JV tried to hide the panic that rushed through her as memories threatened to come alive. It hadn"t lasted. His hand on her skin didn"t feel the same as anyone else"s. Somehow, she knew he wouldn"t hurt her. She reveled in knowing his touch didn"t burn.
Over the years, she"d almost gotten used to the biting sting that touching men caused. The only time she didn"t feel it was with her brother and father, but she didn"t see them often. She ached for the causal touch of others, even just friends. After it had happened and the burning started, JV had pulled away from her college friends. She hadn’t made any close friends in Austin.
She wanted to lean into him, to beg him to wrap his arms around her and just hold her, but he was too angry. She couldn"t ask for fear of how he might react.
"I"m
