Page 44 of Left in the Dark

Her walls grip me like a vise, and I groan, cursing loudly. She moans my name before she shudders, her body quivering before going slack. But I have her firmly in my grip, not letting her fall.

My body is covered in sweat as I pump in and out of her a few more times before that familiar tingle curls my spine. I shove myself deep, spilling rope after rope of my come inside her. I come so hard and long that my vision blackens at the edges before clearing.

Our rapid breathing fills the tiny bathroom. I slump against her back, waiting for my bodily functions to return to normal.

When they do, reality intrudes upon my brain.

All the pain comes back, washing over me. It physically makes me ill as I relive the scene on the beach all over again. I reached for her during my weakest moment, but she coldly turned her back on me and left me lying there.

The following days, I ached so damn bad, it was worse than when I was bullied. There were times I thought about ending things. I contemplated how many pain pills I’d need to take so I’d go to sleep and never wake up. Had my worthless brother not been in rehab for drugs, putting my parents through the wringer, I may have done it.

No.Grabbing the base of my cock, I pull out and step back.

I don’t look at Delaney as I hurriedly tuck myself back into my shorts.I can’t go through that anguish again. My heart can’t take it.

“Holy hell, Zayne. That?—”

I drown out her words as I stiffly turn toward the door. Kicking her flip-flops out of the way, my hand shakes slightly as I unlock it.

“Zayne.” I hear the pain and confusion in her tone, but I don’t turn around.

I can’t let her destroy me again, leaving nothing but a broken shell.

Now that I’ve had her, I know all too well how high she made me fly, only to leave me lying in pieces on the ground.

Whipping the door open, I suck in air.I’ve gotta get out of here.

I can’t make sense of her words as I stumble away. I hear her yelling my name as I take off running, desperate to make it to my truck to try and escape the swirling thoughts inside my head. The one person I counted on failed me when I needed her the most.

Tears fill my eyes as my feet pound over the trail. My breaths are shallow as I run, trying to escape the pounding of my heart that still beats for her.

I’m too weak.

Despite all the pain she’s caused, I’m doomed to repeat my mistakes.

My heart can’t tell her no.

CHAPTER 29

Delaney

I’m grateful that Callie is on the beach when I stumble back to our blanket. She takes one look at my face, immediately gathers our things, and nods in the direction of her car.

The tears won’t stop falling as I lean my head against the window, blindly staring at the passing scenery. I feel so used and despondent.

For one brief moment, I held onto the hope that this was make-up sex. Zayne and I would talk, and despite the obstacles, we’d find a way to work things out.

That was before Zayne dropped me like a hot potato and ran out of the restroom so fast I was left with whiplash.

“Are you able to talk about it?” Callie’s sympathetic gaze shifts from the mountain road to my profile.

After taking a few deep breaths in and out to regain my composure, I grab the bottle of water she sat in the cup holder for me. I take a long drink before I tell her what happened.

Her mouth is hanging open by the time I’ve finished. “Oh, sweetie. I wish I knew what the hell was going on inside Zayne’s head.” She takes a deep breath, driving past her house. “Let’s talk this out. Take a step back from the emotions of the situation and go over the details again.”

We drive around for two hours before ending up at the park. The sun rests on the horizon, preparing to disappear, turning the world from color to black. I wish it would hurry up and disappear. I relish the thought of darkness right now.

“Why don’t you try texting him on your burner phone?”

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