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I glance away, then back again. “And what’s that?”
“We both need escape to heal. When I carried you out of the house yesterday, I saw it all over your face. You were craving me. Craving excitement. Craving autonomy from the world as you know it. Because here, in this world, with me, you’re free. Free from everything in your past. Here, tied up in my ropes… you have liberty.”
Threatened by his truth and poignant description of exactly how I feel, I revolt. “How poetic. You should have that printed on a gun or something. Because let’s not forget, you brought me here to kill me.”
His hand brushes the side of my face. “I’d never hurt you. I knew that the second we met.”
“Weird thing to say for a guy that tied me up and held a gun on me.”
“You said it yourself… no one points a gun at someone’s hip.”
“How romantic. You should use that in your vows.”
“Vows? Wow… you ditched Bryan rather quickly.”
I push Liam away. “Can we end this? Obviously, we’re both losing our minds.” I slunk back into the chair by the fireplace. Everything is so cozy with no ropes attached. The fireplace is crackling, there’s a large picture window that stares out at the mountain range, and the ambiance of the room reminds me of some storybook cabin where a very rich version of Snow White lives.
“Serious question.” Liam’s tone is graveled. “If you love and trust Bryan so much, why didn’t you tell him about your past?”
“I thought this was another world.” I wave my hand in front of my face as though it’s a magic wand. “I thought nothing from the real world was discussed here.”
He laughs. “Oh, no. That’s only when we’re fucking. I’ll transport you then. Right now… we’re talking about feelings.”
“Oh, okay. Because a big guy like you, who hurts people, and can do anything at any moment… is all about feelings.”
“Not usually, no. You make me feel differently.”
I bite my bottom lip and stare toward him in disbelief, wondering for a second if I’ve cracked and I’m not here at all. Maybe I’m in a corner of my bedroom rocking back and forth imagining this entire conversation. “Look,” I say roughly, “I don’t like throwing heavy shit around. And while analytical, Bryan is also a sensitive guy. If I were to tell him what was going on, I’d end up pulling him out of a depression.”
“Don’t you think he should be protecting you?”
“He does!”
Liam nods. “By doing the dishes and coming home on time?”
“He also mows the lawn and there’s something to say about being reliable. Something tells me you don’t value any of that.”
“I value attraction and chemistry. I value desire. And if I desire a good woman, I’ll be home on time.”
“Well, there you go. Maybe that’s why Bryan does it. He desires me.”
He laughs heartily. “Does he show you that? Does he help you escape?”
Now, I’m the one laughing. “What’s your obsession with Bryan? You have no idea what it’s like to be in a real relationship, do you? One where you work all day, you’re tired, and you just want to snuggle and relax. You don’t need to be fucking every three seconds for that to mean something. Love can be comfortable.”
He pulls me up from my chair and I land against his chest. With his tone low, he says, “Love can also make you feel electric. Love can tie you up, fuck you hard, and growl your name. Love can lick you clean and leave you begging for more. Love can be more than comfortable.”
The truth is, I can’t remember the last time Bryan and I made love. It’s not that we aren’t attracted to each other, we are, it’s just that we’re always busy.
“Love like that doesn’t last,” I finally say. “It’s intense as hell then fizzles out like a fourth of July sparkler in a can of half-drunk coke. We both know it.”
He angles his lips in toward mine, his heavy breath less than an inch from my skin. “You’re cranky. I think you need pancakes.”
I expect him to say,‘and dick’,but he doesn’t. He simply takes my hand and guides me toward the kitchen, and for that, my stomach and head are grateful.
Chapter Four
Dex
