Prologue

After fleeing from a desolate town a young woman's battle continues with the emergence of a past lover, alongside the budding of a new relationship. However, dangerous family ties further conflict with her dream of a fresh start. Can the past be overridden by the present, if so what remains of the future?

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And so we sat on the worn, brown couch in my living room, a soft dripping of the kitchen sink was all that could be heard in our echoing silence. I felt his gaze shamelessly roam along my body as I gazed down at my fingers, twiddling my thumbs in a desperate attempt not to steal a sideways glance at him. A slow uncontrollable blush spread across my pale cheeks, the only sign of my lawless thoughts. My restless hands moved downwards to the edge of my running shorts, and slowly began to play with the frayed hem. The rush of his breath was the only giveaway that he noticed my actions. His tan arms remain folded as the line of my shorts moves higher and higher, revealing the tender skin. A torn sigh resounds as his muscular hand shot out to dissuade any further progress.

However, his hand still covers my fingers and thigh, and a fiery heat spreads towards my core. H was waiting for me to make the move. Suddenly, the small space between us felt way too large. An uncharacteristic boldness took control as I slid onto his lap, straddling his boxer clad legs. I weave my hands through his silky hair and he draws a shaky breath. Slowly, he leans towards me going in for the kiss, but I look down nuzzling my lips against the stubble of his neck. He raises his hands towards my hips, I chuckle and bring them down, containing one under each knee.

"You're killing me," he exasperatedly groans while shifting underneath me. He unconsciously bites his lip while deliberating his next move...