AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I just dropped a cup. Not a big deal. Go back to bed, baby.”
My brows furrow. “Are you sure? I can clean it up. Did something happen with work?”
“Leave it, baby. The maid will take care of it. Yes, but it’s nothing for you to worry about. Just a sheriff who thinks he can double cross me. Come on, let’s go to bed.” He pushes gently on my lower back, and we head back towards the front of the house to the grand staircase and head upstairs.
From the landing of the stairs, there are large floor-to-ceiling windows that look out at the front of our house, and when I glance out them, I see a man standing by a car that looks oddly familiar, talking on the phone moving his arms frantically. Before I can think too much of it, Ben pulls me with him to our bedroom and we go back to bed.
I jolt up out of sleep and put a hand over my racing heart. That wasn’t a nightmare, so why do I feel so off?
It’s like something was wrong, but I couldn’t see it. This isn’t the first dream I’ve had since leaving Ben where it felt so normal, like a memory, but then I wake up feeling off or panicked. Before I can think too much about it, a hand on my back startles me. I suck in a breath and turn my head to see Jackson looking at me sleepily.
“Angel? Are you okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, just a weird dream. It woke me up.”
“Want to talk about it?” he asks, his voice groggy.
I smile down at his half-open eyes. “No, it’s nothing.”
He sighs and then grabs me around the waist, pulling me back down to cuddle him. I flip on my side and throw my leg over his, resting my head on his chest. It was nothing. It just freaked me out because Ben was in it. That makes sense after what happened.
When I wake up again, the sun is shining into the room. I roll over and check my phone to see it’s nine in the morning. I groan and sit up. My body is sore but doesn’t feel too bad. I think once I get moving, it’ll feel better. Jackson’s side of the bed is empty, but I don’t have to wonder for long where he is when the bathroom door opens, and he walks out in all his naked glory. My eyes widen, but they fill with heat as I scan him from head to toe. He has tattoos on both thighs, his abs, chest, and one on his upper left shoulder. I never thought I would be attracted to someone with tattoos, but he is so hot.
I don’t even know how he is real. Or mine, for that matter. How did I end up with him? I bite my lip as I stare at him, not even noticing that he has moved closer until his hand comes under my chin and raises my face to look up at his. He uses his thumb to pull my bottom lip from between my teeth.
His eyes narrow. “No biting that lip. It’s mine to abuse, not yours.”
My mouth pops open as I stare up at him. I’m honestly surprised there isn’t drool coming out. Jackson chuckles before flopping down on the bed in front of my legs. When we got here yesterday, I spent time with Raven and then by the time Jackson came up, we showered and went to sleep, so it never really set in that I’m staying here with him. In his room. Well, I guess this is his home. The only other man I’ve lived with is… Ben. I feel myself shudder before I can stop it.
What if… will this end the same way? I am so numb to what happened right now that I worry when it all comes crashing down, Jackson will see how broken I am and send me on my way.
I feel his hand come over mine, and I look down to see I’ve been pinching my palm again. The skin is red and stings to the touch. I realize then that I’m shaking, and my breathing is shallow. My eyes go blurry as tears fill them and before I know it, I’m gasping for breath and digging my nails into his hands.
His blurry face comes closer, and I can just barely make out his lips moving, but I can’t hear him. I can only hear the sound of my heart thundering in my chest.
I was attacked.
By my husband.
The man who is supposed to love me unconditionally not only cheated on me because I was dysfunctional, but hurt me. Stabbed me. Hit me.
Killed my baby.No, you did that, Presley.
I shake my head. “No!”
You did this. You killed our baby.
No, no, I didn’t! My mind battles itself, everything becoming unclear. I can’t tell the difference between his words and reality.
His words are reality.
Look at you. You ruined everything.
You turned me into this monster.
Something wraps around me, and I scream. “Presley”
That isn’t his voice… that voice, I know that voice, but then he’s in my head again.
