I desperately reached behind me, grabbing his forearm tightly and pulling it between our bodies where I put his hand over my breast. My breathing fastened and the feeling became a thousand times worse.
O-okay ! Uh, eh, I’m just, uh, um, going to leave and, uh, heh, come back later.
The other male left and I felt much more at ease, moving his hand lower. That’s when he ripped away and cleared his throat, fidgeting a bit beneath me.
What are you doing ? He asked, discomfort lacing his words. I looked behind me at the desk and spotted a pencil and paper, turning around and feeling him squirm more.
I feel weird. Make it stop
Handing him the paper, he furrowed his eyebrows for a moment.
You’re aroused, he answered, seeing my confusion and shaking his head, it’ll go away on its own, just ignore it and give it awhile. You’ll want to shower when it does, but you’re going to be okay, I promise.
I took back the paper and wrote more, blushing slightly out of embarrassment over my poor handwriting but continuing anyway.
What’s your name
Axel Moretti, he replied before I could show him the paper and I jumped in surprise, glancing over and noticing he can clearly see the paper from his positioning. I forget he’s tall. I’ve never met anyone taller than me other than my dad.
Mine is Angelica Winter
That’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I love it, he responded, earning a deeper blush out of me that I ignored.
Why do I want to trust you
He fell quiet.
Why do I like you so fast
Because… there are things you don’t understand, but you will know in time, he replied vaguely. I wanted to question but was too eager to ask him things I couldn’t before.
Is Marshmallow your pet
Marshmallow ? He asked and I nodded.
The white wolf-dog I saw 😀
I turned to look at him and his mouth fell agape, his eyes glued to the paper and the lightest shade of pink morphed on his face. I smiled, that appeared to snap him out of his moment.
His eyes jumped to me and my face fell. I quickly looked away as soon as he caught me looking, feeling the urge to faint. Ice washed out all the warmth in my veins and fear wrapped my body thinking I angered him with my question.
Yes, he’s my… pet.
I smiled just writing the words, then I remembered the other dog he attacked and a shiver ran through me. If it weren’t for Marshmallow, it would’ve killed me.
How many dogs do you have ?
Only one, but the man you just saw has one too, he answered, are you okay if I ask you a few questions too ?
I nodded, staring down at all the empty space on the paper and jolting at the unexpected feel of his hand on my back as it messed with my hair. I clenched my eyes closed, envisioning him gripping a handful and ripping it out. Chills ran through me and I opened my eyes to find he was gently running his fingers through my strands, unknotting them slow and painlessly.
Who gave you these wounds ? He asked, making me go tense as I swallowed the lump in my throat.
My mother.
He soon grew tense as well, turning the chair and opening one of his drawers. I curiously watched him pull out a bristled plastic stick and he moved back to our previous spot, giving me back my access to the paper and pencil.
What was that thing ? Was he going to hit me with it ? Is he Jade’s ultimate test to see if I’d tell if ever given the chance ? Is he working with her ? Is this all a trap ?
All my thoughts disappeared when something scratched over the shirt on my back. I jumped forward and shook but he wrapped an arm around my torso and forced me back. This made me panic, my anxiety skyrocketing and I fought to escape his grip.
Angel, beautiful, I’m not trying to hurt you. Just relax a moment, and if it hurts, I want you to tap the table and I’ll stop, okay ? He suggested and I calmed my hard panting, loosening my firm hold on his arm.
He’s been truthful this whole time… why wouldn’t he now ? It’ll only be better if I cooperate.
He took that as agreement and the scratches reappeared, however, they didn’t hurt. I also felt my hair pulling downward in a manner that released the tension from my face and my throbbing head started fading.
See ? I’m just combing the knots out of your hair. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable that was for you, he said quietly, continuing slow movements through my hair and I felt the most relaxed I ever had, did she do this to you on purpose ?
His question made me unsettled again and I swallowed harshly, squeezing the bottom of the shirt and feeling my eyes water. Hearing it verbally announced makes it sound so much worse, like I did something to deserve it, even when I know I didn’t… did I ?
I understand it’s hard, but you have to tell me if she did this intentionally. All I need is a nod or-
I nodded frantically, leaning away from his hands when they came to a halt before shielding my face from harsh impact. I flinched when his hands found my wrists and gently pulled them back, revealing my face to him. I kept my eyes low in submission as I began to tremble nervously.
I will never hurt you, he said softly. I desperately wanted to believe him, and a piece of me did, but I pulled my hands back shaking my head. Why would he, a stranger, hold care for me when my own flesh and blood doesn’t ? It doesn’t make sense…
His arms suddenly wrapped around my quaking body and pulled me down, forcing me to lay across his chest and put my head down. I clenched my eyes closed, my lip quivering as tears burned in my throat at the extremely close proximity.
I slid my hand to his collar and squeezed a fistful of his shirt while my other clutched the area over his side, my uncontrollable shakes calming as I curled further into him, turning so my right cheek rested against his shoulder. I watched his arms warily before I realized my eyelids were drooping.
I struggled to fight the sudden weight keeping me from moving by forcing my eyes open, only for them to fight back just as much. I then felt myself open my mouth and yawn, taking away more energy from my body. For some reason it made me much more tired, but I was too afraid to fall asleep being near this man.
I’ve never fallen asleep this close to anyone before.
I could hardly sleep just knowing Jade was in the same house, and when I did it was because my body desperately needed at least a little rest. I never realized I was even sleeping until I woke up. I’ve grown used to only sleeping a few hours every couple of nights.
So why do I feel so sleepy ? I got a whole night’s worth of sleep, which is more than I can say I’ve gotten in the span of four days.
Why does he make me so tired ?
Is he poisoning me ?
And as if he heard my thoughts, he spoke.
You’re safe, he whispered lightly like he sensed I was dozing, slowly turning his head to mine and pressing his smooth lips to my hairline. This sent heated tingles through my face, instantly taking away my headache and my anxious trembling stopped, a blanket of relaxation wrapped around me while my body was engulfed in his soothing heat.
Marshmallow is his dog and is such a good boy. He’s very well taken care of and he seems to like it here, so if he can trust these men, maybe there really isn’t anything I have to fear.
I’m safe.
?
I jolted awake at the sound of a door bursting open and a cold wave of terror constricted my body. I curled tightly into the warmth around me, feeling my breathing become difficult until something rubbed my back.