“Please don’t leave,” I say again.
“It’s late.” She sits up and pulls her legs under her. “I really should go home.”
“Stay with me.” I grasp her hand, and she looks down at me.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not? I want you to stay.”
“If I stay, I have the feeling I won’t be able to walk in the morning.”
Her words warm me and harden my dick. I hadn’t even thought about what we might do all night, but I know she’s right. If she would allow it, I would take her again. Many times.
“Is that so bad?” I smile up at her, but she doesn’t return it. “I could keep my hands to myself.”
“Could you?”
No, probably not.
“I’d try.” I tilt my head sideways to look at her. “You know you can always order me to stop.”
She scrunches up her face, obviously not happy with what I’ve said.
“It’s just not a good idea.” She swings her legs over the edge of the bed. “I need to get home.”
“To do what?” I ask as I sit up, grabbing her arm. “Laundry? Got a movie you gotta watch?”
She narrows her eyes at me, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself. In my mind, she walks out the door, and it leaves me devastated.
“Please,” I say again, “don’t leave me alone again.”
She closes her eyes, and I watch her throat bob up and down as she swallows.
“All right, Sten,” she finally answers, “I’ll stay.”
Relief is immediate.
We lie back down. She settles against me, and I wrap her up in my arms. I rub my cheek against her neck and shoulder. The sensation of her skin on mine blows my mind—I can’t get enough of it. I hold her tighter and inhale her sweet scent.
Pheromones.
If I think about it hard enough, I can feel her scent run up into my brain, interacting with the implants that have so much control over my actions. I lick my lips and let out a short breath. I don’t care if this is all some kind of chemical reaction designed to provide my obedience. As long as she’s here with me, it doesn’t matter.
“You said you felt lonely,” Riley says as she turns her head to look at me.
“Sometimes, when you aren’t here.” I tilt my head up to meet her gaze but keep my cheek against her shoulder. “As long as you’re here, it’s okay.”
“I’m always here,” she says. “I’m here when you wake up, and you’re usually asleep before I walk out the door.”
“Maybe it’s just the thought of being without you,” I suggest. “I’ve woken up a few times before you got here.”
“That’s not really supposed to happen,” she mumbles.
I pause and think for a moment.
“Because the drink you give me at night is drugged.”
“It’s just to help regulate your sleep,” she says. “Otherwise, you might be awake for days at a time. Your body doesn’t need sleep, but mine does.”
“I’m drugged so you can go home.”
“Essentially.” She rubs her lip with her teeth. “When you’re awake, I should always be here to make sure you’re all right. I don’t ever want you to feel alone. If you are waking up before I get here, something is wrong. I may need to make some adjustments.”
If she increases the dose, I may not remember my dreams.
“I don’t think you need to,” I tell her. “It’s only happened a couple of times.”
“Well, let me know if it happens again.”
I start to tell her that I will, but I can’t say the words. If I told her, she might find out about my dreams, and I can’t risk that. I don’t want to forget again, and anything I say would be a lie. I can’t seem to bring myself to lie to her.
“I’m glad you stayed,” I say instead. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Riley says. She sighs. “I still think it’s a bad idea.”
“I don’t. I want you to stay. Fuck the laundry.”
She chuckles, and I hug her against me.
“I guess I can save a little money if I don’t bring in the hookers.”
“Good. I don’t like them.”
“I thought it would help.”
“This helps more.” I tuck my nose against her throat and inhale her scent. “It isn’t the same with the others. Being with you is different. I don’t ever want another hooker brought to me. I want it to always be you.”
“I…I don’t know, Sten.”
“I’d make it worth your while,” I say with a sly smile. “I’ll make sure you end up as satisfied as I am.”