Page 107 of These Family Ties

When I wake up, there's a dull ache between my legs, and it comes crashing down on me what's just happened. I feel sick, so I lean over the side of the bed and see the bucket already there.

He's thought of everything.

The sandwich he brought earlier is wrapped up next to the bed, and there's a glass of water, too.

"Welcome back," he says from where he's sitting across the room.

I need to play this carefully. He's obviously living in his ego right now because in his mind he's conquered me. I lean over and hurl into the bucket. "Don't look," I gasp. "I'm gross."

"You can never be gross to me, Brodie." His voice is so gentle. If this had been another situation, had we been other people, this might have been sweet.

But I am a victim of a kidnapping, and I don't know what happened between us. I know I didn't say no, but I wasn't in the right frame of mind. Whatever it was he had me inhale did a number on my libido.

I'd heard of stuff you can buy that does that, but I've never tried anything like that myself. It was as though I was on an almighty high, and everything was pleasurable. Every nerve in my body screamed pleasure.

There are no lingering effects, though. Thank God. And I just feel sick from the vodka. I sit up with my back against the bed frame, and I look at him. I resist the urge to cover myself. He's been inside me, and I want to shrink away from him, but I need him to start trusting me. I need him to believe that I want him. Otherwise, I'm never going to get out of here.

"Last night was...amazing." I want to hurl again, but I don't. I try to sound sincere.

"I think it was a turning point in our relationship together," Eitan says quietly. "I know I enjoyed myself."

"I've never felt pleasure like that before," that's not a total lie. If it had been with someone else, I'd probably be bragging about the best orgasms I've ever had.

"I'm so pleased you see it that way." Eitan stands up. He walks toward the door.

"Wait," I call out, and he pauses. "I...I need to shower. After sex, I normally shower."

"You can shower," he says quietly, and I feel elated. "I will make sure the water is nice and hot for you before you shower.''

"Have you already showered?" I ask, trying to sound interested and not disgusted.

He smiles. "I'm fine, I've showered." He goes to the bathroom and runs the water. Steam rises from the shower, and he comes out, taking out a key. "You can go shower."

He unlocks the lock on the chain, and I rub my ankle. I walk to the bathroom and glance at the door to my right, but Eitan quickly moves to sit down next to it.

"I'll give you some privacy."

"Can I have clothes?" I ask.

"You only need the skirt." He smiles brightly.

I nod and give a hesitant smile back. I go to the bathroom without the door and strip the skirt off. I climb under the hot water and pick up the bar of soap he's left on the floor. I start to wash up, enjoying the feeling of being clean. I use the bar of soap to wash my hair before I climb out of the shower and put the skirt on while I’m still wet.

As I come out of the shower, he directs me to the bed.

"Do I really need to be chained up?" I ask, pouting.

"Yes, I don't trust you," he says as he fixes the chain back to my leg.

"I understand," I say softly. "I mean, this was genius of you to pull off."

He glances at me. "Was it now?"

"I didn't suspect a thing. I never knew how you felt about me."

"How could you not?" He looks at me seriously. "I have always loved you, always. There's never been a moment I haven't loved you, Brodie."

"I'm sorry that I only see that now," I say calmly. I reach for his hand, but he pulls away hesitantly.

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