we were one once book 2: "A Dark Romance" by Willow Madison Read Free Book Online

stay the Hell away from the man that came to my house earlier.” She only nods, so I squeeze her to me harder, “I mean it, Red.” She looks up at me and I wish I could tell what she’s thinking. She’s not blank, not withdrawn, but she might as well be. She only nods again. Fuck.
    I finally let her go and watch as she moves back to the edge of the room. I lose her to the crowd. I felt this way when she didn’t show up in Chinatown or Castro last year. When I’d lost control and I’d lost her. It’s not a familiar feeling for me. Not a feeling I welcome ever feeling again either.
    Grace has been beyond unusual for me, in so many ways. Embracing her dissociative identity disorder…well, it’s been a crazy ride. Beyond what I expected last year when I followed her, that’s for sure. Fuck, then she was just a quiet, shy girl I meant to take and train. That seems like years ago, but it was only four weeks yesterday that I brought her to my home with the intention of keeping her as my personal slave. Only four weeks of being lost in my obsession for everything about her.
    In one night, I went from a man in complete control over everything in my life to a mixed-up mess, falling for a chick way more fucked up than I ever could have imagined. Falling for her? Fuck, try fallen , jackass.
    And now, I feel completely out of control again. This was a bad idea, bringing her out in public like this. I don’t want to expose her to anyone. I don’t want to share her with anyone, even a room full of innocuous strangers. She might think me crazy with my obsession, but takes one to know one, sweetheart. A half smile cracks through the strain of my pressed lips.
    “You all right, man?” Cary’s voice cuts into my thoughts. I nod and he moves slightly away again. But not far. He’s keeping an eye on me.
    Cary has always been able to see through me. He’s always been able to react to my subtle mood shifts. I like to think that I’m mysterious and able to hold my shit together pretty well, but I’m an open book to him. And his sister, Sophia. And now Grace and Red. Guess the only mystery is how long I’m going to hold onto a false image of myself. That has me smiling slightly again.
    I try to relax more and return to the conversation, but I can feel every muscle twitching. I down my remaining glass of pinot and make this an excuse to leave the group behind. My way towards the back where the restrooms are is hindered by non-stop attempts to pull me into other small groups though. Women I’ve fucked, women who want to fuck me. Men I’ve known, some as clients; men who want to get to know me, some as clients. And a few of Grandfather’s friends. For those, I stop briefly.
    Closer to the back, I finally have a clear view of Red. And she’s doing exactly what I told her not to do. She’s talking to Miles. He has his hand on her waist and a fucking smile on his face. I can’t see her face, but the look on his says he likes whatever he’s hearing.
    I take a big step towards her and knock right into a waiter clearing a tray of glasses off a table. In the shattering noise and flying glass shards, I take my eyes off of Red.
    When I look back up, she’s alone and looking right at me. But for a moment, I could swear it’s Grace again. My own anger, the distance and distractions make it hard to tell.
    She doesn’t move, so I make my way to her.

9
    It didn’t take long for Miles to spot that I was alone. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he beelines for me.
    I turn and smile at him last minute, so he comes to a quick halt, his hand still reaching out to me. I brace myself for the collision of his flesh with mine, but he withdraws his hand like he can feel heat rolling off of me. I certainly feel my skin flushing with anticipation.
    “Miles Vanderson,” I don’t enjoy saying his name, but I do like the way a crease forms between his brows at my confidence, “ You’re a long way from home…”
    “It seems I had to