“You’ll have to…ask…him.”
“What’s the fun in that?” She didn’t give me time to figure out a reply, putting more items in the basket. Matching soaps and lotions, same color as the scrubs. “You are cute, though. No wonder he’s protective of ya.”
“I’m his. He bought me.” Why wouldn’t he be protective over what he owned.
“Oh, sweet dear child.” Molly turned, cupping both sides of my face in her warm hands. Her touch was warm. “You are not his. No one owns you anymore.”
“I’m his.” I was his boy. Hisgoodboy. Or girl, if he wanted me to be that. Or anything, really.
She shook her head, her gaze pinned to my own. “You are free. You could walk out that door right now behind you, and he won’t do a damn thing to stop you.”
No. I couldn’t do that.
I shook my head while taking a step back. the movement caused her to drop her hands from my face and a sad smile lifted his lips. “You are free. You’re not a slave.”
I never was a slave. I didn’t serve more than one person. I was….well I didn’t know what I was other than Sabastian’s.
He said I was his. There was nothing other than that to define who I was.
“What’s wrong?” Never before had I been so thankful that Sabastian could read me. or at least somewhat. He was there, taking the basket from me and pulling me against his chest where I buried my face.
“I said she was free. She is free, right?”
“It’s complicated,” Sabastian sighed against the top of my head. “Please, don’t push it.”
“Fine. But this isn’t finished, Bash. You can’t keep a girl tied up in your house without explaining that they are free.”
“Oakley isn’t tied up.”Anymore. I had been, though, for a few days. But I wasgood.
“I’m your…good boy.”
“And what the hell? It’s a girl, Bash.”
“Once again, complicated.”
“Is there a problem here?” The lady from before came back, confusion lacing her voice.
“Not at all. Family drama. Sorry for bringing that into your place of business. May we check out please. And you,” Sabastian lowered his voice, “Don’t go jumping to conclusions. Oakley is safe, and it’ll continue to stay that way. Being in my house is the only option right now.”
***
The second store didn’t take nearly as long, mostly because it was just clothes. Still too many options to pick from, but I did grab a sweater that was at least three sizes too big, and it fell to my knees when Sabastian held it up against me.
I didn’t know what I needed, since apparently clothes weren’t just a want. His words, not mine.
Sabastian picked up a few things, shirts and comfy pants, and another skirt like the ones I wore. He’d ask me each time if I liked the color or style but I had no answers.
I’d wear whatever he bought me.
My mind was still stuck on what Molly had said. Well, a lot of the things she said.
Being free was just a word, or phrase, that was used a lot. I wasfreeto talk back to Sir, but there were consequences after doing so. I wasfreeto snoop in Sabastian’s things through the house, but I knew he’d eventually dish out a punishment for me doing so. I wasfreeto leave his house, to run off, but I wouldn’t survive out there in the world. I had no clue how to survive in his house as it was.
What was bothering me was…whatwasI? What did Sabastian want me as? Did he want me as a boy, or as a girl? Or a bit of both?
He kept buying meprettythings, so I could assume what he wanted. But I was still just as unsure as I had been when I first entered his house.
Once we were both back in the house, Sabastian put the bags on the counter before pulling out his phone.
