Page 21 of Sacrificing Zoriah

“If I fuck you like my salvation depends on it, I have a few sins to get through first,” he smirks. “I’m here, Riah. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Probably should mention that I’m on birth control and they claimed to be clean. That said, I didn’t have any evil to spread,” I say.

“Okay,” he smiles. “Understand that I will not touch you until you make it very clear that you want me to. When you do, I can’t promise I’ll be gentle.”

“I don’t want gentle,” I say. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this aloud, but… Not all of them used toys. Some of them just used lube and railed the fuck out of me. No matter how I fought it, I always came. If that can happen unintentionally, I want to know what it’s like when it’s intentional and consensual.”

“I understand what you mean. You want to explore what happened to you consensually because you trust I’ll stop, right?”

“I know you will,” I say. “I trust you, Rome.”

“Good,” he smiles. “Your brother is behind you.”

“I bet he looks horrified,” I laugh and turn to see him.

“Not horrified,” Corbin smiles and hands me a plate before sitting beside me. “Dad is finally sleeping. He’s been awake for days now.”

“I’m glad he is sober,” I say. On the plate is a chicken wrap, so I grab it and start eating.

“Unless you want to puke, you should slow down,” Corbin says. “But I am glad too. He is blaming himself because you wanted to take him to rehab, and he thinks that if he had agreed, then you would have been taking him to a facility rather than being at home.”

“They had been planning that for weeks,” I say. “It was bound to happen eventually. I’m just glad Huxley was there.”

“You really love him?” Corbin asks.

“I do. I don’t know if he meant it or not, but… I think I’ve always liked him, but this just tipped the scales. The more I think about him before and after this, the surer I am,” I say.

“Well, he’s liked you for years. He had my permission, but Haley is a fucking idiot, so he avoided the topic,” Corbin says. “We will find him, and you three can make a gross little trauma-healing sandwich for the rest of your lives.”

“You two have talked before, haven’t you?”

“Me and Roman? Oh yeah. Months ago. I helped him understand your anxiety and how to help. I’m honestly surprised he’s lasted this long without telling you about his feelings,” Corbin says.

“I feel like I should be a wreck or something,” I say. “I’m sore and exhausted, but I’m just glad to be with you guys.”

“Are there rules for how to cope with rape?” Roman asks.

“Uh. I don’t think so,” I laugh.

“So, no one will get in trouble? The world will keep turning?”

“Yes,” I smile. “And you call me a brat.”

“I’m choosing to ignore that,” he laughs. “Heal however you want as long as you don’t put yourself in danger.”

“No bridge jumping?” I ask innocently.

“No, brat. No bridge jumping,” Roman says as he squeezes my knee. I giggle and pull away from him, making Corbin chuckle. “Ready to sleep?”

“Yes,” I sigh. “I can sleep on the couch or something. I am fine wherever.”

“You think so?” Roman asks, raising an eyebrow at me. “Get up there and lie down.”

“What? I’m not stealing your bed,” I frown at him. Corbin laughs and goes to stand at the door when I cross my arms over my chest.

“Zoriah. Please lie down. You need rest,” he says.

“Fine,” I say as I stand. “I will go downstairs.”

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