Half asleep, I dragged myself off the bed and trudged into the bathroom with the sheets wrapped around me. However, once I dropped the sheet and took one look in the mirror, the sight that greeted me shocked me awake. There were red marks and bites all over my skin. I felt every last one of them but that didn’t make seeing them any less disturbing.
I touched one of the marks and winced from the dull pain. “What are you doing?” I jumped at the sudden sound of his voice directly behind me.
“Why are you sneaking up on me?”
“Hurry up. We’re going to be late.”
“I don’t think I can go to school.”
“Why not?” He sounded annoyed and disinterested but I answered him anyway.
“Maybe because it looks like I’ve been beaten?” I didn’t attempt to hide the disdain I felt.
“You came, didn’t you? Many times as I recall.”
“You do realize you blackmailed me into sex right?”
“Keep telling yourself that,” he smirked.
“You should have stayed away,” I whispered, my eyes lowering.
“Maybe. But I didn’t. This was always going to happen, Monroe. I told you that…I made breakfast, by the way.” He changed the subject and gave me a warning look.
I couldn’t conceal the look of surprise that crossed my face. “You did?”
He stared at me blankly. “I was hungry,” he shrugged.
“Right.” Silly me, thinking he would do something nice after the night we had. But you enjoyed it too. I shook off the unwanted thoughts and turned the shower on. I stepped in and knew he was still there even though my back was turned. “Are you planning to watch me shower?”
“And if I do?” he leaned against the door and crossed his arms, watching me through the glass door. I didn’t reply, knowing he was baiting me, looking for an excuse to strike but then…he never needed one in the past.
“This isn’t the first time I caught you in the shower, you know.”
“What?” I turned around in surprise, forgetting my attempt to ignore him.
“I was the one who stole your clothes two years back.”
“That was you? I mean…I knew you had something to do with it but you actually went into the girls’ locker room?”
He rolled his eyes and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It wasn’t the first time I’ve been in the girls’ locker room, Monroe.”
“Why else would you—oh.” My cheeks turned red and I felt a pang followed by anger but I didn’t understand why.
“You look jealous.”
Jealous? I wasn’t, was I?
“I’m not.”
“Is that another lie?” His voice lowered to a level that screamed ‘danger’.
I chose to remain silent and finished lathering my body. When his phone broke the silence, he finally left the bathroom to my relief. I quickly washed my hair before stepping out. I dressed and used some of my aunt’s makeup to cover the visible marks and made by way downstairs. When I entered the kitchen he ended his phone call and pushed a plate full of food towards me. I couldn’t deny how good the food looked and smelled.
“You can cook?” He grunted and continued tapping the keyboard, ignoring me. “I want to talk to my aunt. How do I know you didn’t have something done to her?”
“You don’t,” he replied tersely. “Do what the hell I say and you won’t have anything to worry about.”
“That’s bullshit!” I yelled.
He slowly looked up from his phone and I snapped my mouth close. When he slid his phone over to me and I picked it up cautiously. On the screen was a picture of my Aunt at an airport. “This doesn’t prove anything,” I stated.
“That’s all your getting. Let’s go.”
“But I didn’t eat my food yet.”
“Bring it with you.”
* * *
“You had an orgasm today!”
I spit out the drink I just took a sip of and shot Charlie a murderous look.
“Now, now. Don’t look at me like that with those magnificent blue-green eyes. There’s no need to be a prude about it. Everyone has orgasms and the one’s who don’t…God bless their souls.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s all over your face. Who he is? I want details and don’t forget the dirty ones.”
I didn’t quite know if it was a good idea to share my blossoming sex life with my boss but I didn’t think it would be fair to hold out. He cared so much about me finding love or as he put it “A really good stick to ride.” Charlie was as crass as he was flamboyant.
Lucky for me I was saved from answering by Mr. Martin coming through the door. “You know I think that man is up to something,” Charlie whispered while eyeing the older man. “He only shows when you’re here and I never see him actually work out. I think you have a secret admirer, Lake.”
“What? He is old enough to be my father and half a grandfather.”
“So he’s sugar daddy material.”
“As if. Maybe he’s here for you.”
“Honey, he never even glances at me. What does he talk to you about anyway?”
“Nothing much. He is always polite and usually just asks me about school.” I didn’t want to tell him about the time he asked if I was dating anyone. It would only encourage Charlie. I made my way to the reception desk to check him in.
“Good evening, Mr. Martin.”
“Ah, Lake. How are you today?” Well I spent the night being fucked senseless for the first time, so peachy.
“Peachy. And yourself?”
“Oh the usual. Just passing through.” Yeah, why is that? “Any new developments?”
“Uh, no. Nothing new,” I lied.
“As beautiful as you are young lady, I find it hard to believe that you don’t have someone special.”
“Oh, um. Thank you.” I think.
“Is there someone special? Someone you go to school with?”
“No…” His persistent questions started making me nervous. Please don’t tell me this guy is a creep.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of. You can tell me.” His insistence on knowing about my love life was making me uncomfortable.
“Enjoy your visit, Mr. Martin.” I handed him back his membership card and gave him a fake smile that he seemed to see right through.
“I suppose. I’ll be seeing you, Lake.” He started for the locker rooms and I knew I wouldn’t see him again until next time.
My phone vibrated in my back pocket so I fished it out.
K: Where the fuck r u?
Lake: Working. A girl's gotta eat.
K: Monroe…
Lake: Yes?
K: Where. R. U?
Lake: The gym
He didn’t text back after that so I went back to working. I ended up talking to one of the regulars that Charlie tried to hook me up with on numerous occasions, despite the fact that I just became legal two days ago. He was one of those guys whose muscles had muscles. It made me appreciate Keiran’s body even more. He was lean and muscular and natural.
And not yours.
“Am I any closer to getting you to agree to go out with me? I can show you a really good time if you let me.” I had the feeling he wasn’t just talking about dinner and movie.
“Thanks Chad, but I’m –”
“Taken,” a voice bit out behind me. I knew who it was without turning around. He always did have a knack for sneaking up on me.
“Somehow I don’t think that’s what the lady was about to say. So why don’t you run along, little boy.”
“I’m saying it for her. She’s mine. You want to try to take her from me?” He fists clenched as he stepped toe to toe which Chad.
Was he seriously trying to start a fight?