Roar by Aria Cage Read Free Book Online Page A

hush my tears with his soft words I know will eventually come. They always do after he loses his temper. He hushes me, tells me he loves me, kisses me and makes me promise not to make him mad again. I want this part to hurry up.
    I fight against the fear of him lashing out again. I push to my knees and then to my feet, palming the slick tiles for support as I take a step. My eyes keep to the floor where a slow red drip descends, mixing with the clear water. I take another hesitant step, until I see his shoes. I close my eyes, lift my head and wait for the onslaught. It will be one or the other. He will hit, or he will hold.
    A few tense seconds later and I find myself being pulled into his arms and lifted from the floor.
    I don’t open my eyes; I tuck my head into his chest and let him take me where he wants, which is always to his bedroom. He pulls me onto his lap and holds me as the relief of tears falls freely. He won’t hurt me now. He will hold me like I’m his treasure and comfort me. He hushes me and strokes my wet hair, stroking my wet body, ruining his suit. He loves me; I know he does as he kisses me. I’m safe again.
    “I’m so sorry, love. I was jealous. You made me so mad, and then when I saw you doing that to yourself, I lost it.”
    “I’m sorry.” I weep, snuggling harder into him.
    “Hush now, Charlotte.” He kisses my head, and I feel his demeanor change again. His body stiffens under me and I know what’s coming. It’s the only time he pushes to have me. The only time I don’t fight him or make excuses, because I want him to be happy. So I will let him have what he wants from me.
    Once again, in my mind, I’m back in the garage before I had Nate.
    Sitting on Paul’s lap, he brushes the skin of my ribs and hip until he finds my thighs. They tremble as he parts them with one hand, and the other then grabs me, thrusting a finger inside me. I’m still wet from thinking about Nate, and I whimper under his intrusion. I don’t move; I never do. I just allow, like I learned when I was five.

 
     
     
    TOMORROW IS THE DAY Daddy will call me to the garage, and he is getting needier. I don’t know why he is changing; he hasn’t changed his routine in ten years. But last time, he shocked us both. He had a video camera. He wanted more. It wasn’t stroking and kissing and loving anymore. He asked me if I was a virgin before I had even taken my clothes off. I was taken aback and speechless as I gaped at Daddy and then Nate. Nate held hate in his eyes. He hated Daddy, and some part of me did, too. But Daddy needed me, and I needed him, so I would do this one thing for him.
    Lately Nate and I had come to love each other almost every day. We touched, we kissed, we tasted, and dry-humped when we were alone, because we couldn’t get enough of one another. We didn’t have Daddy choreographing our moves and motives; we loved one another for our own pleasure and needs. But we hadn’t taken that final step yet, we were damn close, but not yet.
    “Nate. I’m scared.”
    He pulls me tight against him and kisses my temple. A light breeze rustles the leaves above. “I know, babe. Just think of us, not him, not his new toy, just us, and you will get through this.”
    “I will. I always do. It’s the only way I get through it now. I wish we were little again when all I thought about was pleasing Daddy, when I didn’t think anything we did was wrong.”
    “ We aren’t doing anything wrong, Charlie. He is.” He takes a deep breath, calming himself.
    “Then why won’t you make love to me?”
    “You know why. I told you. I don’t want to take that last gift from you until you’re ready.”
    “I am. I’m ready.” I plead, turning to face him and taking his face in my hands. “Nathan Shaw, I am ready for you to make love to me.”
    He sighs and closes his eyes. “I’m not.”
    My gasp is silent, but he sees it and screws up his face. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, wishing I hadn’t pushed him. He