The voice doesn’t belong to the face in my nightmares. It doesn’t match.
But I’m in too deep. It won’t stop.
I throw my head from side to side and push him away as hard as I can. I can’t do it again. I can’t.
I’m sweating, hurting, terrified.
No longer able to detach and block it out, I feel every hateful word, every threat, every nerve ending that’s protesting against the pain.
His hands tighten around the tops of my arms, pushing me into the mattress and rendering me unable to move.
Then he kisses me. Hard and insistent at first, and my instinct is to pull away, but I can’t. He’s too firm.
What’s happening?
He tastes familiar. Then his lips are gentle and coaxing, encouraging me to respond and willing me back to him. I gasp, realizing where I am and who I’m with.
Denham releases my arms, breaking our kiss and pulling me onto his lap, holding me tight with his arms and shielding me from everything until I start to shiver.
“Shit,” Denham curses under his breath. He shifts us to the edge of the bed, repositioning me so he can carry me in his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me effortlessly to the bathroom, flicking on the shower without putting me down, and stepping in with me still in his arms.
I turn my head into his shoulder, shielding my face from the water as he just stands there, letting the warmth work through me. The shivers eventually subside and I pull my head out of the crook of Denham’s shoulder.
“Are you okay, Stunner?”
I nod, and wriggle my legs to indicate that I can stand. I’m sure the muscles in his arms are burning after holding on to me for so long.
He reluctantly puts me down but doesn’t let me go. He takes off my soaked tank and panties and tosses them into the corner, then his boxers join them.
I’m stripped bare, and after that vivid nightmare I’m feeling vulnerable. I’m desperate to shake off the indecision, the doubtthat fights with me in my head about what I want and what I can actually have.
I wantto be able to move on.
I wantto be able to love freely and not worry that it’ll all be snatched away from me cruelly.
I wantto be free from the burden of looking over my shoulder.
I wantto stop running.
I’m tired.
The thoughts have a choke hold on me and I struggle to breathe.
“I know…I know,” his soft, gravely voice soothes. He strokes my wet hair and holds me tight.
My words weren’t just running through my head. I was whispering them out loud. “It’s not fair,” I cry. “I want to let go of it all, but it’s holding on so tight and I can’t…”
“Shh, just breathe, Arianna. You’re safe with me…just breathe.” He continues to stroke my hair until my breathing starts to regulate and I start to feel self-conscious that I’ve just had another breakdown with him. I’m trying so hard to keep it all together and show him that I’m not damaged or broken, but deep down I know that I am. I can’t hide it; it’s part of who I am and if that sends him running for the hills it will break my heart.
But I can’t pretend to be strong anymore.
His front is pressed to my back, so I reach for the hand wrapped around my waist and curl my fingers with his. My other arm reaches up and pulls his head into my shoulder. His lips press against the sensitive spot where my neck curves, and his stubble brushes my soft skin. “Make me forget,” I whisper. “Please, make me yours.”
He kisses a path up my neck and stops when he reaches my ear. His tongue darts out, licking my lobe and sucking it in between his teeth.
“I won’t let you be anyone else’s, Stunner,” he growls, takingmy hands in his and pressing them against the cold tiles. The entire front of my body is exposed and the cold air reaches me, hardening my nipples and heightening my senses. His body is still pressed to my back, his erection resting between my ass cheeks, his hard chest pressing against my shoulder blades and his mouth on my neck.
“You were mine the moment our eyes locked. You know it. I know it,” he states between kisses. I know he’s right. His golden eyes hit me and have had me addicted ever since.
