Chapter 57. In Another Way

At first, he'd been focused solely on consoling her, taking her sadness seriously. But as Emerald's quiet sobs turned into uncontrollable crying, her face rubbed against him, evoking memories of that night he'd had too much to drink. That night, he hadn't held back. The girl beneath him had pleaded for mercy, her hands clinging to his arms, leaving scratches he'd worn like a badge of honor, teased about for days afterward.

Her voice then had sounded much like hers now—soft, pleading, like a kitten nudging at his heart.

Emerald suddenly sensed something unusual. She looked up, her tear-streaked face meeting Alaric's gaze, her vision hazy with emotion.

"What are you thinking about?"

Alaric hesitated. "…Nothing."

He felt lower than a beast for having such thoughts while she was so distressed.

To his surprise, he heard himself murmur, "If you're uncomfortable, I can help you." His voice was low, and his earlobes reddened as he shyly added, "In another way."<