CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: BLAME IT TO THE WATER ROSE AMARA POV My eyes flutter open as right slaps me in the face. Someone shut off the lights. When a sharp pain develops in the back of my head. "I didn't know you swung that way," he said. I pause as I hear a loud voice coming from my right. It's not far. Too near, as if… Oh, God. My head is indeed resting on a firm bicep as I gently look up. Ethan's. My voice rises as I struggle against my headache to ask. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" He lifts my hand, revealing the diamond ring on my finger and the band around his, saying, "You are in my room, Princess." Those rings. the wedding. the assault. My head swings and everything smacks back into me. Oh my god. F*ck. On the night of our wedding, I binge-drank with Ethan's company. Why in the world did I think that? I attempt to remember what I did last night while closing my eyes, but all I can think of is a pounding headache. I raise the covers to look at my body and see that I am wearing pajamas. That ought to be a promising hint, right? I got myself out of Ethan's grasp and sat up. But his nauseating odor is still all around me. I speak in my direct manner while licking my chapped lips. What happened the night before? Ethan watches me intently, as though I'm his next target, as he leans sideways on his elbow. I could as well be, in fact. Only a shirt and jeans are on him. Before he touched me and did that, I vaguely recall him taking off his jacket and pushing the cuffs up over his strong, veiny arms. Why am I having trouble recalling the events below? "What do you think happened?" 'I'm unsure which is why I'm asking." He furrows his brow. "What activities do couples engage in on their wedding night?" I detest the stammer in my voice and how uncertain and bewildered I sound, "D-did you...?" "What do you think?" My legs don't feel painful, so he couldn't have done it, right? If not, did he harm me in any other ways? Who had the wonderful notion of letting me drink? Oh, right, mine. Idiot. I say, more to myself than to him, "You didn't," but I don't break eye contact. When he tells me, I want him to glance at me immediately. He grabs the hem of the sheet before I can release it and yanks it off my body, saying, "I didn't because you were drunk. But you're not right now." I try to reprimand him when I say, "Ethan!" but he only squeals in astonishment. "What? I was told I'd get to punish you today," he said. He tries to take the sheet off once more, but I'm holding it to my chest. Over the fabric, our combative gazes collide. I never made such a vow. "Drunk Rose did, and I believe her word." "You're lying. I would never, ever make such a promise." 'Your exact words were," he began, lowering his voice to match mine. 'Are you going to punish me right away, Ethan? "Shut up. I didn't say that." On the other hand, with all the things I hold inside, I might have been able to lose control after drinking that much Jack Daniels. Never drink alcohol again, especially around Ethan. He strokes my cheek with the tip of his fingers. 'You rubbed your p*ssy all over my d*ck, encouraging me to 'punish' you, and when I didn't, you were so upset that you went to sleep with a pout. Why are you blushing then? Are you playing the amnesia game to get out of desiring me last night?" At the mere notion of what might have transpired in his simple words, I can practically feel the flames starting to ignite all over my face. I am suddenly struck in the brain with a flashback to that precise time. 'Ethan, are you going to punish me? Now?" 'That was me, in my voice." My eyes expand and I forget about my headache. Ethan is correct. I came close to pleading with the idiot. Even as my lips part, nothing comes out. What exactly am I supposed to say? That those words weren't what I meant? He would never accept my story. Hell, I don't even believe in myself right now. I grab the covers and stutter out of bed without being able to speak. I trip over my filthy dress that is lying on the floor, but I catch myself just in time and sprint for the another door that is open. Thank goodness it's a restroom. I lock the door from the inside and lean against it with my back, closing my eyes and exhaling quickly as if I had just finished a workout. Rose, you won't ever drink again. Never once more. I was startled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. Say, "Open up." "Leave now." "You don't have to lock yourself away from me." "You don't get to tell me what to do." He doesn't like to let me have the last word, so I'm expecting him to respond with anything, but nothing does. He recognized his station. Given the size of the room, I had expected the bathroom to be smaller. It is basic, with gray tiles, a black basin, a toilet, and a shower stall. Black people like me, apparently. Ethan has never disclosed whether or whether he owns or rents out this property. Considering he's been missing for seven years, I'm placing my bet on the first possibility. I let the sheet fall to the ground before letting my bra and underwear fall to the floor. I notice something in the mirror, and it isn't just my unkempt, tangled hair that is framing my face and giving it a meek appearance similar to my sister's. In contrast to my fair complexion, the violet mark on the hollow of my neck appears to be trying to rip off a piece of flesh. Did the bastard leave anything behind me...? I delicately touch it with my fingers, as if expecting it to vanish if I apply any more pressure. Although it doesn't hurt, the mark is physical proof that he touched me last night and that I felt him. I did handle him. I had a brief period of not wanting to stop. I look away from the hickey and go to the bathroom, forcing my mind to block out. I test the water with my fingertips before stepping beneath the scorching stream. With the water, the mark tingles, and I catch myself cocking my head as if I want it to hurt more. My nipples are gradually peeking out when I glance down at myself and my breasts feel heavy. My tummy tightens as though it were demanding something. 'I have no idea what this is. Cold water. I guess."