Saving Dallas (Saving Dallas 1)

I'm a strong person. I can tolerate pain and I hate to show any sign of weakness. I had already allowed this man to carry me everywhere, undress me, put me in the bathtub, and wait on me hand and foot. I'm not sure why I decided to break down at that moment. Maybe it was the enormity of everything that had happened today. Maybe it was the loneliness I had felt for so long. Maybe it was the sexual craving that I had earlier that had now turned into a yearning for intimacy. Whatever it was caused me to start crying, which soon turned into sobbing.

"Shh, Baby. It’s ok. Look at me." I raised my head to find him eye level with me with concern etched all over his face. "You are safe. I am not gonna let anyone hurt you or anything happen to you. I'm gonna dry you off now, put you in some of my clothes and put you to bed. You will feel better once you have had some decent sleep."

Deciding not to correct him by letting him know it was not my safety I feared for, and that I had handled guys like the cowboy prick before, I nodded. Through my tears, I could just make out his face. I could tell that it pleased him to do something for me and have control of the situation. That was fine by me. I had been strong for too long and if I was gonna fall apart, at least it would be at the hands of a stranger I wouldn't have to see again.

Luke dried my hair as gently as possible and then dried the front of my body. He helped me to stand on my one good leg and never letting his arm leave my waist, he dried my back, and then my butt, pausing to sRed his fingers over what I assumed was now a bruise. He softly ran the towel between my legs, drying me as quickly as possible, then moving on to my legs and feet. He took a black t-shirt that was on the bed and slid it over my head paying careful attention not to let it touch me.

Still holding me by the waist, he slid the covers back and helped me to sit. Holding out the two little brown pills in his hand, he handed me a glass of water. I took the pills and drank the whole glass.

"That’s better," he smiled at me making my heart clench. Most of my tears had subsided and I was beginning to feel better. He leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I'll be in the next room if you need me." I couldn't help the disappointed look that crossed my face or the fact that hearing those words caused more tears to fall.

Suddenly looking panicked, he placed both hands on the side of my face. "I'm sorry babe. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that you have had a long day and I thought you might want to be alone. I'll stay, lie down and let me hold you." Before he could change his mind, I put my legs under the covers, wincing as I slid down under them. "I'm gonna grab some sweats. I'll be right back."

He walked out of the room and I immediately was lonely. I wanted to call out to him to come back but caught myself. No need to make a bigger ass of yourself, Dallas. He returned less than a minute later wearing a pair of black sweats. He should really be a model for Calvin Klein. He turned the light off and slid in behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist pulling my back towards him. My shuddering stopped the minute he kissed my hair and whispered in my ear. "I'm sorry about what happened today. I can't tell you what will happen in the future but tonight you can rest easy. As long as you are in my arms I will not let anyone hurt you."

He slid his hand under my shirt and splayed it across my stomach. The rubbing of his thumb back and forth across my skin, his promised words in my ear, and his strong arms holding me tight was enough to set my mind at ease. I closed my eyes and drifted but not before hearing him whisper in my ear, "Sleep my beautiful girl." His?

I woke the next morning to find myself alone. It took a minute to figure out where I was. Outside the window I could hear talking and laughing but the closed blinds did not allow me to see who was there. Looking around the room I noticed it was just as nicely decorated and clean as the kitchen. The king sized bed was centered in front of a large plasma T.V., mounted above an oak dresser. There were two nightstands on each side of the bed with matching lamps and a chaise lounge in the corner that was covered in throws, making the room look cozy and warm.