Chapter 8 - Edward and Lisette's story

Chapter 8After her shift, Edward took Lisette home.  When he saw where she and Joan lived, a crummy little apartment in a drug-infested neighborhood, he made a decision.This area was the one hold out in Simon’s efforts to rid the town of illicit drugs.  As sheriff Simon had conducted raids on the five worst blocks but the crack houses only came back a few days if not hours later.“I can’t let you stay here,” Edward told Lisette when he parked in front of her apartment building.“Good thing it’s not your decision,” she retorted smartly.  He grabbed her arm gently when she reached for the handle of the car door.“Don’t,” he rumbled in his Dom voice.  She hesitated in deference to the authority she heard.“Master Edward please don’t do this,” she pleaded.  “It isn’t fair.”“I don’t care.  I can’t let you live in this neighborhood.”“I’ve lived here for the last month without your help.  I’ve lived on the streets.  How dare you think I can’t take care of myself?” she replied hostilely.“I don’t doubt you can take care of yourself,” Edward soothed.  “You don’t have to anymore.  I will take care of you.”“Until when?  I sleep with you?” she accused.“No until you don’t want me to anymore.”“Right,” she drawled with spite.  “You’ve gone from detesting me to wanting to take care of me.”“I never detested you!” he exclaimed.  “I have longed for you since I saw you the first time at the club.”“Which is why you kept your distance.”“I kept my distance because I was afraid,” he confessed.“Of what?” she asked dumbfounded by his revelation.“Of you,” he said softly.  “You could break my heart so easily.”Her eyes widened in incredulity.“What?” she whispered.“I want you baby girl,” Edward continued.  “I need you.  I have never needed a woman before.  But with you … you bring out every protective and loving instinct I have.  I want you but I want to love you too, take care of you.  I want to hold you in my arms as much as I want to fuck you.  I’ve never felt like this before for a woman.  Or a man.  Please let me care for you Lisette.”She hesitated only a few seconds before answering.
“Yes,” she said softly.