My father did the unthinkable to me as a child. He was my worst nightmare, the kind that made my skin crawl with dread, and my scream dies unheard.
He tore my life apart and scarred me for life. I ran, but now, I’m back with a bloodlust for vengeance.
Malik wraps his arms gently around my waist, pulling my back flush against his on the thin bed. He cradles my head on his arm, ensuring my oxygen tube flows freely and unhindered with our new sleeping arrangements.
The bed dips as he lowered himself behind me, placing a soft kiss on my bald head, behind my ears, and on my neck, just the way I like it.
A soft sigh escapes my lips, and I snuggle closer to him, winching when it hurt like hell.
“Are you all right?” he asks, raising himself on an elbow, his warm breath fanning the side of my face.
“l’m used to it, Malik. But I do want to see your face. I don’t want our time together to end with me facing away from you.”
We stood inches apart, surrounded by the well-tended wildflowers on his dad’s back porch, his eyes focused on every inch of my face as he had done eight years ago when he said those words to me.
Eight years felt like a long time ago, yet it felt like only a moment ago when he shattered my life and walked away without a backward glance.
“You came?”
My eyes fluttered. Hearing his voice again after so long made my heart leap. Tried as I may, I couldn’t stop myself from sniffing the air in search of his favorite Cologne.
“Yes. Your father was a great man and an excellent confidant. He stood by me even when you didn’t.”
The door to my office burst open, and in stormed the last person on earth I wanted to see before my big day.
His nose flared, and determination gleamed in his eyes as he cornered me unexpectedly, and pinned me to my seat.
I watched the tremors course through my body in ardent fascination – like I used to whenever things got heated between us and he was trying to be reasonable – mentally kicking myself for allowing him this close to me.
I looked up, and there was that fleeting smile again. The kind that said – I’m slowly undressing you with my eyes, but I’m too shy to say it out loud.
She longingly looked away, giggling lightly with her friend, while I laid back and observed silently from my booth, watching her every move.