Chances

Chapter 16 - That Snake

About thirty minutes passed of us kissing and touching until we finally got off the floor. It was already five, and my body was starting to shut down. He had noticed, and suggested going to bed.

"No," I replied, a bit panicked. "I- I just need a little more coffee. And then we can stay down here and keep-"

"Zoe," He sent me a stern look. "It's time to go to sleep. Have you slept at all tonight? When did you wake up?" I looked away.

"I came here to be your equal." I stood up from the spot we'd been cuddling on the couch with a quiet movie playing in the background. "Not your daughter." Slipping on my shoes I heard him sigh. We had gone back outside and got my keys, so they were resting on the wardrobe by the door. I snatched them into my hands, and gripped them tightly. The cool metal pinched me, but not enough to break skin.

"Stop it," He commanded from behind me. I clenched my fist tighter, turning the keys over. "You are my equal. This is called caring for someone. If you're afraid that something'll happen while you're asleep I'll be there. I won't let anyone hurt you." His voice had turned soft, and he slowly came up to my back. I let myself relax, and leaned my head back against his chest. He placed his chin atop my head, and I closed my eyes. Breathing deeply, he slowly pried the metal keys from my hand.

"I'm afraid of the nightmares. They came constantly around my birthday. They always do." I informed, turning around to face him. He watched me with calculating eyes.

"I won't let them." His hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled it up so it was at eye level with me. "I'll be with you." He let go of it, and instead intertwined his fingers with mine.

"Tell me what happened with my parents." I demanded softly, tilting my chin so I was looking directly into his eyes. I let my hand drop to my side, as he used his now free hand to rub the back of his neck.

"I can't-" He ran a hand down his face and slumped. "I can't tell you." I felt like I had just gotten slapped. The reality of me with my mom's murderer smacked me in the face like a truck.

"Why not?" I argued, defensively. "I told you everything, and you still don't trust me?" The words were out before I knew what I was saying. And then I realized it was true. The words I had said out of spite were true. "You really don't trust me." It wasn't a question. I hadn't really known what to say to that. Was I supposed to be mad at him? For some reason, I didn't feel mad. I felt betrayed a bit, like I had trusted him with my life- my future, and he still didn't trust me with his past.

"It's not that- it's just-" He cut himself off, with a pained look in his eyes. "Please don't make me, Zoe. I can't tell you. Even if I wanted to, I can't." My brows furrowed as I stared into his eyes, with pain lacing my expression.

I bit my lip, and took a deep breath.

"Tell me, Mr. Domin- Be- Mr." I didn't know what to call him as I stumbled over my words.

"Bennett. Call me Bennett." His eyes were wild as I stared at him.

"Fine, Bennett." His name seemed to roll off my tongue softly. He let out a rugged breath, trying to calm himself. It felt satisfying that I could have such an effect on him.

Focus, Zoe! Now's not the time for your sexual fantasies. I cleared my throat.

"Okay. Tell me then, Bennett. Why can't you tell me?" He looked as if he were having an internal war with himself.

"Because it's not my secret to tell." He was backing himself into a corner and he knew it, but there was no other way. I took a step forward and he took one back.