Page 35 of His Big Bad Stick

I close my eyes.

Tears slide down my cheeks.

My arm feels weird from being numb. The drink Colver poured me has my brain feeling warm.

And my life is a total disaster.

“Abrielle,” Colver growls. “For fuck’s sake. What is happening?”

“I’ll just leave!” I yell. “I’m sorry I showed up. You’re the same, but we’re not seventeen and eighteen anymore. This was a mistake. I just show up out of nowhere and drag you into my life? What is wrong with me?”

My eyes blur as I hurry toward the door.

Colver steps right into my path.

I collide with him and suck in a breath.

His left hand is around my body, touching the small of my back.

I feel like my legs are going to give out again.

“Are you in danger, kitten?” Colver whispers.

“Nobody is going to come look for me right now if that’s what you mean. But am I… myself… am I in danger…?”

I don’t answer.

I don’t want to answer.

“I can see your heart pounding inside your chest,” Colver says.

“Can’t even keep your eyes up here, can you?”

“You’re terrified. I’d offer you a chance to crash here but you’re not going to sleep. You’re scared out of your fucking mind. Over someone. Someone who hurt you.”

Colver reaches for my stitched up arm.

He starts to nod.

“I know it’s not like last time because we are-”

“You’re right,” Colver says. “It’s not like last time. Last time I did it without anything in return. This time…”

“You want something in return,” I whisper.

Colver just stares at me.

His eyes are like fire the way they burn at me.

My face suddenly feels warm. My body too.

And when I say my body I mean… everywhere.

Even there.

A voice in my head tells me what he wants in return.

I chase it away.

---