Protect and Correct (4 page)

“Someone tried to murder you?” Brooke sounded shocked.

“Locked me in a car and set it on fire. That is how I met Dr. Nguyen… Denise. My wife and I had our identities changed and moved up to Maine until the trial was over. I still have some burn marks on parts of my body, but this pretty face, as Denise calls it, was not the one I started with. It took me a long time to get used to the stranger who stared back at me every morning. It took even longer for Carol to be able to touch me. In her eyes, I was a different man than the one she married.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”

“Partially because we don’t make a habit of sharing a past that no longer exists. But with you now… It is different. You needed to come to face the fact that you are afraid and feel vulnerable. You didn’t need to know my story, but I felt the need to share it. This insecurity you are feeling is normal for what we have been through. We still visualize ourselves somewhere between the ugly old and the strange new face. I also had a very uncoordinated new body that still struggled against the pain from the burns and scar tissue. The people of the town are a tiny community and liked to gossip, and I was… ashamed.” He kissed her temple, “I know how it feels to be uncomfortable in your own skin. Brooke, honey, this beautiful face and body are yours now. Enjoy it. I know I intend to.”

“What do you mean by that?” Brooke demanded as she pulled away.

“Get back here and stop being so defensive. I enjoy looking at you, okay? After all, I was the Dr. Frankenstein of the operation who picked your parts.”

“Are you sure you don’t mean Dr. Spankenstein?” Brooke rubbed her hot flesh and then sat gingerly on the cold, leather seat.

“Maybe…” he chuckled. “Do we have an understanding now, Mrs. Doyle?”

“I suppose,” Brooke sniffed, accepting the paper napkin he handed her.

“Was this spanking enjoyable for you? I recall you making a comment that you might like it.”

“Noooo. I hated it,” Brooke shuddered, leaning against him. “I’m sorry I put you through all this. I really am not a mean person.”

“I know you aren’t. I specifically asked to take your case when I found out about it,” Collin admitted quietly. “I sat in on one of your trials once, in my other skin. You made an impression on me.”

“Of course it did. That face was so ugly not even my mother loved it. Did we meet?”

“No. I was an observer. It was the Gardenia Massacre…”

Brooke startled visibly, feeing the blood rush from her face. “Oh my God… Collin, it’s him! He’s back, and he must be out for revenge!”

Chapter Three

“What do you means he is back? He was executed three years ago.”

“I just remembered the distinct smell of something sweet, like rotting flowers, as I went down.” Brooke tried to control her quaking. “I felt a bite on my neck after I got off the bus to get to my house, like from one of those stupid flies. I didn’t pay any attention because it was pouring, but shortly after turning the corner towards my lot, I began to feel dizzy. I remember grabbing a tree to steady myself, and then something was placed over my head that reeked of fertilizer.”

“Fuck.”

“Collin, what are we going to do? That means we either have a copycat or the guy we sent to jail was a setup. This guy is smart and obviously patient. He had to have been studying my daily routine and waiting for the perfect time to grab me. If there is way to find me…”

“Okay, calm down,” Collin interrupted. “Let’s get some food and warm up a bit. We can talk about this later.”

“Good, because I know this case and—”

“Brooke… Please get this idea out of your head. You are not going to help beyond telling me what you know.”

“Aw, Collin, please—”

“Don’t ‘aw, Collin’ me. Discussion ended. And no pouting. I am immune.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“I can spank much harder than this. Are you really in the mood to test me? No? Good girl.”

Several hand towels were waiting for them as they reentered the restaurant. Brooke pushed aside the hair that was plastered to her face and forced a shy smile as she dabbed her skin with the waitress helping dry her. Collin ordered Brooke to join him in the booth and pointed to her face, which had an expression that was both comical and pathetic.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” he warned, lifting a brow.

“Wouldn’t what?” Brooke feigned innocence once again.

“Wouldn’t say what is on your mind, kiddo. It will only spell trouble for you. Keep biting your tongue.”

“You are a big bully.”

“So I’ve been told,” he grinned, winking at her. “So, how is your bottom?”

“Very funny.”

* * *

“Are we there yet? It doesn’t look like the rain is ever going to stop,” Brooke grumbled after ten minutes of resuming their course.

“Nope. Bored?” Collin asked, increasing the speed of the window wipers.

“Hell, yeah. And tired. And uncomfortable.”

“I gather you have never had your ass blistered before,” Collin chuckled, glancing at her.

“Keep your eyes on the road, buddy. This is not amusing.”

“Quite the contrary. A good spanking did wonders for your disposition. Still a bit snarky, but definitely less objectionable. Someone should have laid into you years ago.”

“Will you please stop teasing me? I am not in the mood.”

“Actually, I was not teasing. I was quite serious.”

“Gentlemen do not strike ladies,” Brooke sniffed.

“It is good to hear that you consider yourself a lady. I was wondering about that.”

“What exactly do you mean by that comment?”

“You spend so much time and energy trying to be viewed as a man that you seem to have forgotten your feminine side. Don’t forget that I was there as you went through rehab. You refused assistance because, and I quote, you ‘are not some simpering female in need of a rescuer’, unquote.”

“So what? I don’t need you to open doors for me or hold out my chair or carry my bag to my room. I am quite capable.”

“Brooke? Has anyone ever treated you like a lady? You were married. Did you husband ever make you feel like a woman?”

“I told you before that we married out of convenience. Mostly his convenience, FYI. He wanted someone to pay the bills, and in my mind, he was better than nothing.”

“How sad. Do you mind if I ask you how it translated to your sex life?”

Brooke was silent, turning to stare out the dark window. The only visible light was the occasional oncoming headlight reflecting on the wet road.

“Brooke?”

“There was no sex life, okay?” she forced out, once again victim to the hot, humiliating tears as they welled in her eyes. “Damn it, Collin, I am
not
a crier! Did this new face come equipped with extra tear ducts?”

“No sex life? Brooke, are you still…”

“A virgin? Yeah. No big deal, okay? You know you’re ugly when a man doesn’t even want to touch you in the dark.”

“I’m sorry,” Collin said softly. “I didn’t mean to get you upset.”

“It isn’t your fault. The biggest insult to my pride is that he was legally blind and
still
didn’t want to touch me. Who knows? Maybe I can get laid once this whole mess is over and I am free to show this face publicly.”

“Honey, your husband was a jack-ass, pure and simple. You are better off without him.”

“Why? Because I have you now?”

“Are you in need of another paddling? No more warnings about the attitude, girlie.”

“Sorry,” Brooke acquiesced as her bottom quickly recalled her recent encounter.

It was after midnight when they pulled into the parking lot of a large hotel. Collin had Brooke wait in the car while he checked in and then drove around to their room, muttering something about his opinion of the rain and the effect on his favorite boots.

“Let’s get inside, sleepyhead. A nice hot shower sounds wonderful. Did you take those meds Denise gave you to sleep? You are unusually quiet.”

“Meds are good. I can sleep out here,” Brooke murmured into the seat where she had curled into a tiny ball. With a sigh, Collin reached behind her for the large backpack containing their sparse personal items and flung it over his shoulder as he exited the vehicle. The icy rain streamed down his face as he opened the passenger door to scoop the sleeping Brooke into his arms. She instinctively snuggled against his chest for warmth, mewing like a kitten into the soft flesh of his throat.

“You are so sweet when you are drugged out. I like you this cooperative. It’s such a rarity,” Collin commented as he kicked the car door shut and carried her into the building. He pushed the elevator button with his elbow and felt her body press closer, surprised as to how arousing that simple gesture of trust was for him. He placed her cold, wet body on top of the bed, covered her with a blanket, and retreated to the bathroom for a steaming hot shower. After tossing on a pair of sweat pants, he drew her a bubble bath, uncurled the still sleeping woman, and carried her into the bathroom.

“Let’s get these wet clothes off you and put you in the tub.”

“Aw, Collin, do you have to?”

“Yes, I have to. Settle down.”

“When did it get so cold?” she muttered as he urged her out of the wet clothing and lowered her into the bathtub.

“When we reached New Hampshire and the coastline, baby. Lean forward and I’ll wash your back,” Collin answered gently, wondering how cognizant she was of the intimacy they shared. He had to be careful. He had already crossed the line of professionalism several times that evening.

“I’m
neked
,” she giggled, burying her face in her arms on the tub’s edge. “You have nice hands. Why are you so nice to me?”

“You do know that you are stoned, right? Otherwise, you would be trying to castrate me.”

“I’m an idiot. I know it’s your job to protect me. I’m not very grateful, am I?”

“What I would do to make you remember this conversation when the sleeping pills wear off,” Collin chuckled. “You are the most stubborn, independent, and ill-tempered person I have ever met. But there is something about you that makes me believe it is all an act. I intend to find out if I am right.”

“You’re really handsome. You can take advantage of me, you know.” Brooke looked at him through heavily-lidded eyes. “I wouldn’t stop you.”

“No. Besides the fact that this is your medication talking, I would never risk our relationship by forcing myself on you.”

“We don’t have a relationship. Plus,” Brooke yawned, her head bobbing as she fought sleep, “it wouldn’t be forcing if I asked.”

“You are so doped up. How many of those did you take? Two?” Collin sighed as she held up two fingers. “Damn, girl… Let me put you to bed.” He let the water out of the tub and wrapped a large bath towel around her shoulders before carrying her to the king-sized bed. After patting her dry, he maneuvered her under the crisp white sheets and watched her snuggle into the pillow. Suppressing a yawn, he then hung their wet clothes, turned up the thermostat, and climbed wearily into the bed next to her.

She might as well get used to it
, Collin thought as he pulled her body close to his.
I am not letting this one out of my sight.
A small smile met his lips, and he fell asleep with Brooke cuddled protectively in his arms.

* * *

Brooke slowly awakened the next morning to an uncomfortable item lodged against her back and a stocky arm and heavy leg pinning her naked body to the bed.
Naked? Shit!

“Collin! Wake up!” she yelled, trying to pushed him away. “Where the hell are my clothes?”

“Hmm? Morning already? What is your problem?” he asked, increasing his hold as he pulled her tighter against his chest.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? Let me go! And get your damn knee out of my back!”

“Sorry, babe, that ain’t a knee,” Collin chuckled, releasing the irate woman. He opened his eyes, half squinting as she rushed from his hold as though she had been bitten. She clutched the blankets to her chest to hide her perfect, perky new breasts.
Yeah, the plastic surgeon did a nice job on those babies too
… “Ever heard of morning wood?” he continued.

“You get off by embarrassing me, don’t you? What happened last night?”

“Nothing, munchkin. I was an absolute gentlemen, even though you kept coming onto me like I was arm candy. If it were anyone else treating me like a piece of meat, I would have felt so
used
…” he teased, sitting up. The blankets fell from his torso, revealing his heavily padded muscles, and fire-marred chest, shoulder, and upper arm.

Brooke’s eyes widened, staring at the scars in fascination. Collin looked down with a sigh.

“Yeah, I know, not very pretty. It took a long time for me to get used to it, too.”

“Does it… hurt?” Brooke asked, peering closer.

“Not anymore. You can touch me. I won’t bite you. Not yet, anyway.”

Brooke ignored his comment as she reached to run her fingers along the line of thickened tissue that ran the length of his left side. It was warm, smooth, and hairless, the slight puckered ridges soft to touch. She bit her lip as she noticed the scar ran down past the waistline of his sweats.

“How bad?” she asked, eying his crotch.

“You felt your morning wake up call,” he grinned. “Totally preserved, aesthetically pleasing, and fully functional.”

“TMI, thank you.” Brooke frowned. “You said someone tried to kill you? What exactly happened?”

“I had tracked down and shot his brother in self-defense. Remember the Virginia State Bombing? He came after me, as well as several others involved in the case. I saw him outside my car window before the explosion.”

“Is that why you went in the program?”

“Yep. Even though it was a closed trial, I had to expose my new identity when I testified, along with before and after pictures. He was convicted and sent to death row. Virginia took him out two years later.”

“Was it hard to get into the swing of things? I mean, the people who knew you before…”