Only You

Chapter Nine

Fallon
As I lay on my bed in my dark room, I hear the front door open and close downstairs. It's about 11:30pm. I don't usually sleep much anyway. Thoughts of Donnell busting in keep on playing in my mind even though it's been about a month since I escaped. I refuse to close my eyes until my body forces me to.

I hear Michael's footsteps walk past my door. I can imagine how he looks right now. Disheveled with his tie loosened and his blazer over his shoulder. His eyelids drooping from fatigue.

I get up out of my bed and put my slippers on before walking out of my bedroom. Just as I walk out, Michael is opening the door of his bedroom. He raises his eyebrows at my in surprise.

"What are you doing up?" He asks.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep."

He chuckles,"I'm the exact opposite. I'm dying for sleep."

I smile.

"I'll let you go do that. Don't let me stop you." I say quietly.

He opens his door then stops to look back at me.

"Why don't you come in? I know a couple of tricks that can help you sleep." He says.

I give him a weird look.

"Don't worry. I won't try anything on you," he says,"Just relaxation techniques."

I hesitate before saying,"Okay."

My heart picks up pace as I follow Michael into his bedroom. His room is the bomb. It's huge with California King-sized bed with velvet sheets. It has a definite aura that begs to set the mood, but I'm pushing it away.

"Have a seat on my couch. I'll be out in a few." He says while grabbing his towel and heading to his bathroom.

I hear the shower turn on and his humming as he showers. I sit and look around his room and pick at my fingernails until he comes out. He wears only black briefs and a towel over his shoulder. I try to hide my blushing face but he notices and smiles.

"I'll get dressed. Don't worry." He says while walking to his dresser.

His butt looks real good and round in those briefs. And the bulge in the front? I shake my head of those thoughts and look down.

"Alright. It's safe now." He says.

I look up and he's now wearing striped pajama pants and a wife beater. He sits on the soft carpeted floor and pats the spot in front of him.

"Come sit." He says.

I make my way over to wear he is and sit on the floor in front of him crisscross-apple sauce.

"Breath, you seem tense." He says before placing each of his warm hands on my shoulders.

I sigh and force myself to relax. Chill, Fallon! He begins to slowly massage my shoulders.

"Slowly take deep breaths in and out. In through your nose and out through your mouth." He says calmly.

All that can be heard in the room is our breathing.

"Is this okay?" He asks.

"Yes." I whisper.

I bite my lip and sigh.

"Tell me something interesting about yourself." He asks.

Should I make something up? I think it's safe to tell a true story...

"Hmmm, I know. I always thought I was gonna become a dance teacher, but that changed."

"Why?" He asks.

"Because.... I realized that dancing is not something I want to wake up and do every day. I still can do a little somethin' somethin' though." I say while moving my shoulders.

He laughs and lowers his hands to my arms.

"Anything interesting about you?" I ask.

"Hmmm." He says in ponder.

Unconsciously, Michael begins to massage my arms.

"Oh! I got one," he says finally,"I was a D average student in high school."

"What? Why?" I ask.

If he's a lawyer, he must be intelligent.

"I was young and stupid. My friends weren't interested in school, so why should I? I never thought I would become a lawyer." He replies.

"Well, you are, and you're a pretty damn good one." I chuckle.

"Thank you."

We continue asking each other random questions the rest of the night on the carpeted floor. A couple times, Michael asks a couple of personal questions that I have to lie about.

"Don't take this in offense, but how is a beautiful woman like you single?" He asks lying on his side with his head propped up with his hand.

"I got out of a bad relationship before moving here to Atlanta... I'm not in a rush to get into another one." I say honestly.

His gray-green eyes bore into mine as I respond. It's like he knows I'm lying.

"....how about Imani's mother?" I ask quietly.

His eyes darken a bit and he clears his throat.

"She passed away in a car accident two years ago when Imani was two." He replies simply.

"I'm so sorry." Is all I can say.

"What happened, happened. It's fine." He replies.

I cover his hand with mine and squeeze it. Change the subject, change the subject, change the subject. He turns his head to check the clock.

"Wow, it's already 2am." He says.

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. I roll on my back and yawn.

"I'll let you get your rest. I'm tired as heck." I chuckle.

"Told ya I can help." He says.

"Thank you." I say while standing up,"Good night."

"Good night." He says.

I feel his eyes on my butt as I walk away.