Abandoned Angel (25 page)

“You ok Angel?”

His voice was soft and gentle as he addressed her. She looked into his face, her tired mind confused and lost.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Angelina responded. She forced a half-smile across her sweet, bewildered expression. She did not feel fine. She did not look fine. She really was not fine, but what else was she going to say?

“How does your cheek feel?” he asked, brushing his fingers against the side of her jaw.

Her dark cheek had started to bruise. Her neck appeared red and welted from where Spike had held on with a firm grip. She would bruise there as well. The blood on her chest belted through the thin material of her shirt. In her haste, she had not wiped Spike’s fluids off her before putting the fabric over her body.

Angelina was confused about what happened back at the house. She didn’t understand why they were the ones who ran. Blaze shot Spike, true, but he was defending her. Spike would have killed her otherwise.

“Why did we run Blaze?” asked Angelina. Tears began to swell in the pockets of her eyes. “You were just protecting me, so why did we have to run?”

With her sad eyes pleading him for an answer, Blaze thought she looked more like a child than a grown woman. He very much wanted to reassure her that all would be well again. He took her in his arms, and surrounded her small frame with his strength. They stood, embraced, for a moment before he released her warm body and answered.

“Yes, I was protecting you Angel.” He would do it again if the situation called for it. “But the rest of the members might not see it that way. I just don’t know.”

“Why not?”

“Because I wear the colors, that’s why, and you don’t belong with us.”

The situation frustrated Blaze. He had no idea how things would turn out. Many of the younger members took to Spike and his in command attitude. Spike would be able to turn them against Blaze if that is what he wanted to do, especially now. The older members, who understood Blaze’s importance to the gang, would probably take his side, but he couldn’t be sure. Blaze wasn’t there to defend himself, and the whole thing could turn very ugly, very quickly. He had allowed a stranger to come between him and the code, after all.

“Will you be able to go back?” Angelina asked, understanding the problem she had caused for Blaze.

“I hope so, but we don’t need to worry about that until after we find your son.”

Full of relief, Angelina wrapped her slender arms around his neck, gratefully, and held him tight, forcing her sobs to remain hidden inside her body. They stood, embraced, as an odd connection developed between them.

Blaze did not see any sense in allowing Angelina to worry about his respect as a member. He had probably lost the only family he had known in a very long time, and he knew that he endangered Doc in the process. Yet, he still had the need to protect the woman that he barely knew.

“If you are ok, we better keep driving,” stated Blaze as he released her.

“Yes, Blaze, I’m ok.”

Somehow, with all that had happened, she really was. She felt strong, and in control.

They drove for another forty-five minutes or so before the rain started. Although it came down soft, it stung against Angelina's face as she rode on the back of the bike. The air became cool. Although she had managed to get her shoes on, she had not had time to put a pair of socks on her feet, and the cold began to set in. She cuddled against Blazes strong shoulders in an effort to stay warm. Her white shirt was wet by the time Blaze pulled into a motel parking lot, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. It was not until she had gotten off the bike that she realized her soaked shirt was pretty much see-through, and clinging to her braless breasts. (An item she did not have time to put on.) She didn’t notice the stained blood under the shirt, but Blaze did.

Angelina watched as Blaze turned his gaze up and down her wet body. Her eyes followed his. Instead of embarrassment, Angelina felt excited by his glance. She smiled when he caught her watching, but did not turn away. Blaze grabbed her hand.

“Come on,” he stated. “Let’s go get you out of those wet clothes.”

This time he laughed at her expression as they headed to the motel lobby.

The poorly lit room was small and smelt of old cigarettes, and bleach, yet to Angela, it felt like safety.

“I know it’s not much, but it will do.”

“Are you kidding?” Angelina softly stated. “It sure beats sleeping on the ground.”

Blaze placed his bag on the floor, thankful he had not yet unloaded his bike for the night at Jerome’s house, and flipped on the bathroom light. He suggested she take a shower.

“Do I look that bad?” she asked, trying to keep the mood light, not wanting to recall what had just happened.

“Well Angel, I’m thinking you have had better days.”

“Isn’t that the damn truth?” Her grin sent warmth through Blaze. They were both trying to keep calm.

“The water will feel good on your body. It will help your muscles to relax.”

“I suppose you are right,” agreed Angelina. She had grown tired of the constant aching that filled her body. Blaze walked away while he took a call on his cell phone.

Angelina moved into the small bathroom. She noticed the cockroach in the sink but did not allow it to bother her. There were so many real things to fear in the world that the critter just did not matter. When she passed in front of the cracked mirror, her expression dropped as she noticed Spikes blood seeping through the wet shirt. His blood splattered against her upper body, making an unruly pattern. She had forgotten that Spike bled out on her after Blaze shot the man. She stared blankly, unable to react. It all seemed so unreal - as if she was living a dream and just could not get herself to wake up. Blaze walked into the bathroom just in time to catch her grizzly expression in the mirror.

“Are you ok?” he asked with sincere concern.

It took Angelina a moment to answer. “Yes Blaze, I’m fine now,” she lied.

“That was Doc on the phone, Spike will be ok.” Blaze did not conceal his hatred for the man. He opted not to mention Doc’s fear of retaliation at that time. There was no need to add stress to the already worried woman.

Blaze reached into the tub and rotated the chrome knob until the water was warm enough for Angelina to stand under. He watched as she continued to stare blankly at herself in the mirror. The sight of the blood piercing through her tee shirt brought back the reality of the night. He had made a serious mistake by leaving the woman alone in the bedroom at Jerome’s house. He should have watched over her while she slept. He would take the mistake back if he could. There were many moments Blaze would take back if only he could.

“Angel, it’s ok, it will all come off in the shower,” Blaze tried to reassure her.

Angelina did not respond. She stood motionless, in a bit of a daze.

“Look at me Angelina,” he said as he turned her body towards his. He was worried about her state of mind.

“Yeah,” she whimpered, trying not to cry.

“Let me get you cleaned up.” He wanted to take care of her. “You will feel like a whole new person after a shower.”

Blaze grabbed the bottom of her wet shirt and pulled it up over her shoulders. Angelina lifted her arms, allowing him to slide the shirt off her body. Her hair fell gently against her back. Angelina watched his expression as Blaze undressed her - liking how he tried to mask his desire. She stood unmoved, almost limp, as he tenderly removed the remainder of her clothing. He gently led her to the edge of the shower, as if she were as fragile as a glass doll. His tenderness sent butterflies swarming inside her stomach.

When Angelina stepped under the warm water, she startled Blaze by shyly asking, “Don’t YOU need to feel like a whole new person as well Blaze?”

A mischievous, though sad, smile crept across her soft face. Angelina understood the timing was off but she needed to feel close to someone. She wanted to feel close to him. He had rescued her – again.

The invitation caught Blaze by surprise.

“I
uhhh
,” God, she was beautiful.

“I would love to join you, if that is what you are asking.” He hesitated, not wanting to misunderstand her intentions.

Angelina nodded and stepped back to give him room to join her under the falling water.

“Are you sure Angel?” he asked, wanting to give her one more chance to change her mind. He hoped she wouldn’t. “I mean, is that really what you want? It’s been a rough night,” Blaze reminded her.

Angelina grinned, her gentle eyes lit with amusement. It had been a rough night - understatement of the year - but it absolutely was what she wanted.

“Yeah, that is what I want, and what I really need right now.” Angelina spoke with a gentle kindness. She was sure.

Blaze watched as the warm water ran down her smooth skin, washing Spikes blood from her body. She kept from looking down as the water on the floor of the shower turned from clear, to pink, then clear again as the blood washed down the drain. Blaze understood that he should pass on the invitation, but he was unable to bring himself to do it. He began to undress. He desperately wanted and needed to be with her as well. Standing inside the shower with the frosted door still open, Angelina watched as Blaze carefully removed his dirty clothes. There wasn’t any embarrassment or shame, which she had often felt during sex, but pure lust and excitement as she enjoyed the process of watching. After he climbed into the warm water, she unwrapped a small bar of soap - which had been sitting on the edge of the tub, and lathered her hands. Facing him, she ran her long, slender fingers across his strong, tanned chest, lathering him as she did so. She then moved to his shoulders, continuing the circular motion, and then down each of his arms. She kept her eyes on him, watching how he moved, and how he breathed as he enjoyed her touch. After gently washing his front, she steadily stepped behind him and ran her soapy hands across his broad shoulders, becoming more excited with each motion. She was very aware of his strength, and took pleasure in touching the masculinity of his back muscles. Angelina took her time bathing Blaze. She lathered his back repeatedly, running her gentle hands across his defined muscles and down over his firm buttocks, allowing the motion to turn her on. When Blaze turned to face her, she could see the excitement she had caused him. She reached down, touching him eagerly, wanting him desperately. Blaze took the soap out of Angelina’s hand and lathered his own hands, dropping the soap when he was done. Angelina watched as Blaze slowly lathered her full breasts, and then her belly. Taking his sweet time, he finally allowed his hand to move gently to the inside of her bruised thigh as his moist mouth found her flawless nipples. She softly closed her eyes, enjoying the stimulation as he positioned his experienced fingers over her pubic area. Blaze pressed his mouth against hers, hungrily taking her in. Angelina responded to each movement he made with one of her own, needing to please him as he pleased her. The warm water continued to beat against their meshed bodies, adding to the sensual moment. They clung eagerly to each other, their bodies working together as they became one.

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What began as gentle love making in the shower turned into erotic yearning as they made their way into the bedroom. Angelina reacted hungrily to each movement Blaze made; turning him on all the more. Her sensual desire and honest reaction to his touch enhanced every moment. The inspiring performance left each of them wanting more. Angelina did not want the night to end. Blaze’s touch was addicting, and Angelina felt as if she had made love for the first time in her life. It had felt natural. Blaze made her feel beautiful and sexy, and vulnerable rolled up into one uncontrollable emotion - an emotion that she did not want to lose. Although Blaze had started out very much in control, concerned and caring, he allowed himself the full pleasure of giving in to his eager desire; ravaging her, until he once again became gentle and loving. This was how Angelina had always imagined it should be, but until then, had never experienced.

When the lovemaking was over, they balanced on their sides, face to face, talking, with hushed voices, on the comfortable bed. They had been visiting for a while, with quiet, lovers’ whispers, before she finally had the courage to inquire about his past.

“What happened to your family Blaze?” Angelina asked as they lay in the dark of the room. The moonlight crept through the blinds covering the window behind the queen-sized bed. Blaze absently brushed the hair from her face and answered without much hesitation. He had not talked about it in a long time, but it felt right with this woman whom he barely knew.

“My wife and my little girl were murdered,” he calmly stated, looking her square in the eyes. It took Angelina by surprise.

“What?” She had not expected that to be his answer, though she really didn’t know what to expect. “I'm so sorry Blaze. What happened?”

Her heart ached for him. She could not imagine how hard it must be to lose a child. Blaze continued before he lost his nerve. It was hard for him to talk about that dreadful night. He had tried for so long to push it out of his mind, and now he was ready to share the details with her.

“I was working for the district attorney's office at the time,” he slowly replied. “We had just won a case that was going to put a monster in jail for a very long time.” A sad, mismatched smile crept across his face. Angelina wondered what he considered a monster to be.