Breathless by Emily Snow, Heidi McLaughlin, Aleatha Romig, Tijan, Jessica Wood, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Skyla Madi, J.S. Cooper, Crystal Spears, K.A. Robinson, Kahlen Aymes, Sarah Dosher Read Free Book Online Page A

out.
    “Not likely.” You’d shrugged and taken two steps toward me. “Not a single soul saw us talking that night and there was nothing to see any time before that, I made sure of it. What but a few smiles back and forth that only we knew about – nothing for others to see.”
    “They had to see you steal me away.”
    You laughed and the sound was like acid to my ears. “I didn’t steal you away, sweetheart, you willingly came. You walked to that car and you eagerly climbed in. Then I hid you away so no one could see you, covered you as you slept and brought you home.”
    My chest tightened and my throat had begun to close. I envisioned myself then, my body crumpled from the drugs, curled into itself seeking comfort and safety as you carted me away like something you owned, possessed. It was like an intense after school special, only it was me that I saw in the dead eyes staring back, my body being taken by the scary man that lurked just outside the shadows.
    “There was nothing suspicious about you. We took a train and you leaned on me, curled into me for protection from the cold. I stroked your hair and you practically purred at me for more.”
    Flashes of what you described flew through my mind. I could hear the train and smell your honey scent mixed with the smell of the train fumes. Women watched us as we climbed the stairs to board and smiled at what they saw, a young couple in love. Your voice echoed to them, “She’s just had a little too much to drink, we’re celebrating.”
    They believed you and congratulated us. My body leaned into you, my curves fitting perfectly along yours. Your warmth pulling me closer, holding me captive. I felt your hot lips touch my cheek; the smell of honey burnt my nostrils but I still sloped into your kiss. It brought me comfort in my darkness, a beacon in the unknown. My unconscious was drawn to you.
    “You remember,” you stated confidently. “I hoped you would, I hoped you’d remember that we grew close.”
    “I hate you,” I muttered.
    You moved so close that I felt the heat from your body invading mine, you felt like a furnace that had been left on high for too long. Your eyes burned intensely and reminded me of the night you took me, the same look of longing mixed with a knowing that I didn’t understand. I’d fallen for that look, I’d longed for that look from you then.
    Your hand touched my face. “I know it’s hard for your mind to grasp right now, but you need me. Maybe even more than I need you. I brought a light back into your soul, I could see it. It flamed from the first moment you saw me, and if you’ll trust me it can burn even brighter.”
    “No I don’t want to be here, I don’t want you.” My head spun and whirled with fear and regret. I wondered if I’d helped cause this, had I made it too easy for you to steal me away. I regretted every look, every glance I’d ever shared with you and longed to take them all back.
    “You wanted to come here, you told me that yourself. Those exact words came from your mouth; I wouldn’t have brought you if you didn’t tell me that. You longed for me like I longed for you and then you told me. I brought you here to make you happy, you will be happy.” You calmly tried to convince me.
    “I hate you!” I screamed in your face.
    I felt the sharp burn of your hand connecting with the side of my face and the rush as I fell back onto the bed. But my mind didn’t immediately register that you’d hit me. That realization slowly came as you climbed on top of me and held me down. My body flat against the bed, your arms holding mine down, your knees bent by my side.
    “Remember, the easy way or the hard way.”
    My jaw clenched as I drew out the words, “I. Hate. You.”
    “That’ll change,” you declared, your head rested in the crook of my neck as you calmly inhaled and slowly exhaled. Then you traced your mouth up until you placed a single kiss just under my eye.

Canvas for life
    Back in the white