Even after all this time, I want to slap my face silly for the continual forgiveness and total trust I had in him.
“And after he found out he could buy my forgiveness and silence, it got worse.He was several years older than me: twenty-two years old to my eighteen.His parents sent him to Europe after high school graduation to acquire some ‘sophistication,’ that's why he was one year away from graduating.So he was able to mold me into accepting his behavior as normal, because I thought he knew better when it came to… everything.”
“And where was your mother in all this?”
My poor mom.She didn’t have a clue.
“My mom was hurting real bad after being dumped, and she didn’t want the same thing happening to me.She was blinded by my boyfriend’s family’s money and duped by my faking that everything was fine.”
“Until it wasn’t fine any longer?”
It’s like he knows.There’s no shame or embarrassment, because for some crazy reason, I feel protected from the consequences of my actions when I’m with Theron.
“Mom noticed before I knew what was happening.She took one look at the black eye he gave me one day and went ballistic.I tried telling her that the curtain rod had come loose and fallen on my face, but she called out my bullshit.”
No amount of money would be enough to stop my mom if she thought someone was hurting me.
“My mom banned him from our apartment.She knew I had to see the light on my own, so she didn’t force me to stop seeing him.But he never left visible marks on me again.”
“And when did you see the light?”Theron takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.It’s a neutral touch, nothing territorial or possessive in the way he does it.A tiny fraction of my heart opens up like flower petals in the sun.I like the rough texture of his skin; the prickling callouses of his fingertips.
“He tried so hard to reel me in.Introduced me to his parents.Summers at the Hampton compound.Private jets, luxury brand handbags, designer clothes.When he said we should get engaged, I was blindsided… because I hesitated.”
“Had you ever said no to him before?”Theron looks at me with curiosity.I guess he doesn’t have me down as some demure poolside princess.
“I’ll have to think about that, but I don’t think I ever did.He was beyond angry when I said we should wait.After that, there was no more hiding the abuse.He kicked my butt in front of all the guests.My mom came to fetch me and made all these threats.When I got back to college, the campus was littered with naked prints of me.The dean called me into the office with accusations of cheating and plagiarism.The police came to the apartment with his family lawyer to get all the jewelry, designer clothes, and handbags back.It was just easier after I volunteered to drop out.”
It’s a relief to talk about it, like a festering secret being exposed to daylight.
“You wanna know something, Theron?It felt good to pack up and leave.Turning the page is highly therapeutic.I recommend it.”
He gives me a gorgeous lopsided smile, which makes me want to hug him.
“No need to tell me that, Aila.I never stay too long in one place when I’m away from Landslide.When did you realize that you weren’t in love with him anymore?”
I don’t have to think too deeply about it.
“Oh, believe me, I thought I was still in love with him for a long time after.But I didn’tlikehim anymore.Sometimes, I would think about what he had done to me and my mom, and the bile would rise up in my throat.I cried, sure, but it was more because I thought my first physical relationship had been a failure, which mademea failure.”
Theron nods, although he looks like the last person who could ever be accused of being a failure.Athletic, physically attractive, and kind of a sweetheart.Very yummy, as well as being a mind-blowing good fuck.The total package, if you ignore the fact that he’s probably a super-dangerous biker psycho underneath his charming appearance.
“Is that when you moved up to Canada?”
That makes me smile.“Yeah.And I changed my socials to my dad’s surname.It’s so weird hearing you referring to Canada like it’s a separate country from where we are now.”
“It is.”Taking two of my fingers, he holds them up to make a V-shape.“Here’s the States.”Theron strokes one finger.“And here’s Canada.”He strokes the other finger.“And here’s Landslide.”Slowly, he inserts his finger in between the two of mine.
The implication is clear.And very enticing.The way he does it makes me shiver with suspenseful pleasure under the veneer of playfulness.
“Believe me, Mr.Rabane, it doesn’t matter where you are.If the wealthy want to get you, they will.And if you have something of theirs that they want back, they will get it.Doesn’t matter where you live.”
Theron looks supremely confident as he points to the door.“Out there, that’s my domain, Aila.The Midnight Riders rule Landslide.And no, I’m not saying that like some arrogant prick.I’m saying it ‘cause it’s the truth.”
I’m slightly distracted by the muscles in his arm.I like the way his biceps and shoulder muscles stretch the t-shirt fabric.This man could be a real brute if he wanted, but he doesn’t scare me in that way.
But what do I know?Haven’t I just admitted that I’m a lousy judge of character?
Clapping my hands together, I hop down from the bar stool.I’m hungry for something other than sex.My last boink sesh with the divine Rider left me satisfied for now.
