Page 100 of Psycho

I stayed awake for a few hours more and counted her breaths.

* * *

My eyes openedbefore the sun peeked through the clouds.

I took in the dawn light coming in through the small ceiling window above me.

It was the only window that didn’t have a curtain.

I lived close to the city, but not close enough for the city lights and noise to pollute the little place I had carved out for myself.

I was surrounded by nothing but land filled with old oak trees, dirt, and wildlife.

I had bought acres upon acres of land that surrounded the house, so there was no one nearby.

The only way to leave was by car, and I hadn’t had any nosey little fuckers coming onto my property in curiosity.

Lucky for them.

Lainey still slept soundly in my arms.

I took in her face, from her slightly parted lips, the soft way she breathed in and out, and her dark hair resting on my white pillow in a tangled mess of waves.

Her skin was soft and pale, and stood out in stark contrast to the black shirt she wore to bed.

I let my hands roam up and down her middle, from the soft curve of her belly up to her neck, my fingers brushing up against her nipples.

Her mouth closed, and I squeezed her neck a little, letting my finger skim over her skin until I found her pulse.

She pushed up against me, her foot brushing up against my legs.

How sweet.

The little innocent had slept so soundly in my arms the entire night.

She barely stirred when I knew most people had their radar up as soon as I entered a room, already knowing a predator was in the midst.

Did she really not sense it?

Or was she so trusting of me? That she didn’t care what or who I was?

I didn’t know, and right then, I didn’t fucking care, because Lainey had shifted toward me. Her shirt moved up a little and showed off a sliver of her pale stomach.

I pushed the covers down her body and took in what was mine.

She stirred slightly when I pulled the shirt up, showing more of her soft stomach, the fucking cutest little belly button, further up, to her ribs, the bottom swell of her tits… A little further…

Fuck.

My mouth watered as I took her in.

Her nipples were hard from the cool air.

I reached over and pinched one, and a small whimper escaped, though she didn’t wake.

Did she know on some unconscious level that I was touching her like this?

Taking her in while she slept—thevulnerabilityof her position to me.

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