His hips drive his cock into my aching flesh and his balls slap my ass, rather loudly, as he picks up his pace. I can’t stop my scream, so I clamp my teeth down on his flesh. He growls loudly and mutters something about ‘fucking hot’ before he fucks me so damned hard I draw blood on his skin. I come, and I can’t hold back the scream. Blade’s hand clamps over my mouth and he lets out a long, low hiss as he finds his own release.

He drops down over me, pressing his forehead to mine. “Fuck, did you draw blood?”

I scrunch up my nose, even though he can’t really see it. “Yes, sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry, it was hot. You got . . . hotter.”

I flush in the darkness. “And you got . . . rougher.”

He pushes up on his arms. “That a bad thing?”

“Heck no.”

He chuckles and pulls out of me, rolling to his back. When our breathing has calmed down, he says, “I’m sorry for the hurt I caused.”

“It’s okay,” I whisper, yawning.

“You’re sleepy and I should get out of here just in case your mom or my dad decides to check on you.”

He has a point, but I really don’t want him to go. “It sucks you have to go.”

He’s silent for a long, long moment. Then he rolls and kisses me softly, the softest he’s ever kissed me. “You have no idea.”

He presses another kiss to my forehead and gets out of the bed. He dresses and then leans back over me. “Night, Tulip.”

“Night Blade.”

He kisses my lips again and I’m so content, I can’t help but smile.

When he reaches the door, he says softly, “I really am sorry, Tulip. For being the kind of man I was and not being able to give you what you honest to god deserve. I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”

I already have.

~*~*~*~

I wake for the first time in eleven years without a nightmare. I’ve never felt more refreshed. I yawn and stretch, and I can’t wipe the silly smile off my face. Last night started horribly, but it turned out amazing. Blade made me feel so damned good. I shove out of bed, loving how the sheets still smell of him. I don’t bother to wash up. I quickly get dressed and rush out for breakfast.

I just want to see him again.

Last night was amazing, and I think it may have changed everything for us.

When I get into the dining area, I see everyone standing in the kitchen chatting to each other. Ripley is missing and so is Blade. They must still be sleeping. “Morning,” I call, walking over and hugging Mom. I squeeze Jack’s shoulder and head to the coffee pot. I pour a mug and look up to see Melanie watching me with an unreadable expression on her face.

“What?” I ask.

She looks to my mom and Jack, but they seem oblivious to whatever she’s trying to tell them. Mom smiles at me. “How was last night?”

I beam. “Not bad at all. Are Ripley and Blade still sleeping?”

“Ripley is. Blade has gone, unfortunately.”

My entire body turns to ice.

“What?” I manage to say without letting dread fill my tone.

“He said he had to get back to California. His old boss needed him.”

No.

No.

No.

“S-s-so he isn’t going to live near us?”

Jack frowns. “No. Well, not for a while. He has to help out until his boss finds someone else. His new boss is holding a spot for him here, if he ever wants it, but it could be a while.”

No.

Oh god, I’m going to be sick.

“Are you okay, love?” Mom says.

“Ah, yeah, I just had too much to drink last night,” I say, forcing a smile.

Everything inside my body, all the joy, all the happiness I felt only minutes ago has been sucked back into oblivion. Melanie comes to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s go get some fresh air.”

She leads me to the door and I flash the fakest smile I’ve ever given and follow her out. As soon as we’re away from the house, tears explode from my eyes and I drop to my knees. “He did it again.”

“Oh honey, I thought you said it was all over.”

“He came to me last night,” I cry, pressing my hands to my face. “He . . . fucked me.”

She curses. “Jesus, that piece of shit.”

“He . . . he was so nice to me. He made out like we were going to give it a go, and . . .”

I stop talking and lift my head. God, how could I be so stupid? He said right before he left how sorry he was and that he hoped I’d forgive him. He was saying goodbye and I was too oblivious to catch it. Melanie kneels down beside me and wraps her arms around me. “We’re going to get through this, you’ll see.”

I say nothing.

There’s nothing left to say.

He did it again. Blade broke me a second time.

Then he left me alone.

There is no forgiveness left inside my battered heart.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

PART TWO – ONE YEAR LATER

I stumble down the hall trying to pull my shoe on as I rush towards the front door. Melanie is in the kitchen and as I hop past. She stares at me with a smirk on her face. We’ve been living together for the last six months. We rented a little apartment just down from the school and so far, it’s been really great. Mom lives around the corner and Jack is still in his house, only Ripley now lives with him.

Brody got a job here, and he has his own apartment about ten minutes away. Blade never came back. I haven’t seen or heard from him since that horrible night a year ago. I know he talks to his brothers all the time, but I make a point of never asking about it. I’ve done my best to move on. I’m dating another man, and have been for the past three months.