Page 112 of You Kissed Me First

I want to be the one she needs.

Then she grumbles something in her sleep.

“Stupid spiders. Always getting in my way. I’m going to burn them all. Burn this entire forest down if I have to. Then no more spiders.”

I’m shaking with laughter, trying not to wake her.

One thing is for sure, life with Katie would always be interesting.

* * *

Sleeping should have come easilywith the shot they gave me, but after an hour of lying in bed, I find myself waking up.

Not for long. Only long enough to be aware that I’m in my room with Dominic wrapped around me, but enough to fuck with my head.

The first time, I felt so disoriented that I started struggling in Dominic’s hold. The only reason I finally calm is because he whispers soft words into my ear, lulling me back to a secure place.

The next time, I could have sworn I heard someone breaking into our room. This time, I jump out of bed and start smacking Dominic, only he isn’t in bed. He isn’t anywhere in the room.

I try to search for him, but he’s nowhere to be found. I consider going to the door, but I’m afraid.

Instead, I curl up into a ball under the blanket and hope whoever is trying to get me can’t see me under here.

I must drift off again because the next time I come to, it’s dark in the room and someone is in bed next to me.

“Ah. Get away from me, you murder rapist.” I attempt to karate chop the stranger.

All that does is make the man groan.

“Katie, it’s me. Dominic. Please stop hitting me. I swear I love your hands on me, but not when they are causing me physical pain.”

His voice should calm me, but instead, it surprises me. Don’t I hate Dominic? I jerk my knee, which must hit him somewhere unpleasant because his voice squeaks, and then I feel him move.

Then the past few days filter back to me.

I don’t hate Dominic. I like him. I might even love him. No, not love. I like him. He’s cute. He makes me feel good. He’s funny. Yeah. I like him.

“Did you say you loved me?” I ask, unsure if I heard his statement right.

Or did he say he loved when I touched him? I don’t remember.

His tone is laced in pain as he pulls me closer to him. “Do you want me to love you?”

“I don’t know. Is that what you said, or did you say something about love? My mind is foggy. I feel like I can’t grasp my thoughts.”

“I gathered that when you thought I was a murder rapist. Maybe we should have this conversation tomorrow when you feel better.” Dominic guides my head so it’s lying on his chest.

“What happened to me? It was the drugs, wasn’t it? I told you not to give me drugs,” I mumble.

“Go back to sleep, baby doll. You’ll feel better tomorrow. Your hives are already gone.” His hand is running through my hair, making me sleepy.

“How would you know?” I ask.

“I’ve been keeping an eye on them. I even reapplied the ointment while you slept. Don’t worry. I’m taking really good care of you. Your health and safety is my utmost important priority.”

My mind is trying to process his words. “You mean that, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. I’d never let anything bad happen to you. You mean more to me than you realize.” I feel his lips against my hair.

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