Falling into Exposure (Falling 2)

We pass the door to the sex room and I see everything in tatters. Gabriel continues to his room in silence. He sets me down gingerly on the bed and walks to his closet. He returns with a pair of gray sweat pants and a clean shirt, handing them both to me.

“You can sleep in that,” he says softly.

“Are we sleeping in here again?” I ask.

His expression is flat, serious. “You will always sleep in here with me, Victoria.”

I stand up and change into the clothes he gave me while he watches.

“You destroyed the sex room,” I say.

“I don’t need it anymore,” he states. “I just want you. And if I can’t have you, I don’t want anybody else.”

“You have me, Gabriel,” I reassure him.

He lays down beside me and pulls the covers over us, spooning into me as he closes his eyes.

I stare up at the ceiling, feeling unsure of myself. I want his touch. I want to know he still desires me.

“Gabriel, make love to me. Please.”

His eyes blink open and he shakes his head sadly.

“I hurt you,” he rasps, a wounded look in his eye.

“No, you didn’t,” I protest. “Don’t leave it like this, please. I need to know you still want me. I need you inside of me.”

He stares at me, and I can tell he’s torn. He doesn’t know what to do.

“Please,” I beg.

He rolls over and climbs on top of me, pressing his hips to mine. He leans down and kisses me softly, gently, as if he thinks I might break. I reach down and tug on his pants, freeing the already growing erection from beneath. He kicks them off the rest of the way, never taking his eyes from mine.

“You are so perfect,” he whispers, trailing his fingers along my cheek. “How could you ever think I’d stop wanting you?”

I close my eyes, soaking up his sweet words.

“Make love to me,” I breathe.

He reaches down and parts my legs as he presses into me gradually. He takes his time, watching my every reaction. When he eases his hips down, I wrap my legs around him, moaning as he gives me what I need. He moves slow and deliberate, taking his time.

He kisses me on my lips, my neck, and then pulls up my shirt to suckle on my breasts. I gasp at the sweet contact of his mouth on my sensitive flesh. This is the gentlest he’s ever been with me.

I feel the pressure building with every soft thrust as his hand caresses my body. And then all at once, I melt around him, my whole body relaxing underneath his. He pumps into me again, groaning as he comes undone inside me.

“I love you,” he rasps.

Chapter Sixteen

Victoria

He’s on me again, hard and impossibly heavy as he holds me down. I struggle against him, screaming, but no one can hear my cries. His breath smells like cigarettes and beer as he puts his disgusting lips on my body. The tears are falling down my face, and he tells me to shut my fucking trap. I sob and scream and writhe beneath him, desperately wishing to escape.

“Victoria!”

My body is shaking, and I know he’s going to get angry with me, but I can’t stop it.

“Victoria.”

I kick at the heaviness above me, trying to get free.

“Get off me, please! I promise I won’t tell anyone. Please!”

More shaking. Hands on my shoulders, and then light.

Gabriel. I open my unfocused eyes, covered in the heavy blankets of a room I don’t recognize at first. His room. I’m safe. I’m here with him. He stares down at me with panic etched into his face, and I reach up for him like a child, begging him to hold me.

He sits down beside me and pulls me into his lap, stroking my hair softly as I lean my head against his chest. He waits until my frantic heartbeat steadies before he speaks.

“Victoria,” he says, his voice calm but firm. “I’m not letting you leave here until you tell me your secrets. I need you to tell me.”

I shake my head meekly. “I can’t.”

“Enough!” he growls. “I can’t live like this, wondering what’s happened to you. I have to know. No more lies.”

I glance up at him, surprised by the unyielding expression on his face. He didn’t push me before, but I can tell he isn’t kidding now. And I understand why, but I don’t even know where to begin… how to let these demons loose on him like it’s no big deal.