“That was different.” A plate lands on the marble countertop. “Carter didn’t care if he lived or died back then. He wanted her out at all costs. Now he’s cautious.He won’t risk his future with her.”
The smell of oranges, sharp and fresh, hits my nose like a ton of bricks. I freeze, my lungs stalling halfway through a breath. I grip the counter with both hands, watching Koby peel the fruit right in front of my fucking face. My world shrinks to the quiet squish of him separating the segments.
It’s just fruit.
Just an orange.
But my stomach turns, and my vision narrows in on the citrus.
“Want a slice?” he asks, holding one out.
The ground slips from under my feet. I fall like Alice down the rabbit hole; only my Wonderland is four walls and a man killing me slowly with soft words.
“Open. Come on, sweetie.”
Nausea rolls through my stomach. The stool scrapes back. I stand, my ears ringing.
“Leilani, I said open.”
I swat his hand so hard the orange slice splats against the cabinet.
“Fuck. Leilani...”
He catches my wrist, spins me around, and my cheek hits his chest seconds before his arms circle my back, holding me in place.
Don’t touch me, don’t touch me!
I start swinging, landing my fists on his chest, ribs, stomach.
“Leilani.”
“Oh, sweet girl. That’s disappointing.”
I thrash harder, fighting to break free, but it’s not working. My nails break skin; teeth sink into t-shirt-clad flesh.
Let go, let go!
He doesn’t, he holds me tighter. Panic crawls up my spine, adrenaline levels hitting Everest heights. I twist and turn, throwing my elbow hard enough it hurtsme. I can’t tell where I’m hitting. My lungs won’t work. My pulse is everywhere.
“You need structure. Consequences.”
“Leilani.” Warm breath skitters along my ear and long fingers comb my hair, pushing my face into the crook of his neck. “Shh, calm down. Breathe.”
I hold it as long as possible before I inhale...
And everything shifts. The scent is all wrong. Anton smells like gray soap, baby powder, and antiseptic, not smoke, leather, and expensive cologne.
The fight sputters out of me one reaction at a time. My fists go limp, then my knees buckle, and I fold into Koby like I’m melting from the inside out.
“There you are,” he says in my ear. “It’s just me. He’s not here. You’re okay.” He kisses my temple, cradling me closer, one hand stroking my back in slow, calming circles, the other fisting my hair. “No oranges. Noted.”
“I thought...” My voice cracks as adrenaline gushes out of me. I burrow into him further, waiting for my brain and the rest of my body to catch up and relax. “I thought I was back there.”
“I know. I know, baby, but you’re not. You’re with me. You’re never going back there.”
I don’t know if I want to cry, scream, or kiss him. Maybe all three. I inch away enough to look at him and immediately regret it. Tiny beads of blood cover long, red scratches.
“Shit, I didn’t mean to—” I swallow hard, shame and guilt rip through me when I spot the angry bite mark peeking from his t-shirt. “I’m so sorry.”
