Draven brought me to an amazing orgasm—the first one I ever had with a man—and then we had lunch, and it was like nothing happened.
I was confused.After lunch, he kissed me on the head and left.Even more confused.
So, I spent the rest of the day in the library, with the book opened at exactly the same page as when I had started.There was no way I could read the words before me.They made absolutely no sense.I didn’t even know what book I was reading.
Staring across the room, I kept replaying the events with Draven.By dinnertime, I still didn’t understand what the hell was going on.My mind was a scrambled mess.I tried to think of something else, but my frustration level had kicked up a notch.Instead of going to my room or watching a movie, I changed into a pair of yoga pants and a large, oversized sweatshirt, and instead went to the gym I had barely frequented since I got here.There were weights, running machines, bikes.Everything everyone wanted at a gym was here.
There was also a punching bag in the corner and seeing as I was headed there, I got set up, preparing my knuckles.I refused to hold back.
My mind was completely frazzled.What did Draven want?Did he just want to own me?Was that it?Did he want to drive me crazy with all these questions I had?
I had never fallen for a guy.I had never been interested in anyone.That was why I was still a virgin, although I had wanted to cause a mass rebellion that made me the worst candidate to be sold.It hadn’t worked.The hair didn’t matter.My ink didn’t matter.My bad attitude hadn’t changed things.Begging hadn’t helped.It didn’t matter, because my fate had been sealed.I imagine even if I wasn’t a virgin, I still would have been on that damn chopping block.
Standing in front of the punching bag, I expected to envision Draven.The only problem was, I didn’t want to hurt Draven.He had saved me, and I imagine more than the first time I had seen him do so.
Drawing my fist back, I hit the bag, which was hard and barely moved.I had to put more force into it.I saw my father and mother, and I lashed out, swiping at the bag to the point I completely stopped counting.I kept hitting, and then I thought of my brothers.How they would gloat and the way they would look at me as if I was nothing.Then my sister, who would always have a nasty word to say.
For the last twenty-one years, I unleashed hell onto the punching bag, and not once did I think about Draven.He didn’t incite my anger.
There was a sudden whistle as I hit the bag for the last time.I was covered in sweat, and I turned to find Draven standing in the doorway, clapping his hands.
“Well done,” he said.“Were you thinking about me?”
“No.”
He sighed.“So, what could incite such anger and passion in you?”he asked, getting closer.
I turned so I was able to watch him getting closer.“My family.”
“Your family?”
“Yeah.I ...hate them.”I press my lips together and look at him.
“Do you consider them your family?”
“No.They don’t give a shit about me.”I couldn’t help but force a laugh.“They sent someone to kill me, remember?It wasn’t enough that they traded my life for theirs, but they wanted to finish the job.”I hold onto the punching bag.“Do you know why?”
“A power play.”
“Power play?”
“Yes, to see who is stronger, me or them.”
“Who is?”I asked.
“Me.”
I nod.“Of course.”
“Maeve, I haven’t gotten this far in life because I followed in my father’s footsteps.My father was charismatic.He knew how to talk to people.How to treat people.He earned a lot of people’s respect.”
“And you don’t?”
“I’m not someone who is liked.I earned my place today because I wouldn’t back down.”His hands were clenched into fists.“I fought my way to the top.”
“It must be nice,” she said.
“Why?”
