Page 84 of Innocent Intentions

He smiles softly. “Good girl.”

My stomach tightens. Heat rushed through me at the words, at the approval I didn’t even realize I wanted. Needed.

He chuckles knowingly.

I blush harder.

He grabsmyloofah and pours a generous amount ofhissoap on it.

“If we’re washing my cum off of you,” he murmurs, “you’re using my soap. You’re smelling like me. One way or another.”His tone is dark, dissatisfied. Like he hates that he can’t leave his mark on me permanently.

He washes every inch of me, making sure I’m just as clean as before he broke into my shower.

I return the favor, cleaning him just as thoroughly.

And somehow, it’s more intimate than everything we just did.

When we step out of the shower, I realize myAngry Girl Revenge Anthemis still playing.

It didn’t serve its purpose. I didn’t stay angry.

But it still feels like a small victory that it was blasting while he came.

***

Dinner passes in a blur.

I’m too distracted to be good company. Matty carries the conversation easily, barely phased.

There’s no lingering anger from earlier. And yet, I can still feel the ache between my legs. I still feel his words, his control, his denial. And I can’t help but think…

Maybe I deserve it.

For what I did.

I didn’t think he’d actually follow through on punishing me. But now that he has, I can’t help but feel that I got off easily.

We get ready for bed in a comfortable silence.

When Matty joins me, he pulls me onto his side and tucks me against him. I guess he already knows I’d end up there, so why bother waiting?

His warmth envelops me. His breathing is steady. Even.

And right as sleep starts to pull me under, I hear him murmur, “Goodnight, my sweet girl.”

It’s soft and gentle.

He presses a kiss to the back of my head.

I pretend to be asleep, because I don’t know how to respond to this side of him.

We’ve crossed a line into a territory I don’t know how to navigate.

And the worst part?

The part that makes my stomach twist?

I can’t help but feel he’s been right all along.

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