Chapter Three
Tessa stood under the water and washed her hair and body twice. She wanted to erase the man’s touch. She glanced down at herself and caught sight of the bruises forming and the small cuts she had received from the monster.
She hadn’t realized she was crying and pressed a hand to her mouth to prevent a sob from bursting out. She didn’t want Dominik to see her like this.
Tessa kept telling herself she’d been through so much in the past and had come out stronger. She knew she’d do the same with her situation, but it would take time.
After she got some control of herself, she squeezed as much water as she could from her hair before twisting it in a towel, grabbing another one, and wrapping it around her torso.
She stood in front of the mirror but didn’t look at herself as she smoothed lotion all over her body. She pulled on her robe before pulling the towel from her head. A piercing pain came on the back of her head when she touched it. She raised her hand and felt around, then found a small knot forming. Tessa pushed the thought of how it happened from her brain for the moment. She needed to concentrate on drying her hair. There was plenty of time later to deal with the trauma.
She was careful as she brushed and blow-dried her hair. When it was just wet, she put the dryer away. Her limbs were starting to shake, and she knew from experience that she was crashing from the adrenaline.
When she opened the door, she gasped to find Dominik very close. He moved back a bit and gently grabbed her arm.
“Let’s get you checked out.”
She shook her head and then cringed as a ragged edge of pain shot down her neck. “I’m fine. I’m a nurse, you know.”
“I know that, but you also know what happens to a patient who isn’t watched after being hurt. I can tell you’re barely holding it together.”
“I don’t want you to worry…”
He snorted. “Right. Listen,” he said and pulled her over to her bed. He sat and pulled her between his legs. “I’m going to give you three choices. Either we go to the hospital, or I call your friends to come here, or I check you over and take care of you. What is your choice?”
She thought about it for a moment. “You.”
He nodded. “Where does it hurt?”
“My head.”
He raised his hands and felt around. She hissed when he touched the bump.
“We’ll need to get ice on this. Let’s get the rest done first.”
She held still as he pushed the arm of the robe up to inspect her and then went onto the other one. Her hands clutched at the front of her robe when he went to untie it.
“No.”
Dominik sighed. “I’m sorry, Sweetheart. I need to check all of you.”
“B-but I don’t want you to see me like this. I wanted you to want to see me naked.”
She could feel herself blushing when he stared at her.
“Let’s deal with that later. Your well-being is what’s important right now,” he said.
He tugged a few times before her shoulders relaxed, and she let go of the fabric. She closed her eyes as he pulled one side of the robe open and felt around before doing the other side.
“You’ve got some bruising and a few cuts, but none of them are bleeding right now. I’m mostly worried about your head. What if you have a concussion?”
Tessa shook her head and immediately regretted it. “I don’t. I have a small headache but no nausea, dizziness, or trouble focusing.”
He looked doubtful but let it go. “Let’s get some ice on your head.” He held onto her arm, stood, and pulled the comforter back. “Get in bed, and I’ll go get the ice.”
“Okay.”
He helped her get comfortable. “I’ll be right back.”
She had a strong urge to call him back but stopped herself. He’d already done so much for her, and she didn’t want to add to it.
He came back a moment later and gently set the bag of peas on her head. “Tell me if that hurts.”
“It feels good.”
“I’m going to find you aspirin and get a glass of water.”
“The aspirin is in the cupboard to the right of the kitchen sink.”
“All right. I’ll be back.”
She watched him walk out again and concentrated on keeping the peas on her head.
He handed her the pills and water and took the peas from her hand. “Take these. You’re going to be sore tomorrow, and this will help.”
“I know,” she said, swallowing them and drinking all the water. She looked up at him when he stood still beside the bed.
“How do you know that?” he asked.
She could hear the stress in his tone. “I … I’ve gotten hurt a few times.”
He scowled. “When?”
“A long time ago.”
She could tell he wanted to ask more questions but was thankful he let it go.
“Do you want to put this back on your head?” he asked.
She shook hers. “No. it’s numb right now.”
He set the bag on the nightstand and stood staring at her. She saw the emotions racing over his face but only caught the one telling her he was very uncomfortable.
Tessa cleared her throat. “Hey, why don’t you head home?”
He scowled at her. “You want me to leave?”
She opened and shut her mouth. “It’s not that. You’ve already done so much for me already. I can’t impose anymore.”
“You’re not. I’m going to lock up, and then I’ll crash on the sofa.”
“Y-you could lay in here with me,” she said but regretted it when it made him even more uncomfortable.
“I’ll take the sofa and leave the door open so I can hear you if you need me,” he said.
“Okay.”
He helped her lay down and get comfortable. “Call out for me.”
“I will.”
She watched him go and felt tears fill her eyes. The night had sucked so much, but what made her miserable was the fact that he couldn’t stand to be near her. What did she expect? He’d already told her he didn’t find her attractive and pretty much pushed her away.
Tessa had to stop chasing him. It only embarrassed him and made her sad. She needed to move on. She was thankful for so much in her life. She’d fought for everything: her job, her house, and her friends, but it just made it all sweeter. There were so many times in her childhood she thought she’d never amount to anything. It didn’t help when other people in her life, like teachers or foster parents, would tell her that.
She hadn’t had friends because she was sickly as a child, and then moved around too much from foster home to foster home to keep one. She’d learned early to stay as invisible as possible, and if she wanted to make a life for herself, it was on her to do it. She’d read anything she could get her hands on and found medical magazines interesting enough she learned the different words and abbreviations for some of the things. She also studied as hard as she could and was so excited when she received a full scholarship at a college that specialized in medical training.
Tessa had to get a job for extras like clothing or shampoo and things like that. Her scholarship gave her a four-year degree, housing, and three meals a day. She’d taken advantage of the fact that she could take as many classes as she wanted. She got her four-year degree in two-and-a-half years and spent the rest of the time in specialized training for pediatric nurse.
She received job offers before she even graduated but instead moved to where her only friend lived and worked at the same hospital. She’d met Michelle in her last year and had helped her with a few of her classes.
The more they talked and the more time they spent together, Tessa had let down her walls for the first time in her life and let her in. She’d never regretted the fact she’d taken a chance.
All night, she tried to fall asleep, but every time she did, images of what happened in the alleyway haunted her. She wanted to call out to Dominik but knew it would just make him uncomfortable.
The sun was just rising when she finally fell asleep. When she woke up, it was to find Dominik gone, and there was a note saying the police would be there at a certain time. He’d also set up the town locksmith to come and change the locks on the doors and windows. He said nothing about seeing her later.
She let the tears come. She had to tell herself she couldn’t grieve a relationship when there had never been one.
Tessa got through the rest of the day. She made a statement about the attack to a few detectives who came to her house. Fortunately, she knew them both.
The woman detective took pictures of her body, noting every mark the man had put on her. It mortified her, but she knew it was going to happen. The locksmith came by while they were there, for which she was thankful. She would have been uncomfortable being alone with a man she didn’t know. When she tried to pay him, he told her Dominik had already paid for it.
“I’d still like the bill,” she said. “I want to pay him back.”
He handed her the receipt before leaving. Tessa said goodbye to the detectives. After she heard their car drive away, she locked the door and moved around the house, making sure everything else was locked up tight.
The rest of the day, she tried to keep herself busy. She made herself lay down and nap, knowing she probably wouldn’t be able to sleep that night.
One of the things she got done was to write a check to Dominik with a note thanking him for everything. As much as she wanted to beg him to see her, she cared enough about him to let him live in peace. She put both in an envelope, sealed it, and stamped it. Then, on her way to work the next day, she’d mail it.
The next day was pure hell. Not only was she sore, but she also hadn’t gotten enough sleep or eaten, and everyone kept asking her questions about her lack of sleep. She had told a few close friends about the attack, but she didn’t want anyone else to know yet. Maybe never.