32. Veronica
The white ceiling in my bedroom has a few cracks. There is a massive line above my bed, where I lay my head on the lumpy pillow. That’s where the tip of it starts.
I trail my eyes down the length of the crack to where it ends at the foot of my bed. Craning my neck, I spot the other, a smaller line in the ceiling by the window. That one begins in the wall”s corner.
They aren’t major enough to be fixed. The slits themselves are tiny and could be unnoticeable to some, but I noticed them the first night I slept in this bed. I notice everything.
When I first got here, I felt like being an annoying bitch because that’s just who I am. Dr. Bennett was the receiver of my attitude. I spent only two days in this room before I asked him to fix the cracks, seeing as I would stare at them all the time.
I wanted it to be flawless.
Of course, he told me no.
Time after time, his answer remained the same. I quit asking and dealt with the imperfections of my room. That is when I realized I wouldn’t be able to manipulate him. Henry was used to the patients trying to get their way.
After coming to that conclusion, he became like a father to me. More than my father ever was, that is. In return, he treated me like I was his own daughter.He genuinely cares about me.
Edith was always sweet to me. Ever since the beginning. I chose not even to be a bitch with her. Sure, I still make snarky comments to the woman, but that isn’t the extent to which I treat my fellow patients. Those are the only two people in this entire place I didn’t want to kill.
Then along came Leo.
I hadn’t known what to expect from him before he arrived. Dr. Bennett had told me about the new doctor I was getting, and I made a huge deal about it. I didn’t want another doctor. I wanted to be left alone in this version of Hell, but when I saw Leo, I knew his being sent here was good.
Not good in the sense that he would help me get better, because, let’s face it, I will never be fixed. Just like these cracks in my ceiling, they will always be here. Even if someone came and painted over them or filled them in, they would still be there, hidden behind a mask.
It was a good thing Leo was here because I knew he would be easy to manipulate after only one conversation with him. I could give him one look, say any little thing, and have him wrapped around my finger.
Which now I do.
He has tried to stay away from me, tried to be a good man and push me away, knowing that if we got caught, he would lose his job, but I kept reeling him right back in. I don’t even have to do much.
Although it’s pathetic, I expected this from him. To need me. I wasn’t expecting how he acted when we were alone together. When we were intimate, it’s almost like the Devil himself takes over his body. He becomes so dominant, so ruthless, that it clouds my mind.
His acting this way was something I wasn’t prepared for. It makes it harder to do my manipulation tricks as we are so consumed by one another.
In those filthy moments, I can’t think straight. I melt under his touch and at the words he whispers into my ear. Only after we are done do I snap out of whatever hold he has on me.
I need to be more careful.
More alert.
I can’t let him get in my head as much as he does. The plan won’t work if he takes over my mind. There can’t be any complications.
Yes, I can be sweet with him all I want, and I need to do more of that. I have to stop being such a brat with him. The sweet side is what he needs to fall in love with.
He is a man, though, and because of that, I have to use my body. He can’t be the one who is in charge the entire time we are together. I’ll have to remind him of that.
After my punishment yesterday, I didn’t see him for the rest of the day. I was hoping I would because, if I’m honest, I wanted to see Myles again.
The man is attractive. He”s not as attractive as Leo, but I love that I made him afraid with my presence alone. I was joking about Myles joining us, but seeing how angry Leo got—the hint of jealousy in his eyes at my suggestion—I might keep up the rouge.
Myles would enjoy it. The looks he was giving me when we met were full of fear. Hidden behind that was lust. I could tell he thought I was attractive, too.
It wasn’t hard to see it in his gaze, especially when half the time his eyes were trained on my breasts. Another thing I noticed made Leo squirm.
Leo was the first guy to come along and make me feel good about myself since I’ve been locked up. Time spent alone with other females without a male touch can lower one”s self-confidence. With Leo, I’ve gained that confidence back.
I feel wanted.
But that confidence is boosting my ego, and the more I think about it, the more having both of them at the same time sounds delightful. Maybe I could talk Leo into it.
It might be hard, given the jealous monster hanging out on his shoulder, but I wouldn’t mind being worshipped by two men at the same time. I’ve done it before, but not with two men who look the way Myles and Leo do.
Biting my lip at the thought, the fantasy running wild in my mind, I decided it was worth a try talking to Leo about it. I sit up in my bed, wincing at the soreness from Leo spanking me yesterday. It’s funny how he thought it was a punishment when I loved every single second of it.
With my feet dangling off the side of my bed, I slip on the white shoes and head out to the common room. Passing by the door, I peek inside and do not see anyone of interest except Eliza.
She’s working on another puzzle. How does she enjoy doing puzzles so much? Inhaling a deep breath through my nose, I go off course and stroll into the room. She peers up at me, smiling, before returning to her work.
“Hi, Ronnie,” she greets me while examining a puzzle piece.
“You already finished that one from before?”
“Yeah, that one was easy.” She sets the piece down and then picks up another one. “No one is in your chair.” I glance over my shoulder to find it empty. “A girl debated it. I watched her mull the decision over in her mind before deciding against it.”
“Good. The fight with Ruby reminded them who the chair belongs to.” I huff, wrapping the cardigan around my body. I haven’t sat in that chair in a while. “I’m not staying long in here, anyway.”
“You don’t want to join me?” Her eyes flash up.
My stomach grumbles. “I’m going to get some breakfast. Maybe I’ll come back after.”
“You probably won’t,” she says with a laugh. “A puzzle seems like it would be torture for you.” She isn’t wrong. “Have you seen the new guy walking around?”
So Myles has been wandering.“It’s Dr. Maddens friend. He is helping Dr. Bennett with some bullshit.”
Her head slowly nods while she takes in my words. “Now we have two good-looking men to gawk at.”
I force a smile. “Sure do. I’ll see you later.”
The soles of these shoes slide smoothly against the wooden floor as I turn to leave. Two doors down, I enter the cafeteria. Standing in front of all the food, I spot the back of Myles. I was entirely focused on his presence that I didn’t see the redheaded slut standing next to him. Of course, she would scope him out.
My fist clenches at my sides as I head their way. Standing beside Myles, grabbing a sandwich for myself, I notice the smile on his face fall, knowing I’m here. Not scared my ass.
“Veronica, how are you today?” Scarlet strikes up the conversation.
“I was doing fine until I saw you.” A tight-lipped smile plays on my face. I don’t miss the grin that Myles tries to hide.
She hums out. “This is Mr. Landry, Dr. Madden’s friend.”
“Yes, Scarlet, I know.” I lean forward to look past Myles. “We’ve met. Is this your first time meeting him?”
“We met yesterday outside Leo’s room.” Myles finally finds his voice.
The grip on the sandwich becomes tighter. Was she in his bedroom? Or was she merely passing by?
“Has she offered to show you the grounds? Or anything else, for that matter?” My teeth are clenching so hard I’m afraid they might start chipping. Relaxing my jaw, I look at Myles.
“I’m sure Dr. Madden can tour the facility with his friend,” Scarlet says with a red-lipped smile. “I’ve got to get going, duty calls. It was nice catching up with you, Myles.”
Her delicate hand gently touches his arm, and he and I stare down at the gesture before she lets go and leaves us.
“I can’t stand her.”
“I can tell.” He laughs, turning to face me, where I find there isn’t much fear left in his eyes. “What did you mean when you asked if she offered to show me anything else?”
“Is it truly that hard to understand?” He shrugs his shoulder. “Her body, Myles. She is notorious for sleeping with other nurses and doctors. Even a patient once. She flies under the radar even though it’s not illegal to have sex with your coworkers.”
“So you’re saying you think she wants to have sex with me?” He turns his head to look at the door. “Hmm.”
“Gross. Don’t even think about it,” I warn.
“Why not? She’s pretty, I’m pretty...”
“You are so full of yourself.” I glance up at him.
“Is the real reason you don’t like her because she showed an interest in Leo?”
My tongue pokes the inside of my cheek, suppressing a smile. “And why would you think that matters to me?”
“Cut the shit, Veronica.” His brave tone catches me off guard. “We both know what’s going on with the two of you.”
“He told you?”
“He doesn’t keep things from me,” he says in a low voice. “But if he were to find out that we are having this conversation, he would kill me. He is already stressed out about it.”
“Leo doesn’t have it in him to kill you,” I say almost under my breath before speaking normally. “Do you think we are stupid for doing this?”
“No,” he answers rather quickly. “I told him if I were in the same position with someone at work, I would do it too. Sneaking around is sexy.”
I stare at the wrapped sandwich, knowing I might have him right where I want him. I lift my eyes, staring at him through my lashes, giving him the most seductive and innocent look possible. “So you’re saying that if it were you here instead of him, you would fuck me?”
“I .. uh... I…” he stutters at my boldness. It’s cute.
“Be honest with me, Myles.” My voice is stern, and he nods with a swallow. “Do you think Leo would be okay with sharing me with you?”
His chest rises and falls rapidly as my hand trails down his arm to his dress pants. Lightly running my fingers over the bulge in his pants. He sucks a deep breath in, the air getting stuck in his throat.
“I’m not sure,” he answers on an exhale. He wants this.
“You should ask him.” I lick my lips seductively. “Ever since yesterday, all I can think about is the two of you having your way with me.” I step closer, concealing the way my entire hand cups him. “Do you think he would want that? One of you in my pussy while the other one takes my throat?”
“Maybe,” he whispers.
“Would you want that?”
He bobs his head frantically. “Yes.”
Fuck. He is easier than Leo.
“Good boy,” I praise him. “Go talk to him right now because given how you and I are both feeling,” I run my finger up his length again, and he stops breathing entirely, “we need it to happen soon.”
Myles says nothing else, his head moving in agreement before he rushes out of the cafeteria. He left his coffee sitting there, and my eyes focused on the steam spilling out of the rim of the cup. I smile to myself.
Men are too fucking easy.
I pick his coffee up, excited at the thought of drinking the hot liquid. I vacate the cafeteria and return to the common room but don’t sit with Eliza. I bypass my chair and go straight for the piano.
Setting the coffee on top of the instrument after a lengthy sip, I play the song Leo and I played together. It’s odd, isn’t it? Whenever someone plays this old, out-of-tune piano, my ears hurt. When I play it? It is the most beautiful sound.
As my fingers play the memorized music, knowing which keys to press without paying attention, my mind wanders to how the conversation will play out between them.
Leo will probably be shocked and pissed off at Myles for even thinking to ask something like this. But then again, something tells me that Myles can be very persuasive.
What I do know is that Leo will be displeased with me, given it was my idea. He was mad at the idea when I brought it up. Knowing he will be angry gets me excited. Maybe he will punish me again. Smiling to myself, I continue to play the song from the start after it ended because I have nothing better to do with my time.
All I have to do is wait to see if Myles can convince his best friend.