Page 96 of Beautiful Prey

He seemed more aware when handling me, unlike when he had pulled out the glass. More than ever, I badly wanted to take that mask off and see his true face.

If only we could get past this pain.

I licked my lips and swallowed, thinking how warm his large hand was cupping mine. “It doesn’t need stitches, does it?”

He examined my hand, carefully pressing his fingers to mine, unbending them. “No,” he said softly. He took a couple Band-Aids and wrapped my index and ring finger. “But they might scar,” he added. His thumb brushed along my hand.

My hand tingled from his touch. When he had been enraged, I was too scared to notice, but now, with this touch it reminded me of the same one from my half-sleep state. Gentle…loving.

He was there again, just on the surface. My Emery.

He wanted me. I could see it in his gaze, I could feel it in his touch. The tension was there, thick and electrifying.

If he took me now, I might not stop him.

My body burned at the thought. The dreams, the terrors. He was making me lose my mind.

His body moved closer. All I had to do was close the distance, all I had to do was fall off the edge and into that dark water where, beyond the monster, a king awaited.

I wanted to believe it was that simple. Just let go. Just give in. I tilted my head back and our eyes locked and he stood there, so still. Hardly breathing. Waiting.

Tomorrow…tomorrow…

Tomorrow…it won’t matter.

My heart crawled into my throat.Tomorrow, he’s going to hurt you again, said a little voice.The anniversary of your escape will be the day of your death. He will end it. His ghosts will win and he will finish what he started.

I blinked, unable to keep my emotions at bay. I turned my gaze down and took back my hand, stepping away.

He reached into the sink. My pulse quickened and my body tensed when he picked up the knife, then washed off the blood.

I assumed he’d take the knife away. Instead, I was surprised when he moved to return it to the drawer. As he went to open it, I put out a hand.

“Wait! Don’t do that!”

He stilled, his hand gripping the handle.

I almost wanted to laugh when I said, “There’s a really big spider in there.”

He looked down at the drawer, then back at me. “Is that what got such an impressive scream out of you?”

I nodded, smirking with embarrassment.

“Never thought I’d be competing with a spider,” he said almost more to himself than me. “Best to squash the competition.” He set the knife on the counter and cracked the drawer open. He reached inside and, with shockingly cool patience, he caught the spider, enclosing it in his palm. As he brought it out, I could see he was about to crush it, but I stopped him.

“Don’t kill it,” I said.

He gave me a curious look but did as I asked, holding the spider carefully in his hand. “You want to save it?” he asked.

“Yeah, I want to save it. I usually don’t like to kill them if I can help it, even if they freak me out.”

“That’s nice of you.”

“I feel sorry for them, you know?”

He tilted his head. “Why?”

“It’s not their fault they’re so creepy.” I saw the spider’s little leg pop out from between Emery’s fingers, trying to find a way out. I frowned, trying not to shiver. “They’re scared too.”

---