ROBERT
Renee's mouth gaped open as she stood, silently staring at me, astonished. Her dark eyes were filled with shock and dismay. It tore my heart apart. I resisted the urge to curse.
Silence descended on the room like a frigid fog. It was dense with tension—the kind that'd be difficult to break from.
This was not how I'd envisioned our evening. Not even close.
Work had been stressful, but I still wanted to spend quality time with her when she returned from her day out. I was excited to make dinner plans, walk around the cabin while she told me about her day, and then have a calm, relaxed night watching vintage movies in the chalet's lounge. Not this!
The uncomfortable silence dragged on for far too long as I waited for her to say something—anything. I chastised myself for even telling her about the blackmail. I shouldn't have said a word. I should've lied or changed the subject. When she spoke, she broke me. "No more secrets, Robert. You promised, and you keep your promise. So don't do this now."
She was right. I'd made a promise to her. A vow to never lie or conceal a secret. I had to keep that promise.
"Blackmail? Who?" She eventually spoke, her hurt voice twisting my insides painfully.
"So there was an incident with some guy, and the case may have escalated. I just now learned about it. Maybe the word blackmail isn't appropriate. I'm being set up. Yeah, that's it." The words rolled off my tongue quickly.
"What! Oh, Robert!" Her eyes were wide with concern, brimming with tears, too.
"Fuck, Renee! Come here." I moved quickly and pulled her close. My hands cradled her face, my thumbs softly smoothing away the tear stains on her cheeks. "I despise seeing you cry. I don't tell you these things because it upsets you. I knew you'd worry."
"But..."
"Shhhh." I ran my finger across her lips. "I will fix this. Trust me."
"I do. But..." She paused, her fingertips touching mine before continuing. "Could you tell me more? I heard you say something about not going back there. What were you on about?"
Goddammit!
I swallowed hard as memories flew through my brain like whiplash. Memories I'd tried so hard to repress. To forget. They were returning to me like sharp edges poking through every fiber of my existence. All the remnants of my dark past lodged within my subconscious, patiently waiting for a chance to haunt me again.
The memories hurt. They affected and scared the hell out of me, and I hated remembering. I despised reliving those horrible, bloody moments.
So, I fought back against the ache in my chest. I squeezed my eyes shut and averted my gaze briefly, not wanting Renee to see the pain and sorrow lurking behind my calm facade.
I ignored the thoughts that plagued my mind and concentrated on the lovely lady with me. On her body's smooth, delicate curves. On the sweet, hopeful smile that always graced her angelic features.
Every dark thought I shoved into the abyss, where it belonged, and I opened my eyes. I stared into Renee's eyes and felt some of the pain ease.
Taking a deep breath, I slapped a reassuring smile on my lips. "Don't worry, Renee."
"I see the pain in your eyes, Robert. I don't like it." Her fingertips slowly caressed my jawline. "You're hurting inside. I can see it. I can feel it. Is there anything I can do to help?"
My God, but her words. Those damn words. The softness, gentleness, and caring tone of her voice. They cut deep. They reminded me of why I'd fallen in love with her. One of the reasons I still loved her. How could she read me like that? Like an open book with its pages turned out.
YOU ARE READING
Daddy's Little Pet | 18+
Romance'What am I to you? I want to hear you say it?' 'You are my Daddy?' I replied hoarsely, my whole body trembling slightly. 'And what are you to me?' He asked again, his throat bobbing up and down, a wicked glint in his eyes, while I replied lustfull...
