“I really need to get out of here tonight,” she continued as she looked back up at Geech desperately. “And I need my car. I can’t afford to stay here tonight. And I don’t feel comfortable staying in a motel alone. I just…I can’t…” Lily stammered as her eyes filled with tears.

 

“Hey, relax, take a deep breath,” Geech said soothingly, walking over to Lily and sitting down closely next to her. He put his arm around her, and she immediately fell into his chest and exhaled, finally feeling safe within the arms of a man for once. She wiped her eyes and relished in the feel of Geech’s touch. He was now slowly rubbing her back and consoling her, obviously realizing that she was in distress and needed some comforting human contact.

 

“I’ll tell you what,” Geech began when Lily finally sat up. “Why don’t you just come back to my place and stay with me tonight? It’s obvious that you don’t want to be out here alone in a strange place amongst strangers. So no worries on eating dinner at the diner alone, and don’t even think about having to stay at the motel by yourself. I have a nice apartment a few blocks away, and it’s comfortable and secure. I’ll be there to protect you. And you can have the bedroom. I’ll take the couch. No funny business. You’ll have all the privacy that you need but the comfort of knowing that someone is there to look after you and guard you.”

 

“Are you sure?” Lily asked him, stunned that he was willing to open up his home to a complete stranger. “I would hate to impose on you like that, especially because you don’t even know me. I could be crazy!” she joked, attempting to lighten up the dark mood which she had set.

 

“I’m positive,” he laughed. “It’s obvious that you’re not crazy, and I can see that you could use a friend right now. I don’t know what’s going on, or what you’re running from, but there’s just something about you that makes me want to be there you. For some reason, I really feel a strong connection to you, Lily. I felt it the moment I pulled my truck up behind your car. And when I got out and shook your hand, there was an energy between us that really hit me. It’s almost as if I was sent there to help you. So let me do that. Let me help you.”

 

Lily stared at Geech and let his words sink in. She could not believe her good fortune in stumbling upon this man who was so eager and willing to assist her. It was a dream come true in the midst of the nightmare that her life had become.

 

“Oh Geech, thank you so much!” Lily exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. When she pulled away, she looked down at his firm, shapely lips, and before she knew it, she leaned in and kissed him. Afterwards she jumped back and gasped, shocked at her own carnal behavior.

 

Geech just looked back at her and smiled, then licked his lips seductively.