“I just wanted to warm your dinner,” I said in a small voice.
He shot forward, his hands wrapped around the top of my arms as he pulled me up to his face, my feet off the floor.
“When I say jump. You say?”
I winced at the grip that he had on my arms, he squeezed tighter when I didn’t answer him.
“How high?” I squeaked.
“That’s right.” He smirked, I hated that smirk.
“I..I..I’m sorry, Max.” I willed the tears to stay back.
He gripped my arms even harder, this time I squealed. I was sure that he’d break my arms, I could hardly breathe through the pain. He made a noise in the back of his throat, closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
He enjoyed this, I was sure he waited until I cried out in pain.
I knew better than to struggle so instead I kept still, biting my lip to take my mind off the pain in my arms.
“I’m feeling in a good mood,” he said then opened his eyes. “I’ll let you make it up to me.”
“Okay,” I whispered, all I wanted was for him to let me go.
“But…” He bought his face down, his nose touching mine. “This is the only time that I’m going to let you do this.”
I nodded and breathed a sigh of relief when he let my arms go. It never helped with the pain but I still rubbed them, an automatic response. I’d have bruises in the shape of his fingers in the morning.
“Next time you won’t be so lucky,” he gritted out.
I looked down at the floor. He liked it when I did that, I had to diffuse this situation. It could get much worse than it already had, a fine line sat between when he was annoyed or when he was angry.
This was annoyed Max.
I didn’t want angry Max.
I’d encountered him a couple of times, each time worse than the one before. I didn’t want to think about the next time.
“Good girl,” he murmured, his hand cupping the side of my face softly.
I saw movement out the corner of my eye, watching as he undid his belt. I flinched at the sound of the metal buckle. His grease stained fingers undid the buttons of his jeans.
“Get on your knees.”
This was the worst. I would have preferred him to hit me rather than having to do this. By the end of the night my throat would be sore and I’d most likely bring up any food I had eaten that day.
I’d also have to be extra careful when I washed my hair, and I’d also have to wear my hair down because my scalp would be sore from where he would yank on my hair.
I took a deep breath then got down onto my knees.
My eyes closed of their own accord. I was halfway to my happy place when his hand wove through my hair and pulled. I wouldn’t be seeing that tonight; I’d have to endure every minute of it.
At least I wasn’t thinking about my interview tomorrow.
The only silver lining on this dark cloud of a night.
*~*~*
When I woke the next morning, the bed was empty and Max was gone. I rubbed my eyes, I’d definitely have bags under my eyes, just what I needed for today.