Page 45 of He Will Come for Me

Phoenix’s muscles tighten and he holds me tighter. He doesn’t say anything, so I continue. “I don’t remember everything.” I admit. “I don’t remember the auction itself. I remember you winning and I remember us having to go into that room. People were watching us.”

I stop talking and turn so I can put my nose in the crook of his neck. His scent calms my racing heart.

He runs his fingers through my hair. “Are you angry?” he asks.

“No. You went out of your way to protect me. From what I could tell. I don’t remember us actually having sex. But I do remember telling you to make my father regret it.”

He huffs. “I knew at that moment that I loved you.” My heart jumps into my throat at his proclamation.

Leaning back, I look into his beautiful eyes. “You love me?”

He cups my jaw and smiles. “Of course I do. You’re my wife.”

“I love you too.” Something flashes in his eyes before he kisses me softly before leaning back. “Why didn’t you want to talk about it?” I ask.

He sighs and pats my hip. “Let’s go for a walk while we talk.”

I stand and he follows, opening the door of the pantry and leading the way to the patio. He grabs me a sweater and I pull it on before stepping outside. Instead of walking toward the lake, Phoenix walks in the opposite direction. I haven’t explored over here before. I’ve been so determined to make it to the lake, I didn’t think about walking this way.

“What’s over here?” I ask, wondering if I’ll see the gazebo and garden I saw from Anna’s room. He links his fingers with mine as he walks at my pace.

“The tennis courts are over here, but there’s also a garden and a gazebo.” He confirms my thoughts. “You liked to come out here and read when the weather was nice.” I smile at the thought.

“Would you come out here with me?” He chuckles and nods. I wonder if he’s remembering something I can’t remember. Sighing at the disappointment that swirls in my stomach, I shake my head, trying to dislodge my thoughts. “So, why didn’t you want to talk about it?” His hand tightens around mine.

“Because what I had to do…” He trails off. “Taking your virginity in front of thirty men isn’t something I ever thought I’d do. But every one of those men has suffered in some way sincethat night.” I stop in my tracks. He turns to face me, not a sliver of guilt evident on his face.

“What?”

He steps closer to me. “They will all suffer for what they did to you until the day they die.” It’s a promise. A declaration. I’ve never seen this side of Phoenix. At least, not that I can remember. “You and I…” He takes a deep breath. “We had a plan. We were doing it together and then you were gone.” He interlocks his fingers and places them on top of his head.

“I searched everywhere for you. And now I’ll make sure those who took you suffer just like those who watched us that night. But I won’t show any mercy this time.”

I step toward him, putting my hand over his heart. It’s beating as wild as mine. “Is this the first time they took me?” I ask. His hands grip my biceps and he shakes his head.

I’m not surprised. When I say my mantra, it’s alwayshe will come for me, he always comes for me.

“Can you tell me about the other times?” He starts walking again, but doesn’t speak. I let it go for now and take in the beauty of the garden we’re approaching. I can understand why this would be a place I’d like to read in. He walks into the gazebo and sits on the swing.

I feel him pulling away from me, so I sit sideways, draping my legs across his lap. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, so I lean my head on his bicep. He’s changed into sweats and a white fitted T-shirt. I can’t stop myself from rubbing my hand along his bicep and his chest. He tilts his head to look down at me, a smile playing on his lips.

“You’re very irresistible,” I murmur as my hand drifts down to his abs. They contract beneath my hand and his cock jumps against my leg. I lick my lips.

He runs his fingers through my hair and his other hand lands on my ankle as he rubs it up my shin to my thigh and back.“You’re irresistible too, love.” My breathing picks up. As badly as I want to give into this, I need answers.

“Are you going to talk to me?” I ask as my hands continue to explore. His hand continues to explore as well, but he turns his head so he’s looking out over the garden.

“You were only taken once. We went back to the auctions together. You were taken at one. I was able to get you back immediately. I learned from that mistake and never let you out of my sight. But then you were taken again.” He looks at me again. “This last time. You were missing for three months.”

He takes a deep breath and shakes his head like he’s trying to get rid of the memories. I begin tracing the outlines of his abs through his T-shirt.

“I wish I could remember more. I don’t necessarily want to remember what happened to me when I was taken, but everything else,” I whisper. He grips my chin with his thumb and forefinger, lifting my gaze to meet his.

“You will. You’ve had several memories over the past week. At least at this rate, you’re able to digest it before you’re assaulted with all those memories at once.”

He’s right. I know he is, but having these huge gaps in my life hurts my head. He leans forward and slots his mouth against mine. He pulls my bottom lip between his and sucks. I sit up and straddle him. His hands find my ass and he rocks me against his hardening cock.

“Want to know my favorite memory that happened in this gazebo?” he whispers against my lips. I run my fingers through his hair and nod. He spreads his fingers as they cover my ass completely, his middle fingers teasing me slightly.

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