I crawl over her, her taste everywhere, and push myself inside her, slow and savoring every moment.

I stroke into her, emotion swelling up in my chest. I don’t have to look over my shoulder anymore. I don’t have to let all that pain consume me. I’m free to enjoy the pleasure of her. To give her more pleasure in return.

It’s too much. How could I ever be worthy of her?

“I don’t deserve you,” I say into her mouth, fucking her as slow as I can so that it lasts. I want it to last.

She pushes on my shoulders and turns us over so she can ride me, running her fingers through my hair again and looking into my eyes. I think I’ll always get a thrill from looking at her like this.

“You deserve more than me,” she says, her voice trembling. She grinds down on me in intoxicating circles. I won’t be able to hold out if she keeps this up. I’ll have to fuck her again. Once isn’t enough for tonight. It will never be enough. “I love you so much. There’s nothing you could ever do that would make me not love you. You know that, right?”

“I know.” I’m telling her the truth. After what she did for me tonight, I could never doubt her. “I know.”

“I’ll protect you.” Her mouth meets mine for a kiss that matches the movements of our bodies. Slow. Soft. Deep. “I promise.”

And then I breathe something I know I shouldn’t, “I love you, Haley.” I say it so low, I don’t know if she hears me, but she doesn’t stop her movements, and she kisses me deeply like she needs me more than ever.

HALEY

10 years ago

He’s gone.

He’s gone, and I don’t know what to do.

I can’t think. He’s gone, and that means there’s nowhere for me to look for him.

He’s gone, and in this place, that can only mean I’ll never see him again.

The fear consumes every thought and feeling. Is my heart even beating anymore?

I stare at the open door of the room with no cameras, both hoping I’ll see him and hoping I won’t.

If he made it out, then I never want to see him in this place again. If he’s free, then he should stay free. I know that’s what he’d tell me to do. If I got away, he wouldn’t want me to come back for him.

Keep running. Don’t look back for anything. Never let them see your face again.

My eyes sting with tears, but I don’t let them fall. I’m just so scared, and I’m not even scared for me. I’m scared for him.

He could be dead for all I know.