Page 103 of Dark Love

There’s something very wrong with my mind.

The cramps decide to up the ante on the twisting, which causes a sharp shooting pain that stabs its waythrough me.

I yank my knees up, searching for any kind of relief. Only to feel a clot slide out of me with a rush of blood.

There’s too much blood.

Way too much blood for the napkin I have on… for any napkin to hold.

What do I do?

Every second it seeps farther up my underwear. There’s no way I don’t have a spot on my bed, not to mention a stain on my pajamas.

What do I do?

Tears pour out.

“Dahlia. What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you okay?”

No.

No.

No.

I shove my face into his chest and let them pour out avoiding the humiliating mess growing under me.

Why did this have to happen?

Because my body hates me. That’s why I hide for the first full day of my period. That’s why I didn’t want to let you in. That’s why I need to be alone now.

Well, just as soon as I stop crying.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He pulls me in even closer. “Should I rub your back?”

Yes, I almost say, but even though that might help with the pain… his hands would get too close to the mess.

What am I going to do?

“No,” I manage to croak out through the tears.

“What can I do to help?”

“Leave.” So, I can die of embarrassment alone.

“Other than that.”

Why won’t he make this easy? “Please.”

His arms tighten around me. “Why? What happened between you falling asleep and waking up? What did I do wrong?”

Huh? Him? I shake my head and push myself up on my elbow. “Other than being a man that I like more than I rationally should, you did nothing wrong.”

“Then why do you want me to leave?”

For the first time, I see insecurity in a man capable of taking on the world. “Because my body hates me, and sometimes—” All too often. “—my body doesn’t work well with the protection I’m wearing, and I need some privacy.”

His eyes widen with understanding and I wait for him to be grossed out and run. “Why don’t I run downstairs and refresh our drinks? Would you like a cup of tea or another glass of milk?”

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