Free Silent No More by N. E. Henderson Page A

known him. I need to put this out of my mind. I
concentrate on applying lotion all over my body instead. It smells tropical and
I love it. I walk into the bedroom to retrieve my makeup bag. It has a small
container of deodorant inside that I take out and quickly apply. 
    I finish up by drying my hair and applying a small
amount of makeup. I hope he’s okay with me using his stuff, but I really don’t
have time to dwell on it or ask him.
    Once I’m back in his room, I put my bra and
panties on first, then the stockings. Grabbing for my dress on the hanger, I
look it over. I guess it was nice of him to put it on a hanger. I’m sure it had
a few creases from being in the bag. I really should have hung it up last
night.
    Removing the hanger, I unzip the dress and step
into it. I zip it up and put the black belt in place. I step into my black pumps
and place my folded jacket over my arm. I’m still warm from the shower and I
don’t want to put it on yet. I grab my purse and head for the living area.
    I stop at the door where I heard wood crack the
previous night. There are small pieces of the door jam on the floor. It’s
broken where it latches shut. I disregard this and walk through. I reach into
my purse to make sure my keys and phone are there. They are so I head to the
door.
    It’s 7:30 am. I have to hurry to get my portfolio
from my office so I can make it to Lockhart Publishing on time. I shouldn’t
have spent so long under the water in the shower, but it felt so good. 
    I get into my car and drive a little over the
speed limit to get to my office. This isn’t rare for me. Even when there is no
fear of me being late, I still drive a little over the speed limit. I don’t do
it on purpose. I just can’t stand driving at what I consider a slow pace. 
    I unlock the door to my gallery and rush to the
back. I grab my portfolio from the tote I left it in and hear the door chime. I
know it’s not Jenny. We don’t open until 9:00 am. Walking back out front with
my portfolio tucked under my arm, I see Luke closing the door.
    “Get out. Now!” I say as anger washes over my
face. I can’t believe this. He has some nerve showing up here after what he
pulled last night. 
    “Shannon, I’m sorry. Baby, I lost control last
night. I didn’t mean to act that way, but we have to talk about us. That’s all
I was trying to get through to you,” he says with a solemn voice as he
approaches me. 
    I ignore the “baby” remark.
    “Luke,” I say as I hold my hand out to stop him
from getting any closer. “I don’t have time for this. You know I have a
meeting at LP this morning. Leave, Luke.” My hand is touching his chest and I
push him backwards. “Now.”
    He grabs my left arm hard and I’m pulled forward
into his embrace, then his lips are on mine. There is nothing tender about it,
and I don’t kiss him back. Instead, I bring my knee up to meet his crotch,
causing him to double over, but not before he scratches my arm beside my elbow.
It hurts and I know it’s going to leave another mark. 
    “Get out!” I shout. “We are over and I never want to see you again! I’ll be getting my things
from the apartment tomorrow, so don’t be there when I come by!” I hiss at him.
    Luke just glares at me in disbelief, but doesn’t
say anything else as he gets up and walks out the door. I wait a moment to calm
myself, and then I leave too, locking the door behind me. 
    I will not let this prick ruin my day.
     

 
    * * * * *

 
     
    Walking off the east elevator on the eleventh
floor of the LP building, I have two minutes to spare. I’m wearing my jacket
now. Not because I’m cold, but because Luke left a nasty scratch on my left arm.
The same arm where there is still a small bruise. My fair, sensitive skin does
not need any more damage.
    I walk up to the receptionist and she greets me
with a warm sweet smile. “Hello, Miss Taylor. How are you today?” she asks.
    “Please stop calling me Miss Taylor,” I