Strictly Forbidden

Strictly Forbidden (10)

Chapter 10

I wake, still mad at Duke. Not being able to get a goodnight’s rest didn’t help his case. In all honesty, he not approving really hurt, so instead of sulking, I am just going to be angry at him.

I march from my room into the kitchen, taking a cup of coffee in my hands and inhaling it. I need the warm liquid to calm my restlessness. Then, as if by some force unknown to me, Benjamin explodes in my head. His lips, smile, kind heart, and I blush. How can it be that a handsome, successful, hardworking man likes me, little old Emma Jane, a young eighteen year old with no job, no money, and hardly no family anymore? Whatever the reason, I like the fact that he does. It feels nice to be wanted, and by someone my father has not forced on me.

A grumbling Duke drags through the kitchen for a cup of coffee. I rinse my mug out and leave him there, staring after me. Sure, I may be acting childish, but what he said last night hurt. I decide to clear my head with a nice relaxing shower and then splashing color onto my toenails.

I dry myself after turning the bathroom into a steam room, feeling relaxed and ready to take on the world. Now that my head is clear, I realize how childish I have been towards Duke. He is just trying to keep me safe. He knows I have never had a relationship or any experience with the opposite sex, and he cares. That’s all that it boils down to, as long as he cares, I can look past the rest.

Glancing in the mirror at my nude body I can’t help but take in my breasts. I should take them out; they aren’t anything I would have. Yet, here I stand with one piercing in each nipple, and I’m unable to retract them from my body. In an odd way, it makes me feel brave and exotic. A sexy exotic, like Duke’s girlfriend Natalie, and let’s be honest, I am far from sexy.

I turn sideways examining my profile. Maybe there is potential there? I mean, I’m slim, too much so. I have clear skin, even lips, although a short frame. Maybe I could straighten my hair and darken my light red eyelashes to black with mascara. If I want to get really dangerous, I could stain my skin with the unforgivable ink of a tattoo. I turn looking at my bare back in the mirror. How about a collage of swirls on my back? But then again, is that really the person I am?

“Um, Emma…how much longer you gonna be? I have to use the bathroom. As in if you don’t get out now, I’m going to piss all over the floor.” His southern Texas twang more prominent through is hurried words.

“Just let me get my clothes on, one second.” I say grabbing my underclothes.

“I’m afraid you won’t have time. I’m about to explode.”

I second guess myself, remembering the last time Duke saw me in just a towel; and reliving the look he gave me that day, a reason I always lock the door now. 

“You gonna to let me in?” He asks a little irritated.

“Yeah…yeah, I’m coming.” I drop my clothes and scatter out the door, holding the towel tight around my body.

I wait outside the door for him. His sigh of relief makes me giggle a little and remember I have an apology to give. I’ve never been one to hate, I’m more of a lover, but Duke just seems to bring out the worst in me at times. I hear the toilet flush and the sink come on as he washes his hands, a habit I had to instill in him. Bless men and their unhealthy ways.

The door cracks open and he walks out, not even giving me a seconds notice. I stand there watching him walk away. I huff and make my way back in the bathroom, maybe I won’t forgive him. 

Pulling on my clothes I check the clock to see that I only have an hour until lunchtime. I better get started. If there is one thing Duke can’t say no to, it’s food and if I want him to forgive me, that is where I need to start.