Page 35 of Orion Ruined

He doesn’t answer. Just adds two pancakes to a plate and passes it to me. He puts the maple syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream on the table. “Here.”

“Aren’t you eating?”

“No.” He sits next to me.

I blink. “What was that all about?”

“Some fucked-up shit you don’t need to worry about. What else you got on my address?”

“Um, activities that you’re involved in, door-to-door services and deliveries of essentials for disadvantaged neighborhoods. That was surprising to read. Also, the boxing club. It was noted in detail about what goes on in there, basically illegal gambling, fixed boxing matches, special parties. I wondered even then, um, what are these special parties?”

He cocks his head. “You couldn’t guess? Come on, genius, don’t dumb yourself down for me.”

I shrug. “You could still tell me.”

“It’s sex parties. But you knew that already, didn’t you?” he chuckles.

I meet his eyes and pick up the can of whipped cream, squeezing some into my mouth. Some of it dribbles onto my chin. I did know that. I just wanted him to tell me.

He wipes the blob off my chin with his thumb and uses it to deposit the cream back into my mouth. As it lingers there, I wrap my lips around it and suck it clean. He pulls it out, picks up his coffee, and takes a sip.

“You do this all the time,” I accuse him.

“Do what?”

“What you just did. Start something and… don’t finish it.”

“Did that turn you on?”

I nod.

“Who made you squirt cream into your mouth?”

I shrug.

“Was that not done to provoke me?” he asks.

I nod again, not looking at him.

“Maisy, there will always be consequences for your actions. Especially if you act like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like a brat.”

“What do you mean?”

Orion sucks in a breath. “Let me ask you: did you enjoy our last encounter?”

“I did.”

“And when I left, I said you’d had enough, didn’t I?”

I nod.

“Do you also remember the pain you felt when I left?”

I nod.

---