Page 31 of Bleed for Me

His eyes bounced to the wall, his forehead creasing as he read over the brochure I’d just hung up. “A wellness retreat?” he asked with interest. I could see the wheels turning in his head as he ripped his gaze from the wall and fixed his attention on me again. “Are you going?”

“If Dr. Blake approves it. I think it would be good to get out of this place for a while.”

He nodded in agreement. “Can I have one of those?” he asked, motioning to the remainder of brochures in my hands.

I took one and offered it to him, glad that I was making some progress. “I’m going to put these up really fast. Are you on your way to group?” I inquired.

He nodded, stuffing his free hand in the pocket of his black sweats while clutching the brochure with the other. “I’ll walk you there,” he offered, his eyes skirting down my body. Heat blossomed within my chest, not sure how to feel about all the attention I’d been getting lately. In a way, it was kind of nice. Since coming here, I’d been so lonely and scared. I had no intention of acting on anything, but it helped keep my mind elsewhere sometimes.

I made my way to my room with Ryder walking at my side. Slipping through my door, I placed the papers on the foot of my bed before venturing back out into the hallway.

When we made it to group therapy, I noticed that all the tables were folded up and pushed against the walls today. The projector at the far end of the room was on, the only light in the room coming from the screen on the wall. Everyone was seated on the floor facing the makeshift screen. I guess we were watching a movie today, which I didn’t mind.

I found a spot next to Cheyanne near the middle of the row of patients. Ryder slid into the spot beside me right as the commercials started to play.

Mrs. Octavia’s voice sounded out over the noise. “Today, we are going to watch a classic romance movie,” she explained in an authoritative tone. “I want you to focus on the feelings you have while watching it. There will be a quiz on Wednesday.”

Cheyanne and I exchanged glances, but neither one of us said a word. It took a few moments, but the opening of ‘The Notebook’ bled across the screen, causing my breath to catch. This had been one of my favorite movies growing up. I could probably recite every line.

Movement sounded from behind me, followed by someone saying, “Move,” in a low growl. Glancing over my shoulder, my eyes widened as I watched Archer kick another patient out of their spot, so he could take the place behind me.

I’d been trying to avoid him since he gave me the tour around the asylum. He’d been extremely intense and forward, and I had a feeling he took what he wanted, regardless of consequence. That thought alone scared me. To my surprise, he left me alone, and my body relaxed. I focused my attention on the movie, watching as Noah hung off the edge of the ferris-wheel in order to impress Aly.

“Why can’t guys be like this in real life?” Cheyanne whispered from beside me, making me laugh—a genuine laugh that sounded foreign to my own ears. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d allowed myself to feel an inkling of happiness, but that was short-lived as guilt crept into my chest, reminding me that I didn’t deserve it.

I extended my legs after a while, thankful for how spacious this room was, so we weren’t forced to invade each other’s personal space. As Aly and Noah started undressing on the screen to be…intimate, Archer slid up behind me, placing a legon either side of my body. Heat enveloped me instantly and I glanced around the room for the staff members, but they were all in the back, unable to see me from where I sat. His hands ran up the sides of my arms, his chest pressing against my back. Goosebumps prickled along my skin, making my heart elevate.

“Relax,” he whispered, his hot breath fanning against my ear, making me shiver.

His warmth felt inviting,tooinviting. My head spun as he dropped his lips to the column of my neck, his tongue darting out to taste the skin there and a shudder rolled through me. My hands snapped out, landing on his thighs instinctively. What was it about this guy that couldn’t take a hint? I knew I could pull away right now if that’s what I wanted, so why didn’t I? His hands moved to my sides, his fingers resting right beneath the curve of my breasts. I’ve never had anyone kiss me on my neck like this or even hold me like this for that matter. It feltgood.

My body trembled against him as my focus waned from the movie playing ahead. A gasp fell from my lips as he continued to lick and suck on the sensitive spot of my neck. My grip tightened on his legs and a low growl escaped him but was drowned out by the TV. My heart raced, pounding furiously against my chest cavity. I couldn’t think straight if I tried.

Alex.

“Alex,” I whispered. It was the only thing I could say through my ragged breathing.

Archer froze, his grip on me tightening. “What?” he demanded in a low, dark tone that had chills careening down my spine.

I swallowed thickly. It probably wasn’t the smartest move to utter another guy’s name while he was doing intimate things to me, but I had to put a stop to it somehow, and it was the only thing I could think of at the moment.

“My boyfriend,” I whispered. “His name is Alex.”

His warm breath feathered against my ear. “The next time you say another guy’s name while I’m touching you, I’ll stuff my cock so far down your pretty little throat, you won’t be able to say anything.” My breath hitched at his crude words, but it sent an electric current pulsing through me. He loosened his grip around me but didn’t let go.

Ryder turned, his eyes zeroing in on Archer who held me flush against his body.

“Turn the fuck around,” Archer hissed, holding me possessively against him as if he was staking his claim on me. I didn’t know why that sent a thrill through me, but it did.

Archer wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met before. He was straight to the point, didn’t beat around the bush, was direct. In just the short amount of time I’d known him, he’s already had my body reacting in ways it never had before. That terrified me, if I was being honest. When Ryder turned back around, Archer tugged me backwards, forcing my head against his chest. My breathing was erratic. He didn’t care that I had a boyfriend, didn’t care that I’d rejected his advances before. None of that deterred him from pursuing me. He was persistent. In a weird way, it made me feel desired. Even if—and this was a hugeif—I’d given in, he’d probably grow bored of me once he got what he wanted. Guys like him enjoyed the chase, theobsession. Once there was no thrill anymore, he’d move onto the next. That was life.

As the movie continued to play, I felt myself relaxing in his arms. I didn’t have the strength to move—not when this felt comfortable. More comfortable than it should have. I was in an asylum, and he was here for a reason. He was bad news, but my body didn’t get the memo. It wasn’t like he could harm me right now, anyways. We were surrounded by people.

I liked the way his body fit around mine. This was the furthest it would go; I’d make sure of that. I just wanted to revelin the way this felt for a little bit longer, knowing I’d probably never experience it again.

Archer’s hand moved up my body and closed around my throat. My pulse quickened, his earlier words ringing in my ears.

I slid my hand around her throat and squeezed.

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