Home > Work > Tough Love (Stripped, #0.5)
1 " His arms come around me, holding me in. They feel unbreakable. They are castle walls, his arms. They are a drawbridge rolled up and a moat. They keep everyone out. Only with him do I feel completely safe. Maybe I’d always known how much he’d do for me. He’d fight for me. He’d die for me "
― Skye Warren , Tough Love (Stripped, #0.5)
2 " But I didn’t hold up my end of the bargain.” He takes another drink. It looks so natural when he does it. “What bargain?” “To do bad things,” I say seriously. When your life is as controlled as mine, you need to plan these things. Tonight is supposed to be the night. "
3 " Leave. There’s no reason to wait. There’s no reason to hope things will get better "
4 " How is that too much? It’s the right amount. I care too much to leave you here. How is that wrong "
5 " supposed to work the floor next, see who wants a lap dance or another drink, but I can’t do that. I head for the dressing room and throw on a T-shirt and sweatpants. I’ll tell them I feel sick and have to leave early. They won’t be happy and I’ll probably have to pay for it with my tips, but they won’t want me throwing up on the customers "
6 " I may as well be on the moon for how close I am to them "
7 " Do you know, bella? I hurt with it, how pretty you are "
8 " I never realized my tongue has this much power. Just a flick and the large frame of him tightens "
9 " But sometimes it feels like if I want it enough, if I wish hard enough, it might happen anyway "
10 " I feel like a bomb that’s about to go off if someone doesn’t listen to me "
11 " It’s not wrong. But I care too much to let you stay "
12 " then I flip the latch. From there it’s quick work to push up the pane with its bulletproof glass. I broke the lock a year ago. And almost every night since then I’ve sneaked down the ornate metal trellis—like a thief, stealing a moment to myself. The grass is still damp from the rain, the ground beneath like "
