Page 81 of Dangerous Attraction

Trying to get my erratic breathing under control, I let my words swirl around the room while I wait for Reeve to say something.

When he remains silent, I peek my eyes open to find him watching me with darkened eyes and a scowl on his face.

"What happened after?"

Sniffling, I shrug. "I broke up with him."

Pulling a few inches away from me, he narrows his eyes and squeezes my arm gently.

"And?"

"He retaliated."

"How?" he bites out, voice firm and angry, even though his touch remains soft and comforting.

Sighing, I rub my thumb along his busted knuckles.

"He clipped the video, took out all the parts where I was struggling and crying, and then he sent it around to everyone at college. Everyone found it hilarious, thinking it was just a simple sex tape, and they were constantly taunting me about it." Biting into my bottom lip, I tighten my hold on his fisted hand between mine. "One of the most traumatic nights of my life was constantly being shoved in my face, and I couldn't cope with it."

"Did you go to the police?"

I nod.

"Not that it mattered." I scoff. "He had the money to pay for a great DA. They dragged up pictures I'd sent him in the past and claimed I had consented to the video being taken, but then he broke up with me, and I was a scorned, jealous girl from the trailer park who wanted money from him."

His brows shoot to the top of his head.

"People believed that?"

"Unfortunately, yeah. His word against mine." I huff. "After that, I left college. I was tired of having to relive that night. I didn't want to be around him or see him or have to be around the people that believed and supported him. So I dropped out and moved into Emery's apartment."

"This all happened this year? Before summer?" he asks, surprised.

Smiling weakly, I nod again.

He leans forward, and brushes his lips against my hands, the bristles of his beard scratching at my skin.

"Thank you for trusting me with that."

"No, thank you for giving me your phone so easily, and for believing my story."

Silence stretches throughout the room once again, but this time, it's a peaceful, comfortable silence, one that doesn't set me on edge and have my pulse ringing in my ears.

Unwrapping my hands from his, I smile, then roll over, and tuck my hands under my pillow.

Sighing, I let my eyes fall closed once he turns off the light, but sleep doesn't come easily.

The bed dips with Reeve's movements as he tries to get comfortable, but with all his huffing and puffing, I think he's also struggling.

"You're stiff," he says quietly.

Rolling my shoulders, I shake my head.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You're still uncomfortable."

I remain silent, because he's right. I'm still not completely comfortable and I can't relax and go to sleep.