Page 44 of Safe
Her voice was broken up by her erratic breath. “I will.”
I slid my hand from her breast to her throat, wrapping my fingers softly around it, applying pressure only at the sides.My thumb rested against her pulse. A warning. A promise. Her eyes widened—but not in fear.In surrender.
“You want control? Then that’s not how you respond.”
I felt Danielle tighten around me as my hand squeezed around her throat. I loosened my grip just enough for her to speak.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good fucking girl.”
I released her throat and let my hand glide back down her chest, tracing over her stomach until I found her clit. I rubbed in slow, steady circles, feeling her tremble beneath my touch as she teetered on the edge.
With one last deep thrust, Danielle braced her hands against the headboard, letting out a raw, breathless scream from her throat as she finally let go.
The sight of her undone and completely mine pushed me over the edge. I came with her, every nerve ignited, every muscle clenched, lost in the heat of the moment.
21. DANIELLE
For the first time since my parents died, I didn’t wake up in fear. Misery wasn’t waiting for me like an unwelcome friend. Hopelessness wasn't the first weight on my chest. This time, I fell asleep in absolute pleasure and woke to real comfort.
I turned toward Cody, taking in the steady rise and fall of his chest, his arms locked around me as if I didn’t belong anywhere but here. I soaked in the moment for as long as I could, until a growl from my stomach shattered the silence. I slipped out of his arms, careful not to wake him, got dressed, grabbed my purse, and headed into town.
Outside, the air carried the distinct, refreshing scent of clay, and the sky was a beautiful, clear blue. The world carried on around me, but I was in my own bubble. I thought it would be a nice gesture to put together a little breakfast for Cody, since he is usually the one taking care of me. These past few months couldn’t have been easy for him, and I knew there were times I’d made things harder. This was a chance to show my appreciation.
The corner store charmed me with its quaint, almost storybook atmosphere. It was nothing like the corner stores back home, stocked with gas station snacks, phone chargers, and rows of air fresheners. Instead, this place felt more like a cozy bistro.
Sunlight highlighted a display case piled high with freshly baked pastries. The warm, buttery aroma drifted through the air, comforting me the moment I walked in. In a quiet corner by the window, two plush chairs and a small coffee table created a perfect reading nook, complete with a bookshelf overflowing with well-loved novels. I selected an assortment of pastries,some fresh fruit, and a carton of orange juice before making my way to the counter.
“Your total is $24.67.” The cashier began bagging my food as she read me the total.
As I reached into my purse, my fingers met the usual clutter—lip balm, loose change, an old receipt—before I realized that I had forgotten to grab any cash from Cody’s wallet before leaving the house. For a moment, I hesitated, mentally retracing my steps and weighing my options. Would it really be worth pushing my newly healed leg to its limits? The thought of hobbling back to the car, driving all the way home, searching for Cody’s wallet, and then making my way back to the store felt exhausting just to imagine. I glanced back at the cashier and decided it wasn’t worth the trouble.
With a sigh of resignation, I pulled out my wallet and slid my credit card from its slot. As I handed the card to the cashier, I reminded myself that sometimes it’s best to take the easier path, especially on days meant for small pleasures.
After my quick trip to the corner store, I pulled into the driveway and gathered my bags, careful not to drop the juice balancing in my arms. Fumbling with my keys, I pushed open the door and felt relief at the sight of our comfortable living room. I hadn’t even set one foot back in the house before Cody came rushing out of the bedroom, sweating and panicked.
“Where the fuck were you?!”
I froze in fear.
The only person who had ever spoken to me like that was Landon. Like an instinct I couldn’t rid myself of, I dropped the bags in my hand and shielded my face, bracing for impact. The only impact I felt was Cody’s arms wrapping around me.
“Oh my God. Danielle…I’m…I’m so sorry. I was freaking out because you weren’t here and I thought…” One arm anchored me against him while his fingertips brushed throughmy hair and across my cheek. His eyes searched my face again and again, like he was afraid I might disappear if he looked away.
Cody didn’t even get a word out as I lowered my hands and relaxed into him.
Calm down, Danielle.
I felt the apprehension subside almost as fast as it had appeared.
“I was scared something had happened. I wasn’t thinking. I’m so fucking sorry.” Cody cupped my face in his hands and kissed my forehead before reaching down and picking up the bags.
I didn’t know if I’d ever get over this fear that every man was going to hurt me, but the way the stress response drained from my body the minute he put his arms around me, something in me just knew that if anyone could, it’d be him.
“Cody,” I said quietly, helping him pick up the groceries I’d spilled, “thank you.”
He stopped, mid-picking up the box of pastries, and looked at me. “For what?”
