Was it any different now? The only reason I’d agreed to do this was to get my car fixed, or at least, that had been the most readily available excuse. And that was what I needed, an excuse, something I could point to and blame. Something I could hold up in front of nay-sayers and say,See? There’s not really anything wrong with me! It was only because…
I shoved back the blankets and got up. I wasn’t going to ruin a perfectly fine day with an existential crisis over a good fuck. I was heading for the bathroom when I noticed the creepy lipstick message had been cleaned off my mirror, a sticky note left in its place.
I’ll buy you a new lipstick.
Manson’s handwriting was sharp and precise, but this note was written much smaller, messier. It had to be Lucas.
I folded the note and set it down beside the aforementioned tube of lipstick. I’d seen a side to Lucas last night I hadn’t known existed, a side of him that crept out after the viciousness had dissipated. He’d looked so out of place, nervous and uncertain. As if being in a normal suburban home was too much.
Maybe it was. No one had ever known much about Lucas’s home life except vague bits and pieces. He’d moved to Wickestonwith his dad — a hulk of a man with the same permanent scowl as his son — after his parents separated. They’d lived in the trailer park on the west side of town, keeping to themselves until they had an explosive public brawl at a local diner.
I don’t think Lucas lived with his father after that, but I wasn’t sure. I could only imagine that once you got to the point of fighting your own dad, things probably weren’t going well at home.
I hopped in the shower, taking my time to wash my hair, exfoliate, and shave. When I got out and wiped away the steam from the mirror, I couldn’t help staring at the marks all over my body. Brushing my fingers across my neck, I pressed my skin here and there to feel the subtle pain of the bruises they’d given me.
I liked how they looked, how they felt dirty and beautiful at the same time.
By the time I left the bathroom, I only had ten minutes before I had to hop on a video call for work. Dressing up quickly, I got in front of my computer just in time, only to realize I’d been in such a rush I’d failed to doanythingto cover the hickeys on my neck.
I spent the entirety of my meeting with my shoulders scrunched up like a turtle, hoping the marks weren’t obvious. If anyone noticed, at least they didn’t say anything. Thank God it was almost Friday. Hopefully they would fade over the weekend.
A text from Lucas was waiting for me when I finally closed my laptop.Send us a photo.I want to see our handiwork.
I stripped down to get a good photo for them. I wasn’t ashamed that I loved being a tease; whowouldn’twant to feel desired, to flex your own power to seduce? I sent the photo I took to the group chat and wasn’t disappointed by their response.
Fuck, you look sexy covered in bruises,Manson said.
Damn it, one sec, I dropped my jaw on the floor,Vincent wrote.Shit, I knew should have called out ofwork and gone with you fucks.
Jason’s text came next.God, Jess, how am I supposed to work with a hard-on?
I hope you know I’ll be getting the locks and security system replaced,I responded. I did need to do something about that, unless I wanted to feign ignorance to my parents about why the system had stopped working.So good luck catching me again. I’m a faster runner on open ground.
Are you?Manson said.We’ll have to test that out.
Lucas was far less subtle.A goddamn lock won’t stop me, fucktoy. I’ll have you whenever I want.
Maybe we should let her run, was Jason’s suggestion.I think it would be fun to go for a hunt. We could use our paintball guns and bag ourselves a fucktoy.
Thank God they couldn’t see my face. I was red as hell as I imagined being hunted like an animal, shot down and gutted. What the hell was wrong with me? This was hopelessly perverted.
The group chat didn’t stop their teasing, but when another text came through from Lucas, it didn’t come through the group.
I’ve got a task for you. What’s your work schedule like during the week?
I lounged on my bed, feet up as I replied.A task? How exciting. Better make the instructions clear so I can’t fuck it up.
I couldn’t resist pushing their buttons; it was too fun to see them getting worked up. I gave him my schedule; I worked only until noon during the week, except on Mondays when I had a full day.
Fuck this up and your ass will feel the consequences,Lucas wrote.Although I’m sending a chaperone with you to make sure you don’t. Last night wouldn’t have been possible if Jason hadn’t disarmed your security system.We owe him, and obviously, so do you.
So it was Jason who’d gotten past the security system. I wasn’t surprised; he’d always been absurdly smart.
Lucas went on.Vincent will pick you up on Tuesday after work. You’d better behave yourself unless you want him to bring a paddle along with him.
I’ll skip the paddle, thanks,I said, even though the thought gave me that twisty feeling in my stomach again.I’ll be perfectly behaved, so tell him to bring something to reward me with instead.
Oh, he will. Don’t you worry about that, fucktoy.