Page 44
“I’m sorry.” A weight lifted from my shoulders at my apology.
“What are you sorry for, angel?”
“For trying to run away and not speaking to you about what happened.”
Silence stretched between us before Jacob spoke. “Thank you, angel. That means a lot to me. No matter what happens between us, we can always figure it out so long as we communicate.”
Warmth slithered through my body at hearing the gratitude in his voice, and for the first time in what seemed like forever, a smile curled my lips. “Does that mean you’ll let me out?”
He cleared his throat. “Do you think you deserve to come out?”
My mouth opened to say yes, but I clamped it shut and allowed the question to repeat in my ears.
Did I deserve to be freed from the cell?
Did I deserve to be freed from the cell despite having ignored Jacob day after day after day and upsetting him in the first place?
“No.”
“And why not?”
Shame flowed through my veins. “Because I acted like a child by ignoring you.”
“Good girl, angel,” Jacob replied, his tone like warm honey. “See, you’re learning, and I’m so proud of you.” Pride inflated my chest, and my smile widened. “And because you have recognized your behavior was wrong, I’ve got a treat for you.”
My back straightened, excitement sparking in the pit of my stomach. “You have?”
“Yes, angel. I’ve got your favorite book here, and I’m going to read a chapter to you.”
Tears filled my eyes. Tears of happiness and gratitude. He wasn’t going to leave me just yet, and not only would I get to hear his voice for a little longer, but I could also lose myself in a chapter of Wuthering Heights instead of resuming my staring at the four walls.
I brushed away a tear, shifting to get comfortable on the floor. “Thank you, Jacob.”
I could hear the smile in his voice. “You’re welcome, angel.”
This time, when I fell into my usual drug-addled sleep, it was to Jacob’s addictive voice.
Chapter 19
After every evening dinner, Jacob would read to me until I fell asleep. He’d even moved my cot bed closer to the door so I could lie on it and listen to him as I fell asleep instead of passing out on the floor.
Each morning, I woke up to find I’d been bathed and dressed in clean clothes, but the ache between my legs wasn’t as intense, and I couldn’t help but wonder if Jacob had found a way to make me come even while I was unconscious.
If I thought I craved his company before, it was nothing compared to the deep-rooted need to hear his voice in the days that followed. Jacob reading chapters from my favorite books became the only thing I had to look forward to, and I would often lie on the cot bed, staring at the dull ceiling, counting down the minutes until he arrived and I could lose myself in his soothing voice.
I was desperate to leave the cell, not because I wanted my freedom, but because I wanted to see his face. I wanted to feel his touch, and I wanted to drown myself in his addictive scent that I had gone too long without. But I never asked him to let me out; something inside me said he’d free me when, and only when, I proved that I’d learned my lesson for ignoring him.
When my heavy eyelids opened for another day in the cell, I groaned when my stomach cramped with a familiar ache, seconds before a gushing sensation flowed between my legs. I jumped out of bed, rushing over to the toilet, and internally cursing.
How had I forgotten my period was due?
Pulling my underwear down, my brows furrowed at seeing a sanitary pad had been placed there. Humiliation rushed through me; Jacob must have put it there during my nightly bath while I was drugged.
I didn’t know if that made me more embarrassed or grateful that he’d been considerate enough to put the pad there for when I woke up.
My gaze whipped around the cell to see if he’d brought my breakfast. Sometimes, he would bring it when I was awake; other times, I would wake to find my bowl of grits waiting by the hatch. I hated those mornings; it meant I’d have to wait hours until he visited me at lunch.
Disappointment seeped into my bones at finding my breakfast was already waiting for me, but next to the bowl was a small box. Wiping myself again, I pulled my underwear and shorts up and darted to the package.
