Trees F*cking Hurt

MILES

* WARNING EXPLICIT SEXUAL CONTENT and SHOW OF ANXIETY*

I stood hunched over, laughing my ass off in the silent game room. I probably looked like a mad woman. I laughed even harder at the confused face Dominic was making. Marcus looked like he was enjoying the show, and Kenzie just looked straight up concerned. For a moment, I was worried I couldn't stop, but I finally caught my breath.

"Ah shit." I said breathlessly. "Thanks for that. I haven't had a good laugh in years."

I took my flannel off and used what wasn't wet to dry my face when I heard more gasps and whispers. I looked around. What now?

"Miles..." I heard Kenzie say as she grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me around. "That fucking monster."

Shit.

I'd forgotten about those. I closed my eyes for a moment before taking my forty dollars and putting the bills in my pocket. I shoved the two hundred at Dominic's hard chest. He looked wary, like he wasn't quite sure what to do now.

"Here, I don't want your 'chump change.' You should take and by some fucking honor and human decency."

He didn't move to grab it so I let it fall to the floor before turning and walking out, Kenzie hot on my heels.

I hadn't had a chance to look at my back. I wondered if it looked as bad as it had now started to feel. I made my way through the congested crowd, trying to find a bathroom. My mind was starting to buzz, and I could faintly hear Kenzie telling me to wait. I didn't listen. I didn't want her to feel sorry for me right now.

Trying numerous doors, I finally found a bathroom and went inside, locking the door. I hesitated before walking up to the large mirror, turning around.

A gasp left my lips as I looked at my back. Large circles of purple, green, and red were painted there in splotches. Everybody saw them. Maybe even people from school. I tried to swallow back my panic. I never wanted anyone to see. I didn't want everyone to know I was actually weak. The panic was still crawling up my throat.

'Don't forget Miles, you're nothing.'

My mother's words haunted my mind like a stubborn ghost. I smacked my hands over my ears and crouched down.

I wasn't sure how long I stayed in the bathroom. waiting for my panic to calm, but when it didn't, I knew I had to go with plan B.

I had to get out of here.

I put my beer soaked flannel back on. Unlocking the door, I swung it open and went back into the crowd of people, Kenzie nowhere to be seen.

The house was so large I couldn't find where Kenzie and I came in from. Voices were getting louder, and my body was getting hotter. I felt like my lungs were being squeezed tight. I clutched my flannel tighter. Were my bruises covered? Could everyone still see? It felt like they could. Like they knew I took beatings every day of my life and just let it happen.

Everything was so loud. There were too many people around me. I wanted to be in my box. Where was the fuck was my box?!

I looked around frantically until finally, I spotted a door with the darkness of the night outside of it. I practically ran over to it, not caring who I bumped along the way. My lungs squeezed tighter and tighter. I couldn't breathe.

I took my first step outside, letting the summer air wrap around me, but it wasn't enough. My legs kept going and going, breaking into a run. I kept going even though I felt like I would pass out. I ran, trying to focus on the grass under my feet when I heard a loud moan. It startled me so bad I tripped and fell on my knees.

I tried to catch my breath but I couldn't. My throat felt clogged. Only short strained gasps left my lips. My fingers curled into the grass, trying to hold on to something, anything.

'You're nothing.'

"What's wrong with her?" I heard from beside me, but it was muffled. Tucking my knees in, I held on to that, trying to put myself in my box.

"Fuck off." Another deep muffled voice said.

I heard some protests but couldn't make it out. Rocking back and forth, I let go of the grass and clutched my flannel.

'Get in your box, Miles. Get in your box,' I thought to myself. But my lungs didn't work. I was... I was losing myself in panic. Could a person die like that? Would I die? For a moment, I realized it didn't sound so bad. Dying.

'You're nothing.'

"....."

I thought I could hear something.

"Ju.. br...."

Something warm held my face.

"Brea..."

Suddenly, my eyes snapped open.

"Breathe!"

I took in a gulp full of air. Golden eyes like amber honey stared back at me. "That's it," he said. "Just breathe. In and out. Nice and slow." His voice was a comfort, deep and even, vibrating through me like a tremor.

I did as he said, taking in deep breaths and letting them out slowly. It was warm hands that were on my cheeks. They felt nice, safe like my box.

Minutes felt like hours as I calmed down, and I realized I had my hands wrapped around his wrists, and the eyes that were in front of me belonged to none other than the asshole who poured his beer on me.

Dominic.

My eyes went wide, and I shoved him away from me, making him fall on his ass. He looked as startled as I felt.

"I'm sorry!" I shook my head. "No wait, fuck you!" I smacked my forehead. "Fuck... that's not what I...you're still an asshole but thanks."

He looked a little wary but smirked as he got up from the floor. "Which is it?"

I sat on the plush grass and looked away. "All of them."

Looking around, I saw that I was in a garden. How had I gotten here? It didn't matter. I was okay now and had to leave. I pushed up from the ground and dusted myself off for the second time.

I was also mortified that some jerk had to help me out of a panic attack.

I started to leave but halted when he asked me a question.

"So you're not a swindler?"

Relief flooded through me but also confusion. Relief because I was not about to explain my panic attack and confusion because now, he wanted to know if I was a swindler? How convenient for him that no one was around.

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms. "No asshole, I just learned from the best. It's not my fault you showed your insecurities."

He took a step. "Careful."

I scoffed. "Or what? You got another drink to spill?"

"Seeing as you keep testing me, you either don't know who I am, or you're just plain stupid." Step.

The fuck? Why did he have to be so damn fine? The way he carried himself with self-importance kind of turned me on. But I wouldn't let him know that. I gave him a sickening smile. "Yes, I'm sure you're very special. I just don't care."

He stepped closer. "That would be a mistake."

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm not scared of you."

His dark hair looked ruffled, and his lips had pink smudges on them. I had heard a female earlier. Oh shit. I'd just ruined his booty call.

"Maybe you should be."

"Not in the slightest asshole."

He was a foot away.

"That's the third time now."

"Third time that what?"

He was directly in front of me now. "That you've called me an asshole. I don't think I like it."

I smirked, looking up at him through my lashes. "It has a nice ring to it."

"You're pretty fucking mouthy." He smelled like bourbon and sandalwood. Like comfort. It was intoxicating. Despite how rudely he treated me earlier, he had brought me out of the dark. Maybe he could give me a little bit more. He seemed to like it that I challenged his patience.

"Take away 'fucking mouthy' and you almost made a compliment!" I said in mock encouragement.

"Don't make me mad, sweetheart." His voice was wonderfully low, and it made my chest flutter.

"I'm shaking in my sneakers." I said sarcastically, but it wasn't a lie. I was trembling. But it was in excitement. His full, delectable lips were so close I wanted to lick them.

"Pretty bold coming from someone who just had a panic attack."

I flushed, hissing inwardly. "That's a low blow. Shit happens sometimes but you're still an asshole."

Suddenly, he gripped my jaw, his hand almost taking up my entire face. His grip was strong but not enough to hurt. And my fucked up body liked it. "What's wrong? Too soon?"

I huffed a laugh in response.

"I think," he said, putting us chest to chest, "you should be taught a lesson."

He could teach me whatever he wanted to. Damn he was hot. I cursed myself for not fighting against him. For letting him spread heat to my lower abdomen. But I was deluding myself into thinking that I actually hated this.

He inched his face closer to mine. My heart thundered under my chest, feeling the need to challenge him some more like some masochist.

"You know what I think?" I asked him, raising my hand to his face and swiping my thumb roughly over his stained lips. He simply hummed in response, looking at my mouth. "I think, you should fuck me."

His honey coated eyes cut to mine and his body tensed. I hoped he wanted to. I needed something to put me on edge. I needed to just feel something because lately, I've felt hollow.

A single moment passed before he crashed his lips into mine. He tasted like beer and cinnamon, and I drank it up. It wasn't sweet or gentle. It was rough and ravenous. Jolts of electricity sparked through my body as his large hands traveled down along my curves and grabbed my ass. A moan left my lips because damn that felt good, and he swallowed it greedily. My hand traveled to the front of his jeans to cup his growing hardness.

"Fuck," he growled. The curse was fire against my lips.

His hands found the buttons of my shorts and popped them open, shoving them down as he slid his hand inside. He went straight under my lace thong and groaned upon feeling my slickness. My eyes fluttered. I hadn't realized just how much I craved this. How much I wanted to be wanted.

Threading my other hand through his hair, I pulled him closer and gripped him hard. He hissed and slid my shorts all the way off, grabbing me by the ass and lifting me, walking me to who knows where, leaving my shorts behind. I wrapped my legs around his waist. I didn't care where he took me. As long as he kept kissing me. As long as he didn't take his hot hands off of me.

He slammed me against a tree, and I cried out in pain as the rough bark pressed into my bruises. He stilled, muttering a string of curses as he swung me around and walked to a different location. I rested my head on his shoulder, trying to get over the throbbing pain in my back. Trees fucking hurt.

I heard him kick a door open and he laid me on something plush. Much better.

"Where are we?" I mumbled through kisses, looking around. Large leafy plants surrounded us along with flowers of different colors.

"Greenhouse," was all he said as he loosened the buckle of his belt and undid his pants, leaning over me.

I spread my legs and panted in anticipation. He bit his lip as he looked at my sex, desire thick in his stare. I had to hold back a gasp as he pulled out his hard cock, giving it a few strokes. My walls clenched just looking at it. With a girth and length like that, he could damn near break me.

"Hurry," I urged, not caring if it would fit or not. 'Fill me up. Make me lose my mind.'

He chuckled and licked his lips, putting a condom on.

"I'm going to fuck you so hard, that smart ass mouth of yours won't know how to speak."

And nothing sounded better.