In Chains by Michelle Abbott Page A

hoping to give him some of my body warmth.
    “I don’t remember getting back here,” I say. “Last thing I remember I was sitting around the fire.”
    “You fell asleep baby. You’re not used to the hooch, it’s strong stuff. I carried you back here. You were out cold.”
    All too soon we reach the house. I check for Simon’s car, he isn’t home yet, thank God. We stand outside the door, gazing at each other. I’ll never tire of looking into his eyes. He leans down and his lips meet mine. I clasp my hands behind his neck, needing him closer. After a minute we reluctantly break apart. “Thank you for tonight Savannah,” he says, cupping my cheeks in his palms. “Thank you for treating me like a real person.”
    My eyes begin to water. “You are a real person. A very precious real person.” Standing on tiptoes I give him a quick peck on the lips. “I really do have to go, but I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Quickly turning on all the lights, I power up my laptop and open my word programme so it seems like I’ve been here all evening writing. Ten minutes later Simon and Christina arrive. It would appear she’s staying over again. We spend a few minutes talking about the movie and my novel, then they both go up to bed.
    After gulping down a glass of water so I don’t dehydrate after all the alcohol I’ve consumed, I head to bed myself. Drifting off to sleep, my mind conjures up an image of Kayden, snuggled up next to me, naked.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWELVE
    Savannah
     
    Feeling someone shaking me, my eyes snap open to see Simon standing by my bed. I guess I must have overslept this morning. “You’re not ill are you? It’s not like you to lie in,” he says.
    “No I was tired, too much time staring at a computer screen yesterday I guess.”
    “Okay, well I’m off to work; I’ll be back around seven.”
    As soon as I hear the front door close I leap out of bed. Examining my body in the mirror I see the bruises on my arms and legs are almost gone and the ones on my stomach are a light brown with yellowed edges. Turning to view myself from all angles, I try to imagine what Kayden would think if he were to see my naked body. Would it turn him off? My skin is pale and my stomach is rounded.
    Sighing I open the wardrobe in search of something to wear. I wish I had some sexy underwear. I pull out my black woollen dress. I usually live in jeans, they feel more comfortable and they hide my white legs but maybe Kayden would like to see me in a dress. It’s the only one I have so it’ll have to do. Taking the belt from my jeans I use it to cinch the dress in at the waist. Twisting my hair up I secure it with my black clamp.
    It’s no good; I don’t have the legs for a dress. I’m about to change back into my jeans when I hear my name being called from outside. Opening the window, I see Kayden. He’s looking up at me and holding a little bunch of pansies, a silly grin plastered across his face. “Morning baby. I couldn’t wait for you to come and find me. I missed you this morning. You didn’t come out for your smoke.”
    “Hold on. I’m coming down.”
    Closing the window I run down the stairs, open the door and throw my arms around him. “I missed you too. I overslept.” Taking his hand I pull him inside. He gives me the pansies; they’re beautiful, deep purple and burnt orange. He’s tied them together with string. Thanking him, I find a pretty mug to display them in.
    I notice he’s gazing down at my legs. Damn, I knew I should have changed into my jeans. I hope they don’t put him off me. Just then he yelps and his muscles spasm. A smile creeps onto my face; at least I know my legs don’t turn him off.
    “Do you have a lot of work to do today?” I ask, getting out the frying pan. “I’m wondering how long we have together. Simon will be back at seven.”
    “I didn’t sleep last night,” he says, walking over to me and taking the clamp out of my hair. “I like your hair