“Shut up,” I said as I grabbed some granola bars and a few other food items to get her by for a few hours.

Jax’s laugh carried into the hall, and I shut the door, silencing his know-it-all attitude. She sat on the bed, the picture of defeat, though her eyes spit fire at me. I set the food on the dresser, along with Jax’s cell.

“I’m only leaving the phone in case of an emergency.”

“You mean in case you don’t come back.”

“I will come back, Alex. But if it takes longer, or…”

“I get it. You want me to be safe. It’s always about that, isn’t it?” She lifted her foot. “Hence the fucking leash.” She drew in a deep breath. “If I never see another chain again, it’ll be too soon.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” I crawled onto the bed, but she turned her head away.

Grabbing her chin, I forced her mouth my way and captured her lips. She turned to liquid in my arms, her body sinking into the bed under me. I followed, my hands and knees depressing the mattress on either side of her. She brought a leg up and flung it over my back, and the chain clinked through the devious parts of my mind.

I nibbled her lips, lowered to her tits and caught a nipple between my teeth. She cried out, and her fingers gripped my shoulders, holding me to her.

“Stay with me. Please, Rafe. I have a bad feeling. Every time we think things are gonna get better, something bad happens.”

“Not this time.” I inched down her body, lowering between her legs, and buried my face in her pussy. I fucking made her forget everything—what Jax and I were about to do, how I was going to leave her chained to my bed. I made her forget her own name because she was too busy crying out mine.

I glided my tongue between her folds, my fingers working her cunt, and she shuddered, muscles spasming as the orgasm claimed her. I sat up and licked my lips. “That was me saying I’m sorry.” Before she could stop me, I slipped from bed and spanned the distance to the door.

“I’ll never forgive you for this!” She threw a pillow at my head, but I easily dodged it and tossed it back.

“Yes you will. Our whole fucking existence is based on forgiveness. I love you,” I said, pulling the door open. “See you soon.”

24. Let It Burn - Rafe

24. LET IT BURN - RAFE

Nothing bad would happen this time. I kept picturing Alex, her face bunched in fury at the way I’d manhandled her, though desolation had lurked underneath her ire.

I had to make it back to her. I had to.