13. Madelyn
MADELYN
I stroll through the corridor with aching soles and my heels in my hands after Kayden drops me off at home.
I mentioned on the way back that we ran out of milk, and that I completely forgot I was going to stop by a market after work. So, he said he’d go get some from one of the convenience stores nearby.
He’s been acting different than usual, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. But I let him get me my milk, regardless. I’m too tired and flustered to argue about that.
Thoughts of how Kayden asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend in front of that guy at the diner are somersaulting my heart. I didn’t end up asking him about it. We ate and busied ourselves with ordering the stuff we needed for the charity event.
The closer I get to our apartment, the clearer it gets. There’s something by our front door.
I stop right in front of it. It’s a white box. Simple, with a red ribbon on top.
A chill runs down my spine. Not again.
I’ve got a feeling I know what this is.
I move my heels to one hand and pick up the box with the other, running inside.
I don’t want to. But there’s no way I’m letting Kayden find it first, and it won’t take long until he’s back.
Placing the box in the middle of the kitchen island, I undo the ribbon. My fingers tremble as I do.
Inside, a plastic toy in the shape of a red rose bud, and on top of it, another piece of folded paper.
The familiar handwriting reads,
You said you wonder what it’d be like to be overstimulated by your lover’s lips.
I saw what you did with my previous gift.
I can’t say I’m happy about it, but I’m a patient man.
I forgive.
Most of all, I’m at your service, Rebel.
So, I can’t give you what you want yet, but I can give you this.
A little taste of how my lips would overstimulate your lips. Be a good girl and use it tonight.
Do it, and I’ll forgive your misconduct from earlier.
I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.
Don’t, and I’ll be mad.
There’ll be consequences to your actions this time.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
My whole body tenses as I read the last few sentences. Another threat.
I dump the note into the box and hold the rose between my hands, focusing on the button in the middle. It’s got a hole on the top, too. It couldn’t be more evident what it is.
Still, my curiosity is endless, and I press that little button.
The sound of twirling wind fills the room. I press my palm into the center of the rose, and it sucks my whole palm like a freaking vacuum.
A suction toy. That’s what this rose is. Another sex toy.
I didn’t ask for this.
“For starters, I didn’t mean you, sicko,” I say it loud and clear.
If he’s watching my every move, I want him to hear it. I’m making things clear for him for once and for all.
“I never said your name. And I was talking about kissing!”
Though I can understand the confusion, given the spicier things I wrote in it.
My whole body is tense. A fire ignites in my chest.
Who does he think he is?
At the same time…I consider the idea.
Is it so bad? This stalker, psycho, or whatever he is, who’s watching me from the shadows, actually cares about my pleasure? Is it that, or is he simply asking for a free show?
He could go and relieve himself somewhere else. Go to a strip club and pay his way to paradise.
Why this? Why me?
Why is he so insistent on me pleasuring myself?
Would it be too bad if I…“What’s that, Little Demon?”
My heart skips a beat, and the toy almost slips out of my hands. I grip it tightly, turn around, and hide it behind my back.
“N-nothing,” I say. “Something I ordered.”
Kayden swings a small plastic bag in his hand, the milk carton visible in it. Standing by the kitchen door, an eyebrow raised in disbelief. His button-up shirt has one button undone, and his usually well-put hair is a bit disheveled.
Still, he’s so good-looking it hurts.
“Something you ordered?” he repeats.
“That’s what I said.” I gnaw at my bottom lip.
His eyes focus on mine, a certain darkness in them. He’s trying to read me.
A terrible thought runs through my mind as he does.
Kayden, finding the rose and snatching it from me. Pinning me against the kitchen island, lifting my dress, and pushing his hand between my legs. Pressing the hollow opening of the rose against my clit.
Oh God. I’m going to hell for thinking this.
He gives up after a minute and fixes his attention on the fridge, placing the milk inside.
Taking advantage of it, I hide the rose in the pocket of my cardigan, grab the box it came in, and rush to my room before I embarrass myself even more. “Thanks for dinner. And for buying the milk. Goodnight.”
I lean against the closed door and collapse to the floor, the box on my lap.
Fuck.
What am I going to do?
Even if I wanted to report this guy, I can’t.
What would I say to the police? That I have a stalker who keeps buying me sex toys? Who knows I’m a horny virgin and is trying to make me get myself off?
But I can’t give in to him. This is creepy. Wrong.
If he wants me so much, why doesn’t he show up and ask me out like a normal person would?
“Why don’t you see me?” I murmur to the depths of my unlit room.
I put the box and toy on a corner of my desk and change into my pajamas.
Once I’m done, I take the rose out of the box again.
The thought of using it to release some tension crosses my mind. Enjoy myself.
Nope. Fuck it. I’m not doing it.
I dump the rose into the box and glare around my room, trying to spot a camera and say what I’ve been wanting to say. I’m sure he’s watching.
I take a guess and stare at one corner. Lifting my middle finger, I flip off my stalker.
“If you want me to do it, sicko, you’ll have to make me.”