Page 121 of Play of Love
Chapter 3
Scott
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Fucking piece of shit.
I cursed and blamed myself for allowing Abi to go through that shit. That idiot was hell-bent on dragging her off somewhere and raping her. I should have left the diner from the minute we entered and saw the creep. I wouldn’t have thought to follow her to the toilet, and I never thought she wouldn’t be safe.
What if I didn’t hear her scream? What if she didn’t get the chance to scream?
And she called for me too. I’d moved without any thought when I’d heard her. The desperation in her cry told me she was in trouble and needed me.
When I saw the man with his hands on her, I completely lost it and would have probably beat the life out of him if she didn’t stop me.
I was just finishing up in the men’s room, washing the creep’s blood off me and cleaning myself. The police had come and taken the guy away. I knew the man would have to go to the hospital first for the broken nose, and whatever else was broken. The asshole deserved it.
I had never known what drove men like that to force themselves on a woman, aside from being vile and truly despicable. I couldn’t see the point. It had to take a sick bastard to think that was the way to behave and to treat people.
I walked back out into the diner to look for Abi, but she wasn’t there. I found her outside standing by my car. I didn’t blame her for waiting there instead of inside the diner. When she saw me, she rushed over and ran into my arms. She’d been crying.
“Babydoll.”
I pulled back so I could see her, and I cupped her face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. I mean… I’m not completely okay, but I will be.”
“Let’s go to the hospital.”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, Margo needs us. I’m not hurt, just shaken up. Scott, thank you for rescuing me.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that,” I smirked.
“I do because I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t be here now if you hadn’t come along.” The worried look in her eyes angered me again.
“Well, you know I wouldn’t have let anything happen to you.” I hoped she knew that, and was grateful for the nod she gave me. As if it was the most natural thing to do, I took her hand and walked back to the car with her where I sat her down. I started inspecting her, checking her head to see if she was cut or bruised or anything.
I noticed the look she gave me. Her green eyes clung to me, analyzing me. A glint of wonder flickered within them. But there was something else. Hurt. And I knew that what happened just now wasn’t the reason for it.
This look was the same look she got while we spoke about the past, right before she rushed off to the ladies’ room. It wasn’t overly visible, but it was there no matter how much she masked it. That was what came with knowing her and knowing her reaction to different things. The hurt was there because of me. I’d hurt her a lot and felt worse for it now.
“Abi, I think it’s best if I continue on to get Margo and I get you back to the hotel. You can see Margo when we get back. I’m sure that will be fine.”
She cast her eyes downward and then looked back at me and shook her head and smiled. “I have to go. She called me. That’s what we do. We’re always there for each other. I’m fine, seriously.”
I didn’t think I’d ever come across two people who were better friends than Margo and Abi. “Okay, well I’ll get you to her. Just let me look at your arm.” I was just concerned that the creep had hurt her.
She chuckled and gazed at me. Her lashes swept down, and her generously curved lips parted. “Scott, I’m okay. Please stop fussing over me. I’m not used to it.” She was laughing, but, really, it wasn’t funny. She really should have had someone fuss over her.
I looked at her and took in her intoxicating beauty, her skin honey gold and flawless, made for loving. The sleek ends of her velvety chocolate brown hair lifted out against the gentle breeze, adding to her perfection.
“Today is different.” I nodded and smiled back at her.
“Aside from being one of those crazy days which I’d rather skip, it’s kind of no different to any other.” She raised her brows.
“No, no. It’s a different day. We weren’t together yesterday. Or the day before that. Or, even the week.”
She placed her hand on her chest, drawing my attention to her breasts. “Far be it from me to criticize my hero, but those days were definitely better.”
