《Say That You Want Me》 Episode 1: Mona, the Slut ¡±Where are you going?¡± I hear him call out to me and a hand softly grabs my wrist as I try to get out of the bed and get dressed. I slide out of his grip and reach for my blouse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I have to go¡± I proclaim and find my underwear tucked somewhere under the bed. He¡¯s silent for a moment. If he gets the hint, he¡¯ll know it¡¯s better for his pride not to inquire any further and just let me go. But apparently, he doesn¡¯t have any because he asks me: ¡°Did I do something wrong, was it not good for you?¡± Oh god. He¡¯s one of those guys. The ones who need confirmation. I¡¯m really no good with his type. Though they are easy to bend to my will they also have a habit of becoming clingy and annoying. I¡¯d much rather go for a proud and stubborn guy; There¡¯s something exceptionally satisfying about breaking such a man and make him submit to me. I have no interest in those who are weak and needy and I kind of regret sleeping with this guy already. Though he wasn¡¯t half bad. Too bad he doesn¡¯t have a backbone. ¡°No, you were fine. Had a good time¡± I tell him indifferently. I put on the last piece of clothing and make my way for the hallway of his small, dirty apartment. Needy and untidy; definitely not my type. I guess that¡¯s what you get for agreeing to go home with a guy you met online. ¡°When will I see you again?¡± he asks from the bed and from the hallway, putting on my shoes I hear a sound of rustling sheets like he¡¯s getting up to go after me. Got to bolt. ¡°I don¡¯t know, text me!¡± I tell him and I barely manage to hear him call out: ¡°But I don¡¯t know your number¡­¡±, as I walk out and slam the front door behind me. The night is slightly chilly and a shutter a little in my thin blouse. I should¡¯ve worn something warmer. I just hope the trains are still running, so I don¡¯t have to waste money on a cab. ¡­ ¡°There¡¯s also Mona from the IT department¡± ¡°Oh yeah, she¡¯s got some pretty nice curves on her. I¡¯d like to see make her whimper under me!¡± Whimper under you? Please. If anyone will be whimpering, it¡¯s you. ¡°Nah, I don¡¯t really like slutty girls like that.¡± Well, can¡¯t really argue with you there, but still; no need to talk behind my back like that. I turn around the corner to see who¡¯s talking about me and see three guys loitering in the hallway. They jump a little surprised when they see me, but I ignore them and briskly walk past.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. A little further down the hallway I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder and turn to see a girl with hair dyed black, a ton of dark makeup and countless piercings. ¡°Hey Mona, see that link I sent you yesterday?¡± she asks with an eager expression. ¡°Oh, hey Jen. Didn¡¯t see you there¡­ No, sorry. I was out yesterday and didn¡¯t get home until late.¡± ¡°Another guy?¡± she asks with a knowing smile. ¡°You know me¡±, I smirk at her and we start walking together toward the lecture hall. ¡°Oh man, I totally forgot to read the material for today¡± she says as we walk through the doors and find our seats. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡± I say. ¡°We covered most of the material last semester. It¡¯s just a bunch of repetition.¡± She breathes a relieved sigh and sits down next to me. During the lecture she leans in to whisper: ¡°So, I¡¯ve got a date next Sunday¡± She¡¯s got a proud smile on her face that I can¡¯t help copying. ¡°Oh? That guy you met at the mixer last week?¡± I ask her. ¡°No, actually. It¡¯s a different guy. I met him through Cinders¡± Oh, here we go. Another weirdo she picked up on an online dating platform. I mean, the girl does have a different¡­ appearance, which most of the guys don¡¯t really appreciate. But come on. She¡¯s such a nice girl; Sweet, innocent and always interesting to be around. She should really learn to be a little pickier. ¡°Okay?¡± I eye her suspiciously. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that. I have a good feeling about this one¡± Yeah, you said that last time. ¡°So, we¡¯ll be going to an art museum ¨C you know, the one that just opened up. Then he says he got tickets for a movie. It¡¯s this tiny theater over in the east district and they show all kinds of obscure films and occult stuff. It¡¯s totally my jam.¡± That does sound just like her and I got to admit; kudos to the guy for being able to follow her interests. Maybe this one really will be different. After the lecture we pack our stuff and make our way to the cafeteria. On our way I notice a couple of people giving us looks. The weird girl and the slut; what a pair we make. I don¡¯t mind though. She¡¯s the best friend one could ever ask for and she doesn¡¯t judge my man-count or sexual inclinations; I can talk to her about anything. We take a seat with our trays and she shows me a bunch of links and videos she¡¯s gathered during the weekend. Most of her stuff really doesn¡¯t speak to me, but I fake interest since she¡¯s really into it. Sometimes I wish I could be genuinely interested in her more obscure interests, but I don¡¯t think she minds as long as she has someone to share a little with. I try to be a good friend as best as I can which is going okay, I guess¡­ and I do give excellent dating advice ¨C too bad she rarely follows it. I know she¡¯d like me to take my own love-life a little more seriously; She¡¯s the type who¡¯d like to go on double dates and such, but that stuff¡¯s just not my thing ¨C relationships and all that. ¡°Oh, are we going to the welcoming party next week?¡± She suddenly asks excitedly, ¡°I bet there¡¯ll be some cute freshmen there¡± Her smile turns a little mischievous towards the end of her sentence and she bats her eyelashes, giving me a look like I¡¯m the one who wants to go. ¡°Hmm¡­ I don¡¯t know, I think I¡¯ve had enough boys for while¡± I answer, thinking of the summer break that just passed. It was mostly spent on work and sex and I could honestly use a break from both right now. However I see her dejected look, so I quickly add: ¡°But I guess we could go anyway. See the lineup¡± Her face lights up in a bright smile and she takes my hand: ¡°It¡¯s going to be so much fun! We haven¡¯t been to a real party in ages!¡± She suddenly looks at her watch and gasps. ¡°Oh shit. I got to go! I¡¯m almost late for my next class and this professor is like suuuuper strict.¡± She quickly packs her stuff and then heads for the exit, giving me a little wave before she disappears out onto the hallway. I look at my watch. I¡¯m not in a hurry; there¡¯s till thirty minutes to my next class, so I pass the time scrolling on my phone. Episode 2: Welcoming Party ¡°Mona!¡± I turn at the entrance at the sound of her voice, and see Jen skipping towards me. I can¡¯t help but smile: She¡¯s trying to go as fast as she can, but her enormous heels make it hard to move very fast. She¡¯s wearing a black dress with a big frilly skirt and tight corset. She really dressed up for the occasion. I look down at my own attire; A loose bordeaux-colored satin shirt - buttoned down enough to show a bit of cleavage ¨C a pair of high-waist jeans and simple heels. I didn¡¯t want to dress up too much today, but we¡¯re going to stand out anyway thanks to Jen. Not that I wasn¡¯t fully prepared for that. I wait for her to catch up and we go inside together. It¡¯s a small club that the school¡¯s student organizers have rented for the freshmen welcoming party. There¡¯s a dancefloor and a DJ, and large booths where several people have already gathered around. They are drinking and talking, and I recognize some of them but there are a lot of new faces. I notice a guy get up from his seat when he sees us and scuffles over to greet us. ¡°Hey Mona, hey Jen. How great you guys could make it!¡± he smiles and glances at me with rosy cheeks. ¡°Hey Ron¡± I reply to him in a dry voice. I slept with this guy once when we were freshmen and it took me months to get rid of him again. This is why I don¡¯t make a habit out of sleeping with na?ve, innocent guys; they get so clingy. I think he¡¯s taken the hint that I¡¯m not interested, but he still greets me at every party and try to impress me. Jen hugs him, seemingly clueless about my discomfort that we¡¯re still talking to him. ¡°Uhm, would you guys like to come join my table?¡± he asks bashfully. ¡°No, that¡¯s all ri-¡°, I begin my refusal, but I¡¯m interrupted by Jen¡¯s eager voice: ¡°Sure!¡± Oh great, Jen. Just great. Why are you so clueless? I shake my head with a sigh, but she¡¯s already pushing the poor guy along and I follow them to his table. The conversation at the table halts for a second when they notice us ¨C especially Jen. Then they quickly look away and continue their chatter. ¡°Hey, guys! This is Mona and Jen, can they join us?¡± ¡°Uh, sure¡­¡± someone replies in an uncertain voice and everybody stares as we take our seats. I act like I don¡¯t notice and deliberately take the seat closest to the edge with Jen next to me, between me and Ron. Jen readily starts chatting with the guy, who seems a little overwhelmed by her lively approach. I snicker a little. Didn¡¯t see that one coming, now did you Ron? I look around at the people gathered here; 4 girls are sitting in the corner talking and giggling. I recognize a few of them; people I haven¡¯t really talked to, but I know their types and they don¡¯t really mesh well with someone like me. A big guy ¨C looks like a jock ¨C sits next to them, trying to catch their attention. Across from me sits a guy and a girl who seem to be getting friendly with each other, and next to them sits two guys sipping beer, looking a little awkward. Must be freshmen. I need a drink. I get up and ask Jen if she wants anything and make my way to the bar.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°One beer and one club soda¡± I tell the bartender who starts readying our drinks. As I¡¯m about to pay a guy comes up next to me. ¡°I¡¯ll get it¡± he says and nudges at the drinks in front of me. ¡°And another beer¡± ¡°Hey Tristan¡± I say as I turn to look at the guy paying for my drinks. He¡¯s a tall guy with a handsome face and a large sturdy build. I¡¯ve slept with him a few times; he¡¯s good in bed and he doesn¡¯t get clingy. Plus, he looks so cute when he¡¯s whimpering and begging. The thought turns me on a little. ¡°Hey Mona¡± he says with a smirk. This is what I mean when I say I like proud guys. The gap, between his confidence when he appears in public and his desperate obedience when we¡¯re alone in bed, is just adorable. He leans in momentarily to whisper something in my ear: ¡°If you don¡¯t find anyone else tonight, will you call for me?¡± I smirk and run my finger along his neck and over his shirt. ¡°If I feel like it¡± I reply to him. That pleading expression in his eyes; Just adorable. I grab my drinks and turn around to leave when I almost run straight into a someone¡¯s chest. ¡°Oh sorry¡± I gasp surprised and look up to see his face. Oh, he¡¯s handsome, haven¡¯t seen him before. He has a nice strong jawline, full lips, a straight symmetrical nose and deep blue eyes framed by heavy eyebrows. His hair is blond and falls in soft locks around his face. ¡°It¡¯s fine¡± he briefly replies, then shifts to let me pass. I return to my table and hand Jen her club soda. ¡°Mona, there you are!¡± she exclaims happily like I had been gone for hours. I return her smile and sit down. ¡°It took you a while there, did you meet one of your lovers on the way or something?¡± she asks me, a little louder than I would have liked. I glance around me to see if anybody heard her and notice the two freshmen guys looking at us. I sigh. Jeez. Jen, you really need to learn some tact. But they¡¯ll hear the rumors sooner or later I suppose, so I guess it doesn¡¯t matter. ¡°In fact, I did¡± I declare to her confidently and take a sip of my beer. Why put on airs when you¡¯ve already built up a reputation? ¡°Oh, who was it?¡± she asks, leaning in a little. ¡°Tristan. He wanted to meet up later.¡± ¡°Oh, Will you? Or do you have your eye on someone else?¡± ¡°Nah. I¡¯m not really in the mood¡± I take another sip. We haven¡¯t really been here for very long and the guys at our table look pretty dull. Besides, for once I¡¯m not here for boys. The conversation is really slow. People are mostly talking between themselves and Jen is having a merry conversation with Ron next to me, so I feel a little out of place. I notice the growing number of beer bottles in front of me. I should really slow down. Or go home. I¡¯m checking out my phone when I suddenly hear a voice next to me: ¡°This seat taken?¡± I turn around to see who the voice belongs to and recognize the handsome guy I almost bumped into earlier. I notice he¡¯s holding two bottles. I smile and shake my head, then scoot over a little to make room. ¡°I¡¯m Aaron¡± he says and reaches out his hand for me to shake. So polite. ¡°Mona¡± I reply. ¡°Do you want a beer?¡± he asks and holds out one to me. I eye him a little suspiciously: Did someone already spill the beans about me? ¡°Sure.¡± I¡¯m feeling quite tipsy already, but it¡¯s hard to turn it down. ¡°So, which department are you from?¡± he asks with a light smile. ¡°IT¡± I answer and take a sip from the bottle. There¡¯s a short silence. Right, he probably expects me to return the question. ¡°How about you?¡± I ask politely. ¡°Architecture. I¡¯m a freshman¡± Yeah, I figured. I would have noticed someone this handsome if he wasn¡¯t. We make some light conversation. It¡¯s not very interesting, but I do my best to be polite. It¡¯s still better than sitting alone, after all. ¡°Do you want to dance?¡± he suddenly asks me. I¡¯m feeling quite drunk and I¡¯m really bored so it¡¯s not a bad suggestion. ¡°Sure¡± I respond, and he takes my hand and we walk to the dancefloor. He moves pretty well; maybe he¡¯s taken lessons or he¡¯s just naturally skilled. I feel a bit clumsy next to him. I quite like his smile. He slowly moves his hands to grab my hips and I feel a shiver run through my body. His hands start trailing my back and I turn around and let him put his them around me. We move rhythmically to the music and feel something hard rubbing on me. My heart start beating faster, and I quiver with pleasure as he starts kissing my neck. This guy is good. Every touch makes my body feel tingly. ¡°Do you want to get out of here?¡± I hear his low, raspy voice next to my ear. Thought you¡¯d never ask. Episode 3: These Violent Delights... Panting and kissing we crash through the front door. I hear the sound of metal as his keys hit the floor and we stumble down the hallway. He opens the door to ¨C what I assume is ¨C the bedroom and we rush inside, still kissing. Fumbling we start removing each other¡¯s shirts. My eyes linger on his upper; His toned muscles, broad shoulders and smooth skin. With a swift motion he unbuckles my bra, exposing my breasts and I gasp as he leans down and his lips brush a nipple. I struggle to open his belt buckle and I feel his kisses start trailing up my neck and his hands caressing my back. He stops for a moment to help me remove his pants and I shudder at the sight; He¡¯s got quite the package. He starts unbuttoning my pants and pull them down and while kissing my thighs, he removes my underwear. He comes back up and eagerly presses his lips against mine - biting, sucking, exploring ¨C and the sensation leaves me panting for more. Then without warning he grabs me and throws me on the bed. He spreads my legs and bends down and starts kissing my thighs. I quiver with anticipation and let out a gasp as his tongue finds the opening. Impulsively I grab his hair and my moans start filling the room. I tremble under his skillful touch and feel myself getting closer to the peak. Just as I¡¯m about to reach it, he stops and hear myself whimper. I must be drunk; this isn¡¯t how it was supposed to go. He gets up and I look into his blue eyes ¨C now almost black with desire. He pushes me further onto the bed and gets into position between my legs. ¡°Hurry¡± I hear myself whisper desperately, and he grabs my hips and grants my request. I cover my mouth to muffle a scream as he enters me, then he starts moving with slowly. Excruciatingly slowly. ¡°Faster¡± I plead, but he just looks at me with a smirk. Is he teasing me? I grab onto his hips to make him move faster, but he grabs my wrists and pushes me back down.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°What? Don¡¯t like it?¡± I hear his voice whisper teasingly next to my ear. I hiss at him, but it quickly turns into a moan when he thrusts into me again. This isn¡¯t how it was supposed to go. Then he stops suddenly and stays still for a while. My body¡¯s trembling, why isn¡¯t he moving? I need more. As if he can read my mind he whispers: ¡°We can stop if you don¡¯t like it. Or will you be a good girl now?¡± What?! What the hell is he saying to me? I whimper as he pulls out and he gets on his knees between my legs. With his hands gripping my thighs he starts rubbing his shaft against my opening. ¡°Do you want it?¡± he asks with a smirk. I shiver. Yes, I really want it. ¡°Yes¡± I mutter from clenched teeth. He pushes in the tip and start moving it ever so slowly back and forth. ¡°Really? You didn¡¯t say please¡± he says, still smirking. The insolence of this man. Who does he think he is? I can¡¯t believe this, and I can¡¯t believe the words coming out of my mouth: ¡°Please, let me have it¡± With a quick motion he pushes deep inside me and I cry out in pleasure. His hips start moving faster and the sensation is euphoria. He pulls me up on his lap and grabs my hair and I hear him moan softly, as he thrusts inside of me. Suddenly and violently I reach the peak and I scream in ecstasy and hear him grunt as he comes as well. Then we just sit there panting for a moment. Slowly my senses return to me. What just happened? How could I let this man dominate me? Grabbing his shoulders, I quickly push myself up and out of the bed. He looks at me in surprise. ¡°Uh, what¡¯s up?¡± Angry I start picking up my clothes from the floor. He gets up and tries to put his arms around me, but I brush him off. ¡°You enjoyed it too, didn¡¯t you?¡± he asks and there is a slight grin on his face. Yes, it felt good. But this is humiliating. If anyone was supposed to be whimpering, it was him. This is the worst. Without answering I take my clothes and storm out the door and slam it behind me. Where is the bathroom? I grab the handle to what I correctly assume is the bathroom and hurry inside just in time to hear him coming out of the bedroom. ¡°Hey?¡± I hear his voice call out from the hallway. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I start getting dressed and hear him knock on the door. I ignore it. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I was too rough on you, I didn¡¯t mean to.¡± He mutters from the other side. I don¡¯t give a shit asshole, leave me alone. As soon as I¡¯m dressed, I pull the door open and he almost topples into me. I push him away and head for the front door, but he grabs my hand to stop me. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± I yell at him angrily and he recoils in surprise. ¡°Hey, I just¡­ ¡°, he begins but I just slam the door open and storm outside. Smug bastard. Episode 4: Annoying ¡°Sooo¡­ Who was the hottie you left with last Friday?¡± Jen asks me as we sit down to eat our lunch in the cafeteria. ¡°Someone awful. I hope I never see him again¡± I answer her irritated, recalling the memory of my night with Aaron. ¡°Well, won¡¯t that be hard when he¡¯s from our university?¡± ¡°He¡¯s in the architecture department¡± I answer her. IT and architecture are in different buildings on opposite sides of campus, so reckon we won¡¯t bump into him too often. ¡°Oh?¡± I see a slight smirk forming on her black-painted lips: ¡°You say you don¡¯t want to see him, but you know what department he¡¯s in?¡± She knows me too well. I usually never remember anything about my one-night stands, so me remembering his department is unusual. I don¡¯t want to tell her I also remember his name. ¡°Just leave it Jen. I only remember so I know how to avoid him¡± I say to trying to brush her off. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± she smiles and I¡¯m fear she¡¯s going to start a whole thing about it, so I figure I¡¯ll better distract her with something else. ¡°How was your date? It was this Sunday, right?¡± I ask her, trying to change the subject. Luckily, she bites. ¡°Oh, that was great actually!¡± she exclaims and her face lights up in a bright smile. ¡°So, his name is Christian, and his parents are from Europe and¡­¡± she begins telling the whole story about her date, until she finally looks at her watch and gasps. ¡°Oh no! I¡¯m late for class!¡± she always does this. ¡°Sorry Mona, I got to go. See you later!¡± she says and storms off. I chuckle as I watch her nearly bump into everything and everyone on her path. My class after lunch has been cancelled, so I¡¯m in no hurry and I pick out my phone to listen to some music while I finish my lunch. While I sit there comfortably in my own world, I suddenly feel a light tap on my shoulder. I turn around to see who it is and grimace when I recognize Aaron. God. Just as I said we probably wouldn¡¯t bump into each other. Should¡¯ve thrown salt over my shoulder. But I guess it¡¯s my fault for lingering too long in the cafeteria.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Hey¡± he grins, and I look at him with a dead expression. Just go away, would you? But no. He instead takes a seat next to me. ¡°Look¡± he begins. ¡°I just wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable the other night.¡± Uncomfortable? It was humiliating. I turn away and amp up the volume off my music. If I ignore him, he¡¯ll probably go away. Or not. I hear him say something over the music and then he suddenly pulls out one of my earbuds. God damn it, just leave me alone! ¡°What?¡± I turn and ask him in an irritated voice. ¡°I just want to talk, is that so bad?¡± he replies with an innocent look. I glance around us and notice a couple of stares and people whispering. ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this¡± I utter as an excuse. I don¡¯t want all this attention, so I grab my tray and get up, but he catches my hand. ¡°Get off me¡± I snarl at him, but he doesn¡¯t let go. ¡°Come on, you don¡¯t have to leave¡± He tries giving me the puppy-dog eyes. Jesus fuck. Just leave me alone you imbecile. I stare at him with an angry expression. ¡°I am leaving, and you are letting go off me!¡± I say in a tough voice. He sighs, then lets go of my hand. Finally. I make my way to the trash bin and empty my tray relieved to have gotten rid of him, but as I turn around, there he is again. ¡°How about I walk you to class?¡± he asks. Jesus, does he just not get it at all? Is he stupid? No, judging from his personality he knows exactly what he¡¯s doing. He¡¯s probably reveling in the fact this annoys me. I start walking out of the cafeteria and he follows right behind me. ¡°Did you get home alright that night?¡± he asks as he follows me like a puppy. ¡®Fuck off, dude¡¯ Is all I can think and ignore his question. I quicken my steps as I continue down the hallway toward the exit. We step out onto the campus grounds and the air is warm and fresh. I don¡¯t have class for another hour and normally I would have found a spot, somewhere in the grass where I could listen to music and read in preparation for my next class. But this guy keeps following me asking me questions, so I don¡¯t want to sit where he can corner me again. Briskly I start following the trail that leads to the IT-department. Maybe he¡¯ll give up along the way. Suddenly he grabs my arm and pulls me down a narrow side path. ¡°Hey, what are you-¡° He slams me up against a building behind a big bush, hiding us from curious passersby, interrupting my outcry. ¡°You know, the more you run, the more it makes me want to chase you¡± he says with a sly grin on his face and he begins trailing my cheek with his finger. His touch sends shivers throughout my body. ¡°I don¡¯t care¡± I tell him defiantly. He chuckles. ¡°You know, this is borderline harassment¡± I give him a stern look and slap away his hand. His smile fades a bit, and he takes a step back. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I can¡¯t forget about that night ¨C about you¡± he says, and his bashful look actually seems sincere. ¡°What should I do to be able to see you again?¡± he asks pleadingly. I stare at him suspiciously. Is that his play? Annoy the hell out of me and then come on to me all bashfully? I should just refuse him and get on with my life, but something about him stirs me up. He seems pretty desperate, so maybe this is my chance to return the favor and make him the subservient one? Episode 5: Her Number I met her three days ago at the freshman welcoming party. She nearly bumped into me, spilling her drink and I was mesmerized by her beauty. Her face framed by long curly locks of dark brown hair, her full lips and forest green eyes. And her body ¨C Oh, that body. She was wearing a loose satin shirt, but that didn¡¯t hide her big, curvy bust. Her tight, high-waist jeans emphasized her slim waist and I stared at her backside as she walked past me. Damn. When I came back to my table, I noticed she was sitting at the next booth over and I leaned in and asked my senior, who had been pouring me drinks all night, who she was. ¡°What her?¡± he asked as he saw whom I was pointing at. ¡°That¡¯s Mona from IT. I mean she¡¯s hot and all, but don¡¯t go falling for her kid. She¡¯s a real slut that one.¡± He told me. Kid? What are you an old man? Dude, we¡¯re the same age. I thought this and looked at her again. I don¡¯t really mind if she¡¯s had a lot of guys, not with those looks. Besides, people tend to be so harsh on women who¡¯ve been with like more than three people. She can¡¯t be that bad ¨C and if she is, she¡¯ll change her ways once she¡¯s had me. I got up to the bar and got another beer and one for the lady I was about to impress. ¡°Is this seat taken?¡± I asked her with a smile, and she scooted over to make room for me. I tried making polite conversation; girls usually appreciate guys who don¡¯t come on too strongly. She looked utterly unimpressed, however. I know I¡¯m kind of good looking, so I¡¯m not used to girls being indifferent about me. But that just adds to my interest. Finally, I suggest we move the dancefloor and an expression of relief spread across her face. ¡®Okay, maybe I should try a more direct approach then¡¯ I thought to myself. We began dancing and I noticed her reacting positively to my touch, so I got a little bolder. I kissed her neck and her quiet moans just made me want to take her right there on the dance floor. ¡°Want to get out of here?¡± I whispered in her ear and she readily agreed. I took her back to my place ¨C an off-campus apartment not too far from the revenue. We were a storm of passion getting through the door and I soon had her naked in my bedroom. Oh, how I enjoyed making her whimper and moan with my tongue. When she was lying there in front of me, ready to take me in, I was felt like I was about to burst. Her lustful eyes and quivering body really made me want to tease her, so I went slowly. ¡°Faster¡± she pleaded. I really wanted to grant her request and just thrust into her rapidly, but I also wanted to relish in her expression. Make her beg for it. When I didn¡¯t comply, she grabbed my hips to control my movements, so I pushed her down ¨C much to her surprise. All of her expressions ¨C her baffled, irritated and desperate expressions ¨C made me so aroused and when I heard her passionate scream as I made her come, I couldn¡¯t hold back any longer myself. ¡®Amazing¡¯ was all I could think as I was basking in the afterglow, when she suddenly got up and started collecting her belongings. Wait, is she leaving already? I had kind of wanted to go for another round. ¡°Uh, what¡¯s up?¡± I asked her, but she ignored me.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. What¡¯s wrong with her? I¡¯m quite confident in my skills and I could tell she liked it ¨C a lot, if I had to guess. So why does she seem angry now? ¡°You enjoyed that, didn¡¯t you?¡± I asked her with a smile trying to put my arms around her. She just gave me an angry look and shook me off, then stormed out the room. I followed to see her slam the bathroom door behind her. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I called out to her. She didn¡¯t answer so I knocked on the door. Still no answer. I began feeling a little worried that maybe I did something wrong. Did I accidentally hurt her without realizing? ¡°I¡¯m sorry if I was too rough on you, I didn¡¯t mean to¡± I called out to her. Still no answer. God damnit, woman! At least tell me what¡¯s wrong and let me apologize to you. I was standing listening at the door, to make sure she wasn¡¯t crying in there, when it suddenly pulled open and I almost toppled into her. There was no evidence of tears in her eyes, she just looked angry. She pushed me aside and I tried to catch her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me¡± she yelled, and surprised I let go. Without even trying to listen to me she slammed the front door open and left, leaving me standing there; butt naked in the entryway for every passerby to see. What the hell? During the weekend my mind was filled with her. I don¡¯t even get it. She was so into it one moment, but then so angry the next. I wanted to forget about her, but at the same time I really wanted to see her again. ¡®I¡¯ll go look for her on Monday¡¯ I decided. ¡­ I find her sitting alone in the cafeteria at lunchtime and I can¡¯t believe my luck. I found out by asking around, that the IT-department was at the other end of campus and she was also a senior, so there was no chance I¡¯d just meet her randomly on the hallways between lectures. No, my best bet would be to meet her in the cafeteria and even then, it could be difficult with our alternating schedules. But here she is, listening to music at a table near the window. Sweet! I walk over and tap her shoulder. I hope she¡¯s in a better mood. She turns around and when she recognizes me her expression turns sour. So, I guess that¡¯s a no. ¡°Hey¡± I say, trying to be casual and take the seat next to her. She doesn¡¯t respond. Guess I¡¯ll try apologizing again. ¡°Look, I just wanted to apologize if I made you uncomfortable the other night.¡± I tell her, but she just turns up the volume of her music. She really doesn¡¯t want to talk to me, huh? But I¡¯m the persistent type; I¡¯m not going to give up easily. I try to catch her attention, apologizing and asking her why she¡¯s so mad. She continues to ignore me, then suddenly get¡¯s up and declares she doesn¡¯t have time for this. I think I have class soon, but I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll see her again, so I decide to skip it and follow her. She begins making her way toward the IT-department and I feel my heart sink a little as she ignores every one of my questions and pleads. This really isn¡¯t working. I need to do something quick. I eye a large bush obscuring a narrow side path by the buildings we¡¯re passing and make a rash decision. I grab her arm and pull her with me behind the bush and push her against the wall. She stands a moment flabbergasted and I find her expression very amusing. ¡°You know, the more you run, the more it makes me want to chase you¡± I tell her flirting, to try a different approach. ¡°I don¡¯t care¡±, she retorts stubbornly. Her angry expression unconsciously makes me chuckle, which only adds fuel to the fire. ¡°You know, this is borderline harassment¡± she declares angrily. Okay, I think I went too far. But what the hell am I supposed to do? How do I get her to talk to me? I don¡¯t even get why I¡¯m so persistent about her, this is pretty unlike me. I mean, I¡¯m a pretty handsome guy, so it¡¯s not like I have any trouble getting girls. They come and go in my life and usually don¡¯t mind it, but there is just something about this one¡­ ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I can¡¯t forget about that night ¨C about you¡± I tell her truthfully, ¡°What should I do to be able to see you again?¡± This is my last resort. If she refuses me again, I¡¯m not sure what else to do to get her attention. She seems to consider my words for moment, and I watch her with hopeful eyes. ¡°All right¡­¡± she murmurs. Yes, it worked! My fists almost shoot into the air victoriously, but I control myself and instead send her a big smile. ¡°But it will be on my conditions this time¡± she adds and there¡¯s something sinister in her smile. Well, I still feel like this was a huge victory. ¡°Hand me your phone¡± she instructs me, and I hand it to her, screen unlocked. She taps around a few times and I hear a ¡®ding¡¯ from her bag. ¡°Now I have your number. I¡¯ll text you¡± she says as she hands me my phone back. I eye her suspiciously; what if she¡¯s just doing this to get me off her back? Well, I can¡¯t really do any more that this unless I want to continue following her around like this every day. Which I might be inclined to do, if this turns out to be a ruse. I send her a wide smile and she turns to leave. I look at my phone. Well, I have her number now too. Episode 6: Yes, Mistress It¡¯s been a week since I got Aaron¡¯s number and I haven¡¯t contacted him yet. I half expected him to write me first since I forgot to delete the text, I sent from his phone to get his number ¨C but he hasn¡¯t. Maybe he has given up? Well, we¡¯ll find out soon enough because I just sent him a text to meet me this afternoon ¨C my place. Well, I didn¡¯t actually text him the address ¨C just the apartment complex. He¡¯ll need to find it himself and my door doesn¡¯t have a nameplate. I hear a ¡®ding¡¯ from my bag and smile when I read his text: ¡®Okay, which apartment number?¡¯ ¡®You¡¯ll figure it out. The door will be unlocked¡¯ I reply and put the phone away. This will be amusing ¨C especially if he plans to go around trying all the unmarked doors in the complex. I smirk at the thought. He needs to understand who will be calling the shots from now on. I haven¡¯t seen any of my other lovers during the week because I¡¯ve been busy with an assignment, so I¡¯m pretty pent up. This is going to be fun. Around three in the afternoon I get home and start getting things ready. I made sure that I would have enough time that he wouldn¡¯t catch me by surprise, and a little past four I hear the sound of my front door opening. ¡°Mona?¡± I hear his voice call out. ¡°In here¡± I answer him, and I hear the door closing and what sounds like him taking off his shoes. ¡°You know, there are quite a few doors without nametags in this place. It wasn¡¯t all that easy figuring out which one was yours¡± I hear him complain from the hallway. Exactly. That was the whole point, but don¡¯t worry; You¡¯ll get your reward. He starts trudging into the living room but stops dead in his tracks and his baffled expression makes me smirk. Well, I understand his surprise; I¡¯m putting on quite the show for him. I¡¯m wearing a black corset bra ¨C which really shows off my good side, I might add ¨C matching laced panties and black hold-up stockings. I¡¯ve really made an effort on both my hair and makeup and I¡¯m sitting on a chair, casually leaned back. I¡¯m sure the sight is quite alluring to him. I see him swallow a bit and I get up and start walking up to him. Nonchalantly I put my arms around his neck. His expression is just amusing. ¡°You¡¯re late¡± I tell him, smirking. ¡°Uh, yeah. Sorry¡± he just mumbles. All his complaints have evaporated, and I see desire forming in his eyes. Just according to plan.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Slowly I move my hands down along his neck and he shudders as I start running them across the front of his shirt, unbuttoning it. ¡°First rule¡± I begin explaining: ¡°You will do as I say¡±. With a sudden movement I rip off his shirt, exposing his well-toned upper body and smooth skin. I bend down to kiss it and a soft moan escapes from his lips. He reaches out for me to try and pull me up for a kiss, but I grab his wrists and stop him. ¡°Second rule: You don¡¯t touch me unless given permission¡± I say, looking up at him and his eyes are filled with lust as well as surprise. Slowly he nods. ¡°Third rule¡± I continue while caressing him: ¡°You are to call me mistress.¡± He gasps as I grab his belt and pull him in towards me, then start unbuckling it. ¡°What was that?¡± I ask him as I expose his stiff member. ¡°Yes, mistress¡± he replies in a voice hoarse with desire. I smirk. Not so cheeky anymore, are we? I slowly begin trailing my lips down along his chest and abdomen and when I reach his pointed stem, he gasps as I take it into my mouth. His whole body is quivering, and his pleasure-filled moans soon echoes against the walls as I lick him, tease him, explore him. Impulsively he touches my hair and I grab his wrists and pull away. ¡°You just broke the first rule¡± I say and look up at his hungry expression. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry mistress¡± he murmurs. I smirk, jumping to my feet. ¡°I don¡¯t think you are. Looks like I¡¯ll need to punish you. Get on your knees¡± He kneels down and I make my way over to one of my drawers. Rope, blindfold, crop. I make my way back in front of him and in a commanding tone I tell him: ¡°Close your eyes¡±. He closes them and I put the blindfold over his eyes. ¡°Hands¡± He stretches out his hands and I grab them and start tying them together. Then with my crop in hand I begin circling around him, the end of it gently running across his skin. He is panting and shivering. Just adorable. Then without warning I lift the crop and whip his shoulder - not too hard; I¡¯ve got great control ¨C and he whimpers. ¡°Will you do as I say now?¡± I ask him in demanding voice. He nods. ¡°Yes, mistress¡± There is a slight smile on his lips. I guess he hasn¡¯t learned his lesson quite yet. I give him another whip across his back. ¡°What was that?¡± I ask him. ¡°Yes, mistress. I¡¯m sorry, mistress.¡± The sight of this muscular man ¨C so full of confidence and audacity before ¨C tied up, on his knees and whimpering; His rod still stiff and throbbing. It really arouses me. I throw the crop on the floor, grab his hair and pull him to his feet. Then I move him to the couch, push him down and with my foot pressed against his shoulder I ask him: ¡°Tell me what you would like me to do to you¡± ¡°Anything, mistress¡± he replies in a hoarse voice. So obedient now. The sight really arouses me. ¡°Hold your hands behind you head¡± I tell him, and he does as instructed, hands still firmly bound together. I straddle him and start rubbing my panties against him. He moans pleadingly and see how he quivers with anticipation. I don¡¯t really want to wait any longer either, so I pull my panties aside, grab his handle and guide him inside me making us both gasp from the pleasure. I¡¯ve really wanted this. I feel my hips move faster and faster, our voices echoing, mixing with one another and sweat dripping from my body. Then he arches his back and a hoarse cry of pure ecstasy escapes his lips, making the waves crash over me in a violent orgasm. Then we sit still, panting for a moment. I look at him; His eyes covered by the blindfold and soft locks of blond hair falling across his forehead, his panting lips and his shivering shoulders. I sigh and get up, evidence of our passion running down my thighs. I quickly run to the bathroom to clean up, then rush back and untie his hands. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a shower. I trust you can see yourself out¡± I tell him, and without waiting for his reply I return to the bathroom. As I¡¯m about to turn on the water I hear the front door slamming. How satisfying. Episode 7: Rules For a week she hadn¡¯t contacted me, and I was just about to reach the conclusion that she had ghosted me, when I received a text to meet her later at her place. She only texted me the address, but I knew the place and knew that it was a large complex and she hadn¡¯t told me the apartment number. I tried to ask her, but she just told me I¡¯d figure it out. ¡®Well, I guess there are name tags on the doors¡¯ I thought. I should have known it wasn¡¯t going to be that simple. I arrived at the place ten minutes before the appointed time so I could search around, but I quickly realized that there were a lot of apartments without nameplates. Shit. And she had told me just to enter. She¡¯s got to have planned this, knowing it would embarrass me if I accidentally entered the wrong apartment. Well, shit. I almost felt like giving up right then, but on the other hand this might be a test of my tenacity and I wasn¡¯t about to let her hurt my pride. Luckily people tend to let their guard down around handsome people, so when I started asking around for a dark-haired woman named Mona no one was suspicious, and I was soon pointed in the right direction. I enter the front door and call out: ¡°Mona?¡± I really hope it¡¯s the right place, and I breathe a sigh of relief when she calls out: ¡°In here¡± from ¨C what I assume ¨C is the living room. I shut the door and start taking off my shoes. Jesus, woman. ¡°You know, there are quite a few doors without nametags in this place. It wasn¡¯t all that easy figuring out which one was yours¡± I complain to her as I start making my way to the living room but stop dead in my tracks as I see her. She is waiting for me in a chair at the back of the room and her attire is astounding. I¡¯m instantly aroused and too surprised to say speak when she gets up and puts her arms around me. I stare into her emerald eyes, filled with lust and mischief. This woman. She starts unbuttoning my shirt and I shiver. ¡°First rule: You will do as I say¡± she says to me as she opens it exposing my chest, and begins caressing me. Okay? If she wants to play a game, I guess I¡¯m down. ¡°Second rule: You don¡¯t touch me unless given permission¡± she continues when I try to grab her for a kiss.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. I don¡¯t really know how to feel about this rule, but her skillful touch makes me forget to complain. God, I really want her. She then grabs my belt and pulls me in with a sudden movement. I look into her eyes, my own filled with lust and desire. ¡°Third rule: You are to call me mistress¡± Okay, that one is kind of surprising. Is she into BDSM? Is that the kind of play we are doing? I mean, I¡¯m down for that; I have those inclinations myself. I had a fling with a girl who was really into that kind of stuff which really opened my eyes, though I was the Dom in that relationship. It really gives you completely different kind of pleasure. I think I¡¯d really prefer having this woman whimper under me, but all in good time. Why not humor her for now? ¡°What was that?¡± she asks me as she pulls down my pants, and I realize I haven¡¯t said the mandatory: ¡°Yes, mistress.¡± She smiles satisfied at my reply and then proceed to go down on me. God, she¡¯s good at this. Her tongue, her warm mouth; It already makes me want to give in and I accidentally reach and grab her head; thus, breaking the second rule. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry mistress¡± I tell her as she calls me out on my mistake. She gets up and looks me in the eye, giving me a stern look. ¡°I don¡¯t think you are. Looks like I¡¯ll need to punish you. Get on your knees¡± I guess I¡¯ll better do as she says, so I get on my knees a little intrigued about which kind of punishment she has in store for me. Since she seems pretty experienced in this and we haven¡¯t talked about limits yet, so I expect it won¡¯t be anything too harsh. She comes back with a blindfold and rope, and after I¡¯ve been secured and given two light taps with a cane or crop and apologized, she places me on the couch. ¡°Tell me what you would like me to do to you¡± she asks me commandingly. ¡°Anything, mistress¡± I reply to her, guessing this is the phrase that will turn her on the most. ¡°Hold your hands behind you head¡± she orders. I comply and she soon rides me into ecstasy. The whole time want to touch her, to look at her, and the frustration is almost unbearable. Afterwards she dismisses me coldly, but before she disappears to the bathroom, I swear I catch a glimpse of something vulnerable in her eyes. God, this woman intrigues me and confuses me and arouses me. As I leave, I barely know what to do with myself. ¡­ The next time I hear from her she asks for my email. I¡¯m surprised by my own excitement in hearing from her but that soon fades when I read the email, she sends me. It just says ¡®Contact me if you agree to the conditions¡¯ and there is a single attachment. It¡¯s a document containing rules and information about our relationships, along with a part I have to fill out and send back, pertaining to my preferences and limits. Wow, she¡¯s really thorough. The words ¡®green¡¯, ¡®yellow¡¯ and ¡®red¡¯ would act as safe words, meaning: ¡®Continue¡¯, ¡®near my limit¡¯ and ¡®stop¡¯ respectively. The three rules she stated last time are also written down, along with three others:
  1. I am to show up at her place when she calls me unless I am unquestionably unavailable.
  2. I am not to contact her first, unless absolutely necessary.
  3. I have to leave when our time together is over, no complaints.
  4. I am not to engage in any other sexual relationships, while our arrangement lasts.
I stare at the screen of my phone with wide eyes as I read this. She is pretty harsh. I mean, this gives me no chance to form any kind of relationship with her and grants her all the power. Precisely as she wants, I guess. I¡¯ll need to think about this¡­ Episode 8: Home Visit It¡¯s been more than a week since I sent him the document with my terms, and I haven¡¯t heard from him at all since. I¡¯m a little saddened by the chance of him disagreeing to the relationship. I think he¡¯s one of the best I¡¯ve ever slept with, so it would really be a pity. I¡¯ve even found myself thinking about him during the week, which otherwise never happens. It¡¯s quite vexing. I make way through the hallways of the university and out onto campus grounds. The sky is clear and the sun¡¯s out, for the first time in weeks. An unexpectedly warm summer day before the weather starts growing colder and perfect weather to sit and read in the grass before the next lecture. I look around and notice a few other students who¡¯ve had the same thought. I find a dry spot and spread out my coat, sit down and open up the book about heuristics and interface design. You wouldn¡¯t expect it from my looks, but I¡¯m a bit of a nerd. I guess that¡¯s how Jen and I get along so well. Though she has a lot of obscure hobbies that I can¡¯t quite follow, we also have some things in common ¨C Like some of the video games we enjoy or webcomics we read. I miss her, by the way. She has been out with a cold for a few days, so school¡¯s been pretty lonely without her. The wet, dreary weather hasn¡¯t helped either, so it¡¯s nice to be able to sit outside for a change. I take a little break to take a sip of my coffee when I suddenly notice a familiar figure strolling down the pathway in front of me. He is walking with a few friends and as he gets closer, he seems to notice me as well. God, he really is good looking; Tall nice figure, a handsome face and that blonde hair that sits perfectly without any styling, so one can run their fingers through it with no resistance. My heart begins beating faster as our eye interlock for a moment, but then he turns away and I feel it sink in my chest. Did he¡­ just ignore me? After pursuing me so persistently not too long ago? I feel irritated as I see him walk past me. ¡­ I haven¡¯t seen her in over a week, nor have I contacted her. I really want to see her again, feel her. Indulge in her. But the relationship she wants is just so one-sided, that I don¡¯t know if I should agree to it. I¡¯ve been thinking a lot about her, though; Her body, her touch. Her pleasureful moans and violent screams, making me wake up at night drenched in my own desire.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. My thoughts are so preoccupied with her that I barely notice her sitting in the grass not far from me. A shockwave of lust runs through me when she suddenly looks up and our eyes meet. I quickly turn away, hoping the guys I¡¯m walking with haven¡¯t noticed that I¡¯m starting to grow in my pants. One them ¨C A guy named Jasper ¨C asks me a question and a barely manage to give him an automated answer. I glance back at her and notice she¡¯s wearing a sour expression, slightly sad. Shit, did she think I ignored her? Then it hits me, if she¡¯s sad that I ignored her, then maybe she¡¯s feeling some of the same things as I do. If that¡¯s the case, then maybe a have a little more leeway than I thought. I continue along the path, not really paying attention to the conversation around me, considering this idea. Later that day I send her a text: ¡®I¡¯ve thought about the terms and conditions you sent me, and I would like to discuss it with you in person. Would you meet me somewhere tomorrow?¡¯ ¡­ My phone dings in my back and I reach down to dig it out. A text from Aaron: He¡¯d like to meet and discuss the conditions of our arrangement. I consider for a moment. I don¡¯t think the document I sent him implied it would subject to discussion. I¡¯m tempted to just shut him down and ask him to either accept or reject the it, no discussion. But it would be a real shame if he were to turn it down just because he had I slight correction and I rejected him before even hearing it. ¡®Sure. My place at five¡¯ I reply to him. I¡¯ll be interested to hear what he has to say. The next day I get home after a long stressful day. We¡¯ve just been given a group assignment and because I don¡¯t really speak to anyone other than Jen, I¡¯ve been stuffed into a group of losers. At least Jen¡¯s with me though, since she was still sick when the groups formed. I throw my bag on the dinner table in the kitchen and rummage through the fridge to find something edible, but all I have is beer and condiments. Great. There¡¯s a little under thirty minutes till Aaron is supposed to be here and my place is a mess. I don¡¯t think I have the time to go grocery shopping ¨C but Christ, I¡¯m hungry. Maybe if I ask Aaron, he¡¯ll bring some takeout. I take out my phone to send him a text: ¡®Hey, buy some food on your way over¡¯ A short while later I read his reply: ¡®Sure. What do you want?¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t know. Surprise me¡¯ I tell him. I run around a little to clean up the worst mess and then I hear a knock on my door. I walk over to open and see Aaron standing with bags of groceries in his hands, sending me a big smile. ¡°Hey¡± he says. ¡°Hey, come on in¡± I let him pass through the door and watch as he starts unpacking the bags on my kitchen table; Fresh vegetables, meat and packets of noodles. ¡°Uhm, what¡¯s this?¡± I ask him, eyeing the fact that there seems to be no take out. ¡°I thought I¡¯d cook something for us¡± he says with a bright smile. Seriously? I hear my stomach growling and hope he doesn¡¯t notice. ¡°Fine¡± I tell him, ¡°but hurry up, I¡¯m starving.¡± He starts rummaging through my cabinets and drawers finding the equipment he needs and begin preparing the ingredients. ¡°Want to help?¡± he asks over his shoulder as he¡¯s cutting some carrots. ¡°I¡¯m not really much of a cook¡± I reply to him, a little irritated by this whole situation.¡¯ How did a meeting about sex turn into a cookout? ¡°That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll do most of the cooking¡± he says and shifts a little to make room for me to stand next to him. My stomach growls a little again and I sigh defeated. ¡°Fine¡± I say and mover over next to him, ¡°What do you need me to do?¡± Episode 9: Compromise I¡¯m a little surprised by how easy it is being with him. We seem slide into a natural rhythm, as we begin cooking in the kitchen. Him telling me what needs to be done and showing me how to proceed when I¡¯m unsure. It¡¯s almost fun. The smell of the stir-fry begins filling the room and I close my eyes for a moment to take in the atmosphere. I haven¡¯t experienced this in so long. This comfortable, homey feeling. Spending time with someone without having sex, just talking casually. Before I notice it, we¡¯re talking about university and I¡¯m venting to him about my hopeless group. He nods interested and his gentle smile fills me with a warm feeling. We sit down to eat. ¡°So, about the document you sent me¡± he begins, and I¡¯m suddenly reminded of the purpose of his visit. This is supposed to be a sex-only relationship, so what the hell am I doing having a nice time with this guy? ¡°It sort of suggests a pretty one-sided relationship¡­¡± ¡°Well, that was the point. I don¡¯t want a relationship or a boyfriend. Just sex, that¡¯s the deal¡± I interrupt him. He makes a slightly sad face and for some reason it startles me a little. ¡°Yeah, but¡­ Honestly, I don¡¯t like it.¡± He says. I feel my heart sink a little at his words but try to shake off the feeling. ¡°If you don¡¯t like it, you can just turn it down. No one¡¯s forcing you to agree to it¡± I say harshly, trying to push away the fear of rejection. He grimaces. ¡°I know that, but I also really want to be with you¡± he says, and I feel a bit relieved at his words, but still a little worried. He puts down his fork and stares me straight in the face and his sudden determined expression surprises me a bit when he says: ¡°I want a compromise¡± I eye him suspiciously. A change or addition I would¡¯ve expected, but a compromise? That makes it sound like he wants a completely different arrangement. ¡°What ever do you mean?¡± I ask him, one eyebrow lifted. ¡°I mean I want some changes to the rules. Or at least some additions¡± he says, still with that determined look in his eye. Well, that does sound better, so I let him continue: ¡°I want to be able to text you as well¡± Well, that¡¯s not the worst addition he could have suggested, but it could also become a hassle so I¡¯m hesitant to grant his request. ¡°And I want us to spend time together, outside of having sex¡± he adds and my jaw drops.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Does he want us to cuddle afterwards or what is he talking about? He must have sensed my perplexion, because he continues: ¡°Come on, this is nice isn¡¯t it?¡±, smiling and gesturing at the food on the table. ¡°Absolutely not¡± I blurt out. His expression darkens and he puts down his fork. ¡°You know, you are really great in bed ¨C but is that all there is to you?¡± His words hit me like a rock. Who the fuck is he to call me out on this? We don¡¯t even know each other. I feel my whole body begin to shake in anger. ¡°Get out¡± I tell him in a monotonous voice and when he doesn¡¯t immediately follow my command, I get up. Furious, I throw my fork after him and he just barely manage to dodge. ¡°What the he-¡° I interrupt his startled outcry: ¡°Get out!¡±, yelling this time. He jumps up almost knocking over his chair. ¡°Jesus, woman. What the fuck is wrong with you?!¡± His words really irritate me, and I motion to throw my cup at him, but he lifts his hands in surrender. ¡°Fine. I¡¯m leaving, I¡¯m leaving.¡± He begins scuffling towards the front door and just before he leaves, he adds: ¡°You know, you don¡¯t have push everyone away who shows you a bit of interest.¡± Then he slams the door behind him. What the hell does he know? He knows nothing about me. Nothing. ¡­ I slam the door behind me. What the hell is wrong with her? One moment we were having a good time, eating and talking together and the next she¡¯s throwing cutlery and screaming at me to leave. I resist the urge to kick a box that¡¯s conveniently placed further down the hallway ¨C just the right height to take my frustrations out on. That really couldn¡¯t have gone worse. I exit the building and look up in the direction of where I think her apartment window is. Well, I guess this is goodbye then. The next few weeks I only catch a glimpse of her twice, and only from far away. I¡¯ve heard quite a few rumors about her during that time; seems like my senior isn¡¯t the only one talking about her. I heard she¡¯s the kind of woman who¡¯ll sleep with anyone, but no one has heard about her ever having a boyfriend; so they call her easy ¨C a slut. But I don¡¯t know. I think it¡¯s true that she¡¯s slept around a lot ¨C it wasn¡¯t hard to get her into my bed the first time ¨C but there is something lonely about her. About the way she won¡¯t let anyone get close. I heard she only hangs out with one other person, a girl named Jen, who also really stands out a lot because of the way she dresses. I remember seeing her next to Mona the night of the party. I can¡¯t seem to stop myself from thinking about her still. I really should just move on. As I¡¯m thinking this, I turn a corner on the hallway and suddenly bumps into someone. She drops the books she¡¯s carrying and falls flat on her bum. I stare a little at her and her strange attire, full of laces and rivets, when I recognize her as Jen ¨C Mona¡¯s friend. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry¡± I say hurriedly and stretch down a hand to help her up. She takes it and utters: ¡°Jeez, man. You¡¯ve got a chest hard as rock.¡± I can¡¯t help but laugh at her blunt words and I bend down to help her pick up her books. ¡°Sorry about that¡± I smile, ¡°Hey, you are Mona¡¯s friend, right? I¡¯m Aaron¡± I say and stretch out my hand. She eyes me a little suspiciously before shaking it. ¡°I am, name¡¯s Jen¡± she says. There is a moment of awkward silence, that she is the first to break: ¡°You want something?¡± she asks. I consider her question. Do I? I¡¯m supposed to be done with Mona, and yet I feel all sorts of questions linger on my tongue now that her friend stands here in front me. ¡°Are you on your way to class?¡± I hear myself ask. ¡°Uh, no. Just finished. Why?¡± she replies. ¡°You want to go have a cup of coffee then?¡± I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m asking this, it¡¯s so out of the blue. I glance at the heavy makeup around Jen¡¯s eyes. She sighs. ¡°Listen. I might be Mona¡¯s friend, but I don¡¯t think I can help you get with her. She¡¯s stubborn like that¡± she says a little resigned. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know what I was thinking¡­ I just¡­ Wanted to talk to someone who knows her, I guess? Get to know more about her¡­¡± I say looking down at my shoes, having a hard time with my words. Jen shrugs. ¡°You buying?¡± I look up at her and feel my mouth form a large smile. ¡°Sure!¡± Episode 10: Coffee Date Jen stirs her coffee cup a couple of times before taking a sip, but it must¡¯ve been a little too hot because she immediately puts it down again. ¡°You know, just because I¡¯m probably the only friend she has, doesn¡¯t mean that she tells me everything. Or that I know everything.¡± She says, cutting a piece of her cake with a fork. ¡°And just because I tell you about her, doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll learn anything¡± she adds before stuffing it into her mouth and a delighted expression spreads on her face when it reaches her taste buds. ¡°I know. I don¡¯t even know why I¡¯m here talking to you about her¡± I tell her honestly. ¡°Well, we¡¯re here now and you already bought me cake and everything, so¡­ Might as well ask your questions¡± she says taking another bite. I guess she¡¯s right. I take a moment to consider what I want to ask her while watching her stuffing her face with cake. It¡¯s quite an amusing sight and it makes me chuckle a little bit. ¡°Doesn¡¯t she¡­ seem lonely?¡± I suddenly blurt out. Jen looks at me surprised and cake almost spills out of her open mouth. ¡°Nail on the head, huh?¡± she says after she¡¯s swallowed, ¡°didn¡¯t you guys only sleep together once?¡± ¡°Twice¡± I correct her, though it seems like a petty detail. I guess Mona has told Jen about me. I don¡¯t know if that should make me happy or embarrassed. ¡°Still, that¡¯s quite perceptive. Most of guys don¡¯t really bother talking to me ¨C figure they don¡¯t have to when she¡¯s like that¨C ¡° ¡°Like what?¡± I interrupt her. ¡°Oh, you know. She sleeps with a lot of guys, doesn¡¯t really care much about it¡± she says, but suddenly covers her mouth like she just accidentally spilled some big secret. Well, I guess that information was a little personal. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve heard the rumors¡­ And from the way she behaved, I figured it was something like that. It doesn¡¯t bother me¡± I tell her calmingly. ¡°Oh, okay¡± she shrugs. ¡°But sorry, you were saying¡± I urge her to continue. ¡°Right. Most guys don¡¯t really talk to me and the few that have, usually just want to know about her interests or places she goes to so they can accidentally bump into her¡± she says while gesturing quotation marks when she says ¡®accidentally¡¯.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Well, I would be interested in learning those things too¡­¡± I say a little embarrassed, ¡°but that doesn¡¯t really tell me much about her. I guess I¡¯m more interested in learning about why she lives like she does; why she sleeps around and won¡¯t let anyone get close¡­¡± She nods. ¡°Right¡­¡± she draws out the word a little like she doesn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°You¡¯re her only friend, right?¡± I ask, to continue the conversation. ¡°Uh, yeah. Think so¡± she says and finally seems content with the temperature off her coffee. ¡°What about family?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t really know much about her family, never met ¡®em. If I remember correctly, her mom is some big, fancy lawyer while her father is an independent contractor. Don¡¯t think they were around much when she was a kid, so it was mostly just her and her older brother¡± ¡°She has an older brother?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Think his name was Dan or Dean, or something? Something like that, he¡¯s quite a few years older than her but that¡¯s about all I know. She doesn¡¯t like to talk about him much.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± I ask, wondering what¡¯s up about the brother. She shrugs ¡°I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t tried to press the issue¡± Her cake is about finished and she stares at her empty plate, looking a little disappointed. ¡°Uh, you want another?¡± I ask her and her face lights up. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure. Which do you want?¡± I ask and get ready to move to the counter. ¡°Uh, the strawberry looked good¡± she replies with a smile. ¡°All right, just a moment then¡± I go up and order another piece of cake, and while I wait, I contemplate a little what Jen has told me: Mona¡¯s parents weren¡¯t home much when she was younger, which could lead to some abandonment issues. That could explain the way she behaves around other people ¨C guys in peticular. The way she treats them coldly and keep them at a distance. Though, she had an older brother and if he was a lot older than her, he could¡¯ve been someone who took care of her¡­ but she doesn¡¯t like talking about him, did something happen? I receive my order and return to our table. We talk a little further while Jen continues stuffing her face. ¡°So, what are you going to do?¡± she suddenly asks me. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean, how are you going to win her over?¡± I consider her question, and honestly? I have no idea. ¡°I don¡¯t think gifts are going to work, and I¡¯ve seen guys try their best to follow her whims only to be tossed away later¡± she says. So, I guess that means it probably wouldn¡¯t have helped me to accept her deal anyway. Well, that¡¯s a relief but it also poses the question: What the hell would even work? ¡°All right, how about this: Next week there are some guys from chemistry hosting a private party. I know one of the guys have a thing for Mona, so I can get us in also ask them to let you tag along. Then you could talk to her there. Maybe alcohol will make her a little easier to talk to?¡± she says. It sounds like that could either be a really great or really terrible idea, but I have no suggestions myself, so I accept her offer. After that the we engage in a little light conversation. At first it¡¯s mainly about Mona, but then we start talking a little about me and herself and when we broach the subject about architecture and drawing the conversation completely derails. Jen gets really passionate when talking about the things she enjoys, but I don¡¯t dislike that. I understand why Mona likes hanging out with her. Afterwards I thank her for her time, and we part ways. I thought I was done with Mona, but I guess I¡¯m a more tenacious guy that I thought¡­ Episode 11: A Disastrous Night I stare up at the large house in front of us and hear the cab driving away behind us. I lift an eyebrow and look at Jen, standing next to me in her high heels, black and white checkered dress and big, backcombed hair. She told me we we¡¯re going to a party, so what the hell are we doing here in the suburbs? ¡°Uhm¡­ Jen? Is this the right place?¡± She takes out her phone and taps it a few times, then she looks up and nods. ¡°Yeah, should be. Come on, let¡¯s go!¡± She grabs my hand and starts pulling me up towards the house. As we get closer, I hear faint music from inside and breathe a sigh of relief. At least it sounds like it could be the right place, even if it doesn¡¯t look it. Jen knocks on the door and I instinctively start correcting my attire: A black thigh-length dress with laced sleeves and matching heels. I don¡¯t really like big houses like this; reminds me too much of my family home. The door finally opens and light music start swimming out into the night. I see Ron pop out in the doorway. ¡°Oh, hey guys. Come on in¡± he smiles and wave us inside. Of course. When Jen said we had been invited to a private party by someone from the chemistry department, I should have figured she was talking about Ron. I look around the entryway; This place is pretty big. There¡¯s this really clich¨¦ rich-people chandelier hanging from the ceiling and all around on shelves and the walls are pictures of the family. Typical ¡®look at our beautiful, perfect family¡¯ kind of stuff. Makes me want to barf. We follow Ron through the house, while the music grows louder as we finally reach the party room. There are about fifteen people gathered, sitting around sofas or standing around a pool table. Really? This is the party? What a pathetic sight. I¡¯m about to lean in and whisper to Jen that I think we should just leave, when her eyes suddenly light up and her voice bursts forward: ¡°Aaron!¡± she calls out and start running toward a figure I recognize all too well. Startled he turns around and makes a shocked expression when Jen jumps up to give him a big hug, which he awkwardly returns. When did these two get friendly? I don¡¯t really like it. Then he notices me behind her and sends me a slight smile which I ignore. I need a drink. I ask Ron who¡¯s still next to me, anxiously shifting his feet where to find the booze. ¡°Uhm, sure. Right this way¡± he reaches for my hand to guide me but changes his mind mid-motion and instead just points. I follow him to a table somewhere in the back of the room, behind the pool table, where different kinds of liquor bottles, beers and soft drinks are piled up. I take a cup and mix something strong. ¡®God, damn you Jen¡¯ I think to myself as I down the contents and pour myself another. Ron is still standing anxiously next to me. ¡°So, uhm. Great that you guys could make it¡± he says, trying to start up conversation. God, I can¡¯t do this right now. ¡°Yeah¡± is all I reply before downing my glass again. ¡°Oh, uhm. You seem thirsty¡± he remarks, and I give him a dead stare, then pour another. ¡°Yeah. Got anything interesting to do around here?¡± I ask him without any expectations. I have a feeling this is going to be the lamest party ever. ¡­ I¡¯m six drinks in when I look at my watch an see that¡¯s only been an hour. Fuck. A few more people have arrived in the meantime, but I think we are like twenty-five people at maximum. That¡¯s of course almost double the number from before, and it has gotten a little livelier, but it¡¯s still pretty lame. A few guys have come up and talked to me and I really consider just picking one of them to go home with so I can leave this place.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. But I did come here with Jen, and I don¡¯t really want to leave that na?ve girl alone. Though she seems to have been enjoying Aaron¡¯s company. They are sitting in one of the sofa¡¯s playing card games. Really, what is he doing here? The party is hosted by seniors from the chemistry department and he doesn¡¯t seem to know anyone here. I¡¯m begging to suspect this is another one of Jen¡¯s ploys to try and get me to have a boyfriend. I haven¡¯t told her what happened between me and him, so I guess she didn¡¯t really know any better. But still, she could have asked what I thought about him before dragging me into this lame party just to meet him. A guy walks up to me ¨C one of Ron¡¯s friends, I believe. I haven¡¯t really talked to him before, but he trudges up to me and starts making polite conversation. Then suddenly he pulls out something from his pocket and asks me: ¡°So, you want a hit?¡± I eye the small bag, containing white powder, in his hand. I¡¯m almost tempted, seeing how lame this party is, but I don¡¯t do drugs ¨C and I never will ¨C so I refuse him. ¡°What about something else? I¡¯ve got a few other things out in my car, if you¡¯re interested?¡± he asks persistently. ¡°No, thanks¡± I tell him. He obviously just wants to fuck me, so why the ruse with all these drugs? He kind of annoys me, so I decide to leave my spot and head over to Jen. I really don¡¯t want to talk to Aaron, but I¡¯m bored out of my mind and anything is better than talking to this drug-selling idiot. ¡°Heeey!¡± Jen exclaims happily when she sees me, ¡°Come, sit here!¡± She points to a seat next to Aaron. Please Jen, could you for once stop being so oblivious? I act like I don¡¯t know where she¡¯s pointing and instead take a sea in the sofa across from her. ¡°So, what are we playing?¡± I ask her, knowing she can¡¯t resist the chance of adding one more player. ¡°Slap Jack! Whoever looses has to down a shot!¡± she tells me and from her slurred voice I can tell she must have been losing a lot. ¡°Count me in then¡± I say, and she sends me a huge smile. As we are playing someone comes to sit next to me and I notice it¡¯s the guy from before who was offering me drugs. He doesn¡¯t join the game but just watches and at some point, he puts his hand on my thigh and start sliding it under my dress. I slap his hand away which makes me lose the pile, and now I¡¯m out of cards. ¡°Hey, you want to get out of here?¡± I hear his slurred voice whisper in my ear. ¡°No, thanks¡± I reply, watching the card pile intently, waiting for a jack so I can get back in the game. I feel his hand wrap around my waist, and he pulls me in closer, making me miss the chance to slap the jack when it finally lands. ¡°Hey, no need to act coy. I know you want to¡± he whispers in my ear. He¡¯s beginning to make me pretty uncomfortable, so I grab the hand he has slung around my waist and pinch it hard. ¡°I said no¡± I tell him and look him straight in the eye and he recoils from the pain. There is anger in his eyes and suddenly he slaps me. ¡°You fucking bitch! I was just being nice and showing you a bit of attention. With your reputation you should be happy anyone would even want to talk to you!¡± he yells and everybody stares at us. My face is burning from the pain and humiliation. Shit, I can¡¯t cry ¨C then he¡¯ll win. ¡°What the fuck are you doing to a woman?!¡± I suddenly hear a familiar voice yell and I turn to see Aaron sprung from his seat. His fists are clenched and his expression pure anger. ¡°Oh, here comes one of the boyfriends to the rescue¡± the drug-guy says, scoffing. ¡°Why protect this little whore? Do you know even know how many she¡¯s been with? Sleep with her and you¡¯ll just get and STD¡± Then Aaron is suddenly in his face sending him to the ground with a punch. There is a ferociousness about him, that is completely unexpected, and drug-guy did not see it coming. He climbs on top of him and starts pounding his fists into the guy, who does his best to protect his face. It takes two guys to pull him away, so I grab him and start dragging him out into the hallway. I glance back, the guy doesn¡¯t look too bad, but he might call the cops. We need to get out here. Jen is already following behind us and I hear her calling a cab as we make our way through the house. Outside she asks me if there is a bus stop nearby where we can wait until it arrives. ¡°Good idea¡± I say and check my phone. There is a stop half a mile away, that we can use. She informs the driver and we start making our way there. This night is an absolute disaster. It¡¯s so absurd I begin laughing. Jen and Aaron both stare at me in bafflement, then Jen starts giggling too. Then Aaron ¨C much to my surprise ¨C and now the laughter¡¯s just bursting out of me. Here we are, three people on a desolate street somewhere in the suburbs in the middle of the night after the most disastrous party, laughing. The cab driver must think we are high or something, when he arrives to pick us up. For some reason we all get in the backseat and I end up in the middle. When the mood finally calms down I hear Aaron whisper: ¡°Sorry, I ruined the party.¡± His looking down at his hands and look genuinely upset. ¡°Oh, that was already a disaster¡± I tell him, still feeling a little giggly. ¡­And lightheaded, so I lean my head against his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve really got quite the temper there¡± I tell him and I¡¯m about to make some stupid joke, when I notice the tension in his jaw. Something tells me I shouldn¡¯t push that button. Now I feel a little nervous. We ride for a bit and the mood feels a bit heavy. Jen starts snoring in the seat next to me, and now it¡¯s just me and Aaron keeping up the awkward silence. ¡°Aaron?¡± I whisper. ¡°What?¡± ¡°You know¡­ thank you. No one has ever really gotten angry for me before¡­¡± The words kind of just spill out and I¡¯m surprised by my own honesty. Aaron is silent for a while. Then he grabs my hand and for some reason I don¡¯t pull away from his touch. Episode 12: Go out with Me Mona stares into her coffee cup, stirring a little and there is an awkward silence. I had hoped she would call me after that disastrous party we survived together, but I didn¡¯t expect her to call me so soon. ¡°So, I thought about it yesterday and I might be willing to give you another chance, if you still want to?¡± she asks, and I think I hear a little nervousness in her voice. I¡¯m not sure I should be testing my luck, but I kind of want to know how far I can push this. ¡°Maybe¡­¡± I tell her, dragging the word out a little, gaging her reaction. ¡°It¡¯s fine if you don¡¯t want to. I¡¯ll find someone else if need be, just thought I¡¯d ask you again since I we shared something the other night¡± she speaks calmly and takes a sip of her coffee. Damn, she recovers quickly. I look around her kitchen a little as I consider her words. My eyes fall on large painting hanging on the wall out in the hallway. Its colors remind me of the ocean, the motif an abstract of a woman with hair flowing around her face like seaweed. How do I turn this situation around? How do I get her to treat me like an equal and not just like a sex-toy? ¡°You could do that easily¡± I tell her, ¡°and yet you decided to call me here. Why?¡± My question clearly surprises her, but her poker-face quickly returns. ¡°You are good in bed, that¡¯s all¡± she says indifferently and takes another sip. I squint my eyes looking at her. I think I¡¯m beginning to understand how to handle her. I stretch out my hand to touch hers and she jolts but doesn¡¯t withdraw her hand. ¡°That¡¯s all?¡± I ask her as I start to caress it.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°That¡¯s all¡± she says, but I can feel her tremble as she does. ¡°I want to be with you, and I want more than just sex¡± I tell her, staring into her eyes. She withdraws her hand and says: ¡°But I only want sex¡± I can see a light flush appearing on her cheeks and a slight tremble on the handing holding her coffee cup and suppress a smirk; I¡¯m getting to her now, I can tell. So, I¡¯m going to be bold. I get up and place myself behind her, putting my hands on the table on either side of her. Then I lean in and nibble her ear making her jolt, and I can tell she¡¯s breathing faster. ¡°I want you, go out with me¡± I whisper in her ear. ¡°No, get off of me¡± she says, trying to sound stern. I put my hands around her wrists and lower them to make her put down her cup. Then I let them slide up her arms to grab her shoulders and start kissing her neck. ¡°Go out with me¡± I whisper, and I feel her shiver. ¡°No¡± I grab her chair and pull her around to face me, her eyes wide with surprise. Then I grab her by the hips and throw her onto the kitchen counter. ¡°What are you- ¡°, she begins her protests, but I interrupt them with a kiss. My hands trail down her back onto her thighs and I spread them slightly to position myself between her legs. ¡°Go out with me¡± I whisper as I start kissing her neck, soft moans escaping her lips. ¡°¡­No¡± God, she¡¯s stubborn. Her body is practically begging me, but she won¡¯t give me what I want most. My hands start running across her chest, fumbling to make perch. It¡¯s not enough. I pull up her shirt and bra to expose her breasts. With one hand I grab her hair and with the other I start caressing a them, and she moans with pleasure. Then I bend down and she gasps as I start kissing her nipple, making it hard as I lick and bite it. ¡°Go out with me¡± I ask her again. ¡°No¡± I lift my head to look at her, her expression hungry with desire. I¡¯m equally aroused, but also frustrated; Why won¡¯t she give in? I sigh. ¡°Fine¡± I say and back away from her, ¡°Thanks for the coffee¡±. Then I turn around as if to leave. ¡°Wait¡± she calls out behind me and I can¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°What?¡± I ask and glimpse over my shoulder. She¡¯s sitting on the counter with her legs spread, her breasts exposed under her lifted shirt and an aroused and confused expression. ¡°W-we can talk about a compromise. It¡¯s probably not unreasonable to listen to you a little¡±, she stutters. I turn around to face her. That was all I wanted from her ¨C all I came to hear. But then I started this little game and now those words won¡¯t satisfy me anymore. I take a step forward and put my hands on the counter beside her, leaning in. ¡°It¡¯s all or nothing¡± I tell her and stare deep into her eyes. She swallows as she meets my gaze. ¡°Go out with me.¡± Her silence is killing me then, ever so slowly, she starts nodding her head. ¡°Fine¡± she whispers, and immense joy starts bubbling up inside me. Episode 13: Defeat I can¡¯t give in to this man. I can¡¯t let him win. I think this, but his hands are on my body like a wildfire and his lips make me shiver with pleasure. ¡°Go out with me¡± he asks me again. ¡°¡­No¡± I tell him, begging him in my mind to stop asking ¨C If he does, I might give in. He pushes up my shirt and bra, and his hands and lips find snow covered mountains and their rosy peeks. I can¡¯t even think straight, my body shivering. How does he do this to me? Why do I let him? ¡°Go out with me¡± His raspy voice filled with desire makes me shiver, but mustn¡¯t give in. I don¡¯t want him to stop, but the thought of letting him into my life scares me even further. I can¡¯t let him get his way. ¡°No¡± I say, mustering all my strength to refuse. Please give up, please. He pulls away from me and looks at me with blue eyes that I fear I will become lost in. Then he sighs. ¡°Fine¡± he says, ¡°Thanks for the coffee¡±. Then turns around to leave. What? He¡¯s leaving? In the middle of this? I look at my exposed chest, my body hungering for him. ¡°Wait¡± I hear myself blurt out. ¡°What?¡± He glances over his shoulder and I swear I spot a little mischief in his eyes. What was I even going to say to him? I don¡¯t want to give in to him, but at the same time the sight of him turning away is making my heart beat in a panic. How can I make him stay without agreeing to his demands? ¡°W-we can talk about a compromise. It¡¯s probably not unreasonable to listen to you a little¡± I say, hoping this is enough to make him to back down. He takes a step towards me and puts his hands on the counter, trapping me with his body. The look in his eyes is dead serious when he tells me: ¡°It¡¯s all or nothing. Go out with me¡± Shit, what do I do? He¡¯s not backing down. I look at him, his eyes makes me both aroused and confused - and scared. Slowly I feel myself nodding in agreement. The power he holds over me makes me tremble. ¡°Fine¡± I whisper, and I can barely believe the word coming out of my mouth.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. His face lights up and his mouth forms a wide smile. His eyes are full of joy as he leans in to kiss me. First softly, then passionately and it feels like an explosion of lust and desire. His hands are all over me again and I hear us both panting and moaning. I clasp at his back, scratching, as his lips explore me, and his hands find their way under my skirt. I jolt and a soft cry escape my lips as his fingers find my opening and start massaging the little knot nestled inside. Warm shivers spread throughout my body. I need more. With fumbling hands, I release his belt and grab a hold of his throbbing member, moving my hands up and down. His voice sounds so close to my ear, hoarse with desire. Then he grabs my hips and pulls me towards him, and I feel him searching for my crevice. With a sudden movement he pushes himself inside and I gasp out from the pleasure. I clasp onto his shoulders and lean my head back against the cabinet behind me, feeling his passionate thrusts. Our moans echo between the kitchen walls and suddenly the waves of blissful release crash over us, leaving us panting in each other¡¯s arms. Slowly he raises his head and his lips find mine. I quiver. What just happened? Now that my senses are slowly returning, I realize: I just agreed to go out with him, didn¡¯t I? He pulls out and I feel something warm dripping onto the kitchen counter. He¡¯s smiling at me. He quickly closes his belt, then helps me onto the floor while I¡¯m still deep in confusion. What the hell just happened? He takes my hand and kisses it, trailing his lips up my forearm and I shiver. ¡°Want to go for another round in the bedroom? ¡­Girlfriend?¡± He asks with a sly smile, staring into my eyes with an enchanting look. ¡°I¡¯m not your girlfriend¡± I snarl and recoil from his touch. He scratches his neck and sends me a resigned look. ¡°You already agreed to go out with me. That makes you my girlfriend¡± I grimace. I know, but I want to take it back. As if he¡¯d read my thoughts, he grabs me and pulls me in close, his gaze warm but determined. ¡°If you say no, I¡¯m leaving and I¡¯m not coming back. If we¡¯re going to do this, it¡¯s going to have be on equal footing. We can explore our sexual preferences and fantasies as we go and I¡¯ll let you dominate me and do as you like, but we¡¯ll also do what I want sometimes.¡± He says. I swallow. This is the exact reason I don¡¯t want a relationship. We¡¯ll treat each other as equals, and then I won¡¯t be able to keep him at an arm¡¯s length¡­ But something in his words makes me so warm and comfortable that I lose my will to resist him. ¡°Fine¡­¡± I sigh, ¡°but if I don¡¯t like it, we¡¯re breaking up¡± He just chuckles and kisses my forehead. Then he takes my hand and we make our way to the bedroom. This time we do it slowly, taking our time to explore each other¡¯s bodies. The soft kisses, the sweet moans. It¡¯s a whole new sensation, and neither of us are tied up at any point making it quite the strange experience. Over and over we ride the waves of rousing pleasure and when we are too exhausted to continue, we collapse on the bed panting and dripping with sweat. He moves up behind me and puts his arms around me, wrapping me in his embrace and it feels both pleasant and uncomfortable. I¡¯ve never done this before. ¡°What do you even do in a relationship?¡± I ask him, as we lie there basking in the afterglow. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ Eat together, watch a movie, have sex¡­?¡± his low voice resonates close to my ear. ¡°Isn¡¯t that just being sex friends?¡± I ask him, still puzzled. ¡°Hmm¡­ maybe¡­?¡± he whispers, then turns me around to look at him. His toned upper body shines from the sweat of our passion and the look in his eyes is soft and enthralling as he continues: ¡°but we¡¯ll also be there for each other. Talk about the things that make us happy¡­ Or sad.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t really sound like my cup of tea¡± I tell him, my eyes flickering uncomfortably under his gaze. ¡°I know¡± he says and give me a soft kiss, ¡°when you¡¯re comfortable. Until then we¡¯ll slowly get to know each other¡± ¡°Whatever¡± I scoff a little nervously. Episode 14: Protests ¡°I want to break up¡± I stir a little in my coffee cup and lean against the kitchen counter with a calm and indifferent expression. He looks a little roughed up by the dreary weather outside; Droplets of rain clinging to his golden locks and his shirt has wet spots where it soaked through his jacket. He chuckles. ¡°No¡± ¡°I said that if I didn¡¯t like it, we would be breaking up. So, here I am breaking up with you¡± I tell him a little more sternly. ¡°Well, I never agreed to that¡± he says and takes a step forward, grabbing my hand. His finger traces it a little before he pulls it to his lips and gives it a gentle kiss. His touch sends shivers throughout my body. It¡¯s uncomfortable, so I quickly pull away. ¡°Well, that is not something for you to decide¡± I tell him and take a sip of my coffee. ¡°Is it?¡± he says with a smirk and now he is uncomfortably close, learning in over me. I can¡¯t really look him in the eye. ¡°It¡¯s only been a few days, so you haven¡¯t really given me a chance yet. Isn¡¯t that kind of unfair?¡± he says and tucks my chin so I meet his gaze. That sea-blue gaze, like an ocean that pulls you in to drown you, yet you can¡¯t help but want to swim in it. I swallow. ¡°Tell me that you don¡¯t want to see me ever again and I¡¯ll leave¡± he says, but before I have time to open my mouth and answer, his soft lips touch mine. A kiss that sends warm shivers throughout my body, making me forget all my protests. How does he do this to me? ¡°I-I¡­ I don¡¯t!¡± I say as I push him away from me. Why do I always lose my bearings with this man? ¡°You don¡¯t what?¡± he asks me softly gazing into my eyes, a hand caressing my cheek. ¡°Why are you so adamant about this anyway?¡± is ask him looking away. He sighs. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­? Because I like you, because I want to get to know you¡­?¡± ¡°And when you have? When you¡¯ve gotten to know all about me; then what?¡± ¡°Then there¡¯ll be something new to learn about you, and new things to experience together¡± he says, ¡°there doesn¡¯t have to be a finish line, you know?¡± It doesn¡¯t make any sense to me at all. People get together because they want something from each other, but the way he puts it makes it sound like he doesn¡¯t want anything from me. It sounds so bland, boring and meaningless. And yet¡­ The look in his eyes is so warm and comforting, his embrace so pleasant and reassuring. It makes me utterly confused. He seems to notice my confusion, because he smiles and adds:This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Just give me a chance, you¡¯ll see. What¡¯s the harm?¡± ¡®Everything¡¯ I want to say, but the words won¡¯t come out and instead we just stand there in silence. Then he finally bends down and kisses me again, his lips eagerly searching, and I feel myself respond to his touch. ¡°Bedroom?¡± ¡°Couch. I¡¯m putting you in cuffs¡± I smirk. ¡­ ¡°So, are you and Aaron like a couple now, or what?¡± I look at Jen with a grimace. She¡¯s wearing a rather perky outfit today; A pink tulle skirt and fishnet stockings with a colorful band t-shirt and her lips are red instead of black. ¡°Did he tell you that?¡± The two of them seem to have gotten on good terms and I¡¯ve sometimes found them talking and laughing in the cafeteria, waiting for me. It makes me quite uneasy. Jen is so loose-lipped I fear she¡¯ll spill all of my secrets when I¡¯m not looking and Aaron with his silver tongue is just as dangerous. But I seem unable to stop them from talking, so I have to stick close by when they¡¯re together, which means I¡¯ve been spending quite a lot of time with the both of them ¨C much to my dismay. I mean, because of Aaron of course. He is so insistent about keeping us in this relationship where we have to talk to each other and share our feelings, and stuff like that. Though, I must admit it hasn¡¯t been all that bad. And it¡¯s not like he presses me for answers or ask about things I don¡¯t want to talk about. He¡¯s actually been pretty relaxed about all that, despite seeming so eager to learn all about me before. It confuses me. The first time Aaron gave me a kiss in public I was a hair¡¯s breadth away from slapping him. It was in the middle of the crowded entrance to the university, where we had met coincidentally on our way to morning classes. People stared at us with wide-eyed expressions and I was burning with shame. I mean, it¡¯s not like I appreciate my reputation as a slut, but letting people know that I¡¯m in a serious relationship is almost worse. But something about his happy demeanor made my hand stop before I even raised it and could only sigh. He¡¯s really got me wrapped around his finger, doesn¡¯t he? The thought kind of scares me. ¡°He seems to think we are¡± I tell her indifferently and she sends me a skeptical look. ¡°Oh, come on! He told me he asked you out and you agreed, so you guys are totally a couple!¡± ¡°Why are you even asking, then?¡± ¡°I just wanted to hear it straight from the turtle¡¯s mouth. I¡¯ve never heard of you having a boyfriend before!¡± She has a way of getting her proverbs mixed up, which is just like her personality. ¡°It¡¯s been going pretty well with Christian, so maybe we could all go out on a double-date?¡± she excitedly exclaims. I¡¯ve been expecting this suggestion, dreading it. She began seeing this guy named Christian around the same time I got entangled with Aaron and he seems nice. A good guy and a total nerd, which is just right for Jen. The girl is so starved for love that she¡¯s been I countless short lived relationship, where most of the guys used or abused her. So, it¡¯s nice she¡¯s found someone who treats her well and who can keep up with her eccentric behavior. But I really don¡¯t want to go on a double-date. I¡¯ve barely been on any regular dates with Aaron, and the thought just makes me cringe. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Jen. I¡¯m not really comfortable enough with Aaron¡­¡± I begin my protests, but I fear I¡¯m just delaying the inevitable. ¡°Then that¡¯s exactly why you should do it!¡± she smiles. I knew it. ¡°Though I think you guys seem pretty comfortable¡± she says with a smirk, ¡°but if you think you aren¡¯t, it would totally be good idea to go out with other people. The mood kind of rubs off and before you know it, you¡¯ve become closer!¡± I repress the urge to give her a dead-pan look. Jen, this is a horrible idea. ¡°Or it could turn out really awkward¡­¡± This is the last dying gasp of my protests. This girl gets oddly stubborn when there is something, she is excited about. This is a losing battle. ¡°Of course it wouldn¡¯t! I¡¯m here remember?¡± she says with excitement. Yup, losing battle. I sigh. ¡°¡­Fine¡­¡± I say but continue as I see the elated expression form on her face: ¡°But I have to ask Aaron first, so it really depends on him.¡± ¡°Oh, sure!¡± she smiles. Please god, let Aaron turn down this dreadful suggestion. Episode 15: Reunion ¡°A double-date?¡± Aaron asks and turn around to face me on the bed, a slight smile forming on his lips. His body is still drenched in sweat from all the work I made him do. ¡°Sure!¡± Of course. I should have known by the sheer fact that I hate the idea, that Aaron would agree to it. ¡°When?¡± ¡°Uhm, I don¡¯t know¡­¡± I draw the words out a little irritated. ¡°But aren¡¯t you busy with an assignment at the moment?¡± I add, hoping to buy some time before the dreaded experience. ¡°Well yeah, but not so much that I can¡¯t take time off a single evening¡± he says and leans in to kiss me. God damn it. ¡°Besides, if I was that busy, I wouldn¡¯t have to for this¡± he adds with a smirk as his eyes run across my naked body, ¡°I¡¯ll just ask her.¡± He reaches out his arm over me to grab his phone on the nightstand and gets up a little, the light from the screen illuminating his face. ¡°You guys text?¡± I ask him a little surprised. ¡°Yeah, how else do think I¡¯m able to ambush you guys on campus so often?¡± he says and looks at me with a mischievous grin. I had noticed that we seemed to run into each other an awful lot, despite being in different department on opposite sides of campus. So this is why. I really need to scold Jen for messing with my love life to this extent. Though, Aaron is just as bad. It¡¯s really annoying how these guys seem so in cahoots. Almost as soon as Aaron turns off the screen it lights up again with a beep. ¡°Saturday¡± he says when he finishes reading the text, ¡°that good for you?¡± I frown. I don¡¯t have plans Saturday, but god I wish I had. ¡°¡­Fine¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s a double-date then!¡± he proclaims with a smile and gives me another kiss. ¡­ I¡¯m standing in the bathroom, drying my hair after a shower when I hear someone ringing my doorbell. ¡®A salesman?¡¯ I¡¯m not expecting any visitors¡­ He¡¯ll go away. Then it rings again. Is it Aaron? I quickly tuck away the towel and make my way into the hall way and yell: ¡°Coming, coming!¡± while the doorbell keeps ringing. ¡°What?!¡± I yell a little irritated as I open the door but feel the blood drain from my face as I recognize the person behind it. It¡¯s him. I quickly try to slam the door shut but he catches it with his hand and peers forward.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Wow, hey there sis!¡± he says, with a surprised expression that turns into a smirky grin as he adds: ¡°Not happy to see your older brother?¡± He looks older than I last saw him. His nut-brown hair is clean cut, his face newly shaved, and in his green eyes is a familiar expression. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I snarl. I feel my pulse rise and my body breaking out in cold sweats. ¡°Thought I¡¯d come by for a visit, since I finally figured out where you live¡± he smiles. Before I can protest, he shoves at the door and the force is stronger than I can combat. Surprised I jump a step backwards and he takes the opportunity to push past me and into the apartment. I follow him nervously. How did he find me? ¡°Nice place you¡¯ve got here¡± he says as he reaches the kitchen and adjacent living room. ¡°What do you want, Daniel?¡± I ask, trying my best to stay calm. He turns to face me, and his smile gives me cold shivers. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be like that, sis. It¡¯s been five years since I last saw you. I want to know how you are doing.¡± He eyes a chair at the dinner table and takes a seat, gesturing me to take the one across from him. Reflexively I find myself following his suggestion. ¡°How did you find me, brother?¡± I ask him. He eyes me seriously for a moment before his grin returns. ¡°Oh, I ran into Aunt Rose¡¯s nurse when I brought Jasmine home to visit mom and dad over the summer ¨C I was pretty disappointed when you didn¡¯t show up for the wedding, by the way ¨C but either way, she told me the old bird had sent you a Christmas card, so I got your address from her.¡± Rosaline Jackson ¨C or ¡®Aunt Rose¡¯, as we used to call her as kids ¨C of course. I had cut off everyone from our hometown, including our parents, when I left the city five years ago. Everyone except Rose. The old neighboring lady had become such an important existence in my life. She helped me escape from that hell, brother calls ¡®home¡¯ by getting my high school transfer in order and paid for my living expenses until I had secured a job. Later she helped me receive the inheritance from grandmother, which paid for my current apartment and my school tuition, though how she did it without letting my parents know where I live, is beyond me. She¡¯s always been so strong, but last year she fell very ill and now she has to be cared for by a nurse. I¡¯ve thought about going there to visit a million times, but the fear of returning home turns my body cold and I always chicken out. She told me it was okay, that she understands, but I can¡¯t help but feel guilty. I¡¯m sure Daniel used his silver tongue to convince Rose¡¯s nurse to give him the address without the old bird knowing. Despicable. ¡°How is Rose, did you see her?¡± I ask, trying to make polite conversation and out of genuine concern. Maybe I can just talk to him a little and he¡¯ll be satisfied. ¡°Yeah, glimpsed her through the window. She looked pretty rough, but that hateful stare in her eyes is the same as always¡±, he says masking his own hateful expression with a smile. I sigh a silent breath of relief over the news, but the feeling doesn¡¯t last for long. ¡°I¡¯m so glad I found you sis¡­¡± he says and gently strokes the back of my hand with a finger. It makes me nauseous. I quickly spring from my seat, recoiling from his touch and my eyes flicker around the kitchen. ¡°Y-you want some coffee?¡± I stutter. ¡°Sure¡± he smiles. With shaking hands I start boiling the kettle and preparing our cups. Then I suddenly hear him get up and I close my eyes nervously as I feel him approaching behind me, then leaning against my back. Cold shivers run down my spine as I feel his hand touch my hair and neck, caressing it. I feel his breath right next to my ear. ¡°Why did you run?¡± he asks and there is a chill in his voice. ¡°I-I didn¡¯t run. I s-simply moved away¡± I try explaining, but my voice is thin. ¡°Usually moving away doesn¡¯t mean cutting off contact with all your family and friends¡­¡± His hand is slowly moving his way down my arm. ¡°I j-just needed a f-fresh start¡± I stutter. I know he isn¡¯t going to buy anything I say, but I hope he¡¯ll let it go. Please let it go. He sighs and I feel a rush of relief as he pulls his body away from mine. ¡°Well, no matter. We¡¯ve found each again, so now everything can return to the way it was¡± I shiver at his words and the sinister tone in his voice, but my body can¡¯t move. ¡°Shit. I think I¡¯m going to have to take a raincheck on the coffee, sis. I was just dropping by on my way to a business meeting, but I¡¯m about to run late¡± he suddenly says. He takes a step forward to kiss the back of my head, then I hear him make his way out into the hallway and the front door opening. ¡°I¡¯ll stop by some other time, so keep the coffee warm!¡± he yells just before closing it behind him. I begin to shake and grab onto the counter for support as my knees begin to buckle. Then I fall to the floor and vomit. He found me. Episode 16: Double Date ¡°Mona!¡± I yell out, but she doesn¡¯t respond. She is standing a little ahead of me near the caf¨¦ we¡¯re supposed to meet at, her back turned to me and staring intently at her phone. I take the last steps to close the distance and put my hand on her shoulder. ¡°Mona?¡± She jolts at my touch and spins around and a terrified expression flashes over her eyes before she recognizes me. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I ask her a little surprised at her reaction, but she quickly regains her composure and sends me a smile. ¡°H-hey Aaron¡± ¡°Uhm, is something wrong?¡± I ask her. The way she greeted me is completely unnatural. Normally it would be with a glare or an annoyed expression, so a smile is way too suspicious. ¡°O-oh, nothing. You just surprised me¡± she says, and I give her suspicious look. ¡°Did something happen?¡± I press her and see her eyes flicker for a moment. ¡°No, nothing. Why do you ask?¡± she says, seemingly confused at my question. I raise my eyebrow. I¡¯ve gotten to know her better and though she¡¯s really good at putting up a cold, indifferent demeanor I¡¯ve begun to be able to read her expressions. Something¡¯s up, I just don¡¯t know what¡­ ¡°Heeeey love birds!¡± I then hear a happy voice behind us, and I turn my head to spot the familiar, gaudy visage of Jen running towards us. Behind her walks a tall, skinny guy with blonde hair and freckles. He is pretty plainly dressed in comparison to Jen¡¯s punk-rock-emo-goth, or whatever is going on, attire. ¡°Hey Jen¡± I say with a smile when she reaches us. I bend down to receive the mandatory hug and Mona receives one as well. Behind her the freckled guy catches up and now stands beside her, a little awkwardly. Jen¡¯s clearly unaware of the weird atmosphere and immediately starts the introduction: ¡°So, guys this is Christian, and Christian this is Mona and Aaron¡± she smiles, and gestures while explaining and the freckled guy bows a little nervously.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°Did you guys wait long?¡± Jen asks. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. We¡¯ve been here for like; five minutes¡± Mona says. ¡°Good. Let¡¯s go!¡± Jen smiles and takes Mona¡¯s arm, much to Christian¡¯s bewilderment. Jen¡¯s painfully oblivious sometimes, I¡¯ve learned that by now. It can be quite refreshing, and in the beginning, it made it easy to gain information on Mona, but sometimes it really makes me want to kick her. I guess Mona feels the same way about her, but she seems to lighten up a little when Jen starts chatting on our way inside, and I can¡¯t really blame the girl for her innocence. We grab a couple of seats in a booth and Jen and Christian take seats next to each other, so Mona and I place ourselves across from them. Honestly, I mostly said yes to this date because Mona seemed so dismayed at the idea. I don¡¯t know why, but I really love the small expressions she makes, and I can¡¯t help but want to tease her, but it feels kind of awkward now that we are doing this. Another reason I agreed is that Mona has told me how Jen has always had trouble with guys. She apparently went out with a lot of shady types who used her or otherwise treated her badly. Since we¡¯ve kind of become friends I feel a little protective of the girl, so I was curious about what kind of guy she¡¯d be bringing. He seems a little shy, but the way he looks at her shows he¡¯s clearly in love. I guess you¡¯d have to be to agree to this cringy idea. I glance at Mona beside me. ¡°I really can¡¯t decide: Cheesecake or raspberry pie?¡± Jen grumbles and stares troubled at her menu. ¡°U-uhm, we could get both and share, if you want?¡± Christian suggests and I have to acknowledge the guy; He knows her love for sweets. We receive our orders of coffee, cake and nachos ¨C I¡¯m hungry ¨C and the conversation mainly flows due to Jen¡¯s endless chatter. That¡¯s one of the good things about her, though. Christian seems to relax a little as we chat and I learn we have something in common: He apparently also goes to university, though a year above Jen and Mona and at the other end of town, and he studies architecture like me. Our other interests seem pretty different though; a lot of gaming, watching anime and some more obscure hobbies I can¡¯t really follow. But I guess that¡¯s what makes him and Jen a good match. Good for her. Mona seems a little distant during our conversation and I can¡¯t help but feel something¡¯s up with her. When we finish our meal and there¡¯s a pause Jen suddenly asks: ¡°You guys want to watch a movie after this?¡± The question seems to be directed at me and Mona and I send her an inquiring look. I don¡¯t really mind, but I wonder if she¡¯s in the mood. ¡°Uhm¡­ I don¡¯t really know guys¡­ I¡¯m a little tired today, so maybe we could go together next time?¡± she says a little listlessly. Maybe she really is just tired and that¡¯s all that¡¯s up with her? ¡°Oh¡­ Okay¡± Jen says a little dejected and Christian sends her a loving smile. ¡°If you want we can go together, just the two of us then?¡± he asks shyly and Jen¡¯s face lights up. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Y-yeah, anything you want to watch?¡± Jen excitedly pulls out her phone to search which movies are running and the two of them start talking about prospective theatres. I turn to Mona. ¡°You want to head back to your place together?¡± She seems to consider my suggestion and from her expression I expect a rejection, but then something mischievous glints in her eyes. ¡°Sure, if you don¡¯t mind me being a little rough on you?¡± Episode 17: Who is He? We wave goodbye to Jen and Christian in front of the caf¨¦ and make our way towards the bus stop. I have a car, but I don¡¯t really use it much since traffic in the city can be really inconvenient. I mostly use it when I need to travel longer distances, or I when I come by Mona¡¯s place, so I don¡¯t have to rely on public transportation in the later hours. She still hasn¡¯t let me spend the night ¨C other than one time when we¡¯d been going at it for hours and ended up passing out from exhaustion ¨C but she¡¯s come to terms with cuddling after sex and spending time doing other things, though she still grumbles a bit. I¡¯ve begun to find it kind of cute the way she resists me but always ends up buckling under the pressure. During the ride I wonder if I should ask her about what¡¯s going on with her. I can¡¯t help but feel it¡¯s something more than just being tired¡­ but it¡¯s probably better to wait until we get back to her place. We get off the bus and make our way to her apartment, while chatting a little about Christian and Jen. She seems happy and relieved that Jen¡¯s found a decent guy to be with and I can¡¯t help but smile at her expressions. We get inside the complex and make our way to the elevator that opens with a ¡®ding¡¯ and she moved as if to get in. Then stop dead in her tracks. I see how her whole body freezes and the color drains from her face, and she takes a step back. In front of us in the elevator stands a man. He looks clean-cut, businesslike; he has brown hair and green eyes and, on his lips, forms a grin. For some reason that expression makes all of the hairs on my body is stand up. ¡°Mona! There you are!¡± he says and steps out of the elevator, ¡°I thought I might have been in vain coming here, but this is great timing¡±. This guy is dangerous. Mona¡¯s reaction and the look in his eyes tells me so, and I instinctively move my body in front of her. He needs to go. Now. ¡°Oh, who¡¯s this? Your boyfriend?¡± the man asks and glances me up and down, estimating me. ¡°He¡¯s no one, Daniel¡± she says and there is a chill in her voice I haven¡¯t heard before. She pushes me away a little dismissively and I feel a sting at her words.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! ¡°Hmm¡­ Maybe it was bad timing coming here?¡± he asks, still a fake smile on his lips. ¡°It is¡± she says sharply. ¡°Oh, well¡­ Next time then¡± he says scratching his neck. ¡°Yes¡± Then he makes his way past Mona and just as he does, he bends down and whispers something in her ear. I clench my fists and resist the urge to shove him against the wall and bite his head off, and my eyes follow him as he leaves. Chill Aaron, chill. Don¡¯t do something you¡¯ll regret. The nonchalant walk, almost a spring in his steps. He clearly saw how she reacted to him and he enjoyed it. My attention returns to the woman next to me and I notice she is shaking. ¡°Mona, are you okay?¡± I say this as I reach out to touch her shoulder, but she recoils from my touch. ¡°I¡¯m fine¡± she says in a cold voice, then she steps into the elevator and I quickly follow her. Inside she like a statue: unmoving and silent, but as soon as we reach our floor she suddenly storms out and starts running down the hallway. ¡°Hey, Mona!¡± I yell in surprise and run after her. She¡¯s fumbling with her keys to unlock her door and just when I reach the door, she gets it open and nearly smashes it in my face, but I catch it before she does. ¡°H-hey!¡± I exclaim in surprise. ¡°I-I think you should go, but t-thank you for today¡± she says, and her voice is trembling. She¡¯s doing everything she can to seem natural; like she didn¡¯t just sprint down the hallway in a panic and is trying to shut the door in my face with shaking hands. ¡°I don¡¯t think I should¡± I tell her and force the door open. For a moment her expression is utter terror and she takes a step back as I make my way inside. Who was that guy? What did he do to her, to make her like this? I want to run back after him and bash his head in, make sure he can never hurt her again. He was reveling in her terrified reaction. I¡¯ve never seen her like this before; so scared, shaken up and vulnerable. I need to do something. I need to comfort her. I close the door behind me, and she looks like she¡¯s been caught by a wild animal. I stretch out my arms to take her in my embrace and she immediately steps back. Why is she looking at me like I¡¯m going to hurt her? ¡°Who was that guy, Mona?¡± I ask her. I need to know. ¡°Aaron, I just want you to go¡± She¡¯s hugging her arms like she¡¯s trying to comfort herself. ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡± She looks at me with so much pain and sorrow that it makes my heart ache, then she takes a deep breath to collect herself and her expression hardens. ¡°Aaron, leave. That¡¯s an order¡± her voice is cold and sharp. ¡°I¡¯m your boyfriend, not your pet. I don¡¯t take orders from you¡± I tell her snarling at her words. Why is she determined to push me away? Why can¡¯t I know what¡¯s going on with her? Why does she have to try to hurt me every time I get close? ¡°Then I don¡¯t need you!¡± she yells, her voice full of anger and despair. ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± I yell just as angry, ¡°who was that guy? Tell me!¡± ¡°No one, Aaron!¡± she lies insistently. ¡°I don¡¯t believe you, who was he?¡± I¡¯m getting really irritated. ¡°I said: No one!¡± she yells, ¡°why do you even care so much?¡± ¡°Because I love you!¡± The words just fly out of my mouth before I have time to stop them. I wasn¡¯t supposed to say that. It isn¡¯t time yet, she¡¯s not ready to hear it. And I¡¯m not prepared for her response when she immediately yells: ¡°Well I don¡¯t!¡± Episode 18: Break Up ¡°Well I don¡¯t!¡± The words just fly out of my mouth. I mean, it¡¯s true; I don¡¯t love him. I¡¯m just going along with this whole relationship charade because he¡¯s so pushy. I¡¯ve tried to tell him off multiple times, even. He should know that it doesn¡¯t mean anything to me, and I shouldn¡¯t feel bad for saying it out loud. Yet, I can¡¯t help but regret it a little when I see his expression. The hallway is dead silent. ¡°Is that so¡­¡± Aaron finally says, his speech slow and monotonous. I feel numb and heavy. ¡°You know what? I thought I could do this¡­ Turns out I can¡¯t¡­¡± he mumbles, looking down at his feet. I feel like someone is stabbing my chest with a knife, and my body is both hot and cold, and I can¡¯t move. Then he finally looks at me with a sorrowful smile. ¡°Goodbye Mona.¡± No, don¡¯t go! I feel a strange urge to reach out and grab a hold of him. Tell him not to leave. Then he turns around, opens the door and walks out. I don¡¯t stop him. When the door closes behind him, I suddenly feel like every ounce of energy has been zapped from my body. I can¡¯t even stand, so I fall to the floor. I can¡¯t breathe. The pain in my chest won¡¯t let me.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. What is this? Why am I feeling this way? I don¡¯t understand. I notice tears are streaming down my face. Why do I feel this way? Make it stop¡­ ¡­ The next time I see him is Monday in the cafeteria. He is standing in line at the counter with a couple of friends and when our eyes meet, I half expect him to smile and come running¡­ or give me puppy-eyes and start apologizing¡­ but he doesn¡¯t. Instead he looks away like he never saw me, and I¡¯m left standing clutching my shirt at the strange sensation in my chest. The next few days I don¡¯t see him at all, and he doesn¡¯t text me. I guess¡­ it¡¯s really over¡­? Before a lecture, finding our seats Jen suddenly asks me: ¡°Hey, did you and Aaron have a fight?¡± She¡¯s giving me an annoyingly worried expression as she says it and I squint. How did she know? Like she¡¯d read my mind she adds: ¡°Cause, he hasn¡¯t texted me about where you were lately¡­ so¡­ did something happen?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s nothing much, we just broke up is all¡± Her eyes widen in horror. ¡°What?!¡± People in the lecture hall turns around at her sudden outburst and my cheeks burn under the curious gazes. It¡¯s good that the professor hasn¡¯t arrived yet, but god¡­ could she not do this? ¡°Shh¡­¡± She covers her mouth when she realizes that everyone is staring at us. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± she mumbles embarrassed, ¡°but why? He was such a good guy and you made such a great couple.¡± A great couple? We weren¡¯t really a couple. It was just him making strange demands in a sexual arrangement, that I indulged in because he was a good fuck. That¡¯s all. That¡¯s all¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t need a boyfriend, Jen¡± I snarl and I¡¯m surprised at my own hostility answering her question. So is she, because she makes a face like a kicked puppy. ¡°Sorry¡­ It just didn¡¯t work out, okay? And I don¡¯t want to talk about it¡­¡± I add in a softer tone. ¡°Fine¡­ but if you ever do, know that I¡¯m here for you. Break ups can be rough, y¡¯know?¡± she says, sounding slightly sad. Then her head perks up and I know by instinct that she¡¯s going to suggest something stupid. ¡°How about we like, get a ton of ice cream and rent a bad movie and watch it together. Y¡¯know, girl-time?¡± she says all chipper again. Okay, that doesn¡¯t sound too stupid. You never know with what crazy ideas Jen might come up with, but that sound tolerable. Totally clich¨¦ and not really my style, but it doesn¡¯t sound too bad. Might be kind of nice¡­? ¡°Sure, Jen¡± Episode 19: Visitor It¡¯s a about an hour before Jen is supposed to show up when my doorbell rings. I figure the clumsy girl must have gotten the time mixed up and get up to answer. ¡°Jen, you¡¯re like an hour ear-¡° I stop when I see it isn¡¯t Jen. It¡¯s him. ¡°Hey sis! Expecting someone else?¡± Contrasting the last time I saw him; he¡¯s wearing a casual outfit. His brown hair is unwaxed and his curls are drizzled with rain. His green eyes have a friendly expression, like he¡¯s happy to see me. It makes my stomach churn. ¡°Daniel. Yes, I was in fact I was. My friend Jen is coming soon¡± I tell him as calmly as I can. He¡¯ll go away if he knows I¡¯ll have company. ¡°Oh¡­ When is she coming? Don¡¯t you have time for a quick cup of coffee? I never got to taste it last time.¡± ¡°N-no¡­ I-it really isn¡¯t a good time¡­¡± He seems to be inspecting me closely. ¡°Hmmm¡­? I thought you just said she was an hour early? If she had been the one knocking on your door, that is¡­¡± I pale. I had hoped he didn¡¯t hear me. ¡°I-I¡­ I got to prepare for h-her visit, s-so it isn¡¯t really isn¡¯t a good time¡­¡± I try to explain, hoping he¡¯ll give up. ¡°Oh, just a quick cup. You can clean up meanwhile, I won¡¯t disturb you¡± he smiles. He begins moving forward and instinctively I take a step back. I can¡¯t do anything but watch as he steps inside, without taking off his shoes. I¡¯m shaking too much. He makes his way to the kitchen and I hear a chair creak as he takes a seat at the dinner table. ¡°Sis, you coming?¡± he yells, and I¡¯m brought back from my trance. My footsteps are heavy as they take me to the kitchen to join him. He wanted coffee¡­ I better make some. I¡¯m listening to his every movement as I do it. He isn¡¯t speaking and isn¡¯t moving. I know he¡¯s waiting for the moment I put down my guard. Like a tiger stalking its prey, waiting for the moment to strike. I was taken by surprise last time, too shaken up by his sudden appearance. I¡¯m not that na?ve this time. But the sound of the boiling kettle masks his silent movements and I¡¯m still surprised when he suddenly stands right behind me, his breath close to my ear.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°We were interrupted last time, don¡¯t you think?¡± His voice is like a slithering snake crawling into my ear and it fills me with disgust. His hand is softly stroking my nape, sending cold shivers throughout my body. Then he suddenly grabs it tight and forces my head down on the counter. ¡°Who was that guy you were with last time?¡± His voice is angry. I should have known he wouldn¡¯t let that go. I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s going to do to me, when he¡¯s angry he gets unpredictable and dangerous. He might not even do anything to me but take it out on Aaron instead. I can¡¯t let that happen. ¡°H-he¡¯s no one Daniel¡± I mutter between clenched teeth, ¡°just a fuck-buddy. I don¡¯t see him anymore¡± His grip tightens. ¡°I don¡¯t remember giving you permission to be touched by anyone else¡± he snarls, ¡°even if it¡¯s been five years since we last saw each other¡± I swallow. ¡°How are you going to make it up to me?¡± His grip loosens a bit as he says it and his hand begins wandering down my back, then he slaps my behind. I whimper a little from the pain. ¡°I-I¡­¡± I stutter, but he interrupts me: ¡°I haven¡¯t given you permission to talk, now have I?¡± Then he grabs my hair and forces me to turn around and I see the cool fire burning in his eyes. They begin wandering down my body as his hand softly caresses my neck. I¡¯m shaking. Then he clenches it around my throat, and I begin feeling a little dizzy from the lack of air. He sighs. ¡°It¡¯s really too bad we don¡¯t have enough time for a proper punishment¡± ¡°Get on your knees¡± As he let¡¯s go, I drop to my knees coughing and I hear him fumbling with his belt as I gasp to catch my breath. Please, anyone¡­ help me. Then the sound of the doorbell. He halts and I listen with a racing heart. Then the doorbell chimes again. ¡°Hello! Mona! You home?¡± Jen¡¯s muffled voice sounds a second later, through the front door. A slightly irritated growl escapes Daniel¡¯s lips and I¡¯m on the brink of tears from relief. ¡°Another time, then¡± he bends down and whispers in my ear, then he starts moving out into the hallway buckling his belt. I get on my feet, though my legs are shaking uncontrollably, just in time to hear the door open and Jen¡¯s surprised voice: ¡°Oh! W-who are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Mona¡¯s brother, Daniel. Nice to meet you, you must be Jen?¡± ¡°Oh! Yeah, Mona mentioned she had a brother, real nice to meet you. She inside?¡± ¡°She¡¯s in the kitchen making coffee, but I¡¯m sure you can just come inside. I was just leaving, though¡± Right. I was making coffee. I turn around to pour the water on the filter, but my hands are shaking so I spill a little. ¡°Aaw¡­ That¡¯s too bad, it would have been nice talking to you.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡­ I was just stopping by for a quick visit. I¡¯m sure you girls would like to have some time for yourselves.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the plan! Girls night!¡± I hear a sound like bags rustling, and he chuckles. ¡°Of course. Well, nice meeting you Jen. Have a good evening!¡± Then the door closes and I hear Jen take off her shoes, then her footsteps entering the kitchen and the rustling of bags. ¡°Hey, Mona! Look what I¡¯ve brought!¡± she calls out happily behind me. I turn around and see her standing with two plastic bags raised in the air. She¡¯s smiling and then puts the bags down on the dinner table. ¡°I have chocolate-mint, peanut-caramel, cookie dough, vanilla-rum¡­¡± she begins explaining as she takes out different canisters of ice cream and spreads them on the table. ¡°W-wow, that¡¯s a lot¡­¡± I say, trying to sound as natural as possible but I think my voice trembles a little. I feel nauseous. She looks up as if to say something but stops and I flinch at the worried expression that forms on her face. ¡°Hey, you okay?¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­ I-I¡¯m fine¡­¡± I say, but I suddenly feel so sick I can¡¯t hold it in. So I turn around and vomit. Episode 20: My Deepest Darkest Secret ¡°Mona!¡± Jen hurries over to me and holds my hair as my stomach contents spills into the kitchen sink. I¡¯m coughing and retching, and my hands are shaking so hard I can barely hold onto the counter. ¡°A-are you sick?¡± she asks, but I can¡¯t answer. I feel tears forming in my eyes. Why now? Why did this have to happen now? I don¡¯t want Jen to see this. I don¡¯t want her to know. When I¡¯m finally done, Jen hands me a paper towel so I can dry my mouth and I turn around panting and shivering. ¡°Mona, are you okay?¡± Jen asks me with a worried expression. I look down. I can¡¯t face her, I can¡¯t answer. ¡°Are you sick?¡± I shake my head. ¡°Then, did something happen with your brother?¡± Her question makes me turn to stone. I can¡¯t breathe. Don¡¯t ask me about this, Jen¡­ please¡­ ¡°Tell me.¡± Her voice is soft, but insistent and when I look into her eyes so full of worry, I suddenly can¡¯t hold back the tears. They start trickling down my cheeks, betraying the mask I was so desperately trying to put on. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t¡­¡± I stifle. Jen¡¯s thin arms then gently wrap around me and I shake in her embrace. ¡°You need to tell someone, Mona¡­ It¡¯s slowly killing you¡­¡± she whispers. ¡°No¡­ I-I¡­¡± My tears won¡¯t stop. Why is this clumsy, oblivious girl now so frighteningly perceptive? ¡°I¡¯m your best friend and I¡¯ll always listen¡­¡± ¡°I¡­ I know¡­¡± I whisper between sobs. Then she suddenly pushes me out from her and instead grabs my hand and pulls me to the living room. Reflexively I sit down when she gestures me to, and then we just sit there on the couch, her hand still holding mine. ¡°Won¡¯t you tell me?¡± she then asks. ¡°Jen¡­ I can¡¯t¡± ¡°You can¡± ¡°I-I can¡¯t¡­ I¡¯m afraid I might break¡­¡± ¡°You already are¡­¡± She gives my hand a gentle squeeze and I look at her. This friendship started as a whim. She seemed interesting and I liked her refreshing honesty and how different she was. Her clumsy kindness, her oblivious nature¡­ And how she didn¡¯t judge me for how I acted. When rumors started spreading about me, she didn¡¯t seem to care about it and treated me exactly like before. When she asked about the men I was seeing or had one-night stands with, it was out of curiosity, not disgust. She would ask me about myself but didn¡¯t pry. I started to really appreciate this friendship. It might be the closest I¡¯ve ever been to a person.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. She strokes my hair. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mona¡­¡± she says, and her warm expression is so comforting, I feel I might be able to tell her¡­ ¡°It began when I was around twelve, I think¡­¡± I begin and when the words finally come out my mouth, it¡¯s like opening a faucet¡­ And I can¡¯t stop, so I tell her everything¡­ I used to look up to my brother. He was always there for me, even when our parents weren¡¯t. They had fancy, important jobs and not much time for their children. Seeing as my brother is seven years older than me, they trusted him a lot to take care of me. I didn¡¯t really have a lot of friends growing up, and I didn¡¯t understand why until much later. So, I was a lonely kid. Just had big brother to rely on. So we¡¯d do most things together. We¡¯d go shopping, he¡¯d cook for me, we¡¯d play video- or boardgames and go out swimming in the pool in the summer. He was very popular and had a lot of friends, so I was very grateful that he¡¯d spend so much time with me. I relied on him, and I was happy. I was bullied in school which just added further to my isolation but being with him made me happy. It was like he was the only person in the world who was on my side. But around the time I started middle school I began to notice that something was off. In the beginning I could talk to my new classmates and even had some of them visit my house. I started opening up a little to the people around me and thought that I could finally have some friends. They also seemed to really like my brother and we¡¯d all get along nicely. But with time they began to seem more and more occupied with him than with me, and one day they suddenly stopped coming. They¡¯d stay away from me at school and my other classmates would ignore me or be mean to me. I didn¡¯t understand what was going on and I was so confused and sad. So I turned to my brother, like I always did, and he provided the warmth and comfort that I was always craving. So, it¡¯d be just the two of us again. Alone. Then he started coming to my room at night. At first, I thought he just wanted to sleep together like when we were younger, but he started touching me in places¡­ Places I knew he wasn¡¯t supposed to touch¡­ And he wanted me to touch him as well. I was too scared to refuse him or tell anyone about it. I hated every minute of it, but I was also afraid that he¡¯d leave me. Afraid I¡¯d be all alone again. So I did my best to endure it. ¡®It¡¯s just touching¡¯ I thought, ¡®it¡¯s not that bad¡¯. But it escalated and when I was fourteen just touching wasn¡¯t enough for him anymore. Our parents were both away on a business trip, so there was no one in the house to hear my screams. After that I shut myself in my room for three days. I didn¡¯t want him anywhere near me. I even tried to harm myself. My parents found out about my self-harm, but they thought it was just some teenage phase. That self-harm was the new trend. They didn¡¯t even bother send me to a psychiatrist, and I didn¡¯t know how to tell them about the real reason. They seemed completely unaware of my brother¡¯s true self. That, or they just didn¡¯t want to see it. So they had no problem leaving me alone with him and over time it happened again¡­ and again¡­ and again. I was his puppet, his play-thing, and he would test out more and more extreme things out on me; Tie me up, hit me, choke me. He got a girlfriend and when I heard them alone together at night, I thought that would be the end of my suffering, but he¡¯d still come to my room without fail. Maybe she wasn¡¯t into the same fetishes as him, or maybe he just enjoyed that I was completely under his control. Day and night. I couldn¡¯t go anywhere or do anything without him breathing down my neck. Then when I was around seventeen, he went rampant when he found out I had been to a party with classmates from high school. I came home in the early in the evening, but he must have smelled the booze on me that someone had snuck in, because he was immediately angry. He dragged me to his room where he¡¯d beat me, then tie me up and use me like a ragdoll. Afterwards I was so out of it I just ran out of the house ¨C barefoot and bloodied. That¡¯s where I ran into my neighbor, Aunt Rose, as we called her. She was coming home late from visiting her son and as she came out of the cab. She noticed my appearance and rushed me inside her home where she tended to my wounds and sheltered me for the night. In the morning I was so afraid that she¡¯d send me back home, but she didn¡¯t. Instead she let me stay and when my brother or parents came by to ask if she¡¯d seen me, she said she hadn¡¯t. I think I might have stayed with her for a week, without leaving the house, when she came and told me she¡¯d help me move. She did ask me what happened and who beat me, and I told her it was my brother, though I never told her about the other things he did to me. She wanted me to press charges, but I was too young and too scared, so instead she just helped me get away. We lived in a wealthy neighborhood, so I figure she must have had a lot of money, because she paid for an apartment out of town and she got all the paperwork in order, so I could transfer schools. How, I don¡¯t know. Never asked. When I was eighteen and graduated, she helped me receive my inheritance from my grandmother, so when he found me again a year later, I used some of that money to move to this town. Then I worked for a few years to add a little more money to the pool, so I could go to university. I haven¡¯t seen or talked to my parents or my brother since¡­ Until now. Episode 21: Comfort Jen swallows when my words finally die out and my tale is over. Tears are streaming down her face, and she seems like she doesn¡¯t know what to say. ¡°I-I had no idea¡­¡± she stifles, ¡°you are so strong¡­ Mona¡­¡± She grabs me and pulls me into her arms, wanting to comfort me. I¡¯m not even crying; I just feel cold. Cold and at the same time a comforting warmth is spreading throughout my body. I¡¯ve never told anyone about this but now that I have, I feel weak. Lonely, sad, empty, relieved¡­ ¡°You can¡¯t ever see him again!¡± Jen suddenly exclaims and jumps up, ¡°he was just here like it was nothing!¡± Her expression is mix between horror and panic. I feel like a stranger watching her. ¡°You need to get a restraining order against him!¡± I have already thought about it but even if I can get a temporary restraining order there¡¯ll still be a hearing, and the lack of witnesses is¡­ Troubling. My brother was very careful to isolate me, and never did anything to me where other people might see. Plus, he¡¯s a lawyer. ¡°That¡¯s never going to work, it¡¯ll just make him angry¡± I tell her. ¡°It has to! The law is supposed to protect people like you!¡± she exclaims agitated, ¡°There must be something we can do!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Jen¡­¡± I sigh. ¡°We could ask some students from Law¡­¡± ¡°No! Jen, I told you my story but I¡¯m not telling anyone else and definitely not telling a stranger!¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. I shiver at the thought of speaking my secret aloud once more and I certainly don¡¯t want some random law student to know, so they can spread the rumor all around school. ¡°But they could help us! We could just present the case like a hypothetical; they¡¯d never need to know that it¡¯s about you¡± she insists. I consider the suggestion a little. That might be okay¡­ but still, they too easily could figure out that the story is about one of us if they pry a little¡­ Or are a little intuitive. ¡°I don¡¯t know Jen, what if they figure it out anyway and spread it around school?¡± She seems to contemplate a little. ¡°Then how about we ask Aaron? Architecture is right next to Law, so he might know someone who we could trust?¡± ¡°No! Absolutely not! I¡¯m not getting Aaron involved in this!¡± I shout, horrified by the suggestion. ¡°Besides¡­ We don¡¯t have anything to do with each other anymore¡­¡± I add a little softer. The last part hurts a little to say, but I really don¡¯t want him involved in this. He¡¯d know right away that the story is about me and I¡¯m not sure I could handle the shame¡­ ¡°Okay, okay¡­¡± Jen finally resigns, ¡°but think about it. I really don¡¯t want your brother anywhere near you again.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Somehow, it¡¯s comforting that Jen knows about my history. It feels like the burden got a little lighter to carry¡­ ¡­ I¡¯m in the fitness center when my phone suddenly dings. It¡¯s a message from Jen, which surprises me a bit; I haven¡¯t talked to her since I broke up with Mona almost two weeks ago. ¡®Aaron, I need to talk to you¡¯ is all it says. ¡®About what?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s about Mona. It¡¯s important, but I don¡¯t want her to find out. Can we meet up somewhere?¡¯ I frown a little at the text. I don¡¯t see why I would need to talk to about her anymore¡­ But then again, I can¡¯t help but feel a little curious. I¡¯m not exactly over her yet¡­ ¡®Fine. Where?¡¯ ¡®Can we meet at your place?¡¯ ¡®Sure¡¯ I¡¯m about to write, but my phone dings again immediately. ¡®Oh, and do you know anyone from law?¡¯ ¡®I do. I talk to a guy named Jonathan, why?¡¯ ¡®Can you bring him too?¡¯ Now she¡¯s really got me curious. What is this about? ¡®Sure, why?¡¯ I ask her. ¡®Great! Can you text me when you guys have time to meet up?¡¯ ¡®Uhm¡­ All right¡­?¡¯ This girl. She¡¯s sweet, friendly and clumsy but I can¡¯t help but question if that¡¯s all there is to her. I wonder what is going on, so I immediately text Jonathan and he gives me the thumbs up, though he is just as curious about what she wants. Episode 22: Legal Advice ¡°All right¡± Jen says and shuffles a little in her seat. I look at Jonathan next to me. He¡¯s tall, has brown hair and wears glasses but he¡¯s handsome, so the girls like him. Though, not as much as me of course. I went to high school with him and we got along pretty well, though we weren¡¯t the closest friends. It was a nice surprise to find that he went to the same university as I applied to, although he is a year above me and in a different department. He¡¯s a nice guy. ¡°I know you¡¯re pretty curious about why I brought you here¡± she begins, ¡°it¡¯s because I need legal advice¡± ¡°Okay? Is that why I¡¯m here?¡± Jonathan asks. ¡°Correct. Sorry that I just brought you here out of the blue, like this¡­ but it is important¡± ¡°And I¡¯m here because I¡¯m the host of this ordeal?¡± I chuckle. ¡°Yeah¡­ Sorry about that too¡­¡± she smiles. ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you is a hypothetical case, but even so you shouldn¡¯t tell anyone about it. Ever¡± she says, and her expression is serious and determined, ¡°promise?¡± ¡°Uhm, sure¡± ¡°Yes¡± Me and Jonathan give our confirmations almost simultaneously and Jen smiles satisfied, then she begins: ¡°The case is of a young woman. She moved away from home when she was seventeen because she was abused by her brother. Now he has come to find her again and she is¡­ well, scared shitless. She wants a restraining order against him, but problem is proving what he¡¯s done to her. He¡¯s also a lawyer¡± John nods attentively as she continues to explain and I begin wondering¡­ Jen said that this was about Mona, does that mean this hypothetical case is about her? Or was that just a ruse she used to get me and Jonathan here¡­? I eye her suspiciously. Jen doesn¡¯t have many friends, so this must be about Mona. Is that who the brown-haired dude was; her brother? Is that why she reacted the way she did? ¡°About him being a lawyer¡± John begins when she¡¯s done talking, ¡°he still needs to obey the law and there aren¡¯t many loop holes to exploit in a case of a restraining order, so it shouldn¡¯t matter even if he has legal experience.¡± Jen nods. ¡°Well, the burden of proof lies with the accuser. Does she have any threatening texts or voicemails?¡± John asks. ¡°No¡± ¡°Are there any witnesses to the abuse?¡± ¡°Only an old lady from her hometown, but she¡¯s very ill¡­ I don¡¯t know how bad it is¡­¡± ¡°Well¡­ Considering the close relationship of parties in a case of domestic violence and since a restraining order is not something that goes on a person¡¯s criminal record, but only serves to protect the petitioner, the burden of proof is usually light and the judge is more likely than not to rule in their favor.¡± Jen sighs in relief and so do I, though silent and under my breath, but our relief is short.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°However, you almost always need some sort of proof; Pictures, texts, voicemails, witnesses¡­ Otherwise it¡¯s a case of he said she said¡­ And the judge might not rule in her favor, then.¡± John adds and me and Jen both tense up again. ¡°The best advice I can give, is that this woman should try and recall as many details about incidents of the abuse as she can. In court a defending attorney would ask her to make what we call ¡®foundation¡¯ of her testimony. That includes who was involved and what happened as well as when and where it took place. Then she should try and reach out to the old lady, and anyone who might have seen something; go through old photographs ¨C anything ¨C to try and gather some proof. Then she should file for a restraining order as soon as possible and also contact a licensed attorney¡­ Since I can¡¯t really help much as a mere student¡± ¡°Right.¡± ¡°And a real lawyer would be much better to discuss the intimate details of the case with. The petitioner should also be aware that she is the one who has to provide the sheriff¡¯s office with the court summons and the respondent¡¯s contact information.¡± Jen nods again. ¡°Okay, so: Remember details, get proof, get a lawyer and the brother¡¯s address. Noted¡± she mumbles. She looks strained, which is an odd sight considering her cheerful nature, but most appropriate in the situation and it resonates well with my own emotions. ¡°And since you mentioned he just began harassing her again, she should take extra care of herself in the days before the petition is filed and a temporary restraining order is granted. Does she have anyone she can stay with?¡± ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s staying at my place.¡± Jen suddenly covers her mouth when she realizes she just gave us a clue to find out who the case is about, but john just holds up his hand and speaks calmly: ¡°It¡¯s fine. Let us call this attorney-client privilege. I won¡¯t tell a soul.¡± Jen sighs a breath of relief. I feel like my heart just sank to the bottom of my chest at her words. ¡°Thank you, Jonathan and for everything¡­¡± ¡°John¡¯s fine, and you¡¯re welcome. It¡¯s good experience to advice others on real legal cases.¡± John¡¯s so calm and serious¡­ He¡¯s going to be a good lawyer someday. Me on the other hand¡­ I¡¯m shaking. I didn¡¯t know that the man I saw was Mona¡¯s brother, or that he¡¯d abused her to the extent that she needed a restraining order. I see her before me; her terrified expression and shivering shoulders¡­ How could I have left her alone? When the conversation finishes John¡¯s the first to leave and I stop Jen on her way out the door: ¡°This was about Mona, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°A-Aaron, I¡­¡± she looks away, unwilling to meet my gaze. But she doesn¡¯t have to answer me with words, I already know and the way she avoids my question is all the confirmation I need. ¡°I know this was about her. That guy I saw, was that her brother?¡± She slowly nods. ¡°And he¡­ used to¡­ abuse her?¡± I swallow as I ask my question. Ever so slowly she nods again. ¡°I need to go to her. I need to apologize¡± I¡¯m already halfway out the door, my body moving by pure instinct, but Jen grabs me and holds me back. ¡°No! if she knew I¡¯d told you¡­ I¡¯m not sure she would ever talk to me again¡­¡± Her face wears a desperate expression. She¡¯s right. Mona¡¯s not exactly the forgiving type, though Jen might just be the only person in the world who could get away with it. But even she¡¯d first have to suffer greatly before earning redemption in Mona¡¯s eyes and in the meantime they¡¯d both be all alone, so I halt. ¡°Jen¡­ I need to see her¡± ¡°Is it out of pity?¡± She wears a stern expression as she asks it and I swallow. Is that what I¡¯m feeling? No, I still love her, and I¡¯m concerned for her. When she told me she didn¡¯t return her feelings I was too angry and hurt to think further about the reason she reacted as she did. I know that I pushed her too far in that situation and with this new knowledge and can¡¯t blame her for her agitation. No, this isn¡¯t pity ¨C it¡¯s new perspective. ¡°No¡± I tell her determined. ¡°Good. She might need you¡± Jen says, ¡°but if you show up now out of the blue with renewed attitude, she¡¯s going to know something¡¯s up and she¡¯ll never accept you or your help. It has to come from the heart, you know that¡­¡± I nod. She¡¯s right, it would be weird if I came running now and apologized. And she would never accept my feelings as anything but pity. I understand that, but the urge to see her is consuming. ¡°Give us a little time, Aaron. Let us file the temporary restraining order and we¡¯ll see about meeting up or talking later¡­ Okay?¡± I nod again. I just wish there was something I could do. ¡°I¡¯ll see you - and thank you¡± Jen says and kisses my cheek before she leaves out the front door. Episode 23: The Leak My hands tremble as we exit the lawyer¡¯s office. It wasn¡¯t even a real meeting, just introduction and talk about payments, but I¡¯m so nervous. I think Jen notices, because she grabs my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. ¡°It¡¯s okay. This is just the first step, but we can do this¡± she says, and I cringe a little at the statement that sounds like this is both of our problem and not just mine. But she¡¯s trying to comfort me, so I take a deep breath. I can¡¯t believe she got me convinced to go through with the process of getting a restraining order. I nearly ripped her head off when she told me she had spoken about my case with a student from law, but she assured me they had only spoken in hypotheticals and that she¡¯d just asked about the procedures and burden of evidence involved. I guess I¡¯ll trust her for now¡­ I could use the support and I probably couldn¡¯t do it without her. Which is an odd feeling, by the way. I had become so used to not relying on anyone that my dependence on her right now, makes me slightly nervous. We walk a little hand in hand to the bus stop, when she suddenly says: ¡°I talked to Aaron, by the way. I think he misses you¡­¡± I pale a little. Why would she talk to him suddenly? ¡°You didn¡¯t tell him about this, did you?¡± ¡°N-no¡± she stutters, and her eyes flicker a little. ¡°Jen, you didn¡¯t?¡± I feel my heart beating faster. She better not have, I don¡¯t want him involved. Her eyes better not have flickered because she¡¯s lying to me. ¡°Mona, I-I¡­¡± she can¡¯t even look me in the eye. ¡°Jen! I can¡¯t believe you!¡± I shout and pull my hand away. I feel tears and anger welling up. I didn¡¯t want him to know, why did she tell him? The last thing I want is for him to look at me with pity. Not him! Jen looks at me with a regretful expression and tries to reach out for me again, but I won¡¯t have it. Fucking betrayer! ¡°Don¡¯t touch me!¡± Then I start running. Down the crowded street without a care for who I bump into, tears clouding my vision. I can¡¯t believe this. Then I spot a cab that has just dropped off someone and I hurriedly make my way over.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. I hear Jen¡¯s voice somewhere behind me: ¡°Mona!¡± I jump into the backseat and tell the cabbie to drive and as he turns onto the road, I notice Jen¡¯s visage in the rearview mirror. But I don¡¯t care, I just need to go home. To get away. I make my way into the complex elevator and reach my front door. When I enter, it¡¯s dark inside. The curtains are drawn closed and the air is stagnant in here. I haven¡¯t been back for more than a week but stayed at Jen¡¯s apartment. This dreary environment is oddly appropriate to my mood. I throw my keys on the kitchen table on my way to the living room and fling myself on the couch. This is the worst. A few hours later my doorbell rings and I stiffen. My phone¡¯s off so it could be Jen coming to apologize in person. I don¡¯t want to talk to her yet, so I hope it¡¯s not¡­ though it would still be better than the second option: That it is my brother. I¡¯m suddenly hit with a dread. Even if I was angry, maybe I shouldn¡¯t have left Jen and ran home. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s safe here¡­ The doorbell rings once more and I move a little to get up and I notice my heart is racing as I approach the front door. It rings again and this time I hear a voice call out on the other side: ¡°Mona, you in here?¡± I almost shudder with relief when I recognize the voice. It¡¯s not my brother. Though I don¡¯t really feel more inclined to open, because it isn¡¯t Jen or a salesperson either; It¡¯s Aaron. What the hell is he doing here? ¡°Mona! You¡¯re in there, aren¡¯t you? Jen told me what happened, and we need to talk¡± What, Talk about what exactly? I don¡¯t need your fucking pity. I don¡¯t need you in my life, I don¡¯t need you! I don¡¯t really know why it makes me so angry that he¡¯s here, why I¡¯m so angry that Jen told him. Would I have felt differently if it was someone else who knew? ¡°I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re in there, but I¡¯m going to wait here until you show up or talk to me.¡± ¡®Wait until you rot¡¯ I think to myself, but for some reason I find myself leaning against the door unable to move away. It¡¯s quiet for a while, then his voice sounds again and for some reason it tucks at my heartstrings. ¡°Mona, I¡¯m so sorry I just left before. I shouldn¡¯t have. I was just so angry¡­ hurt by your words. But I know you might not even have meant them.¡± ¡°I did!¡± The words fly out of my mouth before I have a chance to stop them and I quickly cover my mouth. There is a short silence. ¡°So you are in there¡­ Won¡¯t you open up and we can talk?¡± he slowly speaks. ¡°We don¡¯t have anything to talk about Aaron! Wasn¡¯t it clear that we ended it last time? I don¡¯t need you coming crawling back now ¨C I don¡¯t need your pity!¡± The volume of my voice is steadily increasing and before I know it, I¡¯m shouting at him. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m so angry. ¡°It¡¯s not pity!¡± he yells, and he also sounds agitated. ¡°It¡¯s not like that. It¡¯s not like that¡­¡± I wonder what face he¡¯s making right now¡­? ¡°Mona, I promise I¡¯ll leave after if you want me to, but can¡¯t we talk?¡± I hesitate. On one hand it¡¯d be good if I could make him leave, but on the other that¡¯d mean I¡¯d have to face him¡­ ¡°Please?¡± I sigh, my heart clenching and my head swirling with confusion. Episode 24: Talk Slowly I reach for the door handle and turn the lock. The door opens with a slight creek, finally the revealing the man behind it who¡¯s leaning against the doorway and I¡¯m suddenly stunned. The sight of him almost takes my breath away; His golden blonde hair falling on his forehead in playful locks, his beautiful jawline and soft lips. I had forgotten how much his looks stir me up and I shudder at the immense urge that wells up of wanting to feel his lips against mine once more. But more than that, I feel trapped by his eyes. Those eyes as blue as the sky, looking at me with such warmth and intensity that I fear they may glimpse my very soul. Was he always this beautiful? A relieved smile spreads on his face and I swallow. ¡°Can I come in?¡± I nod and take a step back to let him enter the hallway and he takes off his jacket and shoes. I find myself staring at his broad back, the muscles moving only lightly obscured by his t-shirt. His nape visible, his tan summer tan paled since I last saw him. Then he gets up and starts heading into the living room and I follow as he sits down on the couch. It seems like it¡¯s been forever since I last saw him, only it isn¡¯t. It¡¯s only been a few weeks. What is this trembling in my chest? ¡°Uhm¡­¡± he begins, and his voice brings me back to my senses, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡±. His voice is soft and his gaze sincere. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have left you last time¡­ You were scared and¡­¡± ¡°She told you, Jen, didn¡¯t she?¡± I interrupt him, the coldness of my voice surprising even myself. ¡°Not exactly¡­ She had me and a friend, Jonathan from Law, over the other day and she explained a bit about a ¡®hypothetical¡¯ case¡­ but I knew it was about you¡­¡± I swallow and feel my face burning with shame. ¡°She said it was about a young woman who was abused by her brother when she was younger and how they needed a restraining order against him now¡­ She texted me earlier, saying you¡¯d found out she told me¡­ So I thought I had to come over and explain¡­¡±Stolen story; please report. There is a long pause. My emotions are a mix of anger, shame and¡­ immense sadness. I don¡¯t even understand it all myself. ¡°Mona¡­?¡± ¡°How much did she tell you?¡± I ask, none of my raging emotions even hinted in my voice. ¡°That¡¯s about it. That you were abused by your brother when you were younger and that¡¯s why you moved here.¡± I can¡¯t even look at him. The pity in his voice, the fact that he knows¡­ it¡¯s unbearable. He reaches out for my hand on the couch, but I shift away, so he doesn¡¯t touch me. ¡°Do you pity me now?¡± I ask him, feeling both hot and cold at the same time. ¡°No¡­ I wouldn¡¯t call it that¡­¡± he says and the way he draws out his words makes me clench my teeth. Don¡¯t lie to me. ¡°I¡¯m here because I worry about you, I still care about you¡­¡± he says. My fists curl into knots as he speaks, as if the gesture might calm my raging emotions. I can¡¯t believe in his words; I can¡¯t let myself be swept away. It was so easy for him to leave when he found out I wasn¡¯t going to give him what he wanted. Now he¡¯s back because he pities me. He chuckles nervously, then adds: ¡°I know it was too early to tell you last time, but I¡¯m sorry: I love you.¡± His words make my body tingle strangely. ¡®Don¡¯t trust them¡¯ I try to tell myself, but something in his voice makes me want to look up. Don¡¯t look. Don¡¯t get swept away, don¡¯t get swept away¡­ ¡°I-I can¡¯t¡­¡± my voice trembles. ¡°I know, I¡¯m not going to pressure you anymore. I understand now why you are so afraid¡­¡± I¡¯m afraid? I look at him in surprise and the look on his face sends shivers throughout my body; It¡¯s so warm, gentle and sincere. The shock is so great that I don¡¯t notice that he takes my hand and when I finally do, I can¡¯t muster the strength to pull away. ¡°I know your brother made you afraid of other people¡¯s affection. You¡¯re scared that they¡¯ll leave you or use you¡­ but I¡¯m not going anywhere, and I don¡¯t need anything from you other than your permission to stay by your side¡­ So won¡¯t you let me?¡± The look in his eyes makes me want to melt. My heart is beating so hard in my chest and I can barely focus on anything but the warmth of his touch. Why does this man always make me want to give in? He makes feel emotions that I thought I had forever sealed away and it scares me. If I let him in, if I let myself love him¡­ I¡¯m afraid I might break¡­ But strangely he also gives me courage. He makes me feel like I might be able to overcome my fears as long as he¡¯s beside me. How does he do it? I notice that tears have begun flowing down my cheeks when he leans in to wipe a drop from my eye. His breath is so close to my face I can feel the heat. I want to give in, to accept his words and feelings. To kiss those lips and let myself be comforted by his embrace. As if he¡¯d read my thoughts he leans in, and for a brief moment I¡¯m sitting frozen under his gaze, then I feel his soft lips on top of mine. The sensation is pleasant and gentle, that I feel all my resistance and fear wither away. Like raindrops under the summer sun they vanish as his arms wrap around mine and I feel the warmth of his body pressed against mine and with their disappearance emerges a desperation. To feel more. Episode 25: I Love You Desperate, I feel myself crawl onto his lap. Clinging to his shoulders, his hair. I need more. As if he¡¯d read my thoughts his kisses become rougher, greedier. His tongue and teeth explore my mouth, licking, biting, sucking. A familiar, tingling warmth is rising in my loins along with an unfamiliar feeling of urgency. I notice him responding as well and something hard and stiff pressing against me, through his trousers. His hands start wandering up my back under my shirt and shiver from their touch. Then he suddenly pulls away. ¡°Mona, I-I¡­ I don¡¯t want to take advantage of you when you¡¯re vulnerable¡­¡± he says, panting and trembling. I frown at both the notion that he thinks I¡¯m vulnerable or that he could take advantage of me, and the fact that he¡¯s trying to stop in the middle of this. ¡°Shut up¡± I tell him and pull him in to continue. He doesn¡¯t reject me though his kiss is reluctant at first. Then he seems to give in, and I feel his passion once more. I lift my arms as he pulls of my top and his hands find the clasp on my bra on my back and opens it. I gasp as his mouth closes over a nipple and starts sucking. His swirling tongue and nipping bites sends jolt of electricity throughout my body and I grasp at his shirt. He only stops momentarily to take it off, then his hands and lips are back to exploring my body. I¡¯m unable to think or speak, all I can do is pant and moan as I feel his touch. With his body he pushes me down on the couch and his hands fumble to pull off my pants. His lips return to mine for a brief moment, then they start feathering down my body. He kisses my neck, my chest, my bellybutton, then lower on my hips and my thighs. Then he gently parts my legs and the look he gives me just before bending down, makes me shiver. His eyes look almost black in the dim light and they are so full of desire it leaves me panting. Then his tongue finds my valley and folds, and my shivers turn into spasms as he begins exploring. I grasp at his hair, the pillows of the couch, anything they can grab. I can¡¯t control my voice that begins sounding louder and louder as he pushes me toward the edge. I can barely hold on. ¡°A-Aaron¡­! I can¡¯t¡­¡° I whimper trying to stop him, but it¡¯s too late: I¡¯m toppling over the edge, my toes curling from the pleasure and my scream echoing through the apartment. I feel my body convulse a few times, then an overwhelming relaxation washes over me. Aaron lifts his head, a sly grin spreading on his face and he kisses my thighs on his way up into a sitting position. ¡°I hope you aren¡¯t too spent to continue¡± he chuckles. I feel a little overwhelmed, but I¡¯m nowhere near satisfied. Panting I shake my head and he smiles.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. He gets up from the couch and removes his pants to reveal his throbbing excitement, and I eye him a little mischievously. So before he has a chance to sit back down I instead shuffle and, on my hands and knees, peer my head over the edge of the couch, taking his erected member in my hand. He jolts, seemingly surprised at my sudden impulse and further when I take him in my mouth. His body shakes under my touch and his husky voice groans as I first tease him with my tongue, then slowly start moving up and down, sliding him further in with each motion. As his excitement rises, I feel myself responding again. I want him. Then suddenly he grabs my hear and pulls my head away and I look up in surprise at the sudden action. He¡¯s panting and shivering. ¡°A-anymore and I won¡¯t be able to take it¡­¡± I can tell. His throbbing erection is eagerly pointing at me and it seems like the slightest touch might bring him over the edge. Tempting, but my body still hungers for him. I smirk and lean back on the couch, spreading my legs invitingly, while his lustful eyes follow me intently. In a heartbeat he¡¯s on top of me, eagerly searching and when he enters a loud groan escapes his lips. He¡¯s shaking and panting so intensely, that I fear for a moment he¡¯s already released inside me. But his lips quickly find mine and it seems he just needed a moment to regain some control, because he slowly starts moving. I raise my hips eagerly with each thrust growing in intensity. ¡°I love you¡± he then whispers in my ear with a low, husky voice reflecting my own desire. I was nowhere near the peak, but suddenly I hear myself cry out in ecstasy as shockwave after shockwave washes through me, so intense it almost takes my breath away. His hoarse roar tells me he can¡¯t hold back any longer himself. He makes a last few heavy thrusts before collapsing on top of me, panting. I feel so strange right now. I¡¯m relaxed but I also have this feeling of wanting to laugh and cry all at the same time. I¡¯ve never experienced anything like it before. He lifts his head to kiss me and then looks at me with an expression that gives me this strange inkling that he feels exactly like I do right now. ¡°I love you¡± he whispers again, and I feel that weird tingling sensation again. Then he moves to pull out and I can¡¯t help but feel slightly disappointed when his weight is removed from my body. He chuckles. ¡°Uhm¡­ We did it again¡­¡± he says, and I notice his eyes falling on my lower body and the liquid dripping from me. ¡°I know you are on contraception, but¡­ you didn¡¯t¡­? Uhm, I mean¡­ while we weren¡¯t together¡­?¡± He seems to have trouble finding the words to ask me and I can¡¯t help but notice the slightly pained expression he¡¯s trying to mask with a smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep with anyone else since you, no. So, you don¡¯t have to worry about getting checked again¡­ And even if I did, I¡¯m never this careless¡­¡± I stop mid-sentence. ¡®With anyone else¡¯ I was about to say. It¡¯s true, I¡¯ve always been careful when it came to protection. Even in the most passionate moments with other guys I¡¯ve always made sure to take the proper safety measures; Wear a condom, use contraceptives just in case, and get me and my partner checked for transmitted diseases if we would have sex more regularly. ¡°Ah, okay¡­¡± he mutters, scratching his neck and a relieved smile tucks at the corners of his mouth. Well, even I¡¯m surprised by my own inactivity during the time since our break-up. Normally I would find a new guy, or several, as soon as I was done with someone¡­ but this time I didn¡¯t feel like doing it at all. I was actually a little worried about my own lacking libido¡­ Episode 26: To Try Again For a while we just bask in the silence and the warm afterglow, but after a while our limbs get a little stiff and we finally start to move and get dressed. The vibrant air between us is so strange. Am I getting too comfortable with him? To dependent? But of course he has to break the quiet, chilling this otherwise warm moment: ¡°Mona, I¡¯m sorry¡­ We got a little carried away, but I think we should probably talk¡­¡± I swallow. If he asks about my brother, I swear I¡¯ll kick him out. ¡°Will you be my girlfriend¡­ Again?¡± I jolt surprised, relieved he didn¡¯t ask what I thought he was going to but¡­nervous at the unexpectedness of his words. And it fills me with unease when I notice that his question is sending ripples of joy through me. Like I wanted to get back together again, like I wanted to try this overrated thing called a relationship. He¡¯s clearly taking advantage of the comfortable moment just like he took advantage of my weakness and arousal the first time he asked me out. I don¡¯t know if I should trust him. And yet¡­there¡¯s a compulsion deep within me to try. He seems to notice my hesitation. ¡°I wont ask you to tell me about your brother and I won¡¯t ask you to love me¡­ but¡­I hope some day you will.¡± His words have a sadness to them, and I try not to notice how it affects me. The pain that seems to transfer, crawling its way inside me. A pain I¡¯ve been trying to ignore since we broke up. ¡°Aaron¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, sorry. I said I wouldn¡¯t pressure you, yet here I am¡­sorry. Just forget I asked.¡± I swallow, then I hear myself say: ¡°No, no. I¡­we can try again.¡± His face instantly lights up in a broad smile and it washed away any doubts to my decision. He¡¯s so beautiful when he smiles and I can feel heat stain my cheeks¡­but I need to make things clear to him. It wouldn¡¯t be fair otherwise. ¡°Just don¡¯t expect things to be different¡­at least right away¡­¡± His brows furrow a little. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I-I¡­ I can¡¯t just flip a switch and change who I am just because you love me now¡­¡± ¡°I know, I didn¡¯t ask you to.¡± ¡°But¡­! I still don¡¯t know if I trust you, I don¡¯t know how I feel about you and don¡¯t know how to be in a committed and¡­loving relationship¡­¡± I¡¯m surprised by my own honesty. What is it I¡¯m trying to make him understand? ¡°I know, it¡¯s okay¡­¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. His calm and stubborn acceptance makes unidentifiable emotions well up, stumbling over each other and making a mess of my thoughts. ¡°How is that okay?!¡± I spring up from the couch, for some reason agitated. ¡°I told you: I don¡¯t need anything from you other than to be allowed to be by your side.¡± His voice is both calm and determined. ¡°But everyone wants something ¨C needs something! People use each other, that¡¯s just how they are! How can you really not expect anything from me?!¡± ¡°Is that really true? Does everyone use each other?¡± ¡°Of course! My parents wanted the perfect family to show off and me and my brother were just tools to paint that picture¡­¡± I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m telling him all this, but I can¡¯t stop now that I¡¯ve opened this door. ¡°My friends just wanted to hang out with someone with money or have an excuse to meet with my brother, and my brother¡­¡± I shudder at the thought of him but I¡¯m too occupied trying to convey my point to stop. ¡°He wanted a doll, a plaything to torment!¡± Aaron¡¯s expression is serious and attentive as I explain, and he swallows when I mention my brother, but remains calm. ¡°What about Jen?¡± he asks. ¡°Jen¡­?¡± I don¡¯t know how to answer. She betrayed my trust, not once but twice. I told her my story and she promised not to tell anyone, but she told some random law student and she told Aaron but lied about it. I forgave her for the first, but the second¡­ She should have known how that would make me feel. I can¡¯t forgive her¡­shouldn¡¯t forgive her¡­ Yet, she¡¯s snuck her way into my heart¡­and it¡¯s hard to convince myself that she had bad intentions¡­ ¡°I guess¡­she might be the exception¡­¡± I sigh. ¡°Then couldn¡¯t I be an exception too?¡± I stare at down at him as he sits calmly on the couch, his hands folded in his lap and his gaze fastened on me. I study his face, his expression. There is nothing in his eyes that suggests that he is insincere, nothing that makes my instincts react with fear. There is only warmth and gentleness to it¡­love. He extends his hand to me, the gesture an unspoken agreement or promise and I instinctually know that not taking it would cause great pain to him and to myself in turn. He¡¯s already dug himself into my heart, hasn¡¯t he? I sigh¡­and take his hand. Gently he pulls me down on the couch and into his embrace. It¡¯s amazing how his arms always soothe me. The power he holds over me scares me. It might even scare me more than my brother. And yet, somewhere in my heart I want to trust him. We sit there for a while, listening to each other¡¯s heartbeat while I try to repress contrasting impulses: To get up and get away or just melt into his arms. ¡°Mona, I was wondering¡­is it safe enough for you to be here?¡± I tense up at the sudden change of subject. ¡°Your brother knows where you live, and Jen told me that you¡¯ve been staying there since last weekend¡­ Maybe you should go back?¡± I shake my head, ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡­I¡¯m still angry with her¡­¡± He rubs my arms a little comfortingly, sensing my anxiety. ¡°Yeah¡­but what do you do if he comes back?¡± I shiver at the thought. ¡°I mean, I can stay here if you want? But I can¡¯t really be here all the time, so when you¡¯re alone¡­ Besides, I¡¯m not sure I¡¯d be able to control myself if I saw him show up here¡­¡± I glance up at him and though I can¡¯t see his whole face, his jaw seems tense. It reminds me a little of his expression when we sat in the taxi on our way from the disastrous party¡­ ¡°I guess but I¡¯m just not ready to face her¡­¡± ¡°Do you want to come to my place then? You can stay as long as you need to, and I have a spare key you can use so you won¡¯t be dependent on me.¡± I furrow my brows for a moment. His apartment is slightly smaller than mine and we haven¡¯t really spent an extended period of time together before. It might be weird¡­ But on the other hand it sounds better than going back to Jen¡¯s place which is even smaller and where I¡¯d no chance of avoiding her, or worse: To stay here where my brother might show up unannounced at any moment. ¡°Uhm...okay. I guess we could try that¡­¡± Episode 27: Surprise My eyes widen as I see her unpack one of the bags she brought back to my place. It seems like its sole content is¡­¡®equipment¡¯. I didn¡¯t know she had that kind of stock and half of it I¡¯ve never seen before despite me thinking we¡¯ve tried quite a variety already. She¡¯s already dressed for the occasion, or should I say undressed. It seems black is her favorite color for lingerie and today as well it¡¯s the color of both her laced bra and pull up stockings. No panties¡­ So when she bends over to pick out some things from her pile of toys, I get a full view of her luscious folds. It¡¯s likely on purpose, but it works regardless. I look down at my erected member, throbbing with need. I want to be in her already. But not so badly I can¡¯t wait, we¡¯re only just getting started. I am curious, however, about what she has in store for us today. Maybe even a little anxious. It seemed she needed an outlet after everything that has happened to her over the last few weeks, so I told her we could do whatever she wants, but she sure is taking her time selecting from that bag¡­ When she is finally done, she turns around and barks: ¡°Get up¡± and I rise from the bed. ¡°Turn around, hands behind your back¡± I do as instructed, and feel padded cuffs tighten around my wrists, restraining my arms. Then she pulls a blindfold over my eyes robbing me of my vision and heightening my senses to her sweet scent and rousing breaths. I hear her rummage with something then suddenly feel something warm and wet touch the tip of my manhood, making me shiver. For the longest of moments she teases it, swirling her tongue around the head and kissing down the shaft. Then suddenly her mouth closes around me, my full length sliding down her throat and I gasp at the sensation. Slowly she withdraws, moving her head up and down in alternating rhythms while my moans intensify. Then I feel her hands on my butt and a finger poking at my hole. ¡°Wow! Wait, Mona. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m comfortable with that¡± I try telling her, but she doesn¡¯t heed my words and slides her finger all the way in. Maybe we should have spoken a little more extensively about our preferences, because then I would have told her that I¡¯m not really into all that butt-stuff. At least not when it¡¯s my butt¡­ but her skilled mouth drowns any further protests and I tremble at the strange sensation. It¡¯s kind of like having to take a dump, but also not and it eerily confuses me when mixed with the feeling of a blowjob. Still with her finger inside, she lets go of my front. ¡°That¡¯s mistress to you¡± she reprimands, and I hurriedly correct myself. ¡°I thought you said we could do whatever I wanted today?¡± she teases, licking the tip again. ¡°Yeah, but¡­there are still limits¡­¡± I groan as she takes me to the hilt again. ¡°Oh, is this a limit?¡± she speaks as her mouth retracts again and she pops out her finger, making me sigh with relief and tension. We¡¯ve talked about our limits, of course ¨C the things we under no circumstance would want to do ¨C but other than that we¡¯ve been easing into the BDSM thing so slowly, that I haven¡¯t had to worry before. But maybe it would¡¯ve been a good idea to have filled out that contract after all¡­The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°I-I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s a limit, but I would at least like to talk a little about it first, mistress.¡± ¡°We are talking about it, aren¡¯t we?¡± she teases, and I gasp as her mouth closes around me again, making me unable to think for a moment. Then I suddenly feel something wet and rubbery poking at me again, but before I have a chance to protest, she takes me so deep, her tongue twisting so elaborately, that I feel my toes crinkle and I barely notice when something that feels like a plastic bead pop inside of me. Her technique is so good I can barely speak and another bead slides inside me, sending shivers through my body. God, dammit. I need to stop her! ¡®Mona¡¯ I try to cry out, but the combined feeling of her sucking mouth and another bead being pushed inside me just turns it into a moan. Shit, what is this? I can barely stand. My legs are shaking and with my hands tied behind my back I have no way to support myself. I feel powerless, and I want this to stop her but at the same time I feel so good that I can¡¯t voice any protests. I can only cry out in pleasure as she takes me further and further towards the edge. Then she suddenly yanks out the bead chain, the sensation so new and so intense that I burst in her mouth without warning. I roar as the orgasm washes over me and almost topple from the spasms rippling through my body, unable to speak and barely think. The fog slowly lifts and, heaving, I rejoice at the fact that I¡¯m still standing. What the hell just happened? I hear her spit and there is a smirk in her voice as she says: ¡°You came without permission, you know.¡± ¡®Yeah, well you just used my butt as you pleased without permission¡¯ I think to myself, but we¡¯re still in scene; Still not finished. We¡¯ll talk about this later. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, mistress¡± I pant. ¡°I think someone needs to be punished¡± she purrs. I hear her walk up behind me and I breathe a sigh of relief as she unbuckles the cuffs and I notice how strained my arms feel. ¡°Get on your knees¡± she orders, and I follow the command happily, still week in my knees after the intense orgasm. I hear her rustle with something, and I prepare for the strike of whatever tool she¡¯s chosen for the occasion, feeling it whip across my back. I whimper slightly, though the pain isn¡¯t too bad. That¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned, she¡¯s got great control adjusting the power and corresponding pain her tools inflict. I guess she must have years of experience, despite being only a year older than me. Compared to her, with my short time in a kinky relationship, I¡¯m an amateur. But I¡¯m happy about that, otherwise I would feel insecure doing this at all, having believed my preference swayed to the dominant side of such a relationship. Now I¡¯m pretty sure I could do either. Three strikes seem to make her satisfied and she commands me on my feet once more. She removes the blindfold and I finally get to see her aroused expression. The darkness of her eyes, the red swollen lips and the way she moves displays it clearly. She lies down on the bed and spread her legs in an inviting gesture. ¡°Now you need to compensate me¡± she grins and I¡¯m happy to comply. Sliding down in front of her I wrap my arms around her thighs and bend down to slip my tongue in between her folds. She moans with pleasure as I explore her and slowly the sound begins to stir me up again. Suddenly she moves her leg and I jolt as her foot lands on my visible arousal. ¡°Oh? Someone seems to be lively again.¡± I lift my head to look at her, eyeing her mischievous grin. ¡°You are too tempting, mistress¡± I tease back, and her eyes become narrow slits, but her smile doesn¡¯t wane. Her foot gently teases me, and I shiver with growing need. ¡°Should I let you?¡± ¡°Please, mistress¡± I whisper, my voice hoarse with desire. Episode 28: Preferences ¡°Mona, what the hell was that thing with my butt?¡± he asks sitting up on the bed, and I have to suppress a chuckle at his sullen expression. ¡°You liked that, didn¡¯t you?¡± I tease, remembering how fast and intensely he¡¯d released in my mouth. ¡°Honestly, maybe¡­¡± he says and he¡¯s clearly not happy to admit it, but that just further adds to my satisfaction. ¡°But it was outside the scope of what we have discussed, so it wasn¡¯t cool that you just forced that on me¡± he reprimands. I guess he¡¯s right¡­ Honestly, protocol has been out the window since we first started this relationship. Normally I would have a submissive fill out a form about their preferences and limits at the beginning of a relationship so there would be no ambiguity. But he seemed so put off by it when I sent it to him by mail, and afterwards it didn¡¯t come up again. Of course we¡¯ve been discussing it, just not extensively as I usually would¡¯ve and nothing in writing. Which is why I have been very careful and kept things light. Engaging in these activities is risky if you don¡¯t have clear boundaries. Had he complained any more than he did, I wouldn¡¯t have continued, but honestly¡­most men say they don¡¯t like their behind being explored, but I have converted at least a dozen of such guys in my time. He did seem to enjoy it, but we probably need to talk and preferably fill out the form. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I thought you would like it¡­¡± I say, batting my eyelashes. ¡°If you want, you can do whatever you want to me next time?¡± His eyes narrow, then a smirk form on his lips. ¡°Whatever I want?¡± he asks, and the lust in his mischievous expression almost gets me excited again. ¡°Within certain limits, of course¡± I quickly correct him, and he looks slightly dejected. ¡°I think we should talk again about our preferences and I¡¯d really like us to take a look at that form I sent you. You know the one I emailed you back then¡­¡± ¡°Right. Yeah, that would probably be a good idea¡± he agrees. ¡°Honestly, I only glanced over it back then, but we should be more prepared if we¡¯re going to do more of this from now on.¡± ¡°Exactly. We¡¯ve been completely off script¡­ Why does everything seem to get so messed up with you?¡± He tilts his head and his eyes furrow. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I mean¡­¡± I pause, not sure how to formulate my response. ¡°Nothing goes as usual with you, I¡­normally I would never do these things without clear boundaries and¡­the vanilla sex¡­¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. I don¡¯t even know how to explain my though process. How do I explain all the ways he confuses me and makes me steer of course? Nothing seems to go according to plan when he is involved, and I always do things I¡¯m not used to and say things I normally wouldn¡¯t. There¡¯s a myriad of barriers and boundaries that becomes blurred or have completely disappeared. He turns everything upside down on a daily basis. ¡°I¡­ You confuse me, Aaron. You turn my world upside town¡­ I don¡¯t know how you do it.¡± I guess the reason I can even tell him this honestly, is also due to his influence. But it¡¯s vexing. His eyes widen in surprise but then his features soften, and he chuckles as he slides back down next to me. ¡°I hope that¡¯s a good thing¡± he says with a smile as he kisses my forehead. I sigh and gesture resignation, ¡°I have no idea.¡± He chuckles again. ¡°Do you have that file on hand so we can print a copy now? I think I deleted the email.¡± I nod. ¡°Of course I do. Who do you think I am?¡± He gives me a suspicious look, but a smile lurks underneath. ¡°Well that¡¯s good, but you aren¡¯t going to need them anymore after this, remember?¡± he tells me, trying to sound stern and now it¡¯s my turn to chuckle. ¡°Of course.¡± I smile and get up from the bed to put on bit of clothing and fetch my phone. ¡°..dear¡± I add sarcastically, making him frown, though his smile quickly returns. He gets up as well to turn on the computer at his desk and while it boots up, he slides into his pants. Then he sits down and clicks around the keyboard while I find the file and email it to him. ¡°I¡¯m printing two copies. You¡¯re going to need one as well¡± he says, nose into the screen and a smirk on his lips. I shudder a little. Is he suggesting he wants to dominate me as well? ¡°Why?¡± I ask him, a chill running down my spine. ¡°Well, you said you were going to let me do what I want next time, so maybe I¡¯d like to try a few things as well.¡± I feel my heart patter and swallow. He has held my wrists down a few times, and I¡¯ve let him tease me to some extent, but I¡¯ve been consciously avoiding anything more extensive than that. I don¡¯t know if I could do that, don¡¯t know how I¡¯d react and what memories it might stir¡­ ¡°I-I don¡¯t know if I-I¡¯d be comfortable with that, Aaron¡­¡± I stutter, clenching my fist to try to calm my anxiety. ¡°What? Can¡¯t take the heat yourself?¡± he teases, spinning around on his chair but his voice halts as his eyes land on me and his smile fades. ¡°Why, what¡¯s wrong?¡± I look down and try to swallow the lump in my throat. I thought I was masking my expression well, but as always, he surprises me with his uncanny ability to see right through me. ¡°Do you have a bad experience with that or something?¡± he inquires, and I nod. More than just one. ¡°Well, maybe I can help you get over that and it could also help build trust between us?¡± ¡°No, Aaron!¡± I inject and I¡¯m surprised by the loudness of my voice and quickly cover my mouth when I see his surprised expression. ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I stutter, lowering my voice. ¡°But I¡¯m just not comfortable with it¡­¡± ¡°Why?¡± There¡¯s something in his tone¡­something that makes sweat pebble down my spine. I can¡¯t answer him. I can¡¯t tell him about all the awful things my brother did to me. I couldn¡¯t take it if he looked at me with pity or disgust. ¡°It¡¯s your brother, isn¡¯t it?¡± I feel my breath hitch and a lightheaded panic spread as his question echoes in my head. He figured it out. No¡­no! I whip my head up to look at him, too late in realizing that my reaction just confirmed his suspicions. A painful stab courses through my chest as my worst fears are actualized. The look in his eyes is first shock, then repulsion¡­then pity. Episode 29: Truth There is something in her voice, the way she denies my request so adamantly, that makes me turn around and I almost jolt as she comes into view. The way she¡¯s gripping her arm like she wants to comfort or control herself, the anxiety in her eyes, stirs a roiling anxiety. Something presses on the back of my mind and I know I shouldn¡¯t, but I dig deeper, feeling the crawling need to confirm my suspicions. And so before I know it I¡¯ve voiced the one question I shouldn¡¯t ask, that I promised not to ask. ¡°It¡¯s your brother, isn¡¯t it?¡± She jerks as if punched and the horror strikes me as she lifts her face, in her eyes a silent confirmation. I can¡¯t help but imagine what he must have put her through, what he must have done for her to look at me like this. It ripples through me. All the pain she must have endured¡­all the fear, the anguish. I should take her into my arms, tell her that it¡¯s okay, that I would do anything to protect her. But I¡¯m stunned, unable to voice any of the comforts I should be relaying. Her lips curl in disgust, her shoulders tense and trembling. She spins and sprints out the door and her sudden movements startles me as much as her tear-filled expression. I know if I let her leave now, I¡¯ll never see her again. I rush after her as she crashes into the hallway and runs for the front door, like a cornered deer hunted by a hungry wolf. ¡°Mona!¡± I shout, but she¡¯s not listening. She grabs the handle and it looks like she¡¯ll flee without even putting shoes on. ¡°Mona!¡± I catch her just as she¡¯s about to open the door. ¡°Get off of me!¡± she shouts, her voice trembling with either anger or sorrow. I can¡¯t tell. But I mustn¡¯t let her leave. ¡°Mona, Mona¡­I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I stammer, desperate to reach any part of her that isn¡¯t lost to instinctual fear. I wrap my arms tight around her and she struggles like I¡¯m a beast trying to devour her, screaming and flailing. But as she kicks me over the shin the pain seems dull compared to the one in my chest. ¡°Please don¡¯t leave¡± I plead, desperate to make the woman, I¡¯d finally managed to win over, stay. ¡°Let go of me! I don¡¯t need your fucking pity!¡± she screams and her words and the pain in her voice ripples through me, but I don¡¯t loosen my grip. ¡°It¡¯s not pity! It¡¯s not¡­¡± I tell her and hear my voice crack. ¡°You¡¯re a liar! You¡¯re a fucking liar!¡± she yells, scratching and fighting. Why did I press this button when I knew I shouldn¡¯t? Why do I keep making mistakes like these? I am a fucking liar. An untrustworthy, promise-breaking scumbag. This strong, beautiful woman doesn¡¯t deserve someone as unreliable as me. Yet, selfish as I am, I can¡¯t let her go. ¡°I know¡­I know! I said I wouldn¡¯t ask and breaking that promise makes me a liar. I¡¯m so sorry! But, Mona, I don¡¯t pity you! I don¡¯t!¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Her voice turns into a whimper as she tries to formulate a retort, but I can¡¯t understand her words. All I understand is that she¡¯s still trying to get away. From me. I slide us onto the ground, needing to preserve the strength in my arms to keep her restrained. I¡¯m too afraid of what would happen, should a let go for just a moment. ¡°You¡¯re a liar¡­ You¡¯re a fucking liar¡­¡± she sobs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mona¡­ I¡¯m so sorry.¡± My voice trembles and my heart feels swollen as it presses against my ribs, aching with every thump. ¡°Fucking liar¡­¡± she repeats and then again. It seems like it¡¯s the only sentence she¡¯s capable of speaking as her strength wanes and her voice reduces to a murmur. The only response I seem to able to formulate is: ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± After a while she lies slumped in my arms, her voice faded and unconsciously I¡¯m stroking her hair. ¡°Mona¡­?¡± I whisper. She is quiet and I don¡¯t know what to make of her lack of response but decide I might as well try to talk to her while she¡¯s calm and exhausted. ¡°Mona, I don¡¯t pity you. You are so strong¡­so beautiful. You really are. I don¡¯t suppose to know everything that happened, but if it¡¯s what I suspect it doesn¡¯t change how I view you. You are still amazing, tough, smart¡­and I love you.¡± She is quiet for a moment, then she chuckles. A cold, mechanical sound. ¡°Oh, really? You think I¡¯m amazing and that you love me? Do you understand what my brother did to me? The ways I¡¯ve been soiled?¡± She jerks and I¡¯m unprepared for the sudden motion, so she slips out of my arms and turns around before I can respond. And her icy, hardened stare silences any words. It makes every hair rise on my body and I swallow as she continues, her voice completely voided of emotion or warmth. ¡°Everything we¡¯ve ever done together; he¡¯s done to me ¨C and more. He¡¯s fucked me in every hole, in every position. He has whipped me, cut me, burned me and I¡¯ve lied to you about everyone of those scars. For years I fucked my own brother and was his submissive. Now tell me: Can you really look at me the same now that you know?¡± Pain lances through me. She¡¯s probably not even aware of the tears trickling down her otherwise hardened features. I know she expects me to recoil and though I have the urge to, I know I¡¯ll lose her if I do. Irrevocably. So I swallow and force myself to look her in the eye, despite the fear clawing at my chest. ¡°No, I guess I can¡¯t¡­¡± When I speak the words she expected to hear, she jerks away but I catch her wrist and force her to look at me. I¡¯m not done. ¡°It hurts to know what has been done to you and I¡¯m absolutely disgusted with your brother, but not with you. You are even stronger than I thought. And I still love you.¡± My heart thunders in my chest as I maintain my stare, watching her eyes first widen, then turn to narrow slits, but she has trouble meeting my gaze. ¡°You lie¡± she hisses. ¡°I don¡¯t. Look me in the eye and tell me you don¡¯t believe me.¡± She forces herself to meet my eyes and I repeat: ¡°I love you.¡± She flinches and disbelief ripples across her features. ¡°How¡­?¡± she stammers and I almost chuckle at her response but manage to turn it into a soft smile instead. ¡°Does it matter?¡± I ask and reach to cup her face. When she doesn¡¯t recoil from the touch, I decide to pull her in close instead. She resists a bit at first, but the attempt seems half-hearted and I soon have her back in my embrace. Her warmth against me feels calming and from the way her body slumps and her breathing slowly settles, it seems mine has the same effect on her. Then suddenly she trembles. Her breathing becomes ragged and I hear her sob. I don¡¯t know what is making her cry¡­ Maybe it¡¯s me, maybe it¡¯s the memories of her brother or maybe it¡¯s just the echoes of her turmoil. It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s the first time she¡¯s been so openly vulnerable in front of me, the first time I experience her so honest and without filter. It¡¯s heart-wrenching and beautiful at the same time and I just stroke her hair while telling her it¡¯s okay. I here now and I¡¯m not letting her go. I¡¯m not sure I deserve her, and I might hurt her again, flawed as I am, but I¡¯m going to do my best. I won''t fail someone again. Notice Hi guys! Thank you so much for following the story this far! It''s amazing to see how many have been interested in my writing despite it only being my second attempt at making a novel (King¡¯s Blood being the first, though they were started just a week apart). Unfortunately I have to announce that both of my stories are going to be put on hold for a little while. I just came back to school at the end of last month, which has caused some anxiety and stress and I just need a little time to figure out how to balance studies and writing in a way that I can upload regularly without pushing myself too far. So hopefully the break won''t be too long, just long enough that I can figure out how much I''m capable of writing per week and to rebuild my buffer. So I hope you''ll stick around! :) In the meantime you can enjoy the little character portfolio that I put together: Mona Russo Age: 24 Birthday: October 28th (Scorpio) Mona actually used to have the middle name "Lisa" before she had it removed (sort of like removing tumor). Her brother''s name is Daniel Donatello Russo and one would think that the Italian renaissance inspired naming is due to their father being Italian. But it was actually her mother''s horrid idea to name her children this a way. Mona pays a lot of attention to her looks and she dresses provocatively as well, but she is not at all the dumb slut she looks to be (well, maybe a little on the slut part but¡­) She studies software engineering in university and enjoys gaming (especially first person shooters) and other nerdy hobbies. An acquaintance once suggested she try streaming or youtubing, because with her looks and the infamous "gamer-girl"-fascination she could get a lot of views and could probably turn a profit. She considered it but ended up dropping the idea because that kind of attention could become difficult to regulate and as we all know, Mona is all about control. (wink)This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Aaron Thompson Age: 23 Birthday: December 7th (Sagittarius) Aaron has two older sisters and his dad left the family when he was very young, making his mom single parent and provider. Therefore he is very comfortable around women and though he has slept around a lot, he has always been respectful to women and clear in his intentions towards them. He is very social and have lots of friends and acquaintances, though there are only two people he feels really close to, but one of these friends moved to Europe just before Aaron started university. The other is just one town over but they are both so busy with studies that they only meet once or twice a month atm. Jenifer Adams Age: 23 Birthday: February 19th (Pisces) Jenifer thinks her name reflects her personality very poorly as it is ¡°the most boring name in history!¡± Her style is something along the lines of punk-rock-emo-goth-loli-steampunk-andthelike. She''s a unique girl and feels that her wardrobe should reflect that. She gets some strange looks and mean comments about it, but she doesn¡¯t care; No one can tell her how to dress or behave. Her personality is very innocent and na?ve and for the most part she is horribly oblivious, often embarrassing those around her without meaning to. Despite that she has her moments of clarity where she sees right through people, though this ability always seems to fail where her love-life is concerned, leaving her pray to manipulative or abusive partners. Not that she lets herself become trapped in such a relationship; As soon as she figures out the guy''s true nature, she is out of there ¡°like a beetle on speed¡± (cause she¡¯s a master of proverbs). Mona suspects that Jen¡¯s unfortunate history with men is due to a rocky relationship with her alcoholic father. Daniel Donatello Russo Age: 31 Birthday: August 10th (Leo) Daniel is a lawyer, working for the prosecution in a large city near his and Mona¡¯s hometown. He lives it up in suburbia with his wife Jasmine and they have a dog named Jeff, have monthly barbecues with the neighbors and do charity work at least a few times a year. A true model citizen¡­ Ekstra: Jonathan Magnusson Age: 23 Birthday: January 23th (Aquarius) Jonathan is a minor character who¡¯s only had one appearance, but he¡¯s actually one of my favorites. He¡¯s got a huge heart, is always willing to help out his friends (and even strangers at times), and has a very righteous nature. He¡¯s gay and though he isn¡¯t trying to be secretive about the fact, he¡¯s not very open about it either. Aaron for one doesn¡¯t know. I actually consider writing another story with Jonathan as the MC, but that would be venturing into BL-territory and as a cis-gendered woman I¡¯m not sure I have the courage to go there. At least, I would need to do a lot of research so I don¡¯t misrepresent the community.