The Key Ch. 01: Should've Known

He flipped his shoes off and removed his socks. Then, he just stared at me with his hands on his hips until I'd drained my glass of water. All the while, his eyes bored into me. I didn't know what I should do at that point, so I just remained standing at the sink.

"Come here," he growled.

I hesitated.

"Now!"

I jumped with a start.

Slowly, I walked around the kitchen island. The only noise in the room was the click-clacking of my two-inch heels on the hardwood floors. While I tentatively walked toward him, I took in a shaky breath through my nose and let it out slowly through my mouth in hopes of calming my thumping heart. When I was within two feet of him, I stopped.

He visually devoured me like I was a something delicious that he was going to sink his teeth into. His eyes narrowed and the corners of his mouth slightly upturned. Stroking his stubbly chin, Rick prowled around me until he was standing behind me. When I attempted to turn to face him, he took hold of my upper arms.

"Hold still."

He nuzzled my neck, inhaling my scent.

Immediately, I felt like I could breathe easier. Must be he wasn't still as angry as I thought. I closed my eyes, tilting my neck to give him better access.

His hands slid down my arms to my waist and glided over my hips and belly before returning to my waist. Then they slid over my butt and down the back of my thighs.

My breath hitched when he went up under the skirt of my dress and caressed my ass. When he grasped my cheeks from underneath, gently spreading them, a moan rumbled up my throat. I felt a wave of desire ignite a fire between my thighs, and my head dropped back to lean on his chest.

His hands moved up to the zipper on my dress, and I heard the buzz when the zipper parted all the way down to my butt, leaving my back exposed. The tie around my neck was the only thing preventing my dress from falling off completely. Rick slid his hands inside my dress at the waist and caressed up and down my sides, sliding across my lower abdomen. One hand skimming the top of my mons, and I felt the other pull at the tie around my neck. At that moment, my dress fell to puddle at my feet, leaving me standing there in nothing but my black lace panties and my two-inch blue heels.

"Don't move," his husky voice grumbled into my ear.

I heard rustling when he removed his shirt and felt a breeze on my legs when it dropped to the floor. The sound of his zip lowering on his trousers followed. Then there was another light waft of air when they fell, joining his shirt.

The next moment, Rick grasped my waist. He pulled me back against him, his erection pressing against my fleshy ass. His greedy fingers traced over my hips and across my belly before sweeping up and taking possession of my breasts. Kneading them, he drew a cooing sound from me while his thumbs circled and then passed over my nipples. My head dropped back onto his chest and my eyes closed while he went on teasing—flicking, twisting, and gently pulling on the tips of my nipples until they had formed hard little buds under his tantalizing touch.

My arousal was quickly mounting while his fingers worked my pleasure buttons. I craved more, and let him know with lusty little moans and sighs.

Suddenly, he pinched my nipples...hard. I cried out in shock and pain. He rolled my nipples between his fingers, but much harder than before, and instead of feeling pleasure, it hurt! I let out another agonizing wail.

He nuzzled my ear, sneering, "You. Are. Mine."

"Yes!" I shrieked, just wanting the pain to let up.

"Tonight, you acted like a little slut with that guy at the bar," he said with disgust.

"No-no-no!" I whimpered.

He continued to pinch and roll my nipples. Tears began to form in the corners of my eyes—mostly from the pain, but it was compounded by the stark realization that I didn't know really know this man—my boyfriend. He was torturing me. He sounded so hateful. And it scared me.

"You want to be a slut?" he asked, his voice dripping with contempt. "Then I'll treat you like one."

Grabbing a handful of my loose curls with one hand, he used it as a handle to guide me the few feet to reach the edge of the sofa. He pushed my head down, bending me over the plush rounded arm.

"Rick, what are you doing?" I shrieked. My heart was hammering in my throat—my mind reeling—while I lay bent over the arm of the sofa in my panties and heels.

"Giving you the royal slut treatment, babe," he jeered.

go of my hair, he used both hands, he yanked my panties down over my hips and let them slide down my legs to the floor.

I yelped when I felt a sharp sting on one of my ass cheeks, accompanied by a loud crack. What the hell? Did he just spank me? My question was answered with another blinding crack on my other butt cheek.

"Rick, please!" I wailed, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Begging for it, babe? Sure, I'll give you what you want, you little slut!" Rick taunted maliciously. Then, he smacked my ass again.

I struggled to get free, pushing my hands on the sofa cushions and wriggling as much as I could—which wasn't much in my position.

With a snarl, Rick grabbed both of my arms and pulled them around my back, grasping both wrists with one of his large, strong hands. He put some pressure on my back, where my hands were held, so I was unable to pull my torso up. Kicking at my feel, he nudged them out to widen my stance. His free hand slid down my back, over my ass, and between my thighs, where he cupped me for a moment before he sawed the side of his hand into my slit.

I gasped at the trespass, struggling within my own mind because I didn't want to like it, but the snake had already gotten me aroused, so my body still heated at his touch.

"Mmm," Rick growled while the side of his index finger glided back and forth. Then, with a slight turn of his hand, there were two fingers slipping through my wet slit. "Will you look at that? Your pussy is soaking wet, Keira. But for who? Is your cunt dripping for your lover boy at the bar? Hmm?"

"No! No!" I protested between sobs.

"No? Whose pussy is this, Keira?" he growled, still sliding his fingers back and forth in my slit.

"Yours! Just yours" I howled. Please let this stop!

"That's right, babe. Your pussy belongs to me," he sneered.

Letting go of my arms, Rick grasped my ass cheeks underneath and pulled them apart. Fingers splayed out, his hands slunk a little lower between my thighs, and he held me open. All I could do was prop my face on my hands to ease my discomfort while sobs racked my body. Then he slammed his dick into me, easily sinking fully inside of my well-lubricated pussy.

I cried out at the sudden intrusion, and then he slammed into me again, and a wave of pleasure washed over me. I was so confused. I hated what he was saying and doing to me. He'd baited me, getting me so aroused before he turned on me that my body was like putty in his hand despite being terrorized in my mind. My pussy throbbed around his dick. I felt betrayed by my own body.

Rick was relentless while he pummeled into me with hard, full strokes, his balls slapping into my ass each time he drove into me.

Grabbing a handful of my hair again, Rick yanked my head up, my back arching in the process. His strokes within me were less frantic, but they were still long and deep. His other hand wound around to my front to tease a sensitive nipple. I whimpered when it became erect again, not wanting my body to respond to his touches. An involuntary moan escaped my mouth while his dick dragged over the sweet spot inside me, and his flicking and rolling off my nipple continued.

"Oh, fuck! Yes!" Rick hissed, his dick sliding faster in and out of my battered pussy.

Just then, I felt Rick's body grow tense. He let go of my hair and my nipple, then pushed me so I was fully bent over again, opening me up wider for him. He withdrew completely, grabbed my hips, and plunged back into me, my pussy swallowing his dick whole.

I cried out again, the torment mixing with pleasure. My little cries were drowned out by Rick's grunting and the slapping sound whenever his groin met with mine. Faster and faster... harder and harder... until he bellowed a long moan and his dick pumped his load inside of me.

He kept his dick buried in me while he moved against my ass, making sure that he completely empty.

I groaned when he painfully dragged his dick from my swollen pussy. My labia were swollen, and my clit was throbbing. I ached for my own release, which hadn't come. I was still bent over the arm of the couch. My tears had dried up at some point, but I didn't have enough energy to move.

"Get up, Keira," Rick barked.

When I still didn't move, he grabbed another handful of my hair and jerked me to a standing position. I let out a shrill cry, stumbling to get my footing.

"Stop! Please!" I begged.

He released my hair but pushed my back to propel me down the short hallway to my bedroom. Once inside, he gripped my wrist, tugged me and cast me onto the bed. I crawled to the other side, stood, up, and crossed my arms across my chest, my back to him.

"Get into bed, Keira," Rick instructed. His voice had lost its evil edge, but it was still an emotionless, even tone.

"I need to use the bathroom," I said, my voice quavering without my permission.

"Later," he grunted. "Come here."

I thought I was going to be sick. My stomach lurched, and I felt the bile rising up in my throat. I swallowed several times to get it to subside, and then I took a deep breath, trying to stay in control. I stood there for a moment, unmoving.

I knew I didn't want to climb into bed with the man who'd just said horrible things to me...and used my body like a fucktoy. But what choice did I have really? If I made a fuss, I risked the beast returning. And who knew what else he was capable of? Not to mention, we were in my house, so it wasn't like I had somewhere to go in the early morning hours.

"Keira," Rick persisted. I could hear the irritation edging his voice.

I sat down on the bed. Then, I laid down on my side and pulled my knees up to my chest. Tears threatened to spill again, but I willed them back. Especially when I felt Rick's weight on the bed. He pulled on my shoulder so that I rolled onto my back. I closed my eyes so I didn't have to look at him.

He pressed his body into my side, and his hand began to fondle my nipple.

I turned my face away from him so he couldn't see my furrowed brow and the grimace on my face while he touched me. I fought the urge to shove his hand away. Instead, I focused on breathing steadily. It was difficult to just lie there when all I wanted was for him to never touch me again.

It seemed like forever before Rick finally dozed off. In reality, it was only a few minutes. I moved his hand off me and got up carefully so I didn't jostle the bed. Quietly, I tip-toed to the bathroom. When the door clicked closed, all the tears and emotion I'd held back came pouring out of me. Tears streaked my cheeks and my shoulders shook with my quiet sobs.

I turned on the shower and looked in the mirror while I waited for the water to warm up. My eyes were red-rimmed, the tip of my nose was red and my face and chest were splotchy. My hair, that had been so neatly styled, was now a disheveled mess.

Stepping into the stream, the warmth soothed me. I tried to wash away the disgust I felt from what had just taken place. To get rid of the feeling of him touching me in that way. I scrubbed my skin until it was nearly raw. But I still felt dirty. I couldn't seem to reign in my tears and they kept coming while I slid down the shower wall to sit on the floor, the water raining down on me.

There was a war of emotions waging in my head and I tried to sort through them. I was angry and hurt that Rick would treat me that way. But in all honesty, I was angrier with myself. The warning signs had been there, and I hadn't heeded them. I was dismissive about his abusive behavior and made excuses to justify his actions, even though I knew it was wrong. So, I was paying the price. Damn it, Keira, what the hell is wrong with you? How did you let this happen? You are a smart girl and should know better.

That was only the beginning of my self-loathing. I hated myself for the way my body had reacted despite his tortured abuse. Did I really enjoy any of that? No. The answer had to be no, right? But then why—why—?

Amidst all my anger, there was also a good dose of fear. I was scared—scared of Rick—scared of the situation—and scared about what to do next.

One thing I knew for certain: It was over between me and Rick. There was no way I was going to wait around for something like this to happen again. Or possibly something even worse. The idea of how Rick would react when I tell him it's over... and knowing what he's truly capable of... Just the thought had my stomach turning again.

I just needed a plan...

Maybe I needed to be in a public place where there would be plenty of people. I could bring someone with me—maybe Wynne—especially since I didn't own a car.

Better yet, I could pack up and go away for a while. Maybe telling Rick over the phone is a better idea. I'm usually one for person-to-person honesty, but in this situation, it might not be the best idea. If Rick didn't know where I was, then I wouldn't have to worry about his reaction because I wouldn't be there. Yes...that was the safest way to do it.

With that decided and the water in the shower starting to run cold, I got out and dried off. I had been so lost in thought that I hadn't even noticed that my tears had stopped falling at some point during my shower. Having a plan gave me something to focus on. I was still angry and scared, now I felt a glimmer of hope.

Based on the past, Rick's anger was usually spurred by his jealousy and possessiveness. The next day, I would just have to play the waiting game, keep my emotions in check and bide my time until Rick left the house the next day. Then, I would pack up some belongings and be out of there in ten minutes flat.

Quietly, I went to my dresser, retrieved a nightgown and pulled it over my head. No way did I want to sleep in the same bed with the beast. I wasn't sure I could sleep anyway.

It struck me that maybe I could grab my things and leave right then. No, that was dangerous. If he woke and caught me packing a bag... But—I could go and look up flights and trains so I had an idea of whether to run to the airport or the train station when I got the opportunity. My feet padded across the floor and down the hallway to the living room.

Grabbing my laptop, I plopped down in the large, plush armchair. While I waited for it to boot up, I started a mental checklist of things to pack... driver's license, passport, birth certificate—hey, you never know when I might need it! Bank account information—And the stuff in the safety deposit box—my parents' things that I still hadn't been able to look at. No. You can't think about that now, Keira. Focus.

Hmm... Where to go...

After looking at the plane and train schedules for the next two days, I decided to go far away—Europe. Paris, to be exact. It's not like I had anyone who was going to miss me. No friend or family to worry about me.

I sniffed. It was a painful reminder of just how alone I was. Don't think about it.

Being extra careful, I took the time to clear the most recent search history on my laptop before closing the lid and placing it on the end table. I yawned. The events of the evening had been emotionally draining, and my nerves were shot. A good night's sleep would be necessary if I was going to face tomorrow head on.

I sat there and contemplated. Do I go back to my bedroom or do I sleep on the couch? That's a tough choice. I never slept well on the couch. My bed was so comfortable. But it also had him in it. Couch it was. I just hoped that if he woke up and I wasn't there that he won't get angry. But if he wakes up and wants to do—other things—that I couldn't stomach.

*****

With a gasp, I jolted awake as though I had been holding my breath underwater. That was weird. I didn't remember if I'd been dreaming, so I had no idea what might have caused me to wake up like that.

My exhaustion worked in my favor. I slept without waking—all five hours, anyway. The clock on the microwave read 8:15 am, and it was quiet. I didn't think Rick was awake yet. Good.

Silently, I slunk down the hallway to my bedroom. Peeking around the door, I saw Rick, face down in the middle of the bed, fast asleep. Without making a sound, I crept through the room, stopping at my dresser for undergarments, and then went into my walk-in closet. I dressed in jeans and a loose-fitting, black, v-neck t-shirt. I wasn't in the mood to wear anything flattering.

I made my way to the kitchen where I made a pot of coffee and then prepared eggs, chicken sausage, and toast for breakfast. Just when I sat down at the table, Rick came out of the bedroom wearing only his boxers, which were tented from his morning wood.

"Good morning," I offered, surprising myself at how chipper I could make myself sound. Maybe I could have a career in acting.

Smirking to myself, I rose from my chair and made up a plate of food for him at the counter. I set it across from my own place at the table. "Come and eat."

I was sure he wouldn't figure out that I'd purposely placed him across from me. I didn't want to be anywhere near him if at all possible. Bile was rising in my throat again, thoughts of last night rolling over in my mind. I swallowed hard to try to quell the unease churning in my belly and took a deliberately slow breath.

It's interesting how a person's feelings toward someone can change so quickly. All I felt for Rick at that point was disgust and loathing, though there was also underlying fear. I really didn't want to piss him off again and have to endure another instance like the night before.

Just make it through the day. That's all you have to do. Breathe. Just breathe. You can do this.

My plan met with its first snag when I went to retrieve my phone from my purse. I would need it so I could call a cab to take me to the airport later. But it wasn't in my purse. I looked on the stand by the front door, on the kitchen counter, on the side table in the bedroom, in the bathroom, and every place in between. Rick even checked his car and tried calling it, but my phone was nowhere to be found.

The last time I remembered seeing it was when I had texted Wynne the night before. I had placed it in my purse when I was finished texting her. I hadn't a clue where it could be. Damn it.

The longer the day went on, the more on edge I became. When was he going to leave? I didn't even want to breathe the same air as him anymore.

Rick was content to use my laptop to randomly surf the net, read pointless information on social media, and play mind-numbing games. It was so glaringly obvious that we had nothing in common. Why had I wasted my time with him? If only I had stopped dating him before. Then, none of this would have happened.

The day dragged into the evening. I didn't feel like eating, but I prepared dinner anyway. It was something to occupy my time. I made a stir-fry with chicken and vegetables. While Rick ate everything on his plate, I just pushed the food around on mine with my fork, able to stomach only a few mouthfuls of food.

My nerves were feeling frayed after spending the entire day on edge waiting for Rick to leave. By then, I was getting nervous about the idea of having to spend another night with him.

When he suggested...no that's not right. When he informed me—that we were going to the club again that night and meeting up with the guys, I experienced a gamut of emotions.