Page 47 of Aperture

“Doesn’t surprise me,” he shrugs. “He used to party a lot in those days.”

“How about you?” I ask.

“I did my fair share,” he says honestly. “I’m not an angel, Millie. I enjoyed my late teens and early twenties a lot. I partied with my friends and I hooked up with a lot of women.”

Oh, great, jealousy has re-entered the chat.

“But I am not that guy anymore. I haven’t been in a long, long time.” He pauses, choosing his next words carefully. “Theo just seemed to take things to the extreme. He has always been like that. It actually amazed me that he was able to keep up with classes. He has always been too smart for his own good.”

“Huh?” I say. “Sounds like you actually respect him.”

“I used to respect him,” he corrects. “But I’m not even sure who he really is. I don’t think I ever really knew him.”

I can feel myself getting irritated with the conversation. I didn’t come here to get warned off from Theo, for the hundredth time.

“I’m sorry I brought it up. I don't want to talk about him, OK?”

He nods in understanding.

“Do you know how to use a gun?” he asks, changing the subject.

“The only thing I shoot with is a camera.”

“We should probably go to the shooting range at some point,” he says more to himself than me.

“I have no problem with that,” I reply, "but since I don’t own a gun, is it really necessary?”

“Here’s the thing. Someone with a gun could attack you. If you are able to get it from them, you can use it on them. But only if you know what you’re doing,” he adds.

“Right,” I nod. “What else?”

“Turn around,” he directs. I do as he says and turn around. I wait for another direction before I look over my shoulder at him, standing about three feet behind me, unmoving.

“I said turn around.”

His voice is strong and assertive, and my body melts into the words, obeying his command.

He steps up behind me and grabs me tightly, one hand around my waist and the other on my throat. I swallow thickly as my pulse races under his thumb. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “What would you do if I came up behind you like this?”

Goosebumps break out over my flesh and I fight the urge to answer what I am really thinking. I push my butt back into his groin in an attempt to gain distance. All I manage to do is grind into him. Great. Now I’m giving him a lap dance.

“No,” he says, still holding my throat.

“That might be your instinct but it’s not going to work. If someone can put pressure on your carotid artery, here,” he says as he strokes his thumb over the tender spot, “they can render you unconscious in less than thirteen seconds.”

I close my eyes and try to focus on his words and block out the heat spreading throughout my body. All I can think about is the last time he touched me and the way he made me feel. Being this close to him is torture. I picture him above me, looking into my eyes as he thrust into me, over and over. I can feel his breath on my neck, commanding me to come on his cock. I think agreeing to do this might have been a huge mistake, but I can’t walk out now. I have to see it through.

“Millie, are you listening?” I can’t form words so I nod slightly. His smell is all around me. It’s intoxicating.

“OK. The first thing you want to do is stay calm. I know that sounds crazy, but you can’t think clearly if you’re panicking.”

Like I’m panicking right now? I nod in understanding.

“Next, tuck your chin into the crease of my arm and twist your head.” I do my best to follow his directions. “Try to put pressure right here at the highest point of my thumb.”

He places my hand on his own, showing me exactly where he wants it.

“You can also try to inflict damage by gouging the eyes or biting down hard on your attacker’s arm.”