I mean, he had come to the café wearing the mask and nobody really reacted. Nothing more than whispering, but people do that all the time. Maybe they were whispering about me talking to myself because if the guy wasn’t actually there, then I had to have been talking to myself and that was reason enough to whisper.
I worked the pawn between my fingers, one knee up to my chin, and my eyes drifting between my legs where my light pink silk pajama pants had fallen to the side slightly, revealing my black thong.
Steven said I had made a stupid purchase. That I needed to figure out a way to get this collar off or pay the price. That he already knew I was a bitch whore, I didn’t need to be flaunting it to the world, but I had tried everything, even causing myself to bleed trying to get it off. The shit was made of Teflon or something.
I stared at myself for a long time before sliding my hand between my legs and pressing slowly against myself.
My clit throbbed softly in anticipation for what would happen, but that’s it. There was no warmth, no tingles, no full-body chills. There was nothing but that light pulse.
I swallowed and slammed my laptop closed. It was fine. I had a doctor’s appointment in the morning. She would tell me what was wrong.
I shoved myself to a stand and turned to Lucy who was watching me from her bed. “Walk?”
She jumped up, her tongue rolling out, her tail wagging.
“Let me change.” That’s what I needed. Fresh air to clear my head. I had cut out caffeine and I was cutting back on sugar,pretty soon my mind would regulate itself and I would stop imagining these horrible scenarios.
These absolutely intoxicating scenarios.
The weather was warmer today, so I decided for a beautiful light blue floral print dress that fell to just below my knees. It had a squared off top with mid-upper arm puff sleeves, and it hugged my breasts comfortably. Enhancing them just enough to give me a little extra confidence.
I twirled back and forth, admiring the free movement in the mirror before making sure the thin bow on the top of my dress collar was perfectly straight before pulling my hair up in a ponytail, letting some hair frame my face, and grabbing a pair of sneakers to match. Lastly, I wrapped a white scarf around my neck and tied it off, letting the extra fall down my back.
I walked out and posed for Lucy, happy that my bruises were healed enough that only light makeup was enough to cover me up. “How do I look? Ready for a spring walk through the park?”
She barked and walked over, hopping up slightly to grab her thick pink collar from the counter.
I smiled and crouched down in front of her, easily clipping it on. “Now we’re both ready, hmm?” I should replace it. Just in case people saw through the scarf, I should definitely order a new collar for her. Although, pink was her color.
I grimaced. It was just frustrating. I really needed to find that key.
She licked my face causing me to laugh. “Let’s go then.” Yes, this was exactly what I needed. Fresh air to clear away these delusions.
I grabbed her leash and my across-the-body-purse, and we headed out.
I clipped on her leash in the elevator and pulled on my headphones, turning on my favorite playlist as the elevator doors opened. It was a beautiful day today. A light breeze, blueskies, not too hot yet, but closer to Summer than Winter now.
We headed down the street and across to the park. It was filled with people of all ages today. Laughter and playing, couples roaming, people riding their hoverboards. Everyone was out and in good spirits today.
I was glad I came out. After the last few weeks I had been having, losing my mind, dealing with my mom, I needed a day like today to just…justbreathe.
I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes for just a second as we walked down the path, feeling the warmth on my face and the breeze in my hair. I had been skipping out on my runs lately, but I needed to start up again. Nothing beat this. Nothing at all.
We kept walking, only to slow when the trail came into view. I studied it for only a second before lifting my chin. No, if it didn’t happen then there was no reason why I should feel nervous about walking my normal route. It was all in my head. All of it.
“Come on Lucy,” I told her. “Be on guard,” I said just in case. I was brave, but I wasn’t stupid. There were still dangers in this world, I just needed to make sure they were real and not in my own head.
The air was fresher on the trail. The trees providing cover from the sun, the moss growing on them damp and filling the air with this beautiful, woodsy smell that caused my heart to thud.
I turned off my music and slid my headphones around my neck, listening to the babbling creek and the way the wind whistled gently through the leaves.
I could live here, I decided. A place like this. Where there wasn’t such loud city noise. Where the trees hummed, and the streams sang. A place of such…peace. I could disappear in a place like this. No phone, no computer, no electronics of any kind, justlife.
Well, I’d keep my laptop. I loved writing far too much to actually ever give it up—
A hand slammed around my mouth, another around my stomach, pulling me back against a hard body.
My heart slammed as hot breath tickled my ear. “Hello, little writer, time for the other half of your last payment,” the man hummed in my ear.
