I found myself going crazy all day. I returned just as Eleanor was getting out of class to escort her to the next room, and each time I returned to our quarters to get off. I felt like a 12-year-old boy again, just discovering the magic of masturbation. I was going to give myself a friction burn at this pace, but the very idea that Eleanor was sitting in class, struggling with the pain, had me harder than I'd ever been in my life.
I wanted to replay last night again tonight, but I knew I was pressing my luck. She hadn't spoken up yet, but I couldn't expect her not to. I'd... assaulted her. She had every right to come forward and let me get killed, but... she didn't.
Days went by. Each morning I was expecting her to tell someone, but she never did. She hardly spoke to me at all, exceptto ask for more cream. I gave the jar to her, refusing to give in to the urge to ask if I could apply it for her. Instead, I returned to my room to take care of myself.
We existed quietly together. I was afraid if I said anything to her she'd snap, and I'd be over for good.
"Everything alright, Cal?" Roy, a Daddy, asked one morning. "Your Young Lady still acting up?"
I shook my head and looked down at my coffee. "No, but she's... tiring."
"Dale had to be firm with her too. She's prickly, but she's good at what she does."
I nodded. I'd see for myself soon.
"Our first mission is tomorrow," I told them.
"Nice. You excited?" Ju-Won asked. The more time I spent around these guys, the less angry I felt about the night everything went south. It felt almost like mob mentality. Dale had been their leader, and they'd been convinced to do something heinous. But they didn't give me the creeps now. Now, we were all just normal men.
"A little. Maybe giving her a little freedom will be good for her."
"I find my Young Lady always acts better after a successful mission," Roy nodded. "They gotta get their energy out, and then they come home, sleep well all night, and are perfectly pleasant for a week."
Ju-Won leaned over to speak. "You know, Callahan, we go down to Gen Pop on Saturday nights. You want to come? I think it'll really help you loosen up and see your Young Lady differently."
I looked at him.
What did that mean?
"Come on, the first two drinks are on me. And I'll tell you what," he grinned and put his arm around my shoulder. "You think DITs have fun down there? The Daddy parties are wilder."
Chapter 19 - Callahan
Don’t take the bait.
Ibrushed my hair, fresh out of the shower, and then sprayed my cologne on. There was a knock on my door, and I went to it, knowing it was Eleanor. I pushed the button that slid up the door and smiled down at my Young Lady.
"Hello, do you need something?" I said, a little sharper than intended. I was still waiting for the shoe to drop, but she'd also been pushing my buttons all afternoon.
"What are you doing tonight?"
"Well, as you're in for the night, I was going to go out with some of the other Daddies. It's my night off."
"You're going down to Gen Pop?" Her brows furrowed.
"I am." I nodded. "Did your previous Daddy not do that?" I knew for a fact he did. I saw him down there often, having drinks at the bar with the other Daddies.
"No, he did. I just-- I was going to invite you to watch a program with me."
I swallowed down the nervous excitement. That offer was tempting. Watching television with her could lead to more, which was... bad. No. I forced a tight smile.
"I'm sorry Eleanor, maybe another night. The Daddies are waiting for me."
"I understand." Her head fell, and guilt consumed me. She pushed the button on her end to shut the door, and I wanted to throw my hand out and scream for her to wait. I did want to do that with her, I-- no. I bit down on my lip and stepped away from the door. The thoughts I had about my Young Lady were wrong. I needed to go out with the others and forget about her.
I finished lacing up my boots and exited my room, giving her an awkward wave on the way out. I hated the only way to leave was through her room. It was such a design flaw.
"Have fun, Daddy," she called from her bed. She was lying on her belly, kicking her legs lazily, while drawing in a notebook.
