3
Penny
My eyes linger on his firm ass as he walks into his room, shutting the door behind him. Just when I thought he couldn’t be any more of a prick, he says things like, “Youmaytake a shower now,” and, “You’reallowedto sleep on the couch.” Asshole.
Looking around, I spot another door a few feet beside the bedroom he just went into. I’m guessing that has to be the bathroom. I grab my backpack and head toward it. I’m more than glad that Ryder’s hellhound followed him into the bedroom. I wouldn’t have moved off the couch if that beast was in the room.
I pull the door shut behind me and turn the lock on the handle. For the first time tonight, I feel like enough oxygen is reaching my lungs.
I brush my teeth, getting rid of the salty aftertaste in my mouth.
After I strip out of my nasty clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor, I take a moment to inspect myself in the large vanity mirror. Even after six weeks, I haven’t gotten used to the sight of myself without bruises marking my body. For so long, those were a part of my everyday reflection. I twist around to see the little round scars on my otherwise smooth skin.
Is that why Ryder stopped? He must have been appalled by my mutilated skin. Until now, it never dawned on me that Tommy’s placement was purposeful. He probably scarred me there, knowing guys would be disgusted with it. Just when I thought I was finally rid of him, he comes back to haunt me. The proof of years of his abuse will forever be visible on my body.
Trying to forget that disturbing truth, I turn on the shower and step under the spray. Looking down between my legs, I see the evidence of Ryder taking my virginity being washed down the drain. A mixture of the now crusted on cum, with a hint of blood, is running down my thighs.
I stand in the shower for a long time, just letting the hot water caress my skin while my mind replays everything that has happened in the last few hours. When I saw Ryder, and he dragged me into the backroom, I expected him to do horrible things. I thought he would beat, torture, and rape me. Maybe even kill me. He always had a horrible temper, and he is obviously on the wrong side of the law now.
Surprisingly, he didn’t hurt me, not really. It would be a big fat lie to say that I didn’t enjoy the sex. It was weird at first, especially since it was Ryder, but once I let go, it was nothing like I expected.
I didn’t enjoy giving him the first blow job; it was too much, too quick. Although, apparently, my body was fond of it. Just thinking about it makes my inner muscles clench. The second blow job, however, I enjoyedbodyand soul. He gave me control, which I’m not used to at all. He said that he was going to leave me alone for the rest of the night, like it was a favor. Truth is, I wanted to have sex again.
Shaking my head at that ridiculous thought, I step out of the shower and grab the lone towel hanging up, it’s already damp. Not having another option, I dry off with the same towel Ryder dried himself. Oddly, that fact makes me realize how intimate this whole thing is. I’m in his house, naked, using his shower, drying myself with his used towel.
Somehow, this feels more intimate than the sex itself. The sex was very much cold and distant. No kisses or cuddling after, just sex. Being in his house and sharing his things is a whole different story.
I pull on some leggings and an oversized shirt from my backpack and stuff my dirty clothes back inside.
There is no blanket or pillow on the couch, and the air-conditioning is making it chilly in here. I curl up on the couch in a tight ball. That’s when my stomach announces that I need food. I haven’t eaten since this morning, and the empty feeling and cramping in my stomach makes me painfully aware of that. Pushing all of those unwanted feelings aside, I squeeze my eyes shut andforcemyself to sleep.
I’ll freeze and starve to death before asking Ryder for anything.
* * *
I’m wokenby someone pulling a blanket off me. I instantly curl back into myself, trying to keep the quickly escaping warmth. I want the blanket back. Wait.Blanket?Where did the blanket come from?
“Rise and shine, little owl.” I cringe at the sound of Ryder’s voice. Awareness hits me like a freight train, and my eyes fly open. They are dry, and my contacts are sticking to my eyeballs. I blink the uncomfortable feeling away.
Ryder stands in front of the couch, and he is, in fact, holding a blanket. Standing tall, wearing gray sweatpants and a black shirt, he looks down on me with a smug grin plastered on his annoyingly handsome face. Before I can say a word, he throws something warm on my chest.
I sit up and look at the wrapped breakfast sandwich.Food!I unwrap and greedily start eating. The warm, flavorful sandwich might be the best thing I have ever eaten.
“You always sleep in till noon?”
I’m not too surprised, I haven’t slept well in a long time. “I didn’t get much sleep at the women’s shelter,” I say in between large bites. That’s actually an understatement, I got almost no sleep at all. Having a roommate goingthrough withdrawals made it impossible to sleep. Even before that, I rarely got a good night of sleep. Constantly being scared will do that to you.
“I’m taking Mojo on a run. I got groceries. Put them away and then wait for me on the bed. Naked, of course.” The front door slams shut, and he is gone.
I finish eating my sandwich while looking around Ryder’s house. It’s a simple one-bedroom that screamssingle guy lives here. The furnishings are sparse, and decorations are nonexistent. The whole house looks like it needs a good cleaning. Dishes are stacked in the sink, and empty cereal boxes are on the counter.
Brown paper bags filled with groceries cover the kitchen table. I take one and carry it in the kitchen. First thing I removeis a vine oftomatoes. Ugh, I hate tomatoes. The second thing I grab is peanut butter, something I am highly allergic to. Then I pull out mayonnaise, aka pus in a jar.Next… avocados. Last time I ate one, I broke out in hives that landed me in the ER.
Oh my god! That jerk!
I dump out the rest of the bag. Doing the same with the other bags from the table, I confirm my revelation. That ass only bought things he knows I’m allergic to or don’t like. I’m not sure if I should be furious or simply impressed that he remembers all of this. I want to throw all of it out the window as a big fuck you. But since I’m good at doing what I’m told, I swallow my pride as always and put the groceries in the fridge and cabinet.
When I’m done, I do the other thing he demanded and go into his room. Walking into Ryder’s bedroom awakens a plethora of feelings. I’m nervous about what he is going to do to me when he gets back. But I’m also excited that I will probably like some of it. I’m a little giddy he told me to come in here when I was never allowed in his room when we were kids. Also, I’m sad and feel guilty. Sad for what he lost five years ago and guilty because it was my fault.