Page 40 of His Reward
I avert my gaze.“I didn’t have a choice.Youforcedme.”
“Did I force you to grab my head and rub your pussy on my face too?”
My face grows warm, my mind failing to deliver a good retort.Even though he kept his voice low enough for only me to hear, I’m glad it’s just us in the store.
I’m ashamed of the truth, irritated that my indignation can’t be completely righteous because of the hypocrisy.
Themechanicsare the same, but there’s a difference between what I caught Malcolm doing before the intruder and what we did after.Before, I couldn’t consent because I was asleep.After, I could, because I was awake and aware.
That’s where the hypocrisy comes in.I could say he forced me when he carried me to my bed and pinned me with his body, but my resistance was short-lived.
I had just discovered his treachery too.That was when I should’ve distrusted him the most.Instead, I enjoyed every second as my dad’s best friend held my legs wide open and devoured my pussy like he was starving for it all his life.I even hoped he would go further than that too.
I tried to hold on to it, but there’s no point anymore.I release my anger on a deep exhale.My next inhale brings the acceptance of things I can’t change.Like the past and Malcolm’s determination to not let me ride the bus home.
I turn away from him.“I have some stuff I need to finish up first before I can leave.”
I catch his nod out of the corner of my eye before I return to the backroom.
* * *
Malcolm’s truck is parked across the street and the nearest crosswalk is over a block away.
We chance jaywalking.When there’s a small break in traffic, he grabs my hand and hurries with me across the lanes.
His hand is so much bigger than mine, his palm somewhat rough from manual labour, his grip firm but not painful.It’s a simple act that makes my insides warm because it’s another non-verbal message that he cares about me.
He doesn’t release my hand until he’s opened the passenger’s door for me.Our gazes meet as I enter the vehicle and the naked interest in his eyes makes me nervous.What’s going to happen when we’re alone in the apartment again?
If he tries anything, I’ll stop him, right?
My inner moral voice remains silent.
We don’t speak much during the drive home, the radio host’s smooth, baritone voice filling the silence between us.
“What are ten signs they’re into you?Ten signs they want to be with you?”His partner lets out a soft, practised laugh before she answers.“Well, number one, they say it!”The radio host laughs too.“That’s right.That’s right.Some of us can be a little clueless sometimes.We’ve got to hear the words!”
When we’re finally home, I’m shocked as Malcolm takes out a key and unlocks the building’s main entrance.
“How did you get a key?”I demand.
“I made a copy from yours this morning.One for the apartment too.”
I usually leave my keys in Belinda’s basket—a little basket held by a Día de los Muertos rag doll Penny gifted me—on top of the shoe rack beside the door.He must have grabbed them from there.
I frown.“You should’ve asked me first.”
“I wanted to, but I would’ve had to come into your bedroom while you were still sleeping to do that.”
His stare is expectant, like he’s waiting for more objections.I don’t have any because he’s right.If I’d woken up to him in my bedroom again, it probably would’ve had poor results.
I would’ve been mad at him again, or worse, we would’ve been tempted to climb the last rung on the taboo ladder.After I threatened to keep him locked out last night, I can see why he copied the keys.I wouldn’t take any chances either if I were in his shoes.
Although it’s a bad idea for us to live together, there’s a major benefit to him staying with me.He’s the first one to enter the apartment, quietly ordering me to remain at the door while he goes in first to check for any lurking dangers.
This is why he came to pick me up.
He wanted to keep me safe, as always.The realization stirs up feelings for him I don’t want to face because they’re too complicated and scary.
