Page 16 of Need

Instead of pursuing it, though, I moved on. “How did your lunch with Lily go? Did she answer your questions?”

I felt her stiffen under my hands, but I decided to wait it out. It took just over a minute for her to squeak out, “Yes.”

“Tell me.”

And she did. It was slow going for a while, but then everything just kept tumbling out. I didn’t stop her, even though I knew we would need to talk about things in more detail.

Once she appeared to be finished, Brianna sagged against me, exhausted. I held her closer while my lips brushed lovingly against her temple. “Is it the pain that scares you the most?”

“Yes,” she said, but there was hesitation.

“You need to tell me. Communication, remember.”

She huddled closer, burrowing her face in my neck. “You’d want to have sex with me?”

“Sex scares you.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Brianna, did you ever have sex before you lived with Ian?” She shook her head. “So, you’ve never had sexual contact with a man willingly?”

“No,” she said softly.

“Sex can be an amazing thing, full of unbelievable sensations. I would love to show that world to you, but only if you would allow me. I told you before that I would not take it from you.”

She was quiet except for her breathing. Her right hand played with a button on my shirt, and she appeared to be deep in thought.

“Will you let me show you, Brianna? Will you let me teach you how wonderful it can be? Let me give you a glimpse into the pleasures of my world.”

Again, she said nothing. I started to wonder if I had pushed her too far, too fast. Then she whispered, “You won’t hurt me? You’ll keep me safe?”

“Yes,” I said with no hint of doubt.

For the next forty-seven seconds, I waited as if my entire future depended on it. In a way it did. I wanted my future to include her, and if she turned down my offer, the chances of that future ever becoming a reality were slim. Then I heard the most beautiful word in the world.

“Yes.”

Chapter Four

Brianna

Yes. I’d actually said yes. What in the world had I been thinking?

Although that question lingered, I knew exactly what had been going through my mind. Stephan.

The thought of leaving him, the idea of not having him in my life anymore, scared me more than anything. He was like a light in the sea of darkness I’d been living in for so long. I just needed to find a way to do this for him.

I was lost in my thoughts, trying to figure out how I was going to do what I’d just agreed to, when I felt his arms circle me tighter. He pressed his forehead against mine and I could feel his breath on my face.

“Open your eyes, Brianna.”

I hadn’t realized I’d closed them, but I did what he asked and found his hazel ones staring back at me.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes,” I whispered.

“What number?”

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