Kennedy
Today is the day I turn eighteen. A day I thought, at one point, I might never live to see. I lay there next to Cole in our huge bed. He’s still fast asleep, something I have had very little of. I’m able to control my mind when I’m awake, but at night, well that’s when the memories haunt me. I can’t control the pain of what happened to me while I’m asleep. My mind takes me back to my sixteenth birthday.
I’m scared and confused.
I walk through what feels like the wooded area just outside the commune, the crunch of dried leaves under my bare feet. My hands are bound in front of me, the blindfold tied so tightly I can’t see a thing. I’m in total darkness and there isn’t a thing I can do about it. I’m wearing nothing but a loose nightgown, as per Master’s request. I hear several voices but have no idea who they belong to.
Fear rips through me like a knife in my stomach, slowly tearing me apart. I’m trying to be brave. I tell myself this won’t be worse than any other day, but of course I have no idea of what’s to come. I’m stupid to even think that today, on my sixteenth birthday, it would be any less torturous. My adrenaline spikes as I’m pulled to an unexpected stop. My back is suddenly thrust against a tree and a strong hand is pressing flat, just above my chest. Pinning me in place. My head thrashes from side to side as I panic, searching for some sort of answer as to what is going on.
“Please,” I plead.
“Please what?” the familiar voice growls.
“Please don’t hurt me,” I whisper, my voice quivering as my whole body shakes uncontrollably.
“I’m not going to touch you.” He breathes heavily against my face. “But it turns me on when you’re so afraid, Kennedy. It’s like an aphrodisiac to me. I like your body covered in goose pumps. I like the way your breasts move as you take sharp, ragged breaths.”
“No,” I call out. “No, please,” I beg, hoping my pathetic pleas might make a difference.
But it doesn’t.
“I have a surprise for you,” he taunts.
I stand there terrified, beyond scared. My head whips to the side, as he suddenly rips the blindfold away from my eyes. I blink rapidly, trying to get my vision to adjust, hoping my sight will be restored so I can work out what’s going on.
I look up. Michael, one of Christopher’s minions stands in front of me, his hand still against my chest. I look around him and see a young boy, no older than about fourteen. I’ve only seen him a few times before. Christopher stands beside him.
“I believe you know Caleb.” Christopher gestures toward the young boy.
“N…n…not really,” I stutter.
“Oh, don’t worry your pretty little porcelain face.” He walks toward me, running the back of his hand down the side of my face.
I freeze until every part of me is as stiff as a corpse. Even my breathing slows. The only part of me moving is my heart as it beats ferociously. It feels like my heart is in my throat with how aggressively it pounds.
Christopher’s hand drops from my face, down to the neck of my nightgown. I daren’t look down, but instead hear the rip of the fabric as he tears it from my body, leaving me there shivering and totally naked. The look on his face is nothing but pure evil. The delight he gets at knowing what he’s doing to me is so very obvious. The sick bastard really gets a kick out of this.
Christopher walks back over to the boy. My head whips to the side to look for Michael, wondering where he is. As I glance to the side, I notice him standing there, his eyes transfixed on my naked body. His gaze drifts, as though he’s literally eye fucking me. I snap my head away, my attention drawn back to Christopher who is now on his knees in front of the boy. I feel the bile rise as I realize what he’s doing, his head bobbing up and down.
I want to scream.
I’m desperate to run away.
I can’t bear to watch this play out in front of me. I force down the nausea I feel rising from the pit of my stomach to the back of my throat.
I can’t be sick. That will only make things worse. I hear the stifled cries of the boy and my attention is drawn back to him and what is happening. He stands there, tears streaming down his face and I’m helpless. There’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I close my eyes tightly, pushing my fingers in my ears.
I have to try and block this out. That’s all I can do, block it out. After what feels like forever, Master is back on his feet. He walks slowly until he’s behind the boy. His hand grabs the back of Caleb’s neck, pushing him forward. Caleb takes tiny steps as he shuffles forward, his movement restricted by the pants around his ankles. Master stops him right in front of me, only a few inches away from my cold and naked body.
My chest heaves as I feel the intense panic rise inside. My breaths become erratic as fear seems to consume me. Master still has his hand around the boy’s neck as he thrusts his head toward mine until our lips meet.
“Fuck her,” he growls in the coldest, most callous voice I’ve ever heard. I stand there with this boy’s lips against my own. The bitter taste of his tears flows between us. I have to pull my eyes away from him as his cries are relentless. Master grabs hold of his wrists, placing his hands flat against the tree.
“Fuck her,” he growls louder.
That’s when I feel a kick to my inner ankles, pushing my legs apart. I nearly lose my balance but Caleb catches me, holding me upright. My eyes meet his. I smile weakly and know that this is inevitable. I feel a sudden grip around my jaw, my head swept to the side as Master is almost nose to nose, right in my face.
“Well isn’t this sweet?” He nods between the two of us. “He,” he points to Caleb, “he’s my birthday present to you. And while he’s fucking you, I’m gonna fuck him, got that?”
I close my eyes tightly hoping that by some miracle I can escape this hell, but the truth of it is, we both know that he will make this happen, whether I resist or not.
Why fight the inevitable?
So I don’t.
Instead I just nod.
I stand there, trying to block out what is happening while this young boy is being forced to have sex with me, as he’s being raped by him.
The cries of Caleb will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. I will never get away from the memories of that day.
And that’s how I remember my sixteenth birthday.
I throw back the covers and race to the bathroom, remove my clothes as fast as my hands can, and jump in the shower, hoping to scrub the memory from mind. I step inside, the water so hot it’s close to scalding. Steam billows from the heat of the water. I stand there, my hands against the wall as I let the water burn, taking away the inner torture, the pain from my memories.
After all of my skin is pink, I hit the off faucet, crashing to the floor, unable to take the intensity of the heat any longer. I’m sobbing, pushing the palms of my hands against my eyes, trying to suffocate the tears, wanting to barricade the flow. I heave as the emotion pours from every inch of my body, the pain not easing.
I hear the thrash of the door opening and Cole calling out my name, but I can’t control my sob to answer him. The curtain is loudly pulled open before Cole’s hands are around me. One arm under my bended knee, the other around my back as he lifts me out of the bath.
He doesn’t say anything. He just carries me with ease back into the bedroom, my head never moving, my eyes remaining closed. I hear the droplets of water as they fall from my body and hit the floor. He slowly places me down on the bed. I instantly curl in on myself, wrapping myself into a ball. I’m scared to open my eyes, scared about how much I must have terrified Cole.
Within seconds, I’m covered with a towel for warmth. The bed moves as Cole lies beside me, his nose against mine, and his breath against my face. I still can’t open my eyes to face him yet. Tears still fall involuntarily from my eyes. I reach my hand up, touching the side of his face. The small amount of stubble feels familiar and I move my hand slowly against it, the familiarity comforting to me. His arms move and land on my back, pulling me gently to him with one swift movement. I feel the heat of his body against my cold torso. I hadn’t realized how badly I was shivering until I feel my body moving against his.
“Baby, I’m here,” he whispers, breaking the silence.
“I’m sorry.”
“Do you want to tell me what’s wrong?”
I look up at him, opening my eyes slowly; the sting of the fallen tears causes me to blink repeatedly. I make instant contact with the beauty of his eyes, the sweet sparkle of the green emeralds I always manage to lose myself in.
“I’m broken, Cole. I’m so fucking messed up in here.” I point to my head. “The evil haunts me. The memories are etched into my brain, into my soul, and I can’t escape. I’m running from myself, only I’m never going to get away, am I?”
“You are so strong,” he whispers, kissing my head. “In here,” – he points to my head – “in here it might be dark, but here,” – he taps gently on my chest – “in here is something so deeply beautiful,” he concludes.
I close my eyes again, not because of the pain, but because I need to kiss this man. He sees what no one else can see. Dammit, he sees something in me even I can’t recognize. I move ever so slightly until my swollen lips meet his.
The feel of his sweet touch sends my mind into a sensual state of intoxication. I flicker my eyes open, needing to see him. His eyes glisten as he presses into me, the pain within me blurring as I look deep into his eyes. My lids fall shut in pure ecstasy of the moment. The flutter of my heart pushing out the pain of my memories.
This is why I need him.
He is my drug, my painkiller.
Cole presses his tongue against the seam of my swollen lips. I react, opening my mouth a little to allow him access. The sweet taste of him is unforgettable. My hands reach up, working through his thick, tangled dark hair. Unexpectedly, his hand drifts to my thigh, pulling it up until we are pressed against each other, my leg resting over his.
The feel of his hands on the soft of my skin sends a warm tingle, spreading like fire throughout my body. Our breaths quicken as does the pace of our kiss, becoming desperate and needy. I pull back for air, trying to catch my breath. As we part, I notice the sparkle in his eyes and the smile pulling at the curve of his lip.
I can’t help but smile as his eyes drift downward and focus on my lips, as though he’s thinking of kissing me again. He leans in, placing a soft lingering kiss on my lips before pulling back. I feel my head move forward, wanting more and feeling sad at the loss of contact.
I watch him as he jumps back off the bed, padding out of the bedroom. I pull the loose towel tighter around my body before slowly getting up from the bed. I look at the soggy sheets, water still dripping from my long locks. I creep into the hall and across to the bathroom, grabbing another towel to wrap around my head, trying to soak up some of the water. I glance at myself in the mirror. The redness around my eyes and nose is not an attractive look. I roll my eyes at my reflection, walking back into the bedroom. It is time to pull myself together. I have to be strong for Cole, for my unborn child. I take in a deep breath, pushing back my shoulders, adjusting my posture, and telling myself I can do this. Despite everything, I can do this.
Walking back to the bedroom, I stop in my tracks at the doorway. Cole sits on the edge of the bed, tray in hand.
“Breakfast is served, birthday girl.” He smiles, offering me the tray with a stack of pancakes and fresh OJ.
“Happy birthday, Ken.”
“Thank you,” I gush, taking the tray from his hands before sitting beside him. “Really, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to and you looked so comfortable laying here. I didn’t wanna drag that sexy ass downstairs just yet.” He winks, the smile creasing his cheeks to expose his delicious dimples.
“Well I can’t exactly get back in bed now. The whole damn thing is wet because of me.” I point over to the wet sheets.
“Hmm, I see that. Maybe I will have to carry that ass downstairs then.” He smirks widely, leaning in and kissing me on the tip of my nose. There is a sudden loud knock at the front door. Cole and I look at each other, shrugging as neither one of us is expecting visitors.
Cole heads downstairs to answer the door. Male voices can be heard as I quickly throw on some clothes, my hair still wrapped in the towel. I make my way downstairs, carrying the tray of food with me. I walk over and place it on the breakfast bar counter. I turn around and jump out of my skin at the sight of Ash standing in the living room with the biggest bunch of helium balloons I have ever seen.
“Happy birthday, my little Barbie,” he bellows.
I laugh, my hand covering my mouth as he stands there with all of these balloons.
“Eighteen to be precise!” he sings.
I narrow my eyes, not sure what it is he’s talking about.
“Balloons,” he shouts.
“Oh, right,” I giggle. “Seriously, Ash, only you could think of something like this.” I walk over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder as I lean upward, kissing his cheek lightly. His eyes lock on my face, a sudden scowl appearing as he takes in my disheveled appearance.
“Guuurl, you look like shit. What’s wrong?”
I chuckle a little, his honesty never ceasing to amaze me. “Jeez thanks, Ash.” I continue to laugh to myself.
“What’s wrong, Kennedy?” he asks, his tone now more serious. His face is close to mine as his eyes bore into me.
“I’m fine,” I laugh. “Honestly, I’m fine. I uh, just had a bit of a moment this morning, but I’m okay now,” I rush out, smiling, trying to placate him.
He narrows his eyes at me, glancing over to Cole and back to me. “Sure?” he asks.
I simply nod, pointing over to the breakfast bar. “Pancakes?” I suggest, rubbing my hands together, eager to dig in.
He nods in agreement, leaving the balloons resting on the floor and walks over to sit beside me on the stools. I look up at Cole, the smallest, but warmest of smiles is creaking at his lips. I reach out for him, holding his hand tightly. There is no getting away from the fact that this man is my salvation, the missing piece of my jigsaw.
‘Thank you’, I mouth to him.
He tips his head just a little, winking discreetly at me as he proceeds to make coffee for himself and Ash. The aromatic smell fills my senses, brightening my mood.
I look at Ash. His eyes never leaving my face. As Cole turns his back, Ash mouths, ‘are you really okay?’
“Of course,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in closely, holding on tightly as we hug. I love that he cares so much and is so concerned about me.
“Well, okay,” he sings. “But, girl, we have to work on that face of yours. The birthday girl cannot be looking like that.” He points to my face with a limp hand.
I look at him, rolling my eyes as I grab the plate of pancakes and push it right in front of him. “Oh, stuff a pancake in it, Ash,” I joke, hoping to get him to drop the fact that I look like roadkill.
We explode in a fit of laughter. Ash knocks shoulders with me, as he leans in, unable to control himself as he laughs hysterically.
I spend the next ten or so minutes catching up with Ash and eating the pancakes Cole made for us. It’s not long before Ash drags me back up the stairs, eager to help me get ready. He tells me how to wear my hair and which makeup I should use to cover my tear stained, blotchy skin.
Quite honestly, he’s being a bit of a bossy bitch, but I don’t moan. I guess it’s his way of caring, his way of helping. I can’t help but feel sad that Abbey isn’t here. She just knows what to say and how to babble uncontrollably to keep my mind away from my dark thoughts.
I turn to Ash. “Do you think Abbey will actually recover? I mean really be back to normal?” I need the honest truth about her condition. I’ve been told so very little.
“I hope so,” he answers with a sad smile on his face. “Good news is that we will be able to visit her regularly now that she’s being transferred to the hospital here.”
“I’m excited to see her.”
“Me too, Barbie…” he trails off. “Right. Well, I think you look a little more like a human again,” he retorts, flicking some of my now curly hair over my shoulders. “See, better.” He smiles at me through the reflection in the mirror.
We make our way back down the stairs, my ears picking up at the sound of yet more voices. I walk into the small living area and between all the extra bodies and the mass of balloons, the room looks full. I look over and shudder at the sight of Pete sitting on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, drinking his mug of what looks like coffee. I struggle to pull my eyes away from him. He looks so different, so fresh faced and well. I hate to admit it, but he also looks really hot. I snap my head to the side at the sound of Jocelyn calling my name, waving a gift bag in front of her. I walk over, embracing her as she smiles fondly at me.
“Happy birthday, Kennedy!” She beams, eager for me to take the present from her hands.
“Thank you,” I say. “You really didn’t have to. You’ve already done enough for me.”
“Oh nonsense.” She waves her hand in front of me. “You’re only eighteen once,” she announces. I take the gift bag and walk over to sit down. I look desperately with my eyes, searching for somewhere other than the space beside Pete.
Shit.
I have no choice but to slide in beside him, the bag clutched tightly in my hands.
“Hi,” he whispers, bumping arms with me.
Damn he looks so cute. I tear my eyes away and proceed to open the gift from Jocelyn. I feel like all eyes are on me and it’s making me unnecessarily nervous. I open the bag, taking out the mid-size burgundy jewelry box. I hold it in my shaky hands, pulling at it, trying to get the damn thing open.
“Here let me,” offers Pete.
“No,” I snap, my hand knocks his away as he tries to reach for the box. I adjust my back, straightening as I take in a huge breath, glancing up to the eyes burning into me. Ash, Cole, and Jocelyn all look at me with faces full of confusion. My little snap at Pete obviously arousing their curiosity. I turn the box in my hands one last time, tugging on the lid. Finally, it opens, showcasing a delicate and very tasteful necklace with a stunning sapphire and diamond pendant.
“Wow!” I gasp. “Honestly, Jocelyn, this is too much. You really shouldn’t have.”
“Yes, I should and I wanted to,” she beams. “Come on, let’s see it on you. I thought the sapphire would complement those stunning blue eyes of yours.”
I carefully remove the necklace and the attached pendant from the box, holding it out for Jocelyn. She walks in front of me to help put on the stunning piece of jewelry. I choke down the emotion that hits me like a brick. The fact that these people are here, on my birthday, and that they obviously care for me and want to make my birthday special, causes me to fight back the impending tears. Not sad tears. Happy tears.
I’ve never had a birthday like this.
A birthday filled with happiness, not fear.
I’m not sure I can ever convey clearly how much I appreciate each and every one of them.
I reach my hand down, touching the necklace resting just below my collarbone. “This is stunning. Thank you so much.” I stand up and embrace her again.
“You deserve special things, young lady,” she says, touching the side of my face carefully before leaning in and placing a light kiss on my forehead. I smile wholeheartedly to the women who rescued me, who loved me when no one else did.
The rest of the day is beyond special. Our apartment soon fills up with familiar faces from school. The jocks are out in the yard with their shirts off, having some kind of wrestling contest. I really thought that Ash was going to have a damn heart attack at the sight of all these buff, half naked bodies rolling around in the grass.
I sit back with Ash watching the whole thing play out. His comedic commentary has me in fits of laughter.
We sit on the deck, the umbrella shading us from the afternoon sun. The day warm and bright with very little breeze. Ash bends his head toward mine, never tearing his eyes away from the sea of half-naked men.
“Your little display with Pete got people talking, Barbie.”
I snap my head to the side, making sure I’m in his line of sight. “What do you mean talking? Who is talking?” I trail off as I feel the panic rising.
Ash covers the side of his mouth with his hand. “I heard Cole talking to Pete earlier, asking him what the fuck was going on.”
“Shit,” I grate out, under my breath.
“You gotta try and keep it together, girl.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” I grind out. “It’s not that easy.”
Ash grabs my hand and starts pulling me back inside the apartment. “Come on,” he coaxes. “We really need to talk, away from prying ears.”
I let him lead me up the stairs to our spare room. He places his hand on the small of my back, pushing me toward the rocking chair.
“Sit,” he orders, pointing directly at the chair. I don’t argue. I fall back into the seat, the rocking starting automatically.
“I need to know what’s going on in that head of yours, Kennedy.”
“Shit,” I exhale loudly. “I don’t even understand it myself, Ash.”
“Well maybe talking things over with yours truly just might help you work it out.”
“Dammit! It’s such a mess,” I growl out.
“Okay, let’s start from the top. I thought you had made a decision about Pete.”
“I have, of course I have. I’m with Cole. I love Cole,” I say adamantly.
“But…”
“But, he’s there and I’m confused. My heart and mind start racing, you know, that shit you have no control over. But I know that I love Cole and want to be with him. I just don’t get why I’m reacting to Pete this way.”
“Because your human, and he’s hot!” he laughs. “I mean, not as hot as my man crush, Cole, but hot in a funny guy makes you laugh kinda hot.”
I let out a little snort of laughter, happy that Ash gets it.
“Kennedy, it’s normal to find other guys attractive, as long as it’s looky but no touchy!”
“Easier said than done when the funny, hot guy appears to have a little thing for you!” I raise my eyes and Ash laughs, shaking his head.
I stand up. “We should get back downstairs before anyone realizes we are missing. After all, I’m the birthday girl,” I giggle, flicking my long hair back over my shoulder as I walk toward the door, slowly pulling it open.
I feel Ash’s hand on my shoulder as we make our way through the doorway. I glance back over at him smiling, but I stop dead in my tracks as I walk straight into a hard torso. I turn to look at the obstacle and everything happens as though in slow motion. As I look at Pete in front of me, his eyes dark and broody, he holds up a monitor.
“You guys ought to be a little more careful about where you’re having your secret talks,” he snarls, pushing the monitor into my hands and storming off down the staircase.
“Shit,” Ash sighs, pushing his hands through his hair. I look at him, then back at the monitor in my hand.
“What is this, Ash?” I question.
“It’s the damn baby monitor we set up for you the other day. The receiving monitor must have been on downstairs.”
I feel the color in my face drain as I swallow down hard, wondering exactly who overheard our conversation.
“I had no idea.”
“I’m sorry, Kennedy. I totally forgot about the monitor. I didn’t think they would be on.” He places his hand on the top of my back. “With any luck it was just Pete that overheard. I’m pretty sure we would have world war fucking three going on had Cole overheard.”
“Right.” I purse my lips, realizing we need to go find out whether anyone else overheard.
Come on,” I shout over my shoulder, making my way down the stairs with speed. I quickly scan the room. All I see is Pete slumped on the bar stool holding a bottle of beer in his hand. I sigh heavily. The sight of him sitting there looking so deflated hurts my insides. I wonder why he’s not outside with the others.
“You go talk to him. I’ll go and mingle with the hotties outside,” Ash whispers in my ear. “Can’t promise I’ll keep my hands off Cole though, Barbie.”
“You better.” I point at him, kissing his cheek lightly before rushing over to the kitchen to speak with Pete.
I walk around into the small kitchen, on the other side of the counter from Pete, so we can be face to face. Also because I want a little space between us. He catches sight of me as I enter the kitchen. His head never moves but his eyes are transfixed on me as I walk in and lean down in front of him.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “You didn’t over hear anything I haven’t already said to you, Pete.”
“It wasn’t what you said, Kennedy. It was that you were stupid enough to go into a room with a monitor and start spouting shit about us and how you feel.”
I push away from the counter, stepping back and crossing my arms. “You’re no fun anymore, Pete. I feel like this whole thing has changed you; like you’ve gone from being the life and soul of the party, to a miserable goon in the space of a few weeks.”
He huffs, “Goon, huh?”
“Yeah,” I snap back.
“Well I guess rejection will do that to you!”
“Dammit, Pete! Don’t, please don’t make me feel any shittier than I already do about this.”
“I’ll let you in on a little secret here, Ken,” he breaths heavily, his muscles in his chest bulging as it rises and falls. “I know I could make you mine. I know how much you want me. And in all honestly, if you weren’t knocked up I would never have backed off. It’s purely out of respect for you and the baby that I haven’t fucking pushed this, that I haven’t pursued us. I would have kept trying until you could no longer deny your feelings for me.” He stands up, pushing back the stool. His muscular forearm rests on the counter as he leans over, getting as close as he can from the other side. “Then I would fuck you so hard until you were screaming out my name. Not his.”
I stand there, my mouth wide open, as I watch him snatch the bottle of beer and walk away.
Did I just hear him right? My heart races as I try to come to grips with what he said. My hands shake as I digest his arrogance. I let out a growl of frustration as I drop forward, collapsing onto the countertop, in an attempt to calm myself.
“Kennedy,” Ash calls my name. I lift myself up and look at him as he waves me over.
“Come on, girl, you’re missing out on your own party here,” he screeches, his eyes bugging out of his head. I walk out into the bright sunshine. The guys are now playing some crazy drinking game. The music is blaring and I notice Pete in the middle of the pack acting as his usual dick of a self. I settle down beside Ash, resuming our positions as before. Cole looks over, pulls down his cap, and winks at me as I wave over to him.
“Did you just see that?” Ash stumbles. “Your hot guy just winked at me.”
“Course he did,” I laugh.
“How did it go with old penis pants, Pete?” he giggles in my ear. I turn, shooting him a look that could kill.
“Seriously, you should have heard what he said to me.”
I re-enact the whole conversation and Ash gasps in shock.
“Uh-oh. No he didn’t,” he sings.
I nod, pursing my lips together.
“Jeez, he’s so full of himself. Who the hell…” Ash’s words trail off, his attention drawn behind me. I turn quickly in my seat to see two girls wearing nothing but bikini tops and denim shorts waltz in, the small scrap of material barely covering their huge breasts. On closer inspection, I notice the red head is Lizzy, the one Pete had hooked up with from the bar.
Pete. He has to be behind this.
I don’t say anything. I just sit in the seat taking it all in. I watch as she prances over to him, her desperation filling the air. I think I’m about to choke. My eyes are fixated on her, her slim waist swaying as she dances her way to him.
He lets out an over-enthusiastic cheer when he spots her waking toward him, his hand held out for her. He pulls Lizzy to him, wrapping his arms around her. I continue to gape as he delights in kissing her, the kisses rushed and messy. Just as I’m about to snap my head away, no longer able to watch this pathetic show, his eyes meet mine. I see the creases at the sides of his eyes, knowing he’s grinning behind that kiss. I let out a loud grunt of frustration. Ash’s face comes into my line of vision.
His eyes are wide and his lips pursed. “Girl, drop that pissed look, because right now, you look like it’s bothering you. I mean, I’m not sure if that’s the look you’re going for, but dammit, it’s a dead giveaway.”
“What?” I snap through gritted teeth.
“This,” – he waves his finger in front of my face – “this face is telling a story all of its own.”
“I’m just sick of the sleazy floor show. If I wanted to see half naked women throwing themselves at brainless jocks, I would’ve gone to damn strip club!” I yell, a little louder than intended. I rest my hands on the arm of the chair, pushing myself up, noticing all eyes are on me.
“Shit,” I whisper before dashing back inside. I stomp toward the kitchen, reaching into the cupboard for a glass. I turn, holding it under the faucet, my hand shaking and the water barely making it in.
“What’s wrong, baby?” his voice soothes. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. Goosebumps cover my body as I feel is hand on my shoulder. I turn to him, immediately resting my head against his chest, avoiding his eyesight all together.
“If this is too much, baby, I’ll send them home. We can call it a day.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper against him.
“Don’t apologize. I’m the one that should be sorry. Today is your day. I guess the guys just kinda took over.”
“It’s not that. I mean, you’ve worked so hard to make this so special for me, you deserve to have your fun too. I guess I’m just tired, you know, hormones and everything.”
He reaches down, taking my face in his hands, kissing my lips lightly.
“Go take the weight off. I’ll wrap up down here.”
I nod reluctantly. “I don’t want to spoil this for you,” I squeak.
“I can hang out with these guys anytime.” He points back over his shoulder. “Today is about you.” He looks at me, running his thumb over my bottom lip before leaning his head against mine. My eyes drift close, the feel of him comforting me is the best.
“I need you…” I trail off, my voice barely a whisper.
“I’m right here, baby,” he comforts, holding me closer to him.