Page 165 of Fixation

A clear drop beads on each of them as I press the plunger. Delicate, soft.

Like Harper is.

She’s curled up under the blanket, the one I draped over her. One hand rests under her cheek. Her lips slightly parted.

I see that while I was gone, she went up to get her sketchpad and came back here, waiting for me like such a good girl.

Mygirl, with her red hair that’s no longer bound by its messy bun. Thick locks are sprawled over the arm of the couch. Flames threatening to lick the floor.

So good. So innocent. No part of her is aware of the danger casting its shadow over her.

Without taking my eyes off her, I place it on top of her coffee table.

I slip out an alcohol swab from my pocket. The package is already open, and I push it out. I’m being gentle, tracing it over the side of her neck without waking her.

That’s the last soft act I have left in me for my sleeping patient. My submissive woman.

Nothing compares to her ethereal beauty. To the emotions she evokes in my rusty heart. The deformed organ in my chest.

I’m fortunate to have an understanding woman like her.

“Harper.” Her name is a warning on my lips.

Her eyes fly open.

I have a hand on her mouth, silencing her scream. Absorbing it. Fuck, controlling her it feels good.

My lips are pressed together. Jaw tight. My eyes, I imagine they reflect the barely contained violence within me.

She sees me. She realizes why I’ve returned to her this afternoon.

A second later, she notices the syringe.

Then she starts fighting in earnest.

Hands punching me. Feet kicking, aiming for my legs.

The blanket that protected her only moments ago is now a restriction. She doesn’t reach me.

Can’t stop me.

“I’d order you to be a good girl…”

Harper’s growl against my palm goes straight to my cock. It’s the last push I need, and I smirk as I shove the syringe into the side of her neck.

“Except it won’t make a difference.”

“Anderson,” she screams, her lips a caress on my palm.

Thenat the end of my name is more like a whisper. A breath.

A plea.

One that’ll go unanswered.

Once the light in her eyes dulls, I release her.

“I need you.” The empty syringe clinks on the hardwood floor.