Page 13 of Sinful Scars

I am nothing but darkness, and she deserves so much more than me.

“W-why?”

I don’t answer, and Elle drops the subject.

We drive the rest of the way to Rye Lake in silence, though my mind is anything but quiet. It’s one of the reasons why I chose to live off the grid for so many years. Being alone in nature is one of the few things that bring me a sense of peace. That and seeing Elle.

It’s why I also keep an apartment in the city, for when I need to stay close by. But all the noise and people put me on edge.

I prefer to be alone, to lose myself in my own darkness, because that way I know I won’t hurt anyone.

I’ve proven that I can’t trust myself one too many times. Yet, I’m asking Elle to put her trust in me.

If I were to hurt her…

I clear my throat. “We’re almost there.”

As I take the hidden turn in the dense forest that leads to the cabin, the sun is just starting to rise. It won’t be long until the mornings are pitch black and ice covers the ground.

If I had my way, Elle and I would still be out here when the seasons eventually change from fall to winter. The cabin is stocked with enough supplies for us to stay out here for weeks, and I would be more than willing to go to the city for extra supplies if she was desperately in need of something.

I would do anything for her.

I put the car in park. “I need you to keep the blindfold on.”

“Why?”

“I’m not going to hurt you. But it’s important you keep it on.”

“I-I don’t understand. If you’re not going to hurt me, why do I need to keep it on?”

“It’s for your own safety.”

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I climb out of the car and walk around to the passenger side door.

Elle has curled herself up on the leather seat, the black tie still around her eyes as she stares straight ahead. Her arms are wrapped around her body, holding her blouse in place as the buttons were all torn off by that piece of shit?—

“I don’t get it.” She makes no move to exit the car. “If you’re not going to hurt me, why have you been watching me?”

I brace my hand against the hood of the car and bow my head, exhaling deeply.

Elle stays quiet, but I catch her throat bobbing.

I’ve told her enough of the truth. Any more might have her ripping off the blindfold and running into the trees. If she knew how deep my obsession runs, how I’ve been stalking her every move for years, she would never trust me enough to keep her safe.

“You should sleep.” I bend down, reaching around Elle to unbuckle her seatbelt.

Her body tenses as I move closer, but I make sure not to touch her, no matter how much I want to.

Her sweet scent hits my nose, and I bite back a moan as her hair tickles my nose.

“Let me help you.” My voice is thick with need as I gently guide her out of the car. The air is crisp, and Elle shivers as she adjusts her blouse.

I waste no time shrugging out of my jacket and wrapping it around her shoulders. It swamps her, but it’s enough to keep her warm until I can get a fire going inside the cabin.

“I should have offered it to yousooner, I apologize.”

Elle bites her lip as she turns in the direction of my voice.

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