Run to You Read online

  “Shit, Chloe,” He groans as his hands clench the base of my neck guiding my head where he wants it.

  I moan as a small amount of moisture hits my tongue, he quickly pulls my mouth from him and brings my lips back to his. His strong hands force me onto my back, a small squeal escapes my lips as his hands frantically pull off my jeans. My stomach aches when his hands skim down my inner thighs as he slowly pulls off my red lacey panties. He spreads my legs and his eyes meet mine as he kisses his way down my scar. I attempt to squeeze my legs shut as the sensation of it makes me quiver but his hands hold them firm on either side of his head. When his lips graze over my wetness, I nearly unravel. His warm breath excites me as his tongue swirls around in circles over my spot. His tongue sets me on fire causing my hips to move matching his strokes. When he gently slides his index finger inside me causing my muscles to tighten around it, I nearly loose it. He groans, “Fuck you’re tight.” My hands clench the bedsheet beneath me as I attempt to keep my body still underneath him.

  “Travis,” I whisper, “I need you.”

  His lips are back on mine now while his erection glides up and down over my incredibly ready entrance, it feels unbelievable. When he finally enters me the pleasure is so intense it nearly stops my breath. It isn’t until his mouth surrounds mine that I remember to breathe again. He consumes me, and as his release joins mine I finally feel whole. He collapses on me, we’re both panting.

  “I’m sorry, I-I wanted that to be longer, but fuck…you were so tight. Did I hurt you?” He asks examining my face.

  “No, no you didn’t hurt me, that was…that was amazing,” I smile, “I had no idea it would be like that.”

  “Wait, you’ve had sex before right?” I look down at his chest, refusing to look into his eyes. “Chloe,” he lifts my chin up, “Shit…I should’ve known, I mean I knew you were tight, I just thought…Christ I’m an asshole.”

  I bite my lip, “I’ve never, I-mean, the thought of someone touching me…I just-I just couldn’t before.”

  He climbs off me and starts pacing near the bed, I start to panic, did I do something wrong.

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Chloe…you probably think I’m a horrible person now.”

  “Why?” I ask sitting up to wrap the sheet around my body, feeling embarrassed. “I wanted you to, I needed you Travis.”

  He stops and stares at me for a moment before closing the distance between us and kisses me. He rests his forehead on mine, “Thank you…for trusting me,” He says with a smile. And I do, for whatever reason I trust this man with my life.

  Chloe

  We must have fallen asleep because I wake up wrapped in his arms. His leg is tangled with mine and his arms are possessively wrapped around my chest. After a lot of careful maneuvering I manage to free myself. I retrieve his shirt from the floor and throw it on, it’s big on me, coming to rest just above my knees but it smells like him and I love it. I quietly open the door and make my way to the kitchen, I am in desperate need of some coffee. A whistle from behind me startles me, I turn to find Travis’s roommates staring at me with their mouths open. They’re on the couch, holding game controllers. I’m frozen in my spot, I feel my cheeks redden as the awkward silence fills the room.

  Strong arms wrap around my waist, as Travis kisses my neck. Once he releases me he grabs the coffee cup from my hand and winks at me.

  “Stop gawking at my girlfriend dipshits,” he smiles, interlacing his free hand with mine dragging me toward the coffee pot.

  “Girlfriend?” I ask with a confused look on my face.

  He stops pouring long to enough to look up at me and smile, “Do you object to that?”

  I just shake my head and smile, of course I don’t object to that. I mean yeah we’ve only known each other a short time but I can’t imagine being with anyone else now that I’ve had him. No, this man owns me…mind, body and soul. No question. He seemed happy with my answer as he handed me a cup of fresh coffee and a banana.

  “As you were boys,” he tells his friends with a smirk and ushers me back toward his room.

  I sit Indian style on his bed, while he sits across from me on his computer chair. We both stare at each other over our cups, his emerald eyes have a sparkle to them, something I never noticed before. The silence is killing me, we have too much awkward silence. Silence makes me think about things and I don’t want to think right now.

  “What’s your favorite movie?” I ask between sips.

  He chuckles, “Uh…that’s random.”

  “I just figure I should get to know everything about you, I mean I am your girlfriend now. What would people say if I didn’t know anything about you?” I reply and tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear.

  “Okay, I’ll play. Hmm…I’m going to have to go with 50 First dates, you know the one with Adam Sandler.”

  “Of course I know it, I’m just shocked…that’s not your typical guy movie.”

  “You callin me a chick? Cause I will be more than happy to give you a repeat of last night and reclaim my manhood,” he winks.

  I laugh, “No, I mean…not right now. Okay so um, favorite food?” I feel like I’m back in grade school passing notes back and forth to the boy I like.

  “Nope, you first…what’s your favorite movie?” He replies.

  “The Notebook. I guess in a way it gives me hope.” I smile shyly at him. He stares intensely at me for a moment and I realize I haven’t told him about my dad yet. “My dad…he um, he started drinking a lot after losing his job. The doctors say that’s what brought on his Dementia. All the alcohol. He doesn’t remember a lot anymore, you know bits and pieces here and there.”

  “Ah shit Chlo, I didn’t’ know. I mean I remember you saying he lost his job but,” he doesn’t finish, instead he places his cup on the floor and sits beside me pulling me into him. “Where is he now?”

  “Back home, his best friend moved in with us, Mac. He’s been taking care of him this whole time. He’s been a God send to us.” I smile. “Okay…now, favorite color?” I ask again, hoping to change the subject.

  He stares at me for a moment, “Blue…not just any blue,” he reaches up and gently rubs his thumb under my eyes. “This blue right here is my absolute favorite color in the entire world. It has the power to burn through my soul and ignite my entire world on fire with just one look. I could get lost in these gorgeous blue pools forever.”

  And then he kisses me.

  And it’s incredible.

  It’s at that very moment my phone chooses to ring, I don’t’ even remember where I put it so I have to follow the sound. I look at the screen-Unknown caller. I slide the green line over to answer, “Hello?”

  There’s silence for a few moments before a deep voice penetrates through the line, “No sleep for the wicked. Time is almost up, run Chloe…run.” I drop the phone and sink to the floor with it.

  Travis drops to my side and grabs the phone, “Hello? Hello…who the hell is this?” he shouts. I’m guessing nobody answers back for him since he slams the phone down and turns my shoulders toward him. “Who was that Chlo, what did they say?”

  I tell him, and then bury my head into the safe spot between his neck and his shoulder. I need to feel safe, he is safe.

  “That’s it, you’re staying here with me and we’re going to the police.” He states as his hands rub soothingly up and down my back. “I won’t let him hurt you, Chlo. We’ll figure it out.”

  I don’t argue but I want to. I want to run out that door and never look back, I want to protect him. He doesn’t deserve to deal with my baggage but I’m terrified he will stay anyway.

  Travis

  The next few days are a blur. I took Chloe back to her dorm that day and packed up most of her stuff after she finished giving her statement to the police. I told Katie that Chloe agreed to move in with me, Chloe didn’t argue and Katie didn’t ask any questions. In fact Chloe hasn’t really said much of anything since we left the station. Against my advice she deci
des she needs to attend her classes, says it keeps her mind from roaming. I drive her to school, walk her to class and pick her up, it was the only way I would agree to letting her out of my sight. She’s been a zombie, going through the motions of life but not really living it. I know something will happen, and it petrifies me, the calm before the storm is always the worst part…the waiting. It’s been a struggle keeping quiet. I want to pick her up and toss her in my truck; take her far away from here. Kidnap her to a place that she will be safe, somewhere I can protect her; but I refrain.

  Eventually she will snap out of it and when she does I will be right here by her side. Until then, I wait.

  “Hey blue eyes, are you hungry?” I ask as I drive her back to my place. She doesn’t answer, instead she just shakes her head. I sigh, “Okay, well whenever you get hungry just let me know and I’ll find something for you okay.”

  She nods.

  No smile.

  No laughter.

  No smart ass rebuttal about being able to handle herself, it’s as if she’s lost her spunk. That fight in her eyes and I’ll do anything to bring it back.

  Chloe

  It’s Wednesday now, I don’t have classes today. I was supposed to start at Retribution two days ago, but my wonderful boyfriend told them I was ill so they agreed to give me another week. I woke up before anybody else, I needed to snap myself out of this funk. I needed to run. My legs were itching for it, they demanded it. I had barely turned the corner of the apartment building when someone came up next to me. It should’ve startled me but I knew who it was. I felt him the instant he got close.

  Travis was here.

  And he was running right by my side. Not speaking a word.

  I love this man.

  We run in silence, I’m not timing it or keeping track but it has to have been at least two miles before I finally stop to catch my breath. As I stand there on the sidewalk, chugging my water, I can feel those sexy green eyes on me. Sure enough, when I look up there they were, full of understanding and support. No judgment, no regret, no anger.

  “Feel better?” he asks.

  I nod and then close the distance between us, smashing my lips into his. His body molds to mine without any hesitation, his arms go fixed around me and before I can even think I’m climbing up him. Holding onto him as if he’s the only life raft in my sea of despair. His forehead rests against mine, “I thought I was losing you.”

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

  “No, Chlo. I get it, I do. But, this isn’t good for you it’s not healthy. I’m worried about you. You hardly eat, you don’t talk.”

  “Katie called me yesterday. She said there was this poetry thing at the coffee shop on campus tonight. I kind of want to go.”

  He searches my face for a few seconds before responding, scrunching his eyebrows together, “You want to go out?”

  “Yeah, I mean only if you’re okay with it. I have some stuff I can read, I think maybe it would help.”

  “You write poetry?” he cocks his eyebrows at me.

  “I have a couple of things I’ve scribbled out over the years.” I shrug.

  Some people start to pass us and their staring makes me realize I’m still wrapped around him, he’s been holding me this entire time. Feeling the redness fill my cheeks I hop down from him, but not before catching a slight hint of disappointment.

  “Okay, if you want to go, we’ll go. I’ll get Brian and Jax to go too. I would feel better if we go in a group.” He grabs my hand and leads us back to his apartment.

  Once we get back he forces me to eat and shower…apparently he thinks I’m wasting away and I stink. I call Katie back and let her know that we’re going. She squeals in excitement and rambles on about having nothing to wear for a good 15 minutes before I finally manage to hang up.

  Chloe

  I dress in a pair of khaki colored skinny jeans with my black boots and lacey burgundy long sleeve top. It’s getting colder outside and I don’t want to hassle with a jacket. Plus, Brian had mentioned wanting to go to a club afterwards and bodies of people would make it even warmer. I dab on some blush and mascara, put on some lips gloss and run my fingers through my hair to smooth down my curls. When I come into the living room everyone gets quiet. Katie is smiling at me, while Jax and Brian are just staring.

  Travis comes to stand in front me, “You look stunning,” he says as he tenderly kisses me.

  “Thanks,” I reply, regretting my choice in blush since clearly I won’t need it now. “Ready?”

  “Yep, we’re all set. Let’s go,” he replies. He looks hot in his white three quarter sleeve Henley style shirt. His dark wash jeans hang just below his defined “V” and hug him in all the right places. His muscles look as if they could rip his shirt in half at any moment. I must be drooling since he leans in and whispers in my ear, “This is all yours later.”

  I blush…again.

  It only takes a few minutes to get to the coffee house. Coffee Haven is its name. Smooth jazz music greets us when we enter. There are about 10 tables scattered around the cream colored tile floors. The walls are a chocolate brown with white trim. Each table has a small vase of small stemmed red roses. The smell of Espresso is unmistakable paired with a slight hint of vanilla and cinnamon wafting through the air. It smells heavenly. I love the smell of coffee shops, it’s one of my favorite smells in the entire world. People have started to appear in small groups. I start to get nervous. I’ve never shared my writing with anyone before.

  A small squeeze on my shoulder from Travis calms me. It’s like he always know what I need before I do. When I glance up at him he’s smiling sweetly at me. We grab a table near the front of the mic. I opt for the back but I am out voted. Everyone says they want to make sure they can hear me. Great.

  A couple of people have signed up before me, so I sit there enjoying my Latte and muffin, listening to other people like myself pour their hearts out. It is humbling and encouraging to hear other people’s pain for a change. To feel their emotions, instead of my own.

  “You’re next blue eyes, you sure you’re up for this?”

  I just nod and exhale. Show time.

  It’s quiet as I approach the mic, at least 20 pairs of eyes are now staring attentively at me. Goosebumps rise up over my body, and suddenly I feel light headed. Someone near the front clears their throat. Travis. He smiles at me, a small gesture, but it’s all I need. I focus only on him as I pour out my heart.

  “Hello everyone, my name is Chloe and this is called Unreachable Light;

  I’m surrounded by the darkness, there’s no light for me in sight. I keep hoping and searching but the past fills me with fright. Some days I wonder if I’ll ever be alright. It consumes all of my dreams and destroys me from within; Pulls me to that breaking point, but I won’t let it win. So, despite the impending doom, the darkness that consumes, I will always keep searching and searching for that unreachable light .Even when it becomes too much to bear, and when I feel like no one cares. I’ll keep searching and searching for that unreachable light. Sometimes the pain is almost too much, this tug upon my heart. It’s always there. I can’t escape it, can’t fight it, can’t hide it. I often wish I could turn back time, just hit rewind. So, despite the impending doom the darkness that consumes I will always keep searching and searching for that unreachable light. Even when it becomes too much to bear, and when I feel like no one cares. I’ll keep searching and searching for that unreachable light. I will continue my fight, it won’t take up my life. In time I will see there is light out there for me and I will find it, Yes I will find it…Because despite the impending doom, the darkness that always looms I will keep searching for that unreachable, maybe somewhat feasible light.”

  I look up when I’m finished, a few tears stream down my cheek. People are clapping quietly and whispering between themselves. When I finally steal a glance at Travis he has an intense look in his eyes. His face is stagnant but his eyes are exploring mine. I offer him a small smile, hoping to get
something out of him in return but there’s nothing. He’s just staring at me. As I make my way back to the table, he stands up and grabs my arm pulling me gently behind him toward the hallway near the back.

  Once we round the corner and are no longer visible he lifts me up and crashes his lips to mine. He kisses me with a fire I’ve never felt before, my whole body ignites with this kiss. It’s passionate and fierce. When we finally break away he watches me, those green eyes piercing through mine.

  “I love you. I was trying to wait. I didn’t want to scare you away, but damn it, I do Chloe. I love you so damn much and my heart breaks for the pain you’ve been through. But you’re so strong and yet still so innocent and pure despite all you’ve endured. It’s amazing, you’re amazing.” He pauses, gauging my reaction.

  “Say it again,” I whisper, holding back tears.

  His smile covers his entire face, “I love you Chloe.”

  I wrap my arms tighter around his neck, “I love you too.” And I did, so freaking much that it scares me.

  When we finally make our way back to our table, everyone is smiling at me.

  “That was awesome, Chloe, really…I had no idea you could be so…intense.” Katie smiles.

  “Yeah, very dark but sexy as fuck,” Brian winks, Travis swats the back of his head.

  “Watch it,” he warns.

  Jax simply laughs and shakes his head.

  “Thanks guys,” I reply and expel the breath I had been holding in. I finally have real friends. It’s a good feeling.

  We arrive at the club a little before midnight and it’s already in full swing. Travis grabs us a couple of drinks and we grab a spot near the bar to sit. The music is loud and the bodies dancing around us are shrouded with sweat. Bright colored lights flash sporadically above our heads keeping in rhythm with the beat of the music.