Page 17 of Dirty Money

"He punched her. She could have a concussion."

"She didn't pass out after the punch, and our exams checked out. But if you want to be on the safe side, she can go to the hospital. Do you want us to take her?"

"Jason, no. I want to go with you. I'll follow any instructions they have in case of a concussion."

I nod, and the paramedics tell us what to look for. Once they are done, I help her down from the ambulance. She's steady on her feet now, making me feel better. We walk together to my car, and every once in a while, she trembles like aftershocks from her body. The drive back to the city is long and quiet, and I can't help but wonder if she's keeping it all in.

The valet service at the hotel takes the car, and we go up to my suite. As soon as I close the door behind us, Amber jumps into my arms and starts crying. I walk her over to the sofa, and we sit together, holding one another.

"Shhh, Pixie. You're safe now."

"That man, I don't know who he was. How could Bradley have become that? How could he so easily hurt me like that?"

"You might never be able to understand how he became what he is now."

"I'm so glad you found me." She sobs slightly.

"Took me too long. We could have avoided that punch."

I lift her face to see her eye and the bruise around it. "I can call room service and ask for an ice pack."

"No, let's go to bed,” she says. “I just want to be in your arms tonight."

Before bed, I get her into the shower with me so we can wash away the dirt and grime from her body. She asked me to burn her clothes, but I don't know if the police need them as evidence. When we get out of the shower, I dry her with a towel and wrap her in a bathrobe. She's stopped trembling and doesn't look as shell-shocked as she did before.

"Make love to me, Jason."

"I don't know… I don't want to hurt you."

"Please."

I take her into my arms and kiss her. Our lovemaking is slow and careful, and the look on her face when she finally explodes in my arms is unforgettable. Afterwards, we hold each other close and I can no longer hold back my feelings.

"Amber. I don't know what I would have done if I lost you. You've become the most important person in my life. I was so scared." I tell her.

"Being held like that against my will made me feel very powerless. I don't want to experience that ever again."

"You won't. Not if I can help it. Amber…"

She shakes her head. "You don't have to say it."

"I do. I love you, Amber."

"I love you too, Jason. Now, make me forget again, please."

Chapter 8

Amber

It's been a month since the 'incident' – as I like to call it – happened. Bradley Michaels is under lock and key and won't be coming out anytime soon. He complained about police brutality because he somehow got some bruises all over his body before making it to the police station, but apparently, no one really knows how he got those, or so Sam, Jason's friend, says.

I'm waiting on Jason so we can go apartment hunting. He's been bugging me since the incident to get a place together, but I wanted to see if our closeness was only a mirage created by all the hot monkey sex we'd been having. The sex is still hot, but Jason has shown me how a good man treats the woman he loves. I get a text that must be him waiting for me downstairs in the lobby.

When the elevator doors open, I get a glimpse of him in his suit. He's still the most handsome man I've ever seen, and he's all mine.

He sticks his elbow out in invitation, and I grab it and hook my hand around it. We walk side by side, and then he leads me into the car he's gotten for our little excursion. The chauffeur opens the door for me, and it surprises me. We're going to go to many places today, so it's more comfortable if someone is driving us.

We tour seven different places until we find what I consider 'the one'. It's big, it's large, and it's expensive. It's also located in an excellent part of New York. I see the glint in Jason's eyes when we finish the tour the realtor gives us. I think he agrees this is the one, but we have three more places to look at.

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