Her fucking parents are a joke. Forcing their daughter to marry a man she doesn’t want too. Refusing to let her eat so she’ll fit into some stupid fucking dress. Before I realize it, I’m slamming shit around in the kitchen, my breaths coming out in pants. When I look up at Ivy there’s a look of concern in her blue eyes.
Jesus. I didn’t mean to let my emotions over all this show but there’s just no hiding the bubble of fury threatening to implode inside me. She’s so perfect, so sweet, and kind…I just don’t understand how her parents could toss her to the wolves like they did.
“Are you okay?” She whispers. There isn’t an ounce of fear flickers in her gaze, and I’m thankful for that.
“No, I’m so fucking mad at your parents for putting you through this. I wish I would have found you sooner…saved you from their stupid plan.” I exhale, cleaning up my mess, and by the time I take my seat again, my anger has simmered to a slow boil.
“Why do they think they can control you like that anyway?” Then it hits me…“Wait, how old are you?”
“Don’t worry,” she giggles, “I’m not underage. I’ve been eighteen for a few months now. As for why I let them control me. I don’t let them do anything. It’s either follow their strict rules or face the consequences.”
“What kind of consequences?” I ask even though I don’t really want to know. If her father hurt her, or that bastard of a fiancé touched her I’ll destroy them. I don’t care if it was in the past or not, she’s mine and no one lays a finger on her…no one.
“Usually they would just lock me in my bedroom for days. Take away my belongings as if they mattered to me or something. I didn’t want anything that they bought me.” I almost sigh in relief at her response.
“Why didn’t you just leave when you turned eighteen?”
She worries her bottom lip with her teeth, and I hope she doesn’t think I’m judging her, because I’m not. I just want to know her story, what happened and how I can make her life better.
“Because I was even more scared of the outside world. I had nowhere to go. No place to live. No money in my pocket and because of my parents I didn’t even have any friends. Running away would’ve been a death sentence. The only reason I ran today was because I’d much rather live on the streets then be forced to marry that man.”
“Well now you have me, and you don’t have to worry about ever being alone again. I’ll never let you go; never make you feel like you aren’t exactly what I need or want.”
I watch her eat her sandwich and make it through half of the other one before placing it down onto the plate. She pats her belly with a satisfied grin and I feel like I’m a fucking god in that moment. I’ve pleased her in the bedroom, filled her belly with food, and now I plan to do it all over again.
“I can’t eat a single bite more. I’m stuffed,” She announces.
“Alright. Then let’s go cuddle up on the couch for a little bit. I’ll rub your belly for you.” I take both of our plates and deposit them into the sink before leading her into the spacious living room. It’s not often I use the space, since most of the time I’m working but Ivy now living here I think it’ll get its full usage.
I flop down onto the couch pulling her down on top of me. Moving her across my lap, I start rubbing small circles over her stomach.
She closes her eyes and cradles her head into the crook of my arm.
“This feels nice,” she announces sleepily, and I know it won’t be long before she’s snoring in my arms. I watch her for a long time, and even after she’s fallen asleep, I continue admiring her beautiful face and perfect body.
I watch her chest rise and fall in a slow even pace until my own eyelids are too heavy to keep open. The last thing I remember thinking before completely drifting off is that I hope that this is really real and she’ll be still in my arm when I wake up.
Chapter Five
Ivy
Warmth blankets me and I know I’m secure, protected even before I open my eyes. Bishops strong arms are wrapped around me and the steady beating of his heart beneath my ear resonates through me.
When I finally blink open my eyes, I see him and my heart squeezes in my chest. I’m still in his lap, just like I was when I fell asleep. He must have held me all night, because there is light fluttering in from the window letting me know that it is now morning. I wiggle in his arms a bit and realize I have to pee.