Page 23 of Fighting My Demons

“I am not sleeping in the same bed as you.”

“Why? Are you worried about what the neighbors would think? Oh, the scandal when your neighbors see me creeping out of your room,” he taunts. “Pretty sure the neighbors are hoping you invite them to your bed.”

I roll my eyes, and he turns the lights off before dumping me on the bed in a not-so-gracious manner. I bounce off with a squeal, landing on the floor at his feet.

“Geez, I said I would spoon you. No need to beg at my feet,” he says, clicking his tongue.

“You did that deliberately,” I snap at him, getting to my feet.

The room is so dark, I can hardly see since he’s shut the bedroom door. No light creeping in, and I hate the dark. I know. At my age, you would think I was over the night terrors, but getting older only brought more. Only instead of the boogeyman, I dream of real monsters, the ones that aren’t a figment of your imagination, their threats real, and their sins darker.

“Are you scared of the dark?” Xavier says as I feel along the bed, trying to get to the other side of the room so I can at least open the door for some form of light.

“No, of course not. Don't be ridiculous,” I lie.

“So, why are you feeling around like a blind woman?”

“It’s dark. I can’t see.”

“Oh, I was just wondering if you were trying to give me a rubdown. Cock is higher if that's what you are looking for.”

If I could see him, I would punch him. Maybe not. I am not a very violent person, but I can always imagine punching him.

“Warmer, get warmer.”

My hand comes in contact with his thigh, my hands jerking away.

“Are you naked?” I ask him, outraged when I feel no pants.

“Yep, as naked as a wee baby. Though I can assure you it is bigger than a baby’s.”

I roll my eyes at his crude joke when I feel a hand wrap around my wrist.

“Forget looking for the door. I swear no monster is scarier than me in this room. I shall protect you from the things that go bump in the night unless you want to go bump in the night. I won’t say no; I am happy to do the bumping.”

He laughs, ripping me onto him.

I push off his chest, slightly embarrassed at how easily he’s just manhandled me. Am I really that piss weak?

“Hmm, I like you on top,” he says as I try to climb off him, his hands holding me in place.

“And I like personal space,” I tell him, sliding off him and lying beside him.

There is a man in my bed. It feels shocking because I can’t remember the last time I had someone other than me in my bed. My first and last boyfriend rarely stayed over. Once Brian found out about him after showing up unannounced, he Brian made sure he was never to return.

Since that incident, it hasn’t been worth getting involved with anyone. Brian is a ticking time bomb and loved nothing more than showing me how much he controls every aspect of my life. My only reprieve from him was when he was in prison. But even then, he would ring just to remind me he would get out and be back to ruin what little sense of freedom I have.

Xavier shifts, tugging the blankets over us before ripping me to his side and wrapping his body around mine. It is oddly comforting, besides his dick pressing into my back when he shifts impossibly close. I try to escape his clutches, but he chucks his leg over mine to keep me there.

“Chill, Bella, I won’t fuck you unless you ask. Feel free to ask,” he says, and I elbow him.

“Sleep, or I will go back to the couch.”

Chapter Fourteen

Xavier

Getting up the next morning, Bella is already out of bed, and I can hear the shower running as she gets ready for work. I am a little disappointed that she’s managed to get out of bed without me noticing. I’ve been looking forward to waking up beside her. Getting up, I walk to the bathroom and knock on the door.