Page 58 of Say You'll Stay

“Do you still have the gun?”

“Lost it in the scuffle.”

“What about that? Can you show me how to use it?” A shotgun hangs on the office wall, and she points to it with atrembling finger.

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly in a proud smirk. “That works too.”

Chapter 16

She’s pinned to the bed with roaming hands between her legs and hot breath in her ear, the weight of her husband suffocating her. His skin is clammy and cold and she shivers, reminding herself that it’s only worse if she fights him. Give him what he wants. Keep him happy. Be exactly what he calls her or she’ll land in the emergency room again.

As she reaches for his cock, her body goes slack, her eyes blank, and her tone sweet. “You had such a long day at work. Let me make you feel good, baby.”

Olivia wakes with a start, her muscles tense and the feeling of another body flares all her nerves like fireworks.

“Easy, you’re okay. It’s just me. You were dreaming.”

It’s Cole’s voice in her ear this time. His body is beneath hers, warm and solid, and his arms wrap around her back. She isn’t home again in that bed, or in the cottage on the floor. She’s right here in the only place that feels safe.

Despite being aware of her naked breasts pressed against his chest, she closes her eyes tightly and relaxes with an exhale, laying her head over his heart. He’s stroking careful fingers up and down her spine, following each divot and prompting a delightful shiver.

“Is this too much? I was trying to wake you.”

“No, it’s good,” she hums. “Don’t stop.”

She might feel far too bold on any other day. If he were any other man, he might mistake her permission to touch as permission for more. But she is exhausted in every way she can be and craving the comfort he’s offering after going so long without.

Having moved during the night, they now lay lengthwise on the sofa, her body resting on his. The blankets still cover them. She’s wearing her underwear, and he’s got his boxers on, but the rest of their skin touches like it was always meant to, pressing soft and warm as he flutters soothing strokes across her back.

“I was starting to think that I would never be that woman on the floor screaming for help again. I thought she died when Jason did, but I guess she’ll never really be gone.”

She thinks he might say something with the way his chest hitches, but she cuts him off. Isn’t sure why she wants to tell him this, but the words burn on her tongue and she spills them into the cold air.

“It was only violent during sex right after we got married. I hadn’t learned then that I couldn’t say no, but it was a fast lesson. I would end up in the ER for other reasons after that first year, but never because I tried to turn him away. If anything, I was too eager to please. Too ready to keep him happy.” She sniffles, her nose wrinkling. “I almost did the same thing in that house. Almost played along and offered them what they wanted to try to stay alive. I don’t want to be her anymore, Cole. I can’t be.”

“There’s no shame in doing what you can to stay alive. For yourself, for your baby.”

“Why do I feel soashamed, then?”

“They aren’t worth getting in your head like this. Not that asshole in the subway or those fuckers in the cottage. They don’t get to decide who you are.”

She’s about to protest again, but something feels wet and she frowns, lifting her head to meet his eyes right before the realization hits. She flies away from him, taking the blanket with her to cover herself as she sits up and spots a small puddle of breast milk on his chest.

“Don’t worry about it,” he says quickly.

“I need to feed her. I’m so sorry.”

He gets up, using the other blanket to wipe himself clean. “I’ll give her to you. Stay there.”

Watching him cradle the baby against himself after picking her up from the bassinet, something inside her flutters even through her embarrassment. He is the most beautiful man she’s ever seen and her face flames when that desire flickers across her features as naked as her body.

“Hey.” He leans down to hand her Lucy. “I said don’t worry about it. Okay?”

She merely nods, as he grabs his shirt and pants to pull on before he starts puttering around the office, searching boxes.

“You ever watch that show where they bought storage units and resold the stuff?” He pulls out a dark blue t-shirt from a dusty container. “This might fit you.”

“Yes! I was addicted to it.”

---