Out of Darkness by Laramie Briscoe Read Free Book Online Page A

to have a baby,” Meredith sighed. “This is what I wanted for so long, and I feel like the world is just moving on without me.”
    “Nothing moves on without you, Meredith. Your world goes at your pace, theirs goes at theirs.”
    “And trust me, I know that, but I’m just sick of Tyler sleeping on the floor. If you get what I mean.”
    A patient smile appeared on Doctor Jones’ face. “You really think you’re ready for that?”
    “I think I’m getting there, but I’m not sure how not to freak out.”
    Doctor Jones thought over her words carefully and very softly suggested her regimen of therapy. “Masturbation.”
    “What?” Meredith coughed, her face flaming red.
    “You have to get comfortable with sexual feelings and touches again. What better way to do that than for you to have complete control over what you’re doing. He can even watch.”
    “The hell he will,” she shouted.
    “You’ve never done that before?”
    Something about the older woman asking her that caused Meredith to giggle and then she couldn’t stop. “Are you a freak under those professional clothes, Doc?”
    “Two consenting adults watching each other masturbate does not a freak make,” she smiled, not really answering the question.
    Meredith could see where the doctor was coming from and was sure that she’d used this method of treatment with other rape survivors before, but she honestly knew nothing about what the doctor was asking her to do. “Where do I even begin?”
    “Tell Tyler to take you to Upton,” she smiled mysteriously.
    “What’s in Upton?”
    “Trust me, Tyler knows and he won’t even question it. Just walk out that door, tell him to take you there, and I’d like to see you in the next couple of days.”
    Armed with her new ‘homework’ fresh in her brain, Meredith walked out, a bemused look on her face. Tyler had a cell phone to his ear and was grinning in an evilly wicked way she’d never seen before. Holding up his finger, he continued talking for a few moments before ending the call.
    “Everything alright?” she asked when he doubled over with laughter.
    “Jagger ran into a chair and broke his toe. The ‘curse of the skull’ is in full effect.”
    She couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.
    “Seriously, is that damn thing cursed or not?”
    “What do you think?” he asked her with a quirked brow.
    The fact of the matter was, she just wasn’t sure. Jagger was making a good case for it being cursed though. “I don’t know still. I’ll reserve judgment for a later date. Now I have a favor to ask.”
    “What’s that?” he asked, leaning against the bike. His long legs crossed at the ankle and his hands rested at his sides. She loved how comfortable he was in his body. A small amused smile still played at the edges of his lips.
    “Can you take me to Upton?”
    His eyes darkened and that smile turned sexy, transforming his face. “You sure?”
    “Yeah. Doc Jones told me to ask you to take me there. I’m not sure what’s there, but she said it was crucial to my recovery.”
    He hopped on the bike and patted the seat behind him for her. Once she got on and put her arms around him, he turned his face into hers and quickly connected their lips. “This, baby, is going to be my complete pleasure.”

Chapter Ten

    M eredith couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as she and Tyler made their way north up I-65. Being with him on a bike was quickly becoming her very favorite place to be. As he wove in and out of traffic, she enjoyed the scenery. A few years before, a major ice storm had destroyed most of the brush and trees along the interstate, but they were beginning to make a comeback. Given the time of year and the fact they’d had plenty of rain, the colors were beautiful. Gripping his waist, she took the moment to lean her head against his back and just breathe.
    It felt like this every time.
    She could breathe with him around. She could let down her guard and not worry