Page 82 of Monsters of Desire and Nightmares of Passion

“Who’s Grabby?” asked Mrez.

“I nicknamed him Grabby because of all the arms. Fuck, how…? I mean, I’m so sorry guys.”

Mrez slumps on the floor. His shape continues to flicker, changing into the different images he has used over the years to seduce and entertain Ivy. He loved taking different forms to please her. It was one of the things that kept him happy and preoccupied.

Lisa slumps next to him and leans her transparent head against his shoulder.

“Fuck,” they both whisper.

I leave them behind. My duty I to Ivy, no matter how much I wish I could also help Lisa.

Ivy moves in my arms, as if she was having a nightmare.

“Shhh.”

I’m so tempted to enter her dreams one last time, tempted to talk to her one last time, but that would only make me change my mind and want to stay with her.

My deformed mouth plants one final kiss on her forehead.

“Dream sweet, my love.”

I leave her in bed and cover her, watching her for the last time. Ivy was always beautiful, I never doubted that. But it’s all the other little things that make her truly special to me. Her expression when she sip tea that’s too hot. The way her eyes open even wider when she reads something that makes her nervous. The way her upper lip always rises a little and shows her teeth. The curve of her neck and the dip to her breasts. Her sweet curves. Her soft skin. The way her breathing changes when she’s aroused.

Everything.

“I love you, Ivy.” I mean every word of it.

The ultimate sacrifice is not too much if it allows her to live a happy life. I had no right to pull her into my realm of darkness just because I desire her so badly. She’s not a toy.

Mrez is waiting for me, holding the dead guy’s phone. “I have the coordinates.”

Lisa looks at us, lost. “Wait, wait. What the hell am I going to tell Ivy when she wakes up? Draw, Mrez, that woman loves you. You can’t kick her away.”

“We’re not giving up on her. We’re respecting her wishes. Tell her....”

My voice breaks. I have no idea what to tell Lisa.

“Just tell her we’ll always love her. Thank you, Lisa. We appreciate your help.”

“You guys.” Lisa starts to cry. “Why does this sound like a final goodbye? I hope I’ll see you again.”

Mrez and I leave the house. I’m tempted to walk back inside, slide into bed with Ivy and Mrez, and stay there and love them both until we heal.

That’s impossible.

“Can we jump to the spot?”

“It should be possible.” Mrez pauses. “Draw, are you sure about this? Really sure?”

“No, but if you want to leave, I understand.”

“I’ll never leave your side.”

Mrez’s gaze meets mine. I’m so happy to have him by my side. There’s a tiny sliver of hope for us but, let’s face it, counting on that hope is ridiculous.

His lips crush mine before I can say a word. In a way I never managed to understand, Mrez always knows exactly what I need. Always. His tongue invades my mouth, and we kiss like two people on Death Row because, in reality, that’s where we’re going.

“I love you, Draw. I’d follow you everywhere.”

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