Chapter 16

Oliver was released from the hospital a couple of days later. His gunshot wound was minor and he had been put in a sling for a few weeks and it would heal in due course. Eva grabbed his bag from the trunk of the taxi and helped him into the house. He noticed that something had been changed as soon as he walked through the door. The stain on the oak floor had gone from where the blood had run from Lana's skull. There were fresh flowers in a vase on the coffee table and there was a tartan blanket on the leather sofa, God how he loved the feel of leather on him. But the one thing that hadn't changed was the lampshade or the candy dish, still topped up with mints.

He ran his fingers delicately across the taut skin of the shade. "You didn't take these down." He said as Eva can back in the room from putting his bags in his room.

"Should I?" She asked.

"No,"

"I know what they are Oliver, if that's what you're implying."

"If you know what they are why don't you take them down?" He raised an eyebrow.

"They're rather aesthetically pleasing, if I do say so myself."

He came over to her, his presence strong and mysterious. "They are made from the women I stole, sliced and murdered for love. Manipulated their very essence into something even more soft and beautiful. A reminder of my journey through all that pain and loneliness."

"But now I have you…" He said grazing the back of his finger against her cheek. She took his hand and placed it against her face. "I've never met a man like you before. You're dark and twisted and have committed such horrific acts but there's just something about you I can't quite put my finger on."

He pulled her in and pressed his lips against her. They contrasted each other sensually, hers warm to his cold. She melted into him, wrapping her arms around his neck as their kiss deepened. His placed one hand delicately on her waist as if not wanting to push to far. She broke the kiss and opened her eyes. He looked so lost, so vulnerable as if all of this was so alien to him. She took his hand and led him to the bedroom. She pulled the curtains, and turned on one of the side lamps while he stood by the bed. Eva stood in front of him, reaching to her side and pulling down the zip of her skirt. It fell from her thin waist into a soft crumple on the floor. She stepped out of it and kicked it to the side removing her heels in the process. He watched in awe as she slowly undid the first few buttons of her blouse, lifting it above her head to reveal the soft magnolia flesh beneath. His breath quickened as he saw for the first time, nothing but wisps of white lace covering her innocence. Oliver reached up and started undoing the buttons of his shirt with a much greater pace. She took a step towards him and held his hands down by his side. She reached inside his shirt, placing her hands against his chest, making him moan. She glided them up over his shoulders, removing his shirt in the process.

She ran her fingertips lightly over his chest, "It's ok Oliver, touch me, feel me." He placed his hands on her. She was like nothing he had felt before, so soft and warm, no screaming or crying, just willing and wanting. He pulled her into him feeling her naked body against his chest, kissing her passionately as he ran his hands all over her as if he was craving for every last inch. He lightly pushed her onto the bed, making her fall back onto the Egyptian cotton sheets. She looked up at him and smiled at him playfully as he unbuckled his trousers and cast them aside. Getting on top of her, he looked deep into her eyes, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, knowing how much he wanted and needed her. She could feel it. "Be gentle with me." She whispered seductively, biting her bottom lip.

"Are you sure?" He asked, he had never had anyone so willing.

"Ravish me Oliver."

The click of a lighter broke her spell of unprecedented pleasure. She looked up from the marshmallow pillows to see him inhale the first drag of his cigarette. In that moment she had never been more attracted to him, his hair ruffled, eyes glazed over with pleasure and the smoke slowly passing his twisted lips. He smiled down at her lifting his arm around her. She cuddled in and gently caressed his chest.

"You, you were what I was missing."

She looked up at him with her doe eyes.

"Your touch is all I need. Having you here beside me now, a woman who loves me. So soft, so beautiful, my life was nothing until I met you." He put down his cigarette and held his hand against hers, palm to palm. "In my wildest dreams I never imagined it would feel this good, skin to skin contact. The tiny little nerves tingling with every slight movement of another." She nuzzled his chest and he kissed her hair.

"The world did this to you Oliver, you're not a monster. I can see the person you really are, that beautiful little boy now a full-grown man, a man that deserves just as much love as anyone else."

She paused.

"Tell me."

"I can't cover for you anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"What you did was wrong Oliver, and I know you know that. Those women didn't deserve what happened to them. But equally, you didn't deserve what happened to you, nor the punishment you would face if someone where to find out. But I can't have you skinning women anymore. I know you said after you found 'the one' you would stop, and I do hope I am the one for you. But I just can't help but fear your relapse."

"Now I have you, there is no need for me to continue the work of Bloodyface, he will burn with the memories. All I want is you, and this life we can have together. My woman, my love, my mommy, my life."