Page 156 of Brainwashed

I just keep fighting, using all of my body weight, rubbing my wrists and my throat raw. I can’t breathe and I’m going dizzy.

He’s going to win…

This time I won’t get out.

“Hey… Lem.”

The gentle voice pulls me out of the dark hole I was in, and I blink myself awake.

I’m not there anymore…I’m in bed. In the Ivory Mansion.

With Felix fucking Darcey, gazing at me.

“Are you okay?” He blinks.

His glasses are back on. I want to ask him how long he’s been up, but I can’t seem to find any words right now. He wasn’t wearing them when we passed out, tangled up in one another. A giant king-sized bed yet we slept wearing each other like clothing.

His head rests on the pillow, our faces only inches apart while we stare at one another.

“You were talking in your sleep,” he whispers.

I’m surprised. I didn’t know I did that… Then again, no one’s ever stayed with me enough to find out. Even Gabrielle and I rarely spent the night together. I prefer to sleep alone…Unless, of course, I’m harboring a serial killer in my bed. Then apparently it’s cuddle time.

“What was I saying?” I ask, placing my hand on his waist beneath the blankets. He’s naked… and so am I.

“You were telling someone to fight,” he murmurs, gray eyes shining at me from behind his glasses. “Telling them to get out.”

I nod, quickly changing the subject. “Did you sleep well?”

“Mhm.” He grins, scooting his naked body up to mine.

Folding my arms around him, I hold him close to me while I wonder what the hell I’m doing. Why is the first person I’ve ever felt so comfortable with a serial killer?There must be something wrong with me…

“If I ask you something, will you be completely honest with me?” I ask him, running my fingers up and down his muscular back.

He’s so obviously not female; it has my head spinning. But I can’t deny how good this feels…

He tilts his chin to look up at me. “Do you think I’ve been lying to you this whole time?” He appears hurt.

“No.” I shake my head.

“Then why would you even think you need to ask me that?”

“I just want to make sure you’ll always be truthful… Even if it’s something that you think might drive me away or upset me.” I give him a look, brows raised, waiting for him to accept what I’m saying.

He nods. “I will. I’ll be honest. No matter what.”

“Have you ever wanted to hurt me?” Our eyes are locked together, intensity barreling in from both sides.

I witness his throat dip. “No.”

“Felix…”

“No, I’m being serious. I don’t want to hurt you… I…” His voice trails before he whispers, “I want you to like me.”

My blinking becomes rapid for a moment as my lips curve into a flattered grin. But I wipe it away and go serious. “But you wanted your victims to like you, too. Well, the ones you liked.”

He grins. “Yea, but theydidlike me. You, I feel like I have to chase…”