Stolen Innocence Read online

  I rolled out of bed, feeling the wet and sticky remains from his assault on me. I walked to the bathroom to take a shower. I stepped into the steaming hot shower. The torrent of water burned my skin as I scrubbed vigorously to remove the lingering stench that permeated my nose, knowing all too well that it wouldn’t matter how hard I scrubbed. The horrible truth would never be erased. Tears continued to flow down my face, blending with the water from the shower. Stepping out into the steamed up bathroom, I dried myself off before putting on clean panties and a t-shirt. I walked back into my room with a little more resolve.

  Chapter 4

  Job Hunting

  May 7, 2014: Current Day

  Parker

  I am up early making copies of my updated resume. Today, I am going to walk the city looking for a job. I put on my best business outfit, a black pencil skirt, and a red wrap top. A black lacy camisole is underneath the top so it wasn't too revealing. I finish the outfit with my nice black pumps. I put my hair in a messy bun, knowing it is going to be warm today and not wanting to be uncomfortable with the heat since I would be walking.

  It is late spring. The weather is gorgeous, with beautiful pink and white blossoms on all the trees. The flowerbeds are full of beautiful purple irises. The smell of lilacs and daphnia lofts through the breeze. I laugh at how the media portrays Oregon as always so grey and rainy, but Oregon isn’t even in the top ten states with the most rain. The sun is shining bright. I love hearing the birds singing in the trees lining the boardwalk each bird singing a different song. I walk along, watching as workers get ready for the annual Rose Festival celebrations. Some set up booths while others assemble the gigantic rides. Soon, there will be laughter and children everywhere in this usually peaceful spot. I can't believe I will be right downtown for the parades this year. I might even be able to see them from my apartment. I'll have to check out the parade routes.

  I affectionately recall, while looking out at the water, how my mom and I would adopt a sailor for the day. It seemed like so long ago right now. We received the information about a sailor that didn't have family in town. He would get assigned to us, and we always got a handsome one. Who doesn't love a man in uniform? He would come in on one of the huge Navy ships that would dock by the seawall just for the festival. He would be so excited to be shown around our beautiful city, and at the end of the day, we would treat him to one of my mother’s wonderful home cooked meals. That sailor would leave with a very happy tummy, going on and on and telling us that this day was the best day he’s had in a long time. A lot of times we would hear from our previous sailors from years past. If their ship was one that came in again, we would have them join us if they wanted to. It was always fun to hear how their lives were going and what adventures they’d had. I miss my mom; we had so much fun together, and walking through the park made me miss her even more.

  I continue to drop off my resume at several different businesses in the area. When I am done, I realize that it's late afternoon. I decide to sit on one of the waterfront benches. I become conscious I haven't sat down all day. People are walking and skating by, some talking on their phones others talking to themselves. I love watching people. I turn and look when I hear several children laughing while playing in the big fountain, which makes me wish I could go back to the age when all was innocent.

  It’s getting late, so I start to head home. As I am walking, my phone vibrates with a call. It's from a bookstore that I had gone to earlier in the day when I was dropping off my resume.

  "Hello, this is Parker."

  "Hi Parker, this is Mrs. Olson from the bookstore. You came in today and dropped off a resume and I am calling to see if you would like to come in for an interview.?"

  "Yes, in fact, I will be walking back that direction in about fifteen minutes if that works for you?"

  "Yes that will be perfect for me, when you get inside just ask one of the cashier to page me I think it is great that you are so eager for the interview. I look forward to meeting you. Goodbye." I say my goodbyes and hang up with her, I need a job and don’t have the privilege of being too picky right now. Plus, I love to read, it was my escape from my home life. I spent most of my free time in high school in the library, reading all the books that I could, fantasizing that my life was like some of the characters.

  The interview goes great and they offer me a job. They ask me if I can start tomorrow. It isn't full time, but I make sure they are willing to work around my school schedule. The bookstore is the biggest one in Portland. I love the location. It’s in the famed Pearl District on the edge of downtown, occupying an entire city block. They sell new and used books, along with rare and out of print books that you can’t find anywhere else. What makes it so great for me is that it’s just down the street from my new apartment. I'm in heaven, and I can't even imagine all the new books that I will find to read.

  I’m so excited! I finally have my first real job. I’m ecstatic, to say the least. As I'm walking down the street with a huge smile on my face like a cat that swallowed the canary, I call Bridget with my good news. I walk toward the nearest Starbucks to celebrate with my favorite summer drink; a Chai cream Frappuccino. I get her voicemail, so she is probably at softball practice. She is playing summer ball with our old club team. God, I miss playing softball. I leave her a message. Next, I try to call Ash, but I knew I would get his voicemail too. He is constantly in the gym getting ready for college football. I am just ending my voicemail to Ash, thinking about my new job, when the heel of my shoe gets stuck in a crack on the sidewalk. It suddenly stopped me, thrusting me forward.

  I am heading face first right onto the concrete sidewalk. My life flashes before me as if in slow motion. I squeal as I try to brace myself for the pain and embarrassment soon to come. All of a sudden, I feel someone grab me around the waist. I am pulled up swiftly and suddenly with a force that knocks the air from my lungs. I slowly look up over my shoulder to see the broad chest and thick, strong arms that hold me steady.

  “Shit! Are you okay?” the hard body asks. Turning my body to gaze full on at who had picked me up, like a parent would pick up an unrestrained toddler, was this tall, broad-shouldered, dark-haired god. He has the brightest green eyes I have ever seen. A strong, square jaw dusted with a day of stubble, but it’s very well-trimmed, making him even more god-like. He is dressed in a double-breasted grey suit, a crisp black shirt, and a perfectly suited grey tie. This stranger smells of fresh laundry and Gio by Giorgio Armani, which is my favorite. When I would go shopping with my mother, we would always stop at the perfume counters to smell the colognes. Gio was always my favorite.

  I feel an electric current emanating through my entire body from where he is touching me. I can feel my face turning red and my breathing is totally erratic. This is the closest I have ever been to a man other than Hank. Forgetting to breathe, I feel lightheaded; my head is spinning, and my knees are buckling.

  “Breathe,” whispered tall, dark, and oh so handsome.

  I gasp, holding my hand to my chest. “Oh shit! Thank you," I whisper.

  Breathe, yes, breathing is right. “I thought for sure I was going to fall flat on my face.” My cheeks are feeling flush. He lets out a low husky chuckle that vibrates in his chest, and then I see it. The dimple. It appears when he smiles. “I...I was so preoccupied I didn’t even notice the huge crack in the sidewalk,” I say as I shudder with embarrassment, feeling my face turning fifty shades of red.

  As I try to compose myself, I notice his creased brow studying me.

  "Are you sure you’re okay?" he asks, his breath is warm and minty.

  He slowly releases his arm from around my waist as I regain my balance. I suddenly have the oddest feeling of loss and emptiness as he let me go.

  I shyly glance up into his eyes and smile. "Yes, and thank you again for rescuing me from what could have been a ghastly outcome."

  He stares so intensely into my eyes that I feel as if he can see my deepest, darkest secrets, my dreams, and my fear
s. Breaking eye contact first, I look down, embarrassed. I kneel to pull my now-broken shoe out of the crack, putting it back on my foot. I then turn to limp away with my broken heel and what’s left of my dignity.

  "Wait!" he says, at the same time reaching out to gently grasp my shoulder.

  I flinch at his touch, not expecting it as I look up at him, feeling confused. He quickly pulls his hand away as if conceding, looking perplexed at my reaction.

  "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, but I just... I just had to say that you have the most beautiful eyes that I’ve ever seen." A smile spreads across his face, revealing the most perfect white teeth, and oh, that dimple. My stomach does a flip. What this feeling is, I have never been attracted to a man like this before.

  "Thank you!" I say, as I look up through my eyelashes. Feeling extremely shy, I slip off my shoes, picking them up as I turn quickly to run away, leaving tall, dark, and gorgeous behind me. I can hear him calling after me to wait. I keep my steady pace, not turning back, rushing to my apartment. I feel like Cinderella. I can't believe I ran away from him, but I was so scared that it would end up like my date with Ash, what a disaster that was. Maybe I'm not girlfriend material.

  Once I reach my apartment, I realize I didn't stop at Starbucks for my celebratory drink. I think to myself that I would trade all the Frappuccinos in the world for him to catch me in his arms like that again.

  After changing into a pair of sweats, I fix myself a small salad for dinner and curl up on the edge of the old tattered sofa and eat while I go over the unexpected events from the day in my mind. A huge smile spreads across my face while thinking of him. I walk into the bathroom for a long, hot shower. My mind wanders back to those beautiful green eyes and that dimple. What am I thinking? Even if he is interested in me, once he knows my secret, he will be long gone. No one wants damaged goods. I turn the water off, grabbing a towel to dry myself. I daydream of what my life could be like with a man like that. I pull on a pair of boxers, a tank top, and finish with my nightly ritual. I pick out what to wear to work the next day. I’m exhausted and my head is still reeling from the day’s events. I pull down the bed, climbing in for the night. Picking up my iPad, I had been looking at different Oregon treasures, things I would like to see in the future, I would really like to see Multnomah Falls, there is something about waterfalls that fascinate me, I open it to my latest article on Oregon Hidden Treasures Day Trips from Portland, trying to clear my head and calm my mind, but it's no use. I keep going back to him. I close my iPad and set it on the nightstand, then cuddle down in my covers as I listen to the downtown noise. I finally drift off to sleep, dreaming of grey suits, ties, messy dark hair, bright green eyes, and that dimple. It’s the best sleep I’ve experienced in a very long time.

  Catch of the Day

  Ian

  What a day it’s been. Everything I've touched today came together. Now it's time to make the day complete. If I can close this last deal tonight, the day will be a total success.

  Well, well, well, what's this in front of me? Hot blonde, nice ass, long legs, but what about the face? If the face isn't there, forget it. I'm not the bag over the face kind of guy. I walk faster; I have to catch up with her to see the rest of her. Maybe if I'm lucky I can really celebrate after my meeting.

  She walks fast, especially in those high heels, which make her legs look a mile long. I would love to stroke those legs tonight. I watch as her heel sinks into a crack as it gets caught in the sidewalk. Oh, shit, she’s going to biff it if I can't reach her in time. Luckily, I grab her around the waist and pull her up just as she is about to eat it.

  Shit, that was close. She looks over her shoulder and straight into my eyes, as if she can see my soul.

  What in the world? I feel like I just got zapped by something. It runs through me from where we're touching and tingles down my spine. What is this sensation coursing through my body?

  I know she feels it too because she's not breathing. I continue to hold her until she is steady on her feet.

  She blushes. I don't see that very often. Most women downtown are so starched, uptight, and need a good lay to loosen up. She's seems different, almost innocent. She is embarrassed. Her face is turning red. God, she is constantly blushing, that's hot. I'm not even paying attention to what she is saying because she captivates me.

  Studying her, I scan her body. She’s wearing a black tight skirt that accentuates her ass and a red top with black lace underneath. God, I love lace. Nothing turns me on more than lace.

  I glance down into her beautiful blue eyes. They are almost a midnight blue, with a dark blue ring around the outside. I haven't seen eyes that color of blue before. She puts her broken shoe back on and starts to walk away. That is the funniest thing I have ever seen. God, what is it about her? My heart skips a beat.

  I need to look into her eyes again, they are so remarkable, I reach for her but she jumps when I touch her.

  "You have the most beautiful eyes that I’ve ever seen." She blushes again and gives me the cute shy smile. Then she picks up her shoes and runs away. I didn't even get her name. I have never had a woman affect me this way, and God knows I've seen enough women to know.

  God! I have to find out who she is, but how am I going to do that in a city this size? Why did I have to go to a meeting? I would have run after her. Shit! My meeting. I can't think around her. Fuck!

  Chapter 5

  First Day on the Job

  Parker

  I wake up refreshed and eager for the day, not sure what to expect. Most of my experience has to do with babysitting. I mean, I did work at the school library, as well as in the student store, but this is going to be for real. With my first real job, I am feeling alive and excited for what lies ahead of me. It might not be the ideal job, but it was mine, and that's all that mattered.

  I lift my bed back into the wall before walking into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I grab a few slices of bread, making a peanut butter sandwich for the day’s lunch, taking an extra slice for toast. I chuckle to myself, thinking as I make lunch for work... I’ve never had to do that before. I'm experiencing so many firsts right now: first apartment, first job, that first touch from him... that zap of electricity from where he touched me. What was that? And that dimple. Oh, my god, that dimple. Smiling, I quickly shake the thoughts from my head and grab an apple and yogurt from the small fridge. I put them both in the bottom of the bag, making sure the sandwich is on top to avoid getting it squished. I hastily grab a spoon and napkin, tossing them in the bag as well.

  I walk to the bathroom to finish getting ready. Grabbing the clothes that I had laid out on the sofa the night before, I quickly get dressed. I glance at myself in the mirror. I wonder: can anyone see the secrets that I hold so deep inside? Can they see that I'm broken? I shake the thoughts from my head.

  Today, I will be in training. I was told I don't have to worry about dressing in anything fancy because their dress code was casual. I settled on a nice pair of jeans since stocking shelves will consume most of the day. Pulling on my jeans, I layer a white cotton shirt with blue embroidery and a camisole underneath. The blue embroidery accentuates the blue in my eyes. I grab my favorite pair of Chucks, my lunch, and hurriedly run out the door. I want to be a little early for work so I can get situated.

  The walk is exhilarating; the sun is shining bright, the air is crisp, and the smell of sweet spring flowers is everywhere.

  Arriving at the store, I see Mrs. Olson, my manager, at the front register. “Good morning, Parker,” she says cheerfully. “I’ll be right there.” She is just finishing up with her customer. I give her a quick smile and wave in return before heading to the back room where the employee lockers are. I put my lunch in the fridge and tuck my phone into my back pocket after turning the ringer off. I take a quick check in the mirror before I start back out to familiarize myself with the store floor plan until Mrs. Olson is ready to show me the ropes.

  Mrs. Olson finds me in an aisle of b
ooks. "Hello, Mrs. Olson," I say with a smile.

  "Oh please, I'm not that old. Just call me Karen." She wasn't. She might be around thirty. She has light brown hair, but it is obvious that she is a sun worshipper, with premature lines around her hazel eyes. She is about five-feet six-inches, with a tiny figure and a friendly smile that made her eyes twinkle.

  "Okay," I reply.

  She is ready to show me what needs to be done each day when I'm not running the register. The day flew by quickly and before I know it, I am on my way back to my apartment.

  Feeling a little restless, I decide to go for a run. Changing into shorts and a tank top, I sit down on the sofa to put my Nike running shoes on. I pull my hair into a high ponytail and grab my water bottle before walking out the door. I secure my key in the inside pocket of my shorts and place a small hand towel under my waist band at the back of my shorts to wipe away my sweat, then I place my iPhone in my sports bra, planting the ear buds securely in my ears before I head outside.

  It's warm out, and I've already drank most of my water. I stop by a Benson Bubbler to refill my bottle. I have Imagine Dragons playing loudly on my iPhone. I'm dancing to the music while filling my bottle, to keep my muscles warm, not paying any attention to anything around me. I'm just starting to put the lid on my water bottle when someone taps me on the shoulder, scaring the living shit out of me. I flinch, swinging my arms as water flies everywhere, soaking myself and the person who tapped my shoulder. Shocked, I turn to see who tapped me as I see water running down the face of... Oh, my God! It's tall, dark, and dimple. Pulling my ear buds out and grabbing my towel, I begin to wipe the water from his face and shirt. Oh, his chest is so hard. I can feel all the ripples as his muscles tense under his shirt. There's that zap of electricity that runs through me again as I touch him. What is that? He’s wearing a charcoal two-button jacket and matching slacks, with a white shirt. Since I had just drenched him with water, it looks like he’s participated in a wet t-shirt contest. He’s wearing a skinny black tie and his jacket and shirtsleeves are pushed up to his elbows. God, he is hot. I'm so embarrassed. "Well, if you ever think about competing in a wet t-shirt contest you would probably win!" Why the hell did I just say that! Shit. A huge smile breaks across his face.