I cling to him like he's what keeps me thriving. Because he is.

Stay here, baby … Trust me, okay? Don’t run.

How can you want to touch me after what I did?" "How can I ever not want to touch you?

The vertical lines that run down his forearms are the most disturbing, thick and jagged as if someone took a razor to his skin. I wish I could run my fingers along them and remove the pain and memories that are attached to them.

He laughs, sucking his lip ring into his mouth. "I promise I'll go easy on you." A naughty feeling dances inside me. "What if I don't want you to go easy on me?

I've never felt like this before, with anyone. It's against the rules of surviving.

I love you, Ella May and nothing will ever change that. You can push me away -run away – and I will still love you.