I NEED YOU, ELENA

ter

FE

LE

ted me. His note.

e you,

aring blankly at the ceiling. It was absurd. A college student in love with his professor? The

nal thoughts. I kept telling myself it was nothing more than youthful infatuation-reckless attraction that would inevitably pass. I

had long forgotten what it felt like to be adored-felt something in return. I shoved the thought away. It was useless to dwell on. I wasn't doing a

bigger problems wa

va

and. My

e's going to be furious. As I packed my things, my fingers trembled slightly. Evan was nev

into my home without the air suffocating me. That he wouldn't be in one of his moods. Tha

coiling in my stomach like a snake. Desperate for a distrac

c marriages. Today's guest is a survivor of domestic

it off. But the

"is to face your fears. You h

ow

ing the steering wheel.

sn't

-

n the car for a long moment, my fingers tightening around the steering wheel. Breat

I entered,

n hand. But the instant his sharp eyes landed on me, the air

lled. But I knew better. The venom was there, just bene

yself to remain neut

ere you too busy entertaining your students?"

ed. Here w

fusing to take his bait. "I was

the wron

long strides. Towering over me. Caging me in. His presence

His voice was a low growl, his breath hot ag

y hands trembli

ontinued, his tone dark.

spe

p my throat before I coul

e if you didn't spend all your time accusing me of the thing

room

left my mouth, I kne

darkened, his

ch!" he roared,

king up in fear, but I

ce shaking but firm. "I won't let

silence stret

w, cruel laugh that sen

done?" he whispered

ed, his tone dripping

t you? What you did

s disappeared. My e

out?" I forced the words

of the party. The one where you had a littl

eath h

N

clawed their way back. That terrible night. The screamin

d never

your little 'accident' story on their own? I was the one who cleaned it

ck, tears burni

ou kept th

And if you ever think about leaving me, just remember..

r tilted

ed away, leaving me c

ter him, my

never goi

-

dy curled beneath the scalding water. R

e you,

time, they didn

t like a

I had made

d quickly. At the bottom of the bag, I placed a small flash dr

til

m door, watching him sleep. Then, in

at, I walked

me in years, I wa

sn't look