Page 29 of Strings Attached
Jack smiled. “As any others, I suppose. I had my rebellious years, of course, but nothing out of this world. I was actually a pretty good kid, good grades.”
“Friends?”
“A few, but by then, I was already a bit of a loner. I believe the word introverted was used by one of my teachers.”
I scribbled that down. “We’re you...hurting anyone at that point?”
“No.” The word was simple, yet I could hear so many unsaid things behind it. He didn’t want to tell me when he started killing. I could sense it.
“Have you ever hurt animals?”
“Also, no. Animals are always innocent. I never saw the point in harming any.” He crossed his arms over his chest, averting his gaze. His jaw clenched, the muscle at his throat throbbing slightly.
A realization dawned on me, and I straightened. “Were you ever bullied?”
“I want to put forth a second condition,” he said so suddenly as though completely oblivious to my previous question. When I arched an eyebrow, he continued, “I get one question I can skip until a time I want to answer it.”
“Okay, but I get the same condition when it comes to an ask from you,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him as my butt continued throbbing. Falling asleep had been difficult for multiple reasons, my aching ass being one. Him sleeping next to me was certainly another. Especially since he slept in nothing but boxer briefs.
“Fair,” he said with a curt nod. “What other question do you have for me, then?”
“Are your parents still alive?” I asked, hoping this wasn’t another delicate subject.
“My father died of a heart attack when I was twenty-three, and my mother passed away from cancer when I was thirty-nine.”
I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hold him close. “I’m sorry.” And I meant it; I knew what it was like to lose loved ones. More than once. That was part of that curse I was convinced I had.
“I think that’s enough for today,” he said as he got to his feet. I’d been interviewing him since we’d woken up, not even giving him a pause during breakfast. With everything I’d gotten, my report would be perfect.
“Mind if I take a quick shower?” I’d been looking forward to trying out all the different sprays.
“Of course. Towels are in the cupboard in the washroom. Help yourself.”
I nearly ran through the door, too excited to try it out. It was so big and had so many different jets; I could dance in here if I wanted to. Hell, a single mattress would fit in there. Part of me didn’t want to lock the door?an invitation for Jack to come in if he wanted to?but I decided to follow the ethical path. My research methodology professor would die from shock if I told her what I’d done so far. Even the condition of an exchange wasn’t great.
Well, some people gave away Tim Horton gift cards, and I gave away favors. Orasks, as Jack called them.
The shower was just as blissful as I imagined. I didn’t want to run his electricity bill down the drain, so I still washed up as quickly as possible, enjoying every second.
When I was cleaned, I slipped on a summer dress, liking how it flowed from my waist to above my knees. Like a beautiful purple flower.
I stepped out of the washroom, hair still wet, but the towel had done a good enough job.
“By the way, thanks so much for all your answers before,” I called out, assuming he was by his bed.
He came out of where there was a partition near the kitchen and grinned. “You’ll still have plenty more notes soon enough after we’re done today.”
“Oh?” I approached.
He stood at the end of a large table, hands clasped behind his back as he stared at me mischievously. A small chocolate fountain was in front of him, along with dozens of strawberries carefully placed on a plate.
I approached, arching an eyebrow in silent questioning. Just as I was about to sit on the chair to his side, he grasped my wrist, holding my back.
“Oh, no no.” His hand reached for the back of my dress, and my breath hitched. “My next ask has everything to do with the victim you said you wanted to see.”
I trembled as his fingers clasped the zipper, and he slowly began unzipping my dress. “No need to be so scared. You’re not the victim this time.” He continued until my dress was fully opened at the back. He gave my dress a small tug, and it fell to the floor.
Without warning, he picked me up effortlessly and laid me on the table. My whole body warmed at the thought of what I looked like.
