Wounded Souls (closed)

[such_a_bad_man]

"I guess we're both running from our bad decisions in a way. I'm just further along in my journey than you are. You're just beginning, but believe me that it does get better the longer and harder you work at it," he said, trying to give some comfort. He didn't know all the particulars, but he knew enough to know she would likely try to start over in her own way like he did after prison.

 

[Asa]

Yeah...

She sighed. So many years of whatever someone else wanted it a little hard to figure out where to begin.

She glanced over and smiled.

Just figure out daily what to do.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry smiled back at her. "Exactly. First thing would be to get a lawyer you can trust. I don't trust him to leave you alone; guys with that sort of power hate it when people get over on them. Second would be to find a place to stay where he wouldn't think to find you. Once those are locked in, you'll have time to breathe and plan on how to build up a life separate from him. But like I said, that's one bartender's opinion." He added with a grin as he finished his bottle of water.

"If you want to stay, you're welcome to take the bedroom in the back; it wouldn't be the first time I've crashed on that couch." Kerry offered as he went to toss out his bottle. "I know it's hard to trust a guy you just met, but I'd rather not turn someone away this late," he added, walking back over. This time, he sat down on the end of the couch away from her, still giving her space if she needed it.

 

[Asa]

Kerry smiled back at her. "Exactly. First thing would be to get a lawyer you can trust. I don't trust him to leave you alone; guys with that sort of power hate it when people get over on them. Second would be to find a place to stay where he wouldn't think to find you. Once those are locked in, you'll have time to breathe and plan on how to build up a life separate from him. But like I said, that's one bartender's opinion." He added with a grin as he finished his bottle of water.

"If you want to stay, you're welcome to take the bedroom in the back; it wouldn't be the first time I've crashed on that couch." Kerry offered as he went to toss out his bottle. "I know it's hard to trust a guy you just met, but I'd rather not turn someone away this late," he added, walking back over. This time, he sat down on the end of the couch away from her, still giving her space if she needed it.

Already have a lawyer and the divorce is for all intents done. Now it really just getting on with life.

She shook her head.
I can sleep on the couch I don't mind.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry shook his head. "No, I wouldn't feel right leaving a woman to sleep on a couch while I'm in a comfy bed. Plus, the bedroom door locks from the inside; you'll be safe from the tatted up ex-con in the living room in there," He teased with a smile. His face softened as he took on a more serious expression. "Please, I want you to take it. It's one thing I can offer to make your shit day a little better."

 

[Asa]

Thank you and personally I see no reason to lock the door.

She smiled.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry smiled. "I appreciate that." He slid a little closer on the couch and grabbed the remote. He turned on the TV and quickly changed from the news channels, saving her from seeing her ex again. He switched to a movie channel and found something funny to watch as they wound down for the night. At some point during the movie, his arm wound up on the back of the couch, around her shoulders. He didn't mean to; it was more comfortable for him to do so while sitting close to her.

 

[Asa]

Unconsciously she curled a little closer. In all honesty she felt safe there. Safer than she did even at the near resort hotel she has spent the last almost two weeks in. She didn't know what Callis would do she has seen him handle issues by just whatever his attorneys have said and she has seen him personally go after problems. Which end of that spectrum was she on she didn't know... yet.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

As Layna curled in closer, Kerry let his arm wrap around her. It felt right to him to hold her a little closer as she moved in. He sank a little lower, feeling his body relaxing a bit more as the night wound down. Without a thought, he started caressing her side, running his hand lightly up and down her body. It felt so nice to feel a woman leaning against his body and to feel her shape against his hand. She was toned but not stiff to the touch, which made him want more. But he had enough restraint to stop himself from taking it a step too far.

 

[Asa]

Her eyes closed at the soft caress. It was not something she was entirely used to. Callis could be a little rough or a little too busy for any intimacy or affection. She slowly began to drift to sleep feeling peaceful and happy.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Feeling her drift to sleep against him, Kerry smiled as he carefully scooped up Layna from her seat on the couch. All those years toting car parts around made it easy for him to carry her from the couch down the hall. Slipping the covers back, he made room so he could slip her under and pull the covers over her. Turning, he stepped toward the door, ready to let her sleep after what must have been a long day.

 

[Asa]

Her sleep was troubled through the night as she woke up a couple times in the night panicked till she remembered where she was and calmed drifting back to sleep surrounded in this strange caring man's scent with a soft smile. The next morning her only goal was coffee.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Thankfully, she could smell a fresh batch in the other room. When she went out to investigate, the pot was already missing some, but a mug was sitting beside it, ready for her to pour. Her host had also laid out some sugar and cream for her use, unsure how she might take it. As Layna prepared her coffee, she heard someone coming up the steps. Turning, she saw Kerry walk back in, already stained with grease so early in the morning.

"Oh, good, you're awake. I was up early and took a look at your car. With the way you talked about your ex, I wanted to take a look at your car, see if he did something to it before you left," he said, sounding like he's seen that sort of thing in the past. He held out a rag to her, showing an Apple Air Tag cradled in it. "Did you add this to your car to track its location?" he asked, sounding like he already had a guess about where it might have come from.

 

[Asa]

She froze.

No... I didn't.

Her eyes darted up to him a little worried.

Not exactly the tech they had when his dad used to drive it.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry sighed. "I had a feeling," he said as he popped the battery out of the tag and tossed them both on the counter in the kitchen. "Well, he knows you spent the night here; nothing we can do about that."

He tried to rub the grime off his hands with the rag before stuffing it into his back pocket. "Hope the coffee wasn't too bitter; I get up pretty early and thought I would leave it for you. Least I can do is send you out caffeinated to take on your day," he smiled, but let it fade as he knew she'd be moving on and he'd be back to his normal life again once she did.

 

[Asa]

Yeah... the coffee is fine Thanks

She felt safe here with him but it's not like she could stay. They has only just met really and if Callis had done this to her car she wondered what else he was capable of.
Not really sure where to go but yeah... now that I can travel free I should probably start figuring that out.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Hearing her say that, Kerry jumped at the chance. "If you haven't figured that out, you're welcome to stay until you do. While he may know your car was here, I know a few hiding spots if he ever came around to look for it." He wasn't sure why he was sticking his neck out for Layna, but something about her and her situation made him want to get involved. Maybe it was his first chance to make up for all his bad decisions as a kid.

"I'd... I'd really like it if you stayed," he finally confessed. He felt something last night and when she curled up against him, he couldn't help but wonder if she felt it too.

 

[Asa]

I couldn't put you out like that. I can't imagine the couch being comfortable to sleep on.

She bit her lip Callis had really in some ways made her scared to say how she felt but she truly felt safer around Kerry than she had ever before. Not that she had ever seen Callis violent or anything but there was a lack of safety there that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry stepped a bit closer. "I don't have to stay on the couch if you wouldn't mind sharing," he said, his voice a soft growl from his chest as he looked down into her eyes. He reached up to place a hand on her hip, a move he normally wouldn't try. Something in how she spoke and looked at him made him want to try.

 

[Asa]

She nodded slowly... confused at how she felt or why.

Yeah... okay.

She smiled biting at her lip a little. The tracker on her car long forgotten as she stared into Kerry's eyes.

Safe here... with you.

She had whispered before she even realized it.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Seeing that look on her face, Kerry got swept up in the moment. Leaning down, he kissed her lips, sliding an arm around her waist to lift her up into the kiss. It had been so long since he had a woman that wanted this. He hoped he hadn't read the situation incorrectly, but that would be a thought for later. Right now, all he wanted was to feel her lips and body against his.

 

[Asa]

A whimper fell from her lips as she curled into the kiss arms slowly circling his shoulders. She felt safe and at peace around him and while she didn't fully understand why she wanted to go with it and enjoy her freedom.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

Kerry felt her melt into the kiss as her arms looped around his shoulders. He couldn't help a smile as he lifted her up and sat her on the counter. It was so much easier to kiss her like this as his hands slid down to hold her hips on the edge. He parted her legs as he stepped in closer as he leaned down to kiss her neck. Soft sucking kisses explored their way up and down the curve of her neck as his bristles tickled her skin.

 

[Asa]

Kerry...

She was in a whirlwind lost between enjoying what was happening and how it would have happened before with Callis. Her head tilted back some as she closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of safety that finally won.

 

[such_a_bad_man]

"You're safe with me..." he whispered again, slowly slipping his hands up to slip her top up. "If you want me to stop, say the word and I will," he promised.

He slipped her top up, peeling it off her chest as he took it higher and higher. The only time he stopped kissing her was when he pulled her top up between them and tossed it away.