I know why.
I just refuse to admit it to myself.
After removing her shoes and dress and bra, slipping on a nightie, I tucked Jessie in, kissed her head and stared at her from the doorway for far too long.
I’ve had a taste of her now.
It’s changed fucking everything.
I want so much more, and I need to know who hurt her.
That man is going to pay.With my fist or a bullet.I really don’t give a fuck which.
No one hurts Jessie Rogers.
She belongs to me.
Christ, she’s brave.In the heat of the moment, as Jessie slammed her mouth down on mine, I didn’t think, I felt.I acted.I took what I’ve wanted for so long.
With her spread wide before me, as her orgasm shuddered through her body, I snapped out of my desire-filled haze and reality whacked me across the face.
I saw the dark yellow and green bruising inside both thighs, along with a few small round dots which I assumed were from a man’s fingers.
Either Jessie likes very rough sex, or someone forced her.The way she flushed with shame and panic tells me it was not consensual.
She’s run from him, that’s what happened.
I should tell Jayden.
I should tell her parents.
Instead, I want to curl up in that bed and hold her in my arms until she tells me who it is.
But I know her.
She’s stubborn as a mule.
She’s here with me, safe.
I will protect her.
As I shower and have breakfast, I think about the way forward.The last thing any of us needs is Jessie running again.
I put my bowl in the dishwasher and stare out at the yard.The only way she is going to open up to me is if she trusts me.Jessie’s going to hate me for this at the end of the day, but her abuser cannot go unpunished.
I can’t keep her, but we can have this time while I pull the information from her.Otherwise, if I can’t, nobody will.
Losing her is the price I’m willing to pay to avenge what happened.
Don’t do this.
I walk down the hall and softly knock before walking into the bedroom.Jessie rolls onto her back, rubbing her eyes as I sit on the edge of the bed and place one hand on the linen across her body.
“Hey sleepyhead.”
“Hey, ouch.Head.”She groans.When her memories kick in, her eyes widen and she glares at me.
I brush my hand over her forehead.“Hey.I got scared, I’m sorry.”
