Page 16 of Dark Encounter
"Yeah. Okay." I closed my eyes and turned my face from him, holding my breath as he untied my hands and feet. I curled up into a ball on my side, wanting so much more than he'd ever be willing to give.
Where I understood it, it didn't stop my heart from breaking. Why had I put myself in such an odd situation?
Desperation.
A soft blanket wrapped around me, and a few minutes later, the bedroom light turned off. The drug pumping through my system danced around my center, begging for attention it wouldn't be getting. My mother was right.
Sex was evil and left those who played with it bare and used.
* * *
The smell of our lust still lingered in the air when I woke up in Erik's bed the next morning. I sat up and moved to the edge of the bed, covered in something sticky. Regret burned in my chest and forced tears to my eyes again.
I'd fallen in love with the idea of belonging to a strong man like Erik a long time ago, but because of my upbringing, I'd never given into it.
Until last night.
I walked to the bathroom, my eyes open wide, my ears on high alert. Was he back home? Had he stayed with someone else?
After washing up, I found my clothes, got dressed and called Jenna. I couldn't find my fucking wallet anywhere, so getting an Uber was out. Walking sounded like the best plan, but there was no way I was walking forty miles in heels and the outfit I had on at the club the night before.
It was still dark outside, which surprised me. I'd only been asleep for two hours. After walking around the big empty house, I walked outside and locked the door behind me. I promised myself that I wouldn't cry until I was home in my own shower and could sink down and console my broken heart.
"So this is what a one-night stand feels like." I walked around in the driveway for what seemed like forever when lights finally lit up the darkness. "Please be Jenna."
I walked toward the car, realizing it was her. Where I was still mortified, it was Jenna. She would drive in silence if I told her that I wasn't ready to talk about it or drill me with questions if I was.
"Where's Erik?" She gave me a stern look as I got into the car and buckled up.
"He had to go. Someone called, and he couldn't tell them no." I shrugged and leaned back in the seat. "I really don't want to talk about this."
"He didn't hurt you, right?" Her hand was soft on mine.
"No. He was great." I turned my face to watch the road rush past us as she pulled out of his driveway and headed back home.
"You guys made love?"
I snorted. "No. But I already said I didn't want to talk about it."
"Okay. Sorry." She pulled her hand from mine. "I'm pissed as hell at Nate. That drug he gave you is the one that killed my brother."
"He was just trying to help." I let out a shaky breath.
"Right, well, I'm still upset with him. It was stupid giving both of you the drug."
I turned my face toward her. "Erik took it too?"
"Yeah. I believe so." She reached out and brushed my hair behind my shoulder. "When Nate and I took it, we fucked for hours. That's not how it should have been for you losing your virginity, Grace."
"We didn't have sex, Jenna. Oral sex, but he's a good guy. He just doesn't let any of us see it." I shrugged and wrapped my arms around myself. "That or I'm just not good enough to entice him to fuck me. I have no clue. I begged."
"Begged for what? For him to stop?"
I laughed sardonically, the sound so ugly. "No. I begged him to fuck me, but he wouldn't. He's not interested though he keeps playing like he is." I shrugged. "It's all good. It was fun to mess around with a guy for the first time."
She squeezed my shoulder. "It's probably him just being a good guy. You know he helped me with my brother's death, Grace. He's not a bastard; he just loves to keep people at arm’s length."
"Yeah. I know." I closed my eyes and rested my cheek against my shoulder.
"Is he a good kisser? I have to know." She giggled softly.
I turned and exhaled softly. Why wouldn't he kiss me? Because it was too intimate. How weird was that, or maybe it was just what I thought... I was good for a one-night quickie of his choosing, but not nearly enough for his affection, his attention, his kiss. "Yeah. The best ever."
