Page 63 of Paper Thin Love

“Of course,” he counters, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

Each moment we stand in silence, more fog from the shower blankets us, making it harder for me to think. My chest tightens, and I instinctively wrap my arms around myself, seeking some semblance of protection.

“You can run or you can join me.”

“Join you?” I parrot back, my voice quivering. The humid air pouring out from the bathroom coats my skin, making me feel the need to shed my clothes,

“Trust me.”

My forehead furrows. He wants me to get undressed and shower?“Why?”

“Mila,” he sighs in warning.“We’re taking a shower.”

“Together?”

He nods, his expression torn between desperation and determination.“Your hesitation is wasting water.” He says.

“Are you suddenly a water conservationist?”

A smile tugs at his lips. There’s my broken prince.

“Just tell me why?”

“I don’t fucking know why. I just need it, and so do you.” He steps closer and reaches for my shirt, tugging at the hem with hope in his eyes that I’ll comply.

I gasp. It feels like he just grabbed my wildly beating heart.

It’s another mind game again. I don’t know what to do. I feel cornered, trapped in the wolf’s jaws. He’s telling me he will let me go if I relax, but he could also just snap down harder if I comply.

He begins to lift my shirt, my arms following suit.“Why are you doing this?” I mutter.

He pushes down my sweatpants, then grabs the straps of my leotard, his smooth fingers slipping under the tight fabric running along my skin. It feels electric.

“I don’t know.” He replies in a daze.“I want you, and I think you want me to. I want to escape while my hands are clean of blood because one day they will be so filthy you’ll never let me touch you. One day, that prince you see will vanish. I’ll become my last name.”

“King.” I whisper sorrowfully.

He closes his eyes. I push up on my toes and press a soft kiss to his jaw. His muscles twitch then relaxes when I pull away.

I roll my lips in, trying to hide my sorrow. He’s right, and now I understand why he is doing this. I give in because one day, he’s going to help me escape this life, but my poor, broken, beautiful monster won’t be able to escape. He’s trapped, forced to play until he dies.

He pushes my straps down past my shoulders, each inch lower has my body trembling.

“I don’t know you, Dash,” I say more to myself. I’ve never been this exposed to a man before.

“You shouldn’t want to know me,” he replies as he rolls the leotard over my breasts. They bounce free, the cool air wrapping around them only for an uncomfortable moment before his next exhale of warm breath heats them.

“I’ve...” I swallow as my knees begin to shake.“I’ve never been with a guy before.”

“If it makes you more comfortable,” He smirks,“neither have I.”

A laugh escapes me.

“We’re just showering,” he says, but his eyes linger on my now hard pink nipples. He can’t bend because of his cast, so I’m left with the leotard covering only my lower body.

My hands are still gripping the plastic bag and tape I use to cover his cast.

We’re doing this. I’m allowing it.

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