Page 64 of Trucker
“I would think thesluterock would answer that question.” I frowned. “They didn’t even look into it. The sheriff said that I shouldn’t have been out drinking and there is no proof I was actually raped.”
“Wait.” Trucker shook his head. “Didn’t you go to the hospital?”
I nodded.
“And did they take a rape kit?”
I shrugged. “They took some swabs, but I don’t think they believed me either. And because this is a small town, confidentiality means nothing. Because I wasn’t even out of the hospital and the news was all over the town. Everyone had already filled in the bist they didn’t know.”
“I’m sorry.” Trucker’s voice cracked. “That would explain the nightmares.”
“I had those pretty much under control.” I sniffled and drank more from the cup. “Then I started thinking of putting myself back into the dating world and, well?—”
“I gave you nightmares.”
“No.” I vehemently shook my head. “I just—it’s not you. I promise. I’m just really nervous. The thought of having you touch me?—”
“You’re still scared.” Trucker’s voice was so sad, it broke my heart.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Trucker framed my cheeks. “You never apologize for your trauma. Shit, and I was coming on so damn strong. Everyone was right about me—I’m an idiot.”
“Don’t say that. You didn’t know.”
“I should have calmed it down.”
“Well—I didn’t mind it.” I flushed but couldn’t shy away from him or this any longer. “I never told you to stop. Any other man, I’d have freaked out. But for some reason, you felt different.”
Trucker pressed his lips into a thin line before lifting his hand. For a moment, he paused as his large palm trembled and fell back to his side.
He’d wanted to touch me—I wanted him to touch me.
“If you want to find out who did this—I have a few friends.” Trucker said instead. “Amazing ones. They can find anything. If not, I’ll hold you when you need me to and be here for you in whatever way you need.”
“And you don’t think I’m dirty?”
“That’s not you talking.” Trucker grunted. “Don’t listen to Esther anymore. She has shit for brains and spits out word diarrhea.”
Happy to hear him say that, I hugged him again. “One of these days, I’m going to give myself to you, Mayson Calhoune.”
“Not until you’re ready.” His voice cracked. “I may not look like it, but I can wait. It doesn’t ever have to happen.”
“You promise?”
“Sure.” Trucker kissed my neck. “I promise.”
He carried me to my room and after I used the bathroom and changed, Trucker tucked me in, kissed my forehead and stood to leave. I caught his arm and pulled him down on top of me.
“Taji?”
“A real kiss, Trucker.”
“After what happened tonight, do you?—”
“Kiss me.”
He hesitated so I reared up, rolled him over and pinned him to my bed. Before giving him a moment to think about what was happening, I kissed him, plunging my tongue into his heated mouth.
