Chapter 55

Grace slept in Ed's bed with him on Sunday night but they just cuddled as she said she wasn't feeling well. He was concerned but she assured him it was just a little stomach bug.

He slept very well with her in his arms though she was gone when he woke in the morning. He went down to the kitchen after his shower and found Grace and Rachel at the breakfast table. Grace was doing a little last minute cramming for her exam and Rachel was reading something on a digital book reader. He nuzzled Grace's neck and she pushed him away with a chuckle.

"Ed! I'm studying!"

He grinned at her. He was so proud of her!

He stepped behind Rachel and brushed his lips down the side of her neck as he slid his hands down her arms.

"Mmmmm!" Rachel sighed and turned her head to receive a sensual kiss from Ed. She felt the kiss right down to her toes. She caught Grace's smirk at Ed.

"Good morning to you as well!" Rachel purred.

Ed made himself some toast and gobbled it down quickly. He wanted to get into the office early so he could clear up his work early and hit the mall on the way home tonight to do some Christmas shopping. He didn't know what he was going to get anyone but he had to start.

He soon discovered his early arrival at work wasn't any guarantee of leaving on time. Mr. Drakos dragged him downtown to visit the Klein Group's offices for a series of meetings. Ed reviewed specs with their designers for the new development and by the time they were done for the day… the day was over. He got a lift back to the office then drove home. He was too tired to eat and just climbed into bed. In minutes he was out.

The following day he had to deal with the work he'd missed the previous day as well as that day's maintenance calls. He was hungry, tired and grumpy when he left the office at 6PM that night. His phone rang while he was on the way home so he hit the hands free button.

"Hello?"

"Edward? Is that you?" Rachel's voice came over his tinny speaker.

"Yes, sorry, I have you on hands free as I'm driving home."

"Oh good! You're on your way! We're in a bind. Zoe's car is in the shop and she was going up to visit Sophia at the penitentiary tonight. It's her last chance to visit before Christmas. Angie went out and we can't reach her. I'm out with Tristan tonight. Grace is at University. Could I ask you to drive Zoe up to see her daughter?"

Ed sniffed himself. He needed a shower. "Do I have time to get cleaned up?"

"Yes! Thank you so much Edward! I'll give her a call to let Zoe know to expect you. Oh! Wear that outfit she picked out for you! It will look so amazing under that new coat of yours!"

Ed snorted in amusement. "Ok, say hello to Dale and Tristan for me, alright?"

"I will! Goodnight and be careful out there! We may get some snow tonight."

Ed said his goodnights and turned up their road. He didn't bother driving into the garage as he was going to be coming out directly. He hustled inside and went right to his room and showered quickly. He blasted himself with cold water to refresh himself. He dried himself off and looked for the clothes Rachel was talking about.

Tight but stretchy, black wicking mid-thigh underwear. A tight charcoal grey wicking undershirt. Black slacks with a military look. Black knit socks and a black knit commando sweater complete with reinforced shoulder, and elbows. Combined with is black work boots, black leather gloves and a black knit cap, he was intimidating enough. Adding the black leather duster just made him stop and stare at himself in the mirror on the way back out the door. Shit! He didn't recognize himself!

He jumped into his truck and pulled up his collar a little to keep the heat in. It was definitely getting colder outside and the wind was picking up. He drove down to Angie's as Zoe was staying with her while her own house was being rebuilt from the foundation up.

He realized he'd forgotten to grab a bite to eat at home before he left as his stomach rumbled. It was too late now.

Ed wondered if Angie had returned home as he rang the doorbell.

Moments later the door opened and Zoe stood in the entrance, her smile quickly being replaced by a look of shock. The wind picked up and he was getting cold so he stepped inside and she had to move quickly to avoid his large body. She squeaked as she continued to stare at the massive shape dressed in black.

"Zoe? ZOE!" Ed said trying to get her out of her daze.

Her large deep brown eyes framed by thick black lashes locked onto his pale blue eyes. The color of ice. She shivered. Those lashes of hers were wide apart as her eyes were trapped by his gaze.

"Are you ready?" he asked. She nodded jerkily, the gold loops in her ears swinging wildly and he reached a finger over to lift her chin to close her mouth. She swallowed and pulled her eyes away. She pulled on her gold, down filled winter jacket and pulled the hood up. The faux fur collar framed her beautiful face. Those lips. Large and sensual, he desperately wanted to kiss them. Her soft pink sweater, now hidden inside the jacket, clung to her surprisingly large tits which were definitely oversized for the small 5' 3" frame. There had been a lot of caramel colored cleavage on display. He tore his eyes away and headed back outside. She grabbed her gold purse and locked up behind herself.

It was definitely getting colder. He opened Zoe's door and helped her in. He reached between her legs and she jumped but he was just pulling a car blanket out from under her seat. He put it on her lap for her to unfold and moved to his own side of the truck. He got in and got them underway.

"Would you like the blanket on your legs?" Zoe asked.

"Yes, please," he replied. She tried to spread the blanket across but it was a little short. She removed her seatbelt and moved to the middle seat and fastened that belt around her. She looked up at him and he smiled at her. She smiled and pulled the blanket over their legs.

Ed could feel her softness pressing against his right side. It felt good but he was driving so he pulled his mind away from that. Soon he pulled onto the interstate. It was a forty five minute drive to get to the penitentiary. "We're probably going to get there close to 7:30PM. When do visiting hours end?" he asked.

Zoe's mind was reeling. Ed looked so dangerous! She was seriously getting turned on. Angie had told her that he had a new jacket but she'd failed to say how incredible he looked in it! He asked her something and was waiting for an answer. Visiting hours?

"Sorry! They have extended hours this week. Until 8:30PM," she said in a rush.

Ed looked at Zoe. She seemed out of breath for some reason. He pulled his attention back to the road. The truck's heater wasn't too good and he had to keep it on defrost to be able to see. He felt Zoe trembling. Maybe it was time to look into getting a new truck. He lifted his right arm over Zoe's head and pulled her tight against his body to share his body heat.

"Oh fuck yes!" Zoe thought. She felt his strength surrounding her and she basked in it. She rested her head against his thick chest muscle under his leather coat and put her left hand on his powerful right thigh. She felt herself drifting away on a cloud of tingly bliss.

Ed drove on, enjoying the feel of Zoe against his side. The time seemed to fly by and soon Ed was pulling off the highway to take them on the county road leading to the penitentiary. They pulled into the parking lot and found a spot someone just vacated by the sidewalk leading to the visitor's entrance. The parking lot was emptying out and Ed noticed there weren't that many visitors left. Maybe four cars. He looked at the line of cars heading out on the small country road and wondered if they knew something he didn't. He turned back to the forbidding looking building. He shut off the engine.

Zoe came out of her daze as Ed turned off the car. She was toasty warm under the blanket and didn't want to move unless it was to climb onto Ed's-

He opened the door and the wind almost yanked it from his hand. Cold air ripped into the cab and he jumped out slamming the door and hustled over to Zoe's side. He opened her door, scooped her into his arms and lifted her out of the cab. He kicked the truck's door closed and ran for the entrance doors with Zoe held against his chest to protect her from the cold winds. He bumped the handicap plate and carried her inside as the doors opened. Once they were inside he lowered her to her feet but she clung to his jacket so he slid her down his chest until her feet touched the floor.

Ed noticed she had her eyes closed and she was trembling. He guessed that she must have gotten a chill. He tucked his cap and gloves into his pocket then opened his jacket. He wrapped it around her, squeezing her tight against the warmth of his knit sweater encased chest.

Zoe moaned as Ed held her so tightly against his body. She was almost delirious from how good he felt.

Ed looked down at Zoe when he heard her make a sound. Her face was pressed against his sweater and she was taking deep breaths. He took her head between his hands and her silky hair ran between his fingers. His mind momentarily failed him as he let himself be carried off by the pure sensual experience of his hands in her hair. He tore himself back to the here and now and took her shoulders in his hands to push her back from his chest.

"Zoe! Are you alright? Are you able to visit your daughter?" Ed asked with concern in his voice.

Sophia. Right. She was here to see her daughter. Zoe gave herself a shake. And gazed up into Ed's eyes. She nodded.

Zoe made her way over to the registration desk with Ed following. She spoke to the clerk as she had preregistered for a visit with her daughter. Ed wasn't recorded so he had to give his details to the clerk who was a little bit hard of hearing. It took three times for him to understand it was 'Edward Walters' not 'Edward Walker'. Finally he was registered for a visit. The clerk told them to sit down and they would be called to enter.

As he guided Zoe back to a chair a smartly dressed dark skinned woman holding a cell in her hand walked up to Ed.

"Excuse me. I couldn't help but overhear. Your name is Edward Walters? Are you acquainted with Victoria Rutledge?"

Ed blinked at the woman. "Uh, yes. I know Victoria."

"My name is Kendra Hill. I'm Victoria's attorney. She talks about you frequently. Are you here to visit someone inside?"

"No, I'm just here with my friend to see her daughter," he replied.

"Could you spare a moment to speak with Victoria? She's inside the meeting area waiting for me to finish this call. No one comes to see her except me. I think she'd love to speak with you."

Zoe was looking at him with concern but Ed nodded. "I'll see you when you come in," he said and she nodded.

The attorney led him over to the registration desk and made the arrangements. She went back to her call and Ed went inside. The guards went over his leather coat looking for contraband but he was clean. He went inside and saw a large brightly lit room with tables and bolted down chairs around them. At one of the tables was Victoria. She looked so lost.

Gone was the perfect, unlined skin and the perfectly styled hair. Gone was the almost doll like perfection and glamor of a Hollywood star from days gone by. Now she looked… human. Pretty. No, Ed thought she was beautiful because now she looked real.

He smiled as he walked up to her and saw her expression freeze. She covered her face with her hands and he could see she was beginning to cry. He sat down and took her hands in his. She looked down so he wouldn't see her face.

"Shhhh, please don't cry! Why are you hiding your face? You look so lovely!" he said quietly to calm her.

Her eyes came back up. He saw some faded bruises. She'd been in a fight. He looked at her smooth knuckles and more faded bruises on her forearms and realized she wasn't fighting, she'd been attacked. His heart went out to her. This was no environment for her. He was surprised she'd survived.

"I- I'm not lovely in here," she said quietly unable to look him in the eye. "You weren't supposed to see me like this. I'm going to be released on Christmas day. I was going to get all of this put right and then I would come see you. You shouldn't have seen me like this." Her tears were returning.

"This is real! This is true beauty! You have a deep beauty but you were hiding it before under a thin layer of false perfection. Now I can see how truly lovely you really are. Please don't hide yourself again. This is so much better! When you had them cover you so completely, it stole away the warmth of your humanity. Perfection is cold, untouchable."

Ed ran his thumbs gently over the soft skin on the back of her hands. "This is warm, approachable, and best of all it's real. This is a woman a man could speak to and want to get to know. I know women prefer to wear a little make-up and that's fine but please don't lose this!"

She was looking at him straight in the eye now. She was slack jawed with surprise and he grinned at her causing her to blush.

"There it is! I wouldn't have been able to see how pretty your blush is before." Ed was grinning ear to ear and she couldn't help smiling in return.

"I'm glad I came to the penitentiary tonight. It's great to hear you are getting to leave so soon. How did that happen?" he asked.

"My lawyer won our appeal. She found additional videos I hadn't destroyed of my husband abusing me and was able to prove I was a battered wife." She looked at Ed curiously. "Why- why are you here?"

"A friend of mine came up to visit her daughter. I drove her here. It's the last visit Zoe can have with her before Christmas," he explained.

A sad expression slipped across Victoria's face.

"Are you not able to see your daughters?" he asked gently.

"They aren't speaking with me right now. They are in England with my parents. Who are also not speaking with me," she said, her voice breaking.

"They don't understand what you went through with that man. He was not a nice man at all! They will come around. You just have to be strong for yourself. Your kids will have to grow up a little to understand. You may need to be patient with them. They're kids," Ed said nodding to himself.

He suddenly looked up at her. "Wait! You're being released on Christmas day and you have no family to go home to?" She nodded sadly.

"When you get home get your Christmas party clothes on and come to Angie Spencer's house. The party starts from 4PM on. That's where you will find us. You can celebrate with us!" Ed exclaimed.

"I wouldn't want to intrude-"

"No one should be alone at Christmas! Promise me you will come by!" he insisted, looking her right in the eye.

She smiled and nodded. Her eyes flicked over his shoulder and she nodded to Zoe who was entering the room. Ed smiled at her as well and Zoe nodded back with a gentle smile. She walked away as Sophia was entering the room through another door.

Kendra Hill arrived to stand by the table.

"Hello again, Mr. Walters. I need to speak with my client now if you don't mind. I have to make arrangements to get her out of this place by Christmas."

"Yes, she's coming to our Christmas party that day. Don't let me prevent you from making that happen.

Ed kissed the knuckles on Victoria's left hand and nodded his goodbyes to her. He walked over to see Zoe and noticed Sophia was watching him approach with real fear in her eye. He saw it was only Zoe's grip on her hand that kept the young woman from fleeing.

Ed sat down across from her and saw she was trembling.

He wondered what had brought her to this level of fear. It couldn't be him.

"Hello Sophia," he said.

"Hello Mr. Walters." Sophia squeaked.

Ed looked at her cautiously. "You can call me Ed. Are you ok?"

"Please don't hurt me," she whined.

"I would never hurt you!" he gasped.

Sophia looked at Ed like she didn't believe him.

"Why would you think I would do that?" he said incredulously.

"Don't play with me!" she growled and the guards looked over at them with a scowl.

"I swear I'm not! I hold no grudge against you. I'm not mad at you. I forgive you." Ed said as bluntly as he could.

"What?" the young woman gasped, staring at him, clearly shaken.

"I don't hold grudges. That behavior never really made sense to me. It's over. It happened and we all move on. There is already too much other stuff happening in life to waste time on stuff that happened in the past. I forgive you. You should forgive yourself maybe and think of things you can do to ease your conscience. It makes you feel so much better," he said with a smile.

Sophia began to cry. Zoe looked at Ed and mouthed 'thank you' to him. He felt embarrassed to see the young woman falling apart. He stood and pointed to the exit. Zoe nodded.

As he left he noticed that Victoria and her lawyer were no longer there and it looked like Zoe was the last visitor. According to the clock on the wall there was just fifteen minutes left anyway. The guards let him out and he walked back to the front doors. Looking out the window he noticed the snow was coming down really hard. He walked back to the registration desk.

"You weren't planning to drive back to the city were ya?" the man behind the counter called out.

"That was the plan, yes," Ed admitted.

"Interstate is closed. County roads are almost impassible as well. You'll have to wait until the plows come by in the morning.

Ed felt fatigue settle on his bones. An ache began in his head. He needed to eat. "Is there a hotel nearby? Food?"

"Just the Cloverleaf Roadhouse and Inn about a mile east of here. Clean rooms and a good restaurant but the bar there can get pretty rowdy. Being so close to the penitentiary it gets more than its fair share of the rougher element. You be careful if you go there."

Ed nodded. It didn't look like they had an alternative. "Where did the lawyer go?"

"Kendra? She has family nearby," the clerk explained.

"Ah."

Ed found himself a chair and waited for Zoe. It wouldn't be long as visitor's hours were almost up. He watched the storm outside the window and its ferocity seemed to be increasing. This was what the other visitors had been fleeing. He rubbed his temples as the ache grew.

Zoe showed up at exactly 8:30PM and rushed over to hug Ed.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she cried into his chest.

"What? What did I do?"

"For the first time in years I got through to my baby. After she broke down I spoke with her and we really connected. I could finally see my little Sophia behind the poison her father filled her head with. She sees it too now! Oh Ed, this is too wonderful!"

Ed smiled down at Zoe and hugged her tight. When he pulled back his expression was concerned. "Listen, we have a bit of a problem." He pointed outside. "The road back to the city is closed due to the storm. There's an inn a mile away we might be able to get some rooms in but we'd better go now."

Zoe looked up at him and just nodded. They zipped and buttoned up and pushed out into the storm. Ed got Zoe back into the truck and went around to get in his side. A large snow drift was blocking his door but he managed to get in finally. He got the truck started and clear of the drift and got them back out onto the county road heading east. Even with the wipers going full speed visibility sucked so they drove very slowly. The drifts across the road made the driving all the more treacherous.

Finally they saw the glow of a sign on the north side of the road up ahead and pulled off into a parking lot. Ed saw the lot was pretty full and was worried about their being able to get some rooms. Exhaustion weighed his shoulders down, hunger gnawed at his stomach and concentrating so hard on the road had turned the ache in his head into a thumping pain. They had to stop. Besides, there was nowhere else to go.

He carried Zoe across the snowy parking lot to the front door and they went inside. The noise was deafening from the bar and restaurant down the hall to the right. The reception was straight ahead so they shook off the snow and walked up to the desk.

A grizzled old man with the nastiest beard Ed had ever seen watched them approach, keeping an eye on the large brute dressed in black. His eyes turned to the shorter beauty when she pushed her hood back.

"Good evening. We'd like to get two rooms for the night," Zoe said.

"All I got is one left. A double bed, at the far end of the hall, ground floor. Everyone is stuck in the storm. Bad for driving. Good for business." He cackled and Ed thought his voice sounded like dry fall leaves crunching underfoot. It rattled his nerves and he scowled. The man's smile slipped away as he eyed Ed nervously.

"We'll take it." Zoe said glancing at Ed with a frown.

"I need to eat." Ed grunted to Zoe and she nodded. She wondered at his gruffness. Maybe it was his hunger? She saw him yawn.

Zoe exchanged information with the clerk and they got their room key.

"Restaurant is pretty full. You may need to eat in the bar," the old man offered and Ed's scowl returned. Zoe thanked the man and they moved towards the restaurant.

"Why are you upset?" Zoe asked Ed quietly.

"Sorry, I'm just tired and hungry. It's been a really hectic week and it's only Tuesday. The drive did me in," Ed apologized. They reached the entrance and a harried looking hostess shook her head.

"Maybe there's a table in the bar?" the woman suggested.

Ed recalled the warning from the clerk but he was beyond caring at this point. He was hungry and he wanted to eat! He stalked into the bar and looked around. It was pretty full as well and noisy. He walked slowly down the aisle peering into the dimly lit room for an empty table. There were booths for four along the wall and most of them only had two people in them.

Ed stopped and growled in frustration. Two men in the booth next to him stood up and made their way to the bar so Ed sat down at the booth they'd vacated rather quickly. Zoe slid into the other side of the booth with a surprised look on her face.

She was staring at him wondering where this behavior was coming from. He'd growled and frightened off the customers! Kind sweet Ed was intimidating! She felt a thrill run through her.

A few minutes later a waitress stopped at the table. "What can I get ya?"

"Food. Burger?" Ed asked and she nodded. "Two burgers and an order of fries." His head ached. "Scotch. Make it a double."

The waitress turned to Zoe. "A burger with salad please. Oil and vinegar dressing. Beer. Whatever's on tap that goes well with the burger." The waitress smiled at her and hustled away.

Ed undid the top two buttons on his coat but kept it on as the room was a little cool even with all the bodies in it. He looked up and saw a ceiling vent. He held up his hand and felt cool air pouring down from it. He scowled again.

"Who runs air conditioning in a snow storm?" he muttered.

"Ed! What's wrong? You're so… angry!" Zoe asked.

He glanced over at her. "Sorry, I get irritable when I have a headache and this one is a doozy."

"Why didn't you say anything? We could have gotten some pain killers at the penitentiary."

Ed shrugged and rubbed his temple. "I rarely get headaches."

She reached across the table and placed a hand on his and stroked it sympathetically.

Ed looked down and marveled at how small her hands looked against his. Then he recalled just how strong her small hands were. In their very first meeting she'd taken him for a ride and she'd clung to him with incredible tenacity.

A familiar pressure began to build in his pants as he remembered that day. Ed turned his hand over and held her fingers in his. She smiled at him and he raised her hand to his lips. When he began to sensually kiss each knuckle she gasped and squirmed at the feel of his lips caressing the soft skin. The sensation was shooting directly to her pussy and she couldn't get her hand back from his grip. His eyes were on hers and the heat in them made her feel like she was naked to his gaze.

"Ed! Oh fuck ED! Please, oh fuck!" she panted.

He caught motion in the corner of his eye and looked to see the waitress standing beside the table frozen by the display. He released Zoe's hand.

Zoe pressed her fingers to her own lips causing a flare of lust in Ed's eyes that made her gasp once more. Ed looked like he was seconds away from tearing the table away and taking her against the wall. Fuck! She wanted that so much! She forced herself to look towards the waitress. The woman placed Ed's scotch before him with a trembling hand which she snatched back. She placed Zoe's beer in front of her while Ed took a sip of his drink.

Ed swallowed and felt the drink burn its way harshly down his throat. This was not good scotch. There was little point in sipping it to savor the flavor so he threw the rest down his throat and hissed his disapproval. He looked at the waitress. "Is this the best scotch you have?" With the burning in his throat his words came out far more menacing than he'd intended.

She nodded with wide eyes.

Ed looked at his glass. "It tastes like turpentine but it's as good a painkiller as any. I'll have another double." He placed his glass back on the woman's tray. She nodded and rushed away.

Zoe stared at Ed. Maybe the clothes were affecting him. It felt like the gentle soul across the table had been replaced by someone dark, dangerous and violent, full of suppressed rage. She began to shiver in reaction.

Ed saw Zoe shivering and scowled up at the vents again. He slid a little further into the booth and looked at Zoe. "Come over here." He held open the right side of his jacket and she understood what he wanted. She pulled her coat off and moved over to his side of the table, sliding right up against his side and he wrapped his coat and arm around her. He loved the feel of her soft curves touching him. She felt… really good.

Zoe leaned back against his hard body. It felt so good and she felt so safe under his arm. She looked up and saw he was looking down at her with a different kind of hunger.

The waitress returned with his drink and cutlery wrapped in napkins. While she placed them on the table Ed slammed the scotch back. He placed the glass on her tray and she looked at him. "Another?"

Ed's throat was burning raw so he just nodded. She nodded in return and moved away.

The scotch was beginning to dull his headache and Ed was grateful for that. He began to relax and he hugged Zoe tighter to his body. She sighed and bit her lower lip as she smiled to herself. Ed watched her pearly teeth slide across her plump lip and he leaned his head down and used his left hand to turn her chin towards him.

Zoe gasped as Ed's lips closed on hers. The first kiss was gentle. A simple pressing of their lips together. Then he slid his lower lip against hers as she sucked in her breath, sparks shooting through her nerves. The third kiss introduced his tongue gently stroking her upper lip. Zoe's nipples stiffened and pressed against the tight fabric of her top. She tried to kiss him harder but he held her in place as his mouth explored hers. She whined her need but still he stroked and caressed her mouth as her tongue tried to catch his. Her hands desperately slipped below the table's surface and found the hard ridge of his cock pressing against his pant leg. Ed's mouth stopped and he growled deep in his chest. Zoe pulled her hands back and froze, her body shaking, her breath short. She almost came in her pants right then. It was as if she was being kissed by some feral beast, just this side of violence, passion without control or measure. She felt him trembling as well but it was just a sign of him preparing to take his prey.

There was a sharp knock on the table and Ed pulled back from Zoe's delicious mouth to look over at a man wearing a strange looking hat and a dark blue jacket with something on the arms. He was carrying a stick which he'd used to rap the table with. "Save that for someplace private… sir," the man said looking away from Ed's baleful gaze. He looked at Zoe instead and she recognized the uniform of a local police officer. She nodded to him and pulled away from Ed who leaned back against the bench and rested his eyes. The officer smiled at Zoe and moved on. Zoe caught worried glances from some of the other patrons and she had to stifle a smirk as she knew how sweet Ed really was.

Ed's third double scotch arrived and Zoe gestured for the waitress to leave it quietly while his eyes were closed. She didn't want him ordering another one until their food arrived.

The woman nodded gratefully and quickly left.

Zoe froze. Dread filled her as she saw the new arrival walk into the bar from the restaurant. She hadn't seen him since her husband went to jail so long ago. She'd prayed she'd never see him again. Luis Ramos was a cold blooded killer. Her husband's second in command. The last thing she'd heard he was on the run. What the hell was he doing here, so close to the penitentiary… Sophia! That demon Matias, must have found out where Sophia was and sent Luis to get in touch with her! That's why Sophia had been so shaken when they met!

Ed felt Zoe go still next to him. He cracked open his eyes to see what she was looking at. He saw a man, not very tall, not so big, but something cold in his eyes. He wasn't worried though. Ed felt very calm. He looked down. Ah. More scotch. He sipped it this time, tired of scorching his throat and was surprised to find it actually tasted… not quite as much like turpentine as before.

The man turned to face their direction and went still. Ed noticed he was looking at Zoe and something about how he was looking at her raised the fine hairs on the back of Ed's neck. He began to growl quietly and stopped when Zoe's hand suddenly gripped his tightly. The man noticed this action and Ed finally registered on his brain. The lecherous smile disappeared from his face and for a second he seemed uncertain. Then a cold calculated look smoothed out his features and he stepped towards their table wearing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. His coat was over his arm.

"Zoe, as I live and breathe. I never expected to see you again." Luis said smoothly. Ed already didn't like this man.

She took strength from Ed's solidity next to her. "Luis, I regret all three of those things."

His smile cracked a little and his eyes got a little sharper. "Cold words for a cold night." He looked at the busy bar and back at their table. "Busy place. Mind if I join you? We could talk about the good old days. Remember the fun we used to have?"

"Pulling wings from butterflies." Zoe breathed and Luis smiled as he recalled the moment.

Ed didn't know what she meant by that but how it made Luis smile triggered an almost feral anger in him. He saw Zoe was frozen with fear and something in him was raging to get out. He didn't know how to deal with someone like Luis so he loosened his grip a little on the leash to that rage.

"I don't believe Zoe wants to talk to you. I don't believe those old days were that good." Ed said calmly but he felt a slow burn begin.

Luis looked at Ed and pretended to ignore his words but inside he was already imagining how he was going to carve up this insolent child. "Zoe, perhaps you should tell your big friend here to be polite. This could be a friendly visit." Luis said quietly and she shuddered. She knew how dangerous Luis was and Ed was a kitten in a shark tank. She gestured for Luis to sit and Ed glanced at her in surprise but he held his tongue.

Luis looked very pleased with himself now. He tucked himself into the booth and pushed Zoe's coat over a little. He looked at it and lifted the hood to his nose to breathe in deeply. "Ah, I see you still wear that delightful perfume."

"Doesn't he understand how creepy that makes him?" Ed asked Zoe and she snorted in surprise. She hushed Ed as her terror came rushing back. Ed didn't like seeing her afraid. Not one bit. He looked back at Luis who wasn't smiling.

Ed pulled his arm from behind Zoe's shoulders. He leaned back against the bench with his hands relaxed on his lap and studied the man across from him. He took another sip of his scotch and it was almost smooth… no, no it wasn't.

Luis began to sneer. "I see Zoe never spoke to you about me… about us. Even when she was with Matias I would take her as mine. She was feisty but she always bowed to my needs like a good little… slut," he said baiting the big man. When he exploded with rage Luis would let his blade dance and the man would scream… deliciously. It would be self defense of course but the man would still die.

Instead Luis was disappointed as the big goon just sat there, staring back at him with no expression at all! Sipping at his drink. Something was wrong with him. Luis needed to push harder.

"She didn't tell you how she screamed out my name begging me to stop. Then begging me to continue as I took her to the very edge of existence? She was mine." He leaned forward hands under the table, blade ready to dig deeply into the big thigh, aiming for the artery. "She will be mine again." He looked at Zoe and saw her tears and trembling. Looking back at her companion he frowned. Nothing. It made no sense. Where was the rage?

Ed finished his drink. He put it down and leaned forward to look into the eyes of the man across the table. He'd felt the slightest of touches against the inside of his knee so he knew he was up to something. He was a bad man and he'd made Zoe scared and sad. His Zoe. Ed released his grip on the leash completely. He smiled.

"You say Zoe was yours yet you lost her. If she was yours you should have held on to her."

Ed grabbed Luis' wrists under the table. Luis tried to wrench his hands back and thumped the underside of the table instead making Zoe shriek. He looked into the cold ice blue eyes across the table. The smile was gone. He pulled at his arms but the grip was too strong and it was getting tighter. It began to hurt. Really hurt.

"LET- LET GO!" Luis barked at him as his face twisted with the pain.

Ed suddenly leaned back and planted his big black work boot on Luis' chest while he kept a grip on his arms.

"Listen carefully to me Luis. Do I have your attention?" Ed's voice was cold and angry. The rage Luis had been looking for was arriving but it was still a slow build up.

Luis was having trouble breathing as the boot was pushing so hard on his chest and his arms were being pulled hard in the opposite direction. His shoulders felt like they were going to pop out. Luis was gritting his teeth in his own rage and spittle was leaking from his lips. "I AM GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU THEN I AM GOING TO FUCK ZOE AND KILL HER TOO!" Luis spat. The noise level in the bar dropped considerably.

Ed squeezed and bones cracked. Luis screamed and dropped his butterfly knife which bounced out onto the floor of the aisle. The bar went quiet. Everyone looked in their direction and people in nearby tables got up and moved into the aisle. But no one left.

"No Luis. You're not going to do those things because I can't let you hurt Zoe anymore. I am going to tell you something very important now. Are you listening?"

The pain was excruciating and Luis had tears running down his cheeks. He nodded then screamed 'Yes' when the man squeezed his broken wrists, grinding the bones together.

"Look at me Luis. Look into my eyes and hear me." Ed's voice was almost a whisper. Luis was shaking and drooling but he managed to follow the instructions. Ed nodded. He was ready.

"ZOE. IS. MINE!" Ed released the rage in one mighty roar and pulled with all his might.

Luis' high pitched scream went on and on. When Ed let go the smaller man toppled sideways and fell out of the booth. He was unconscious before his head hit the floor.

Ed sagged back against the bench and gave himself a shake. The rage was gone. Completely. He felt so much better but he was very light headed. He needed food. He looked at Zoe who was staring in shock at the man on the floor. The man who hurt her. "Are you ok Zoe?" Ed asked. "He's not going to hurt you anymore."

Zoe turned her eyes to Ed and he was looking at her with concern. Gentle, sweet Ed destroyed one of the most vicious sadistic monsters she knew.

The butterfly. Oh my god!

Ed lifted his hands back onto the table and Zoe shrieked when she saw the blood on his hand. There was a bloody gash across the back of the right one. Where Luis slashed him with the blade.

"FREEZE!"

The officer who'd been by earlier finally worked up the nerve to approach. He had his gun out and pointed at Ed who raised his eyebrows in surprise. He lifted his hands up causing blood to drip onto the table. Zoe pulled his hand down and pressed her napkin onto the wound. She looked at the officer. "Get a first aid kit! He's bleeding badly!"

"He just pulled this guy's arms off!" the cop yelled pointing to man on the floor.

"That guy is Luis Ramos. He's wanted for murder, rape, and a number of other terrible things. He raped me and almost beat me to death twice and he was definitely going to kill us tonight. Ed stopped him. Now get me some bandages!!!" Zoe screamed.

The waitress arrived with the first aid kit. She and Zoe worked on sealing the cut on Ed's hand. Once they got the blood cleaned up they saw it wasn't as bad as it first appeared. They covered it with gauze and wrapped it.

"Please, is our food ready?" Ed asked the waitress.

The woman smiled at him and nodded at Zoe. She stepped over the man on the floor and left to get his meal. The cop watched incredulously as Ed grinned widely as his food arrived. Ed thanked the woman and began eating. He smiled and sighed in happiness. The bar's noise level began to return to normal though most of the attention was on them.

Two snowy State Troopers pushed their way through the crowd and stood over the unconscious body.

"What happened? Who's this?" one demanded as the other knelt to examine the damage done to him.

Zoe raised an eyebrow at the cop.

"Apparently he's Luis Ramos. Wanted for murder, rape and other offenses. He accosted these two with that knife and that fellow there eating did… that to him."

The trooper on the floor pulled a plastic evidence bag from a pocket and used his glove to place the knife into the bag. He went to check the man's pockets and found his wallet and passport.

"His driver's license says he's Ray Mendez. His passport says the same." the trooper on the floor said.

"He's a wanted criminal. He was the partner of my ex-husband, Matias Escobar. I think he's still working with him though Matias is in jail." Zoe said.

"Matias Escobar? Shit!" the standing trooper exclaimed. He was familiar with the case. The unconscious man did look a little like Luis Ramos without the beard.

The trooper was going through Luis' coat which had fallen to the floor. "I found a gun. No, two guns and an extra clip."

The group paused and looked at the unconscious man. If he'd started the confrontation with the guns instead of the knife the outcome would have been considerably different.

"How did you get here?" the cop asked the troopers.

"Four wheel drive SUV. Why?"

"If you can get him to the penitentiary they have a medical department there which may be able to save his arms," the cop explained.

The State Troopers looked at each other and shrugged. One left and came back with a sheet. They lifted Luis onto it and carried him away.

The cop turned to Zoe. "You staying here tonight?"

"Yes," she answered.

"Please don't leave until I've gotten your statements in the morning," he said.

"No promises that Ed will remember much," she said looking at the man polishing off the second burger.

The cop nodded and followed the troopers out.

Zoe moved to the seat across from Ed and nibbled on her own food as she watched him. What he'd done for her tonight. He'd saved her life. He'd punished Luis for her. She smiled thinking of his delicious screams. When he'd bellowed in Luis' face that she was his… it took her breath away! She wondered if that was just the scotch talking. She looked more closely at him. He didn't seem too tipsy. The waitress stopped by and she asked for a large glass of water for Ed.

When she returned with it Ed drank the entire glass in one shot. He thanked the woman for the delicious food. She was quite taken with his change in attitude and gave him a big smile. Zoe asked for the bill.

"What was that Ed?" Zoe asked.

"What was what?"

"Earlier. You were so… grim."

"I don't know. Hunger, headache, exhaustion. Maybe all of the above. It's a little blurry for me. I feel better now that I've eaten. Headache's gone." He yawned mightily. "I'm still really tired though. Are you done? Can we go to the room?"

She nodded and paid the bill. She gave the waitress a very generous tip and they headed for the room.

As they passed the lobby Ed smiled at the old man behind the counter surprising a smile out of him in return. They stopped by the large picture window looking out over the parking lot. The snow was blowing hard but it didn't seem to be falling any longer. The cars would need digging out in the morning.

They walked down the long hallway to the last room. Zoe unlocked the door and they entered. Ed flipped on the light and looked at the tiny room. It had to be the smallest hotel room he'd ever seen. He moved further into the room and looked at the bed with some concern.

"It's pretty small," he said to her and she nodded.

Zoe hung up her coat by the door and stepped into the tiny bathroom shutting the door behind her. Clean towels. Toilet paper, soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. The basics. Toilet, sink, and a stand up shower stall that might not fit Ed's broad shoulders. It would do. She used the toilet and washed her face and hands. She pulled off her leggings and slipped off her panties. The panties went into the sink for a good rinsing. She rung them out as much as she could. They'd go on the radiator to dry overnight.

Stepping out of the washroom she bounced off of Ed's back as he was hanging up his coat. God! He was like a brick wall dressed in black!

"Sorry!" he muttered. He slipped into the washroom after she passed by. He'd missed the fact that she was naked from the waist down.

Zoe took off the rest of her clothes and neatly folded them as she'd need to wear them in the morning. She stacked them on the bureau and took off her earrings, gold wrist bangles, and rings. Her panties went onto the heater by the window.

She pulled the quilt down and the sheets were white, clean and smelled freshly washed. The hotel was as basic as it came but at least it was clean. Then she noticed the room had no TV.

When Ed came out of the washroom he was holding his folded clothes in front of himself. "I had to wash my underwear as I'll be wearing them tomorrow," he said. Zoe smiled and pointed to the heater. Ed saw the pink panties drying there and he smiled. He put his clothes on the chair and laid out his underwear next to hers to dry.

Zoe watched him turn and walk back to the bed. God, he looked delicious!

Ed carefully slipped under the covers and settled himself on the small bed until he was no longer hanging over the edge. He felt Zoe's soft, naked skin against his side and a pressure began in his groin.

Zoe was on the edge of the bed. She lifted Ed's left arm and tucked herself in against his body more tightly. She heard Ed moan quietly and she smiled to herself. She was also enjoying the feeling of his skin against hers. When he brought his arm back down he pulled her in closer, his fingers kneading the muscles on her back.

"Oh fuck, Zoe! You feel incredible!" he sighed.

She loved feeling Ed's hands on her but there was a question she needed him to answer. She looked up at him through her bangs as she rested her chin on his chest. Her eyes were dark and held something Ed couldn't recognize. "Ed… back in the bar you told Luis that… I was yours."

Ed blushed furiously. The words made him sound like a primitive brute. He wanted to apologize to her for acting like she was a thing to be possessed… but he couldn't. He looked into her anxious eyes as his mouth moved but he made no sound. Instead his body acted. He pulled her to the center of the small bed and pinned her to the mattress under his body. He kissed her, hard and passionately. She squealed at his aggression and clung to him.

He pulled back from the kiss and looked into her now dazed eyes. "You're mine," Ed said, his voice soft and deep. Her smile burst across her face like a new dawn. His heart almost burst as it swelled with love for the woman in his grasp. He stroked his lips back and forth across hers, the tip of his tongue dancing out to touch hers briefly. She made little mewls of need as she struggled to capture his tongue. He moved his mouth down to her stiff nipples, sucking on one as he rolled and tugged the other. Zoe arched her back to force more of her tit into his mouth but he continued to tease and abuse them drawing squeals and hisses from her. His mouth moved further down her body but his hands continued to squeeze her big tits. He didn't bother with the subtleties when he reached her pussy. He lapped and sucked and flicked until she screamed out her orgasm, her fingers roughly tangled in his hair pulling him tighter to her sex.

As she wailed and shook he moved back up and rubbed his cock over her dripping lips. He pushed forward suddenly and drove his cock deep inside her. His mouth was on hers again, his tongue stroking and exploring her mouth as hers did the same in his. He gripped her hair and took her mouth with his as she gasped and moaned. His hips thrust forward forcing his cock deeper with each stroke until she had it all. Then he put some real power into his thrusting. Her legs wrapped around his hips so he could thrust deeper and faster and her arms slid around his sides to hang on for dear life as they bounced on the cheap mattress. He hammered into her and she began to claw at his back as her second release reached critical mass. He moved his head down next to her and growled as his own orgasm rushed over him.

"fuckmefuckmefuckmefuckmefuckmefuckmefuckmeFUCKMEFUCKMEFUCKMEEEEE!" she chanted from a whisper until she was screaming.

"OH FUCK ZOE!" he roared as he pinned her down against the mattress. He rocked back and forth across her clit as he fired his cum deep inside her.

"AAAAHHHHH! AAAAHHHHH! AAAAHHHH!" she cried as the pressure took her higher.

Ed pulled back until he was half way out and lifted his weight from Zoe to let her catch her breath. He watched her face as she came back to her body. The pink tip of her tongue swept across her slightly swollen lips. Her breathing slowly steadied but her eyes continued to roll back and forth as her eyelids opened and closed randomly. He smiled and pulled himself from her body and his cock surged. He still wanted her.

He rolled Zoe onto her stomach and her eyes opened to look at him over her shoulder. He pushed her legs apart and slowly lowered his cock against her pussy. He used minimal force this time but his cock slowly pushed inside. He was so gradual about it she began to shake as her body expected the harsh pounding. Still he went slowly and eventually he was fully encased in her pussy once more. Gentle ripples ran up and down his length as her body reacted to his thick intruder once more. He rested his weight against her round ass and she hissed with pleasure.

Ed kissed her cheek and neck gently as she slowly pressed her ass back against his pelvis. He throbbed slowly and she sighed as she felt that. He began to rock forward and back making his cock rub Zoe's pussy in a very odd way. The underside of his cock was dragging against the front wall of her pussy while the top was rubbing the sensitive skin at the base. He kept his movements slow and drawn out.

"FUUUUCCKK! MOTHERFUCK-AH!" Zoe gasped as her head dropped to the pillow as her body went through a series of tremors. He found a position where he could make shallow strokes to rub the head of his cock against a particularly sensitive spot inside her pussy.

"OH SHIT! MOTHERFUCKER! YES! RIGHT THE- THE- THERE! FUCK YES!" Zoe cried out. He began to stroke his cock roughly in and out even at the severe angle.

"AAAHHH! MOTHERFU- AHHHHHH!" Zoe wailed. He began to speed up and Zoe lost complete control of her muscles. She was his to take. His rubbing over that sensitive spot was turning her inside out. She clung to the sheets and wailed constantly and incoherently.

"UUUUHHHNNNN! FFFFUUUUUUU- UUUUUHHHHHNNNN!"

Ed needed to go faster so he tipped downwards slightly and began to slap her ass with his pelvis. The impacts were sending shockwaves through her body and she suddenly clamped down on his cock as her muscles spasmed with her sudden climax. Ed managed only three more thrusts before he exploded inside her once again. He rested his weight on her ass and she squeezed his cock tightly within her as her muscles spasmed once more.

He pulled his softening cock from her and she moaned quietly.

She rolled over to let him rest on his side facing her. Her face was flushed and she was smiling blissfully at him.

"You're dangerously addictive, Zoe. I don't know why I act like I do with you. I could do this all night and never have enough." Ed sighed. Her eyes widened as she looked down at his semi-hard cock bobbing against his leg with his pulse.

"No, we won't do it again tonight. We really have to get some sleep." Ed said. She looked relieved but she also didn't. He looked away before he lost control again. Already he was feeling the tug of her sexy body.

"Is- is it just the sex?" she asked with a quiet voice.

Ed's eyes locked on hers and she sucked in a breath. There was a fierceness in his gaze she'd only seen when he was confronting Luis. He took her face between his hands. She felt his trembling as he struggled with his emotions.

"I wasn't sure what's driving my… intense need for you. I was worried that it was the sex because I don't want to be that kind of person. I'm not! But earlier when I told you that you're mine I realized then that I meant everything. Mind, body and soul. I love you Zoe."

Zoe burst into tears and pulled Ed's face to hers. She kissed him tenderly and his lips were so gentle against hers. This was the Ed everyone else got to love. And he loved her too! Her tears flowed down her face.

"Why are you crying?" Ed asked cautiously. He wasn't sure if she was happy or if he had upset her.

She struggled to get control of herself and rested her forehead against the thick muscles of his chest. God! She felt so safe! "I've had such bad luck with love Ed. I'm a magnet for the worst kind of men. I didn't expect to ever find someone to love again after the horror of my marriage to Matias and abuse by Luis. I was too afraid. I gave up hope. I avoided sex as well as the men I met all turned cruel. I took a chance on you and discovered a lover who could bring me incredible passion and pleasure without the cruelty. My heart began to yearn for more but I couldn't tell if you had those feelings for me. Your reactions are so… physical!"

"I still don't understand why I react the way I do with you Zoe. It doesn't happen with anyone else and it frightens me because it's so unlike me! But whatever it is it doesn't change my feelings for you. My feelings are mine." Ed struggled to explain it to her and she kissed him once more. Her lips were so amazing. He felt that rush again and pulled back when his kiss began to get out of control. He groaned as he leaned away from her mouth. When he opened his eyes she was looking at him with such a happy grin he had to smile back.

He suddenly recalled Angie's response to his confession of love and he closed his eyes. He wasn't sure if he could survive another rejection, especially when his heart felt so raw.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"The reason I feel stupid for being so possessive of you is that I'm in love with Grace and others as well. Angie… she didn't take my admitting I was in love with her so well. I understand her and I'll understand if you feel like she does-"

"Ed! I love you too!" she exclaimed and smiled seeing his enormous relief. He pulled her against his chest and she listened to his heart beating strong and fast.

Suddenly he yawned widely and she heard that too. She giggled. "Tiempo para el sueño mi amor!"

Ed pulled back and blinked sleepily at her. "I don't know what you said but it sounded so beautiful! Good night Zoe."

She snuggled back against his chest feeling happier and more content than she had in years. "Good night Ed."