Page 81 of Left In The Dark

I fold in on myself, placing my head down as I bring my knees up. The front door shakes and I jump, my heart stuttering. His feet are heavy against the floor, his footsteps getting louder the closer he gets, the sound matching the pounding pulse in my ears.

“Got your Diet Coke and some other things I think you’ll like too. Do you drink hot chocolate?”

I nod, scooting back again. “Is it bad outside?”

“Not yet, but the roads are nearly covered in snow. It’s still soft, so I didn’t slide on the way back. I won’t be taking any chances tomorrow, though. I’ll be keeping my ass at home.”

“What about your roommate?” I inquire. Who are they to him? Just a friend? Do they sleep in here with him sometimes? The bed smells like someone else. Has a light rose scent. He takes too long to answer.

“Why do you keep bringing them up? They aren’t here right now. It’s only you and me.”

“They don’t ever go into the barn?”

“No. No one does but me,” he says sharply. “You didn’t waste your time yelling for help while I was gone, hoping someone else was in the house, did you?”

I didn’t even think about it. Why didn’t I? All I cared about was what this person is to him and if, whenever he left alone, it was to come spend time with them. “No.”

“What about your blindfold? Did you take it off?”

“I wanted to and thought about it several times.”

“But did you?” There’s a slight purr to his tone.

“No. I . . . I’d be a bad piglet if I did.”

“That’s right,” he preens. “You could have done it without me knowing all this time, but you held yourself back so you wouldn’t disobey me.”

“Are you proud of me?” My voice wavers.

“So proud of you, piglet.” He cups my face and I didn’t realize how close he was until now.

My heart kicks. “Really?”

“Yes, sweet boy.”

My breaths come out too quickly and I rub my face against his palm, pulling back when his hand rubs over my burn.

“Easy. You’re still hurt on that side. How about some pain meds?”

“Okay. Can I have them with hot chocolate?”

“Of course. Let me get out of these wet clothes and make us both some.”

“What’s for dinner today?” I scoot forward to fold my legs.

“What would you like?”

“I get to choose?” My stomach flutters.

“Yeah. You were so good while I was gone, so you can have whatever you want.”

“Does that only apply to food and drinks?”

“What else do you want it to apply to?”

“Can we watch a movie?”

“What kind of movie?”