He understood why.
Seeing his desires reflected at him was a powerful aphrodisiac. He had always held himself back. With every woman, every date, and every one-night stand, he went through the motions, hiding himself from them. He only went out with them for one reason, and that was to alleviate the pressure.
Aubrey was young enough that her attraction to him came unbridled. That was dangerous for a man like him.
"Bree," he said.
She yanked her hand, but he held on tight. "What?"
"We're almost there." He used the heel of his hand to shift down as he approached his driveway.
All she had to do was wait until he could get his hands on her again. He'd make her feel better, more secure about what was happening between them. She was doing everything right, giving him everything he needed. Almost perfection when it came to what he craved the most.
He needed something more than good sex.
He needed to match the woman.
She would need what he could give her. Thrive off it. Think she'd die without him.
He had to slow down. She wasn't ready for the truth. He'd scare her. She wasn't ready. Nor was she going to understand. Hell, he hadn't understood what drove him each day to seek out the pain, the control, the need to fucking feel.
It was as if his body had desires and needs of its own. He could only distract himself for so long. Eventually, he had to give in to the demons inside of him.
He'd gone clean for a time, throwing himself into a business that grew bigger than he'd ever imagined. Yet, his success wasn't enough. It was never enough.
He no longer found satisfaction in adding another contract, expanding his client list, or acquiring more real estate. While his progress pleased him for a moment, beneath the surface, he craved something deeper.
Always hungry.
Heading to the gym the other night and stepping into the ring felt like throwing fire at a man like him. He reached up, pressed the remote garage door opener, and drove slowly into the darkened garage. He had to check himself before he frightened Aubrey further or, worse, hurt her beyond what he could fix.
He shut off the engine and pressed against the seat. Aubrey sat silently beside him. He rolled his head along the headrest and looked at her. Her nervousness pleased him. He looked forward to teaching her, showing her she could trust him. Only him.
"I'm going to take you inside. I don't want you to leave or close yourself off from me until I'm done talking." He swallowed over the tightening of his chest. "Can you do that for me?"
"You talk in riddles." She glared. "You were mad, yet you brought me to your house. I only wanted to make sure you were okay after showing up at my house bleeding and hurt."
"I'm fine."
She tucked a strand of her honey blonde hair behind her ear. "I don't know what you want from me."
"Nothing will happen between us that you don't want to happen." He lifted her hand, which he still held, to his lips. "Can you trust me?"
Her eyes rounded, flashing an even darker hazel color at him as she shook her head. He grinned, welcoming her honesty.
"Then, I'll teach you how to trust me," he murmured.
"You're so different than anyone I know." She quivered. "There's something dangerous about you that scares me."
"Yet, you're here."
"I'm here," she whispered. "I don't understand why."
"I do, and I'll show you."
She lowered her gaze to their linked hands. "I feel like I'm going to die."
"You won't die."
