The Suburbs

Chapter thirty-eight

It's been four hours since Alex attacked me, and I have only just managed to get myself up off the floor. Jacob stayed with me the whole time, he tried desperately to persuade me to go to the hospital and get checked out, but I kept saying that I was far too embarrassed to go.

I was anxious to open up about everything. I wasn't sure if I was going to have another argument on my hands once Jacob realised that my cousin was actually my ex-husband, but he just seemed to understand. Even if he was angry, he cares about me too much to show it now.

He just nodded and listened, and I explained why I did everything I did and how foolish I have been. I sobbed and told him how sorry I was, and he apologised too. He told me how he was coming over to make up with me about our earlier argument on the phone and that's when he heard the shouting and all the chaos.

Sweetly, he told me to and have a long hot bath whilst he cleans up for me downstairs. I protested a little, it's my mess after all. The shattered glass and red stained walls figuratively display the repercussions of my stupidity and I don't expect Jacob to clean up after that, but he insists, and I do as he asks.

I cringe when wipe away the steam from the bathroom mirror and catch a glimpse of my swollen cheek. The huge lump looks like a golf ball, it's disgusting and makes me feel sick. I can't even tolerate the injury scenes in Grey's Anatomy, and I know they're fake. I have never been great with blood or wounds and seeing such a fresh gash across my disfigured cheek bone fills me with anxiety and the reality of knowing it was caused by a man I shared my life with hurts me worse than the wound itself.

Whether I like it or not, a valuable lesson has been learned tonight. That's one positive to come out of this disaster. I'll never help somebody who can't be helped again. My dad used to warn me of these types of encounters, he'd tell me that some people in life expect more than just a wife or a husband, they expect a full-time carer, a therapist and sometimes a punch bag. And it won't matter how you try to save these people, or help them, they will always pull you down before they pick themselves up. Some people are simply willing to take more than you can give.

My skin feels extra sensitive as I immerse myself into the warm water and the second, I lay my head back to relax I instantly feel the throb in my cheekbone. It's like having an extra heartbeat in your face. It's not a good feeling at all and I'm struggling to relax.

I squeeze the warm sponge over my body and gently wipe away the evening. I notice a few bruises appearing on my arms and on my hips, probably from where I fell onto the floor.

I climb carefully out of the bath and wrap a white towel around me and pull my hair back into a low bun. I tip toe into my bedroom but keep the lights off and light one scented candle instead, my eyes can't handle anymore brightness than that right now.

"Hey, that was quick." Jacob says softly as he appears in the doorway.

"I couldn't get comfortable." I answer as I lay back onto my bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Sore." I say which makes Jacob's head drop guilt fully.

"Please don't look like that, you've done nothing wrong."

"I just wish I was here sooner, before that waste of oxygen had a chance to hurt you."

"I'll be fine, in a few days I will be good as new." I say to reassure him from his guilt. If it wasn't for Jacob things could have been ten times worse. He saved me tonight and he has absolutely nothing to feel guilty for.

Jacobs head drop down and a sorrowful sigh is all that fills the room.

"Look at your face though."

I offer half a smile, I'm not sure what to say.

"Where else does it hurt?" he asks as sits beside me on my bed.

"Here..." I quietly reply as I gently gesture over my hips.

Jacob carefully takes a hold of my white towel and opens it up to reveal my dampened naked body.

I feel a little vulnerable like this but safe, nonetheless.

Jacobs hand carefully guides up to my hips and he traces the marks very gently with his thumb, before lowering himself and placing soft kisses against my hip bone.

"And here..." I whisper and point to my ribs. His eyes look up at me briefly with his mouth still slightly apart and he drops his head back down onto my ribs. He places gentle kisses on them and slowly makes his way to my breasts.

"Where else?" He whispers.

"Just here." I respond and cup my painful cheek.

Slowly and carefully, Jacob climbs on top of me and his lips part as he seductively but lovingly kisses away my pain.

"And here..." I mumble as my finger grazes my bottom lip and I stare at him, achingly waiting for his lips to touch mine.

I welcome the warmth of his lips against mine and open my mouth to allow his tongue to slide over mine.

With his lips still against mine, I use my free hands to tug at his white t-shirt and begin pulling it up to his shoulders, his hand meets mine and together we pull it up and over his head.

I lay back whilst Jacob plants gentle kisses on every bruise and mark on my skin again and holds my hand as he does.

My body feels so relaxed now, the trembling has stopped, and I feel the safest I have ever felt laid beneath him.

Carefully he leans up and I help him remove his grey joggers. He is so careful with me and I love him all the more for it.

My legs part as he guides himself back on top of me and quickly, I feel him deep inside of me and all my aches and pains seem to fade whilst passion and relief rush through me instead. This is the release I have needed today. To feel Jacob loving me in a way nobody else can.

Satisfied moans spill from my lips and as I arch my neck, I realise I can see our naked bodies in the reflection of my bedroom window. I joyfully watch on as Jacob attentively and tenderly penetrates me. His hands run all over my body, taking in every inch of me. 

I hold onto him tightly, as I enjoy the protectiveness, I feel with his broad body on top of me.

Our soft moans begin to sync up and I feel Jacob's gentle rhythm quicken until I feel his release inside of me.

I tug at his hair hard as I join him and finally our eyes lock onto each other's as we catch our breath again.