Page 44 of Pain and Possession

I'm aching for something this man can't give me. Despite his declaration of love, he's not a kind man. He will never be that.

Once he finishes, he helps me down gently, turning around to clean himself. I don't know why I take the paper towels from him, or why I wet them. Nor do I understand why I bring them to his scarred chest cleaning the blood away from his wound with the same care he showed me.

The care he always shows me after he does something terrible.

All if these scars have stories, meaning this one will too. I can't help but to feel responsible for it.

I sway on my feet as I step into a place I swore I would never go again with the man I shouldn't be with. Noè's house is every bit as sleek and ostentatious as it was the last time I was here. I drop my bag at the door as I make a beeline for the bar.

Can't regret my decisions if I can't feel anything.

I don't know why I came home with him, not that I think I had much of a choice. He loaded me into his SUV and set off music playing without a single word uttered. The events of the night weighing far too heavy on my mind.

Which means I need more alcohol.

I don't pay attention to the bottle I grab as I lift one of the crystal glasses from the mirrored tray. Catching a glimpse of my swollen lips and glossy amber eyes in the reflection.A firm hand gently slips down the length of my arm, taking the bottle from me, "You've had enough tonight."

"Hey!" I spin around ready to argue, my words fail me as soon as I come face to face with Noè. His leveling hazel eyes never leave mine as he uncorks the bottle bringing to his full lips and taking a deep swig.The smell of aged, spiced rum fills my nostrils making my mouth water.

"Say please." He orders, sloshing the alcohol around in its bottle taunting me.I bite down on my bottom lip making his jaw clench. He takes another swig sitting the bottle down behind me as he shakes his head, "Stubborn woman."

I'm the stubborn one?

He grabs my hand, pulling me with him as he sets off down the hall and into his bedroom. My cheeks flush despite everything this man has done to me so far. Last time I was in this room… in this house I was clinging to the prospect of death.

Now what am I clinging to? Why am I here?

I pull my hand from his, which he ignores flicking on the bathroom light and walking towards the shower.

"I should really call Laney, let her know I'm okay." I mutter doing my best to ignore him as he slips off his clothes, "She's with Hock, she knows you're safe."

Safe with Noè.

What a ridiculous concept. I look up at him again, the lean marred planes of his sculpted body, arousal pooling between my aching thighs despite my exhaustion.

"Come here Olive."

My heart seizes in my chest as he opens up the oversized glass door stepping inside a shower that looks large enough fit a whole ass orgy.

"I'll just wait."

I watch his fist clench and unclench, he's still angry with me, furious even, "Either you strip and get in of your own accord or I drag your ass in clothes and all. Both is fine with me."

I watch as water falls from the large rectangular shower head, anxiety sparking something deep inside of me.

Something forbidden.

Olive Age Seven

My heart drops as I hear the bathroom knob jiggle. Clenching my fists around the washcloth as I cover myself. I know better than to take a shower when Mr. and Mrs. Carter were out.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Hey Olive, let me in." Brandon's voice reverberates off the steamed walls of the small yellow bathroom making bile rise in my throat.

"Go away Brandon. I don't want to." I plead, knowing it will fall on deaf ears. He's proven time and time again how little my pleas mean to him.

The familiar sound of a knife being worked in the lock makes my stomach revolt. I yelp, tears falling down my face as the sound of the lock giving way fills the otherwise quiet room. My eyes glued to his blurry figure as the door creaks open.

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