Alexander kissed Audrey's neck, helping her undress, and put on her pajamas. Usually he would drop her off and leave, but he was so worried about her, her decided to stick around a little longer than normal. His touch was kind and gentle. She sighed, her head leaning a bit when he kissed the side of her head, laying next to her.

"I'll take you for dinner," he murmured, tugging her bonnet on her head, resting his hand on her belly, cuddling her.

Audrey closed her eyes.

"I was wrong, Audrey. You need more than sex. I'll be kinder to you from now on," he mumbled, pressing a kiss to her hairline.

Aftercare was important after all. It was why she'd been so down he'd decided. He'd been a bad sex partner, leaving her come down alone. Audrey let out a sigh. He ran his fingers up her back, massaging his hands up her neck, and into her hair, feeling her melt in his hands, her body going slack, following his movements.

He smiled, enjoying the softness of the normally abrasive woman. And then she smiled. It was involuntary, small just tugging up the sides of her mouth ever so gently. He stared at her face for a moment, leaning in, cupping her face. He kissed her, indulging in her lips. His eyes closed, as he positioned himself on top of her, deepening their kiss. Audrey moaned against his lips, her hips pressing against his.

She was more eager than he'd ever seen her. He pulled his jacket off. Her hands stroked his tattoos, looking up at him, with those big shining eyes. His breath caught in his chest for a moment. He cupped her face, watching as she leaned into his touch, closing her eyes.

How could anyone not be burdened with that trust? That softness? And was that all it took? A little affection?

Alexander felt her fingers tracing his tattoos, the darkness bathing then both, hiding them from one another. He took comfort in it, in the secrecy, because damn it.

Damn it.

Her breathing shuddered under him. He licked her neck, reaching down to find her wet and ready for him.

"Look how your body reacts to me," he murmured, stroking her clit gently. "Look at how I own you."

He expected her harsh response, maybe even a little physical violence but all she did was look at him. With those eyes. Even the dark couldn't hide them, sparkling the way they did.

He knew it meant something but he didn't know what.

"Pretty girl what does that face mean?" He decided ask, stroking her cheek.

"Not making a face," she murmured, his hand forcing her chin up. He smiled at her ruefully, guilt building up in his bones.

The sheets under them crinkled, the sweltered heat swaddling them, cool sheets on their back. Audrey's mouth opened her back arching as he stroked deeply inside her, holding her face still, looking in her eyes. His heart ached at the soft innocence in her eyes. His touch softened.

She was fragile.

Young. She didn't deserve this. He pulled away, catching his breath, hyperventilating. Oh...he thought he felt guilty before. What had he done?

Audrey cocked her head, touching his backs he flinched away, looking back at her horrified. She was so...alone. Those eyes...

Every harsh word. Every time he'd left her alone. He wasn't just hurting her, the adult, hardened version of her. But that young girl inside her, still hoping someone would kind to her for kindness sake. He closed his eyes.

"I can't," he chuckled to himself in disbelief. "I can't do this."

Audrey drew the sheets to her body, her face instantly hardening. "What are you talking about?"

"I..." he swallowed and cleared his throat, closing his eyes. "You're just too young, Audrey. You're just too young for me. I'm not...I can't—"

Audrey sighed. "I'm 21. I'm not a kid. I'm not fresh out of high school, I'm not—"

"You are. And every time I try to ignore that, I'm reminded why this is terrible. You only cling to me because I'm the only father figure you have. You know how fucked that is? For me to know that and fuck you? No..."

Audrey clenched her jaw. "You are not my father, Alexander. I never have seen you as a father. You're just...the only guy who's somewhat nice to me."

"It is 14 years between us Audrey," he held his hands in hands. "Our age gap is in high school."

Audrey sighed and nodded. "Okay. Then...just leave."

Alexander wanted to explain himself. That if it were real, if he could give her more, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But to use her that way, use her naivety her reliance on him, to have her body—he couldn't. He just couldn't do it.

It was wrong, more than he could reconcile.

"Just...go?" She sniffled.

He looked back at her. Still, he couldn't abandon her. He kneeled on the bed, gathering her into her arms. "I can't have sex with you anymore, Audrey. But I won't abandon you either."

Audrey's hands shook. She looked up at him. He smiled sadly down at her, those steel eyes penetrating the darkness.

"Look at that, Remington. Is that a soul I see?"

He grinned. "Not a fucking chance. You're still mine after all. Now..."

He leaned back, opening his arms. "Lay down."

She raised her brows and leaned into his arms, shifting until she got comfortable. He rubbed her arm, staring out into the darkness. He didn't know what he was doing. She needed him. Needed support, and affection, but he couldn't use her. He didn't bother labeling it.

He'd taken responsibility for her after all.

He was never one to shirk his duty. And she didn't make it difficult. Being around her was always interesting, even when they were at one another's throats.

"Kinda wanna watch Netflix," he grumbled.

She snorted. "You really need to get your head checked. You've gone through at least 17 emotions in the span of like, an hour."

He looked over at her. "Sorry I'm not Little miss Mad or Silent."

She raised her middle finger. "Almost thought you had a soul."

"Almost thought you had a heart," he shot back.

"Oof. Not you making fun of a disabled person. Telling Twitter about this tomorrow. Your stocks are about to plummet," she sang.

He grinned. "So is your college fund. Hope you learned all you needed to in those 4 classes you went to."

She elbowed him, and closed her eyes and small smile on her face. He grinned back, tucking her under his arm.