Page 51 of Backstroke

Blood pools around me, warm and sticky, but the pain begins to dissipate as shivers wrack my body. My vision blurs, but I can see the red and blue flashing lights outside, casting eerie shadows through the windows.

“You’re nothing,” he spits, his voice dripping with venom. “Just like your mother.”

I want to fight back, to scream, but my body won’t respond. The world starts to fade, the sounds becoming distant echoes. But I hold onto one thought: the police are here. They heard everything. Help is finally here.

The front and back doors are broken through at the same time, the sound of splintering wood and shattering glass filling the house. Uniformed officers burst in, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.

“Police! Get down on the ground!” one of them shouts, his voice authoritative and commanding.

My father turns, his eyes wide with surprise and fury. He barely has time to react before two officers tackle him from behind, driving him to the floor with a thud. He struggles, but they are relentless, pinning his arms behind his back and securing him with handcuffs.

“Stay down!” another officer yells, pressing a knee into his back to keep him subdued.

His face is twisted in pain and rage, but he is powerless against the trained officers. They move with precision and control, ensuring he can’t harm anyone else.

As they pull him to his feet, he pins me with a vicious stare.

“How’s that for weak,” I murmur with a smile.

“I’ll get you for this,” he threatens. His voice trails off before the darkness takes over me.

“Fallon! Fallon! Wake up!” Remy’s voice shakes me from my nightmare. I jolt upright, making him stumble backward. Mybreaths are ragged and my pulse is erratic under his hands. I look around the dark room, trying to remember where I am.

“Jesus, Fallon. It was just a dream,” he says, his voice softening.If only he knew it wasn’t a dream but a memory.

The moon hangs low in the sky, casting silvery streaks across the room. I look into his dark eyes, my breathing heavy. I’m shaking and sweating as my heart races in my chest, trying to steady itself.

“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

Remy frowns and brushes a strand of hair from my face. “Don’t ever apologize about shit like that.”

“It felt so real.” My voice is barely audible. I try to look away, not wanting him to see my weakness.

“Shh, little fox. I’ve got you.” Instantly, my fight dissipates as I melt back into the bed. He releases my wrists and cups my face in his large hands.

“You don’t have to hide anything from me.” Remy gently tilts my chin back towards him, his eyes filled with concern.

“Tell me,” he demands.

“I-I can’t.” I know he can see the pain in my eyes, the fear that lingers just beneath the surface.

“You can,” he whispers, his voice gentle but firm. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

I shake my head, tears streaming down my cheeks. “It’s too much,” I admit, but I know he won’t accept that answer. I swallow hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak.

Instead of responding, I slide my hand up his bare chest. His muscles quake under my touch and electricity shoots through me at his visceral reaction towards me.

He leans in and presses his lips to mine, his tongue exploring my mouth. I moan as he deepens the kiss, my body alwaysresponding to his touch. His warm hands grip my waist, pulling me closer to him.

I wrap my legs around his waist, feeling his hardness against my heated core. I groan as he grinds his hips against mine, his kiss becoming more urgent. There aren’t any clothes between us since we fell asleep naked after the shower, and I’ve never been more thankful. I don’t think I could wait a second longer to feel his skin burning against mine.

Suddenly, Remy pulls away and looks down at me, his eyes dark with desire. “I need you, Fallon. I want to make you feel good.”

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. I want him too. I want him to make me forget about the nightmare and the fear that came with it.

Remy doesn’t waste any time. He pushes me back onto the mattress and climbs on top of me, his body pinning me down. His lips go to my neck as his teeth nip at my skin. I moan as he trails kisses down my body, his hands roaming over my curves. My fingers glide through his silky hair, pulling slightly when I feel his guttural growl against my skin.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Fallon,” he murmurs, his voice husky with desire. He slides down my body under the sheet until I can feel his hot breath against my aching core.

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