The Return

“Stop having groceries delivered to me! Stop paying my bills! I need you to understand that what you’re doing is…”

“How’s the puppy?” he interrupted. “Is he getting huge yet?”

I sighed. “Yes. He’s getting big.”

“I love the name. I had to look it up, but when I saw what it was from, it brought back some serious nostalgia. He listen pretty good? The guy said they’re highly trainable and great guard dogs. Super smart.”

“He is very smart and he’s quick. He was potty trained in three days and he… I’m not here to talk about the dog, Gerrid. Please, listen to me? Try and hear me? Try and understand?”

“I do, babe. I understand. I know why you want to do it and I get it… but you get it too, right? I don’t want you to have to worry about all of that. You deserve better than that kind of stress. I see it in people all the time, trying to figure things out, whether to pay electric or gas this month, how to cut out some groceries… I don’t want that for you. Just let me do this one thing for you and keep you from having to go through that extra stress.”

“Gerrid…”

“Please, babe? You deserve it, you deserve so much more. Now come on. No more of this talk, ok? You’re finally here and I want to hear all about how things are going. Do you like the job as much as you hoped?”

I sighed and looked him over, then slumped slightly. “I do, I love the job. She’s talking about letting me take appointments that are closer to me and I’m a little excited about that.”

“You’re going to need clothes! Professional dress clothes for…”

“Don’t you dare! And it’s not even a definite yet, it’s just talk.”

“Tell me more about Atreyu. He keeping you warm at night?”

I smiled slightly. “Yeah. He’s great at snugs but he’s a pillow hog.”

He kept asking questions and talking to me and I stayed. I stayed a lot longer than I had intended to. I might have stayed longer if the guard hadn’t interrupted us.

“Sorry Hightower, dinner time.”

Gerrid stood and pulled me up to hug me and I let him. I hugged him back slightly, then let go.

“Will you come back next week?” he asked hopefully.

“You need a conjugal room?” the guard asked.

Gerrid grinned down at me and I blushed, shaking my head quickly. “It’s probably not a good idea for me to come back here,” I told him.

He touched my face. “Come back next Saturday? I know you work all week, but I can have visitors on weekends. Come back next Saturday,” he pleaded.

I glanced at the guard, then looked back at Gerrid. I shrugged and pulled away, hurrying to the door.

“Love you, babe!” he called after me.

Was he not getting the help he needed? I was told he was in therapy. He was still acting like he was in love with me and over the top about it.

I didn’t go back the next weekend, but that Monday, I got a letter in the mail. No name signed to it or return address and it was typed out, but I knew it was from him. He was just being careful, knowing he wasn’t supposed to contact me.

It didn’t say anything important or even creepy, just talked about some of the friends he had made and how much he missed me. A couple days later, another letter came, then another and another. They kept coming, a new one every few days.

Finally, after another month, I went back in on a Saturday, purposefully going in late so that I wouldn’t have to be there too long.

He came in grinning again and grabbed me up in a huge hug that made me smile. I blushed as he put me down, then faltered with what I was there to say. I leaned in close. “Gerrid… you need to stop writing me,” I whispered.

“It’s ok, babe, I won’t get caught. And if I do? I’ll just say I didn’t write them. Only you and I will know. Don’t worry about me.”

I looked over his face, then had to laugh. He seriously thought I was worried about him getting in trouble and I wasn’t telling him to stop contacting me. “Are you seeing your therapist?” I asked him.

“Yeah, every day. He says I’m doing great. He’s even recommending parole.”

“But… you don’t really seem better?”

“Babe, I’m so much better! Things are more clear now than they’ve ever been! Or do you mean that you think I’m not actually in love with you? Or that you are trying to convince yourself that you aren’t in love with me?”

“Gerrid!”

“No, I know it’s going to take you a little more time, you had some messed up stuff happen in your life. You don’t want to admit to loving me, but you do. You love me as much as I love you. Watching you mourn for me was heartbreaking, baby. I knew you were upset about all of it, you wished I hadn’t been taken from you. I also know you weren’t really ready to admit it either.”

“I have to go,” I told him angrily, jumping up. I left quickly, before he could even stand up.

I stormed to my car, then sat there a moment. He was wrong.

I didn’t want another asshole! Rick was a complete jerk and I knew that now. I saw what a dick he was. Mike was an asshole and I saw that, even if I did like him and consider him a friend. I knew I could never date him. I wanted a NICE guy, not another user, someone who loved me in reality and not because they were crazy. Someone I could love back and show them how much they meant to me. Someone who I clicked with and was good in bed… though that one wasn’t as important. Someone I had things in common with and I respected. Someone I could watch a movie with and enjoy it with without feeling like they hated every second of it.

More than anything, I wanted someone who really cared about me. Truly. They didn’t want to use me or just want me in their bed. They would love me despite my flaws and they would be understanding and sweet…

I sat there and deflated as I listened to myself and the things I wanted.

Someone to love me despite my imperfections.

How could I expect it if I couldn’t do it?

I drove home quietly with the radio off as I thought.

The next morning, I drove back out there as early as I was able and sat down on the couch. When he came in, I had the scrabble board set up and ready and he grinned at me. He kissed me before sitting down across from me and we talked and laughed as we played. I looked at him, and listened to him, seeing him for him for the first time. I found myself blushing constantly as he laughed and we joked. I kept finding myself wishing the guards were gone throughout the day.

I stayed all day and Gerrid never once suggested I should go or he had something to do. He stayed right next to me as if I was the most important thing in his world. He even skipped lunch.

Mike gave me a worried look when I told him I wanted to drop the charges the next week.

“Ava…”

“I know. I know, I just…I’m dropping the charges. What do I need to do?”

“There’s paperwork, but Ava, it won’t change anything. He’s already been sentenced.”

“He can get paroled faster and there’s a better chance of it. What paperwork? Mike, just… please? Stop looking at me that way?”

“Ava, help me understand? Why are you helping him get free? After everything?”

“Mike…”

“No! No, Ava, what the fuck is going on? Does he have something on you? Is he threatening you?”

“Nothing like that! I just… I miss him? I think… I like him.”

“You like him,” he stated flatly. “The man who kidnapped you twice and raped you multiple times. Hooked you up to a sexual torture device. Suddenly you just like him.”

“He wasn’t torturing me, it wasn’t like that! It was… he was keeping me worked up and making me come for him while he was gone.”

“Tied down. You begged me to get it out of you.”

“Because I wanted you to fuck me. I wanted to be fucked within an inch of my life because I was so excited. It was all I could think about. It wasn’t torture, it was… him making me scream for him all day while he was gone. He had the remote… it was… really exciting.”

“So you like him because he fucked you all the right ways?” he demanded, almost angrily and deeply offended.

“No… It’s not just that… it’s things I can’t explain to you.”

“I have time, Ava.”

I turned away from him, my face aflame with shame. “Nevermind,” I mumbled, moving to close the door.

“Not a fucking chance,” Mike snapped, his hand smacking the door as he stepped into my house. “Explain it to me, Ava. Explain to me how the kidnapping rapist is a better fit for you than I am.”

I looked up at him in shock then. “It isn’t about you, Mike! You act like I’m choosing him over you, but I’m not! You and I aren’t compatible, not at all, we’ve been through this!”

“So let’s go through it again. Right now. Your room, Ava, now. Clothes off. You want to be fucked right? I’ll fucking show you.”

“No! No, it’s not about that! Mike, stop, please? You know it’s not about that!”

“What I know is that you are NOT going to start dating your fucking rapist. I won’t allow it, Ava. You have this idea in your head that he’s this misunderstood, nice guy, but he’s not! I want you to go and talk to at least three of the women he has dated and have restraining orders against him now. There’s a REASON, Ava. He’s NOT a good guy. Just because he can smile and say nice things doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a dark mind. Fuck. Fuck this. No, Ava. You aren’t fucking dating Gerrid fucking Hightower.”

“You don’t get to dictate who…”

“I DO. I do get to dictate this, Ava! Has he been in touch with you?” he demanded, his eyes going to the letters on the coffee table. Snatching them up, he looked them over. “He fucking has! Why didn’t you tell me? This violates his restraining order! These are fucking evidence now, Ava, and you will set aside any other letters he sends you UNOPENED as evidence. Do you understand?”

“You have NO proof those are from…”

“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? You are NOT protecting your fucking kidnapper and rapist, Ava! I won’t let you!”

I spun away from him, feeling upset and overwhelmed. He just didn’t understand! Gerrid WAS a nice person, a sweet and gentle soul. He loved me. He was everything I wanted in a man.

“Ava,” Mike spoke more calmly. “Listen to me, please? If he contacts you again, you need to tell me. What he’s doing is illegal.”

“I want to drop the restraining order.”

“Of course you fucking do! Are you kidding me, Ava? For fucks sake! Ok. Ok. Listen to me, please, Ava. Just… don’t do anything yet. Ok? Just think about it a little longer. He seems nice, but he’s not. And I’m not the fucking asshole you think I am,” he growled. “I’ll be back, you just… don’t do a fucking thing yet, do you understand me?”

I sighed, but nodded.

“I have things to take care of and I’ll be back. This evening. After work.”

I nodded again, feeling an inordinate amount of pressure.

It was hard to focus on work when I went back to it, I kept thinking about what he had said. Talking to the other women. Did I want to do that? I wasn’t like them, he actually loved me.

Mike stormed back in that evening without even knocking and thrust a stack of papers at me.

“Here. All your fucking utitlities are in your name now.”

“Thanks?” I offered, standing and taking the papers.

“Tomorrow we are going and you are going to trade in that car that sits in your driveway for something cheaper that gets better gas mileage. You hardly fucking use it, you don’t need a car that expensive. It’s shit on gas and insurance. Next you are getting rid of all the extra shit in this house, selling it off. Building up your bank account. Do you understand?”

I stared up at him, a little shocked at his blunt and bossy attitude. It made sense, though. I nodded.

“Tommorrow I am going to come and mow your fucking lawn too. I’ll mow it every week, but in exchange for the shit I do for you, you’re going to dogsit Hank for me. I’ll bring him by before work everyday. You work from home and he fucking likes you and he can use the company. Get your dog used to other dogs. And you can fucking give him baths. And I also want at least one meal a week!” he growled.

I looked up at him for a moment in confusion, then I giggled. I kept giggling and hid my mouth behind my hand as I started laughing.

“Are you fucking laughing at me?!?” he demanded angrily.

“You’re HORRIBLE at being nice!” I giggled.

“Am I? Would you prefer I kidnap you and rape you while I did this shit?” he demanded, “Just fucking be ready to go in the morning.”

I was still laughing as he slammed the door and left, then I sat down and went through the paperwork he had given me. It was actually a huge relief to have it all in my name and I had a swelling feeling of accomplishment.

In the morning, I felt a little bad as I got ready, knowing that Gerrid was expecting me.

It turned out that Mike already had a car in mind when he took me to the dealership and he had most of the details worked out before I even got there.

“I don’t get to pick my own?” I asked in a whisper as the man went to run the paperwork.

“It’s a good car, I had it checked out. Plus I know Larry, if he sells me a lemon he knows I’ll make his life hell and he’ll never get out of another ticket in his life.”

“It’s me he’s selling the car to.”

“It’s me he’s dealing with and you aren’t buying the car. You’re trading it and getting money back. Yours is worth more than this one but this ones better for you. Just be fucking glad it’s all done for you!”

“It’s ugly!”

“And you need a pretty car, why?!? It’s just a fucking car, Ava. Down the road you can get one you like more, for now you get this.”

“Ok, dad,” I grumped.

He smirked at me, his eyes shining dangerously. That look tugged at me in a visceral way and I had to look away quickly.

I drove my new car home and was pleased that it handled as well as it did and it seemed to get better gas mileage when I pulled into my driveway and it still had a full tank.

Mike pulled in with a truck with a lawnmower in the back later that day and he brought Hank inside.

Atreyu immediately tried to play with him and Hank made a distressed sound and gave me sad eyes as Mike went back outside. I grinned and layed in the floor, snuggling and playing with the dogs.

When Mike finally came back in all sweaty, he looked at me on the floor with a scowl. “You’ve been playing with them this whole time?” he demanded.

“Yeah?”

“You were supposed to be making dinner.”

I grinned at him as I sat up. “You said one meal a week, you never said tonight.”

“It was implied when I spent the day with you and mowed your damned lawn!”

I shrugged a shoulder. “I have a couple pot pies I can pop in the microwave.”

His eyes narrowed. “What kind?”

“Chicken?”

“I mean what brand? Red box or green box?”

“Green?”

“Fine. But I’m taking a shower while you make them.”

I got up, giggling again. He really was horrible at being a nice person.

When he came out in nothing but a pair of boxers, I had to force myself to stop staring at him. He grabbed both plates from the table and went straight to the living room and sat down. When I followed him, he threw the remote next to me on the couch.

“Pick a fucking movie, or show or whatever.”

“I get to pick?” I asked, grinning.

“Tuesdays and Thursdays and weekends. I get Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. When we’re here. If we’re at my house, I fucking pick.”

“Are you really planning on…”

“Just saying whatever day it happens to be, ever, that’s who gets to pick. So fucking pick.

Just to fuck with him, I picked a romantic comedy and turned it on, then curled up so I could see him and the TV. He was scowling at me like he knew I was just trying to piss him off. I tried to hide my face as I giggled again, but he crossed his arms and went to a full on glare.

I laughed hard enough that Atreyu jumped up and came to lick my face and even Hank lifted his head to look at me.

Mike was less impressed as he sat up and grabbed my ankle, yanking me across the couch to him and taking the remote from my hand. He turned the TV off and tossed the remote before yanking me even closer, pulling me under him as he moved over me. His hand on my throat made me go still all over as I looked up at him in surprise. He wasn’t hurting me, not at all, it was a gesture of control as he held me under him and looked me over with his piercing gaze.

He did not like being laughed at.

“I should punish you,” he finally spoke, making my entire body shudder with anticipation. His lip curled as he watched the excitement rear up in me. “Say it again, Ava,” he whispered.

I had no doubt at all what he wanted to hear. None. I knew exactly what he wanted me to say and I shivered as my lips parted. “Daddy?”

His eyes shone dangerously as his nostrils flared. “I am going to punish you, Ava. Spank your perfect little ass until you decide not to tease anymore.”

My body shuddered again and I felt a throbbing need spring up as I got wet.

“Is that what you need, Ava?”

“Yes,” I whispered, staring at him with wide eyes, then realized what I was saying and to whom. “I mean! I… no. No, Mike, I…”

“What the fuck did you just call me?” he demanded, making my breath catch.

“Sorry daddy,” I whispered immediately, my eyes staring up at him, unblinking as my lips parted and I breathed shallowly. My entire body was singing with need, but I didn’t want him to hurt me. Punish me like he had last time.

“You will be,” he snarled, pulling me up and over his lap in a fluid motion. Shoving my yoga pants down to my knees, he caught my hands and pinned them in the small of my back, though I hadn’t struggled or fought. His massive hand cupped my ass, fondling gently before sliding inward and running fingertips over my pussy lips. He slid them through the wetness several times. “Someone wants to be punished badly, don’t they?” he asked, then moved his hand around and shoved his wet fingers into my mouth.

I closed my eyes with a moan and sucked on his fingers, licking and pulling with my lips as he watched.

“You are my little whore, aren’t you?” he asked in a whisper. “You need to be punished before I reward you though. I promised you a spanking, didn’t I?”

“Yes daddy!” I breathed, writhing with need now.

His hand moved back to my ass and then down, pushing my pants all the way off. “Spread your legs wide for me, Ava. All the way. Put your other leg on the coffee table and spread them out, Ava. There now, good girl,” he rumbled, rubbing his hand over my entire pussy. I was trembling and twitching as his fingers went over my bud again and again, arching my back and trying to follow his fingers.

The smack on my pussy lips made me jerk and gasp as a thrilling spike of pain and pleasure rang through me. Four more in rapid succession made me whimper and cry out in ecstasy.

“Mmm, my fucking whore, look at you. Dripping,” he sneered, rubbing his fingers through my sopping wet slit. “You like this, whore?”

“Yes daddy!” I panted, wanting him to slide those fingers into me. All of them! I wanted him to fill me!

“I fucking know you do, I can feel it. That hot little cunt so fucking wet for me. I’m going to fuck this wet cunt, Ava, reward you for being such a good little whore for me. You want me to reward you?”

“Yes! Yes, please, Daddy!”

“You have to promise to keep being my good girl. Are you going to, Ava? Be my good little whore?”

“Yes! Yes, Daddy, I promise!” I panted, half mad with need. “Don’t stop, please!”

“How close are you to coming for me, my little whore?” he asked, rolling his fingers over my clit.

“Oh god!”

“That close? So I should fuck you now so I can feel you on my cock?”

“Yes! Yes daddy, please? Both, both!”

“You want to come twice? Greedy little whore, aren’t you? What will you do for two?” he asked lightly, his fingers slowly circling my clit, rubbing gently.

“Oh god, please, daddy!”

“Tell me, Ava.”

“Anything! Anything, daddy! Please don’t stop!”

“Mmmm, that’s fucking right, whore. Remember you said that,” he whispered with a smirk as he slid two fingers into my needy pussy and rolled his thumb over my clit more quickly.

“Yes! Oh god, YES Daddy! PLEASE!” I screamed into the cushions, then came with a shockwave that made my legs snap together and go rigid as I squirted all over his fingers and the couch.

“Mmmm, you dirty fucking whore. You are licking my fingers clean, Ava,” he growled happily, still working me as I whimpered and trembled. “What do you say to me now, Ava?” he demanded when my body finally unlocked and I wilted.

“Thank you daddy! Please fuck me now! I need you so badly, I need your beautiful cock!”

“Come on then, whore,” he growled, taking hold of my hair and pulling me up. He took me by the waist and lifted me, my legs hardly working for me as I tried to straddle him. He had turned me away from him and I rocked forward, putting my hands on the coffee table as he pulled me down onto his long, thick cock.

My eyes closed as he entered me, it felt heavenly as he pulled me down.

“Ride it like you fucking need it, whore,” he purred, his grip tightening on my hips.

“I do need it, daddy!” I breathed, grinding down on him as far as I could.

“Stop fucking around,” he growled. “I want it hard and fast.”

I couldn’t answer, my mind gone as he filled me, spreading me open. I started riding him slowly, but he growled and began pulling me down harder and harder until I was bouncing on his cock and screaming out with every thrust.

“Fucking come for me whore!” Mike raged as I got close, like he knew I was on the verge.

I sighed blissfully and threw myself back onto his chest, holding his hands as they held me. His hand slid up to my throat and he pulled me against his neck, pressing his cheek to mine.

“My beautiful little whore,” he whispered as I reached up to hold onto his hair. “Come for me.”

I still couldn’t answer, I was lost to need and to him, the smell of soap and shampoo, the heat from his skin, his soft, groaning need. I needed to come, but I wanted him to come. I needed it even more, to feel him satisfied.

“Don’t you fucking dare slow down, whore! Fuck me or I’m fucking you my way!”

“I need to feel you come! I want you to fill me, Mike!”

“Not until you fucking come for me, my little whore. You come for me and then I will give you my cum. You WILL come for me, you promised. You promised me anything! Now fuck me, Ava!”

I had already started fucking him, chasing my desparate need. He growled out a low moan, his hand moving down to my breast to squeeze lightly as I bounced on his cock.

When I came, he clutched me against him as I went rigid and shuddered. He exploded inside me with a roar against my temple and I wailed in shock as he filled me. Falling back against him completely, I fell into bliss, my vision going white.

I woke to Atreyu licking my face and I smiled and reached to hug him, then realized I wasn’t in bed. I was on the couch and Mike’s huge arms were around me, clutching me against him.

It felt nice, his warmth, his arms. I sighed happily and closed my eyes, but Mike stirred.

“I have to fucking work,” he grumped. “Go to bed and get some sleep. No. Fuck that. Get the fuck up and get dressed. You need to spend more time out of this house. Hurry up,” he rumbled, smacking my ass as I stumbled up.

“What time is it?” I asked sleepily, looking around the dark room.

“Time for you to get dressed. Come on,” he growled, pulling his own clothes on.

I yawned again and went to get dressed, looking at my bed longingly.

Mike was grumpy as he got in his car and I was still half asleep as I struggled with the handle.

He reached across the seat and opened it for me. “What are you, five all of a sudden? Door handle giving you issues?” he teased, but there was a grumpy edge to it. He was tired.

He drove straight to the diner and took me in, the waitress bringing both of us coffee before we even ordered. “Soph, you remember Ava?” Mike asked.

“Sure, yeah. You two were a couple years ahead of me, but yeah, I remember. Good to see you again, Ava. Sorry to hear about what happened.”

I looked down quickly, blushing.

“Sophie knows all about Gerrid,” Mike told me coldly. “She can tell you how he is once he gets his hooks in you.”

“Oh… yeah,” Sophie answered softly, also blushing. “He was incredibly nice at first. Amazing even… then he started getting a little controlling… then a lot controlling. He made me quit my job… wouldn’t let me leave the house or call my family. He told me he was all there was for me, he wanted me to love no one but him. I couldn’t love him as much as he loved me unless there was no one else in my life. He started locking me in of a day, padlocking the door from the outside. I had no phone, nothing. I finally got away one day, getting out the bathroom window. He came home right away, I didn’t know he had cameras everywhere and he was watching me… but the neighbor had called the police already. It wasn’t kidnapping because I had stayed voluntarily until I got the nerve to leave him. I mean… he was so nice, so incredibly nice, but he was completely nuts. I got the restraining order and it wasn’t until me and Jimmy Hoskins started dating that he left me alone. He just acted like nothing had ever happened after that, talking to me and Jimmy like he had never trapped me in his house. He did the same to Jules right after that, and then Lydia. It was crazy, he just kept getting off, his money and lawyer making sure he never had to pay or get reprimanded even. Nothing. Anyway, sorry he did all that, but I’m glad he finally got put away. Hey, Mike, you two should come on a double date with me and Jimmy!”

“Oh, we’re not actually dating,” I told her quickly. “We were just trying to get Gerrid to leave me alone. We’re good friends is all.”

“Oh… shame, you two are adorable. You’d make cute kids.”

“I don’t want kids and she can’t have them, but thanks,” Mike told her acerbically. “I’ll take the special.”

“Just white toast,” I told her with a tight smile as she blushed again. When she left, I looked at Mike. “You didn’t have to be a dick.”

“She didn’t have to assume every couple isn’t whole if they don’t have children,” he snapped. “If you can correct an innocent assumption without being a bitch about it, then me doing the same isn’t an asshole move either.”

“I just didn’t want her to…”

“I fucking know what you didn’t want her think, Ava,” he growled, then downed his coffee and poured himself more with the pot she had left.

I sat there feeling grumpy at him. Why was he being so pissy? He got his friends with benefits and it had been pretty amazing. Had it not been what he was hoping for? Was he disappointed? If he was, I really didn’t care. I wasn’t going to cater to his ego.

He was mostly quiet as we ate, only mumbling a ‘thanks’ to the waitress when she brought our food and more coffee.

When he dropped me off at home, he just pulled up and waited for me to get out, still not speaking. I wasn’t worried about it, I knew he was a moody, grumpy asshole, so I just got out and went in. I was turning on the water for a shower, my clothes littering the bathroom floor when he came storming in the bathroom. He still didn’t speak, he jerked me up and stood me on the toilet lid and kissed me. He was passionate and deep, his anger and frustration shining through.

Setting me back down on the floor, he scowled down at me for a moment before letting me go and leaving, still not speaking.

What the hell was that?

Nope. Wasn’t gonna overthink his moodiness.

I showered and got on the internet, checking to see what Rick was in the news for today. Since the video had been leaked, fourteen women had come forward saying he had cheated on me with them and he had treated them the same way. He was violent and a masochist.

Today’s news included an article that said I should sue him for damages and emotional trauma as well as libel since it came out that I had never lied about Gerrid just to make him look bad and get attention like he claimed. I felt a little justified, knowing Rick was in the hot seat and uncomfortable as hell right now.

A little happier, I took the dogs out back and played with them all morning. Hank surprised me by jumping around and playing with me and Atreyu.

It occurred to me that Mike was going to come back and pick up Hank, so I pulled out food to make and when he walked in the door (without knocking) I had pork chops and sides on the table.

He paused, looking over the table, then gave me his smirk that made promises for later as he came the rest of the way in and pulled me close, kissing me again.

I laughed and pulled out of the kiss. “Yeah yeah, I get it. You like home cooked meals. Sit down and eat, I’m going to bed early, I’m beat.”

“The fuck you are,” he rumbled, smirking at me again.

He was entirely too sexy and no man should be able to pull that sort of reaction from a woman with nothing but a look. A look that promised bliss beyond imagining and pure exhaustion after. I looked down quickly and poked at my green beans.

“I have to be up for work,” I told him lamely.

“So do I. Still fucking you.”

I peeked at him and he looked amused as he watched me.

“This isn’t bad, but the beans need more salt,” he informed me.

“Shaker is right there next to the stove,” I told him flatly.

“Just letting you know for next time.”

“I’m not a huge fan of a lot of salt. You can add it to your own if you like it.”

He snorted a laugh and I stared down at my food as I ate. I refused to let him bully me.

When we finished, he went to the door and picked up a bag and went to the shower. I rolled my eyes, but didn’t really blame him, his shower sucked. I cleaned up the kitchen while he showered, then got ready for bed and climbed in it. I intended to pretend to be too tired and send him straight home. Friends with benefits was fine, but I wasn’t going to let him dictate when it happened all the time.

I completely forgot my promise to myself when he walked in wearing absolutely nothing.

“You could have come and joined me,” he pouted, climbing into bed before I could think to tell him no.

“I had a shower today.”

“I was thinking more about getting dirty, not clean.”

I giggled and shook my head. “That was on par with a dad joke.”

“Lose the pajamas.”

“I was serious about going to bed, I’m tired. I don’t feel up to fooling around tonight, not at all. You can go ahead and head home, I don’t like getting up as early as you do and I need the rest.”

He snorted again and rolled closer to me, pulling me against him. I was prepared to tell him to knock it off, I’d said no, but he just hugged me to his chest and sighed. I laid there for a moment letting him hug me and hugging him back, a goodnight embrace before he left.

I shivered. “Did you turn down the AC?” I asked incredulously.

“I like it cooler when I sleep, especially if I’m holding on to a hot little body like yours.”

“Presumptuous to assume you can dictate the temperature in here and to assume you’re spending the night again.”

“If I can’t sleep here, then you come to my place. I sleep better next to you, I found out. If we aren’t fucking, then you should have a TV in here to relax and wind down to.”

“TV engages me, I prefer the quiet with a white noise like my fan.”

“I’m bringing my TV tomorrow.”

“I don’t want a TV in here.”

“I’ll turn it off when you go to bed. I’m used to TV before bed.”

“You can’t really think you are just going to stay here and use me as your personal teddy bear!”

“You don’t really mind it.”

“If you really think you are going to stay here just to run interference on Gerrid and I, then you need to think again.”

“There is no you and Gerrid. Get that right the fuck out of your head, Ava. I am NOT letting you anywhere near that psychopathic rapist. Not happening. Go to fucking sleep if you’re going to.”

“It’s cold in here.”

“So move closer and take off your clothes.”

“How will that help?”

“Skin to skin is warmer.”

“You’re incorrigible,” I grumbled with a huff, backing into him so he could spoon me.

Surprisingly, he didn’t try and perve me at all, just held me against him like I really was a teddy bear. Hank and Atreyu both got into bed with us and I heard Mike let out an exasperated sigh.

“You let him sleep with you now and you’ll never break him of it,” he growled.

“I don’t want to break him of it,” I told him lightly, amused that it bugged him that I liked the dogs sleeping in my bed.

He made a disgusted noise, but went quiet and let me go to sleep.

His alarm woke us in the morning and I intended to go right back to sleep,but he rolled me to my back and kissed me softly.

“Mmm,” I mumbled when he pulled back. “Have a good day at work.”

He leaned close and kissed me again, still gentle and soft, then again and again before forcing my mouth open as he took my face in his hand.

I woke up quickly, liking the gentle sweetness of his lips and hand. It felt nice and warmed me to my toes as I melted in his arms.

I didn’t hesitate at all when he pulled my gown off, then made love to me. He was slow and gentle, holding me and his thumb stroking my cheek as he eased in and out of me. I held him, my hands on his arms and my legs wrapped around him as he made love to me, my heart full and a feeling of contentment washing over me right next to the pleasure of what he was doing. It was blissful as we held each other and made love until it was past time for both of us to be at work. My heart was aching with need and affection, I knew he was doing this for me, because I needed it so badly. I hadn’t even realized how badly I needed gentleness, a loving hand and not anger and control.

When he sped up, I knew it was because he needed to to finish and I let out a small moan, relishing in the steady climb of rapture. “Faster,” I pleaded.

He complied, pulling my legs up, the crook of his elbows under my knees.

“Yes!” I whispered, my heart filling with as much adoration as my body was filling with pleasure.

“You are perfect, my beautiful little Ava,” he whispered.

Tears welled in my eyes as I reached up and slid my hands up his neck to push into his short hair. When I came, it was with a whimpering moan, the shockwaves of it more subdued than the others he had given me, but so much more beautiful. He came in me seconds after I finished, sucking in a breath, then letting out a satisfied sigh as he moved and held himself up on his elbows.

“Thank you,” I whispered, sliding my hand over his jaw. “That was amazing.”

“Mmmm,” he rumbled, easing his cock out of me and moving down to kiss me passionately.

Rolling out of bed, he got up and got dressed, watching me as he did. “It’s late,” he reminded me. “You should probably get up,” he smirked.

I jumped up, realizing I was just laying there watching him in awe. I didn’t have to dress up to work in my home office so I just yanked on my gown and underwear and hurried to put coffee on before timing in. I spent the day in a very calm and peaceful mood, working happily, completely content. I knew he had only given me that to pacify me so I would let him do his thing, but it still made me happy.

He came in early that evening and walked into my office while I was still working.

“Here,” he told me, tossing a box at me.

“What’s this?” I asked, looking at the box skeptically. “Did you… get me a gift?” I asked with an incredulous laugh.

“No, I got me a gift. Open it.”

I pulled the lid off and looked down at the sexy little black negligee and immediately giggled. He really had gotten me a gift, even if it was for him.

“I have pizza coming and it’s my turn to pick a movie,” he announced. “You can put that on after the pizza gets here.”

I laughed again and shook my head, turning back to my work.

“Close all that up, c’mon.”

“I clocked in late and it’s still early! Go let the dogs out and play with them for a while.”

“I brought your mail in. The letter from Hightower is going into evidence.”

“I told you, I am cancelling the restraining order.”

“The fuck you are. It’s not happening, Ava, get it out of your head.”

“You don’t get to dictate my life, Mike!”

“We’re not doing this now, Ava. Come on, close that, pizza will be here soon. I brought popcorn for after too.”

“If you’re picking the movie, I’ll be too busy groaning to eat popcorn.”

“Shut it. Come on, let’s go.”

“I have to finish this, seriously. Go play with the dogs for a while.”

He huffed, but left me alone so I could finish my work. He was back in twenty minutes. “Are you done yet?”

I giggled, not turning around. “No, we aren’t there yet,” I teased.

He growled irritably. “I took off early to come here!”

“I can’t just leave early, I’m still newish on the job! I don’t want her to think I’m slacking!”

“You already told me she called you a lifesaver and a natural. She won’t mind if…”

“I told you, let me finish what I’m doing! I’m almost done with this layout!”

He huffed and started pacing behind me. I grinned at my screen, amused that he was so incredibly impatient. In less than two minutes, he broke the silence. “I like italian food.”

“Good for you?”

“So when you cook for me, keep it in mind.”

“Pasta has a ton of carbs, not the good kind.”

“So? Carbs are fucking delicious.”

“You can live with what I make when you come over. ONE night a week.”

“Hey, I’m handling dinner tonight!”

“Let me finish this.”

“You’re taking forever!”

“It’s just going to take longer the more you interrupt me! Come on, you are being a child!”

“Just turn it off and come on! Put that on for me.”

“Go away, Mike!” I laughed, trying to focus.

He came in and pulled my chair back, then went to a knee and unplugged the surge protector, shutting everything down.

“There,” he snarked. “Now come on!”

“I didn’t even time out!”

“Your power went out, call her tomorrow. Come on!”

I laughed and let him pull me up, shaking my head. “What is WRONG with you today?” I asked him.

“Put it on!” he demanded, pushing me into the bathroom with the box.

“You said after the pizza!”

“It’s going to be here any second! By the time you get a shower and change, it will be here. Hurry up!”

“UUUUUUUGH” I groaned in exaggerated frustration. “You SUUUUUUCK.”

I was still smiling as I showered. The little negligee was a little ridiculous. It covered next to nothing and the strings they called panties were nothing of the sort. It was completely laughable. Still, I did my hair up and put on some red lipstick to look the part before going back out front.

Mike was waiting for me in the chair in the living room, leaned back to watch me. I did a little spin when I got close, then stopped. “I thought there was pizza?”

“It’s in the oven, it’ll keep a little while,” he told me with a smirk as he looked me over. He picked up his phone off the table and woke it up, then hit a button. Van Morrison started singing Into The Mystic and he set the phone down, still giving me that ghost of a smile. “Dance for me, Ava,” he called softly, patting his lap.

I giggled, a little embarrassed, but moved closer and danced for him like I’d seen on TV. He leaned up and pulled me closer and I turned, climbing onto his lap as I kept moving, kept dancing on him. His hands rested on my hips as he watched me, his eyes shining with pride as I moved. His hands sliding up to cup my breasts, he looked over me again as he gently massaged.

“I thought touching was off limits during lap dances?” I asked teasingly.

“That’s only in the clubs. You look fantastic.”

“I look like a ridiculous whore,” I laughed.

“Nnn, you look perfect. My perfect whore. Do you trust me, Ava?”

“I guess, as much as I can trust someone I haven’t known very long who has a thing for control and punishment.”

His lips twitched in a smile. “Joking aside, do you trust me?” he asked, his tone serious.

“I trust you,” I nodded.

“Turn around,” he told me in a whisper.

I turned in his lap, still grinding on him and his hands moved. He slipped a blindfold on me and I smiled slightly as he tied it. When he stood, lifting me, I gasped in surprise, then giggled as he swung me up to carry me in his arms. Carrying me all the way to my room, I heard him kick the door shut as I was assaulted with a heavy floral scent. He set me gently on the bed and I could feel little cool spots all under me as he did. His hands gently took mine and moved them high above my head, pressing them there.

“Don’t move them,” he whispered, his lips against my neck, just below my ear.

I shivered and got goosebumps, his lips alone exciting me.

He moved off the bed and seconds later, my body was covered in soft little fluttering kisses all over as the smell of roses swept over me. He was showering me with rose petals! I smiled, feeling a little giddy. So this was what he had been so impatient for!

A hot wetness landed on my belly as he licked around my belly button, then dragged his teeth and sucked and kissed all over. A sound came out of my throat, almost a whimper as I started trembling.

His mouth left me and I let out a disappointed sigh. Fingertips trailed over my arms, my ribs, then my legs and lingered on my toes, making me giggle and twitch. Wet heat closed around my toes suddenly and I gasped again as his tongue swirled and he sucked on my toes. It woke every single nerve in my body, making me go still all over in surprise. It felt amazing!

“Mike! Oh god!” I whispered as he moved to my other foot and pulled my big toe into his lips. He began kissing a trail up the inside of my legs, pushing them open wide and wider as he went. I was shaking with anticipation as he went, unable to be still.

“Ava,” he whispered, stopping just short of my aching pussy. “Do you remember your promise?”

“What?” I asked, confused and impatient.

“Whatever I want, no matter what,” he rumbled.

“Yes, I remember!”

“Don’t forget it,” he growled.

“I won’t?” I promised, still confused.

“And what would you promise me now, Ava? I know what you want. What you need. What would you promise me now?”

“I… don’t know? Did you only do this to get something?”

“No, Ava,” he whispered, kissing my inner thigh and making me shiver again. “I just want to know how badly you need me. How badly you want me.”

“I do need you, Mike,” I whispered.

He moved up slowly and kissed my lips gently several times. until we were doing nothing but kissing passionately. When I slid my arms around his neck, he growled and pushed them back up above my head. “Don’t. Move,” he hissed in my ear.

“I forgot,” I panted, wanting him to come close and kiss me again.

He eased down and sucked hard on one nipple, then the other. It was maddening to have to lay there and not touch him or see him.

“Mike!”

“Hush, Ava,” he admonished, dragging his teeth over my chin.

“I need you,” I whispered.

“I know you do, Ava. You need me. Never forget it,” he told me softly,his lips dragging over mine.

“I need you,” I repeated, arching up against his body. “Please, Mike! Take your clothes off and…”

“Hush, Ava,” he growled again.

“I need you now!”

“No,” he whispered, kissing my neck. “You need me always. Say it, Ava. You need me always.”

“I do, Mike. I need you always, please! I want you so badly!”

“What do you want, Ava?”

“You! I want you, please!”

“Do you want me to make you come, Ava? With my mouth, my fingers? Do you want me to fuck you? Tell me.”

“I want you inside me, Mike, please!”

“You want me to fuck you?” he asked, kissing along my neck again.

“Yes! Make love to me, then fuck me! I want you to hold me and…”

“Shhh,” he demanded, his lips on mine. “I get to do what I want with you tonight. My choices… I can tease you relentlessly or sate you. Keep you here and fuck you over and over again, make you come for me a dozen times… or never. You are mine, Ava. Aren’t you?”

“I am, Mike,” I breathed, “I’m yours, please… I need you so badly.”

“I can see how wet you are for me,” he whispered, sounding amused. “If I make you come for me, are you going to squirt all over me?”

“I want to! Please, I need to!”

“Such a needy little whore,” he chuckled. “I’m going to have so much fun with you tonight.”

I could hear the joy in his voice as he spoke and I felt my own happiness swelling.

Distantly, I heard my phone ring in the office on the other side of the wall.

“Ignore it,” Mike demanded immediately.

I intended to, then hesitated. “Only you and my boss have my number, what if…”

“Ignore it, Ava.”

“Mike, I can’t afford to get fired! I love my job! I want more than anything to stay right here and let you do whatever you want to me, but…”

The phone went quiet and I felt even more tense now.

“She’ll call back tomorrow if it’s important,” he growled, half laying on top of me as he held my wrists above my head.

The phone started ringing again and I immediately tried to get up. Mike let me go quickly, letting me yank off the blindfold and run to answer the phone. He followed me all the way to my office door, glowering.

“Hello?” I answered, breathless and a little frantic.

“Get him the FUCK out of our house!”

“Gerrid?” I asked, confused. Mike stood up straight, looking alarmed and shocked.

“Get him out of our house!” Gerrid yelled again and Mike grabbed the phone and put it on speaker.

“Gerrid!” I called, trying to get the phone back from Mike. “It’s my house… not our house?”

“It’s OUR house, baby, we’re going to get married! You can’t fool around with other guys or let other guys in our bed!”

“Gerrid… are you still watching me? Do you still have cameras in my house?” I asked, feeling sick.

“It’s OUR house, baby and I HAVE to watch you! I have to make sure you’re safe! I have to know you’re alright. Get him out of our house!”

“Gerrid… you know you aren’t supposed to call me, right?” I asked worriedly as Mike looked down at me with a very intense ‘I told you so’ look.

“I can call you any time I want! You are MINE! You are going to be MY wife, not his! Make him get out! NOW!”

“Gerrid… I don’t like how you are talking to me right now…”

“I don’t like that you are cheating on me right now! Look at that cheap, disgusting trashy outfit he has you in! I’ve seen actual whores wear more classy things. If you want lingerie, pick out things online and I’ll get you anything you want! Not that trash he has you in! Take it off, you look cheap and horrible! And make him leave!”

Mike went and got his own phone and made a call as he pulled me along behind him.

“Gerrid, I’m hanging up now,” I told Gerrid quickly, knowing what Mike was about to do.

“No you AREN’T! You will NEVER hang up on me, Ava! I’m your husband, you don’t just get to hang up and walk away!”

“Gerrid… we aren’t married. We aren’t… anything. You are a man who is in jail right now for kidnapping me and raping me… you understand that, right?”

“It was all a mistake, you said that. You said it was all a mistake and you were going to drop the charges!”

“Gerrid… I think you should stop talking right now,” I told him sadly as Mike spoke in a low tone on his phone, still holding my phone out of my reach.

“No, Ava! No, please! I love you and I will never stop loving you! I will never give up on us and quit you! I promise you, baby, it’s going to be so good! So perfect! I will make you the happiest woman in the world!”

“Gerrid… I’ll tell you what. You keep seeing the doctor there, get yourself a completely clean bill of mental health and then we will talk about forever, ok?”

“But you have to make him leave! He has to get out and never come back and leave you alone! I have to know he’s going to leave you alone and he won’t be around while I’m not there. You can’t see anyone but me, baby! I’m the one you love, I’m the only one, right?”

I couldn’t take it any more, I turned and fled to my bedroom.

The bed was covered in rose petals with more sprinkling the floor. Next to the bed was a tray with strawberries and honey and whipped cream and up on the chest was his smaller TV. He had planned on a lovely night of spoiling me and I just felt like a complete idiot now. A horrible, evil person. Gerrid was hurting and he was showing me that he was everything Mike had said he was. The one night Mike was trying to give me something I would enjoy and like, it all got ruined by a single phone call. I knew Mike enough to know this was a one time thing to give me a night I’d love so he could keep getting the benefits that he loved so much. Something to pacify me for a while.

Mike opened the door and looked at me warily with his phone to his ear.

Turning away, I pulled the tacky lingerie off and pulled on one of my t-shirts I used as a gown, then some comfy cotton underwear.

Mike’s hand was on my shoulder suddenly as he turned me to face him and looked down at me with a searching gaze.

“No, he hung up when she left the room, he’s definitely got eyes in the house,” he said suddenly to the phone, making me jump. “Yes, a full sweep tonight. Right away, as soon as you can get people here. I’ll be here.”

He hung up and tossed his phone to the bed before pulling me close to him to look down at me in concern.

“You alright, Ava?”

“Fine,” I shrugged, a little hurt now. “Why wouldn’t I be? You totally invaded my privacy and turned my personal life into your own case.”

“Ave, you aren’t angry at me,” he told me gently. “I know it hurts to see what he is, to find out he isn’t what you hoped he was…”

“So why did you force it down my throat? Why would you…”

“Because he is fucking dangerous, Ava! You needed to know what you were trying to get yourself into! He isn’t this misunderstood nice guy, he is dangerous! A psychopath! You need to understand it! He needs to not only stay where the fuck he is, he is about to be put away for a lot fucking longer with this stunt! Wiring your house, watching you, contacting you. Fucking ridiculous! Not only that, Ava… he isn’t worth your fucking time! You’re fucking heart! He is a psychopath, he has ALWAYS been a psychopath! Even in highschool! I thought he would grow out of it but he never did! I thought he would get his head straight, grow up! He never did. You need to know what he is, Ava. And you need to know what I am. I am the man who is here. The man who is willing to change EVERYTHING for you. The man who WANTS to change everything for you. Look at me! Look at me. I have, Ava. I’ve been trying. Trying to show you who I can be, who I want to be for you.”

I stared up at him, my mouth open.

“The way you looked at me, Ava… the way I felt… Seeing you after all that time, remembering the way you looked at me back then… I didn’t want with you what I want with other girls. I want you to keep looking at me like you did, I want to see you smile like that and look at me with all of that adoration in your eyes, your heart shining through. I didn’t like what I saw after the other night, the way you stopped looking at me. The way… your eyes went devoid of affection. It hurt, Ava. It hurt and I hated it.”

I kept staring at him, trying to understand what he was saying.

He wanted me to care for him? He… cared about me?

My phone rang in his pocket and he pulled it out, looking at it. Before answering, he showed me it was the same number, then answered and hit speaker, then held it up so I could speak. I clenched my teeth and stared up at Mike, tears in my eyes.

“Ava? Babe? I’m sorry, ok? I’m sorry I yelled and got upset. Just… come see me, ok? Come see me and we’ll talk. Play scrabble and I can get us a private room. I can make you so happy, babe. Come up and see me and let me show you, ok? I love you, Ava! I love you so much!”

“Gerrid! Please stop!” I yelled angrily. “Just stop! Go and talk to your therapist! Stop calling me! Just leave me alone until you’re out! You need to stop calling me and sending me mail, I…”

“Ava! Ava, baby, please! I love you so much! I adore you! I will do anything for you! Anything, please!”

“Turn it off!” I yelled at Mike, trying to move around him.

He turned it off, but caught me around the waist and turned my face to look up at him. “Ava, we’re not done talking,” he told me. “Put some pants on, there’ll be people here soon. We’re going to finish this talk as soon as this is all taken care of, do you hear me, Ava?”

I pulled away and looked down, nodding slightly before putting pants on. He went out front and I cleaned up in the bedroom, not wanting anyone coming to see what we had been up to. Still, I smiled as I wrapped the bowl of strawberries and put them in the fridge, thinking about how he had intended to play with them while I was blindfolded.

Did I trust him?

He’d asked me, made me just a little bit afraid, then took me back and showed me heaven. The start of heaven.

He had a surly disposition and he was a grump in some ways, but he was trying. He was trying to learn to share and not be so bossy… but would he keep trying or go back to who he was as soon as he got his way?

It didn’t matter. I was done with men, I had shit taste in them and I just needed to be alone for a while. Learn to do things for myself and love who I was as a person. Quit hating myself because someone else didn’t love me.

In total, the men who swept my house found 27 cameras and 14 microphones. I was stunned and nauseated, thinking about him watching me this entire time. They also found the laptop and other equipment the guards had let him have at the jail, along with the cellphone. Things he wasn’t supposed to have.

The day after the additional charges were filed, his sister called and fired me over the phone and had two men come and pick up all the equipment. I both understood and I didn’t, she had constantly told me how great I was and how I was saving her life.

I didn’t dwell on it, I immediately called two other event coordinators and explained my situation, telling them how much I loved what I had been doing and how good I was at it. When I gave them her number, I hoped she would at least tell them the truth and not lie because her brother was a psychopath.

Both of them called me back the next day and told me I could start right away, and yes, I could work from my home. I didn’t hesitate, I took both jobs and worked my ass off for both companies at the same time. Neither were so busy that I couldn’t easily handle both at the same time.

I changed the lock on the front door and told Mike I would invite him to his one night a week for a meal and we would talk about benefits later and that was all. Nothing else until I felt like things were right in my world and I was thinking clearly.

For a wonder, he never pressed it. He came over for his one meal a week, but still dropped off and picked up Hank every day he worked. His day off, he would come and mow my lawn in return. The one night a week I cooked for him, we took turns picking a single movie and he sat on the other side of the couch and we talked like normal people.

It was two long years later that Gerrid showed up to my door one day, seemingly out of the blue.

“Hey, Ava,” he smiled a little sadly.

“You can’t be here!” I told him quickly, starting to close the door.

He caught it quickly, but didn’t push in. “I know! I know, babe, the order expired while I was in and you never renewed it. It wasn’t even part of my parole to stay away from you. I just wanted to swing by and tell you how sorry I am that I fucked things up so badly. Tell you that I am medicated now and going to therapy still. I was going every day for a while, then three days a week. I still go every week now. I’m not upset, babe, I get it. I understand I really messed up bad. I just… wanted to see you. Tell you I am straight now and that I’m out. So if you see me around town, you won’t be, you know, shocked. And you can wave and say hi, you don’t have to be afraid. Ok?”

“Got it. I’m working, Gerrid, I have to go.”

“Yeah, I saw that! I was told you were kicking ass at two jobs at once. They even know and don’t care. My sister was pissed at me, saying she never should have fired you just because I fucked up so bad. She lost her temper and she wished she hadn’t. She still doesn’t have good help. Hey, do you think maybe we could…”

“No. Whatever you’re about to ask, the answer is no,” I told him quickly, watching as Mike pulled into my driveway.

Mike jumped out quickly, hurrying to the door. “Damnit, Hightower, you were told to stay away from her!” he yelled.

“The order expired! I just wanted to talk to her! I didn’t even go in, did I Ava?”

“No, but I told you, I have to go,” I repeated, feeling stressed again.

Was this really about to happen again?

“How did you even know I was here?” Gerrid whined at Mike. I saw you, you were at the station!”

“I had Joe on you, asshole! He radioed as soon as he saw you were headed this way! Get the fuck out of here and don’t come back! Ava, I brought a renewal for you to sign. He breaks it, he goes back to jail.”

“Babe! You don’t have to do that, I’ll stay away! I won’t come back here! We can just meet other places maybe and talk.”

I yanked the door open and stood up straight as Atreyu and Hank both came to stand with me, hackles up and teeth showing. “Listen to me, Gerrid Hightower! I will NEVER meet you to talk, I will NEVER let you into my house again and if you so much as look at me cross eyed I will pull the gun I carry with me everywhere now and deadass shoot you in the head. Do you understand me? Can I be more fucking clear than that? I don’t like you, I don’t want to date you and my name will not touch your lips. Ever. I am nothing to you at all! And stop fucking calling me ‘babe’ you condescending piece of complete shit!”

I slammed the door in his face and threw the lock as loudly as I could. I had no idea if he left as I hurried to my office and answered the ringing phone.

That evening, Mike showed up as I got off work and grinned at me as he handed me the papers to sign. “Not that I think he’ll ever come back now, I think he finally got the fucking point, but just to be certain. He looked absolutely stunned and crushed. Then he got that stupid look he gets when he decides he’s done. I don’t know what the fuck they did in there, but I don’t think he’s really any better. He might have gone back to just being a creep instead of a raping kidnapper, but I am doubting that this is the end of my issues with him. Yours, yes. He won’t come back here.”

I signed the papers quickly and called Hank over.

“Ava,” Mike called gently, stepping in. “I’ve given you space… and time. You are doing great, thriving even. Have you thought at all about you and I? I’ve proven I’ve changed, haven’t I? I wasn’t going to bring it up until you did, but… I feel like now’s a good time. Will you go out with me Friday? Dinner and a movie? You can pick the movie.”

“What’s wrong with the movies here?” I asked, my face red, not sure I was ready to try and change things now. We had a dynamic and it was good. I didn’t feel the need to press it. Ruin things.

He had changed though, always nice. Always a gentleman. He was actually pleasant to be around… and I had never forgotten how things had been between us as far as benefits. I thought about it often when I was alone with my vibrator, especially the night we never got to finish.

“Nothing is wrong with them, I just wanted to take you on a real date. A dress up and go out in public date,” he shrugged, looking uncertain.

I looked up at him, looked over his face and realized that I was ready. I was ready to try again, to give him a real shot.

“No,” I told him. “No, I don’t want to go to dinner and a movie.”