Page 21 of Chasing the Flame
As the evening progressed, one thing was abundantly clear. Donald’s ‘friends’, as it turns out, are escorts. Draping themselves all over the men at the table, kissing them provocatively, and making it abundantly clear that they were being paid to have a good time.
I mean, hey, you do you, baby. Get that money. If I were them, hell I’d do the same damn thing. These old fucks can surely afford it.
Night unfolded, and it became plain to me that the men at the table wouldn’t tolerate our interference, which suited me just fine. I chatted with the ladies, getting to know them, and realized that one was paying her way through grad school with dates like this, while the other two genuinely enjoyed sex work.
After a few sharp looks from Luke, I dropped the questioning, nursing my one glass of wine. By the time the gentleman had discussed every item on their agenda, my head was swimming, and I felt a migraine coming on.
I just wanted this night to end.
Luck was seemingly on my side, and we all said goodnight in the next few breaths. Donald made Luke promise to stop by his summer home next week. This thought excites me, considering he must take a plane to the Hamptons. It also means I’ll have more downtime in the coming weeks.
This merger is more significant than anticipated, requiring Luke to travel more. It makes me wonder why we had to move in the first place. My mind is spinning, so much that when we make it to the car, it doesn’t register that Luke tossed me the keys until I hear his voice. “Drive, I’m too sloshed for this shit.”
Predictable.
As I slide into the driver's seat, Luke sways and stumbles a little before thrusting himself into the passenger seat. It's comical, considering he was worried about me making a fool of myself.
I did my best to seem interested in the conversation happening around me, but if I’m being honest, I barely comprehended half of the business talk. My saving grace was the conversation with Delia, Camille, and Scarlett. However, I can’t be sure that’s their real names.
Looking back on the night, I can’t think of anything I’ve said or done that should bring Luke’s wrath tonight. So, with that comforting thought, I settle in for the short drive to our home.
Luke's soft snores fill the air when we enter the front gate, taking the expansive driveway to the front door. I’ve just gotten the car in park when he stirs, drowsily peeking at me through his hooded gaze.
“We’re home.” The words are quiet, leaving my lips in a hushed flurry. Exiting the car, I rush up our steps to the front door.
The deep green now matches the shutters, and I smile at the thought a little. Luke isn’t too far behind me, stumbling a bit as he clambers up the steps. His loud footsteps make me flinch, and I onlyhave a second before his hand grips the back of my neck painfully. “You were just going to leave me in the car,” he seethes, letting go of my neck only to grab a handful of my hair.
He twists, yanking my hair, tugging me toward our bedroom and through the door. “I-I was not! I thought you were right behind me!” I practically screech, crying when he tosses me on the bed, effectively pulling out several strands of my hair.
Luke steps toward the bed, unfastening his pants and grabbing my ankles with brute strength. Tightening his grip, he pulls me toward him on the bed, slightly slurring when he says, “You flirted tonight, don’t lie to me! Such a disgrace, I told you I needed you to beperfect…”
I’m not sure what he’s referring to, and knowing Luke, it’s something he imagined. If anything, I thought I was cordial all night, even when I was genuinely uncomfortable. My cheek stings, pain shooting down my jaw. The slap he gives me is so hard that my head jerks to the side.
Damn, that’s gonna bruise tomorrow.
“Stop it!” I scream, thrashing in the bed and yelping when my fist connects with his eye.
“You little bitch!” The snarl that leaves his throat is guttural, and I instantly freeze. I have a split second to decide what to do, and he moves just enough that I take the opening. I jerk my knee up, grinning when it connects with his crotch. I’m gonna pay for that later, and I damn well know it. For now, I’ll relish the pained look on his face.
Luke jumps back, giving me ample room to send another kick to the middle of his legs. He falls backward, grabbing the dresser across the room from our bed. He isn’t down for long, crossing the room in a flash. His frosty gaze darkens, his fist connecting with my temple in a sickening crunch. I’m dazed, my head connecting with the pillow, my body shoved face-down onto the mattress.
I know what’s coming next.
He scrambles on top of me, ripping my dress, and yanking my underwear to the side before he slams his cock inside me. The room is spinning, and it’s like an out-of-body experience. I’m here, but somewhere else while he rapes me.
His thrusts are aggressive, and the weight of his body pinning me to the bed is suffocating. His hand grips my throat, choking me as he fucks me. My eyes water, and I’m sure my face is purple, but still, he doesn’t stop. His other hand grips my hip, painfully squeezing as he continues to drive his dick inside me. Finally, his hold releases on my neck, and I greedily suck in a breath. His mouth claims mine in a punishing kiss, sinking his teeth into my lower lip until I cry out and blood coats my tongue.
He laughs, thrusting harder before slapping my ass so hard that I clench. Groaning, he picks up the pace, my anguish seemingly exciting him.
There’s nothing to do but squeeze my eyes shut and wait for him to finish. Mercifully, it doesn’t last long. After several more thrusts, he’s done. Grunting, he pulls himself off me, heading out of the bedroom and down the hall.
I don’t move except to roll over, pulling the covers to my chin tightly. Tears leak down the sides of my face, the silence in the background doing nothing to soothe my battered soul.
It isn’t long before I feel the bed shift. Luke settles in on the other side, casually saying, “Good night.”
I don’t say a thing in return. What’s the point? He doesn’t feel the slightest bit sorry for what he did to me. All because of some alcohol induced delusions.
For a while, I lay there, drowning in self-pity and loathing. My mind circling in an endless loop that only irritates me even more.
