Free Dark Boundaries by Michelle Horst

his nice-guy attitude.
    Then my mind warns me, ‘It can be so much worse! It could be Warren or Eric!’
    “It might not be the clothes you want but at least it covers the important parts,” Garrett says, his lips lifting in the one corner. For a moment I’m distracted by how good he looks with the smile tugging at his lips, then I frown. Is he laughing at me? I grab the skimpy underwear off the bed and start to walk in the direction of the bathroom.
    “Kristine, get dressed here,” he says, his tone a bit harsher than before.
    I don’t turn around. My body tenses at the command. Not wanting to push him too far, I stay in the room. I don’t drop the cover, but instead, I pull on the panties while keeping the cover over me. I can’t do the same with the bra, so I keep my back to him as I drop the cover and quickly slip the bra on. Like a stubborn child, I drop to the floor and drag the stupid stockings on. They reach me mid-thigh. I stand up and scowl at Garrett from over my shoulder.
    A scream echoes through the house. I can’t make out if it’s Kelly or Riza screaming, but either way my heart sinks to the floor. Another scream, this time horror-filled, turns my blood to ice. My eyes dart from the door to Garrett who’s just watching me. Then I hear both Riza and Kelly screaming! Oh no! I take a step closer to Garrett. I know it’s stupid but I feel safer with him than with any of those other men. I’m scared Eric will come shooting through the door any minute.
    I can’t tear my eyes from the door, even as Garrett steps in behind me, pressing his chest against my back. One of his arms slips around my waist. The screams sound pain filled and I can’t stop myself from grabbing hold of Garrett’s arm. I just pray it will stop soon.
    Garrett turns me around to face him. His fingers brush my cheek, gently. “Don’t worry about what’s happening out there. As long as you’re with me, you’re safe.” He dips his head closer to mine as he says this.
    More shrill screams makes me inch closer to Garrett. He saved me from Eric. He’ll keep me safe. I have to trust him right now and fear is my only motivator.
    His arm tightens around me and he starts to walk backwards toward the bed. I let him drag me down next to him. I’m pinned between his body and the wall behind me, and I’m fine with that. I can’t see the door and it makes me feel safer.
    Garrett’s fingers weave into my hair and he pulls my face to his chest. I tuck my hands between us and try harder to block out the screams, while I curl my body into his. My heart is breaking for Riza and Kelly.
    “We’re a team in this, right?” he asks. His breath is warm in my hair, stirring the strands.
    I feel the old terror setting into my bones as a million thoughts of what Riza and Kelly are suffering through, flashes through my mind. I don’t want Garrett to leave me so I nod.
    He lifts my chin and I’m stunned when he places a soft kiss on the corner of my lips. He must feel my body trembling because his eyes search mine and I know he can see the fear. His fingers are a whisper-soft touch on my cheek, and then they brush down the length of my neck.
    When he reaches my shoulder, my heart rate picks up. “Shh … I’m not going to hurt you,” he soothes me.
    I nod, my movements jerky. When it comes to Garrett I’m more nervous than scared. After the time we spent together today, he seems more human and less like a monster.
    His expression is serious, intense. He’s focused on me. Gosh, no man has ever looked at me like that. He leans closer with his whole body, half covering me, and even though the house is filled with Riza and Kelly’s screams and broken pleas, I feel sheltered.
    Garrett’s hand skims down my arm, and then he dips to my stomach. His touches remain soft, gentle. It must be the fear I feel for the other men, because my body warms under Garrett’s fingers.
    Suddenly, Garrett’s body covers me completely. He moves fast, his lips hard