“Don’t worry, bitch. I’m just going to cut this tape off because I need your help carrying the food and bags in here. You’re going to cook me something to eat because I am fucking starving.”
He takes the knife and easily slices through the tape and peels it off. I rub my wrists to try and get back some of the circulation in them as gently as I can. They’re red and sore from being taped up for so long. I follow Joel outside and we bring everything in. I am looking through the cupboards for what I need to make eggs when I feel Joel standing directly behind me. I draw in a sharp breath and swallow down a mouthful of fear as he places his arms around my stomach and pulls me into him.
“You always had the nicest ass I have ever seen. Has your new boyfriend tapped that ass yet, Erin? Or do you still lay there like a fucking dead log?”
I don’t know what to say, so I say nothing again.
“Knowing how much of a worthless piece of ass you were in bed, I bet he hasn’t. But do answer me this, Erin. Did you suck his cock?” I swallow and simply nod my head. “You filthy, no good whore.”
He lifts me up and slams me down on top of the island, his body instantly covering mine. He starts sucking and nipping at my neck and I cringe as I feel the bile rising in my throat. I need to do whatever I can to make him get off me. I twist and turn and try to get myself free but this seems to be turning him on even more as I feel him growing hard. I need to think and think fast because if he rapes me again, I will not be able to survive it.
“Joel. Let’s eat first and then we can go to bed.”
I speak in a calm voice, hoping he listens to me. He stops and lifts his head and looks down at me.
“I’m not fucking stupid, Erin. We will go to bed, my ass. You despise me. I see it written all over your face. I will get what I want from you one way or another. But you’re right. Not yet. I want you in a bed this time not here or anywhere else because I am going to have what has always been mine.”
He climbs off of me and just when I think he is going to let me up, he slaps me again across my face. I feel my lip crack open and I can taste my own blood as it slowly drips into my mouth and down my chin. He’s not done though, as he pulls my legs to the edge of the counter and cups and squeezes right between my legs.
“This will always be mine. You will always be mine.” He gropes around the outside of my jeans. I try and block out the fact that he is touching me but it’s hard, it’s so damn hard. I just want to run but I know I won’t get very far. I exhale when he finally takes his hands off of me. I bring myself up to a sitting position in time to see him adjusting himself through his jeans. Quickly looking away before he notices me watching, I jump off of the counter and place my hand to my already swollen face. It’s warm to my touch and I flinch when Joel talks again.
“Now make me some breakfast and then yes, we are going to bed.”
Joel never takes his eyes off of me as I make the eggs and toast. He is watching me like a predator watches his prey and I feel like he is going to attack at any time. I place his food in front of him and turn my back to get myself some food. The thought of eating makes me nauseous but I have to eat to keep up my strength because I will fight him every step of the way if he tries to touch me again. I would rather die than to have his hands on me.
Not a word is spoken between the two of us as I clean everything up. I have to think. I can’t sleep in the same bed as him and let him touch me. I chance a glance over in his direction and catch him staring at me.
“Let’s go to bed, Erin.”
I shake my head ‘no’. He tilts his head to the side and stands there for several seconds and then he is right in front of my face grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the bedroom.
“I said, let’s go to bed, Erin.”
“Fuck you! I am not getting in bed with you. I hate you! You’re nothing to me. You never were and you never will be. You have been dead to me for years, Joel.”
My vision becomes tunneled as Joel’s fist connects with my face and I fall to the floor. I slowly scoot backwards as he approaches me with the look of a crazed animal. When he is finally standing in front of me I lift my right leg and kick him as hard as I can right between his legs. He places his hands over himself and falls to his knees at my feet. This is it, I think to myself. I can escape. But as I stand up he grabs my leg and pulls me back down. I kick with my free leg trying to escape, but his grip is too strong.
“You worthless bitch! You’re going to pay for that.” He stands up and drags me across the hardwood floor until he has me in front of the fireplace. I react quicker than he does because when he lets go of my leg, I grab the fireplace poker and with wobbly legs and shaky hands I stand up and swing. When it connects with his ribs, I swear I hear a crack. I go to swing again but he is faster than I am this time and stops my swing by grabbing my wrist and twisting it until I have no choice but to drop the poker.