James came home from the hospital after being on call for over a day. He greeted me in the kitchen with a smile from ear to ear. He never smiled like that, especially after a long shift. I tried to step away from him as he closed the space between us. A spark in his eye worked as a warning that something was afoot.
He pulled me into his arms, but my muscles didn’t relax in his hold. I was waiting for the next shoe to drop and it did when he leaned down, and whispered, “Meet me upstairs in fifteen minutes. I have a present for you.”
He pressed his lips against mine and ravished my mouth with his tongue. When he pulled away and left the kitchen to go upstairs, I caught my breath and worried my lip. I glanced at the clock and watched the minutes go by slowly, my stomach a knotted mess.
I started up the stairs after fifteen minutes and paused outside the open bedroom door. My legs refused to move, but James saw me and called to me. He was lying on the bed naked, propped up on one elbow. Though James was the first man I had seen up close and unclothed, he had the appearance of a man in his prime. Toned arms, defined abs, and long, firm legs made for running. His hair appeared to be wet, so he must have taken a quick shower before I came up. But one item on his body stood out to me, literally—I couldn’t miss his erection as he stroked himself with one hand.
“Come lie down next to me,” James said as he eyed the open space on the bed beside him. “I have something special to give you.”
I buried a laugh as I walked forward. It seemed pretty clear what he was going to give me. I made it to the edge of the bed before he spoke again.
“Now, take off your clothes and come here.” He spoke with an undertone of impatience as he let go of himself and patted the comforter.
I obeyed his command and removed my clothes. His heated stare made me squirm in search of being safe from his eyes. I considered turning around and hiding myself, but James wouldn’t have liked that one bit. I chose to do as he asked to keep him happy. I laid the clothes on the upholstered bench at the foot of the bed and my hands remained at my sides as I fought the urge to cover all my exposed areas.
“Harlow,” James’ stern voice filled the room, causing me to jump, “I will not ask you again.”
I nodded and lowered my head, cowering before him. I climbed on the bed and scooted myself beside him. Bending my knees up, I brought my long hair over my breasts to hide myself from him.
“I don’t understand you being so shy. We’ve been fucking for weeks now.” I flinched at his words. The reality of them shook me. Fucking. Not making love or even having sex. The hardcore term didn’t set well with me. “Aren’t you the least bit curious about your present?”
James searched my face for a reaction, so I played along, even though I had a clue his idea of a gift would end up with me on my back and him pushing inside me.
“What is it?” I gave him a half-smile and he returned it with a shit-eating grin.
“It’s a reward type of gift.” I knitted my brows, even more confused than I was before I sat on the bed. “It’s attached to something and it’s yours after you take care of it. With your mouth.”
I lifted my shoulders and he glanced from my eyes to his penis. I followed his trail and saw a bracelet of some kind at the very base of his full erection. It was looped around him and I closed my eyes for a brief second in hopes of willing it away. But when I glimpsed down again, the diamond bracelet shined in the room’s light.
“It’s a tennis bracelet, babe. You suck me, and it’s your reward.” James spoke in a husky voice and laid flat on the bed. He reached for my arm and tried to guide my body. After a few instructions from him, I tasted him on my tongue for the first time. James tried to encourage me by saying my first blowjob came with a prize.
Now, looking down and toying with my heavy diamond covered jackpot, I say it came with a price—a very high one—and I intend to pawn it this Monday and use the funds to start a new life. It’s the one item he’s given me that I feel I’ve earned.
“Harlow.” I jump as James calls out to me in the dark kitchen. The sound brings me to my present reality. His feet pad across the kitchen floor toward me and I try not to stiffen as he draws near. Just two more days and I can leave this place—and him. I just have to play nice while he’s watching. I spin away from the sink and face him. He stands tall in front of me; a towering form I once thought would be a fortress and help me find my way in this world after the heartbreak of my mother’s death. Instead, I realize he’s used his power in my weakness to keep me away from the world.
“James,” I answer quickly, “I was getting ready to head upstairs.”
He brushes a stray hair from my face. “So lovely in the shadows. Your hair glows around you like a halo. My lovely angel.”
He reaches for me, but I move to the side away from him. He answers my movements with a huff.