Page 54 of Chemistry: The Chemist

I was willing to agree to anything Chem said while he was inside of me. That’s when my vulnerability peaked. I had no control over the things I said or did. I was putty.

Chem stiffened, signaling his end. His head lowered until it reached my chest. There, it hung with support. I wised up almost instantly, knowing he’d meant every word he’d said.

“Promise me you’ll let me in and I’ll give you whatever your heart desires.”

I had demands of my own. I wanted to know more, see more, hear more… be more.

He never lifted his head as the words slammed into my chest, right where he rested.

“Whatever you want, Eden.”

Minutes after Chem’s response, I was still no less in a state of shock than I had been when it left his mouth. To hear him speak again, as he removed himself from my center, threw me for a loop.

“Do you know how to swim?”

“Ya– yes. Somewhat. Well, enough to save myself.”

“Not enough to save me if you needed to?”

I’d find a way. Cut off someone else’s arms if I needed to make sure mine didn’t get too tired. My thoughts scared me.

“I’d find a way,” I admitted, leaving the rest hidden.

“There’s a way, Eden. It doesn’t need to be found.”

“I know.”

“I’ll teach you to swim better. It’s important.”

“To who? Because I have no reason t–”

“To me.”

That settled it. That was all that mattered.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” He sucked his teeth. “That simple.”

“Yes.”

He carried me, bridal-style, out of the pool.

“Is it dick that cures your defiance?”

“If answering yes will encourage you to give me more of it, then yes.”

“Haven’t you had enough, yet?”

“For now, yes. But, another week withou–”

“I apologize. I was unaware my absence had such a tremendous effect on you. I can’t promise every day, but it will never be a week. Not if I can help it. Understand?”

Nodding, I allowed his words to linger instead of muddling the moment with mine. They were unnecessary. I wanted to use the energy I’d need to speak to believe him. My sanity depended on it.

Through his home, dripping wet, he carried me until we reached the shower. There was a shower in the pool area, but I assumed he wasn’t interested. In his larger one, he removed his trunks and grabbed two bath cloths.

He’s a caretaker. I noted another quality of his.

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