Page 48 of By Sin To Atone

“Watching me sleep,” I mutter under my breath. “My purse?”

He points and I don’t know how I missed it sitting on the counter along the back wall. I pick it up, rummaging through for my makeup.

“There’s a bathroom down the hall you can use,” he says, watching me differently than he was before. Like he’s trying to figure me out.

I walk to the bathroom, taking in the house, noticing the dust cloths are off most of the furniture and light pours in from the oversized windows. The house is beautiful, and I imagine cost a fortune to furnish. I wonder about the electricity bill then remember he said it’s not his house. I wonder whose it is.

On my way to the bathroom, I pass the study. The things that were on the desk are still lying on the floor and I look quickly away remembering what he did. I touch my ass, which is still sore from the spanking which, followed by, well, by what followed, was the least of my humiliations.

That takes me to what he said earlier. A virginity test? What the fuck? And testing that I’m clean. What about him? I’m sure out of the two of us he’s the one to worry about. I get it he wants to fuck me. Why not? I’m under his control and he’s not made a secret of finding me attractive. Even if he didn’t, he’s a man and men will fuck anything, right? So truly, why not? I’d be different than any woman he’d date. No hassle. And no choices. When he says bend over, I’ll be bending over.

My body’s reaction to it all, though, isn’t what it should be. I shouldn’t be attracted to him. I shouldn’t want him to touch me.

With a groan, I force the thoughts out of my mind and walk into the bathroom. I switch on the light. It, like the rest of the house, is bright and beautiful with its pedestal sink made completely of marble, antique brass fixtures and mirror. I don’t dally, though. I hurry to put on my makeup. What takes the most time is the foundation because I have to layer and blend so well. I meant what I said. It upsets Wren to see it. But I also don’t like anyone staring and they do stare.

He asked if she remembered that night and I hope she never does. Let that be the one blessing of what happened to her. The damage he did.

Ten minutes later, I return to the kitchen to find Cynthia plating an omelet for me. There’s also juice and coffee. Zeke’s gone. I drink the juice first and eat the omelet. I’m starving, again. I feel like I’ve been starving for years.

I’m almost finished my plate when he returns carrying the laptop and the Ziploc containing the gun.

“You ate all that?” he asks, looking surprised.

“I don’t waste food,” I say, wiping the corner of my mouth. I’m sure a man like him has never known hunger, so I don’t bother to explain myself.

He looks at my face and I’m suddenly self-conscious.

“It’s fine,” he says. “You can’t see it.”

I nod, turn to Cynthia. “Thanks for breakfast. That was really good. Are you getting rid of the bacon?” I ask, seeing the extra strips in the pan that she’s carrying toward the sink.

“Unless you want them,” she says, eyebrows raised.

I walk over, pick them out of the pan and eat them, too. “What?” I ask Zeke who is staring at me.

“Nothing. Wash your hands. I don’t want grease in my car.”

I roll my eyes and wash my hands, remembering the first night I was here. Has it only been forty-eight hours?

“Let’s go,” Zeke says and gestures to the front door.

“What are you doing with those?” I ask about the things he’s holding.

“Dropping them off with my brother. I know someone who’s good with computers.” His expression is mocking.

“Oh. There’s nothing on there.”

“Well, then you won’t mind if I just make sure for myself,” he says and opens the front door.

“One more thing,” I say, turning to face him. I pull the chain up from under my dress. “Wren won’t understand what this is.”

He grins. “You can explain it to her. Or I can.”

I shake my head. “This is serious. Take it off.”

“When are you going to learn you don’t call the shots.”

“Please take it off,” I force myself to say. “Just until our visit is over. You can put it right back on after.”

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