if Mae knew, I didn’t even know until now, but I was positive I had fallen in love with her instantly. Although I had never believed in love at first sight, the moment Mae’s blank stare met mine weeks ago, I knew. I was struck by something inside of her. She latched onto my heart, gripping it with her fingers until I fell to my knees, begging her to be with me. But I never begged. It wasn’t how I was wired.
Mae shivered beside me, a soft sigh escaping her lips. “Sleep, my love,” she whispered, pulling my arm tighter around her waist.
I kissed her cheek, brushing my nose into the hair at her nape. I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her.
Black eyes. Blood red lips. Sharp clawed nails that dug their way into my flesh. Morgan was the only person ever to scare me. Even after all the men she had forced on me, she was the ultimate evil.
“Matteo,” Mae rolled over onto her back, staring up at me with sleep filled eyes. “You’re not sleeping.”
“I can’t.” I kissed her softly on the mouth.
“Do you ever sleep?” she asked, her brows narrowing.
“I sleep until I see her,” I confessed, brushing a hand through my hair.
“Look for me instead. When she shows up, I’ll be there, protecting you.”
A lump burned in my throat unexpectedly. All I could do was nod. I didn’t want to sleep. I was scared to. But Morgan had a way of taking over my world even when I was awake.
Turning over onto my side, I took a breath, allowing my eyes to flutter closed.
“Sleep, Matteo,” Mae said, rubbing my arm soothingly. “I’m here. I’m always here. For as long as you’ll have me.” Her words washed over me, helping me fall further and further into a darkness so thick, I could feel it. “Mae,” I groaned, a slight tingle of unease pounding into my heart.
“I’m here, Matteo,” Mae said, her voice whispering across my skin like the touch of a feather.
My eyes opened but I still only saw darkness. I knew I was dreaming. It was the same every single night. Darkness. Unable to breathe. Soul crushing anxiety. I couldn’t…I couldn’t deal. I needed to wake up.
“Sleep. She can’t hurt you.” Mae, God, her voice. It helped. But it wasn’t enough. I needed out. I needed more. I needed to destroy Morgan before she destroyed me.
“Little boy,” a woman purred.
Morgan.
Every night she invaded my dreams. And every night I fell victim to the fear.
“Don’t listen to her,” Mae demanded.
“Matteo, my delicious pet. You will listen to me and listen good. I own you. I’ve always owned you.”
No. No, she couldn’t. I wouldn’t let her.
Morgan laughed, a deep sadistic chuckle leaving her full lips.
No. Stop. Please stop.
I couldn’t take it anymore. A cold shiver of terror raced down my spine, leaving me open and vulnerable.
“Matteo,” Mae cried.
Her demand snapped me from my nightmare. My chest rose and fell with ragged breath. My lungs burned from the lack of air.
“Matteo,” she said gently.
“Nightmare,” I panted, trying to shake the feeling of being watched.
“Look at me,” Mae cupped my cheeks, kissing me over and over again. “I’m here.”
Taking deep cleansing breaths, I eased my racing heart. I pulled her against me, running my hands over her body in a possessive way. “I love you. So fucking much. I have issues that I am trying to figure out. But please don’t doubt my love for you. Please.”
“I don’t and I never will,” Mae’s eyes shone, her dark hair messy and framing her face. “I am here for you. And we will battle our demons together.”
For the rest of the night, we held each other. I had tried so hard to help her when she was the one doing everything she could to help me.
Mae fell asleep in my arms once again and I followed soon after. And for the first time since I met Morgan years ago, she didn’t come to me in my sleep.
(Mae)
I woke a couple hours later to Matteo clicking away on his laptop.
“Good morning, beautiful girl.” He smiled down at me.
“Morning.” I sat up, curling against him. “What are you doing?”
“I’m doing some research,” he answered, clicking some more keys.
“PTSD?” I asked, my eyes moving over the screen.
“Yes.”
“What have you found out?” I was curious to know exactly what he had intended to use his research for.
“I’ve been researching on how BDSM can help with PTSD. I’ve found articles, blog posts,