Tessa’s POVThe words that have been making a nest in my heart for what felt like an eternity have finally been spoken out loud. I couldn’t stop them once they filled my heart and escaped my lips. Joseph was still breathing hard after his climax, and he remained on top of me.I said those words between his lips as he kissed me and then once the words registered in his mind, I felt his entire body freezing.“You don’t have to say it back,” I said quickly, running my fingers through his hair. “I just thought you should know how I was feeling.”For a moment, I thought I saw pain flashing through his eyes, and I wondered what that was about. I ran my fingers down the side of his face, and he closed his eyes, leaning into my touch. I leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips.To my surprise he deepened the kiss; his tongue explored my mouth curiously and I loved every feeling of it. Even though he didn’t say it back, I felt lighter now that he knew how I felt. I was glad he knew how I wa
Joseph’s POVI love you.Those words hung in the air like poison. I haven’t heard those words since my late wife. Words I never desired to hear again. Until I met Tessa, and my heart rapidly began to beat only for her. It was an issue because she was a human, and it was already proved that our relationship wasn’t a good idea.Because of what I am, because of what I subjected her to, Tessa nearly died. She was acting stronger than ever like it didn’t bother her what she went through. But I knew it buttered her and I knew she needed to get her mind off things. I wanted to be there for her in a way that no one else could. I wanted to hold her in my arms and take away her worries and fears.But I felt a lot of fear myself. I feared for her safety, and I feared for her future.When she told me she loved me those fears disappeared for only a moment and a new set of fears began to crowd my mind. She was in love with a monster; she had to know that. But looking in her eyes, I didn’t see any f
Tessa’s POVBack to the same routine. The vacation was finally over, and reality was setting back in. It was time to return to school and pretend that I wasn’t completely head over heels in love with Joseph. I didn’t even care that he hadn’t said it back. Like Ruby said, he was probably afraid to take that next step.But over the next few weeks, I’m going to prove to him that I’m worth loving and that he can trust me. I’m going to prove to him that I’m okay with his lifestyle and I’ll be more than okay in the village in the mountains.I had a minor freakout with those asshole men the other night, but Joseph was there to protect me and he got me home safely. I have a feeling I won't be bothered for a very long time. Joseph certainly made an impression on them, and word will get around quickly.I smiled at the thought of Joseph standing up for me. He might not tell me that he loves me with words, but he shows me with his actions and that’s more than enough for me.I spent most of last n
Tessa’s POV“Tessa, please open the door,” Ruby said from outside my apartment door.She knocked on the door lightly, sensing that I was nearby. I was seated on the couch with a blanket draped around my shoulders and over my head, staring at the TV that was turned off. My eyes were raw from my crying and my throat was dry and raspy. I hadn’t used my voice in over 24 hours; I hadn’t needed to.I hadn’t seen or spoken to anyone since my conversation with Joseph at school. He ended our dating trial, breaking up our relationship and ultimately breaking my heart.I could hardly even breathe.The most I could do was sit here and exist.“Tessa… please,” Ruby continued to plead.My phone lay on the ground by my foot and I felt it vibrating when she called and texted before showing up.I felt more tears stinging the back of my eyes and I bit my bottom lip, which was incredibly chapped, to keep from sobbing. The memories of all the good times I had with Joseph kept repeating in my head. All the
Tessa’s POVAs I walked the long halls of the school and toward my locker, I could hear the murmurs of those around me and the onlookers.“Did you see her post this morning? So, depressing.”“I wondered what happened to her to cause such sad blog posts.”“She looks awful.”“I might unfollow her. I can’t be reading that depressing shit.”My stomach clenched as I quickly made my way to my locker where Ruby was waiting for me as she does every morning. She had a concerned look on her face when I approached, which I wasn’t surprised about.“People are talking about your recent post,” she murmured for my ears alone.“So, I’ve heard,” I said, not looking at her.“Tessa, it’s really depressing. You really put shame on men in general,” Ruby said, leaning against the lockers to stare at me more comfortably. “I think you should delete it before—”“Before what?” I asked, snapping a look at her. “Before I offend someone? I’m not deleting anything.”I slammed my locker door shut and started to wal
Tessa’s POVI turned around to see a strange-looking man standing in front of me. He had long blonde hair and a very narrow face with a long nose. He was kind of muscular, but he was also oddly thin. When he smiled, he had a row of yellow teeth and he reeked of beer.His hand was still on my lower back, and he swayed against my backside, grinding against me with the beat of the music.I didn’t think my legs were going to work and I was seeing double of everything. But the Tequilla had taken over my entire brain, and I found myself laughing in his face. Not because I found anything funny, but because I couldn’t help myself.He leaned against the bar and peered into my eyes, wiggling his brows at me, which only made me giggle some more.“So, what do you say, gorgeous? Dance with me?”I wanted to say no and tell him to get lost, but before I could form those words, he was lifting me off the bar stool and practically carrying me to the dance floor. My body remained limp against him as he w
Joseph’s POV“You let a bitch take your find,” one of his friends laughed. “Man, you got weak.”“She had backup,” the guy muttered, sounding annoyed and a little drunk himself, but not completely intoxicated like Tessa was.I gritted my teeth, hiding against the shadows that formed around the alley they were hiding inside.“If she was as hot as you say, I wouldn’t have let anything take that away from me,” his friends said. “Next time, give me a call and I’ll be your backup.”The two laughed, which pissed me off even more. I wasn’t going to let them continue talking about Tessa like this. I made myself known to them, and they both turned to face me with large, startled eyes.“Hey, man. We were having a private conversation,” the one with the longer hair and yellow teeth said. I recognized his voice as the one talking about “his find.”“Yeah, were you eavesdropping or something?” His friend asked.They were both tall and skinny, yet they had muscles as well. I’m sure the two of them co
Tessa’s POVI went into the classroom and Miss Emily leaned against the desk, folding her arms across her chest, staring at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. It’s not that I didn’t like Miss Emily, in my opinion, I found her to be quite nice.From her students, it’s obvious she’s well-liked and good at her job, much like Joseph.But it was the fact that she obviously had a thing for Joseph that bothered me about her. I didn’t have her as a teacher, so her pulling me aside to speak with me was odd. I tried my best not to look uncomfortable.“I just wanted to check in with you,” she said simply, giving me a fond smile.I stood frozen in front of her, still feeling the effects of the hangover.“I don’t think I know what you mean,” I said softly, keeping my eyes on hers.“I’ve been noticing you today and you’ve seemed a little off,” she said with a timid frown. “I know I’m not your professor, but I do care for you, Tessa. I’d like to make sure you’re okay.”I was surprised by t