Protect Me by Lacey Black

attractive. The way the muscles in his back flexed as he drove down the road. The way his hands caressed my neck intimately as he kissed me. And man, was that a kiss. Earth shattering. Unapologetic. Needy. Protective.    
    If there’s one thing I feel when I’m with Nate, it’s protected. He makes me feel safe. Alive. Free.  
    I just hope that it lasts.  
     
*****
     
    Laughter is floating from the living room. People are everywhere, filling every seat in the house. Couples are mingling and chatting up about the latest market trends or their latest big business deal. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres are passed around on silver trays held by waiters with white gloves. Everything seems perfect.  
    I am chatting with the Mayor of Daytona, Jim Duncan, and his wife, Carla, when I feel a warm hand grasp firmly around my upper arm. Not hard enough to draw attention or to leave a mark, but enough to let me know that I’ve done something wrong. What? I wish I knew.  
    “Mayor, Carla, so pleased that you could join us this evening,” Garrett says with his trademark Abercrombie smile next to me.  
    “You know we never miss these contributor dinners, Garrett,” Mayor Duncan says with a smile. Mayor Duncan and his wife shelled out mega bucks for Governor Monahan’s next bid for re-election. Mrs. Duncan comes from money; her grandfather serving in the US Senate before passing away and leaving all of his money to his only grandchild, Carla. She also contains more plastic than a toy store.  
    “Well, we are sure glad we have your support, Mr. Mayor. If you both will excuse us, I need to speak with Amelia for a few moments,” Garrett says as he tightens his grip on my arm.  
    I force a small smile and nod my head towards the couple. My legs struggle to keep up with Garrett’s much longer strides. Between the gown and the four-inch stilettos, I’m all but stumbling after him. Falling just isn’t an option. If there’s one thing Garrett hates more than defiance, it’s embarrassment.  
    Garrett tugs me into the downstairs study, nodding his head to the security detail standing guard just outside.  
    “Inside, now,” Garrett bites through gritted teeth.  
    When he finally releases his grip on my arm, it’s to toss me towards the brown leather sofa along the wall. I stumble and fall onto the hard piece of pristine, designer furniture.  
    “Did you think I wouldn’t notice? Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” he grounds out furiously.  
    “What?” I whisper, keeping my voice low and my eyes cast downward.  
    “Conrad Carrington, Amelia! Did you think I wouldn’t see you hanging all over Conrad? You disgrace me in front of my family, my friends, my co-workers?”  
    My mind is struggling to keep up. “Garrett, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, pleading with my eyes.  
    His cold, dark eyes stare straight through me. I want to drop my gaze again, but I know I can’t. Now, I must remain engaged or risk a worse punishment.  
    I don’t even have time to process the fact that he’s approaching me. His hand strikes the side of my face causing stars to burst and pain to radiate through my entire body. My ear is ringing and fire spreads through the entire side my face. I grab the side of my head, turning away from him to protect myself.  
    “You need to remember who you really are, Amelia. You are a no-good, white trash whore who couldn’t last outside of this house for a day, let alone a week. You are nothing. I made you who you are today and you will remember that. I will not be disrespected in my own home by some two-bit tramp. Keep your head down and your eyes straight ahead. And for God’s sake, keep your hands to yourself,” Garrett thunders.  
    I recall talking to Conrad about his son’s latest accomplishment on the soccer field. Conrad is at least ten years older than me and his son is a soccer all-star. I always remember to ask about him whenever I see him. Tonight, Conrad