Page 47 of Saved By Love at Christmas
I let loose a shuddering breath. “He started to verbally threaten that he’d keep me prisoner in my room. He no longer allowed me to sleep in our bedroom. I guess it was so he could bring other women back there.” I shook my head. “I did everything I could to please him. It was like treading on eggshells all the time, wondering how he was going to react next. The final straw was when he hit me.”
I fell apart at that point. Having to go through all the details brought it back to me as though it had happened only yesterday. Ben caged me against him.
He kissed the top of my head and whispered, “You can do this. Once it’s done, you’ll feel better. I promise.”
Yet again, I gazed up at Ben’s blue eyes and almost drowned in the love and compassion I saw there. He was right. I would not make myself any more of a victim than Jamie had already made me.
“He shouted at me and told me I was fat,” I continued. “He attempted to rip my dress from me. I fought back. And… and.” I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before adding, “I slapped him. He hit me back and I fell against a freestanding mirror, hitting my head in the process.”
I sobbed harder. All the memories of that awful night and the other times he’d berated me came flooding back. My chest constricted, and I clutched my hand to it. All the while, I felt surrounded by Ben’s presence, which helped me to continue. I felt him tense when I recounted the incidents, but that was the only outward sign he was upset.
“He told me to clean up the smashed glass and that he’d deal with me when he returned from the gala dinner. That was when I knew I needed to get out. I booked a flight home and got out of there.”
Saying everything out loud helped to centre me. Now the authorities knew, hopefully they’d keep an eye out for him.
“I have pictures of my injuries. I’m not sure how much use they’ll be because I can’t prove he did this. You only have my word. But I’m frightened that he’s followed me back here.”
“We have the dashcam footage from Mr Driscoll, and you’ve supplied us with photographic evidence, including a picture of Mr Brown. We’ll investigate this and contact you as soon as we can.”
He stood, and we walked him to the door, Ben’s hand never leaving mine as we did so. The officer saw the scratches on Ben’s car on his way out and concurred that they weren’t made accidentally.
“If you see him again, contact 999 immediately,” he said before he got in his car and drove away.
We stood at the front door, neither of us moving until I began to shiver.
“Come on, let’s get you inside.”
I didn’t need to be told twice.
“Do you want something to eat or drink?”
I shook my head, my thoughts all over the place.
“Talk to me, Rubes.”
“I just want you to hold me, Ben. When you hold me, I feel safe. Like nothing can hurt me.”
He took my hand, and we headed back to the sofa. We lay down together and he did just that. He held me until I fell asleep in his arms.
CHAPTER15
BEN
It had been a traumatic afternoon for Ruby, and when she asked me to hold her, I was more than happy to have her that close. Her breathing pattern changed, and I knew she’d fallen asleep. I moved position so I could watch her in her slumber. Now that she was relaxed, the tightness had gone out of her features, leaving them soft and fear-free. My heart constricted a little further at how much this woman meant to me.
Fred came along and whined, pawing at the sofa as he attempted to climb on.
“Not now, Fred,” I hissed at him.
Ruby stirred and stretched against me. Having her soft curves touching my body like this did little to quench the flames of desire building inside me.
Her eyes opened, they were wide and bright, her lips slightly open, and her hair mussed up.God, you’re so beautiful it hurts.
“Hey, sleepyhead. How are you feeling?”
She smiled and murmured, “Best sleep ever. What time is it?”
I glanced at the clock on the living room wall. “A little before four.”
