Page 27 of Obsession

He looked at me, his eyes a stormy sea of uncertainty. I could almost see the gears turning in his head, trying to make sense of what was happening. For a man who’d only known violence and pain, the concept of tenderness seemed foreign to him.

“Fuck, Hollis… I don’t know how,” he admitted.

“Trust me,” I murmured, guiding his free hand to rest upon my cheek. “Just follow my lead.”

Our gazes locked, and for a moment, it felt as though we were dancing on the edge of a precipice, teetering between the darkness that had consumed us and the light that promised salvation. And then, with a steadying breath, I leaned forward, pressing my lips against his in a chaste, tender kiss.

It was a simple gesture, but one that held immense power. I could feel Riot’s body tense beneath my touch, his pulse quickening at the unfamiliar sensation. Yet, despite his initial resistance, I sensed his resolve crumbling.

“Is this… love?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper, as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around me. It was clear that he struggled to understand the sensations that coursed through him, the myriad of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

“Maybe,” I replied, pressing another gentle kiss to his lips. “Or maybe it’s just the beginning of something new for both of us.”

I knew that Riot might never fully grasp the complexities of human emotions, that his darkness might always hold sway over him. But as I held him close, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart against my chest, I couldn’t help but hope.

Chapter Ten

Riot

Raven’s Vale was a cesspool of filth and violence, the perfect breeding ground for someone like me. I’d always fed off the fear that my very name instilled in the hearts of others. But as I sat there, my cold gaze fixed on Hollis, I couldn’t help but feel… different.

“Riot,” she whispered, her voice trembling with uncertainty. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I grunted, trying to shake off the strange sensation gnawing at my insides. Was it love? Or just obsession? I’d never felt anything like this before -- a vulnerability that made me question everything I thought I knew about myself. And I wasn’t sure I liked the feeling.

“Look, Hollis,” I said, my words edged with frustration. “I wish I could give you the life you deserve. But all I know is pain and destruction. That’s who I am. The fucking Butcher. You’re never going to get sweet words of affection from me.”

She hesitated for a moment before moving closer, her eyes filled with a determined light that caught me off guard. “You’ve given me more than you realize, Riot,” she replied softly, her hand reaching out to brush against my scarred knuckles. “You’ve shown me a strength I didn’t know I had. Let me see a side of you no one else knows about. And I don’t need anything else from you.”

Her touch ignited a fire within me, one that threatened to consume what little sanity I had left. It terrified me, yet I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. My mind raced with unanswered questions and self-doubt -- emotions I wasn’t accustomed to. Part of me wanted to lash out, to destroy the very thing I wanted to keep -- Hollis.

“Are you sure about that?” I asked. Not that I was letting her go, but I’d learned something over the years. Even if I didn’t react to things the way everyone else would, or feel the same, I’d figured out how to mimic them. As Kane liked to say, I’d figured out how to put on a mask of humanity. “Because once you’re in this deep, there’s no going back.”

“Riot,” she murmured, her breath warm against my skin. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

My eyes darted to every corner, searching for an escape from the turmoil within me. But there was none. Only Hollis. I felt the need to destroy, to kill. Fisting my hands at my sides, I remained still, refusing to take it out on her. I felt like I needed her, even if I didn’t know why.

“Riot… you don’t have to be afraid,” she whispered, her words piercing through the haze of my thoughts. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Afraid?” I snorted. It wasn’t fear I felt. If I thought for one moment she’d run, I’d cuff her to the bed again. I wondered if I could microchip her like a dog, then I’d be able to track her no matter where she went.

It wasn’t a bad idea. In fact, now that I’d thought about it, I’d have to get the necessary materials to make it happen. Then I’d know where she was at all times.

My heart thundered in my chest as I stared down at her, my mind racing with a million reasons why toying with her like this was a terrible fucking idea. She was the only one who could make me show a gentler side of myself, even if I knew it was a damn lie. If it’s what I needed to do in order to tie her to me even more, then so be it.

I leaned in slowly, tentatively, giving her every opportunity to pull away. I needed her to want this, to give in to me. By moving slowly, she felt like she had the choice of whether or not to kiss me. Truthfully, if she pulled away, I’d kiss her anyway.

My lips barely touched hers, the lightest kiss I’d ever given. I tried to mimic the things I’d witnessed between couples, the soft touches, loving looks, and sweet kisses. I didn’t understand any of it, but I felt like it was necessary right now. Hollis wasn’t quite the same as the nurse who’d wanted to save me. However, I had no choice but to consider the fact she wanted to redeem me in some small way or feel like she was special.

She was. Just not in the way she probably thought.

“Riot,” she whispered against my lips.

A sound on the other side of the door had me tensing and listening intently. Was it Crash or Kane out there? Possibly both. I couldn’t be certain, but it sounded like Lyla’s voice -- accompanied by Crash and Kane’s sinister laughter. So, those three had been working together just as I’d suspected, even if I didn’t know why.

“Riot? What’s wrong?” Hollis asked, her gaze searching mine for answers.

“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a casual shrug. “Thought I heard something, but it’s nothing important.”

---