It wasn’t my first kiss. It wasn’t even the first time someone put their hands under my skirt.

But I did not have the experience he did. I was a virgin, and he knew that. So, when I rolled my hips to press my core against him, he stopped me with the hand on my thigh. He pulled my head back with the one in my hair, and he looked deep into my eyes.

I’m not going to take your virginity in my bathroom during a party. You should know you deserve better than that.

My eyes were heavy with lust, and I struggled to swallow, but I nodded.

He sucked the skin below my ear, licking it better when I hissed from the pain, and he talked in my ear again.I’m very serious about loyalty. Your cunt belongs to me now, Ella. You’re not going to let anyone else touch it, are you?

Everything inside me melted. My brain not functioning was the least of my problems when I could feel my panties getting soaked by the reaction I had to his words.

I tried to shake my head, but he tightened his grip.Words, he ordered low. Something feral I had never heard before was rumbling in his voice.

No. No, I won’t.

You won’t,he confirmed.Those guys who run after you at school don’t deserve you. I’m going to be the first man to know what it’s like to have you come on his dick. And I can’t fucking wait.

He let me go and took a step back. He helped me off the counter, holding me gently by the waist until he was sure I was stable on my feet.

And you?I asked with the little reality that was left in me.Are you going to be loyal to me?It was a fair question knowing the shit that group usually got into.

I will never break the trust you put in me.

He tucked strands of hair behind my ears before flattening his hands on my cheeks and making me look up at him. I felt like I was on a plane, my ears buzzing, the pressure on my skull heavy.

Luke doesn’t need to know anything. Not until I tell him, okay?

Okay,I repeated.

He smiled, happy with my numb agreement. I hate myself now knowing how dumb I let him make me. All I did was agree and follow. I let him take hold of my mind and make me believe he was bringing me to heaven when all he was doing was corrupting me.

Go home. I’ll see you on Monday.

He dropped a kiss on the top of my head, opened the door for me like a real gentleman, and I walked back down to leave. My head was fuzzy, my steps uneven.

My friend asked me where I was, and I answeredbathroomwith numb lips. I could still taste him on my tongue, feel his powerful grip on my skin.

Chris took my virginity the week after. He drove me home after school, and I sneaked him into my room. I didn’t think we were going to go all the way. But it’s hard to resist someone as handsome as him when he’s got his head between your legs and whispers,I’m afraid I’ll go insane if I don’t make you mine, Ella.

And like he had done with the kiss he said,this is your only chance to stop me.

I didn’t.

And after that, I was well and truly fucked. Pun intended.

I should have known that the men in that friendship group are all messed up in the head. It doesn’t matter how sweet Chris looks on the outside. It doesn’t matter that his words are soft, and he acts like a gentleman when he orders me around. Those men are jealous, possessive. They’re domineering in all the wrong ways. I was just too stupid to register the toxicity of our relationship.

We had to hide, but I was not allowed to be too close to other men. Or wear things he didn’t want me to wear. The clothes weren’t a jealous thing. We had a uniform at Stoneview Prep anyway. But on weekends, for secret dates, or for parties, he loved to tell me how to dress. Sometimes he’d come to my house before a party if no one else was there, just so we could spend time together. He’d lay clothes on the bed while I was in the shower. The first time was quite a shock.

What the hell?

I love that dress on you.

I remember mocking him.We’re not going to church. It’s a Stoneview Prep party. I was going to wear my leather skirt. Don’t you think I look sexy in it?

I winked at him, gripping my towel and blowing him a kiss with my other hand. I thought we were joking around.

He kept a soft voice when he pointed at the bed.You’re going to the party wearing this dress, or you’re not going.