“Blake, I don’t know how. Tell me how? What do I do?” I pleaded. Fresh tears slid down my cheeks as Blake held me out at arm’s length. Taking my face in his hands, his energised emerald eyes pierced right into my sky blue ones.
“We’ll figure this out, but for now, please, and I’m pretty much begging you right now, Abby…don’t shut me out or run from me again.” Sadness and determination etched in every crease of his perfect face.
Why am I putting my trust in him?
“Why are you doing this? I don’t even know you,” I voiced my thoughts as he continued to hold my face. I’d calmed down and was more rational by this stage.
A weak smile brightened his face. It’s amazing what a smile, no matter how little, can do to change the appearance of someone. “I’m drawn to you. I’ve seen you sitting right here in this very same spot with so much sadness in your eyes. You may not have noticed, but I’d walked past you many times, only you looked lost in thought.” His words warmed my heart. He continued, “I desperately wanted to talk to you, to get to know you, and to care for you. Seeing those marks on your beautiful skin makes me so angry, and finally seeing the face for the reason behind those marks just made me more determined to get you away from him. He doesn’t love you, you’re just another punching bag for him. I won’t stand by anymore and allow him to do this to you.”
“Blake…” I say as barely a whisper. Knowing he’d been watching me and wanted to care for me the way a true lover should gave me a newfound look on life. I still had no idea how I would get out of tonight’s thing.
“Leave it all with me and I’ll help you through this. Just try, and I mean really try, to stay away.”
With those words I already knew I had no hope of keeping my distance. He had ways of getting what he wanted. I’d only make it worse for myself if I didn’t go. So I gave Blake an answer he needed to hear. “I can try, but I won’t promise anything.”
He nodded in acceptance.
Standing there, I took in his appearance. He was in his police uniform with his belt holding his gun and a batten. He also had a radio attached to the shoulder of his uniform. He looked drop-dead , make-your-stomach-flop gorgeous. His shirt was slightly taut and he had the most delicious defined arms. The sight made me weak at the knees, literally. I’m sure my mouth was hanging open, catching the flies. He cleared his throat, catching my attention.
Yep, totally busted!
“Sorry,” I sheepishly said. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks with embarrassment.
“Don't apologise, glad I could be a distraction.” He grinned giving me a wink, which set my chest racing.
“I should get back to work.” Realising that I’ve been away far longer than I should’ve been, I knew the girls would be getting worried. They’d already given me sideway glances and the whispering amongst them was evident to me. It crushed me every time they don’t even ask how I am; they just walk on eggshells around me. I don’t know if I have given off that ‘Don’t ask me questions’ vibe. Jess, who’s been my friend since I arrived in America, still talks to me, but avoids the boy situation. I don’t think it helps that I changed the subject each time she had brought it up.
“All right. Abby, please try and stay away from him as much as possible.”
I nod, knowing that unfortunately I can’t do as he says.
“When can I see you again?” He took me by surprise by his question. I honestly don’t know what he sees in me. Does he think of me as a charity case? Someone to help make him feel better about himself? As I pondered on those last thoughts, deep down in the pit of my stomach, I knew he did genuinely care.
“Umm… I don’t know. My boyfriend goes away a fair bit, so I’ll let you know when I know.” Feeling guilty was my primary emotion these days. I honestly didn’t know why I should be the one feeling guilty. I didn’t bash me, I didn’t bruise me. Jacob made me feel as though no one else in this world could love me, but this man standing in front of me seemed to hold feelings for me. Feelings I’d like to explore, boyfriend or not.
“Okay, please message me. I look forward to seeing you again, and hopefully not freaking you into running away.” He took my face gently in his hands, his eyes piercing into mine. Everything around me faded away as if it was only us in the park. He leant in, pressed his lips to mine. My lips parted slightly, and he used that as an invitation. His tongue began to explore my mouth and mine his. Goosebumps covered my entire body, even raised on my scalp through my hair. My heart felt like it’s just ran a marathon because of the heavy pumping feeling running through me. My arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer as his hands gently ran through my hair. After what seemed like a lifetime, we moved apart, breathless.
“Wow…” I breathed. Now that was a kiss like I’d never experienced. It left me wanting more…so much more.
“You feel it, too?” Blake smiled his beautiful smile.
“That was the most amazing kiss I’ve ever experienced.”
“I know. I want you to experience that kind of feeling every day…with me.” He looked down at the ground, releasing his grip on me. I instantly lost our magical connection and I wanted it back.
Reaching out, I took his hand in mine. My heart felt like it was about to explode.
“Blake…” I waited for him to look up at me, and when he did, the sadness in his features shattered me right to my core. “I’m sorry if I’ve hurt you, but you need to understand this whole situation is not ideal, especially with me having a boyfriend.”
“Leave him.” The words lifeless and broken. His emerald eyes burned with ferocity, indicating he was determined, in every way possible, to remove me from my current situation.
“I…I can’t. You don’t understand how much danger I would put myself in. You don’t see what goes on behind closed doors every-single-night!” My voice reached its peak, and my eyes misted over. I really didn’t want to cry again, but why did he think it’s so easy for me to do? “I hardly know you!”
“I know. I’m sorry. I don’t need to know what goes on behind closed doors. I can see it all up your arms, and I’d hate to see what else you hide under those layers of clothing.” His words were harsh but very accurate.
I turned away from him to walk back to work. I didn’t get very far before he grabbed my arm spinning me around to face him again. His grip wasn’t tight like Jacob’s would’ve been if I’d have walked away from him like that. I’d hate to see what he’d do if I yelled in his face like I’d just done to Blake.
“I’m sorry, Abby. I’ll message you later. I promise to get you out of this.” He placed feather light kisses on my lips, then turned and left. I automatically wanted to run after him and tell him to take me away from it all, from all the hurt and pain I felt every single day. But I’m just not strong enough to break the chains Jacob has wrapped too tightly around me. Chains that were suffocating me with each bruise and hurtful word.
I stood and watched Blake walk away. He turned and glanced back, but then kept going. My heart hurt in every way possible. It was like it had been ripped out and stomped on a hundred times over. I turned around and continued walking back to work. Looking up to the skies, I wished upon everything in the universe that I could escape this hell I was living in.
Chapter Ten
Abby
Three Years Ago
After what seemed like the longest day in history, I arrived home and could hear Mum, Dad and Mel in the kitchen talking, laughing actually. I better go say hello since I haven’t actually seen Mum and Dad lately. I’ve been at Jacob’s the majority of the time. Then there was Melodi. I released a large breath. I’m sure she had an idea of what was going on and it hurt me to not talk to her. Yet, for some reason, I could speak to Blake about it. I guess I didn’t want her to see me that broken.