I STIRRED IN MY SLEEP, sweat building on my forehead and the back of my neck as my T-shirt clung to me. The ceiling fan’s whir was the only noise apart from my shuffling in the sheets. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t rest. My mind was making up scenarios to push the thought of Armond away.
Like he hadn’t been a complete gentleman at dinner. Like he didn’t give me butterflies and make my knees weak when he kissed me.
My mind wanted to break down all the reasons why I shouldn’t entertain this man because my defenses were high and the wall was thick as hell before this trip.
I groaned as I grabbed my cell and looked at the time. Maybe watching videos would help. I pulled up TikTok and scrolled through the endless videos, my eyes not getting any lower. After about an hour of mindless behavior, a call came through. An unknown number at three in the morning? It had to be him, so I picked it up.Dummy, he gave you his number.
“Hello,” I answered breathlessly. When I didn’t get a response, I swallowed hard and repeated myself. Still nothing.
I pulled the phone away from my ear. I had to make sure the line was still active. I could feel my heart in my throat and I didn’t want to say a name in case it was Jeffrey doing the ignorant shit he normally did.
“Please say something,” I begged.
All I could hear was steady breathing on the other end. Shit, it had to be Jeffrey, and now he knew I was awake.
“I guess you called for a reason but since you won’t say it…” I disconnected the call and sighed heavily as I slammed my fist with my phone in my hand on the bed.
I pulled myself up and tossed the sheets back. I made my way to the balcony and stepped out with an instant rush of the breeze hitting me. I cooled down quickly and wished I’d done so sooner. I sighed heavily as I stepped up to the banister and leaned over.
I watched the moon dance on the water and smirked as I thought of the first night I’d come across Armond. My knight in shining armor watched like he was on the prowl. He intrigued me so much and for him to come to my rescue against that pest of a man felt so good. Nothing like a sexy man coming to your defense even if they had a bone to pick with the person prior to helping or not.
And our evening together, walking along the water, being all over him, shit, that was why I was so damn hot. I wanted this man and couldn’t believe I was so ready to give myself to him out in the open like that. I just wished we didn’t get interrupted.
My phone buzzed again and I rushed to pick it up. Unknown number.
“Hello,” I exhaled.
“Fuck you doing sounding like that?”
Would you think before you act? What the fuck is wrong with you dummy?
His sharp tone instantly irritated me and pissed me off. I should’ve just let the hoe ring out because why would Ianticipate Armond calling me from a number that wasn’t the one he gave me?
“Why are you calling me this late?”
“Answer my question.”
“Answer mine, Jeffrey!”
“I missed you.”
“Sir. Please get the fuck off my phone.”
I disconnected the call before he could respond. There was something seriously unscrewed in his brain to make him believe I wanted any part of him. I didn’t want to hear his voice. I didn’t want to be bothered with the thought of his ass. I was good off everything pertaining to the man I was once head over heels for.
At one point, there was nothing anyone could tell me about the man that would deter my feelings from him. Jeffrey was every bit of “that guy” when we met. Fresh from the military, he got into the police department and quickly turned detective with a new home, and making big moves for himself. He was well-rounded and kind and so damn handsome. With his toffee skin, deep waves, and dark eyes that created a storm when you looked at them, he was every woman’s dream. He happened to choose me. I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world.
A couple of months after we got back from our honeymoon, he started showing his true colors. He started drinking more, saying how stressed the job was making him, how he wished he could just go back to the military despite his injury. His yelling started then it seemed to be the only tone he owned.
He took advantage of my little frame and limited strength against his brute demeanor. His eyes turned sinister and his grip on me got tighter and tighter. I never looked at him the same again and tried to dismiss myself before things got worse. Sadly, he didn’t allow that and I had to suffer through the shit until I finally built up the courage to run.
The constant buzzing of my phone let me know he wasn’t going to let up and this was the struggle I left when I came to Puerto Rico in hopes of the distance making him get the damn point. It seemed like no matter where I went in the world, he always followed. He was like a gnat that just wouldn’t go away or die. After the fifth round, I gave in and answered.
I sighed as I connected the line.
“What, Jeffrey? Why must you persist?” I barked.
“Ooh, you don’t have to sound so damn sexy, woman,” he replied. My nostrils flared at that statement and my jaw got tight. He was fucking horrible.
