by Sky Corgan
“I know, but this is different. Dominick always stays in his office, so a lot of the time, it felt like I was alone.”
“What makes this any different then? Doesn't Melinda stay in the living room?”
“Yeah, but it's just the fact that she's there.”
“She's a threat.” He smirked.
“She's a big threat. Was a big threat. She won. It's over. I don't want to think about it anymore.” I deflated, resting my head on my lunch sack again, the sandwich inside squishing beneath the weight.
“So, when are you planning to move out?”
“As soon as possible.”
“Have you talked to Dominick about it yet?”
“No. I'll talk to him about it tonight. I was going to wait until the weekend, but I honestly don't think I'll last that long.”
“Do you think they can get you into an apartment before the weekend? That's very doubtful, Kim. There's usually a process.”
“I know,” I sighed. “Tammy and I went through it the first time I thought I was going to move out.”
“You could always stay with me until things get settled. I've got plenty of room, and I won't even make you pay me partial rent.”
“That's kind of you. I'll think about it.”
“Well, you have my number.”
“I know. Thanks.”
The idea of moving in with Victor, even for just a little while, was weird. I was a bit apprehensive to consider it, knowing myself too well. When I was sad, I was vulnerable, and Dominick had denied me his touch for too long. My body was all confused want. It wouldn't take much for me to fall prey to Victor's advances. Then what would happen? Would our friendship be ruined? Would it turn into something else?
I pondered this among many other things as I trudged through the rest of my classes. There were so many questions and what ifs going through my mind. How would Dominick react to me wanting to leave? Given the way he'd treated me these past few weeks, he probably wouldn't care. Knowing that only made me hurt more. My heart felt like a swollen gaping wound, slowly bleeding out until it killed me. Melinda was an infection, and I honestly wasn't sure I would survive her. Things felt bad now, but I knew they would only get worse once it was confirmed that Dominick and I were over. I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to handle it. There was no choice though. Torturing myself wasn't doing me any good. It was better to rip the band-aid off, to rip it off and bleed to death from the injury.
I entered the condo as quietly as possible, as if I didn't want to stir the beast within. She still looked up at me though, greeted me, gave me that genuine smile that I wanted to punch right off her perfect face. She asked me how my day was, and I grunted in reply, walking past the living room to drop my backpack off in my room like a sack of bricks. Dominick was typing away in his office. He didn't even bother glancing at me as I walked past. That was to be expected though. It was rare he took the time to acknowledge me anymore.
With a sigh, I plopped down in the chair in front of my computer and decided to kill time until the witch went home. There was no point talking about my plans while she was still here. I didn't want to disturb Dominick from his work, and I really didn't want to approach her until I had talked it over with him first. So I waited and waited and waited, waited until it was past my bedtime, waited until it was almost midnight.
“Did you get a lot done today?” I heard Melinda say to Dominick.
“Yes, Master,” he replied sarcastically.
“Good. How long before it's done do you think?”
“Well, I got 10k done today, but I doubt I'll keep up with that pace. Two weeks at best. Three weeks if I don't kill myself over it.”
“You're going at a good pace. Let's shoot for two weeks. Three would be fine though.”
“I'm so taking a vacation after this.”
“You and me both. Maybe we could go somewhere together.”
I cringed at her suggestion, hating her for it.
“See you tomorrow, Melinda,” he told her.
“See you tomorrow, Dominick. Get some sleep.”
“You too.”
Then she was gone, and I was never happier to hear the front door close behind her. How dare she suggest going on vacation with my boyfriend. He won't be your boyfriend much longer, I reminded myself, and my heart shattered at the thought. Just get this over with. Rip the band-aid off the wound. Bleed to death.
My feet didn't want to move though. I heard Dominick getting up from in front of his computer, and I just couldn't force myself to meet him. Each step would take me closer to the end of us, and I didn't think I could bear it. So I just sat there, trying to coax myself to move as I listened to him walk into his bedroom. Then I heard the shower turn on, and I chastised myself for being so slow. Once he had finished his shower, he would go straight to bed. That's how the routine always went. Then it would be too late to talk to him, and I'd have to wait until tomorrow. What was worse was that I would have to suffer through the same misery all day again, waiting and wondering about how everything would play out. That thought motivated me to move, to get off my ass and walk into his bedroom, to sit on the bed and listen to the rapid beating of my heart as it counted down until Dominick finished his shower, to the time of our break up.
Each minute was agonizing. My mind was a messy flurry of scenarios, none of which had a positive ending. I did my best to numb myself, to prepare for the storm to come. Dominick would be tired, so I doubted there would be any fight in him or care. He would just want to get the conversation over with and go to bed. That was probably for the best. The sooner it was over, the sooner I could go cry myself to sleep.
He emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. My eyes lecherously consumed his body, thinking of how delicious he looked. It's amazing how you can be horny and depressed at the same time, a confusing combination.
“Kim,” he said my name quietly, surprised to see me sitting there.
“Dominick.”
The surprise faded, and annoyance took its place. “Can this wait until tomorrow?”
“No.” I shook my head, wrapping my arms around myself as if it would protect me from his disapproving gaze. Already, he was being so cold that it made me want to start crying.
“What's up?” He came to sit beside me, though he didn't even bother to look at me.
My heart broke as I said the words, “I'm going to take Melinda up on the offer to get me an apartment.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm distracting you from your work, and I think it would just be easier on both of us if I went away for a while.”
“Distracting me from my work? How are you distracting me? I barely see you anymore.”
“That's why she's here, isn't it? To keep us away from each other. To keep me from bothering you and interfering with your work.”
“What's this really about?” He turned to me, but I couldn't stand to meet his eyes.
“That is what it's really about. I'm a distraction. Ever since I moved in with you, you haven't been meeting your deadlines. But ever since she came to stay with us, I've been doing poorly at school. I think it would solve both of our problems if I just left for a while.”
“You make it sound like she's moved in.”
“She practically has. She's here all time time. I barely have a chance to wake up before she's knocking on the door, and she doesn't leave until after I've gone to bed on most nights. She might as well be living here. If I leave, she can move in, and it would save everyone a lot of trouble.”
“Listen.” He lightly touched my shoulder. “I know things are hard right now, but it won't be much longer.”
“It doesn't have to be liked this.” I shook my head. “Things would be a lot easier for all of us if I just left.”
“Is that what you really want?”
I sighed, “No. It's not what I want, but it's the best solution I can come up with.”
“What would make this better on you?” hi
s voice softened.
I could feel myself breaking down. It had only been a matter of time. My eyes were watering, and I was losing what composure I had left. All of my emotions were flooding me, pushing at my throat, wanting to spew out in words that I really felt but would probably regret.
“I want her to go away,” I said finally.
“I do too,” he whispered.
“You do?” I looked up at him.
“Of course I do. Do you really think this is any fun for me? She watches me all day long, doesn't let me leave my office. Things haven't exactly been ideal for me either.”
“But I thought you liked her.”
“Is that what this is really about?” His lips twisted into a half-smirk, and I instantly blushed and averted my eyes.
“No.”
“Kim.” He touched his fingertips to my chin, drawing my face back towards him. “Are you jealous?”
“No.” I shrugged, pulling away from him. “She's just . . . around all the time. And the two of you seem to get along so well. Sometimes I just feel like a third wheel.”
“Of course, we get along well. She's my editor. We have a professional relationship. We kind of have to get along well.”
“Just a professional relationship?” I asked, internally cringing at how pitiful it sounded.
“You are jealous,” he laughed, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me on top of the head. I struggled for a moment, but then surrendered, allowing him to hold me, though I was scowling the entire time.
“Well, she's beautiful and smart and well off. Why shouldn't I feel threatened?”
“Because there's no reason to feel threatened. You're the only one for me. You'll always be the only one for me. I figured you were smart enough to know that by now.”
“But you haven't wanted to have sex lately.”
“We haven't had much of an opportunity. By the time she leaves at night, I'm absolutely exhausted. Maybe not physically, but mentally. I only want you to have the best of me, and I can't give you the best of me when I'm not all here.”
“But when you had the day off, you didn't want to do it either.”
“Again, that was because I was mentally tired. It had nothing to do with me not wanting you.”
“I don't need your best all the time, Dominick. I just need you.” I leaned against him. “You know, if you're tired, you could just lay there, and maybe I could try being on top.”
“That's an intriguing idea,” he purred, nuzzling the side of my head.
“Then let me try it.” I pressed my palm against his chest, feeling his warm skin and the electricity that the contact caused. My body lit up even at the suggestion of sex. It didn't matter how it happened, as long as it was with him, as long as we made that connection.
Dominick kissed me gently on the lips, and I savored the taste of him, pressing for more. His kiss felt tired, but there was a softness in it that I enjoyed, and I was willing to take what I could get, whatever I could get from him. It had been too long.
My hands tugged at the towel around his waist, pulling it away to expose his naked flesh. He smelled clean and delicious, though I wasn't able to breath him in for long before he broke free from my lips, trailing kisses across my cheek and down my throat. I craned my neck for him, looking up at the ceiling and thinking of how much I had missed this.
“I just took a shower,” he moved back up to my ear to whisper.
“I don't care,” I replied stubbornly.
“You're going to make me dirty all over again.” Dominick nibbled on my earlobe, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Mhm.”
I put my hand on his chest and pushed him gently. He pulled away from me, giving me a quizzical look. It wasn't until I pushed him a second time that he realized what I wanted, for him to lie down so that I could crawl on top of him. I stood and undressed while he got into position, and he watched me with lustful eyes, eyes that it felt like I hadn't seen in forever. His body became aroused from just the sight of me, and I was never happier to see an erection in all my life. He still wanted me. Thank God, he still wanted me.
With a lecherous grin, I climbed on top of him, lining him up between my legs, though I didn't take him inside of me immediately. I spent a bit of time teasing him, rubbing his hard cock between my soft folds, gearing him up for what was to come. The aroused impatience on his face only made me grin more, the way he was trying to hold back. Dominick never gave up control, and I could tell it was difficult for him.
“You're being a very naughty girl,” he growled at me, grabbing my ass and kneading his fingers into my muscles as he urged me to take him inside. The sight of him writhing beneath me was too amusing though, and for all my lust, I was enjoying teasing him. Just knowing he wanted me in such a desperate way made me want to keep the game going forever.
I groaned as he slid back and forth between my legs, his hardened length twitching with undeniable want. As I humped him, I played with one of my nipples, making a big display of it. Eventually, it was more than he could handle, and he ended up grabbing me roughly and rolling on top of me. When he jammed his cock inside of me, my body shot off in an explosion of pleasure. His needy thrusting only drew out the contractions that wrecked me, making me moan shamelessly as he fucked me with a ferocity I hadn't felt in a while. So much for me being in control.
By the time we were finished, my body felt half-broken. There was a soreness between my legs I hadn't felt in months, a soreness from being pushed to my limits, past them, from being manipulated and maneuvered in ways that were almost unnatural, in ways that magnified his pleasure. I had gotten a fair share of my own too. For all of his claims of being exhausted, Dominick fucked me like he had all the energy in the world. We were both spent when he finally collapsed beside me in a breathless heap, and it was only moments later that he was snoring softly, leaving me to clean up on my own and then crawl back in bed beside him. We had gotten filthy, and the scent of it lingered behind like an intoxicating perfume. Perhaps tomorrow Melinda would smell it, and she'd know he was mine.
Apparently, Dominick wasn't the only one who was exhausted. I woke up to the sound of the doorbell ringing, groaning as I looked over at the clock and realized I had overslept. Since Melinda had been coming over every morning, there had been no reason to set my alarm. My body usually knew before she arrived. I'd wake up in a bad mood, anticipating it. Today I hadn't been given time to wake up in a bad mood.
Dominick looked equally annoyed by the sound, lifting his head and sighing before letting it fall back down with a huff. “Are you going to let her in, or should I?”
“We could tell her to go away.” I smirked at him, rolling over to kiss his shoulder.
“I suppose we could.” He smiled at me.
“I could take the day off of school and we could spend it together,” I suggested, hopeful.
“We could, but then I'd get behind in work and you'd fall behind in school.”
“One day won't kill us.”
“It wouldn't, but she might.”
“Dominick,” I groaned. “I can't go on like this anymore. I really can't.”
“Alright.” He gave me a short look of concern and then rolled out of bed. I watched him walk to his chest of drawers to pull out a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt. My body ached as each inch of naked skin was covered. Damn me for feeling so needy.
With a sigh, I quickly dressed as well and then went into the kitchen to make myself breakfast while Dominick let Melinda in. I hated it that he hadn't given in to me, but I did understand. Whether I liked it or not, I was going to have to bear her presence for the next few months until this was all over with.
“We need to talk,” I heard Dominick tell her, instantly drawing my attention to the living room.
“Oh, what is it?” she asked, following him to sit on the loveseat.
I continued about my business, pouring a bowl of cereal and trying to pretend like I wasn't eavesdropping. My ears were completely tuned
in to their conversation though, wondering what he was about to tell her.
“I can't do this anymore,” he said.
“What do you mean?”
“This. You being here all the time.”
“It's starting to get to Kim, isn't it?” she sounded genuinely sympathetic.
“Not just Kim. It's getting to me too. I understand you want these projects done as quickly as possible, but you're being a slave driver.”
“I'm only doing this because it's important. My being here helps keep you on track, doesn't it?”
“Yes. But you don't need to be here all the time. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but you can't stay on top of me 24/7.”
“Well, I obviously can't leave you to your own devices, or you won't get anything done.”
“If you keep this up much longer, I'm going to go on strike,” he threatened, though there was no malice in his voice. “You're burning me out. I'm a writer, not a factory worker. You can't expect me to write twelve hours straight every day without burning out. When you force me to write for so long, the quality of my work suffers. Surely, you've seen that in your edits.”
She hesitated, “I have, but this stuff has to get done.”
“It will get done, but you need to trust me.”
“I wish I could, but you're already so far behind,” Melinda sighed.
“Let's work something out then. I understand your need to stay on top of me, I really do, but my work is starting to suffer and so is my relationship. Kim told me she wanted to leave last night because she can't handle you being around all the time.”
“I'm sorry. I didn't know. I never came here with the intentions of messing stuff up for you. I just remember how you were before, how hard you used to work.”
“I still work hard. Things are a bit different now though. I'm not the person I was before. Before, I didn't have anyone, so I was able to work like a machine. I'm not a machine though, and I can't keep up this pace.”
“I understand. What do you want to do then?”
“Eight hours a day. That's more than enough time for me to get a good amount of work done. That's all the time I'm going to give you. You can come over from nine to six. Kim's first class starts at eight forty-five. That way, her and I can have the mornings together. If you leave at six, we can still have part of our afternoons together as well. I tend to slow down after five o'clock anyway, because I can't really think anymore.”
