PS: THIS CHAPTER IS RATED 18+ THEREFORE NOT RECOMMEND FOR READERS BELOW 18YEARS.

Laurel

The cabin is quiet, except for the sound of the wind brushing against the windows.

Moonlight dashes across the room in silvery streaks, illuminating the entire room.

Something stirs, a warmth against my side. My eyes blink open, disoriented at first, and then I see her. Sophia.

She's snuggled against me, her cheek resting on my shoulder. The handcuffs still bind her to the bedframe, the faint clink of metal audible as she shifts.

Her breathing is soft, even, and for a moment, I just watch her.

My chest tightens with guilt. She doesn't deserve this. I don't deserve her trust, fleeting as it may be after everything I did to her.

Carefully, I reach for the key in the tiny drawer.

My fingers tremble as I unlock the cuffs, what if I'm making a mistake? What if she is playing me the whole time?

The faint click is loud in the silence. Her wrists are red, the marks evident. I brush my thumb over them lightly, frowning at the sight, as if I did not know I would inflict this much damage on her.

"What are you doing?"

Her voice is soft, groggy, but her eyes are open, watching me. I freeze, my hand still on her wrist.

"I..." My throat feels dry, and I swallow hard. "I'm trying to fix things."

Sophia doesn't move away. Instead, she sits up, her fingers brushing against my face.

"Fix things?" she repeats, her voice low.

"Yes."

She tilts her head, her eyes narrowing like she's trying to figure me out. Then, without warning, she leans in and kisses me.

The world tilts on its axis.

Her lips are sweet. I don't want to stop.

I'm not sure what this is-an apology, a connection, a mistake-but I can't bring myself to stop.

Sophia pulls back just enough to look at me, her forehead resting against mine. "You don't have to do this," she whispers, her breath warm against my skin.

"I want to," I reply, my voice barely audible.

Her lips find mine again, and everything else falls away.

"You’re so fucking hot,” I murmur, my eyes locked on hers.

She swallows hard, her breath hitching in her throat. I can see the want in her eyes, the need. I know she orgasmed earlier this evening and now, she's ready for another.

I rake a hand over her body,  I can feel the heat from her pussy, the wetness.

"Fuck you're so wet," I can't help myself.

She lets out a sound, somewhere between a gasp and a moan and buckers her hips against my fingers.

"You like that?"

She nods but I need her to say it.

"Tell me," I mutter as I increase the pace on her clit.

She moans. This time, clear as day.

"Yes."

"Good."

My mouth finds her chest and her nipple and I tug between my teeth, biting and sucking in circles while keeping my fingers pressed on her clitoris.

Her breath is in short gasps and I know it's time. I slid in two fingers inside her tight opening and she almost leaps out of the small bed.

I move in and out, a rhythm that she responds too too well.

"Fuck yes," she grows, her tummy sinking with pleasure.

I can feel her pussy clenching around my fingers, her orgasm washing over. I keep fucking her, drawing out the orgasm until she's begging me to stop. Once I'm satisfied, I pull out my hand, my fingers creamy with her warm juices.

"Laurel," Sophia whispers, out of breath.

"Turn around," I command but she shakes her head.

"That's enough. I will go crazy."

A small smile tugs at my lips but I doubt if she can see it reach my eyes.

"You lay down. I want to make you cum."

I shake my head.

"I'm not asking."

Soon enough, I'm biting my knuckles to stop myself from screaming so loud Balz can hear me outside.

When it's over, we lie there in silence, the sound of our breathing along with the wind outside is  soothing.

She puts her head on my chest, her skin ticking my nipples and her hand on my belly.

"Why are you doing this?" she asks quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

I hesitate. "Because I need to make this right."

Her fingers trace absent patterns against my skin. "And if you can't?"

I don't have an answer, so I don't say anything.

Eventually, her breathing evens out, and I realize she's fallen asleep. I wrap an arm around her, pulling her closer.

***

I wake to the sound of birds chirping outside the cabin.

For a moment, I'm disoriented. And then I remember.

I turn my head, expecting to find Sophia still curled up beside me, but the bed is empty.

"Sophia?"

I sit up, the sheets falling away as my heart begins to race. The room is eerily quiet, save for the rustling of trees outside.

I check the chair, the corner of the cabin, even the small bathroom.

She's gone.

The cuffs lie on the floor where I'd dropped them last night. My chest tightens as a thousand thoughts race through my mind.

Did she run? Is she hiding somewhere, waiting to strike?

I grab my jacket, throwing it on as I head for the door. The crisp morning air greets me, sharp and biting against my skin. I scan the area, but there's no sign of her.

"Sophia!" I call out, my voice echoing in the stillness.

No answer.

I step back inside, searching around the small room.

My mind spins, replaying every moment of last night.

Did I misread her? Was this her plan all along?

Did she watch me trust her so she could go breaking it?

I'm about to lash out again when I see something faint in the night stand. It's a note, I don't even bother to wonder where she got the pen and whatnot I just open it.

If you can't put me out of my misery, I will do it myself.

It reads.

I sink onto the bed, the note clutched in my hand.

What does that mean? What is she doing?

Misery? She thinks I am making her miserable?

Is it so bad that she would...

No, that's too messed up.

Wait...she actually would?

Fuck, fuck, fuck...

I'm a heartbeat, I'm rushing down the stairs to the beach, barefooted with a thudding heart.