A/N: Keeping up the emotions here. I truly hope this one solidifies their bond for you, because that was my attempt in writing it. Also, I've attached the song that's referenced if you'd like to hear it :) Thank you for your lovely votes, comments, and for just reading this story! It means the world to me! Xo

*TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains references to sensitive material previously noted, which may be unpleasant for some readers. Please skip to Chapter 21 (or 22) if you do not wish to read said content. Thank you for understanding that this is only fictional and I mean no attack or offense toward any of you.

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Chapter 19: I tightened my grip around him and he returned the gesture. I smiled before kissing his chest over his heartbeat. He rocked me back and forth, humming a sweet melody into my ear. Safe.

My gut carved a sharp image into my mind as Jamie's humming faded from my conscience; if it was Brad who knocked earlier then that meant he knew where I lived. And no one outside of my family knew where I lived...

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I decided to cast my fears aside for the moment. My dad would be here in a few hours and I'd tell him I was afraid Brad had been the one who knocked. For now, I didn't want to cause any ruffles by worrying Jamie. He'd spent enough time concerned about me, and I also deserved a break from the dread. No one was going to harm me with Jamie around, because he wouldn't let anything happen. And although something horrific did happen, it still wasn't his fault. As badly as we both wanted him to protect me from everything, he simply couldn't.

I was still straddling his lap, my face buried in his neck. I breathed in his scent that reassured me I was home, while he continued humming a familiar tune.

"What song are you humming?" I asked softly.

He traced lazy circles around my back. The warmth of his embrace was soothing. "It's a Chris Daughtry song."

"Which one?" I recognized the melody, but couldn't place the lyrics.

He started singing one of the lines. I quickly sat up and interrupted at the sound of his voice.

"You can sing?"

His eyes were light as he grinned. "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me? Better yet, why haven't you ever sung in front of me?"

He shrugged. "A little stage freight maybe. I was in a band once upon a time for shits and giggles. Nothing serious, but at the time we thought we were good."

I laughed, picturing him in a rock and roll tee, tight jeans, and a guitar strapped to his torso. What I wouldn't give to stand in the front row of that show! Just my own mental image had me salivating.

"And I may not sing in front of you," he added, "but I've sang to you."

"I think I'd remember that," I argued.

"Not if you're unconscious."

He chuckled at the expression I gave him.

"When you're asleep, I mean. I've sang to you while you were lost in peaceful dreams."

I blushed, not realizing how much this man must adore me if he'd lose himself in song while I wasn't even listening.

My eyes drifted to his chin where I gently stroked his grown out beard. "Will you sing to me now?"

"Any requests?" His smile was wide. If he didn't want to expose this side of himself, he was going to because I'd asked. And he knew it'd make me happy.

"Yes, the song you've been humming. It's driving me crazy that I can't think of it!"

He nodded before continuing where he'd left off.

"Where you wanna go? I'd love to take you there. Wish that I could make the road easy, I wish that life was fair."

I knew which song it was now. The goosebumps and butterflies flared as the lyrics and his gentle, calming voice washed over me. I couldn't help the tears as they began to resurface, because I knew the rest of the words.

"Don't wanna see you cry, even when it rains." He smirked, wiping away the wetness.

"And I hope you don't forget this, you were born for better things. But if you ever fall down straight to the bottom, and you can't get back where you started, with no strength to stand I'm gonna reach for your hand."

I was voluntarily humming along with him.

"When the going gets rough, right when it's hurting, I will be there to help bear the burden. Any place any time-"

I rested my forehead against his, whispering the last line together. "You gotta know for you I'll fight."

My lips fell to his before he had time to go on. The lyrics were fitting, and I knew he wanted me to hear them. The surprise of knowing he could sing so well, and that he'd sang to me while I slept, was overwhelming my heart. He was perfect; maybe not for everyone or even himself, but he was perfect for me. My completed puzzle.

I didn't want to let go of the feel of his soft skin pressed sweetly against mine; however, I needed to move from the couch. I was suddenly very aware of the fact that I was wearing the sweatpants and white t-shirt they'd given me at the hospital, and my ankle was starting to ache from our position.

He breathed me in as he ended the kiss. "Are you okay?"

I swear he could read my mind. "Can we shower or lie down? I've gotta move."

"Absolutely."

I was surprised when he effortlessly lifted us both off of the couch without releasing his embrace. It dawned on me that he wasn't going to let me walk, even though I was fully capable of attempting to. But I didn't protest; being carried in his arms and held tightly wasn't something I wanted to end. I had every intention of soaking up his TLC. Even if he couldn't fix what happened, I could let him help me heal and move on from it.

He flipped on the light in our room before easily setting me on the bed. "I think a bath would be better for your foot," he said.

I nodded in silent agreement. Although I knew he'd hold me up in the shower if I needed him to, a relaxing bath sounded like actual Heaven at the moment.

"I'll be back." He leaned down to kiss the top of my head before he disappeared into the bathroom.

I sat on the comforter trying to push aside all the flashbacks that began haunting me as soon as Jamie left me alone. My mind was racing a hundred miles per hour. There was a lot ahead of us. Not only was my father coming to get involved, but I had to legally go about handling the sexual assault case, as well. And that terrified me, because it meant I'd have to see Brad in person again. Also, I feared for the future of my own strength. Would I ever fully wash myself of the nightmare of what happened? Would I see Brad's face every night as I lie in bed with my boyfriend? Would I push Jamie away because I couldn't handle my own emotions? Maybe I needed counseling. Hopefully a professional could reset me to the Kelsey I was the last moment Jamie and I were together, before the incident began.

"Baby," I heard him say, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry," I mumbled by default.

"Stop saying sorry," he replied, his accent thick.

I looked up at him and half-smiled. His eyes gazed deep into mine as if he were trying to read my very thoughts. I wouldn't be surprised if he could, he somehow managed to pull me out of my darkest headspace.

"I was saying we need to take your bandage off, and I'll do it for you if you want."

"Oh," I answered, "go ahead."

I scooted to the edge of the bed as he knelt before me and took my foot gently in his hand.

My mind started to slip back into remembering how I even got hurt, but I couldn't recall, as hard as I tried. That thought began leading into another before I stopped myself. I needed to focus on the here and now, so I watched him as he delicately twisted the bandage from its place around my ankle. In this position he was down on one knee, and I clung to the vision of him in a black suit with his hair swept back, blue eyes bright, asking me to marry him with a shiny diamond ring in a little velvet box. It wasn't hard to do, because I envisioned it frequently. I even rehearsed my own reaction in my head. Of course I'd say yes, but would I act surprised or tell him it was about time?

He looked up at me with a smile, asking a simple question.

"Yes," I whispered.

"Okay then, here." He offered me his hand as his question finally registered. He'd wanted to know if I was ready...for a bath.

I hobbled behind him, and as my bare feet hit the cold tile floor I saw the candles he'd lit. He had already used them twice since he'd moved in.

"I had to forego the rose petals, madam," he said.

I giggled at his exaggerated accent. "No problem. After you, good sir."

His light-hearted, silly mood was not an accident, and I was grateful that he was able to pull some happiness out of me. If anyone could right now, it was Jamie.

I waited for him to get in before he instructed me to sit with my back against his chest. I eased myself into the warm water, letting it lap away the darkness. His arm came around my waist, pulling me toward him. I tilted my head, kissing his neck softly while he scooped the liquid up with his hand to wet my dry torso.

I closed my eyes, allowing him to bathe me. Enjoying every gentle caress and knowing he meant it out of love, nothing sexual. The scent of lavender filled the air, relaxing me to a new depth. He asked me to lean forward so he could wash my back. I saw him set the loofa down beside us and was confused until I felt his strong hands on my shoulders. I gasped at the touch.

"Am I hurting you?" he asked.

"God, no, please don't stop."

He kissed the back of my neck before continuing his sweet massage. I felt the muscles releasing their tension beneath his fingers, and he worked out every knot he found. I never wanted to move; he was erasing all the pent up fear and stress my body was holding onto. I was thankful for his tender care. This was what he'd deserved after his accident and I didn't give it to him. I made a mental promise to myself that I owed him a whole day and night of personal attention, and would pay him back in the near future. If I was able to keep the ghosts at bay long enough to enjoy it.

After a good while, he moved his hands back around my waist, once again pulling me into him. "I love you," he said, as his lips brushed my ear.

"I love you more," I replied, intertwining our slick fingers.

"I am going to do everything in my power to make sure the rest of his days on Earth are a living hell."

Closing my eyes I smiled, knowing he meant it. He and my dad were going to settle the score. I wanted nothing more than for Brad to hurt like I hurt; to not be able to sleep at night, and to never truly be loved by a soul. Because despite his attempt I would sleep again, and it'd be beside the man of my dreams; the man who worshipped me. Brad didn't deserve that, and I was certain he was going to pay the ultimate price for his actions.

Leaving the soothing water behind, Jamie wrapped me in a towel as we stood in our bathroom. I grinned as I watched him in the mirror tuck the end of his around his waist. He offered me his hand, leading me back into the bedroom.

"Here," he said, "sit, and I'll wrap your foot back up."

I followed his instructions as he knelt once more, reversing his previous actions and securing my foot in its bandage. The doctor had told me to ice it, but it wasn't hurting too terribly bad, so I let it go for the night. Ibuprofen would hold me until morning. Besides, ice was the last thing I wanted to touch after a warm bath.

He stood, his eyes sullen as he stared down at me. His change of expression was confusing, almost alarming, but before I could ask he spoke.

"May I..." he began.

I waited for him to finish the request for whatever he wanted, but instead his large hand cupped my chin. I tried desperately to read his mind as he continued to regard me.

"Look you over?" he finally finished.

I wrinkled my forehead in uncertainty. A moment later I realized what he was asking. I stood, inwardly cursing my sprained ankle as I put weight on it. I dropped my towel to the side, silently answering. I watched as his eyes moved from my neck, to my arms, and across my chest.

My mouth was dry as I tried to speak. "You can touch."

He met my gaze for further approval before lightly rolling my arms to the side to see where the fingerprint bruises were. I watched the darkness creep across his face; he looked as disgusted as I felt. He moved my hair, looking closely at my neck and feeling up through my scalp with his fingers. He dropped to his knees, gently running his strong hands from my stomach to my hips. I voluntarily parted my legs as he ran his eyes over them carefully.

He cleared his throat. "You have a bruise."

I peered at him as he ran his thumb over it. It was near the top of my inner thigh. Panic rushed through me. They'd said there was no evidence he'd raped me, but why did I have bruising so close to there? And how had my freaking ankle gotten hurt? I felt the stinging in my eyes begin at the terror, so I shut them tightly, not wanting to startle Jamie.

His hands were on my face almost immediately. "Shh," he cooed, "you're okay. I'm here."

I wrapped my arms around his bare torso and relished in the skin-to-skin contact. The closeness and his warmth were the only things erasing the memories.

Stepping back, I caught his gaze. "Jamie," I whispered.

"What is it?"

"Will you..." I felt silly for asking, and slightly embarrassed by my need.

"Anything, baby."

"Make love to me," I blurted.

The shock was evident on his face, and I instantly regretted my plea.

"Oh, Kels." He stroked my hair. "I'd never turn down the opportunity, but I don't think it's appropriate timing."

"What if I told you I needed it?"

He sighed, and I could see his internal battle playing out. "You just went through a traumatic experience. I don't want to hurt you more than you're already hurting. Physically and mentally."

"Please," I begged. "You won't hurt me, you'll fix me. The last person that touched me like that was Brad. I want the last and only person to be you."

I saw my words cutting into him as his eyes frantically searched mine. He knew I was right; Brad had taken me from him and done only God knows what. Another man had touched what was his, and I knew that hurt him, because it hurt me, too. Brad's threats had been brought to life.

"Erase him from me, Jamie. I want to feel clean, inside and out. You're the only one who can wash away the demons."

He ran his hands through his hair as he contemplated my words. "If I do this to... If I do this with you," he corrected, "you have to promise you'll say stop if you need me to stop."

"I would never need you to stop," I argued.

"Just promise me, Kelsey."

His hardened expression said he meant business, and I appreciated that he knew I wasn't simply looking for an orgasm. I actually needed him to treat my body the way it deserved to be treated. Lovingly.

"I promise."

"Hang on," he said, disappearing to the bathroom.

I lay on the bed, awaiting his return. He came back out a minute later carrying a candle he'd re-lit. I watched him set it on the end table before flipping off the light.

"If the darkness becomes too much, let me know." And I knew he meant it in more ways than one.

He crawled onto the mattress and hovered over me, examining my expression carefully. I could tell he didn't know where to begin, because he was afraid. His moral compass was warning him not to go on.

I giggled, trying to lighten the mood. "It's just me, baby. I won't bite."

He briefly closed his eyes. "It's not about that. I don't want to make it worse."

I placed my palms on his shoulders to reassure him. "I wouldn't have asked you to if I wasn't certain you'd make it better. Now stop overthinking it and kiss me."

He smiled, his mood finally lightening at my words. It didn't take him much longer to lose himself. His lips sucked at mine before he dipped his tongue into my mouth, massaging my own. The kiss was passionate, they always were, but there was more emotion behind this one than the others, for both of us. I wanted him to pour his worries out as much as I wanted to rid myself of the ghosts.

Breathless he parted, dropping to my neck and pressing soft kisses to my pulse point. His hand wedged between us as he let his fingers slide gingerly over the skin of my stomach. I trembled as his feather light touch tickled upward to my chest. He cupped my breast in his palm and gently caressed it. The feeling of his touch, the one I had memorized, grounded me, while at the same time caused me to arch off the bed, leaning into it.

"You're beautiful," he whispered across my skin. "Perfect."

My fingers tangled in his hair as he left a trail with his lips down to my belly button. All coherent thought finally departed from my brain, as I got lost in a world of pleasure instead. It was a welcomed sensation and one I wanted to savor, denying reality the opportunity to sneak back in.

I held my breath when I watched him scoot between my legs, bracing myself for the sensual torture. But it didn't come; instead he left a kiss to the bruise on my inner thigh, causing my heart to flutter at the sincerity.

He traced the same line he'd just made back up to my neck, taking time to press his lips over the bruises on the backs of my arms. He moved to rest on his hands above me. I smiled, noticing the fear gone from his eyes, replaced with one of desire and pure love.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

I cupped his face in my hands at his sweet question. "More than okay."

His own smile widened before he removed himself from me. The loss of his skin against mine instantly brought the monsters back to life, but I cast them aside, trying to memorize his warmth even when it wasn't there.

I felt him move behind me and when I looked upside down, he was resting against the headboard.

"Come here," he wiggled his finger, causing the butterflies to spin in mad circles.

I rolled over and crawled up to him. He reached for my hand, guiding me straddle his lap. His arms fell naturally to my waist, as he gazed straight into my damaged soul.

"Do you remember your promise from earlier?" he asked.

"Yes. But it won't be used."

He half-laughed. "Well, I want you to make another."

"Okay."

"Promise you won't take your eyes off mine?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Good," he replied. "I want you to see that I'm the one touching you. You're here, safe with me. Don't get lost in your head, stay in this moment."

The gesture was overwhelming, and I tried everything in my power not to succumb to the tears. I'd wanted this, and he was willing to compromise, even if he didn't fully agree with nor understand my need.

Instinctively, I reached between us to feel his hardened member with my hands. I stroked his velvet skin and watched him fight another internal battle. His grip on my wrist stopped the movements a few seconds later.

"No," he ordered. "It's not about me."

"But I want-"

He cut me off. "You want or you need?"

I bit my lip before rolling my eyes, and his mood lightened again.

"Besides, I don't need help from your hand. Just seeing your reaction to my touch gets me there."

I knew what he meant, and although I wasn't worried about him being hard enough, the reassurance was nice. He didn't want sex; he was fulfilling my request to make love.

He helped guide my hand that still held him, as I slowly sat down onto his length. The feeling of him, and only him, made the shadows disappear. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, a smile etched on his face. I moved myself against him slowly, setting the pace. He was letting me call the shots and control my own pleasure. He wasn't going to push anything. For that, I was grateful.

I held onto his neck, resting my forehead on his, as I steadied my hips in a smooth rhythm up and down. Our eyes never leaving one another's.

"I love you," I said. "Thank you."

He kissed me slowly in response as my pace quickened. I breathed him in, memorizing our embrace, and knowing I was protected.

I felt myself building rapidly, but I didn't want to leap without him. "Move," I instructed.

He furrowed his eyebrows not comprehending.

"Can we move? Switch positions?"

He nodded, holding me in place and sliding us down to lie on our sides, facing each other. He angled my leg, hitting a new spot with the change. Now he could manage the pace, which was much more convenient for my aching leg. Plus it'd allow him to get where he needed to be, while I tried to hold back my own release.

"It's okay, baby," he said, understanding my sudden urge for change.

I shook my head. "No, with you. I can hold-"

He cut me off with a rough kiss, his hand falling between us, rubbing circles around my swollen bud. A moment later we both fell apart as he filled me, claiming me again as his. The solution to erasing the physical damage of the previous night.

I smiled as he moved to pull the sheet up over us, tucking it behind me before encompassing me in his arms. I kissed the tip of his nose.

"Still okay?" he asked.

"Always with you."

"You need to rest," he said softly.

"I will," I replied.

"I'll be right here, fighting off any nightmares."

"Like the true knight in shining armor that you are." I winked, causing him to shake his head.

"I wouldn't go that far. You're stronger than a damsel in distress."

"Does that make me a princess then?" I joked.

"Yes," he chuckled. "I've sent your crown off to be polished."

I kissed him quickly. "You're the best."

"Not even close. Now sleep. Please."

I agreed. "Only if you sing again."

He smiled, and I felt his heart rate increase from the proximity of our closeness. "Deal."

I rolled over in his arms to face the wall, grinning to myself as he sang. I was grateful he'd done everything in his power to right what was wrong for me, at least for the night. There was no clear answer as to how we would get through this, and I knew there was an impending storm once the night passed, so I tried to let the sound of his voice lull me into a peaceful slumber.

But I couldn't shake the unwanted thoughts that resurfaced without warning. Jamie's voice softened, and I thought maybe he assumed I'd drifted to sleep. I didn't want to burden him with my crazy fears that I had no solid facts to support. However, for whatever reason, I couldn't keep it in.

"I think Brad knows where we live," I whispered into the darkness.

His arms tightened around my waist, but he didn't answer.

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