Broken

Nate

I went into the room off of the suite's living room deciding maybe we should head out to my home in San Francisco.  I wanted to put as much distance between Allure and this Greg character as possible.  When I saw the amount of pain that she was in when she got up from the table, the intense need to protect her hit me full force.  I phoned Joe to let him know we'd be heading out first thing in the morning.  The only reason I was in Charlotte anyway was for a photo shoot that I'd promised to do for a local magazine editor.  

"You sure you want to take this woman to your house, I mean you hardly know anything about her."  Joe was saying as I threw the rest of my belongings in the bag.  

"I'm sure Joe.  Listen, this guy is clearly after her and he had to have seen her get into the limo. It's not safe to stay around here.  I don't care if I don't know her, I promised Dr. Howard that I would protect her and I tend to keep my word."  

"Are you sure that's the only reason for the rush?"  I shook my head as I took my bag out into the living room where Allure was knocked out sleep on the couch.  Gosh she was gorgeous.  She was laying on her side and the covers had slid down her leg and I could see her luscious backside.  

"What are you talking about Joe?"  I said putting my bags near the couch and taking a seat across from Allure as I studied her sleeping. 

"I see the way you look at her Nate.  You sure you want to go down this road with a woman who has gone through all that she has.  I mean she's a looker, but I think you are in way over your head with this one."  I looked over at the rise and fall of her chest as she slept, loving the innocent qualities that she had.  I thought about what Joe was saying.  

"I'm sure."  Was my simple reply.  "First thing in the morning bro.  Call and have the necessary arrangements made for us to fly out."  I finished up my call with Joe and sat there studying Allure.  She started to wince in her sleep and then she just started shouting!

"No, please Greg, no.  Don't do this!"  I had to wake her up or she was going to make her ribs hurt more than they were.  I walked to the edge of the pull out couch and put a light hand on her shoulder.  

"Allure?" I called softly.

"No, please don't! Please?"  She begged.  Tears were streaming down her face.  Sweat was dripping from her head.  

"Allure, sweetie, you have to wake up."  I gently nudged her.  

"Nooooo, please?" she called before she shot up on the pull out bed.  She looked disheveled.  I quickly gathered her up into my arms.  She stiffened at first, but then she gradually warmed into my embrace.  Her body felt amazing crushed to mines.  She smelled amazing.  I nuzzled my face to her neck and rubbed a gentle hand up and down her spine.

"It's alright sweetheart."  I assured her.  "He won't get you ever again.  I won't let him."  

"He had a gun pointed at me and he kept saying 'this is the end for you Allure'.  It felt so real."  She started to tremble.  I just continued to stroke her back slowly and calmly.  

"Don't worry.  I have us flying out first thing in the morning to San Francisco.  He can't get you there. I'm going to protect you now Allure.  You can trust me."  

She pulled back from  me and  stared through me.  It was like she was looking at me, but she wasn't seeing me.  

"Why Nate?  Why do you want to help?  No one else ever wanted to, so why do you?"  I placed the back of my palm to the side of her face and stroked down it lightly.  

"Because if there is one thing that I can't stand, it is a man beating and abusing a woman.  My dad loved my mother unconditionally, always treating her like the queen she was and you deserve the same Allure."  That hollow look left her eyes and she was finally staring at me.  Really staring at me and not through me.  My hand was still to the side of her face, stroking it lightly when I pulled her in and kissed her lightly.  At least it started that way.