Page 113 of Beautiful Prey

“This?”

“Us holding each other like…likeThe Lovers.”

I tried to look up at him but couldn’t see his face. I felt a rumble in his chest like soft laughter.

“It was bright and warm and you…you were there, smiling at me, holding me in your arms. Your hair caught in the breeze, touching my face. Oh baby, it was so beautiful. “

I lay there shocked, unable to say a word.

“After the dream,” he said, “I imagined we were far away where no one could find us. Some paradise. We were so happy.”

I blinked, feeling my throat tighten. “The story,” I whispered.

“Yeah. We had a little ranch by the ocean. How cheesy is that?”

“Not at all.”

“The ocean…” he continued. “We’d go out sometimes…on the boat. And watch the storm pass far away.”

He was gripping me so tight. I saw it in my mind's eye too and my heart swelled.

Oh, how wonderful that could be.

He moved so quickly, loosening me from his grip. He looked energized all of the sudden, excited about something.

“It’s your birthday, sweetheart.” He grinned, then kissed my throat, nipping me playfully, making me yelp in surprise. He growled like a wild dog as he rubbed his face against my neck.

“Emery.” I laughed. “What the fuck.”

He laughed too, then sprang off the bed. He pulled on his inmate uniform, tying the sleeves around his waist, and started to turn away. I went to follow and he halted me.

“No. You stay. I make breakfast.” He smirked at me, eyes narrowed, as he saw the doubtful look on my face. “What? You don’t think I can? Baby, I’m not totally useless. I might be broken, but I ain’t useless.”

I tried to tell him I never said that but he was already out of the room, making for the kitchen.

I sighed and laid back. I thought of his dream and couldn’t help smiling.

Too bad it’ll never come true, came a voice at the back of my mind.

My smile faded at the realization. I stared at the ceiling which was starting to brighten from the slip of daylight beginning to creep between the cracks in the boarded window above me.

He was being hunted, and I was being searched for. That was a fact. And it was only a matter of time before I was found and he was caught. He would go back to prison, and I would…

I didn’t know what I would do. Carry on somehow because I had no choice. I started making up a story in my head too. One I didn’t much like.

Letters written in secret. Moving away. Isolation. Visiting every day under watchful eyes. Longing. Alone.

It was crazy to think that I suddenly didn’t want to be found.

Gradually, I slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom. Then, I snuck over to my cousin’s room to put on a fresh pair of clothes. Emery hardly noticed as he worked at the stove.

I went through my folded clothes thinking of what I wanted to wear. I could go comfy again since I didn’t expect to be going anywhere. I came upon the dress Emery had picked out and smiled. I touched the pink fabric. It was a simple but cute dress. I’d probably worn it once on a date.

Well, screw it. It was my birthday.

I put it on, smoothing it out. It hugged me nicely at the top while the skirt flowed around my thighs, showing off my legs. A strap went around the neck while the sleeves hung off my shoulders. I put my hair in a ponytail atop my head. I stared at myself in the mirror, my eyes drawing down to the necklace that I still wore. I smirked as my fingers fixed the heart, aligning it to the center. Dressing up lifted my mood and I almost had a skip in my step as I left the room.

Emery was distributing pancakes on two plates as I entered. He must have heard my steps because he said without looking, “Didn't grab syrup, so all we got is honey or jam for the pancakes.” He shook his head, frustrated with himself. “But I got eggs coming so maybe it’s not a total—s-shit.” He’d turned around and saw me, nearly dropping the plates.

---