Page 78 of A Monster Is Coming

“Why are you doing this?” Peter asked.

I couldn’t help but glance up into his eyes. I loved his blue eyes, and despite the lies or falsehoods between us, his eyes hadn’t changed.

“Doing what?”

I reached for an antiseptic cream and applied to the area, as well as to the Band-Aid I’d found. It was a big Band-Aid, with what looked like a pad down the center. Carefully, I placed it over his cut.

“Taking care of me.”

“Because you are my husband, and regardless of everything, Peter, I don’t want to see you hurt.”

I put my hands on his knees and stared up at him.

“I’m not hurt.”

“Of course not. You have wounds that are a little concerning, and we’re going to need to keep them clean. Promise me you’ll go to the hospital or call a doctor to help … fix you.”

“I’ll promise, if you give me something in return.”

This made me frown. “What? You do know this is not how that is supposed to work. You’re supposed to want to get better because you’ve got a giant cut on your side. That is how it’s supposed to work.” I was kind of rambling, because, well, I didn’t know what Peter wanted, and I was a little afraid of what that could mean.

“I know, but I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t see an opportunity and take it.”

“You see me as an opportunity?” I asked.

“No, I see this as an opportunity.”

“Then what do you want?” I knew I was playing with fire right now. I didn’t know what Peter could possibly want, and I was a little afraid to find out. But, I also wanted to know.

He stroked my cheek with the backs of his fingers and stared into my eyes. “I want to kiss you,” he said.

I didn’t think it would be a kiss that he’d want at the moment..

“A kiss?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I didn’t know what was so important about a kiss, but I nodded. “Fine, I’m in agreement.” I wasn’t going to say what we were agreeing about. I’d kind of lost track of the conversation. Peter had this affect on me, and it wasn’t good.

I got to my feet and at the same time, so did Peter. I reached out, but he was not swaying from side to side or doing anything alarming. He looked sturdy on his feet. Steady, even. I couldn’t help but glance toward his lips. It had been a long time since we kissed. I couldn’t help but think back to the picnic—feeling his lips on mine, and then only moments later, my life became a nightmare.

I pushed those memories to the back of my mind because they didn’t have a place in this moment, not with Peter.

Me and Peter.

Alone.

He cupped my cheek and tilted my head back, staring into my eyes. Neither of us spoke, and then Peter closed the distance between us, only he didn’t go straight in for a kiss. No, at first, he pressed his face against my neck, and then I felt him breathe me in as if he couldn’t resist. With one deep inhale, he couldn’t seem to help himself.

Then, he kissed my neck, at that pulse point right where it always felt so good, and I struggled not to say or do anything. Why did he have to begin by touching me there? Not that I was complaining. One touch and I didn’t want him to stop.

My hands were by my sides, and I was trying to keep myself contained, but it was hard, especially as I wanted him to touch me. It felt like a sudden, overwhelming need, and then when I least expected it, Peter took possession of my lips and began to kiss me. Gentle at first, and now I couldn’t help but touch him. I went for his waist, and then slowly slid my hands up, going around to his back, and kissing him. I did try to keep distance between us, so I didn’t hurt him. It was the last thing I wanted to do.

Peter must have known what I was trying to do, because he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in close. The kiss deepened. Peter traced my lips, and then slid inside.

I couldn’t contain my moan and the truth was, I didn’t want to. All I wanted to do was kiss this man. He was driving me crazy.

I wasn’t sure how we ended up in the bedroom, but I wasn’t going to complain. I didn’t fight it. I didn’t want to fight it.

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