Davis, P.O. V.
Lisa is due to arrive soon for our workout session. I couldn't get the thought of her with some guy her dad involved her without of my head. It has played in my thoughts since I dropped her off at her apartment. More like she dropped herself off since she drove. She knows how to handle a bike well, and I'm all for it.
Lisa is a very interesting woman. She has a sharp mind, a kind heart, and a playful demeanor. I was surprised when she asked me to teach her how to fight, but I was happy about it. God knows she needs to defend herself. Every woman should have the know-how, really.
I taught Izzy, if only the basics since she protested the entire time. She's not into fighting, having grown up watching it. She's tired of it, and, frankly, desensitized from it. It gives me peace of mind knowing Izzy could handle herself if she needed to. I won't let what happened to her mother happen to her as well.
I pulled my phone out, texting Lisa when she still hadn't showed 15 minutes later. Davis: Where are you? You're late.
When she didn't respond I panicked. I should have asked her more questions about the guy. His full name would have been a useful question to ask. I should have asked her where they were going, or where they were going to meet. There were so many questions I should have asked her before letting her go.
What if she's hurt?
I haven't felt this panicked in a while, not since that night in the darkness of an alley. Not since the night I lost my wife, and part of myself. This won't turn out the same way as before. I won't let it happen.
"Sorry I'm late," she called out as she entered the gym floor.
She was wearing a light, oversized, sleeveless hoodie with its hood pulled up far, covering most of her face. The only parts of her I could see were her lower lip, and her jaw. I could tell something was wrong, so I immediately marched up to her and pulled her hood down to reveal two red and swollen cheeks.
"He hurt you?!" I forgot to keep the sting off my voice, yelling at her by mistake. She flinched, taking a step back, stabbing my heart. I didn't mean to scare her.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. It just makes me so mad when a man hits a woman." I gently caressed her wounded cheek with my thumb. "Especially a woman I care about," I admitted, seeing her eyes widen in surprise.
I'm not afraid to admit that I care about her.
"I don't know what to do," she said, sounding so broken. It was as if the weight of the world sat on her shoulders.
"Leave him. Tell me his name, and where he lives, and I'll make sure he never bothers you again."
I held her chin as I spoke softly to her, taking another step towards her until there was no room between us. Her eyes held mine for a while as she thought. I am not sure what she was thinking about. All she has to do is to say his name and I'll take care of it. I will keep her safe.
"I can't leave him," she said, surprising me with her words.
"Yes, you can Lisa. I can help."
She shook her head, taking a step back from me. She pulled away, leaving me feeling empty. The way her eyes looked at me, it was like she was begging me to understand. How can I, when she's telling me she won't leave a man that's hurting her?
"You don't understand." She shook her head, almost frustrated. "Just teach me how to fight, Davis. That's all I need from you."
That's all I need from you.
Those words played on repeat in my head. She doesn't want me in the same way I want her. I'll take the hint and back off. I am not one to pressure a woman. If she wants me to teach her, then I will. I will make sure she can fight off the man that's hurting her. But she's a fool if she thinks I will not find out who he is, and beat the ever living shit out of him when I do.
"I'll teach you, Lisa, but tell me what's going on? I can help," I begged her, holding her gaze so she could see how desperate I was.
"It's not your problem to solve. I'll handle it. I just need to learn how to defend myself."
She sounded determined with a fury in her eyes I'd never seen before. It was like there was a fire behind the ocean in her eyes. I nodded my head, realizing she wasn't ready to open up to me yet. I will make her see that I am here for her, and maybe soon she will tell me what's going on.
I had her working out, but she winced at times. I know I didn't work her too hard yesterday for her muscles to be aching this way. Something else was going on. I worried that he hadn't just hit her face. Seeing how she winced with each sit up, I made her stop and move on to lifting. That seemed to be less painful for her.
After an hour I had her go to the locker room to shower off. I had Tori go in after her, and make sure that Lisa was the only one in there. When Tori came out and gave me a nod, I walked in. I promise I'm not a pervert, I just need to see the extent of Lisa's injuries. I know she won't show me willingly.
When I stepped in, I found her in just her bra and underwear, timing it perfectly. I wasn't trying to see her fully naked. I know I'm already invading her privacy. Her hands went to the clasp on the back of her bra, but I called her name before she undid it.
"Lisa, I'm sorry I'm in here I-" my voice faltered as she turned and I saw the massive bruise over her stomach. I had never closed the distance between me and someone else so fast. My hands traced over her wounds carefully, assessing them closely.
"What the hell are you doing in here, Davis?!" She sounded mad, and rightfully so. "He did this to you?" I let the hurt show in my voice, as if him hurting her, hurt me too.
She pushed my hands off her and stood proudly. Her eyes held mine as she looked angrily at me. She took a step back, but I followed. This continued until her back pressed against the lockers.
"Answer my question, Lisa," I used a firmer tone, now that I had her cornered. "Don't worry about it, Davis," she said, trying to push me off, but I didn't budge.
"Of course I'm going to worry about it, Lisa. No man will ever get away with hurting you. I'll make sure of it. So you can either tell me his name now, or I'll find it for myself later. Either way, he's getting his ass beat," I promised, holding her chin gently.
My face wasn't far off from hers, being so close I could feel the exhale of her breaths against my lips. She didn't push my hand away this time, instead she stared at my eyes. We stayed like that in silence for a while. Her eyes left mine, and I caught her staring at my lips for just a second. It was enough to inch me further.
I'd never been so bold before, so daring as to follow a woman into the locker room. Daring enough to have her cornered and hold her gaze for so long. Now, daring enough to lean down until my lips just barely grazed against her own.
I know I'm years older than her, and this is wrong on many levels, but Lisa is special. I'm drawn to her like a moth to a flame. By the way she's reacting, it seems she's attracted to me too. I let her decide whether to push me away or push herself towards my lips further. Thankfully, she kissed me. Her lips were the best thing I'd ever tasted. Her hands strung through
my tied up hair as she pulled me closer. She pressed her body against my own as our kiss deepened. My heart hasn't felt this way in years, speeding so fast I thought it'd suddenly stop.
I placed my hands on her soft hips, pulling her pelvis closer to mine. She slid her hands down, holding onto my biceps tightly. Her lips left mine as she trapped me in her sea of blue. I couldn't look away.
"What are you doing, Davis?"
"I'm honestly not sure. All I know is that I want to keep you safe, to make you feel better. Will you let me?"