Page 65 of False Promises

“But why? Why would you want to talk about that stuff? This is ridiculous. We get along great. We have fun together. I already said I love you. No need to add complicated and dreadful discussions to the mix.”

Right now, Savannah looked like a bewildered little girl trying to follow a conversation in another language. She fetched the keys from her side of the bed and released my hands.

With her legs folded to her chest, she sat before me.

Rubbing my wrists, I massaged them, trying to smooth the cuff marks.

“Because that’s what adults do. And people in relationships. And it’s about time we have a real one.”

Savannah laughed bitterly. “Talk about killing the mood,” she said, pointing to the lingerie she was wearing.

“No. That’s where you’re wrong. I don’t recognize us. We used to connect and have a great time together.”

“We still do.”

I touched her hand. “In many ways, we do. But not in those that matter the most. We argue, then fuck, and then act as if everything is fine.”

“The sex is amazing. I know I’m great at it.”

A small smile peeked on my lips. “Yes, you are. You blow my mind every time. But sex isn’t everything.”

Savannah looked at me with a quizzical stare. As if I’d spoken words she couldn’t interpret.

“Whatever you say.” Something passed in her eyes. “When I was fifteen and my stepdad said he wanted to talk, it was usually a code for…other things…” Tears welled in her eyes. The caring side of me took over, and I scooted closer to wrap my arms around her.

I caressed her hair and pulled her into my embrace, shielding her from future harm.

“You never mentioned what he did. You wanna talk about it?” My lips rested on the top of her head.

Savannah shook her head. “He said and did horrible things to me. When I was sixteen, I ran away from home. In all the time I was living with them, he tried to blame me. My appearance. For his deviances… He belittled me. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore. My mom… She never believed me. She took his side. I’ve been on my own since. And groomed to think sex is the solution to everything. Every time Jerry, my stepdad, said, ‘Savannah, I need to talk to you,’ I knew that he expected me on my knees or on my all fours, nothing else.”

I swallowed the lump down my throat. Chills traversed my back. With what she had hinted at before, I never believed Savannah had actually been sexually assaulted by her stepdad. That the extent of his control over her ran deeper than what she let me know. “A-and your own mother believed him instead of you?”

She shrugged. “Jerry can be pretty persuasive. And well, I looked hot at sixteen. She probably thought I was flirting with him. Who knows. She stayed faithful to the man providing for her. Carter, I was used, abused, and shamed…for everything.” Sobs rocked her body, and I fastened my arms around her.

“I won’t let anybody hurt you. You have my word. I’m sorry you went through this. Did you ever go to the cops? To lodge a complaint against him? He could still be arrested.” Fury seared inside me.

She shook her head. “I preferred to put the past in the past. No need to open this wound again. Please.” She lifted her eyes to lock on mine. “Don’t get involved, okay? Respect my wishes. Let’s move forward. All I’ve ever wanted was a fresh start. And I’m finally doing it. I don’t wanna revisit my teen years.”

How could a man hurt a young girl without her mother stepping in and putting a stop to the abuse? Nausea swirled in my stomach.

“What can I do?” I asked after Savannah’s sobs decreased.

“Hug me, okay? Today, stay with me. Let me sleep in your bed.”

I nodded.

For the first time in weeks, we found our peace and fell asleep holding onto each other.

* * *

Last night was a bit blurry in my head. The conversation about Savannah’s stepdad had haunted my sleeping hours. I couldn’t believe all she went through when she was still just a kid. Perhaps I would ask Taylor to see if he could dig up dirt on the guy. Maybe he could be charged for other things and sent to prison where he deserved to be. Was Savannah the only girl he abused, or were there others who had suffered as a result of his sick ways? No wonder all my discussion attempts ended up with her naked. Geez, if only I had known.

In the shower, under the hot stream of water, I removed the last pieces of wax from my chest. I still couldn’t believe Savannah wanted me to play with whips and bondage last night. I experienced no satisfaction in being tortured—the molten hot wax had been more than enough—and I’d kill myself before doing the same to a woman. No matter how much she begged for it.

This morning, I woke up with something I had been missing for weeks. A real smile. Contentment in my heart. And it felt great to experience some sort of connection back with her. Since Dahlia and Jack had visited, a new rift had grown between us. And it was about time we bridged our differences.

Savannah greeted me in the kitchen with a mug of tea. She wore only a shirt of mine, showcasing her long legs, looking as incredible as always, but without trying too hard this time.