Page 56 of Sheltering Lawson
He hit the end of the dock and teetered there, his arms frantically windmilling, but it was no use, he had too much forward momentum and physics and gravity always won. He plunged into the water with a huge splash. Immediately, before he even surfaced, the gators were on the move.
He thrashed, screaming for help, but all I said was, “You’d better start swimming, Brad.” His hands beat the water and the Outlaws were waiting for him as he hit the shore just before the gators. “You should consider yourself lucky,” I called out to the gators. “He would have tasted really bad.” The Outlaws laughed.
Ethan stood there in front of Brad, and I didn’t want him to do anything rash. I went to step off the dock, but he said, “You see these boys behind me? They’re the Outlaw brothers and they got their ass-whooping boots on. Believe me, you should take your chances with the gators. It would be quick with them.”
“Who the fuck are you?” Brad sneered.
“I’m Ethan Fairchild, the man who is in love with Haley. I would suggest that you just surrender.”
Brad looked them over, swore under his breath and turned around to watch the gators watching him.
“Please,” Brax said, his voice steely, so menacing I shivered, “resist us, Brad. Please resist us.”
With a huff of resignation, he lay down in his stomach. Two of the Outlaws pressed their boots into his back, while one of them headed to the brush to wait for the sheriff. He wasn’t going anywhere. “Bring me his wallet,” I shouted.
When I turned, Ethan was bearing down on me, and I dropped the tire iron. Rushing to him, I threw my arms around him, sighing. “What took you so damn long?”
“You’re sassbucketing me while I’m having a freaking heart attack, woman?” He hugged me so hard, I swear my spine cracked. “The sheriff is on his way, but it’s apparent we don’t need him. That was inspired, Haley.”
“I told him I was getting my life back.” I turned and shouted at Brad who wasn’t moving a muscle. “I’m getting my life back, you son of a bitch!” I turned back to Ethan’s relieved and smiling face.
“I think you made your point.”
“There was no way I was going to lose out on experiencing my life with you.” He moved with me off the dock, his arm securely around my waist as Brax walked up and handed me Brad’s wallet. I delved in and the money was wet, but I took all the cash he had, then handed it back to Brax. “Thanks.”
“My pleasure, darlin’.”
I heard a siren in the distance. This was almost over. I looked up into Ethan’s face and lifted on tiptoe to kiss his mouth. “He broke my necklace,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “It reminded to be brave.” He nodded solemnly. A little shaky, I never even gave Brad another glance. Ethan and I walked toward the sound of my salvation.
When we got back to my apartment, I dragged Ethan into the bathroom. All my stuff, including my car was gone. It was like I was starting over from scratch. We took a shower, and I felt so vibrant, so free.
As soon as the hot water cascaded over us, I took his mouth devouring his lips and it was like someone threw a toaster in here with us. There was no preamble, no talk, no anything but feeling as he entered me, held me against the tiled wall and pounded into me in ever deepening thrusts. It was the adrenaline and the brush with death that both of us were reacting to and I urged him on, loving the feel of his hard, thick, pulsing erection showing me that I was still alive.
After his climax overtook him, we panted, holding each other desperately as the hot spray washed way the muck, grime and sweat from my harrowing run through the bayou. My wits and that rickety dock had saved my life.
Ethan and I got out, and we stood there dripping on the rug, while he tipped up my chin and kissed me. But this time it wasn’t about sex. It was slow, tender, the kind of kiss that made me want to curl up with him and fall asleep in his arms.
I wondered if we’d ever get the chance, but forcibly pushed that thought away. There was so much to do, so much yet to sort out, before the reality of what we wanted could even begin. So, I decided to enjoy the moment rather than waste a single one worrying about future moments. I didn’t believe in destiny. It was a convenient way to allow things to happen instead of taking action. I was in charge of my life, and I would have it my way.
Ethan reached for a towel and turned me, wrapping it around me as he pulled me back against him, nipping the side of my neck. “You smell good, babe. I can’t get enough.”
“You feel wonderful,” I murmured. “Thank you for being here for me. You’re always here for me, Ethan.” I turned to look in his eyes and found exactly what I needed there.
We left the bathroom, and I spied a few sets of clothing on the counter. I turned to look at Ethan, and he smiled, “Verity dropped them by. I called her. Boone’s should fit me.”
I cupped his rough jaw. “That was so thoughtful of you, thank you.” I kissed his mouth lingering over his lips. “I love this place.”
Grabbing underwear and jeans, I slipped them on. I got dressed and he made coffee. Then he pulled me over to the sofa. We sat facing each other our hands joined. “Mike arrested Brad and his daddy. They’re in jail where they belong.” He took a breath, his eyes sad. “I know you have to go home, and I know you want to do this alone.”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t. I’ve already stood up to him. This is just icing on the cake. They’re going to jail, a judge and a DA. It’s disgusting. They both vowed to protect and uphold the law. Please come back with me until you have to go to the academy. I need you, Ethan.”
He smiled broadly. “I need you, too. Yes, I’ll come back with you.”
The next day, we landed in Atlanta and I hired a car to take us into the city to a townhouse where I’d grown up and had kept the property in my name. I’d already called ahead to have it aired out. Once inside, we dropped off Ethan’s bag, then I headed to the bank and got an assessment of my assets. Brad had made a good-sized dent in my inheritance, but there was plenty still there. Once I sold everything and moved to Suttontowne, I would be in good shape.
After the bank, I went to the mall and replenished my wardrobe, especially some conservative outfits I would need for lawyer meetings and court.
I had an afternoon appointment with the assistant district attorney, Tom McNamara, who was now the acting DA. He was understandably dismayed to find out about Brad and since he had worked so closely with him, he was recusing himself if it went to court. A DA from Scott, Georgia would fill in for the trial. We spent the afternoon talking about the prosecution and how it would be beneficial to me to charge him with aggravated assault instead of attempted murder.
