Page 71 of Isolation

The nightmares, the lack of sleep, the sudden reflexes, it’s all slowly getting out of control. Twice, I took away needles while she was distractedly digging it into her fingers because I reached for her too abruptly.

There is no fucking road map for this. No way to navigate through her mind. No way to know what could set her off, except watching for her body language and assuring her that I am not a threat to her anymore. We simply need more time so she can trust me again.

“It was never just sex,” I repeat to drill it into her brain. “It was about our connection. After experiencing thereal deal, the idea of anything less felt empty. Just the thought of someone else left me feeling dissatisfied, craving for something better.”

Raven might be giving me thesignal, but her apprehension remains.If I follow her into her bedroom, it will be a momentary relapse. It won't be worth the consequences if she reacts poorly.

Instead of letting this lust-fuck moment continue and get out of control, I cut the tension playfully.“It’s like being asked to be on a vegetarian diet when you are a strict carnivore.”

Raven laughs out loud, breaking our staring contest and the tension pulsing through the air.

She uses her own playful face. “Are you saying that I am a piece of meat?”

My face is about to split open from the grin I am wearing. “You are Wagyu meat,” I simply confirm, hiding any amusement. “When you are used to having Kobe beef and then asked to eat grass, the space fillers don’t actually satiate. It leaves you feeling hungrier.”

“Oh my God. Stop comparing me to food. I’m getting hungry again.”

I chuckle and change the topic. “Fine. Are we still on for tomorrow?”

The small frown on Raven’s forehead displays her surprise that I am ending the night so abruptly. “Yes,” she says awkwardly with a forced smile. “We can go whenever you wake up.”

“Okay,” I give her a nod. “Good night then.”

“Good night,” Raven nods but stands around for a minute longer. She looks unsure if I am making a move or not. I back away first with a wave of my hand.

Cue the most awkward goodnight we have shared in weeks.

CHAPTER 9

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Milo

Uncle John has been encouraging Raven to go on long walks to improve her range of motion. Her physical recovery has been extremely slow, and somewhat painful.

For today’s walk, we are at a trail close to my condo. The walk is quiet. This is the most silent we have been in each other’s company in weeks.

Raven and I have always shared a palpable sexual tension. But ever since last night, neither of us have been able to ignore the magnitude of that sexual tension.

Last night, she looked at me in the way that leaves no holds barred. And right now, I can’t look at her or even talk to her. Every time I do, I just want to corner her and start fucking her.

This is so irritating. My reaction towards her is still fucking teenage bullshit, like how I used to feel when I was sixteen years old.

How can someone affect me to this extent?

As we reach the last stretch of the forty-five minute walk, I see possible signs of inflammation flaring up on Raven’s leg, so I cut the walk short.

A quick video call with Uncle John verifies my own recommendation; resting her leg until the inflammation goes down.

We make our way to my condo. Luckily, I have pain medication there and neither of us are working, in case she needs to be on bed rest today.

The last time we came to my condo, Raven was comfortable opening up without the presence of our families. It might actually be a good opportunity to talk about last night.

However, I did not take into account that Raven also relies on the presence of our families for the security that she seeks, and does not receive from me.

Ever since we have arrived, it has clearly settled in with Raven that she is injured, alone, on a bed, and in an enclosed space with her predator. Her panic is evident. The signs are all there. The slight sweat that’s trickling around her forehead despite the fact that it’s cold. Her random shaking. The shortness of breath.

I watch her lie flat on my bed with her leg propped up on a pillow. Her legs are parted and she looks vulnerable as fuck. Ready for the taking.