Read Online Leave Me Love by Alex Lux - Free Book Online Page A

me, propping himself up on his elbow. "The line between pleasure and pain is thin. Sometimes straddling it brings out those sensations more intensely."
    "Is there something wrong with me?"
    He kissed my nose. "No. It's completely normal. More people than you'd think enjoy it rough from time to time. Is it something you'd like to try again?"
    I nodded, biting my lip.
    "There are a lot of things we can try together, sweetheart."
    I knew some of those things, had studied them while researching for my job, and I wondered how many of them I'd find enjoyable with Ash. The thought titillated me, but then reality crashed down again and I remembered what I'd been trying to forget about.
    "What if they don't find her?"
    "Bridgette?"
    I nodded.
    "They will. Or we will. I promise."
     
    ***
     
    Ash's car attracted more attention than I would have liked when I pulled in to the parking lot near the law school. But, given the wealth on this campus, it didn't stand out nearly as much as I feared.
    I thought I'd avoided any press intent on talking to me when Ash ran interference that morning, but I didn't count on the stupid on-campus journalists who wanted the local scoop on the “Girl Who Survived—Twice.”
    Two of them ambushed me just outside of Cavin's office. "Catelyn, can you tell us anything about Bridgette's kidnapping?" the aggressive brunette asked through overly bright lips, notepad in hand as her sidekick photographer snapped unwelcome pictures of the back of my hand and head.
    "I don't want to talk about it. Please leave me alone."
    She didn't back off. "Do you have any idea who did this? We heard you had a fight with Bridgette just before her kidnapping. Do you think that had something to do with it?"
    "Go away!" I clenched my teeth, waiting in front of Cavin's door for him to show up for his scheduled conference time.
    "Just tell us what happened. Our readers deserve to know."
    I spun on her, knocking the camera out of the guy's hand as I scowled at the girl. "They deserve to know? Why? Who the fuck gave them, or you, any rights to my goddamn life? My goddamn story. Get the hell away from me!"
    She smiled a predatory smile and took furious notes while the guy with her complained loudly about his broken camera.
    Cavin showed up then, taking in the scene quickly and turning on the reporter. "I believe Miss Travis asked you to leave her alone, and if you print any of this exchange in any way, I will personally make sure you are kicked out of Harvard and lose all opportunity to work in journalism again. Do you understand me?"
    Her face paled and she turned to leave, dragging her pissed off photographer with her, but not before I grabbed the notebook out of her hand. "I'll keep this, thanks."
    As the anger drained out of me I began to shake, my heart racing and palms sweating as the world became too loud, too chaotic and I couldn't hear anything but the cacophony inside my head. My skin crawled until I wanted to tear it off and step out of it and I couldn't stay still. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.
    Cavin's arm settled over me as he guided me into his office and made me a cup of tea. "Drink this and just breathe."
    When my mind calmed enough to see more clearly and listen to him, he handed me a card. "I've taken the liberty of making an appointment for you with an old friend of mine. She's the best counselor I know and she even treated Alice once, years ago."
    I took the card, studying the name on it. Lauren Schultz. "What did my mom see her about?"
    "A cat, actually. She had this kitten she loved more than anything. When he died, she took it hard. Lauren helped her work through it. She specializes in PTSD and overcoming emotional and physical trauma. I think she'll be able to help you."
    I nodded, knowing I needed help. Knowing I couldn't keep going on like this. "When's the appointment?”
    He looked at his watch. "In twenty minutes. Come on, you can let me drive that fancy new car you pulled up in."
     
    ***
     
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