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  Holding up her hand, Paden said as strongly as she could, despite how vulnerable she felt, “Bob, I think you need to go home. I’ve got to finish my shift. I’m sure you understand.” It was then when she heard him start to laugh in an evil way and she knew something bad was going to happen. Within a fraction of a second, Bob pushed the chair away from between them and catapulted toward her. As she jumped away from him, she screamed, “Get out of here, Bob. Go home now!”

  Lurching toward her again, Bob said, “Come here, little baby. I’ve been wanting a piece of you for a long, long time. I think it’s high time I get some of that pretty little ass.”

  Paden couldn’t believe what she was hearing and what was happening. There wasn’t a soul around to hear her scream or to help her, and Bob was bearing down on her despite how drunk he was and unsteady on his feet. As she tried to run across the room to get out of the studio, he lunged at her and they both fell to the floor with Bob right on top of her. The stench of his breath made her stomach turn, and she couldn’t move out from under him because he was so fat and heavy.

  All she could do was scream, “Stop it, Bob, get off me!”

  Bob was a man on a mission and he ignored her pleas. He was going to get what he felt he deserved. Reaching for her blouse, he tore it off her despite her efforts to stop him. He was too strong, and as hard as she tried to fend him off, it was to no avail.

  When she screamed again, Bob slapped her across the face, saying in a disgusting tone of voice, “I hear you screaming, but I know you like this.”

  Tears started rolling down her face as he roughly pushed her bra up to get access to her breasts.

  Grabbing her wrists in his hands, he held her so tightly that it hurt as he just sat on top of her, staring at her breasts and keeping her trapped on the floor beneath him. Bringing his face down to hers, he mumbled, “I’ve got something now that you’re really gonna like.” Holding her wrists with one hand, he reached down to her jeans and started to undo them. All Paden could do was scream, “Stop, Stop, don’t do this.”

  ***

  It had been a long ride from Charlotte, North Carolina back to Nashville, but CJ wanted to see Paden so badly that he didn’t even stop for lunch. As he got into the listening area of her radio station, he listened to her while fantasizing about what he was going to do to her tonight. Finally reaching the station, he pulled into the parking lot and saw her car, along with one other. He had remembered her telling him that none of the staff usually went to the station on weekends except the announcers, so he wondered briefly who else was there. It was too soon for the announcer who followed her shift to be there. Not giving it another thought, CJ walked into the lobby of the station, and with a big smile on his face, headed down the hall to the on-air studio where he knew she would be.

  All of a sudden, he heard terrible screaming coming from the studio. And not just screaming, but Paden screaming.

  CJ went into overdrive and barreled the last few yards down the hall and crashed through the studio door. CJ was enraged. Within seconds, he was standing over the man who was attempting to rape Paden. He pulled him off her like he was as light as a fly and threw him up against the wall. As Paden scurried out of the way and tried to put herself back together, she saw CJ punch Bob in the face and put him in a strangle hold.

  Once Bob was defenseless, he looked over his shoulder briefly at Paden with utter worry in his eyes. “Paden, are you okay? Did this bastard hurt you?”

  Paden was shaking as she tried to put her shirt back on and could only mutter between her tears, “Yes, I’m okay.”

  CJ knew that she wasn’t even close to being okay, but he knew she understood the meaning of being “okay”. If the guy had raped her, CJ would have probably killed him.

  Throwing Bob face down on the floor, CJ took off his belt and within seconds hogtied the son of a bitch so he couldn’t move. Bob was so drunk it was easy for CJ to manipulate his arms and legs. Pulling his cell phone out of his jeans pocket, CJ called 911 first. Then with that call completed, he folded Paden into his embrace and gently rubbed her hair while she cried and shook in his arms. CJ had never been so angry in his life and it had taken a great deal of self control to not beat the living shit out of the guy.

  Remembering that she was in control of the radio station, she had to pull away from CJ and get the next few songs and commercials ready to go. She also had to call Russ Farrell because the police were coming. Russ would need to know what happened and Paden knew that station management would need to be there when the police arrived. The minute Russ hung up from talking with Paden he called Rusty Mann, the announcer who followed Paden’s shift, and asked him to come in early so Paden could get off the air.

  It seemed to Paden that everyone converged at the station all at the same time. The police came first, and as Paden began to describe what happened, Russ and Rusty weren’t far behind. Moving the conversation out of the studio so Rusty could get to work, they finished the questioning in the conference room.

  Understanding that it was CJ who hogtied Bob made the officers smile and lightly chuckle while saying they had never come on a scene before where the perpetrator was hogtied with a belt. In fact, they were quite complimentary to CJ for all of his efforts, not to mention his great timing.

  Paden was now beginning to calm down and started to relax again, knowing she was safe.

  Russ was completely dumbfounded hearing about what had occurred. Bob had been with the station for ten years and never in that time did he show any signs of evil that he had shown today. His mind was reeling and his heart went out to Paden. All he could do was listen quietly while the officers asked questions of both Paden and CJ. As far as Russ was concerned, this would be the last day Bob would ever set foot in the radio station again.

  When the police were done questioning them and satisfied that Paden wasn’t seriously hurt they untied Bob, who had passed out, slapped on handcuffs, and dragged him to his feet. Walking past CJ and Paden with Bob in tow, they handed CJ back his belt and gave him a clap on the back. Paden knew that was guy code for “Way to go.”

  Wanting to get the hell out of the radio station as quickly as possible, Paden looked up into CJ’s eyes and whispered, “Take me home.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  One week later, Russ Farrell gave Paden the surprise of a lifetime with a promotion as the station’s new music director. She was so thrilled that she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. Russ was a little embarrassed by her sentiment but secretly enjoyed how happy he had made her with the promotion.

  Although Bob hadn’t done an air shift, Paden wanted to stay on the air and Russ agreed. Russ would ask Rusty Mann if he wanted to be her assistant so she could do both jobs. Rusty had been with the station for a few years and Paden knew they would make a great team. She could hardly wait to tell CJ the news.

  The Cat’s Cradle had invited the band to play tonight to promote their new album Right As Rain and Paden was excited to see him perform live again and to tell him about her wonderful news. Although she was so excited and tempted to call him, she knew he would be busy getting ready for tonight’s performance. Leaving the station in high spirits, Paden went home, showered, and dressed for her night out at The Cradle.

  Because Russ had known that Paden would eagerly accept the music director position, he had taken the liberty of making up some business cards for her. As she finished dressing, she popped a few of the cards into her pocket to show CJ and Archie.

  ***

  When Paden arrived at the club around 9 p.m., the band was on stage, and as she walked up to the bar to get a drink and say hi to Archie, she gave CJ a wink and a big smile. As Archie poured her beer, she told him all about the promotion. CJ had told him what had happened to Paden and he couldn’t be happier for her promotion. Archie had gotten to know her over the past few months when she and CJ would stop by every now and again for a beer and he thought she was a wonderful woman and that she and CJ made a great
couple. It was just so sad about the bad things that had fallen their way, but he hoped things would settle down and they would be finally rid of all the nasty business they had encountered.

  Pushing her new business card across the bar for Archie to have, Paden said, “I haven’t told CJ yet, so don’t say anything until I tell him during the break. I can’t wait to see his expression!”

  Promising that he wouldn’t say a thing, Archie smiled inwardly knowing that hers was not the only secret he was keeping that night.

  Listening to the band play, Paden knew both the new songs from Right As Rain and the old ones from Ramblin’ Road. The band looked like they were all in a good mood and the crowd was stomping, singing, and clapping along with every tune they played.

  Finally, the band took their usual 45 minute break and CJ went right to the bar to sit and talk with her.

  Waiting while CJ ordered a beer from Archie, she played it cool as best she could. After Archie slid the beer over to CJ and gave her a sly wink, Paden said as casually as she could, “Oh! I almost forgot. I have something to show you that you might find interesting.”

  As she slowly reached into her back pocket, CJ eyed her with curiosity. When she presented a small card, CJ had no idea what it would be. Taking it from her outstretched hand, he looked down at it and instantly let out a whoop of joy. Standing up from his bar stool, he picked her up and spun her around a few times while congratulating her and kissing her. CJ was so proud of her and he knew that Russ didn’t give her the promotion because of what had happened with Bob. He gave her the promotion because she was extremely talented at what she did and a great person to work with.

  Putting her back down, he reached for his beer glass, put it in the air to toast, and as they clinked glasses, CJ said, “I am so proud of you, baby. You deserve this promotion and I know you’ll be great at it.”

  Paden was so touched by how happy he was for her and for saying such nice things. He had always been supportive of her and encouraged her every step of the way with anything she wanted to do. She loved this man so completely and seeing his wonderful reaction was the perfect ending to an already great day.

  When the band took to the stage for their last set, Paden ordered another beer and sat back thinking about how lucky she was to have met CJ and for the love she felt for him. Since the release of their second album, the band was gaining huge popularity and their songs were being played on radio stations all across the country. During the break, CJ had told her they were already working on the third album and she was overjoyed that the band was doing so well. She knew deep down in her heart that it wasn’t going to be long until the band made it in the big leagues and she was so glad to be witness to it.

  As it approached 11 p.m. when the band usually played their last song, CJ spoke into the microphone. “As most of you know, we just released our second CD. However, there is one song that I wrote that’s not on it. That’s because I wrote it for someone very special to me who I want to sing it to first, before it gets recorded.”

  The whole time CJ was talking, he was looking at Paden and her heart started to race and she became a little nervous. Continuing, CJ said, “This special woman happens to be here tonight. You may recognize her over there at the bar from WSIX radio, Paden Thomas.”

  Claps and whistles went up all over the bar and for the second time, she tried not look like she wanted to crawl under her chair and hide from the attention.

  Giving the crowd a casual wave, she did her best not to look like she wanted to hide. Lowering his voice just a bit, CJ said, “This is a special song for that very special lady and it’s called, “I Wanna Be That Song.” This is for you Paden.”

  As the soft melody started, Paden was overcome with feelings. She couldn’t believe he had written a song just for her and was debuting it here while being witnessed by the fans of his band and her radio station. As soon as CJ started to sing, a hush fell over the room.

  Once in a lifetime

  If you’re lucky you will hear

  That song of love you’ve dreamed of

  And it’s music to your ears

  That song that understands you

  Like only a friend could do

  And you know without a doubt

  It was written just for you

  I wanna be that song

  That keeps running through your mind

  The one you know by heart

  Your favorite of all time

  The one that always touches you

  The one you’ll love your whole life through

  I wanna be that song

  I knew the first time

  I looked into your eyes

  That I could be that melody

  You had always hoped to find

  That song that brings you comfort

  And keeps you company

  The one that makes you sing along

  In perfect harmony

  The one that always touches you

  The one you’ll love your whole life through

  I wanna be that song

  I wanna be that song

  Just as the band was playing the last few notes of the melody, CJ walked right to the edge of the stage, looked directly at Paden, and asked, “Paden Thomas, I love you. Will you marry me?”

  Paden hadn’t realized that tears had been rolling down her cheeks as she listened to the beautiful words in his song. But those few words that he just asked were words she had dreamed about since she had first met him.

  As her hands flew up to cover her mouth in surprise, tears sparkled in her eyes. She was so choked up she couldn’t speak. All she could do was nod her head emphatically that yes, she would marry him.

  Suddenly, everyone at the bar was on their feet clapping and letting out whoops of joy as CJ jumped off the stage, walked over to her, swept her into his arms, and gave her a long, passionate kiss.

  Paden was overwhelmed by everything that had happened to her that day. She held on tightly to CJ, fearing her legs would give out on her.

  Finally breaking their kiss, Paden whispered in his ear, “I love you so much. You’re the only man for me from now until forever.”

  Just as she finished saying that, Archie rang a loud bell and announced, “A drink for everyone, on the house!”

  Again, loud cheers and claps resounded throughout the club and as people came up to congratulate them, Paden knew that a wonderful journey with the love of her life was only just beginning.

  Acknowledgements

  Special thanks to Thomas Paden of Paden Place Music in Nashville, TN for the lyric, “I Wanna Be That Song”.

  About the Author

  Chelsea Dorsette was born in Boston, Massachusetts and now calls Raleigh, North Carolina home. Her writing career began in the radio broadcasting industry as a commercial copywriter. Some years later she penned a handful of children’s short stories. A few years back, she spent three years learning the craft of writing country music lyrics with the help from some great Nashville song writers. Chelsea’s current love is writing erotica romance. She currently has four novellas available on all major E-bookstores with two more in the works to be published.

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