Page 46 of Debts and Desires
By the time I finished my food, most of my anger had dissipated. And more so when he cleaned everything up. The peace lasted until he opened his mouth and suggested a blowjob for the day’s allocated hours. I told him to fuck off and that I wasn’t giving himanythingfor the whole week.
However, my willpower lasted until the next night. He was right. I did enjoy making Carter come. He had been walking around in just his gym shorts when he got home. While we were watching another show downstairs, I dropped to my knees and sucked him off. And I did a couple of other nights, too, only gaining some hours in those few days.
It was bullshit, the amount of hours he was giving me. And me being the oh so brilliant one I was, took matters into my own hands.
In a rash, probably hormone-fueled decision, I grabbed the pencil off the counter a few nights later. I was just about to take all the hours I felt I earned off when a throat cleared behind me. I jumped and turned; the pencil flying toward him. He caught it with one hand, looked at it, then looked at me.
“What’re you doin’?” he asked.
“Getting some water,” I lied. He quirked a brow.
“Looks to me like you’re messin’ with your hours.” I had to look away.
“Nope. Just thirsty.” I walked to the cabinet to grab a cup when I felt him behind me, caging me in with his body.
“Buttercup,” he whispered in my ear. “I may have been born at night, but not last night.” His hands gripped my hips as he leaned further in. “Tell the truth. You weren’t down here for water, were you?”
“No.” The words were quiet, barely a whisper. I felt like a kid being scolded.
“Didn’t think so.” He turned me to face him. “How many hours you change?”
“I didn’t get to yet,” I grumbled.
“Em?” His voice was full of doubt. I met his eyes.
“Seriously, I didn’t. I’ve been here maybe thirty seconds before you.” His eyes moved over mine before he pulled away.
“Okay.” Carter walked to the fridge and wrote on the calendar. “There. I added two days as punishment.”
“But I didn’t get to add anything!”
“No, but it’s the thought. You shouldn’t’ve been dishonest.” He turned to face me, crossing his arms.
“It’s not fair. I should’ve still got those hours per day.”
“Not while you’re not active in the agreement. That ain’t fair to me.” When I didn’t respond, he gave a nod and a good night before heading out of the kitchen.
“You’re not holding up your end!” I called, stopping him in his tracks. He turned to look at me.
“How am I not?”
“You haven’t looked at my car!”
“Haven’t gotten to it yet. You knew I had payin’ customers before you. We’ve been over this.” He turned again, this time not stopping. I followed him up the stairs.
“Then let me pay you with money!”
“Nope.”
“Carter!”
“I know the total hours. Don’t fuck with ‘em again.” He closed his door.
“I didn’t evengetto fuck with it, asshole!” I slapped his door, letting out a frustrated grunt.
“Good night, Emogen.” I could hear the smugness in his tone.
After that, Carter started taking pictures of the calendar and initialing the bottom of every day, like it was homework.
