Hidden Away

When would he learn that women never stayed where you put them?

I'm getting the impression that women, in any form, scare you." He shrugged. "They're the more violent species. And unpredictable. I'd rather take on a wild boar. You can't shoot women.

I'm so exhausted and yet I feel like I'll never sleep again.

My attitude is born out of necessity. I've made mistakes. I've made decisions I regretted. I know what it's like to live with regret. I live with it everyday. But if I let it take over, I'd never get out of bed in the morning.

I've always considered myself a good person. I've never done anything to purposely hurt anyone. I was in shock that this happened to me, and because it did, I turned into this vengeful person. I've never truly hated anyone, but I was glad when I saw him lying there on the floor.

He drew away and stared down at her, stroking her cheek. "I hope to hell this isn't one of those situations where you go a little crazy because we're in a bad situation and you don't think we're going to get out so you do stuff you'd never dream of otherwise. Because baby, when we get out of here, I'm going to spend two days doing nothing but make love to you. And it won't have a damn thing to do with anything but the fact that I want to be inside of you more than I want to breathe.

When I wake up, I'm going to kick your ass.

As what-the-fuck moments went, this one was one of the bigger ones.

Okay, be serious. Aren't you ever afraid of anything?" "Plenty of time," he said softly. "Even when what you're afraid of defies all logic?" "Especially then. It's been my experience that fear doesn't have a set of parameters. We can't turn it off just by realizing we shouldn't be afraid.

I'd be a dumbass if I didn't plan for every contingency.

Now wasn't the time for emotional outbursts, but when they were safe--and they would be because she believed him without reservation--then she'd tell him what she thought about the man he was. The man she wanted. And if he walked away, she'd never have any regrets. Love was a gift, but it was up to the recipient to accept and cherish or to reject the offering. All she could do was give unreservedly. And for the first time since her assault, she realized that she could give something she'd never thought to give again. Her trust and her love.