Page 58 of Roses and Skulls

Immediately, she tries to get up and run but I tighten my grip and whip her back into the chair.

“Shit, you fucking asshole. That hurts.”

I round the chair and crouch down in front of her, pulling her face close to mine. “But you like pain. Don’t you?” I ask, running my thumb over her trembling bottom lip.

Her pupils are full blown now as her eyes dart over mine. She’s trying to figure me out. When she doesn’t answer, I let go of her hair. “I’m not like everyone else, Billie Rose. I’m not going to make things easy for you.”

She swallows but doesn’t look away. “What does that mean?” she asks breathlessly. The tension between us is palpable. I feel her fear with each beat of my heart just as she senses my need for her. It frightens her.

“Has anyone besides me, touched you here?”

I press the palm of my hand against the seam of her jeans, pressing down hard. The little gasp that she makes, pumps blood straight to my cock.

“Elijah,” she pleads on a whimper.

“Answer me,” I demand, pressing harder against her.

Her knuckles turn white as she wraps her fingers around the seat of the chair. “No,” she finally responds.

“That’s good.” I slide my hand down her thigh. “Because I would have to kill anyone who had touched what’s mine.”

She looks up at me through her lashes, her eyes blinking rapidly.

“What about here?” She shivers as I brush my knuckles over the swell of her breasts.

“No.”

When my thumb runs along her bottom lip, she turns her head away, my finger trailing across her cheek.

The clock ticks on the wall beside us. Tick, tick, tick. My gaze scours her face, searching for answers to her reaction.

“Your lips belong to me.”

Her eyes drop closed.

“I want a name, Billie Rose.”

She sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down hard. I reach out and grab her by the cheeks.

Billie Rose releases her lip, indentions from her teeth left behind. Leaning over, I run the tip of my tongue over them and then I kiss her.

My parents are soul mates. I know most think that sounds cliché. But I was lucky enough to witness the phenomenon that is true love. And if I’m being honest, I think Billie Rose has seen it too. I believe Jesse and Dirk love each other fiercely.

I remember the first summer she didn’t come to visit. Jesse said Dirk was busy and couldn’t make the trip and that he didn’t want to be away from Billie Rose for two weeks. And then the next year was just another version of the same lie.

For a few years, I didn’t think much about it. I was young and busy with my friends. I mean, sure, I missed the little girl who followed me around with stars in her eyes, but I had my life. It wasn’t until after her accident, when Jesse came and showed me pictures that my heart began to ache.

The carefree girl she’d been had vanished. Her soul was buried so deep that very few traces of her remained.

So, I spent the next few years turning myself into the man she was going to need. One that would unapologetically reach in and pull her out.

After several minutes, I allow her a breath. When our eyes lock, she pulls back slowly. The fear in her eyes, makes my heart soar. She understands now. I’m going to drag her kicking and screaming out into the open.

“Give me a name, Billie Rose. I’ll get it out of you, one way or another.”

Her hand comes up and presses half-heartedly against my shoulder. “I don’t… I can’t… Elijah, just stop. Please. I can’t do this now.”

I sigh and rub my fingers through my beard, not giving her an inch.

---