Page 40 of Tommy
But like he said, what choice do I have?
Nothing came to me last night. No immediate clue on how to solve this. I went from owing the bank to owing the Kings to beingownedby him.
He has all the cards. I have nothing. I’m desperate.
But beyond that, I’m hopeless.
There doesn’t seem to be a single way out, a single hope that I can make this work without him. And he knows that. If he wants me to dance, then I’ll do it.
So far that’s all he’s asked. Told, actually. There’s no asking. No need to when you own a person.
So now I have to learn how to dance. To entice a person to look at me. To not feel sick to my stomach at the eyes that will travel my body. To feel comfortable in every part of myself as I show it off to another.
I nod.
What else can I do?
He doesn’t jump for joy at my acquiescence. He smirks, just a small lift on the side of his lip that sets off a flutter in my stomach. The sight should make me fear him.
But I don’t. Because that small part, the one I want to just shut up and die, grows like a steady glow inside, holding on to the smirk as though I should be happy he graced me with it.
“Let’s go.” He turns and goes to the kitchen, washing out his cup before putting it in the dishwasher.
“Go?” I start forward and trip, my feet sending the message up to my brain that I still have his clothes wrapped around me. I pull them up quickly and grab the sweater before pulling it on as well.
He nods and walks toward the hallway with that damn elevator.
“Where?”
“Your place.”
“My place?” I question as I continue to stand by his dining table, clothed now but barefoot.
He stops and turns to look at me. “Usually I wouldn’t care what you wear, but since we’re going outside—put shoes on.”
This man has a way of leaving my mouth opening and closing, no words prevailing.
With a sigh, he comes toward me, his fingers moving not to lift my chin, but to close it and keep it shut as he looks me in the eye.
“You were attacked at your home. Do you really think I’d let my investment stay some place that couldaffectmy investment again?”
I slowly shake my head, lost in his eyes as his voice casts a spell around me.
“You aren’t safe there. So we’re going to get your stuff and put it where itissafe.”
I lick my dry lips, noting his eyes glance down for a fraction of a second to track the movement before returning to my face.
“Where will I be staying?”
He looks at me before dropping his hand and walking away, not answering my question.
“I’ll wait” is all he says before I move back to the room I was in last night. Not slept in, since I didn’t sleep. Not enough to count, anyway. Rested? Perhaps that’s the right word.
I put my shoes on, then absently grab my purse that’s still hanging on the back door hook in the guest bathroom and walk back to him.
He says nothing as he pushes the button and the elevator doors open. Nor as he escorts me out of the elevator, past the car we drove in last night, and into a black SUV that is two parking spots down.
I don’t speak as he opens my door. Don’t question him when he takes my elbow and helps me up into the vehicle.
