Dakota
A gentle touch and soft words were the first things my mind took note of as I slowly came out of a drugged-induced nap. I didn’t want to move, knowing that pain would go if I dared to even think about doing so.
I was comfortable. More than I should be, really. I shouldn’t be on a bed, surrounded by warmth and softness.
Wait. Warmth?
Slowly, I peeled my eyes open, trying to let my brain wake up and figure out where I was now.
The gentle hand didn’t stop running up and down my spine. I could so easily fall back to the blackness of sleep if it weren’t for my curiosity which was edging me more awake by the minute.
Without moving, it was hard to tell exactly where I was or who was touching me. All I knew was that I wasn’t too concerned about it. Any of it, actually. No worry clouded my thoughts as I lay there.
“That’s fine. He has a place for a few days while you sort it out.” Sir’s voice rumbled against my ear. “Asher really is a nice kid. Helpful, too.” There was a pause, then he continued. “Sure. You can come by whenever. Collin has high praises for what you do.”
Oh. He must be on the phone.
I let my eyes shut again, just listening to his voice.
“Yeah, he knows he can’t stay here, although he is trying to get me to change my mind. But with Dakota, it’s not something I can do. Not with…well, what I do.” Another pause. “Sure. Okay. Works for me. See you in a while.” Then, he ended the call.
All the while, his hand didn’t stop, at least not entirely. As the quiet filled the room, I could hear someone moving around the house. A vacuum was running, I think. Or maybe something else?
I breathed out a long gust of air, then instantly regretted it. Pain, not nearly as bad as before, hit me like a ton of bricks.
“Easy, boy.” Sir’s hand went to my neck, squeezing just enough to steer my thoughts a bit clearer. “Don’t panic.”
For once, I wasn’t all that close to panicking. I was more content than I had been in a long time.
I never wanted to move. I could die right here and be happy enough.
“What level is your pain?”
As long as I wasn’t breathing deeply or moving, it wasn’t bad. “One, Sir.”
He hummed, his chest extending as he breathed out. “You have two options. You can move, see how the pain is, and I’ll figure out the best way to get you to eat some food. Or Collin will place a feeding tube to get you some nutrients into your body.”
I didn’t want to answer. I was okay to starve away, laying on the man who could easily hurt me.
“I’ll pick for you if you can’t choose.”
“I’ll eat.” My voice was quiet, but he heard it. He always did.
“Good boy.” The praise was lighter and filled my head with fogginess for a moment. I brushed it off,thinking I must be going crazy. “Let’s get you up and moving then. Bathroom, then downstairs.”
I pressed my face into his chest, knowing the stairs would not be a fun adventure. But I’d endure it. I’d do whatever to make Sir happy with me. I wanted him never to send me away again.
After a moment of breathing him in, I slowly pushed myself to sit up. His hand was there, helping to steady me all the while. I kept my eyes down, hoping my emotions would stay gone.
Sir was there beside me the entire time. Not just to support me in case I ended up tripping over my own feet but also to watch my expressions.
After using the bathroom, I shuffled towards the stairs. I glared down at them, trying to figure out the best way I could go down them. Moving around just a bit was making breathing harder, and the pain was beginning to rise.
Before I could think of a way, Sir picked me up. Quickly wrapping my arms around his neck, I let my head rest on his shoulder.
“There is no way I’m going to risk you walking down these things,” he huffed, trying not to sound out of breath. “Not with a fucking broken rib or two.”
I thought about arguing against his statement because I could walk. But, at the moment, if given the option, I was content just to let Sir do what he wanted.
