Chapter 32
Elle
I felt a hand on my leg, fingers squeezing lightly on my thigh. There was breathing, close to me, raising in intensity, light groans of pleasure, of anticipation. My thoughts were hazy, my vision blurred as I began to stir and wake. Was I dreaming?
My dry eyes cracked open and I saw Brad sitting on the bed beside me, his hand resting on my leg. His eyes began growing in desire as his fingers slowly began to drag my skirt up, my underwear slowly coming into his view.
I clenched my legs tight and spoke lightly. “Brad, what are you doing?”
He turned to me suddenly, as if shocked out of a trance.
“Nothing,” he said, lifting his hand from my leg. His voice remained calm. “I was just....looking.”
The way he spoke made a chill run up my spine. I knew it wouldn't be long before he wanted to do more than look, before I woke up one day with him on top of me. He wasn't the same man I knew, that sweet and kind man who'd do anything for me. He'd changed over the last year, growing unhinged. There was no telling what he was capable of now.
“I've missed you a lot Elle,” he said to me, still a lust in his words. “I haven't been with anyone since you. I don't think I want to be with anyone ever again. Do you feel the same?” He looked at me with this detached look ofhope.
I could only lie to him, tell him what he wanted to hear.
“Of course, Brad.”
“I'm glad,” he said. “I've been thinking of having you in bed with me again for a long time now. I'm so happy you're here with me.”
I shuddered inside as his eyes again washed over my body. His hand began rising towards my neck, stroking his fingers down under my chin and towards my chest.
I couldn't help but shake and grimace at his touch, turning my head away slightly and shutting my eyes.
“You don't enjoy my touch any more?” he asked, his voice oddly soft.
I was caught between telling him what he wanted to hear and saying the exact opposite. I just didn't know what he'd do either way.
“I just haven't had anyone touch me in a long time. It still feels weird to me.”
“But it's me Elle. It's only me.”
His lips moved down towards my neck. I was frozen, not knowing what to say or do. I kept my eyes shut with my head turned to the side as his hand slid up my arm. His kisses were soft but began growing in intensity, his breathing beginning to increase as his hands started rubbing aggressively over my body.
I twisted my body away from him, turning my back up as high as I could. His busy hands stopped immediately, his lips cast away from my neck and cheek.
I could hear him standing up behind me, the room dropping into total silence.
“You will give me what I want Elle.” His words were now lost of their softness, any compassion or understanding gone. They were violent, menacing, full of repressed anger.
I stayed as closed up as I could, my body arched away from him and my eyes shut tight, just praying that he'd leave me alone.
But he didn't.
I heard him undo his zip, his hands fiddling at buttons, and the sound of pants dropping.
“I've wanted this for a year. I won't be denied it.”
I was frozen as I felt his hand reach up my skirt and grip at my underwear, dragging them down. I tried to struggle, wanted to struggle, but couldn't move. My body was locked in fear.
I felt his body press up against me, his mouth bearing down on my ear. “Relax Elle. You used to enjoy this. It will be just like before. I promise.”
I closed my eyes tight, trying to call out. But there was no point, no one was going to save me.
BANG BANG BANG.
My eyes opened suddenly as I heard a loud knock at the door downstairs.
I felt Brad's body stiffen at my back, his breathing suddenly going still. A silence lay upon the room, both of us holding our breath.
The door knocked loudly again and I heard a voice shouting outside. It was a man, but I couldn't make it out.
“Is anyone in?” the voice boomed.
I thought about calling out, screaming at the top of my lungs to alert the guy to my presence. Maybe he'd call the police, maybe it was the police?
I tried to shout but my voice was caught, my scream coming out like a whimper. I felt Brad's hand coming back down over my mouth as I struggled on the bed, my voice growing louder. I managed to rip my head from his grasp just long enough to release a piercing cry into the air, shrieking for help.
Brad's hand closed back over my mouth and I bit hard, feeling my teeth sink into his flesh. He stifled his own roar, his spare hand coming cracking down on my head, loosening my jaw.
The world began to go fuzzy around me, a haze filtering into my eyes. Another blow hit my head, and then blackness engulfed me.