Page 75 of Keeping Her Under

“No…” I cry. “You let me. You said I could make love to you.”

“I don’t even know you!” she sobs. If she had the strength, I know she’d run from me, and that truth breaks my fucking heart.

“You love me,” I rasp.

“I don’t know you!” Snot joins the saliva-mixed cum on her chin. “Please… please let me go.”

“Summer –”

She flinches. And I do too, seeing her fear of me.

“I…” I stammer as I peer up at her through the rain. Lightning cracks and thunder roars. My mind spins in utter agony. I can’t breathe. Can’t think. “I…”

“Get away from me.”

“Baby – please!” Desperately, I climb to my feet. “I’m the monster who protects you, remember?” I pull up my pants, disgusted with that part of me. If I had something to cut it off right now, I would. “I’ve killed for you.”

“You’re a monster!”

I shake my head. “No. No, don’t say that. We’re soulmates. You love me.”

“I don’t know you!”

“You do!” I reach forward and grab her hand. Dropping to my knees in the pouring rain, I place her palm over my heart. “You know me in here.”

She trembles as she stares at me.

For a moment, she softens, and I know she can feel me.

But then she shakes her head. “I woke up… to you… raping me.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry. You told me I could.”

“I wouldn’t… Lance –” She chokes on a sob. Pure fear lights her eyes. “He hurt me.”

“I know, baby. I know. That’s why I killed him for you.”

Her eyes widen. “What?”

“I know he found you the morning of your crash, so I fed him to his dogs.”

Her mouth goldfishes.

“His bitch is dead too.”

She flinches. “I hated her.”

“She was a bitch.”

Her chin wobbles as her eyes search mine. “Why did you do that for me?”

“Because they hurt you.”

“But I don’t know you.” Her words are stressed with so much confusion and fear.

“You do.” I push her hand harder against me. “I am the monster you need.”

Tears fall down her cheeks. Lightning cracks and thunder booms overhead. Her words ever so soft, she asks, “Are you going to hurt me?”