...we can try that."

"Try what?"

Jess puts Lil on speakerphone. "We need to try that." She's out of breath. "Brad won't make it there. Denver is 16 hours away. I would say let him cool down, but that's dangerous. He's gonna hurt himself...or someone else with how he's speeding. Either that, or he'll end up on the news in a high-speed chase. We don't need that drama. There's another way to defuse this. Maddy, you need to call Jace."

#Romance
#Love