Let Me Love You

Chapter 19

"Alex," Norma whispered, trying to shake him awake. "Alex, wake up," she tried again, louder this time.

"Alex!" she said at full volume, shoving his shoulder a little too hard when he didn't respond.

"Wha-what?!" he shouted, sitting all the way up and staring at her with concern evident in his eyes. He noticed the tear stains on her cheeks and pulled her into his chest immediately. Rocking her back and forth, he allowed her to catch her breath before whispering; "Today?"

She could only nod, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. "Noon," she replied, clutching his shirt in her fists and shaking her head in frustration.

"Should I go?" he sighed, his heart breaking a little as he fully realized this was the end of their perfect bubble.

She shook her head violently as soon as the words left his mouth. "N-no no Alex, I don't want you to leave yet." Her fist tightened into his shirt and she stretched up a bit to brush her lips against his throat. "Don't go," she whispered against his skin.

He turned to glance at the clock on the bedside table. 7:45. They had time. He lifted her chin, bringing her around to face him. He stared at her with sadness in his eyes. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, he pulled her face to his, kissing her softly, but with an edge that she knew all too well. He wanted her. Needed to relieve some of the pain and fear he felt, and the frustration he didn't want to feel towards her for allowing Norman to come home.

He pulled her beneath him, her legs automatically finding their way around his hips. He pulled her robe open, his hand swiping up her center, finding her soaking wet. Once again, he was fascinated with how she was always ready for him. He learned early on that sex was how she coped with pain, and for a moment, he marveled at the many ways they were similar.

She clawed at his back as she kissed him eagerly, mewling softly as his fingers came into contact with her most sensitive area. He quickly withdrew his hand, reaching back to pull his pajama pants down a bit. Taking himself in hand, he pressed the tip against her clit, sliding it against her wet heat before plunging into her as far as he could go.

She let out a quiet moan which quickly turned into a sob and he immediately pulled back to check her face. Her eyes were shut tightly, a single tear escaping.

"It's okay, baby," he whispered, peppering her face with kisses. "We're going to figure this out."

She pulled him more on top of her, constricting her legs around his waist so he couldn't move. Hugging him in earnest, she let herself cry into his shoulder. "I'm sorry..." she began.

"Shh, let's not talk now. Let's not think," he whispered in her ear. Taking the hint when he reached back to tap her right knee, she released her death grip on him. "Do you want to do this now?" he asked gently when they finally made eye contact. She nodded, looking sadly up at him, but her pupils were wide; her desire telling him all that he needed to know. He pressed his lips to hers, groaning softly as he began to thrust slowly in and out of her. Last night, their encounter had been so rough and carnal that they both needed this to be gentle.

She placed her palm against the back of his neck, keeping him as close as humanly possible as he continued stroking slow and deep within her. She bit into his lip before pulling his face into the crook of her neck. She hugged him tightly, allowing him to take control; to set whatever pace he wanted. She wanted him to do exactly what he needed. "I love you," she whimpered against his temple.

"I love you," he breathed raggedly before biting softly into the skin of her throat.

The minutes stretched on; their ragged breathing and occasional moans the only sounds in the room, until he suddenly wound an arm around her waist, pulling her up to straddle his thighs. He sat back on his heels, clutching her tightly to him as he thrust up into her, her legs opening wider around him. Pulling back slightly, she pressed her forehead to his, staring into his eyes as she bucked against him. Her hands found his face and she leaned back a bit to see him better.

"I'm glad I married you," she whispered, a soft smile on her face as she rolled her hips against his.

He smiled, a quiet groan escaping his lips and leaned in to kiss her. "I'm glad I married you too, baby," he sighed into her mouth.

A few final thrusts and he found his release, his forehead pressing against her chest as he groaned in ecstasy. Clutching at his neck, she collapsed in his arms, breathing heavily against his temple. They stayed like that for several moments, regaining their composure slowly and she suddenly felt uncertain. She climbed off of him, wrapping her robe around herself tightly and sat down heavily on the edge of the bed.

He stared at her back, feeling a little awkward. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked softly, kneeling up on the bed to pull his pants back on.

She stood up just as he came to sit beside her, glancing up at her questioningly. She turned back to him, a smile on her face that didn't quite touch her eyes. "No. I'm gonna go start breakfast," she said, her voice oddly chipper, and leaned down to peck him lightly on the lips.

He watched as she left the room, sighing out a heavy breath as he heard her at the bottom of the stairs. Reaching under the bed, he grabbed his bag and began packing.

** 3 Days Later **

Alex sat in the diner, staring into his coffee mug, replaying the previous night. Norman's body shaking, his hands gripping the ax as he glared at Alex. His eyes had been so black, his expression murderous. "I HATE YOU!!!" He had screamed, over and over as he swung the ax against the shed.

Alex's eyes flitted to the screen on his phone, silently begging Norma to call him, text him, email him. Anything. He was terrified, knowing she was with Norman right now and there was nothing he could do about it.

The bell on the front door rang, capturing Alex's attention and he glanced up to see Dylan walking towards him.

"Thanks for meeting me," Alex said as he took his seat across from him.

"Sure. What's up?"

"I, uh.... I don't think Norman should be out of the mental institution. I think he's dangerous. And honestly, I'm afraid to leave Norma alone with him... Now, I'm only curious, but have you ever seen him exhibit violent behavior?"

Dylan glanced out the window, nodding slowly. "Yes," he said, turning back to Alex. "Yeah, I have... I don't think he should be home either."

Alex suddenly felt sick to his stomach, closing his eyes for a moment and nodding. "Okay," he whispered. "Well Norma can't- she won't, see it—"

Dylan scoffed. "You're preaching to the choir."

"And I don't want to do this, but it might come down to us having to have him committed," Alex finished.

Dylan's eyes narrowed, "You mean behind Norma's back?"

"Well she's never gonna do it herself. I can start legal proceedings to have him formally committed, if I get the signatures of two family members."

Dylan shook his head. "You mean you and me... I don't know if I can do that to her."
"Well I'm afraid something worse is going to happen if we don't, Dylan."

Alex waited as Dylan thought it through for a moment. "Let me try and talk to her," Dylan said, standing up from the table.

Alex pushed his mug away, watching as Dylan walked out the door but stopped in his tracks on the sidewalk. Alex straightened up, silently praying to anyone listening that Dylan would change his mind. Suddenly, Dylan turned back around, his decision clearly made, and returned to their table.

"Okay, how do we start?"