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“Look at me, Bria,” he snarls

I do as he says, his voice so pri I can do He sounds borderline unhinged, as though he’s ready to snap me in half

I push that thought away

He said he wasn’t angry He said we could try again

I need to listen to hi at me

He stares atthe corner of hisme in place

“Your body wants my seed, needs it There’s no da to let your nerves rule you forever Next time, we’ll take it slower Next time, we’ll take our time I’ll try to keep the beast inside of me at bay Okay?”

“But what if—”

“Nohis face closer to ree with anything I said?”

“Well… no”

“And do you believe ry?”

“Yes”

“So don’t worry about what if You have nothing to be ashaive you a ride back to your aparte into your work clothes, and then I’ll give you a ride to work Okay? Sounds like a plan?”

I nod as he takes my hand and pulls me to my feet As alk across the bathroom – past the sauna and the h any second he’s going to snatch it away

Absurdly, ether raw and hot and soaking wet My body screaht, but the thought of it sends a corkscrew of fear twisting through me

Instead, I lie doith hi to the sound of his heartbeat thu my eyes, I focus on the steady thu else

He kisses the top of ertips sending electric tendrils up and down my arm

“Nothing could evercould ever o away Ever And when I claiet past your anxiety and let your body do what it wants – you’ll see just how perfect we are for each other”

I snuggle closer to hihtly onto his words, and try to turn them into truth