Page 20 of For the Love of Layla

Yeah, basically empty.

I turn, lifting the lid to the trash before I stop, clenching the plastic bag tighter in my fist.

Now there’s an idea.

We can consider this payback for how our last meeting went, little star. I rub my chest absent-mindedly as it tightens, as if the action will release some of the tension and pain nested inside my chest cavity.I feel absolutely nothing for you, Liam Curran. I don’t think I ever really did.Those are the words she said to me. I had no clue words could hurt so badly. They have no substance, yet they cut more effectively than the world’s sharpest blades.

All I’ve ever done is love you, love you better than anyone else ever could. Yet you insist on making things difficult for us.

I draw in a deep breath, tugging the black mask back into place, securing it in the back. Double checking my sleeves are covering the tattoos on my arms as I tuck the bag into my back pocket. Clicking my tongue as I head to our bedroom, carefully skipping the stairs that creek too loudly. I stop in the hallway as Peaches runs up after me, clicking my tongue again as I slide open the balcony door, watching as she settles down on her large dog bed under the stars before I close it behind me. That’s a fight I want to avoid at all costs. I gently try the handle of our bedroom door, half expecting it to be locked. Something else I suspect she picked up from her childhood. I smirk behind the mask when I find it unlocked.

“Tsk Tsk, that’s dangerous, baby.” I whisper to myself more than her as I shove the door open, not trying to be quiet anymore. Whatever happens past this point will be fine with me, as long as I’m with her. My cock is already hardening in my pants. It’s been too long since I’ve seen her up close. These past four days have been hell. Calling, emailing, texting constantly. Waiting outside our home like a fucking peeping Tom, desperate for a glimpse.

Being ignored by her is enough to drive anyone to extremes.

I even played our song through her Bluetooth speaker a few times. She threw it out the front door where it still resides busted in the gravel drive. Stubborn fucking woman. She groans softly, pulling the covers up around her delicate face.

So fucking adorable. Too bad you’re such a fucking brat.

I walk closer to her, my heart racing and palms itching with the need to touch her as I remove my gloves. I need tofeelher soft skin. Truly feel her.

You are mine, Layla, I intend to show you just how much I mean that.

Layla

I Feel Like I’m Drowning by Two Feet

I take off down the hallway, my heart racing as Liam gains on me. “No!” I yelp, bursting out into giggles as he heaves me over his shoulder carrying me back into the bedroom, my head only barely missing the door frame as he quickly covers it with his hand. A simple, thoughtful gesture and my heart is the fullest it’s ever been.

“I’m nowhere near done with you yet, little star.” The heat from his voice does damming things to my aching core. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much, “I’m sore.” I whine as I nestle my face in his back, inhaling his scent. An abrupt squeal escapes from me as I’m hurled towards the bed, he doesn’t waste any time jumping on top of me caging me in like an animal. His deep blue eyes are caked with lust,just as they have been all morning. He reaches between my legs, wrenching them apart, “Guess I’ll have to take your mind off that then, can’t have my girl hurting.” I grip his messy copper hair in my hand, keeping his head from my throbbing overstimulated clit, “We haven’t left your house in three days.”

“Not true. You left yesterday to get some clothes from your place.” He mumbles, fighting my grip on his hair, his lips brushing against my stomach making me squirm beneath him.

I groan softly as Peaches jostles the bed, trying desperately to slip back into my dream. Wetness pools between my legs as I focus there. An incredibly tempting memory to lose myself in. Something brushes across my cheeks, and I wipe it away.

Go on, Peaches.

Peaches?

My eyes fly open as a large hand clamps down on my mouth, muffling my scream. I start to claw at the hand as the masked man peers down at me, unmoved by my efforts. His dark brown eyes look more akin to obsidian voids as they bore into me. I don’t need to hear his voice to know who this is.

My tormentor.

The man that has been fighting Liam for the slot in all my dreams. I scream again as I’m jerked from the bed. He throws me to the ground, pain erupts in my knees and palms as I collide with the hardwood. “Stop!” He laughs, that unnatural maniacal laugh you’d hear echoing down the darkened halls of an asylum. I push myself to my feet, all too aware of his proximity as he grips my hair, sending me back to the floor, “Be a good girl for me and stay put, okay? Things will be a lot easier that way.”

A sob leaves my throat as I push myself up again. There’s something in his deep heavily accented voice that makes me want to listen to him.

To obey.

“You can never just fucking listen. Such a brat.”

I turn to face him, his black long-sleeved shirt and black pants matching everything else on him. “If you leave right now, I swear I won’t tell anyone.” My voice comes out shaky and unsure, but I mean it. I won’t tell, just please. Please don’t let him hurt me.

I would do anything to stop this.

I step backwards as he steps forward, slamming my back into my dresser. I suck in a rough breath as a sharp pain flares in my lower back. He lunches forward, jerking a plastic bag tightly over my head as he pulls me down to the floor. Another scream, and another and another.

“See what you made me do? If you’d have only listened to me, I wouldn’t have to hurt you, Layla.”

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