Singed Morale by R.A. Black

Anthony:

To some, I’m a savior.
To others, I’m a faithful friend.
To yet more, I’m a man that shouldn’t be crossed.
… To one person, I am all of those things and more.
It’s honestly strange, being so close to someone, yet we’ve never said more than two words to each other.
For four years, I’ve paid to see her- to get a massage and a little bit extra at the end.
I didn’t know who she was, but she did her job well. Twice a week, never missing an appointment, she eased my tired body and gave me some peace.
I’d do anything to protect that peace… even letting her into my heart.

Cassandra:

People take advantage of everyone around them- sometimes, in worse or more profound ways than others.
My parents pushed me to excel, taking advantage of my genius brain.
That didn’t work out.
Katherin took advantage of me in an opportune situation, and I joined countless girls she’d victimized in these rooms.
But I never could’ve expected, with all my smarts, that I’d meet a man that would redefine my notion of ‘taking advantage’ of someone.
He made his advantage my security.
He took my faults and morphed them into strengths.
He wasn’t easy, and he wasn’t kind.
… But he was mine, and no man can resist taking something broken and rebuilding it with his own, two, hands.