JOINED (The Joined Series)

by Alexia Stone

  Mateja nodded and his reverent expression didn’t change. He pressed his nose against mine and linked our hands together. He left the kitchen and didn’t look back. Freezing in the robe I wore, I shimmied into the dark blouse, sweater, and jeans arranged for me. I slipped into my heels, my peacot in one arm and I clanked my feet into the hallway, where Benjamin politely waited for me in front of his condominium and drove me to Brayden’s.

  ***

  When Benjamin dropped me off, I entered the lobby and stayed there for ten minutes until I knew he’d gone. Luego kept me company and I decided to go for a stroll at two in the morning. Wired, I knew I wouldn’t be able to rest. My anxiety tapered off to a manageable level where I could reflect about Mateja and I. Was there any way I’d have the strength to resist him again? Even though I knew him for a short period of time, I felt a strong connection to him.

  I didn’t walk far. Seated on a bench a few blocks from away, I watched couples and a few groups walk by. An hour and a half later, I returned to the apartment. Luego handed me a bag with a dry cleaners label on it; my clothes from earlier tonight were laundered, the six bras that the store had to order, and a doggie bag of food. Missing him and adoring the fact that he cooked the tasty meal for me, I ate each bite, slowly enjoying a tangible part of him and waiting to be joined to him again.

  ***