Page 41 of Payback
“Why can’t you, for once, give me the truth?” he asked.
“You want the truth? What am I supposed to tell you?”
“Tell me you understand.”
“Understand?” I asked, perplexed.
“Why I’m torturing you. Tell me you understand that everything you did was wrong, and that you deserve this,” he clarified.
This time, a smile spread across my lips, and despite the sharp grip on my hair, I moved closer to him. Glancing only for a short moment at his lips, I replied, “Never.”
His eyes darkened, clearly displeased with that answer.
“I would do it all over again.”
Fueled by his anger, he pressed me even closer, our bodies in the tightest embrace possible. A peculiar dryness gripped my throat, a sensation I couldn't quite explain. The tension had grown so thick that each breath was a struggle. His hold on me tightened further, prompting a hiss from me, which seemed to amuse him. Strangely, neither of us budged. We stood ensnared by the powerful energy swirling between us—anger and hatred so thick they hung in the air like scorching heat. Slowly, Jared released his grip, and I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful my scalp wasn't on the verge of being torn apart. His hand descended, a slight shake of his head accompanying the gesture.
“I told you, you never change,” he replied darkly.
I didn’t comment, as I could see how my words contradicted my earlier ones stating that I had changed. Maybe I hadn’t. I might not resort to childish pranks anymore, but was I a better person. Or was I fooling myself, playing pretend?
“It’s late. Let’s go to bed.”
Jared seized my arm and guided me out of the kitchen, leading me through the house and upstairs once more. Arriving at the blue room, he pushed me inside, causing me to stumble to the room's center. There, he turned me to face him, tearing the apron from me, leaving me exposed and vulnerable before him once more. The sudden chill served as a stark reminder of my complete nakedness in his presence. While the apron had offered only partial coverage, its absence bared me entirely, leaving nothing hidden from Jared's view. His gaze traveled down my form, leaving me uncertain whether he would demand another round before bedtime. However, he lifted his gaze, locking eyes with me, and then he gestured toward the cage.
"Get in," he commanded.
"I need to use the bathroom," I informed him.
He gripped my arm, guiding me through my personal chamber of torment and into the dimly lit bathroom with its dark-tiled interior. He urged me forward and leaned against the wall. No door separated this room from the next, just a narrow passage.
"What? Are you planning to watch me pee?" I questioned.
"Go ahead. I won't leave until you're in the cage."
"I am not peeing in front of you."
"And if I turn my back, who knows what might happen?" he countered.
"Yes, I wonder what could occur. Because a small woman like myself could certainly overpower a man like you," I retorted.
"You'd be surprised at the determination someone can muster when driven to desperation," he shot back.
"If I could take you down, I would have done so already! Turn around!"
"I don't believe slaves issue orders. Now, either relieve yourself or hold it."
"You're completely serious?"
"Alison, I trust you about as much as I'd trust a shark while I’m dressed in meat clothing," he stated.
"You're unbelievable," I replied, raising my middle finger. "Enjoy the show."
"I most certainly will," he chuckled.
I had already endured a great deal within the past 24 hours, yet I hadn't anticipated that I'd find myself needing to relieve myself in front of Jared, completely naked. If that wasn't sheer humiliation, then I struggled to identify what could surpass it. I had assumed that the knowledge of his control over my orgasm would be the thought keeping me awake. Now, in addition to that, I would be reminded that he had watched me during such an intimate act. As soon as I finished washing my hands, he seized me once more, leading me back into the room and commanding me to enter the cage. I took the blanket with me, ensuring I remained warm. He locked the cage, plunging the room into darkness as he switched off the lights. The sound of the door closing resonated like the final note of the day. Despite everything, I felt a sense of relief that I had managed to survive at least one day. It had been grueling, but having gained a glimpse into the depths of the new, darker Jared, I believed I could endure whatever he had planned for me.
I enveloped myself in the blanket, striving to find comfort before closing my eyes. However, the events of the day replayed in my mind like an incessant loop. I could almost hear the way he had groaned when he climaxed, or the sounds I had emitted as he brought me to orgasm. Our conversation echoed like a haunting movie, underscoring how much had transformed, yet how much remained unchanged. It served as a painful reminder that certain people never truly matured, and I feared I was now among their ranks. I had orchestrated this nightmare for myself, and now I was condemned to exist within it.
