9 Present - 3

Later that night she washed her face and got ready for bed. There was a light tap against her door.

"Come in." She had just brushed her hair and pulled it over one shoulder. She wore the t-shirt Paul's men had brought for her. It was too big and reached her knees, but it was comfortable. In a way, it felt like he was wrapped around her at all times.

Paul walked inside wearing his gray sweatpants without a shirt. His body was solid and defined, his muscles protruding against the hard lines that held his body tightly against his skeletal frame. He watched the fire burn in the hearth before he sat beside her on the bed. His long legs widened as he sat, his knees bent slightly up because of his height, unlike her feet that didn't even touch the floor.

He rested his arms on his knees. He turned his head slightly her way, watching her expression, "I wish there was something I could do." His voice trailed off, showing his pain for the first time. It was never clear whether he cared for her or not. Sometimes, it seemed like he did when he protected her. But then he would snap and treat her like a dog the very next day.

"There's nothing you can do." She replied in a low voice.

"I just want you to know that I do understand that kind of betrayal. I do understand that kind of pain. And I do understand what it's like not to have a home." He stared at his joined hands. The short strands of his brown hair were messy from running his fingers through the slightly curled ends. "You aren't alone. You never are."

She listened to everything he said, hanging on to every word.

"What happened?" He had never told her anything personal before. All she knew was he had a brother. And she knew they had a strained relationship.

"My father passed away ten years ago. My mom left me five years ago." He rubbed his fingers together, trying to concentrate on the task in front of him. Whatever he was going to say next caused him immense pain. His shoulders were stiff, and he purposely took short breaths. When he was most vulnerable, he was also the least emotional. "And my sister passed away a few months ago." His voice remained steady, but he clenched his jaw like it wasall he could do to remain in control of his feelings. "It's been hard for me."

Regina's heart broke into a million pieces when she heard him speak. When Jason betrayed her, she couldn't think straight. The agony was too much. But hearing Paul confess his pain hurt more than she expected it to. She wanted to fix everything. She wanted to erase his suffering. "I'm so sorry."

He bowed his head. "I know what it's like not to have a home." Unable to take the distance between them a moment longer, she crawled into his lap and straddled his waist. He leaned back to accommodate her movement before he rested his face in the crook of her neck. His long arms wrapped around her and kept her in place.

His breathing didn't change, and he was as emotionless as ever. But he clung to her like her presence meant something. She pressed a kiss to his forehead and ran her fingers through his hair. Her heart thudded hard against his chin, feeling the exact same pain he felt. This man bought her and held her against her will, but she was heartbroken when he was heartbroken. She cared for him more than she wanted to admit. When he suffered, she suffered twice as much.

He moved his face from my neck and looked up at her, the pain still burning in his eyes. There were no tears or even a drop of moisture, but he showed his agony in a more profound way. His eyes were the gateway to his soul which was broken beyond repair. She cupped his face and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was the softest one she had ever given him. Her mouth slowly moved against his and she felt her eyes saturate with tears. Warm and salty, they streaked down her cheeks until they landed on his skin.

He gripped her tighter as the kiss continued. They were connected in a way more profound than any other touch they had shared. The moment was different than all the rest. He touched her like a delicate rose petal and she poured her heart out to him as she kissed his lips. She laid her cards down and told him the truth that she cared deeply about him. And he told her the same thing.

Something snapped inside him and he withdrew. His lips were taken away, her tears still on his cheeks. He scooted me off his lap and onto the bed. Then he rose to his feet, shutting down as nothing happened at all. He did not look at her, turning ice-cold all over again.

"Paul?!" She wiped her tears with the back of her forearm, embarrassed for crying in front of him.

"Good night." He turned his back on her and walked away.