Page 32 of Skid
Grace
Ididn’t feel strong, and it was killing me. I’d fought for years to take care of myself, not depending on anyone, and in one moment, my feelings of safety were stripped away. Eddie’s bar was always a safe place for me, and I was careless when I took my break earlier. I heard the door open as I sat down to take a break and assumed it was Dalton.
When I turned around, I was shocked to see one of the customers stepping into the employee area and knew something bad was coming when he took the chair next to the door and wedged it under the handle. He was faster than I anticipated, and he had his hand slapped over my mouth, muffling my screams before I could make a sound.
From that moment, all I could do was fight him with everything I had in me, refusing to let him take from me and praying that Dalton came looking for me. I was filled with relief when he ripped the man off me, and the level of violence he showed to my attacker wasn’t unexpected, but I had to stop him before he killed him.
Admitting to him or anyone about my vulnerability was difficult. I’d never seen myself as a victim, having something taken from me without my permission, and tonight was stirring all kinds of turmoil in my brain. Guilt, shame, and subsequent anger were common for me, but the fear of what might have happened was overwhelming me.
“Let me help you get showered, baby,” Dalton whispered, and I stood from the bed, my legs weak and the pain of tonight settling in.
His blue eyes were filled with worry as he helped me into the bathroom. When I started to undress, he turned his back to me until I got into the shower. Just his presence was giving me reassurance as the spray of water loosened the knots in my back while I washed my hair. An audible groan broke free from me as I felt the tension seeping out of my muscles.
“Are you okay?” he asked, and I paused before speaking.
“I’m good if you need to head out.” There was something in my brain screaming he was about to run, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the feeling.
“I’m not going anywhere, but I need to grab a change of clothes from my bike if you’ll be okay for a few minutes.”
“I’ll be okay. I’m almost finished,” I admitted and ducked back under the water, letting a few tears fall.
“I’ll be right back.” I could hear the hesitation in his voice, and I stuck my head out of the curtain.
“Thank you.”
He stepped up to the curtain and brought his hand to my wet cheek as he explained. “You don’t ever have to thank me. I’m sorry for not being there sooner.”
I glanced down and noticed the dried blood drops on his jeans. Bringing my eyes up to his, I suggested, “How about this? You don’t say you’re sorry, and I won’t say thank you. Neither one of us should have guilt over tonight.”
Gently kissing me, his gaze lingered before he whispered, “I’ll be right back.”
Nodding, I watched him leave the bathroom and I finished my shower quickly. Twisting my hair into a towel, I dried off then walked into my bedroom with a towel wrapped around my body. Dalton’s cut was laying on the bed, and I picked it up, seeing small flecks of blood on the front. I removed my hair towel and wiped the blood, hoping to remove it without leaving a stain.
The sound of the front door opening and closing sounded into the bedroom, and I watched as Dalton walked back into the bedroom with a pair of shorts and a clean shirt tucked under his arm. His gaze ran up my body and grew soft as he saw me cleaning his cut. “I’ve got something that will clean it. You don’t have to do that.”
Turning the leather vest around, I brought it to my nose and inhaled deeply, smelling the rich leather, faint smoke, and the earthy smell of Dalton. Smiling over the leather, I admitted, “I didn’t want any more of him touching us.”
He smiled at me and took the cut from my hand, encouraging me to turn around. He stepped closer and inhaled against my wet hair as he slipped the cut over my shoulders. “I like the look of my cut on you.”
Turning back to him, I gripped onto the towel and asked hesitantly, “Do you let many people wear your cut?”
My gaze met his, and he looked deeply into my eyes, the truth of his words reaching right into my soul. “No one has ever worn my cut, and if I have my way, no one but you ever will.”
I bit into my bottom lip, trying to hide my smile as I said, “Maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get your way.”
He winked at me before pressing his lips to my cheek. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
Turning, he walked into the bathroom and closed the door as I heard the shower start. I hugged myself in his cut before carefully placing it on the bed and quickly dressing. I heard the water turn off a minute later and waited for him to return to me. Keeping my eyes on the door, I smiled when he walked out in a fitted T-shirt and basketball shorts, his black hair damp and clinging to his forehead.
He offered me his hand, and I stood from the bed, linking my fingers with his. Dalton reached into the inner pocket of his cut and wiggled his eyebrows before he led me into the living room and out the front door. Sitting down on the oversized chair, he patted his lap, and I settled in with my legs hanging off one side of his and placed my cheek against his chest, feeling his heart beating against my skin.
I’d never been this open with anyone, always fearful they would see past my fake smile and into the pit I shoved my past. With Dalton, I wasn’t afraid, and from his comments about not only his sister, but a few of his friends, he wasn’t a stranger to the dark and menacing parts of the world. That gave me hope that one day, hopefully, I could tell him a small part of what makes me, well, me. The whole story was too twisted and perverse.
“As much as I love you pressed against me, I think you need this more than me right this second.” He chuckled and wiggled a strong-smelling joint in front of me.
I sat up and went to stand from his lap when he gently placed his hand on my hip and tugged me closer. Coughing our way through it, I felt my head floating and my body relaxing as we smoked. I rested my back against the side of the full chair and lifted my gaze to the sky. The black sky was littered with twinkling stars, and I wondered what I’d done to have someone as wonderful as Dalton take an interest in me.
“Can I ask you something?” I asked.
