Page 35 of The Eraser

My lips twitch. "Though you'd like to, right?"

His lips pull at the ends, and I know he's trying not to smile. "You don't need to answer right now. I just need you to think it over."

I already know my answer. I want to stay here and be with Stephen. He makes me feel safe. He's the only person I've ever felt that way with before. I'm at ease when I'm around him. "As long as it's not an imposition, I'd like to stay here," I say softly.

The grin he has can only be described as triumphant. "Good. I wouldn't have let you go anywhere."

I shake my head. I should have known that the man who's been watching me for the best part of four years wouldn't let me go, not when he finally has me in his home. His gaze drops to my lips, lingering there for a few seconds, and the air around us crackles with tension. I can feel my heart racing in my chest as I try to maintain a façade of calm, despite the fear and excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. His hand reaches out, fingers lightly grazing my cheek, sending shivers down my spine. I resist the urge to pull away, unsure of what may happen if I do.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, his voice low and dangerously seductive. I try to keep my breathing steady, not wanting to seem too eager, not wanting to let him know just how much I want him. It’s been over a year since our kiss, and yet it seems like just yesterday.

His touch sends a jolt of electricity through me, making my skin tingle with anticipation. I can see the hunger in his eyes, I feel it in the way he draws me closer to him. The room seems to fade away, and it’s just the two of us and this burning desire that we feel. Deep within me I crave his touch, his kiss, his embrace. I’ve always felt this way about him.

Stephen Maguire has a hold over me and I don’t think it’ll ever change.

As his lips inch closer to mine, I close my eyes and wait for the moment, the one that I’ve dreamed about for a year. The kiss is fierce and passionate, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume everything in its path. In that moment, nothing else matters but him and me, just as it’s always been.

God, he’s so good at this. I want more. I need more. He’s all I have ever wanted, and right now I finally have him.

It’s a while before he pulls back, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I watch him, his eyes dark with lust as he watches me. "Why did we stop?" I ask, sounding breathless.

He smirks. "If I didn't pull back, Little Dancer, I'd have fucked you so hard you'd be screaming my name. Your cousin is in the living room and I doubt you'd like him to hear us fucking."

My lips part in an 'O' shape and heat spreads up my cheeks.

"Shower, baby, then I'll make you breakfast. I have a lot more questions that I need answers to."

Unable to speak right now, I nod. A shower would be good.

"Clothes are in the closet for you," he tells me as he gets to his feet. "Let me know if you need anything," he says as he presses a kiss to my cheek before leaving the room.

I stare at the closed door, trying to figure out how everything I thought I knew has changed within the space of twenty-four hours. I have no idea where Dad is, nor do I know what's happened to him, and there's a part of me that doesn't really want to know, scared that he's gone, but the bigger part of me needs to know. I just hope he's not dead. As much as he's hurt me, he's still my dad.

I'm not sure how long I stay staring at the door, but once I'm pulled out of my inner thoughts, I get to my feet and make my way to the bathroom. I smile when I see there's a soft pale pink towel hanging on the rack. My heart melts even more. Stephen has gone all out to ensure my comfort and I really appreciate that.

I turn on the shower and let the water cascade down my back. It feels amazing beating against my skin, working out the knots that I have. I realize that Stephen has gone out and purchased my brand of shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. He really has taken an interest in me.

I should find it creepy, but I actually find it oddly sweet.

I stay in the shower for as long as possible. When I step out, I wrap that pink fluffy towel around me and sigh in contentment. I feel so at ease, even with the dreaded talk Stephen wants to have with me. He's not going to stop until he has every single question answered. I need to decide just how much I'm willing to tell him. There are some things that I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about.

Opening the closet, I'm shocked to find so many clothes, all of them something I would wear, although brighter than what I've worn recently. I can't help the smile that forms on my face when I reach for the pink leggings and matching t-shirt. They look so very pretty and it's been years since I've worn anything this pink.

It doesn't take me long to find underwear. I should be annoyed that he knows my bra size but I can't find it in me to be mad. I dry off and pull on my panties and matching bra, these both in pink too.

My stomach rolls when I see the scars that mar my thighs. They're ugly and cover a lot of skin. They're hard to hide when wearing dresses. It's why I always wear outfits that go below my knee. I need to hide the scars.

The bedroom door opens and my gaze collides with Stephen's, my heart racing and my stomach rolling as he takes in my half-naked body. There's no way he could miss the scars.

Shit.

ChapterFifteen

STEPHEN

I heardthe shower turn off a while ago. I thought she'd have been dressed when I entered the room. I probably should have knocked, but fuck, I'm glad I didn't.

The scars on her back, her ass, and her thighs... there's no missing what they are. Burn marks. Someone has burnt her. By the looks of things, third degree burns. They're red, white, and puffy. My gut fills with acid as I step toward her. She's not once taken her gaze from me. "Who?" I ask, the sound rumbling from my chest. "Who did this to you, Jess?"

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