Despite the many bruises covering her body, I couldn't deny how attractive this woman is. My eyes scan over her nude body with a smirk as I lay on my bed. She finally picks her head up, brown eyes finally found their color. She looks rejuvenated now that she was away from Rai.

It had only been a week since I brought her here and she was slowly turning into the Kathryn I know and love. Though this version is just as attractive. She was eating again and her weight filled in, her skin regained its color and that gleam returned to her beautiful eyes.

She runs her hand through her hair, "Stop looking at me like that. I'm ugly" she mutters, trying to hide her beauty. I can only smile at the woman, if only she could see what I was seeing.

I knew her self-esteem was low especially since she had to deal with that self-absorbant narcissistic abusive piece of shit. He degraded her and made her think that she wasn't good enough. Constantly called her fat when in reality her skin was sticking to her bones. Told her, she didn't compare to his looks.

Which I claim a flat-out lie.

Kathryn looks better than half the goddamn people on this Earth. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on" I find myself saying as I sit up. "I wish you knew that. You are so damn gorgeous."

The blush rising on her cheeks causes me to smirk. I approach the woman, who was starting to get her glow back. I take her hands in mine, my eyes crawling over her bruises that were beginning to fade.

"I know you might be struggling with your image, but I promise you, the Kathryn Howard that I know and fell in love with 3 months ago is right in front of me and you are just as beautiful as you were then. Maybe a bit more beautiful now that you had to experience such a terrible event. These bruises and scars, they don't define you baby."

Her brown eyes melted my heart the moment she glances up from the ground. She sighs and moves away from me causing me to frown. I watch her carefully, waiting for her to voice her thoughts.

"I know, believe me, I do. But I need time. I need time to get over this. Casey, this man... he took something from me that's going to take a while to recover. I feel humiliated and broken."

I nod my head, understanding her need to process everything and for things to fall back into place. "I get it" I smile softly approaching her.

She shakes her head, her eyes landing on me sadly. "I don't think you do Casey," she stops and puts distance between us, "I can't act like things are fine between us. You clearly felt some kind of way and I know that this situation was a huge factor but some of the things you said sounded like it'd been brewing in your heart for a while."

I clench my jaw. We let the silence settle between us for a few seconds before she speaks up again. "I think it's best we don't jump back into our relationship. At least not while Rai is still on the loose. I have things I need to figure out and we need to pace ourselves."

The words this beautiful nude woman was speaking, was breaking my heart but she was right. We didn't need to jump into this relationship while Rai was on the loose. I understood her needs. There's a knock on the door causing the brunette to move towards my closet. I walk towards the door, cracking it and coming face to face with Cassandra.

I sigh and let her in. "Gee Casey, I'm not even dressed" Kathryn groans. Cassandra frowns at the bruises on Kathryn's body. She looks away from the woman to give her, her privacy. "I heard about everything from mom and dad. Are you two okay? I'm always here if you need anything."

I nod my head before glancing back at Kathryn who was now dressed in a pair of blue sweats and a white tank top. I smile at the woman, loving how superb she looked in my clothes.

"Has he tried contacting you two since you brought her here?"

Shaking my head, I look to Cassandra. I let out a breath and pull her away from my room and out of the house. "I don't want to spook Kathryn, she's already been through so much. But I think Rai has been following me. After school yesterday, I saw a black car follow me from school and into the neighborhood. When I turned on the street, it stopped following me. But the days before that I've had this feeling I'm being watched."

Cassandra has this worried expression masking her features. "Have you at least told dad?"

I shake my head, "I can't just say that it's him. I'm not even sure. I think if I see the car I'm gonna lure them somewhere private where we can talk. Maybe if anything I can get Rai to back off."

My sister furrows her brows. "No, Casey. That man is dangerous. He obviously isn't mentally healthy. If you see that car again, call the cops. I'm serious sis. I'm going to tell Edwin so he can stop you from doing anything reckless."

She pulls out her phone, ready to call her boyfriend. I stop her and pout. "Fine, I won't do anything. Just don't tell Edwin. Kathryn isn't ready to showcase this whole situation to anyone except for everyone who already knows. That includes Edwin."

Sighing, Cass glares at me. "Promise you won't do anything reckless" she demands.

I grit my teeth. "Fine, I promise." The taller girl pulls me into a hug and immediately I feel bad for lying. There was no way I was going to continue letting this jerk take advantage of Kathryn. She didn't deserve any of this. The moment I see Rai, I'll confront him and negotiate. Maybe he'll stop if I pay him.

- - - - -

My parents were out on a date, leaving Kathryn and I home alone. Cassandra and Edwin were supposed to come over for movie night but had to cancel. Things were oddly awkward and uncomfortable between us ever since we decided to remain single.

I had moved into the living room for the time being to give her space. The only time we talked was when my parents were around. It wasn't like we were avoiding each other, it just became awkward between the two of us.

"What movie are you forcing me to watch tonight?" Kathryn questions, coming into the living room. I scoff at the woman who was more than comfortable wearing my clothes than her own. But I was not complaining. "I was thinking we could watch Disney movies."

The brunette rolls her pretty brown eyes causing me to smile. She gets situated on the couch, tucking a leg under her. "Fine, but do not expect me to sing along to any of them."

That statement was completely dismissed when the first song of Tarzan came on. It was like the walls had broken and the woman beside me was finally letting go of all of her damage and letting loose.

"Put your faith in what you most believe in. Two worlds, one family" the brunette sang as she moved side to side. The action caused me to smile as I listened to her voice. Just like the rest of her, her voice was beautiful.

"Trust your heart. Let fate decide, to guide these lives we see." I didn't want to acknowledge the words of a Disney movie but the lyrics somehow hit a nerve. I subtly scoot towards the brunette on the other side of the couch. She doesn't notice my actions as her attention was too focused on the song and movie.

Once the song ended, Kathryn smiled. "I haven't watched this movie in so long, I had no idea I still remembered the lyrics" she chuckles glancing at me.

Her eyes widen as she notices how much closer I was. I turn my eyes to the movie, ignoring how much my heart was telling me to capture her lips. But apparently, her head was in the same space as mine as she turned my face towards her and did the deed.

It was as if this was the first kiss we had shared, despite having kissed so many times prior to this moment. This time felt different. My hands caress the woman's waist, bringing her closer as I enjoy the feeling of her lips on mine. We ignore the movie, not even bothered by the songs playing.

Kathryn's hands grab me harshly, closing the distance between our bodies as she laid onto the couch, bringing me down with her. With our tongues entangled in a heated battle, I find myself grinding into the older woman. Who knew I missed this feeling so much.

I force myself away from her lips, planting my forehead against hers as we try to regain our composure. Opening my eyes, I'm startled when I find chestnut eyes already on me. I search her eyes before lifting myself and straddling her waist.

"Are we rushing this?" I question, gesturing between the two of us. The brunette tilts her head, lifting up from the sofa and scooting back to the arm of the couch. I feel a tingle run through my body as she wraps her arms around my waist, pulling me closer.

"We're not" she reassures bringing my lips back to hers. I stop her, my lips only an inch away from her. "If we continue this Kathryn, I don't think I'll stop at kissing" I inform.

She smiles, placing her mouth next to my ear. "Then make love to me Casey." My heart palpitates at her words as they hit my eardrum, registering in my brain what her request was. I pull away, eyeing her to see if she was sure about this. I see no hesitation or regret in her eyes causing me to forcefully connect our lips.

However, our plans are interrupted when there's a distinctive knock at the door. My body stiffens as I glance at the door. We weren't expecting anyone, especially since Cassandra and Edwin had already canceled our plans. My heart was drumming crazily against my ribcage as I thought about Rai.

It would make sense for him to be here at this time. If he had been still stalking us, he would know neither of my parents were home. I crawl off of Kathryn. "Don't move" I whisper as I tiptoe my way into the kitchen. I raid the cabinets until I find my father's butcher knife.

The knocking continues. I tiptoe to the door, holding up the knife just in case I needed it. I was honestly a bit scared. It was only Kathryn and I here and despite me learning combative skills with my father, Rai had more strength than the both of us combined.

I inhale and open the door, coming face to face with my friends. "What took you so long? And why the hell are you holding a butcher knife?" Duke groaned. I quickly hide the knife behind my back as if that would take away the fact that they had already seen it. "Nothing, I didn't know you guys were coming over."

Desire smiles and hands me a box of popcorn. "Do me a favor and heat that up while I pick us a good horror movie to watch. Where's Kathryn?"

Exhaling, I let the three in. "She's already in the living room. And we were in the middle of watching Tarzan" I inform. I was sure when my parents got home they wouldn't like the idea of coming in to more faces than when they left.

I roll my eyes and head towards the kitchen. I put the knife back into its spot before turning to the microwave. "Did you invite them?" Kathryn questions, scaring me. I clear my throat and shake my head, turning my head in her direction. "It was supposed to be Edwin and Cass but they canceled, I don't know what those three are doing here" I groan.

And they had to ruin such a special moment. Kathryn's eyes scan over my figure. "Well, I don't want Desire here" she spits. Once I have the microwave on, I turn completely around. "Why?"

The brunette rolls her eyes. "Because in case you have forgotten we're not together. Which gives her the right to try something... with you. And I really do not want to see her flirting with you."

I can't help but smile as I realize she was jealous. "She won't try anything" I reassure her. Her eyes land on me in question, "How do you know?"

The sound of the microwave beeping grabs my attention away from the woman and I'm compelled to tell her the truth about things that happened between Desire and I. That was something I had been holding back and I needed to come to terms with it. "Because I already tried" I mutter, facing the brunette.

I could see the hurt in her eyes. But I knew if I didn't tell her she would find out from someone else. "When?"

"On the trip. I got drunk and we were dancing. So I took her to the restroom and I started..." I glance at the woman not sure how detailed I should be about the details. But she has a look on her face urging me to continue. "We kissed and I fingered her."

Kathryn smiles, but I could see the pain behind her expression. "How did it go, afterwards I mean. Did it feel right to be with her?"

I set the popcorn down and move closer to the woman. "In the middle of fingering her I called her Kathryn and she pushed me away. I don't know if that exactly answers your question, but no it felt wrong. I was drunk and I needed a distraction from a certain history teacher" I mutter. It's not until Desire calls my name that I realize the distance between my ex-girlfriend and I.

I grab the bag and lick my lips, my eyes moving away from Kathryn as I join my friends in the living room.