Page 6 of Dark Visions

“Soft? Like classical?” he asked as he turned on the car radio.

“No. Like spa or yoga…”

Spa or yoga? Yea, he threw those CDs away years ago.

“My purse, on my player…” she whispered.

He reached for her music player and plugged it into the USB port of his truck. Soft sounds of nature came through his speakers. He watched her face as she concentrated on the music around her. The hard lines on her forehead began to relax, and the tightness around her mouth softened.

Weaving through traffic, Kane tried to avoid the busier streets where there might be traffic jams or honking of horns. As he pulled into the dark garage of his apartment building, Aislinn slowly opened her eyes.

“Are we here?” she asked.

“Yes, we’re at my home,” he said, opening his door. When he opened Aislinn’s door, she nearly fell into his arms. Lifting her once more, he carried her to the elevator and pushed the button for his floor.

The building was a refurbished industrial building that was once a garment factory. Each floor was a loft of its own. The only way to reach his floor was with a key code and handprint. Opening the wide dock-like doors, the interior of his apartment filled Aislinn with a sense of security and warmth.

Concrete walls and floors with exposed industrial ductwork and piping caught her eye. The enormous gray sectional sofa with iron legs matched the scene and somehow matched the man holding her. A large flat-screen television covered one wall, the massive king-sized bed against another. The floor plan was completely open, allowing the occupants to see every room except the bathroom and closet.

Kane carried her further into the apartment, pushing open the door to the large master bath.

“You need to get warm, Aislinn,” he said, holding her against his body. She nodded. “Can you shower alone?”

A single tear slid down her face, and she shook her head.

“It’s okay. I’m going to set you on the counter and take my shoes and socks off. Then I’m going to get you undressed and help you shower. Okay?” She nodded, the tears falling silently down her cheeks.

The visions had never attacked her so severely. Usually, she could gather her strength and be relatively normal within a few hours. This had been working on twelve hours now, and she felt no better than she did only a few hours before.

She watched as Kane removed his boots and socks, then unbuckling his pants, he slid the long leather belt from its loops and pulled the sweatshirt over his head. In the darkness, she couldn’t see his body clearly, but she knew before even touching him that the scars covered his torso as well.

“Okay, honey, now you,” he said softly.

He gently pulled the sweater over her head and tossed it to the floor, then unhooked her bra. Her breasts were full and soft, falling gently against her chest. He unzipped her dress pants and lifted her from the counter easily, sliding them over her hips with the panties. He turned to start the shower and then grabbed a few towels.

When the steam rose from behind the glass, he carried Aislinn’s nearly limp body into the shower, holding her against his own warm, hard body. He felt her tremble against him, knowing it was tears and cold combined.

“Sshhhh, honey, it’s okay. I’m not going anywhere, Aislinn,” he soothed as he washed her back.

She nodded against his chest, her arms wrapped around his waist, pressing her further into his skin. Kane tried not to react to her naked body against his, but he couldn’t help it. All the soft curves pressed against his ugly scars. It was almost more than he could bare.

Aislinn let her hands lay flat against his chest and felt the rough edges of scars beneath her fingers. She moved her hands in slow circles, feeling the pain that hid beneath. She knew pain, and this man had experienced more than she could comprehend. Her hands glided to his shoulders and rested there, just waiting.

“Are you warm?” he asked in a husky voice.

She nodded and looked up at him. Kane wanted to take her right there in the shower. He was an asshole when it came to women but not completely. He knew that most were only interested in a quick ride with him. Something different, something to tell the girls about. Aislinn didn’t want or need anything from him other than strength. Strength was definitely something he could give her.

Lifting her from the shower, he wrapped her in the large, plush towels and then wrapped her hair. Carrying her once more, he lay her on the bed and then turned back toward the bathroom.

Aislinn heard him remove the wet clothes and toss them in the shower. A few moments later, he walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist. The wide chest she felt beneath her fingertips looked smoother in the dim light of the bedroom. There were a few raised scars, but most of the scarring was on the left side of his shoulder, neck, and face.

“Let me get you something warm to wear,” he said. Stepping toward the large mahogany dresser, he removed a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. “Can you put this on yourself?”

She nodded and sat up on the bed.

“I’ll put your clothes in the washer,” he said, walking across the cold concrete floor. He stopped in front of the fireplace and turned on the gas-burning logs, the flames licking the room with instant warmth.

Aislinn stood and pulled on the drawstring pants, which were easily four sizes too big for her. Nevertheless, she was grateful for the warmth. Holding the sweatshirt to her face, she smelled Kane. Spice and something else, something she couldn’t name.

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