His finger goes to my chin and he lifts my face up and away from his scars. The emotions brimming in his eyes must reflect my own. Understanding, acceptance, adoration. Maybe even love. He kisses each corner of my mouth before saying, “I don’t think I can hold out anymore, Elizabeth. I’ve got to have you.”

Praise Jesus is the thought that goes through my head. I didn’t think he’d ever give in to me. I nod my head and bite my lip giving him the green light. He lays me back down and removes my panties quickly. When his fingers touch my center, he sucks in a breath. “Fuck, babe, so wet.” He slips in one finger and my breath catches.

“More, Alex.” I clutch his hair trying to restrain myself from attacking him. He obliges, inserting two this time. My eyes close on their own accord while I whimper, the sensations almost more than I can bear. Finally, I hear the sound of his belt buckle being undone. My eyes spring open just in time to watch him pull off his pants and boxers at once. His erection springs free, standing proud, and my eyes widen. Dear God. When my eyes pull themselves away from his massive length to look in his eyes, I’m met with a cocky grin. I simply shake my head at his arrogance. “Now,” I plead.

He settles above me before stopping. “Hmmm, I kinda like it when you beg,” he says as he kisses my shoulder. I can’t see his face, but I know that smug expression of his is there.

“I’m not in the joking mood right now, Matthews.” He grins against my skin and I’m about to lay into him when I feel him nudge my entrance and all words cease to exist. Ever so slowly, he eases himself into me, pausing to allow me to adjust to him. My eyes close as I take him in.

“Open your eyes for me, babe,” he says softly. I do and I’m momentarily awestruck by the raw emotion exuding off of him. There’s always been this invisible connection between us, but it’s just been intensified tenfold and I can’t look away even if I want to. On one last thrust, he’s fully sheathed in my warmth, the fullness feeling exquisite. “You okay?” he asks in a strained voice.

I nod. “Yes, please, move.” He pulls out almost all the way excruciatingly slow and then pushes back in at the same speed. All of my attempts to encourage him to move faster are to no avail. He maintains this slow, torturous, delicious rhythm until my toes start to curl and I feel the buildup in my center. “Oh God, Alex. I’m so close.” He leans back, grabs one of my legs, and throws it over his shoulder. The new position allows him to penetrate deeper and has me crashing over the edge. I’m not sure what words leave my mouth, but I know they’re loud and followed by a lot of moans and screaming. Once I’ve ridden out the wave of my orgasm, Alex picks up the pace, slamming into me over and over. I’m surprised when my body starts toward the peak of ecstasy again. “Shit! I’m going to come again.” My words are but a whisper as I struggle to take in air. The pleasure robbing me of all oxygen.

“Do it,” he grits out, clearly holding back his own release. His fingers dig into my hips and he keeps pumping into me. At his words, I’m thrust into oblivion as another orgasm rips through my body, completely shattering me. As I’m coming down, I feel Alex tense and stop moving as he comes inside me. His body collapses on mine as we lay there trying to regain our breaths and return to the here and now. “Wow,” he says.

“Wow is right.” My heart is still beating at an erratic rate and I know my body is going to be sore, but I’ve never felt better in my whole life. He kisses me gently up my neck, moving over to my cheek until his lips find mine. He ends it with a sweet kiss to the nose.

“I don’t mean to break up the moment, but what’s the plan?” he asks softly, bringing me back to reality.

I sigh. “I’m not sure.”

“If you want to leave, we better do it before Cal gets home,” he suggests.

“I know. I’ve got to pack a few things and go to the bank to get some cash. I don’t want him to track me with my debit cards.”

“If you want, I can run to the ATM and withdrawal some cash for you while you get a bag packed.” That sounds like a good idea, and it would save us time on getting the hell out of town. But then I realize a problem.

“You can only take out so much at an ATM and I’ll need more than that.”

“Okay . . .” he trails off, deep in thought. “What if you write me a check, I go to your bank, and cash it? Would that work?”

I kiss him hard on the mouth. “You’re a genius.”

He smiles down on me before saying, “I’ll go now. Be ready to go in twenty minutes. When I get back, we’ll leave.” He makes it sound so easy, but I’m terrified. I’ve gotten a small glimpse of the wrath of Cal, and I’m sure there’s much worse hiding behind his well-bred exterior.

“Okay.” We both hop out of bed, get dressed, and set about on our tasks. My hands shake as I haphazardly throw things into my bag. I’m doing this, I’m really doing it. I put the necklace he gave me on and tuck it under my shirt. Next, I pack the frame I gave him. Lastly, I write out a quick note from some stationery in the bedside table letting Cal know that I won’t be coming back.

About ten minutes later, I hear the front door open and close. That was quick. I run downstairs with my bag and note in hand to meet Alex, but it’s not Alex at the door. It’s Cal.

“Going somewhere, love?” he asks with his arms crossed over his chest while he blocks the front door. A smug expression sits firmly across his face.

My heart falls to the pit of my stomach and my blood turns to ice. I swallow hard, trying to keep calm, but my insides are panicking as a claustrophobic feeling starts to settle in.

Trapped.

That’s what I am. Somehow he found out I was leaving and caught me before I was able to make it. I’m so screwed.

I DON’T MOVE or speak. I can’t. What am I going to do? How am I going to get out of this?

“I asked you a question, Elizabeth,” Cal says sternly. I wrack my brain for any excuse I can think of, but nothing sounds believable. “What’s this?” he asks, looking at the note in my hand. He moves toward it, snapping me out of my frozen state. I try to pull back to keep him from grabbing the note, but I’m not quick enough. “Nice try.” He looks at me with disgust before turning his attention to the note.

He clears his throat before reading it. “’Cal, I haven’t been happy in our marriage for quite some time. It’s time I move on. Elizabeth.’” He looks at me over the top of the piece of paper. “I must say, I would’ve expected something much more eloquent from you.” I nervously shift my weight from one foot to the next waiting for his next move. “Let’s have a seat and talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

He lets out a low chuckle. “We’ll see about that. Join me in the living room. I think you’ll change your mind once you’ve heard me out.” He holds his hand out for me to enter the living room. I look at my watch noticing that it’s been about twenty minutes now, so I do as I’m told knowing Alex will be showing up at any moment. “I always like when you do what you’re told.” My fists ball up at my sides at his condescending comment.

Prick.

Once we’re seated, he speaks. “Now, tell me what makes you unhappy.”

He can’t be serious. Staring at him blankly, I think of how exactly to word it. There are so many things, but I’ll be here all day if I list them all. I just need to keep talking until it’s time for me to leave. “Everything. You don’t treat me as your equal, you never have. You blatantly cheat on me and show no remorse. You have beaten me down physically and emotionally. You don’t show me any love, compassion, friendship, or—”

“I get it, you hate me,” he cuts me off while holding up his hand to halt my laundry list of reasons he makes me miserable. “That’s fine, but you’re not leaving me.”