Page 98 of A Love Like Venom

Chris Blackwell took what he wanted brutally. He killed a part of my soul that night. He took my innocence. Something that I will never be able to get back.

Razor has only just begun his sadistic game. He hasn’t taken all of me yet. For him so far he’s only had a taste. He’s still waiting to feast upon my flesh.

I can feel the branding burning my skin.

And just like that the pure honest desire I was feeling towards Reed Carter has been ruined by men who are monsters.

Mere moments ago, where his touch felt like home my mind has transported me to a time and place where touch has made me feel never more alone.

Like I said, every moment in life is important.

But it’s the moments that have my body going stiff with fear, stealing the air from my lungs and dread sitting at the very pit of my stomach making me want to vomit that I wish I could forget.

Because it’s these moments that seem to stick with you forever when you don’t want them to.

I want nothing more than to go back to the moment just a few minutes ago where I felt safe in Reed’s arms. A moment I never wanted to end.

Movement behind me causes my body to become stiffer. My joints locked and muscles strained.

All because my mind isn’t here with him. It’s suddenly withthem.

When the even cadence of his breaths suddenly stops, I know he’s no longer in a deep sleep.

He awakens immediately. His body on high alert as he shifts away from me but still holding me loosely in his arms. Raising his body from behind me he angles himself so that he’s peering over me.

Hazel eyes roam my body not with lust but a deep concern for my wellbeing. As if he’s seeing if any harm has been caused.

When his eyes land on my face noticing the fear in my own does he maneuver himself away from me.

In a second he goes from behind me on the couch to crouching down in front of me.

Pushing back the loose tendrils of hair from my face he stares at me intently.

His hands then come to hold my face gently, afraid that I might break if he’ll apply the barest hint of pressure.

“Alice, it’s me. It’s just you and me, angel,” he assures me in a soft voice. The new term of endearment causing my mind to focus on that one word rather than the horrors before.

Isn’t it funny or bizarre rather how one thing, just one little thing can have you feeling an entirely different way.

He then takes my hand and places it against his chest. My palm rests over his heart. Covering my hand with his own he then orders, “Breathe with me. Look in my eyes and breathe with me.”

I follow his demand and breathe along with the steady rise and fall of his chest. I keep my eyes on his, never looking away.

Soon enough the panic and fear dissipate and I’m spellbound by his warm hazel eyes.

When he sees that I have recovered he doesn’t let go of my hand but moves closer towards me.

Staring in my eyes with emotion I can’t place he vows, “I’m never going to let anyone come close to hurting you again.”

It’s the look in his eyes, the intensity and the conviction in his voice that has me believing him. I nod my head too afraid to speak. Because now I can’t place all the emotions stirring inside of me.

My Reed Carter has returned.

He’s returned but it still doesn’t magically fix all the scars that I bare.

I was strong enough before. I can be strong again.

And with him by my side being able to breathe will be easier.

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