I took a deep breath. I didn’t want to think about that right now. I was safe. The nightmares were memories, not predictions of the future.

The mattress creaked, and Lucas grunted, “Gonna go downstairs and get a drink.” He eased off the bed, stretching his arms over his head. Vincent sighed, and when he shifted, I reached back and grabbed his wrist.

“Sorry, babe,” he said softly. He leaned down and kissed my head, squeezing my shoulder. “I really do need to get ready for work though.”

He got off the bed, and I groaned as I sat up, running my fingers through my mussed hair. Jess had opened her eyes and was staring up at me, her makeup streaked, her face and chest still messy with our cum. I pushed her hair back, chuckling softly at the state of her.

“I’m a mess, aren’t I?” she said, a little smile on her face.

I nodded. Her cat ears had fallen off and were lying on the floor; the only thing she still wore was her collar.

It was only a silly accessory, but I didn’t want to take it off her.

She sat up, easing her arms around my neck. She rested her head on my shoulder, her arm reaching back for Manson. He moved closer and took her hand, twining his fingers through hers.

“My legs feel so weak,” she said. “You fucked me until I can’t even walk.”

“Mission accomplished,” I said. It was a point of pride for me to see her looking dazed and thoroughly pleasured. It felt like a long-awaited victory.

I’d thought finally having sex with Jessica would leave me bitterly vindicated, but I felt no bitterness at all. I felt like I’d finally sucked in a breath after holding it for far too long, like all the tension had gone out of me.

“Come on,” I said. “Let’s get you cleaned up. You look like a toaster strudel.”

She laughed so hard she snorted, and it was possibly one of the cutest things I’d ever heard. I helped her off the bed on her wobbly legs, leaving Manson to sprawl out on the mattress with a satisfied grin on his face.

Vincent emerged from the bathroom right as I was leading Jess toward it, his hair brushed and tied back. He caught her face as he passed us, giving her a lingering kiss.

“I’ll see you next time, baby,” he said, giving her a wink before he went on toward the attic to get dressed. I usually slept far worse when he was away for work, but maybe tonight I’d manage a solid six hours.