“Erik, I so sorry. For pushing you away, for…all of it. I need you. You make me feel whole and alive again. I’ve been fighting this because…”
Because I can’t bear to see him hurt. I don’t want to spend another day without him. All those years of longing to break free of my demons, of hiding in the shadows, broken and afraid to open myself up to another human being, are fading, like a bittersweet memory. Yet, I know that everything I’ve gone through, all the agony and utter despair I endured has led me here, right now. To him.
“You don’t have to explain baby. I know you’re afraid. This is a big step for you, but you don’t need to be scared of me. I’ll always keep you safe, because you’re the other half of my soul. And if it takes me fifty years to convince you that you’re beautiful and precious to me, that’s what I’ll do. Then I’ll spend the other fifty telling you that I love you, until you finally believe it.”
“Do it then. Make me believe.”
My feet dangle as he holds me, lips sealing over mine, his mouth consuming me in a frantic, needy kiss that sets every inch of my body on fire. Moving slowly across my cheek, he nuzzles my neck, nipping and sucking at the tender skin. The passion that has been building all along finally explodes between us and I can feel the heat of it on my skin, in my muscles, all the way down to my damn bones.
Erik pulls away, and the rasp of a whisper falls on my lips. “No more talking. We have fifteen rooms to cover.”
I’m set on my feet in the soft grass, and I watch as he pulls the tie free from his collar.
“Fifteen? What does that mean?” I ask, faking a smile. My heart pounds even faster as he eyes fix on me. Suddenly, there’s a wolf in the garden, waiting to pounce. A wolf in a bespoke suit, and I’m Red Riding Hood in a white dress.
She eventually grew up and embarked on a not so exciting career in the military, followed by an exciting career working in IT for a few major U.S. corporations and traveled the world. And instead of meeting in their hometown, she met her husband in Cyberspace while he was in Korea.
Marriage and having a child afforded Catrina more time to read, one of her former passions, and eventually, to begin writing.
With the support of her family, she’s released her first novel, Ultimate Betrayal: Revelations and is working on the follow up – Exposed.