Cuffs and Kisses

Chapter 32 - The Rape

(DISCLAIMER) As the title suggests, this chapter has a rape scene. It may be triggering to you, so read at your own risk! I will insert another disclaimer in the middle of the story where the scene begins if you want to read the dialogue before it.

(Dedication) This is dedicated to PRC, myself, and to all the other women who have had to endure this.

Heather

My dad is nowhere to be found, so I take a moment to watch TV. I've been really into mystery shows recently, so I switch on the new episode of Nancy Drew, a callback to my favorite childhood and early teen year books.

I'm engrossed in the episode, half-way through when the doorbell rings. I flip off the TV, knowing it has to be Kayne coming over to surprise me.

I throw open the door with a huge smile on my face for my sexy detective boyfriend.

Unfortunately, it's not him, but the tall figure of Ryder.

"Hey! Is your dad home?" Ryder asks, trying to look past me as if my dad was standing there, expecting him.

"He's not. He went into work to prepare for this week's caseload. He seems to like his office at home less and less these days." I say with bitterness in my tone. He's home even less than when we lived in Pasadena and mom was there.

"Do you mind if I come in?" He asks.

Approximately 95% of me wants to refuse him, but he might want to ask me about Ali. If he's going out with her, I might feel more comfortable with him. Maybe I can be friends with him like I am with Fletcher, all bad blood left in the past.

"Sure," I say finally, holding the door wider for him to enter. "Would you like something to drink? Sweet tea?"

"No, thanks, sweet-tie," Ryder says in a playful tone. "I would love a tour, though. This house is huge." I lead him through the house giving a half-hearted tour. Afterall, this place isn't really my home and doesn't have the comforts of home that the house in California did.

Finally, we end up in my bedroom. I invite him to sit on the bed, but I make sure to sit at my desk in case he got any wise ideas.

"So, how did things go with Ali?" I ask in a teasing tone.

"Well, she puts out." Ryder says bluntly. I'm taken aback by his rudeness about Ali. I haven't talked to her yet today, but I'm sure she saw it as a different experience.

"I think she really likes you," I say, hoping he catches the hint to be nice.

"Really?" He looks for sincerity in my eyes. I just smile at him and nod. "She's nice and all," he locks my gaze with his, "but she's no you."

Shit.

"Oh. I'm sorry," I say. I don't know why I've apologized, but I've been taken off guard by his comment. "I'm seeing someone, Ryder."

He just nods in response, the hopefulness draining from his eyes.

Ryder changes the subject. "That guy Faulkner was pretty cool. Thanks for introducing me to him. He's going to get me set up selling in town."

"I thought you said my dad was going to get you a job." I ask.

"He is. He's got something lined up at the courthouse, but I have to go through some background checks. I need some cash until that all goes through. Your dad really helped me out by making sure the DUI didn't stay on my record. He really had to pull some high strings to do that. Otherwise I doubt I would be able to get any kind of job in the legal field, even with your dad helping me."