With minutes to spare before the ribbon cutting ceremony a handsome man in his early sixties, a frosting of gray in his hair walks in with a smile. “Skyla! It’s so nice to see you again.” He leans down and kisses my cheek.

“Mayor Allen,” I nod, trying to be polite even though his affection is unwarranted. “I hope you’ve been well.”

“Derek, please… I’ve asked you to call me Derek.” He corrects me with a playful tone, before scowling at Xavier standing behind me. “Everyone is ready for the ribbon ceremony when you are and then we’ll have brief interview with the local news crew.”

Mayor Derek and I have met a handful of times, most of our interactions have been professional. Others… well, not my proudest moment. I give Xavier a polite smile, stepping closer to Derek and he wraps his arm around my waist to guide me outside.

“Small towns talk you know…” Derek says under his breath, “you should be careful of the company you keep. The Mathis family? They’re not who a nice girl like you should be seen with…”

Shaking my head at our honorable mayor’s feeble attempt at dragging me through the mud. What I never expected was the defensive venom Skyla spits at him in reply; “Excuse me? The only one of us who should worry about scandal in a small town is you, Derek. It is no concern of yours or anyone else’s who I invite into my bed.”

I know she meant in a literal sense, but the suggestion of more has him shooting daggers at me with his eyes. I can’t help but laugh and give good ‘ole mayor douche a salute as he ushers Skyla toward the awaiting crowd. He’s a bit too touchy-feely for my taste, but I swallow my jealousy.

Deciding to look around the place before that crowd outside comes bursting in, it’s hard to believe she managed to scrub the place from top to bottom and decorate all on her own. Way to go man, you should have been helping! Not passed out on the softest bed you’ve ever felt… having her in bed too would have been the only way to make it better. There are flowers everywhere, glass ornaments hung from the ceiling to look like soap bubbles, a table with small water bottles and finger foods. She even filled an old candy dispenser with tennis balls.

Laughing to myself as I take a seat on a bench in the corner, I’m glad she wants me here… but I’m not sure the other residents will share the sentiment. Skyla comes in leading the crowd on a tour, she is smiling from ear to ear and appears to feel right at home among the housewives and their deep-pocketed husbands.

She answers all of their questions without breaking a sweat, she’s in much better spirits than when I first laid eyes on her this morning.

Guiding tour after tour; answering the same questions, making appointments. 

Minutes tick by into hours as I watch her attentively entertaining question upon question. After growing bored of playing on my phone I step outside to stretch my legs as the open house draws to a close. Sure enough the sideways glances at why I’m here haven’t stopped.

Stepping back inside as the last person leaves the lobby, Skyla is no where to be seen. I chug a bottle of water and step behind the desk to throw it away when I hear voices coming from the back of the dog spa, near the tubs. Figuring it’s just the end of another tour I walk back that way to join in.

As I get closer, I recognize that voice, I clench my jaw tightly. Fuck, I didn’t even see him come in.

The fear in her voice sends me into fight mode, “please, let me go…”

As I round the corner I find that he’s got her pinned against the wall; holding her hands above her head, a knee between her legs, and he’s kissing along her neck. Skyla’s eyes are squeezed shut, tears running down her cheeks as she keeps struggling to escape.

“Let her go!”

He ignores me, continuing to touch all over her “You’re so pretty.”

Okay, that’s enough! I yank him backwards, forcing him to release his grip on Skyla. Her knees give way and she melts into the floor, I reach out to help her but instead catch a right hook to my jaw.

“Fuck off Mathis! Go back to your trailer park whores…” he spits out, only shutting up when I return a left hook of my own.

“You’re going to learn to mind your own goddamn business today!” He grumbles, spitting blood on the floor at my feet.

With that empty threats turn into an all out brawl; jaws, ribs, and knuckles will be bruised and sore. I’ve taken plenty of punches in my life… between a job at a bar and the town’s other drunken asshole being my old man, but these have power to them.

I don’t know how much time has passed, how many punches we’ve thrown… and no idea when Skyla managed to pull herself up off the ground. My focus has been on James, even if I have to kill him.

“Stop it! Both of you!” Skyla screams from behind me.

“STOP!” her desperate cries just a murmur as I block a swing and connect my right fist with James’s temple. The sound of a gun slide chambering a round snaps us out of our haze; we both turn towards the sound.

“Are you done?” Her tone is so cold, “Because I will shoot BOTH of you assholes if you don’t get out of my building. Right. NOW!”

James has the balls to call her bluff, lowering his arms to reach toward her “Come on baby, you don’t mean that. We're all having a good time.”

“James, get the fuck out of my building before I put a bullet through your dick!” She says ushering him out of the front door with the gun pointed at his chest, “I swear to God I will not hesitate I see you again.”

I’ve yet to move as I watch him huff out the door. She quickly locks it behind him before sinking to the floor, tucking her knees against her chest. My chest hurts seeing her this way..

She's sobbing and trembling on the floor; god-fucking-damnit James.

My footsteps fall heavily on the floor as I rush towards her, Skyla raises the gun in my direction straining to see through the wall of tears, “Stop! Do not touch me!”

“Woah,” I freeze, “okay, not a problem.”

“X…” Skyla gasps for breath, “Xavier?”

“Yeah, I’m right here. Tell me what you need me to do.”

Still shaking uncontrollably, she flips the safety on the gun and offers it to me. I hesitate for just a second before taking it and setting it on the counter behind me.

“I’m… I’m so sorry, I thought…” she stutters, her chests heaving.

“It’s okay but let’s get you upstairs.”

Taking his hand and letting him help me off the floor; my legs don’t support me and I end up stumbling forward. Xavier lifts me bridal style off the floor; carrying me effortlessly against his warm, muscular chest.

Sitting on the couch while still cradling me in his arms; I don’t dare move, his strong and steady heart beat soothes my own. The familiar clothing eases my anxiety. When he speaks it’s a low and careful whisper. “I can’t say I’ve ever had a sexy woman point a gun at me twice in one night before.”

“Just a once a night… or only the ugly ones pull a gun on you?”

His laugh shakes us both, it’s low and sexy but manages to bring my haywire emotions under control. He brushes away a few stray hairs and takes the time to wipe away a tear with. When he speaks again, he sounds serious and worried. “Can I ask you something?”

My eyes fall to the floor, ‘Maybe?”

“So I have a million questions, but only one I want to ask right now…”

“Okay” I manage, surprised at how normal it sounds.

“Can I stay?”

“Stay?”

“Yeah, I don’t want you to be alone. I can stay on the couch, I just need to know you’re okay.”

Before my brain and heart can argue over what to do next I cup his face in my hands and press my lips into his. He tightens his hold on me, pulling me closer. 

“Skyla?” He doesn’t move, not pulling away. 

My whispers come out desperate “I want this. You. Help me forget.”

He stands, carrying me again, only this time to my bedroom. Laying me down carefully and leaning over me with his elbows supporting most of his weight. “Are you sure?”

Nodding, I pull on the collar of that familiar leather jacket; parting my lips and deepening the kiss. It’s raw and heated, it takes my breath away; I loosen his tie and begin to unbutton the shirt. He stands up briefly to remove them, I bite my lip as his well sculpted upper body is now in full view.

He pulls me to my feet and begins to loosen my dress. I let it drop to the floor, watching his reaction… praying he doesn’t notice a body covered in scars. His eyes darken, a smirk growing across his face, as he takes in the sight of me standing before him in just my white, laced lingerie.

He huffs out a deep breath, “Fuck me, woman…”

I look up at him playfully, biting my bottom lip “That’s the idea.”

Putting my hand on his chest I push him down on the bed, propped up on his elbows he watches me unbuckle his belt, adding his jeans to the pile of clothes on the floor. Leaving only his boxers I lay across his chest, my skin ablaze from the contact; his erection pressing back between the thin layers of fabric separating us.

“You’re so fucking sexy.” He groans.

I sit up and unclasp my bra, grinding my hips as I throw it behind me. Moaning as he teases my nipples before he pulls me down for another kiss. One of his hands slowly tracing down my stomach and sliding beneath the lace; his fingers brushing the sensitive places between my legs.

“So wet already?” He teases, whispering into my ear. I lean into his breath that’s causing my skin to tingle under its warmth.

In one swift movement he flips us; hovering over me and thrusting two fingers inside me. His lips on mine capture the gasp that escapes me, quickly coaxing out a moan.

He moves to kiss along my neck, still thrusting his fingers inside me “I wanted to take my time… ever since you surprised me with that kiss, I’ve wanted to taste every fucking inch of you, goddamnit woman, I don’t think I can wait.”

“Then don’t” I manage, not trusting my voice to say more.

Any self control he was holding onto must be gone now; he pulls his fingers out of me taking my lace underwear with them. Standing as he kicks off his boxers, his large dick throbbing and ready. He pulls me down to the edge of the bed where he’s standing.

He rubs the head of his dick over me before pulling a condom out of the pocket of his jeans and sliding it on. He looks at me with a raised brow, giving me a chance to change my mind.

Throwing my head back in frustration, “Xavier… please.”

“Can’t say no to that.”

He enters me slowly; stretching me and reaching deep. I gasp at the pain mixed with pleasure. Satisfied that I’m used to his size he pulls out, thrusting into me again hard and fast; nothing about this was gentle or loving. Somehow though, it is exactly what I need.

I arch my back to take him even deeper, he bites the nape of my neck. “Fuck, you feel so good.”

His pace still hard and fast; one of his hands on my hip, holding me in place. The other hand’s thumb applying the prefect amount of pressure to my clit, causing me to tighten him around him… I’m so close. “Ooh, Xavier… I”

He presses harder against me, moving his thumb up and down to match his thrust. My whole body shudders as my orgasm explodes through me. His own follows, pulsing inside me… every touch burning through me, the sensation of his skin against mine amplified until my body comes back down from its high.

He collapses on the bed next to me for a moment before disappearing into the bathroom. When he walks back into the room he pulls back the blankets and I follow him under the covers.

He lays back with a sigh “Woman… that was…”

“Yeah” I interrupt before kissing him once more.

He lets out a tired laugh. I fall asleep quickly wrapped in his strong arms, for the first time in what feels like forever not at all concerned about my nightmare.

The next morning...

My phone ringing somewhere in the pile of clothes on the floor wakes me, scrambling to answer it I’m pulled back in bed by two strong arms. Laughing as I playfully smack his arm to let go.

Kissing along the back of my neck; “Good morning” he mumbles into my hair.

I stop struggling after my phone stops ringing, the warmth of his chest against my back feels so nice. Though I’m surprised at myself for allowing him to stay.

He’s propped on his elbow looking down at me; pulling my hair from over my face so he can see me. Brushing his hand down my arm, my skin erupting with goosebumps under his touch. How is he just as sexy waking up as he was last night?

“Any plans today?” I manage to say without my voice trembling. Suddenly feeling self conscious even though the darkened room hides my imperfections.

“None” he says, wrapping a hand over my jaw; turning my head slightly so that his lips are so close it’s almost painful how much I want to feel them on mine. “I’m all yours today… if you want me.”

“I…” my phone ringing again in the floor saves me. Oh thank God! “I should get that.”

Scrambling to the edge of the bed and sifting through the clothes until I find my phone. Answering it at the last second. “Hello?”

“Mrs Skyla Daniels?” the voice from the phone echoes through my head.

“Just Skyla… please.”

“This is Sergeant Aaron, at Combat K9… is this a good time?” Breathing a sigh of relief as I recognize his familiar and professional tone.

“Now is fine, is everything okay?”

“Well, yes… and no. Can you pick up Diablo today?”

0h no, what now? Today’s as good a day as any I suppose. Time for the devil to come home.

“Yes of course, it’s a bit of a drive but what time works best for you?”

“Honestly, Skyla? As soon as you can get here. He’s been a real handful lately, and…”

“He hasn’t hurt anyone, has he?” I blurt out; my voice laced with worry, “I’m so sorry Aaron, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“That’s quite alright, there’s been a couple of close calls… but I think we’ve done all we can here. When can we expect you?”

Checking the time… oh my god, it’s already 10:30am! I’ve not slept past 6am in months, that’s if I sleep at all. “Is around 1 o’clock okay?”

“Of course,” I can sense his relief through the phone, “drive safe, I’ll have his things ready for when you arrive.”

“Thanks Aaron! I’m excited to see you again.”

“Oh Skyla!” Aaron urgently barks through the phone, “Please remember that paperwork I sent you last week, it will help finalize all his certifications.”

My eyes look over at Xavier as Aaron says his goodbye and hangs up, he’s laying on his back with his arms behind his head. He speaks as I lower the phone, his eyes locked on mine. “So you’ve made other plans then?”

“Yeah, I’ve…” he holds up his hand to stop me, like he’s heard enough. Girl, you were thinking too much into what happened last night, but why don’t you want him to leave?

He sits up, reaching past me to gather his clothes from the floor. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, I’ll get out of here.”