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Herose to stand next to me.Realizingmy hand would be dragged down because of our height difference, he bent his elbow and interlaced our fingers, which escalated the heat rising in the room.
“Hungry?” he asked innocently, extending the suffocating heat we were trapped in. “Wecan have breakfast… afterward.”Hedropped the voice laced with insinuation.
Ilooked away and took stock of the room.Thebedroom mimicked the size of my last apartment, with custom-made choices to reflect his taste.Shockingly, it reflected some of mine as well.
Thewalls were dark gray instead of pitch-black.
Vintagefurniture such as tufted bench chairs and ottomans, though chicer than my usual.
Minimalisticwith no artwork on the walls.
Four-poster bed, but theTempur-Pedicmattress allowed the person to select the firmness for their side.
Largewindows overlooking a familiar view ofCentralPark.Ifrowned. “We’renear my old apartment.”
Hedidn’t confirm nor deny it, remaining surprisingly quiet while my eyes took in the surroundings.
“Bathroom?”
Heheld out his free hand in anafter-yougesture.Thebathroom was furnished similarly: minimal.HisandHerssink, and a skinny gray shelf with three tiers.Thebottom was stocked with towels.Iwasn’t the least bit surprised to discoverDamonused the same brand of toothpaste as me on the top tier, though it was the middle tier that caught my attention.
Therewere various unopened bottles of face wash, moisturizer, bath products, and lotions.Iwasn’t particular about brands, using whateverMomstocked my bathroom with.EveryitemDamonbought was somethingMomalso bought me in the past.Exactlyhow long had he been stalking me?
Helet it all sink in, nonverbally boasting the extent of his obsession. “Iput some clothes for you in here.”Thedrawers underneath the sink held some lingerie and sleeping clothes.Theyhad tags on, forcing me to wonder when he made these plans.Technically, we officially met last week.
WhenDamondidn’t unhand me to do my business,Igrasped the appalling reality of the situation.
“I’mnot going to the bathroom in front of another person,”Ideclared, affronted.
Heogled me as ifIwas the one being unreasonable. “Butthere are no cameras in here.It’snot like some perv will stumble upon a video of you going to the bathroom.”
“Allexcept one.”Inodded at him pointedly.
Damonsighed. “There’llbe no boundaries between us,Poppy.”
“Ihaven’t gone in front of another person in sixteen years.I’mnot about to start now,”Ishot back indignantly.
Damonshrugged. “Thisisn’t optional, baby.Theonly wayI’dleave you unattended again is if you were sedated.”
Ofall the thingsDamonhad done thus far, this one offended me the most.Iwas potty trained by the timeIwas a year and a half old and preferred to use the bathroom alone the following year.Mompresumed it was because the idea of soiling myself in front of others never appealed to me.Thiswas humiliating and a dig at my repressive personality.
Icrossed my arms across my chest. “ThenIguessIdon’t have to use the bathroom, after all,”Ichewed out.
“Don’tbe ridiculous.You’llend up with aUTI.”
“Thendecide what’s more important to you.”
Damonclenched his jaw. “Fiveminutes.Doorstays open.”
“Tenminutes.Doorstays closed but unlocked.”
Damonconsidered my counteroffer, then pointed at the ceiling vent and the bathroom window. “Justso you know, those were sealed shut this morning.Don’teven think about it.”
Hemoved the numbers on the slot configuration with his eyes on me, ensuring my pupils didn’t drop to register the numbers.Thecuffs fell open, the momentary reprieve more than welcome.
Assoon asDamonstepped out,Ifocused on my natural objective.Mysweet, sweet escape.Iturned on the shower.Damonmentioned the windows were sealed shut this morning.Ifcaulk were used to fill it, nothing would get in the way of drying like a steamy shower.Forgood measure,Idoused a towel in hot water and placed it against the grout.Standingon the toilet with the lid down,Irealized a ledge was on the other side.Ineeded to open this window, take the ledge, climb one floor, and bang on that person’s window.
WhileIwaited,Irelieved myself and used the unopened toothbrush he left me.Damonwouldn’t let me use the bathroom again for a while ifIgot caught, soIneeded to use facilities and steer clear of liquids.Irinsed out my mouth, the rancid taste of drugs finally washing away.Hoppinginto the shower,Iwashed my face and body down in less than two minutes, keeping count of the seconds in my head.
