Avoiding a Worse Brutality

Despite what he'd said, he stood there panting. Catching his breath. Slumped over me. His chest resting along my spine and him still planted in me. His sweating arms framing me as he rubbed his roughened palms up and down the outside of my arms.

"Sam..."

"Don't say my name." I shook my head angrily.

Not in that tone of voice. Not like that.

"Don't talk to me like that." He said softly. Commanding voice gone. Something very close to wounding in his voice.

"Like what now, Jaecar?" I demanded. Lips tight.

"Like you hate me."

"I do."

***

"You don't hate me." He said sadly. Straightening and stroking a palm down my spine. "You're angry and wounded by what I'm doing to you. By my betrayal. I wish you could understand."

"I'm all of those things." I tugged at the bindings on my wrist. Jerking forcefully.