"You don't want me..." I breathed, selfishly leaning into his touch. But I quickly pull away.
"I'm different and so not your type," I muttered, looking everywhere else but at him. He frowns slightly, eyes simmering.
"God, Anna." He exhaled, cool bre...
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flashback
ANNA
"Heads or tails?" I ask, looking up into the night sky as we lay on a blanket by the shore. The waves swooshing and flowing at ease sparking this immense peace within. He was quiet beside me so I looked down to his face and his eyes were already on me.
"You are unbelievably beautiful..." He said, and I laughed, my head falling onto his chest as I tried to hide my face.
"Don't say such stuff," I say, warmth consuming my cheeks.
"Heads." He answered deeply against my head. I lean back, moving myself to a sitting position. I cross my legs under myself and I just take him in. The night was beautiful. On summer nights it takes the sun quite a while before it dissolves into the ocean. The deep purple hues and the most unique shade of oranges and pinks coats the waters above us.
I sigh, gazing at his impeccable features.
"What's your biggest fear?" I allowed the words to move with the gust of wind that blew past us, until it got to him. Michaels dark eyes level with mine as he sat up, mimicking my posture and I smiled at him. He leans over and grabs my hand but it wasn't enough for him so he scoots closer and swallows the space between us. I stare at him, making out those long lashes, the ridge on his nose that served as a reminder that he was dangerous, the dips at the corners of his mouth that I loved. He took my breath away-such an amazing soul but shattered to pieces by his own. It hurt. But we were a breath away from each other.
"I'm not scared to sleep. But I'm afraid of the darkness behind my eyes that I can't control."
My heart clenched whenever he flinched in his sleep trying to ward off the demons from the past that haunt him. The wind blows my hair into my face and his fingers chase the loose curls tucking them behind my ear. Michaels eyes were soft on me, but the emotions swirling behind them could start a storm.
I watched as the familiar scowl he wore creep into the skin of his face. "I'm not afraid of anything, but I'm terrified of losing you, Anna." He carefully cups my cheeks, drawing our heads together. I close my eyes, My hands falling onto his knees and they remain there as my silent assurance that I was still with him.
" I'm not afraid of anything, but myself and I'll be terror stricken if I ever hurt you. I won't be able to forgive myself if that happens."
____________
Present day: nine days later.
ANNA
It's been a week and some days since the incident—Nathan broke into our home and assaulted me. When I woke up, I found myself laying on the couch with my bathrobe barely covering my body. And it was dark in the house. I remember the dread. How I froze up with terror.
