Knock Knock

Chapter Five

All the mystery surrounding Hector's home had me curious however five minutes into the drive I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. I'm not sure how long later I'm jostled awake as Hector scoops me out of the car.

"Te tengo. Ir a dormir Estefanía." [I have you. Go to sleep Stephanie.] Hector murmurs before kissing the top of my head. Forgetting that I wanted to look around Hector's home I snuggle into him.

Start Dream

I was in the circle of slayers their faces hidden in shadows as they moved as a unit towards me. They were yelling but I was unable to understand what they were saying. They take a step closer.

Four steps away from me.

They take another step closer and the yelling got louder but I still couldn't make out what they were saying.

Three steps away.

I turned and turned looking for an exit. As one they take another step their faces emerging from the shadows. My breath hitches, the second after relief courses through me fear follows. Joe's faces were contorted in various shades of rage, anger and hatred.

Two steps away.

They take another step and the yelling is deafening.

One step away.

I take a step back as I cover my ears and feel something hard, fists maybe, hitting my back and arms so I quickly step back to my original position as the Joe directly in front me steps forward into the circle. He grabs both my arms, fingers digging in and shakes me.

This time his voice was clear. "You're mine Stephanie! Mine!"

"Estefanía! Estefanía wake up! Te tengo mi ángel. Usted está a salvo conmigo." [I have you my angel. You are safe with me.] Hector's voice brakes through the Joe's yelling.

End Dream

I sat up taking short shallow breaths. Hector was at the end of the bed, in my line of sight but far enough away that I wasn't given a fright. Without conscious thought I hold my hand out to him in a take my hand gesture. With a gracefulness that made me envious he slowly he crawled up the bed next to me and pulled me close running his hand through my hair as he murmured over and over "Te tengo mi ángel. Usted está a salvo conmigo." [I have you my angel. You are safe with me.] He alternated this with kisses to the top of my head. Eventually my breathing calmed to normal and I fell back to sleep in Hectors arms.

I awoke alone. Feeling disorientated I lay on my back rolling my head from side to side to take in my surroundings.

Tucking the butter yellow sheets under my arms I noticed they were almost as soft as Rangers. The furniture is solid wood, beautifully carved and stained dark and the walls are a soft grey. One had several photographs of various yellow and white flowers each differed in size, shape and frame colour and were hung in no discernible pattern, another wall had a large framed black and white photo. The yellow and grey theme was balanced by a light green glass vase holding white daisies on the makeup table, a soft green throw over the plus grey bench seat at the end of the bed and a white sphere held a light green lampshade one bedside table the other bedside had a green alarm clock. Light filtered through the frosted glass that, with the door made up the forth wall.

Sitting up with legs crossed Indian style I felt calm, safe and myself. It was an odd feeling that I can't remember ever feeling though Rangers apartment came close.

My eyes strayed back to the black and white photo. It was a side profile of Ranger and I standing face to face, our eyes are locked and the photo stops where our forearms cross as we hold each other. I have no idea when it was taken but it evokes so many emotions in me that I'm not ready to analyse yet.

Slipping out of the bed I notice I'm still in tank I was wearing under my sweats and panties but Hector or at least I hope it was Hector has taken off everything else. Hanging on the back of the door is a charcoal satin dressing gown, shrugging it on I notice the delicate pale grey lace overlay along the shoulders and sleaves. As a lover of all things satin and lacy I can tell its high quality lace as I run my fingers over it in appreciation. Opening the door I find Hector hand poised to knock.

"¿Dónde está el baño?" [Where is the bathroom?] I suddenly really need to go.

After doing my business, I find Hector outside the bathroom. He hands me a mug of coffee and shows me around. Hector lives in a warehouse the size of two baseball stadiums. The ground floor was a garage with space for many vehicles, a mechanics station, an electronics workshop, a computer station, a climbing wall, a gym with sparing ring, a gun and knife range and a huge wall of monitors as well as other monitors doted throughout that showed all aspects inside and outside of the building including the roof. The other half of the ground floor was clear except for some building materials, tools and cans of paint.

Hector explained that there was so many security precautions in and around the building that he was confident that no one could get in without him wanting them to. He then showed me the various weapons hidden throughout the first floor.

My face must have shown my worry and awe because Hector smiled as he pulled me into a hug and kissed the top of my head. "I have enemies Angelita, this is all so I can feel safe and let down my guardia. Ven. Vamos a terminar el tour, así que podemos tomar el desayuno y hablar." [guard. Come. We will end the tour, so we can have breakfast and talk.]

He gives me an extra squeeze before releasing me and taking my hand. He points out the six staircases that would take us to the next level. The stairs take us to a walkway that spans the entire building in front of what were offices back in the day. He explained the bosses would stand on the balcony and watch the production below.

Several offices have had the connecting walls removed to make a large lounge room with massive TV. The room is homey in blues, browns and greens with several comfortable looking couches positioned to watch the large TV and similar timber furniture as the room I woke in but stained lighter.

The master room is huge the California king bed in the middle on a raised platform the furniture was solid timber as I'd seen throughout but in a cherry wood that went well with the cream with accents of red colour theme of the room. The walk in wardrobe was huge and almost full.

With raised eyebrows I said "I think I've found a new shopping friend." He grinned and shrugged.

I gasped with delight when he pulled me into the master bathroom. It was magnificent in a dark stone tile with a huge white oval bath big enough for four of the biggest Merry Men. The shower is huge with three rainfall showerheads as well as various handheld shower heads, a bench seat. After taking a closer look, I saw there were inverted areas in the tile and. turned to Hector in confusion and he grinned. "Hand holds."

Blushing furiously I fled the bathroom through the bedroom and out to the balcony. Hector came out completely un-phased grabbed my hand and tows me to the brightly coloured kitchen. "Embarrassing you was not my intention. Sorry." He said as he refilled their mugs.

Smirking at him I said "Oh it wasn't that. I just couldn't stop imagining you and Manny together in the shower. Are you a top or a bottom?" I asked the question right as he took a sip from his cup and burst out laughing at he almost sprayed it everywhere.

"Both" He says studying my face.

"And Manny?" I ask