The dreams were the worst side-effect. The constant craving for sex. The endless want for more.
Only once the final dregs of pleasure left my system did I brace myself for aches and bruises and sit upright in bed. The sheet fell from my breasts, pooling around my waist. I didn’t remember how I got there. Who removed the sensors. What sort of state I’d been in after I’d passed out from too much sex, but I was unbelievably grateful to finally be in my villa.
Away from cages and nightmares.
Away from Sully and his demands.
Twice, he’d given me to other men.
Twice, I’d thought he’d change his mind before it was too late.
I knew he had feelings for me.
I know he does.
But his desire not to feel such things overruled the reality of our connection. I could fight for him to love me, but I couldn’t fight him to accept it.
My body was bruised and battered from a stranger’s touch. My insides throbbed from being used so thoroughly. My lips cracked from kisses. My throat sore from moans. But it wasn’t just exterior parts that carried my battle scars. My heart also shadowed with bruises. It’d turned purple and blue with how Sully had played with it.
But…no more.
Today, I had a new goal. Trying to escape had allowed me the hard-swallowed realisation that this was my home for four years. It gave me a scapegoat and excuse if I never tried to run again.
And last night…that allowed me to accept that Sully was and always would be my master. That was it. That was all he’d ever permit. He would never tell me he loved me. He would never hold me as delicately as he had in my dream.
It was time to accept that. To stop standing up to him. To fade away into his happy harem and disappear from his attention.
It’s the only way I’ll survive.
Hissing between my teeth, I hobbled out of bed and into the bathroom.
Just like last time, a warm bath waited to soothe away my suffering. I slipped into it with another hiss, tensing as the water lapped against my sore pussy. Ten minutes passed before I had the strength to reach for the smoothie that waited with painkillers and vitamins.
Green this time.
Mint and apple, spinach and spirulina. The flavours punched through the taste of day-old kisses, helping to freshen my mouth and body, bringing me back to life.
After a few painkillers and vitamins, I crawled from the bath in much better condition than the last time I’d faced Euphoria. Either my body had begun to increase in stamina or the first fantasy had been more vigorous. Either way, flashes of being bent over the couch, having a man press his fingers inside me, thrusting his body into mine…they came and went, casting my skin in shame and puckering my nipples with need.
I dried off and cleaned my teeth, avoiding the sorest parts.
Doing my best to walk as normally as I could, I dropped my towel and piled my long hair onto my head in a messy knot. I had no energy to brush the tangles today. Maybe after food I would.
For the first time since I’d woken, I looked outside. I expected to see bright sunshine. A welcoming afternoon just waiting for me to flop into the sand and allow its rays to heal me like last time. Unfortunately, twilight cast the island in dying sunlight, shadows crept from their corners, etching palm trees with darker colours and the sand a muted gold.
I slept all night and day?
I frowned, trying to work out timeframes. It’d been late afternoon when Sully stuck his tongue between my legs, then loaded me into his new guest’s illusion. He’d made me come then sent me to be molested by another man.
My heart folded into itself.
How could he?
Shaking away the question, I balled my hands.
He can because he owns me. I’m nothing…even if I’m something.
I didn’t know how long the fantasy had lasted or when I’d been brought back to my villa, but I could’ve slept for eighteen hours or so.
Turned out the kayaking adventure, cage, and Euphoria had all taken their toll.
Heading into the walk-in wardrobe, I tried not to focus on the hangers missing clothing that I’d taken and lost in the storm. With a shaky hand, I chose a loose-fitting black maxi dress. The soft material kissed the top of my feet while the straps rested low on my shoulders, creating a floaty boho look. With tendrils of my hair escaping my topknot, I looked so young.
Young but ancient.
Innocent but well-fucked.
Tearing my eyes from the mirror, I walked to the centre of my villa. Outside on the deck, an array of delicacies waited to be eaten. My stomach growled to devour every morsel.
But…last time I’d stay cloistered in my villa after Euphoria, Sully had visited. We’d eaten together. We’d stolen moments from our otherwise clear-cut existence and muddied them with desire.