Page 40 of Shattered Souls

“I’m sorry!” I say it for the millionth time.

He hasn’t been sleeping in here with me, and when he is in here at the same time as me, it’s the same thing over and over. He won’t look my way as he sits and sketches all day.

He stands to leave the room and that’s when I see it. Fresh tears skirt down his clean shaven cheeks and fall to the floor. My mouth falls open but no words come out.

He shuts the door, but this time I don’t call out to him. I let him leave.

What have I done?

The door creaks open and I sit straight up. Hayze walks in and slips the key to the cuffs to release me. I bring my wrist up and rub the dull ache that always accompanies the metal prison.

I catch his wrist before he can leave me again.

I make a fist and place it on my chest. I rub it in a circular motion. I’m sorry.

“I need you back with me.” I wish I could talk to him more in his own language, or at least understand it, but the beginners book is only so helpful. Doesn’t exactly teach you to say I’m sorry I called you a freak and said I hate your guts after I slept with you.

“I was scared and I didn’t mean it.”

IT’S OKAY

I almost sag with relief at his words—but to my horror, he keeps going.

NOTHING NEW

I stand and force his face to look at me. “I didn’t mean it, Hayze. You’re not a freak. You’ve treated me with such kindness, given our situation. And I can’t lose that.” He snaps his head out of my grasp and spins, landing his fist in the wall beside the door.

“Please! I’ll make it up to you.” His chest is rising and falling quickly as he reaches over to his desk and grabs his pad of paper and pen. I bite my lip with nerves as he frantically scribbles something out.

You feel so bad? Then stay in your old room tonight. That’s how you can make it up.

My stomach lurches with the thought of having to be imprisoned by those tight four concrete walls, but I deserve it. I called the only one of them that’s shown me any sense of humanity a mute freak.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He throws the papers on his desk, sending a few more flying onto the floor. One of them is a beautiful drawing of a raven with its wings spread wide and maw open in a scream.

He closes the gap between us and brings his mouth to mine. I melt into his arms and let his mouth claim mine. I don’t deserve this. Shit, I shouldn’t even want it, but I’ve been craving him ever since our shared breaths last Friday.

He breaks the kiss and presses his head to mine.

CALL ME ANYTHING ELSE, JUST NOT A FREAK.

“Never again.” I promise. I place my hand on the hollow of his stomach. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.” He runs the pad of his thumb along my bottom lip with something more than lust on his face.

SIT DOWN

I step back until the edge of the bed hits the back of my legs. I plop down on my ass and watch him. A new wave of fear washes over my skin with the predatory gaze he pins on me.

His torso is still bare, a shine of sweat covering it, a single bead drips down the valley of his abs, sending heat to my core. His eyes stay on my face as my fingers curl into his waistband and tug softly—making sure he wants this.

He gives me a nod, but audibly swallows.

He’s nervous.

I press his thighs back before dropping to my knees in front of him, pulling his pants down and he kicks them to the side. His cock bobs just inches from my mouth, already rock hard with a bead of precum formed on the tip.

My hand grips him, causing his cock to jerk and a pained groan to come from deep within his chest. He reaches out and rakes his hand down my head in his own wordless praise.