Page 182 of Severed Heart

“Of course I liked it, Ilovedit, it’s just ...”

“Shit.” He frowns. “Did I hurt you?”

“No, no, you’re ... you arereally goodat it,” I widen my eyes.

“And that’s a bad thing?”

I shake my head. “No, not bad.”

He tips my chin, forcing my dropped gaze back to his before he sighs. “We can talk about it,” he relays in response to my unspoken question, “but if we have this conversation, I warn you, it will most likely put me in a state youdon’t wantme in.”

“I’ve only had two men,you included,” I say, hating my tone.

“Even knowing that,” he expels with added edge, “I’m just as jealous of anyone who’s ever touched you before me, Delphine, and took some sick satisfaction in ending his life for it.” He shakes his head and curses, “I can’t believe I just fucking admitted that, Jesus.” He tosses his head back, closing his eyes, and I reach up and palm his jaw.

“Don’t hide this from me,” I command. “I will never fear you or whatever dark thoughts you have.”

He opens his eyes and covers my comforting hand with his own before lowering them and lacing our fingers together.

“I’m glad for that, and I might joke around at times, but I know you don’t like this about me. It’s not something that will likely change. Not when it comes to you. So, I’d rather we not open this door. I’ve never been in love with any woman but you. I’ve never been in a real relationship with anyone but you. So, can we just not go there? At least not today?”

His eyes fill with warmth and easily recognizable devotion as he pulls me closer. “Right now, all I want to do is take my woman to our pond and fuck and make love to her until it’s time to watch the sunset.”

“Oui, yes, take me,” I whisper. “Take me, Soldier.”

Endless hours of his delivered promises later, we huddle together under a blanket just as the sun dips below the hills. Chest alight, body humming, I turn to my soldier with watering eyes. “Today is the best day of my life, Soldier.”

He gazes back at me, his eyes filled with love and promise, his tone one of confidence. “No it’s not, General, I promise you, it’s not.”

PART 3

“WHAT IS THEmostrealof what matters?...How about pain? Why pain? Try arguing it away ... so if pain is the most fundamental reality, is there anything more fundamental than pain? ...

Love.

Really.

So, if you’re in pain ...love and truth, that’s what you got. And you know ... if they’re more powerful than pain, maybe they’re themost real things.”

—Jordan Peterson

Chapter Forty-Nine

DELPHINE

FALL 2014

“T-TYLER, S-STOP!” I shout through my hysterical laugh as he pins me to the blanket, blowing on my stomach as I do my best to push him from me. And as usual, my efforts are futile because his strength isastounding.

“Non, stop, mercy, please!” I wail as he adds wiggling fingers to my sides, his villainous chuckle filling my ears as he increases the powerful vibration along my stomach.

“S-stop r-right now, you asshole!” I screech, pounding on his shoulders as agitated laughter erupts from me, and my head scrambles due to overstimulation. “Stop, p-please stop before I p-pee or fart! It’s ... is not sexy!”

Tyler instantly throws his head back, laughter bursting from his every pore as he peers down at me with twinkling eyes before it finally slows.

“So, it’s true? Women fart? I thought that was amyth... and now I have to know!” He lowers and blows against my skin as I frantically slap his chest.

“Stop-p fruiting me right f-fucking n-now, or I swear to God, I will kick your ballsso hardyou can’t fuck for amonth!”