I knew he didn’t think I should do that, but once he conceded, he enjoyed it. I couldn’t undo what was done, couldn’t unlearn what Brian had taught me. But if I could put it to good use on my terms, then I was...not winning, per se—I’d never behappy about any of it—but I was taking back some of the power that he’d stolen.
It was different with Liam. I’d meant it when I said that, even though he didn’t like it. His cock was big, but in a way that felt strong and manly, like him. His size made me feel safe. Brian’s had felt big in a menacing way, like his penis might come to life and attack me if I didn’t do what he wanted.
Suddenly, Thor growled low in his throat and backed against me, his hackles raised, his attention fixed on the door. I started to shush him, but the sound died in my throat. I’d ignored so many of Thor’s warnings, calling him silly, worrying he’d make me anxious over nothing. How many times had he been right?
“Shh, easy, Firefly.” Liam held me against his chest and rested his cheek on top of my head, surrounding me. I knew I was safe here, but I couldn’t stop the full body shakes that had started.
“It’s okay,” he said. “It’s only my parents.”
I dragged in a shaky breath, trying to get myself under control. I started to move off Liam’s lap, but he grabbed my hand and stopped me. “Stay here, Firefly. I’ll tell them I’ll be down in a few minutes. No rush.”
“I’m okay. Go let them in.”
Still holding my hand, he grabbed his phone from the nightstand and sent a quick text. “They can wait. If they knew I left you like this, they’d be pissed. Now, tell me what you were just thinking.”
I leaned into him again and sighed. “I laughed about the time I thought Thor was scared of a squirrel, but it was Snake Eyes behind the bush, watching me. How many other times were there? What if he’d gotten me one of those times? If you weren’t there…”
He tensed, but his voice stayed calm and steady. “He didn’t get you then, and now it’s over, Firefly. He’ll never get near you again. You’re safe now.”
Safe from Snake Eyes, but what about every other psycho?I wasn’t going to say that, though. Liam wanted so badly to make me feel better. I nodded against his chest. “I know.”
Liam rubbed my back and murmured sweet nothings against my hair until I relaxed. “Will you be okay if I go let my parents in? You can get dressed and come down whenever you’re ready.”
“Of course! I’m sorry!”
“No reason to apologize, and no rush. I’ll bring Thor with me and make the introductions. He’ll love my parents, and so will you.” Liam pulled on the sweatpants and T-shirt he’d tried to wear to bed, tossed the dirty pillowcase in the hamper, then came back to the bed to kiss me.
As soon as Liam closed the door behind him, I limped out of bed and to his closet. I didn’t want to keep his parents waiting too long. They were so nice to hurry here last night, and even more to patiently give me space until this morning. They must think my parents were awful.
I stretched carefully, trying to ease some of the tightness. Everything felt sore and achy, but I couldn’t complain. I was still in one piece.
I reached into the corner of the closet Liam had cleared for me and grabbed the first thing I saw, an ombre blue skirt. I froze.Of all days for you to wear jeans, darling. You’ve been teasing me with your skirts for so long. I was looking forward to flipping your skirt up to taste this cunt.
I’d been wearing skirts for years as an F-you to Brian and my fears. But if I’d worn one yesterday, and Snake Eyes hadn’t needed those extra few seconds to open my jeans, how much more might he have done? Even the leggings could be pulled down so easily, and he didn’t know I wore them, so it’s notlike they did any good when he jerked off outside my window, imagining getting under my skirt.
Not that the jeans had stopped him anyway. Neither was safe.
I could practically still feel Brian reaching under my skirt. Could imagine Snake Eyes flipping it up. But I could also feel the pop of the jeans button too, could hear the zipper opening, bracing myself for what was coming next.
A knock sounded on the bedroom door.
I tried to respond, but I couldn’t speak past the ball of emotion in my throat. Liam cracked the door open and peeked in, then he was at my side, pulling me into his arms. After a long moment, he leaned back to look at me then at the closet, and I saw him piecing it together.
“Want to wear my sweatpants?”
No one had sexually assaulted me in sweatpants yet. I nodded.
He pulled out a pair of gray sweatpants. “Can I help you?”
I nodded again.
“Take your pajamas bottoms off, Firefly.” He handed me a pair of my underwear, then when I was ready, he kneeled down and gently lifted each foot to slide the pants on, like I was a child. He made me feel cared for, though, not helpless. He stood, pulling them up, and tied the drawstring as tight as it could get and rolled the waist over and over until it semi-fit, then rolled up the ankles. “Is that okay?”
“Yes, thank you,” I said, finally finding my voice.
“What about your top?” His thumbs whispered over the sides of my breasts. “Will it be too uncomfortable to wear a bra?”
Oh, I hadn’t even thought of that. My breasts were definitely sensitive where he’d squeezed and dug his nails in. My chest wasn’t that big, but still, I didn’t want to meet his parents without wearing a bra.