I shake my head and head for my car.

“Cove!”

“If I wanted to kill myself, I’d already be dead,” I call back. “And thanks for saving me in there. I love you, Hav.”

“You’ll never set eyes on those guns again. I’ll take care of them,” he yells, as I round the corner of the Scarlett and get into my car. My cell’s been quiet and I set it in my cup holder as I pull away; still no return text from Soph.

I wonder if a person can feel free and yet confined in one’s life at the same time? I’m permitted to leave, my mind and body released into the city, headed home, hopefully to fuck, relax, and yet in the morning I’ll be restricted once again with a boa twisted around my body... squeezing tighter and tighter... sucking the air from my lungs.

It’s in the darkness of night that I have this freedom; a time when most are vulnerable, unable to see what could be hiding in the shadows, but that’s not my life. The daylight... that’s when my horror story starts each day. Why even wake up? Who will get fucked over tomorrow? Who will die? Get raped?

I’m starting to believe I live in a Twilight Zone episode. The plot is just that, I can’t escape the show... and every fucking day... every fucking goddamn day... Shit!

Some asshole stands in the middle of the street. I hit my brakes and come to a sudden stop, only about a yard from knocking him off his feet. He’s wearing a hoodie that conceals his face. See, creepy-ass-Twilight-Zone-fucking-shit.

After a few seconds watching him rock on his heels with his hands in his pockets, he steps aside and lets me drive by; my stomach in a knot as my car inches past him. He never looks up. Never lifts his head for me to see his face. Eerie. I get chills as I watch him in my rear view mirror walking toward my car, instead of away.

Golf ball size drops of rain hit my windshield. A few at first, and then a heavy downpour pelts the car. I’m only a block from our building and enough of a pussy to hit the gas and disappear into our parking garage before the guy from the street catches up.

Lightning flashes then a loud blast rattles my bones. Sounds just like the gunshot from earlier, only louder, as if it struck our building. I rush out of my car and head for the elevator, almost jogging to get there and away from the crazy shit that might be coming after me.

I’m probably just paranoid, but better safe than sorry. This isn’t one of the safest cities to live in, and although our building’s one of the elegant and classy renovations in the area, with high-class tenants, there are still crimes that occur on a daily basis; robbery and theft being the top two.

The lights in our building flicker as I step off the elevator and into our hallway. It’s good to be home. I always feel safe on our top floor, a place where I can view the city from above without having to be in the middle of the chaos. I know it’s probably stupid, but the higher we are and the further away from other people, the more protected I feel. If only that were true.

I set my keys on our kitchen counter and slip out of my shoes, then turn on the surround sound and listen as it plays softly throughout the house. Slow instrumental music, nothing heavy.

Soph must be upstairs, either reading or asleep. She’s all I can think about as I walk up the two iron staircases to our third floor. When I reach the top I lean against the doorframe and admire my sleeping beauty; wearing a lace trimmed red tank and black leggings. She looks so peaceful and happy, with a pile of books next to her on the bed, and her hand resting on one that’s open. I’m surprised to see she’s surrounded by the old school paperbacks tonight, and not hugging her Kindle. I also can’t believe she’s sleeping through this magnificent thunderstorm that’s assaulting the city. Continuous flashes of light and piercing claps of thunder. She must be exhausted not to be awakened by such a storm.

The see-thru fireplace that’s between the bedroom and the bathroom gives me comfort when I see she has it lit, and as the overhead lights flicker once again, and then go out, it’s the only glow left in the room. An illumination of red and orange glimmers across her body and produces dancing silhouette flames across our walls.

I pull off my shirt and place another log on the fire, in need of romance and a desire to fill Sophia’s heart with love. After the breakdown in my office, there’s nowhere to go but up. I can’t sink any lower than almost taking my own life. It was selfish. I know that now as I look at my wife, her beauty, and see the books that are next to her are all pregnancy books. Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Healthy Eating During Your Pregnancy, and a pile of others. It all brings a tear to my eye.

She stirs as I gather the books and move them to the floor. Another shot of lightning shakes the building and she finally opens her eyes.

“Hi, Dove,” I smile.

She stretches her arms over her head and grins.

“You go shopping again?” I whisper and kiss her forehead.

“No, why?” she responds with sleepy eyes.

“All the books.”

“Oh,” she says softly. “Your mother bought them for me. She’s wonderful.”

“Yes, she is,” I kiss her again. “That was nice of her.”

She nods and slips off her tank, exposing her gorgeous chest for a brief moment before disappearing under the covers. She overwhelms me at times. When we first met it was nearly impossible to even look at her body without cumming in my pants, and now, I love to gaze at each exposed area of flesh that she displays. I slide off my jeans and boxers, and join her under our comforter.

“You look sad, Babe.”

“Yeah, you get my text?”

“I did, and your mother also told me about Ivy when she dropped off the books. She okay?”

“I’ll know more tomorrow. I hope so.”

“Me too,” she whispers. “Cove?”

“Yes love?” I kiss her cheek and mouth before she can answer, my dick growing and reaching toward her.

“You okay?”

My fingers flow gently along the side of her face and around to the back of her neck. Her compassionate eyes and expression are crippling to my heart, and the intense love I feel for her at this moment is my answer. “I am. I’m okay.”

Her lips are warm and our heated kisses last for a good half hour while we embrace and caress one another. She cradles my dick in her hand, giving it a teasing squeeze every few minutes. I close my eyes at her touch and exhale with each clasp. She has complete control over me tonight. I’ll do anything for her, give her anything she needs, and Jesus... the things she does for me.

Our tongues are playful, circling, sneaking in and out. She steals my heart and it’s like the first night we spent together; necking like a couple of teenagers. A heavy rain continues to fall around us while we pant and fill the room with heavy moans. Life is perfect at this moment, and I can’t believe I almost gave it all up just because of haunting flashbacks. I’ll get them to stop. Paul. Will. Not. Win.

Lightning reminiscent of fireworks adds to the glow of the room. I trail my fingers from her breast, along her side, and slip below her underwear.

“Fuck, that’s just like setting my fingers inside a newly opened jar of jelly. So slick,” I sigh. “So sticky. I bet it tastes just as good too.”

I kneel between her legs, and with a tender tug, pull her leggings down to expose her sweet pussy. I lift her left leg, and remove her clothing, then the right. She looks splendid naked, her cheeks are flushed with arousal, nipples erect, clit engorged... my fucking goddess.

“Use your good hand and not the splints, they might hurt, okay?” she requests. “I don’t want to get any cut or infection inside, if you know what I mean.”

“I’m not going to hurt you, Sophia. Not tonight. Never again.”

“You keep saying that.”