Lisa's P.O. V.
**Song Suggestion: Don't Give Up On Me by Amber Leigh Irish**
Davis' question caught me off guard. I didn't think he saw me in this way. That he had found me attractive or wanted anything more to do with me. I thought he had found me too weak, maybe even irresponsible. Yet here he stood offering to keep me safe. Words I never knew I needed to hear before.
Safe.
But how can he? This isn't something that can be fought with physical strength. My happiness means the undoing of Lucas' new life. I can't place myself before him again. He's my little brother, yet he protected me from our father all my life. Now it's my turn. I'm the older sister. I should have been protecting him all this time.
I knew what was happening, letting it occur because I was too scared to take a beating alongside him. I'll never forgive myself for it. This is my penance, and I'll happily accept it.
"You can't," I whispered, wishing my words were untrue.
I would love nothing more than to accept this Viking of a man before me. To let his muscular arms wrap around me and fight away my darkness. Sadly, it can never be, at least not at the price of Lucas' happiness. Not just his happiness, but Olive's and sweet Abi's as well.
"Of course I can, Lisa. Let me prove it to you."
His words sounded so convincing, so determined. He clearly wanted to fight for me. There's no way he can fight this off though. No way for him to beat this out of Dad. Dad is cruel, and relentless, and God, does he hold a grudge like no other.
"You don't understand."
I shook my head, pushing against his chest. I know I wasn't pushing hard, but he took a step back, respecting my wishes. His eyes were soft as they looked at me as if I were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. I'd never been looked at this way, with such gentleness. It melted me to my core, opening a wound in my heart I didn't know I had. One that bled to feel this way.
"Then help me understand, Lisa. Please," he whispered with a begging tone. "It's my dad. He's.." I sighed trying to find the right words.
Can I really bare all my troubles to him? Is it okay to tell him?
"What's he done?" Davis' jaw clenched with anger. I saw that same angry storm brewing in him as before. None of it directed towards me.
"It's hard to explain, but there's no getting out of it. I have to marry the man that did this to me. It's the only way to keep Lucas and Liv safe."
I couldn't look him in the eyes as I admitted the truth. His hands fisted at his side, and before I knew it they were through the wall. He was deliriously furious, but again, I was not scared. I knew his fists would never, not ever, hurt me.
He would never hurt me.
"I'll find a way, Lisa, I promise. I'll get you out of this."
"You can't."
His eyes met mine again, a desperation in them. His features softened as he closed the distance between us again. I loved the feel of his warmth against my bare skin. His hand held the back of my neck tenderly. He was gentle with me, despite his strength.
"I won't let you keep getting hurt like this, Lisa. Tell me everything about your Dad. Tell me what's going on. Let me help you, please," he begged as he held my gaze lovingly. There was such care in them ...care for me.
I nodded my head, deciding to load this off my chest. There's no best friend for me to tell this to. Olive is the closest thing I have to that, and I obviously can't tell her about this. I can't tell Lucas either, or Leo because he would just tell Lucas, anyway. Rachel is out of the question, and mom? Mom would flip the fuck out and be no help at all.
I told him about Dad's threats and the deal I had made. I told him about how Dad has cops, lawyers, and judges in his pocket. He could call any of them to get what he needs, or wants done, in an instant. There's no getting by it. To bring Dad down you'd have to bring them all down. No matter how strong Davis is, he can't save me from this.
Davis looked conflicted as I spoke. He had helped me get dressed, applying ointment to my bruise to ease the pain. I spoke the entire time with him attentively listening. When I finished he just stared at me, for a long while. There was utter silence as he swallowed down everything I had just said. The gym was closed now, but it was one Davis owned, so it really didn't matter. It just meant no one would bother us.
"Lisa, this is insane. Surely your brother isn't letting you do this. He can handle himself, and so can Liv. They will fight back with their own money and friends," he tried to persuade me.
"I haven't told him about this. He doesn't need to know, neither of them do. You better not fucking tell them either," I eyed him as threateningly as I could. "Promise me you won't."
"Lisa, you should really tell him. He-"
"Davis, promise me," I cut him off.
"Lisa." He sighed, staring at me sadly. "Okay, I promise I won't tell him." "Thank you."
"But, promise me something too."
"Sure, what is it?"
"Let me take care of you. Any time you're not with him, spend it with me. Let me wash away your pain, and show you how to defend yourself more. Promise me you'll fight him off when he's being physical."
"You'll have me? Even though I have to marry him?" I asked him, confused by the prospect. Is he hoping I will somehow get out of this?
"I'll have you any way I can take you, if you're willing to let me."
I stared at him for the longest time, unsure of what to do. I want Davis. God, do I want Davis, but I can't do this to him. I can't have an affair with him. He deserves happiness, not a complicated mess like me.
"Lisa, please. I haven't felt this way in so long. Let me take care of you." He leaned into me, pressing himself against me.
There was a call deep inside me for him. It felt like his presence alone was pulling at my heart. His body drove me mad with lust and love. If I can call it that. All I knew was that I wanted him, all of him ...every piece of him.
"Don't resent me, Davis."
"Never," he whispered.
His lips were mere inches away from my own, so I leaned forward allowing those strong lips of his to take me again. I'd never been kissed with such care as I was when he kissed me. I
don't know how he does it, but he makes kissing feel like more. It feels like pure happiness, like love and devotion. He somehow conveyed a message to me with only his kiss.
You'll be safe with me.
He didn't say the words, but I felt them. I felt them through his kiss, through his hands on my side. I felt it in the way he held me tightly against him, and the way his eyes stared at me tenderly when he pulled away. Our kiss was broken, but the message was clear. I wanted to give him all of me, and take all of him. I can be happy with this, if he can.
"Take care of me, Davis." I pressed my forehead against his, linking my fingers behind his neck. "In every way," I added, hoping he understood what I meant.
"Not here, not like this. When I take care of you in that way, Lisa, it'll be magical. You deserve more than a locker room fuck. I'll show you."
I have never felt so turned on by a promise of pleasure as I had now. His voice alone made me quiver with want as he spoke those words.
I can't wait to see what he has planned for me ...for us.