Page 21 of Burning Truths

Closing my eyes for a second to gather myself, I shake off the feeling. Gently lifting the fabric from the box, I watch in awe as it unravels into a floor length dress that sweeps the ground. The thin material is so light and soft in my hold that it almost feels weightless. For only a moment I forget where I am, who I’m with, and why I have this gift in my hands. For only a moment I’m taken back to the campus where my life should be.

“It’s so beautiful.” I whisper into the empty space.

Letting the towel drop to the floor, I waste no time sliding the silk over my naked body, loving the way it feels on my skin. Reaching into the small drawer of the dresser to grab some underwear, I pull them up my legs. The dress falls to the floor just as the bedroom door swings open and my heart skips a beat at the close call. Hank keeps himself in check, but one opening and he’d take everything I have left.

“Turn for me, Princessa.” he grunts.

He’s holding himself back and I know that wild look is there just on the edge. Rubbing my hands down the dress at my side, my feet slowly move in a circle until our eyes meet. My shallow greys clash with his bright wide gaze. His mouth damn nearwaters at the sight in front of him and it’s then that I realize he’s dressed his meal up. He motions for me to twirl with his finger, so I do what I’m told.

The green dress hugs every inch of my body, the silk slipping and sliding with each move I make, the slit up my thigh showcasing my leg. It’s beautiful and if I were anywhere else I’d love it. He has me turn another circle before his hand is wrapped around my arm, tugging me into him. His body presses into me, the smell of desperation and hunger pour off him, crowding me into the edge of the bed. My eyes search for something to distract him when they fall on the pack of cigarettes on the table near the bed.

“Shall we?” I ask, nodding my head to the pack.

He takes a step back, but it does nothing to calm my racing heart. He smiles at the feel of my chest pounding from his closeness.

“Of course.”

I snatch up the pack and have one between my lips before his next breath. Looking up at him, I wait. He doesn’t give me enough control to have my own lighter so I’m at his mercy. Hank dips his tongue out to rest between his teeth like a starved animal playing with their food. The strike of a lighter makes me jump and a smile spreads across his face. Inhaling, the tip of my cigarette burns bright red, filling my mouth with the familiar taste. One I once craved but now dread.

“You look mouth watering.” Hank says, his words a groan.

His fingers trace the sides of my neck until they disappear behind my head. The tug of metal and the pinch of pain has me stilling beneath his touch. Swallowing down my cry of happiness, I keep my eyes on him. Hank watches me while he works on freeing me from the collar. His gaze never leaves mine, searching for a sign he shouldn’t do this. The final clickof freedom reverberates through me and I have to grasp his forearms to hold myself up.

“Thank you.”

Tears build until all I can see is a watery Hank standing in front of me with a warm smile. My body and mind finally choose the same path when I jerk forward to wrap my arms around him. My throat hurts from the sudden relief, but I don’t complain. Hank rubs his hands up and down my spine, letting me cry into his chest while speaking soft sweet words that don’t match the look in his eyes, yet I stay in his arms anyway.

I’m going to be free.

Together we step from the room into the dimly lit hallway. My hand in his. The dress is soft against my skin with each step I take. Hank leads me towards the open room with the window and I can’t help the sudden excitement that courses through me. My only thought is the feel of the sun on my skin one more time. We both step into the room together but my feet trip over each other when I see the small table next to the open window. A small white tablecloth covers it, candle lit, and food placed around it in portions.

My ribs ache from the beating of my heart but I can’t seem to look away from the sliver of light shining through the glass. I can tell that the sun is starting to set so my body moves on its own forgetting the hand on mine. Before I think more of it he releases me giving me the freedom to walk away from him. Is it a trap? I don’t let myself focus on that thought. Instead I pull back the curtain fully and bask in the warm glow of the setting sun.

“It’s beautiful,” he says from behind me. “Though it doesn’t compare to your beauty.”

My next breath catches in my throat. My fingers loosen on the cloth in my hand. Turning towards him I give him the first real smile since I’ve been here.

“Shall we?” I wave a hand over the table of food.

He returns my smile with one of his own as he pulls my chair open for me to sit. It doesn’t take me long to notice that he gave me the one with the view outside. To mess with my head? Maybe. Or could this be his way of showing me he truly does want me to trust him?

I may never have those answers but for now I let myself eat real food while staring at the cotton candy colored sky wishing for this to be a dream.

Chapter Eleven

KENNA

Two Days Later

“That’s it, Killer. Spread those pretty legs for me.”

His voice skates over me, sending a shiver down my spine. The way he touches me makes me feel alive again. I want him so bad my legs tremble with need.

“Please. Please touch me.” I’m begging him for anything.

The way my skin burns for him has my breath catching in the back of my throat. We’re like fire and rain. Climbing in height only to fade into nothing. The smell of rain and cigarettes flood my nose, making me smile. He’s here with me. The weight of his body presses me into the wet ground. It’s not until my eyes open that I realize they are closed. Brown eyes hover over me, corded arms surrounding me, a cobra tattoo staring me in the eyes.

“You’re mine, Killer.”

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