Page 11 of His Heaven, Her Hell
“Thank you… Good night.”
I walked away and got onto the elevator. I let out the nervous breath I was holding in. Truce made me nervous, making me feel things I shouldn't. Just us walking up to the house, withhim holding my baby and bags, felt too much like this was our home, our baby, our normal. I couldn't stop the sexual attraction toward him. The man just oozed great sex, great love, and BDE. His chiseled face, full lips, light eyes, broad shoulders, and athletic body had my pussy screaming for him. The corporate look he was sporting had me wanting him to put his hands and mouth on me.
I was contradicting myself about having no interest in men, but looking at him had me not caring that I was a damn walking contradiction. I really hoped and prayed he wouldn't be staying here for long. There was no way I could stop myself from shooting my shot with myfiancé’sbrother because, fuck Damien at this point. I was sick of him. Truce showed me more kindness and attention than Damien ever had, which was probably why I was now feeling a sense of finally wanting to take my life back. The way Truce stared at me, trying to see if I was okay, and how accepting he was of my daughter, even though it was his niece, made me feel like he cared.
No one ever cared.
Not his mother, aunt, cousins, or uncles. None of them cared to check on me to see how I was mentally, physically, or emotionally. They just doted on Scottlyn and Damien, making me feel like I didn't exist.
Imagine what a little attention from a gorgeous man could do.
After giving Scottlyn her nighttime bath, feeding her, and reading her a bedtime story, she was out within ten minutes of me reading the second Dr. Seuss book. I laid her in her crib, grabbed the baby monitor, and went into my room to changeinto my dance attire. I needed to go down to my studio and dance my frustration, pain, and sexual tension away.
After getting dressed, I pulled my hair up into a bun, grabbed my water bottle and towel, and went into the basement. As I stepped through the threshold of the studio door, I felt my transformation enter along with me. This was what I loved. It’s what defined the woman I wanted to become. It was my dream and was supposed to be my destiny, but love derailed my plans and gave me a first-class ticket to a place I didn't want to be.
I did a few stretches, then shut off the light and turned on the LED lights, changing the color setting to red. Walking over to the wall where I kept my shoes, I grabbed the four-inch YSL red bottoms—an apology gift from my abuser—placed them on, then turned on the camera to record my moves. I hooked my phone to the Bluetooth speakers and went to my playlist. Ciara’s “Body Party” queued as I got into position to begin my eight counts in front of the wall of mirrors.
The pole was installed for Damien’s entertainment, so I rarely used it unless he came in demanding that I dance for him. But tonight, I had a different man in mind. My hips wound until I dropped down into a butterfly position and got down on my knees. I sexily crawled over to the pole, stood, climbed to the top, and spun around, parting my legs into an air split before slowly and seductively making my way back down into a floor split.
The song blended to Lucky Daye’s “Over,” and I made up another eight count. I felt sexy, grown, and empowered. I was in my element and loved every twist, turn, head roll, and bend of my limbs.
Song after song, I stayed inside my studio, dancing for over an hour. When Dru Hill’s “In My Bed” came on, I felt myself going inside my head. Thoughts of Damien and our relationship consumed me. I was really in love with him once upon a time and would have been anything he needed and desired. I wasa good person and knew I didn't deserve to be treated like a punching bag and doormat. I had to get away from him if it were the last thing I did. Almost a year of being his hostage was enough to drive anyone crazy, and before I allowed my daughter to grow up and witness his treatment toward me, I was going to leave. Her first birthday is next month, giving me thirty days to plan my escape.
Once the song ended, I turned off the music and sat down on the bench across the room. Going to the photo gallery on my phone, I went to the last video with my mom, sister, and me at my baby shower. I watched as all of our faces displayed happiness. My smile was genuine, and my laugh was contagious as Jas spoke to my stomach, telling my baby that she was going to steal her away from me.
“You might as well give it up, sis. You're having this baby for me!” she yelled in excitement.
“Girl, please. Have your own baby. Don't be trying to take mine.” I giggled into the camera.
Before I could stop it, my lips trembled, my eyes stung, and tears flowed as soon as my mom, Draya, came into the camera. She kissed my cheek and told me how proud she was of me. I missed them so much that my heart hurt.
“Hey.” Snapping into place at the sound of his deep voice, I wiped my face. Seeing Truce leaning in the doorway, I sighed as he asked, “You good?”
“I’m fine. I thought you’d be asleep,” I said, taking off my heels and placing them back on the rack. I looked at the time on my phone, noticing it was after midnight. I didn't realize I’d been in here that long, watching videos on my phone as I wiped my face with the towel.
“I dozed for a bit but woke up and decided to explore.”
When I turned to face him, I damn near melted into the floor. His hair was free of the braids and fell down his shoulders withthe crinkle impressions the braids left behind. He wore a white t-shirt, basketball shorts, with white socks and Nike slides on his feet. Just seeing him in something as simple as that had my pussy beating like a drum.
The fuuuck! Why, Lord? Why would You do this to me?
Was God trying to punish me? Was He not aware that this man was making me sexually aroused and uncomfortable around him? As bad as I would enjoy getting my lick back on Damien by riding his brother’s dick from dusk till dawn, I couldn't, or rather wouldn't, be that person. I didn't want any trouble, so this man needed to get the hell away from me.
“I see you couldn't sleep either.”
Shutting off the lights, I responded, “Dancing usually puts me to sleep. I'm headed to shower and pass out now.”
He stepped back so I could pass him but grabbed my wrist lightly before I could walk away.
“I know you don’t know me, and I may be a little nosy, but I can't help but see nothing but sadness when I look at you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
I tensed and looked away from him. I wasn't telling him anything that would cause me more trouble than it already had. I couldn't tell my fiancé’s brother that he was a cheating, lying, abusive sack of shit. I couldn't make him my ally when I knew nothing about him. He could very well be setting me up. His being here could be a ploy to try to seduce me so Damien can beat the hell out of me.
No—I wasn't falling for it.
“I promise, I’m fine. Good night.”
I hurried toward the elevator to get away from him when I felt an arm wrap around my waist and a hard chest on my back. The bulge against my ass made me gain some fucking sense as I quickly moved out of his grasp.
