Page 33 of Craving Danger

“After I spent time with you last week, I realized I don’t get out much. I can’t remember the last time I went on a date,” he admits, much to my surprise.

“Really? Is it because you’re too busy?” I ask as I slowly lower my head to the pillow.

When I’m in a horizontal position, I stare at the ceiling and listen for any movement from him.

“Yes. I’ve been swept up in my work and forgot there’s more to life.”

I hear him shift, and my eyes dart to the corner, only to see him leaning back in the armchair.

“I just wanted you to know I’m also getting something from these meetings.”

I nod while my fingers dig into the covers. “I’m glad to hear that.”

I try to close my eyes, but the moment they’re shut, I’m bombarded with memories.

Even though I was in a relationship with Todd, and we’ve had sex before, feeling him push inside me this time makes a crack rip through the very foundation my entire life has been built on.

He lets out a groan. ‘Do you feel how good we fit together, Sam?’

He thrusts into me again, and my mind screams for him to stop. Another tear escapes from the corner of my eye and disappears into my hair.

‘I’ll never let you leave me. If you try, I’ll kill us both.’

I dart off the bed, and with my arms wrapped around me, I rub my hands up and down my biceps in an attempt to comfort myself.

“I’m here and won’t allow anyone to hurt you,” my mystery man says, his tone sounding harsher than usual.

The sound of his voice is so familiar I find myself stepping closer to him. When I’m next to the armchair, I sink down until my butt hits the floor and lean back against the wall.

Feeling disappointed with myself, I mumble, “It was worth a try.”

“You’ll get it right,” he murmurs, sounding more confident in my abilities than I am right now. “There’s no rush.”

Still wanting to make a success of tonight, I glance up at him. “Can you come sit next to me?”

I watch as his powerful body rises from the chair, and when he moves closer and sits down beside me, I’m surprised when I don’t feel a wave of panic.

Maybe it’s because my eyes are open?

He’s left a couple of inches between us, so I scoot closer until my arm brushes against his, which gets my heart racing.

I take a slow breath before I close my eyes.

With his voice no louder than a whisper, he says, “After my dad passed away from a stroke, my mother started getting panic attacks. It took years and a lot of medication before she managed to deal with her grief.”

I keep my voice soft as I reply, “I’m sorry to hear that. It must’ve been hard for your family.”

“It was, but with time, things got better.”

He’s right. It’s been a year since I left Houston, and in a way, I’ve learned to live with the trauma.

What else can you do when giving up is not an option?

Chapter 12

Franco

Tonight is a fuck-ton more difficult than I expected it would be.

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