Page 23 of Debts and Desires
“Hey,” I offered a smile when he walked in. His eyes looked around at the mess I’d made and he wrinkled his brows.
“What’re you doin’?” he asked. I shrugged, tossing the bag in my hand into the trash.
“What does it look like?” I responded, pulling the next bag of treats out. Mac gave a soft whine as I tossed that expired bag, too. Carter was glaring at me. “What?” I asked.
“You’re throwin’ my shit away.”
“No. I’m cleaning. Trying to be a little productive since I don’t have anything else to do. And I’m only throwing away things that are super gross or out of date.” My eyes met his. “When’s the last time you cleaned?” When he didn’t answer, I added, “I know you’re super busy. This isn’t meant to upset or offend you, just help you out. And maybe shave a little off what I owe.”
“Not the agreement we made.”
“I can’t pay you back solely with sex, Carter.” He crossed his arms.
“You can and you will.” The authority in his voice made me feel something. But it pissed me off that he wasn’t budging on it.
“C’mon, Carter. You have someone giving you sexandcleaning your house. That should count for something.” He let out a frustrated sigh and looked away.
“Fine. When you’re done doin’ whatever it is you’re doin’, we’ll talk about it again.” He headed to the fridge and opened it,letting out another sigh. “I’m not gonna be able to find shit in my own damn house,” he grumbled.
“You can and you will,” I said, throwing his words back at him. His eyes darted to mine and the darkness that took them had me swallowing. I ignored him and turned back to the cabinet.
“You eat?” Carter asked after a moment.
“Yeah,” I lied, hoping my growling stomach would give me a break for once. It didn’t. I heard him let out a sigh as he grabbed a second plate. “You don’t have to make me anything,” I protested. “I want to get this done and then I’ll find something.” I glanced over my shoulder at him. His eyes looked me over as if he could see the lie. Instead, he clenched his jaw and went back to searching the kitchen. I was almost done when I felt the heat radiate behind me. I did my best to keep composed, as if his presence alone didn’t affect me.
“Food’s ready,” he said.
“Carter, I said I’m—” I was shoved against the cabinet door to the left. He pressed himself into my back. His mouth was beside my ear.
“I don’t care what you said. What I said was food’s ready. So, stop what you’re doin’, wash up, and come eat.” He grabbed me, forcing me to turn to face him, before he pressed me back into the cabinet. “It’s non-negotiable.”
“Just like everything else with you,” I breathed. “Everything has a price.” I didn’t mean for the last part to slip out. Carter backed up, looking at me like I had just told him Mac had died.
“That why you refuse food?” I didn’t answer. “You can eat, Emmy. I’m not some kind of asshole that would hold that against you.”
“No, but you hold everything else,” I said. When I realized what I said, my eyes widened. If I wasn’t careful, he’d end the agreement, and I’d be shit out of luck. I looked away. He walked back to the dining table. If he was pissed, he didn’t let it show.
“Eat, Emogen,” he said. Hearing my full name on his lips was different. Good different. I shook the thought away.
“Fine,” I sighed, making my way to the sink to wash my hands before joining him at the table. As soon as I sat and took a bite, he looked at me.
“As an addition to our agreement, I want you to eat what you want, when you want,” he said. “If I find out you’re still starvin’ yourself after this, I’ll start addin’ days. Got it?” I didn’t answer. His tone became more gruff. “Got it?” He was treating me like a child, like how my parents always treated me.
“Got it.”
The moment he was finished eating, he stood, putting his dishes in the sink and snapping at Mac to get out. He turned to me, palming the bulge under the zipper of his pants. He didn’t have to ask. I knew what he wanted. I stood, removing my pants, and bent over the table.
“Good girl,” he rasped. And even though I was still pissed at him, I melted. I had no reason to be mad at him. He wanted me to eat. Why was I so mad about it? I was so lost in my thoughts that when he thrust into me, I let out a startled yelp. He paused. “You okay?”
“Yes,” I breathed. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
“Thanks,” he said with a humorless chuckle before continuing. He was much rougher this time around, faster, too. I was white knuckling the edge of the table when he pulled out. As always, he moved me to my knees and finished in my mouth. Then he left without a word. Again.
It’s just a transaction. One that’s almost over.
I stood, adjusted my clothes and continued my cleaning assault on Carter’s home.
By the timehe came home for the day, the kitchen was done and I was working on the laundry room. I had just finished folding the last of his clothes I’d washed. He was a little later than usual, but I assumed that was due to the bags of groceries he was bringing in. I helped him unload everything, showing him the “new homes” for things. He didn’t seem to mind as much as he did earlier in the day.
