Page 44 of Love From the Ashes

The Rotten Apple

Ihummed tomyself while I opened the dining room drapes, letting the sunlight stream through the French doors leading to the patio. Still groggy, I went into the kitchen to make some coffee. I was standing at the counter, waiting for the pot to finish brewing, when I heard Reid’s shoes on the stairs.

“That coffee smells good. I wish I had time for a cup,” Reid said, coming into the kitchen and strolling toward me.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? We could go back to bed,” I said while Reid kissed my neck and fondled my breasts underneath my sheer nightgown. He was sending a delicious shiver up my spine.

Reid dropped his hands and took a step backward. “As much as I’d love to, it’ll have to wait until I get back. Don’t forget—after I finish my workout at the gym, I plan to stop by my mother’s place. I still don’t know why she was so insistent on talking to me this morning. If it were that important, she could have caught me at work during the week or last weekend at the gala.”

“Did she give you any clue as to what she wanted to discuss when she called last night?” I turned around to face him, well aware of what the topic would be.

“No, she didn’t. All she’d say is it was best we talked in person. Anyway, I better get going. I want to get my workout done before the gym gets too crowded. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” Reid kissed me goodbye. Then he opened one of the French doors to the patio to let some fresh air into the house. He picked up his gym bag and walked out the door leading to the street.

Ginny had given me a heads-up that she planned to tell Reid about Geoff’s inappropriate comments and behavior at the gala. I couldn’t help feeling nervous, my stomach already knotting up at the thought, and I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation Reid and I would have once he returned home.

Picking up my mug and cell phone, I retreated upstairs to the family room to read my email and drink my coffee. I set my phone on the table and sat in my favorite chair, its plush upholstery and thick cushions making it my go-to place to relax. TheBusiness Weeklymagazine Reid had wanted to give to his mother was lying on the table, the publication having an article he wanted her to read. It was too late now. He’d have to give it to her during the week.

I leaned back in my chair and took several sips of my coffee, enjoying its nutty aroma and robust taste, the caffeinated brew perking me up. I was placing my cup on the table when a noise caught my attention. Cocking my head, I turned toward the sound, trying to pinpoint what it was. It sounded like footsteps on the stairs. That was what I’d heard. But that made no sense since Reid had left, and I was the only person here. Chalking it up to the age of the house and my imagination, I giggled at how silly I was acting. Then I sucked in my breath, the hair on my arms standing on end and my body turning ice-cold. Geoff’s image was in the mirror hanging in the hallway. He was dressed in a black hoodie and lurking on the other side of the wall.Oh God!my mind screamed over and over. He’d come through the French doors and up the stairs.

“My dear Sofie. It’s so wonderful to see you again. Have you missed me?” Geoff’s voice had an ominous tone, and an evil smirk twisted his bottom lip as he casually stepped into the room.

I reached for my cell phone.

“Don’t touch your phone!” Geoff said, his face darkening. “What’s the matter? You aren’t happy to see me. Well, I can’t have you calling anyone, can I? That would spoil my fun, and don’t try to tell me Reid will be home any minute. I know he goes to the gym on Sunday mornings and will be gone for at least a good hour. I waited on your patio until he left, so I know damn well how long he’ll be gone. And, I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching my cousin play with your tits. Now it’s my turn.”

“If you touch me, Reid will hunt you down.” I desperately tried to sound confident and threatening, but my voice and body noticeably shook.

“That’s if you tell him. Would you risk him getting angry at you and believing you invited me here for a little fun in his absence? Tell me, are you willing to take that chance? If you’re smart, you’ll let me have my fun and keep your mouth shut. Isn’t that better than the possibility of him blaming you and kicking you out?”

I slowly stood from my chair, my eyes darting around the room as I searched for an escape. “You don’t have to do this. You can leave now, and I won’t say anything.”

“Oh, it’s too late for that. You’ve already made me hard, and I want something. Your nipples look so hot through your nightgown. Now I want you to take off your underwear and show me what else you’ve got.” Geoff’s eyes seemed to glaze over as he rubbed his crotch. “We’re going to play a game, and I assure you it will be fun. Well, at least for me it will be. You’re going to be a bit sore after I’ve finished. You see, I’m a creative sort and plan on taking you multiple ways, and we’ll see how long I can prolong getting off.”

“You’re sick. You need help.” I backed toward the parlor at the front of the house. I could run, and if he darted into the family room to get to me instead of running down the hall to block my path, I might reach the front door before him. Once outside, I could scream until I got someone to help me.

“I need help? That’s amusing. My ex-girlfriend said the same thing. That was before I shoved my cock up her ass.”

Oh God. I had to get away from him. He was crazy. I closed my eyes for a second and then bolted toward the front of the house. Reaching the front door, I threw it open, frantically darting across its threshold. I ran into Reid on the front steps.

“What the hell?” Reid said, grabbing my upper arms to steady me on my feet. Then he saw Geoff standing in the foyer.

“He broke into the house and was going to rape me,” I cried, lunging into Reid’s arms.

“You fucking bastard!” Reid yelled, rushing into the house toward Geoff.

Geoff took a step backward and spun around, flying down the hallway and bolting down the stairs. Reid was right behind him. My entire body shook as I rushed into the house and shut the front door. Retrieving the lap blanket from the couch in the family room, I tossed it around my body and scrambled out the sliding door to the adjoining deck. I searched the patio below me. The back gate was open, but no one was there. Loud voices were coming from the alley behind the house. Then an unfamiliar voice shouted “Police!” before yelling at someone to stop running and get on their knees. I sank onto the patio chair behind me, my body shaking.

I don’t know how long I sat there, but I was sure it had been a while by the time I finally spotted Reid and two police officers come through the gate. Reid led them into the house, and I went inside and closed the door, hearing Reid call my name.

“Sofie, where are you? I have the police with me, and they need to talk to you.”

“I’m in the family room,” I called back as Reid came up the stairs.

He came through the doorway and rushed to my side. He wrapped me tightly in his arms as if he were afraid to let me go. “I’m so sorry I left you. Geoff said he didn’t touch you. Is that true?” he whispered.

“He didn’t touch me. I ran before he got the chance. That’s when I collided with you on the front steps.”

Reid looked down at me and searched my face. “Are you all right?”

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