A/N
Hey, hey, everyone! I hope you are well and had a lovely Thanksgiving if you celebrate it. This is my latest story, called Healing Touch. It will be about eight to ten chapters long, have some drama but no cheating, and a HEA for Christian and Ana. Christian's backstory is the same, but Ana's is somewhat different. Each chapter title is a song, and the artist's name will follow in parentheses. Marcell Henning dropped this idea to me, and I hope you enjoy it. I will update once a week until the story is complete. I am still working on the sequel to A Change of Scenery. I want it mostly done before I post it. Thank you for reading!
Prologue – Christian POV
"Look at me, Christian." My dark eyes flash to Elena's. She showed up out of the blue at my penthouse with another potential sub, and I have used every ounce of self-control I have not to throw them both out. To defy Elena, I turn my back on her and look out the window over the Seattle skyline.
I hear her heels click on the floor until she is standing between me and the window. Her eyes are flashing with anger, and I fight a smile. Maybe I should take her out onto the balcony and accidentally push her off. I can make sure Taylor deletes the security footage, and no one will know any different.
"What has gotten into you? You should be thanking me right now. I made you who you are today. Without me, you would be in prison or dead." I chuckle and shake my head.
"How would you know how I would have turned out? You didn't give me much of a chance to do anything except stay on my knees while you hit me with a whip. Our relationship-business and personal, are over. Ros just finished an audit on Esclava's financials, and it turns out you have been stealing money from me since I first helped you open the salon. I don't owe you a fucking thing. Before I lose my manners and throw you off the balcony, you and your pet need to leave." I grit out every word to her with enough hate and venom I can muster.
"What do you mean? I provide the accountants with a receipt for everything." She has the nerve to look hurt.
"I used a forensic accountant to verify every little thing. I can't believe I trusted you. You are like every other person in my life, except for my family. You only want monetary things from me. Esclava, the subs…it was all a way to keep me under your thumb. Well, those days are over, Mrs. Lincoln. If you don't leave now, I will turn every piece of evidence I have over to the IRS, and you can spend the rest of your life in fucking prison for all I care." I turn to leave the room, and she grabs my arm. I look at her hand on my arm, then back to her eyes. She must see just how pissed off I am because she lets go immediately.
"You are nothing but a pedophile, and I hope you rot in hell. You are not welcome here or any other property I own. Please stay away from my parents. If I see you anywhere near them, I will contact the proper authorities and end you." She gasps and tries to cry. She has so much Botox on her face; no tears can fall.
"You loved everything we did together. I taught you how to please a woman and fuck like a machine. I can't believe you are turning your back on me, after everything I have done for you." I roll my eyes, knowing it will piss her off more. But I don't give a fuck right now.
"I agree. You taught me how to please a woman and how to fuck. But you didn't teach me the importance of intimacy. The only relationship you showed me is a harsh one, drilling into me about love being for fools. After seeing how in love my parents are, I realize what we had together was wrong. It doesn't surprise me that you are still using young boys to get your rocks off. Watch your back, Mrs. Lincoln. I would hate for you to get caught by the wrong people and end up in a jail cell." With that last comment, she turns on her heels and leaves the penthouse with her latest protégé in tow. Fucking finally!
I walk to the wet bar and pour myself a large whiskey, drinking it back in one gulp. Flynn will have a field day with this. He will be chomping at the bit to tell me he was right all along about Elena. I shake my head at how my life has turned out. I will be paying for Flynn's grandkids' college education when we talk this out.
Two months later
Tick tock. Tick tock. The clock on the mantel is the only noise in the room while I sit in this old as Jesus' chair in Flynn's office. He's waiting for me to tell him what is on my mind, and I haven't formulated my thoughts yet—scratch that. I have been thinking but not about his question. For the past two weeks, I have seen the same woman running in the park at the same time I do. I am fascinated by watching her. Her ponytail swishes back and forth, probably keeping with the upbeat song playing in her earbuds. From what I've seen, she is a beautiful woman. Her legs are slender yet muscular. Her ass is perfectly shaped. So much so that I would like to squeeze it while I fuck the life out of her. But, I digress.
"Christian? Are you going to answer my question?" Flynn asks impatiently. I stare at him, trying to give my best look of intimidation, but he stares back.
"What was your question again?" I ask in an attempt to wind him up, but he rolls his eyes.
"You know what I asked. We can sit here for the entire hour listening to the clock on the mantel tick, or you can start the discussion. Your money, your choice." Dickhead.
"Fine. You asked me again why I am coming to you and what is on my mind. We have discussed in the past my issues with women and intimacy. My previous relationships have only been about sex and offer nothing else. For the past few months, I have found myself wanting more. I see how my mother and father are still very much in love with each other, even after thirty years. Elliott has traded in his gigolo card for a committed relationship. I keep asking myself if that will ever be me. So, good doctor, I am here to ask you if you think that is possible for me." I cross my leg over my knee, waiting for his response.
"Of course, it's possible for you to have a healthy and loving relationship. You only need to know how to get it. That woman, who will remain nameless for now, really did a number on your psyche. You have finally realized the damage she did. Now, it's up to you to move past it and find happiness." Flynn places his iPad on the table next to him and leans forward in his chair. "Christian, I know you are capable of love-giving it and receiving it. You need to find a starting point." I sigh heavily and look out his office window. I wonder if the brunette beauty from the park would be willing to help me?
I sigh. "There is something I need to tell you. For the past few weeks, I have been watching a woman in the park where I run. She fits the profile I have used in the past for potential subs, but she seems different."
"Different how?" Flynn asks before I can go any further. I roll my eyes again.
"Well, good doctor, if you would let me finish talking." He sits back in his chair and crosses his arms waiting. "She looks confident, sexy, and healthy. I'm not saying my previous subs haven't had that, but she seems different, for lack of a better word. I feel drawn to her, and I want to talk to her without coming across as a crazy stalker. She probably has men pursuing her like crazy, and I don't want or need that label." I shrug and take a drink from the glass of water in front of me.
"Well, maybe you should run alongside her and see if she strikes up a conversation. You never know until you try." Flynn makes it sound so simple.
"See, that's where I find myself in unfamiliar territory. I have never had to pursue a woman. They come to me. Do you think that is why I am fascinated by her because she's not kneeling at my feet?"
"Could be. What are your plans for the upcoming weeks? Maybe you should get out of Seattle for a bit to clear your head. Fresh air usually offers a new perspective on things." I nod my head at his comment.
"Mom and dad are visiting their new place in Montana and asked me to join them. They will be there for a month or so. I may take a few weeks and see how it goes." I bounce my knee up and down.
"That's a start. Keep an open mind, Christian. It's going to be an adjustment, no matter what. You do realize you will have to tell your mother about your relationship with that woman and how it's damaged you emotionally?" I stare at him, and my body fills with dread. "Our time is about up, is there anything you want to discuss?" Why does he always do that bullshit?
I shake my head. "No, I just need to get myself in order." I stand and walk to the door, pulling it open forcefully, and leave his office. I slide into the back seat of the SUV and wait for Taylor to get behind the wheel.
"Escala, Taylor." He nods his head in affirmation and drives the SUV the short distance home. I scan the sidewalks hoping to catch another glimpse of the beautiful brunette. Not seeing anything, I close my eyes and lean back into the seat. I need to get myself straight before I even think about approaching her. The conversation with my mother is going to be difficult. There will be things said that could damage our relationship forever. But one step at a time, I think.
