“You can do it another night,” he said, tugging back the bright orange comforter.
I pulled in a deep breath. Now, I needed to up my game.
“Look,” I placed my hands on my hips and told the one lie guaranteed to get him out of here. “I have my period.” He cringed and turned to me. “When I have my period, it’s ugly. Cramps, heavy flow…”
“For fucks sake, Penny,” he said, cutting me off.
I was nowhere near done. Men hated to hear about this stuff, so I ex
panded on my lie. “Well there’s no need to act grossed out,” I said. “When we’re married, you’ll be expected to pick up tampons on occasion.”
“There’s no way in hell I’m picking up tampons,” he said, crossing his arms.
“Famous last words,” I said. “At any rate, I’m just too bloated and my stomach feels like someone is sticking knives in it, and Margo and I have what we call a period ritual. It’s a party of sorts.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Did you want to be part of the period party?”
His eyes snapped open. “What do you think, Penny?” He stalked over to the bathroom and slammed the door. I bit back a laugh at how easily he flustered at the mention of my menstrual cycle. Good to know. Five minutes later, he swung the door open, fully clothed.
Relief swam through my veins. The look on my face must have clued Dex in to my feelings.
“You can try not acting so disgusted with me, Penny. The truth is we’re going to be married soon, so you need to come to terms with that fact, and quickly. There will be sex another time.” His hands grabbed my shoulder as he pulled me toward him.
“Now, be a good little fiancée and kiss your future husband goodbye,” he said as his lips got closer to mine.
My hand rose to his chest to hold off his advances. “That’s the thing Dex, I’m not your wife yet. And, if I have to spend a lifetime with you, well, then I’ve decided no sex until marriage.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“No, I’m not. Good night,” I turned away from him and crossed to the door, swinging it open.
“You fucking little bitch,” he spat.
My muscles tensed as I squeezed my eyes shut. “Dex, you did not just call me a bitch. Get out,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Fine, I’ll abide to your brand new vow of celibacy and virtues, but after that ring slides on your finger you’re going to wish you’d given into me right now. You have no idea how much pain I can cause.” He marched out of the bedroom and slammed the door shut.
I released a shaky breath as a tear escaped my eye. My anger toward my father grew deeper as I closed my eyes, praying for a way out.
***
When I woke up the next morning, I got ready for work, and called my father.
“Penny,” he answered, toxicity filling the line with each breath.
“Can I come see you?” I had no pleasantries or idle chit chat left for him.
“Sure, make it one o’clock.”
I hung up after a quick goodbye. I stared at the screen, wanting to call Theo, but the option was no longer viable.
When I pulled up to my father’s office building, I sat, staring at my steering wheel. I needed a game plan.
With not much confidence, I left my car and pushed back my shoulders. I could fake this.
In the elevator, I watched the numbers count up as it brought me closer to him.
“Penelope, what brings you by?” My father stood from his office chair gesturing his hand for me to take a seat across from him.
“I wanted to talk about Dex.” I sat, crossing my legs at the ankle and resting my hands on my lap. My palms were sweating and I refused to rub them on my thighs and give him that tell-tale sign.