I stumble slightly, brushing my red hair out of my face as I watch him shut the door behind me, locking the world out. The walls close in as he turns, advancing with intensity, until I instinctively back up, only to feel the wall against my shoulders. There’s nowhere else to go.
He braces his arm against the wall above me, trapping me beneath his gaze, his tall frame eclipsing the light as he speaks, low and unwavering.
“I thought I told you not to come back here, Raven.”
With my head tilted back, he rests his forehead against the wall overhead, eyes locked on mine.
“This is my job, Ty. I’m not leaving. Besides I needed to speak to you.” I respond quietly.
His eyes search mine as I reach up, my fingers latching around the strings of his hoodie, “Firstly…” I whisper before pulling on them and he dips his face down close to mine until his lips hover just above mine.
I swallow hard from the close proximity, the smokiness of his breath and take a quick glance at his soft lips. I find myself stupidly wanting to kiss them, to feel them on mine, but I don’t, I tilt my head and softly press a lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth. His body stiffens from the connection, just enough for me to notice, and I release, my lips peeling away from his skin.
“Thank you,” I murmur before drawing back slowly. His dark eyes catch mine and I can see the intensity in them, the way he’s holding onto everything he has not to pounce and take advantage right here.
“I’m sorry…” I say, panic rising inside me and I try to slip past him, but his other arm rises quickly, resting against the wall, caging me in.
“If I wasn’t in here, I would have shoved my cock so far inside your ass by now, the only way you would have left this damn room is by walking like Bambi or worse, in a fucking body bag,” he growls against my lips and my eyes broaden.
“I’m clinging to every last shred of control I have, Kitten, but the thread is fucking fraying—bit by fucking bit, unravellingevery time I see you, every time I catch even a trace of your scent, I can feel it slipping, that final hold on my sanity wearing thinner and thinner. I’m always mentally… fucking you.Violently.And I can’t get the images out of my head, especially with my hand wrapped around my dick.”
I take a deep gulp, a sickening thrill almost trembling down to my core as he continues, “Any cure for that before I leave, Ms Tate?”
I feel stuck, his cold eyes scanning mine, wanting me to play his game, but I stay professional and raise my chin in response.
“Go live your life, Ty. Meet a nice girl and have some fun. But notviolently.Forget me and forget this place. You’re about to see how beautiful life can really be.”
Ty’s lips twitch ever so slightly, his brown eyes flashing with something that sets my nerves on edge. Without a word, he pushes himself off the wall before he turns away and walks toward his bag. The room feels tiny somehow, the tension coiling like a snake ready to strike. I exhale shakily, forcing a composed posture, even as my heart thuds against my ribcage.
“Ty, this thing…” I begin, my voice soft but firm and it makes him pause, his hand hovering over his bag, then he turns his head slightly to look straight at me. I gesture between us, trying to find the right words. “It’s not going to happen. I appreciate what you did—helping me with Billy—but…” I shake my head. “I’m sorry, this could never be a thing.”
For a moment, his jaw flexes, the muscles in his cheek moving with displeasure as he stares down at his bag. Then he straightens, letting out a small, humourless chuckle.
“Of course, Raven. I get it,” he says, and a small wave of relief washes over me.
But then he turns fully, his gaze sweeping over me, his lips curling into a smirk. “I mean, what pretty little perfect therapist ends up with their psychotic patient, right? That would be so…” his head swings from side to side as he studies me, “unprofessional.”
I don’t respond, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end as he takes one slow step closer.
“Maybe you’re right, beautiful girl,” he continues, his voice dropping lower, more sinister. “Maybe this is just some sick little fantasy. I just need to fuck, that’s all,” he takes a brief pause his gaze darkening, “Violently.” He grits out, his teeth clenched.
My stomach churns, and I fight to keep my expression neutral. I stare at him, trying to decipher whether he’s teasing me, testing me, or just trying to rattle me. Whatever this is, it needs to end now.
I square my shoulders, my chin raising in defiance. “Is there anything else I can help you with before I go?” My tone is steady, but my fingers twitch at my sides, ready to move if he does.
He looks away, moving back towards his bag, and after he’s zipped his bag, he lifts it, slinging it over shoulder.
“No,” he says, almost bluntly. “You’ve done enough.”
I feel my shoulders relax, then give a small nod. “Well, goodbye, Ty.”
He just stares at me with his chin lifted, not saying any else, so I turn around, leaving his room with a strange sense of sorrow and confusion settling inside me.
Chapter Four
Raven
It’s early evening, and I’m almost ready to go out with that couple—strangers. My introverted ass is kicking up a storm, making my palms sweat as I carefully apply my makeup, sitting at the vintage vanity in my bedroom. I hum absently to a melody that’s been stuck in my head, anything to distract from the anxious churn of going out. The rain pounds heavily against the window, a reminder to take an umbrella with me.
