I trusted you.

"How can you do this to me? I trusted you."

"That only proves my point," I chuckled good-naturedly. "You were smart enough to lock yourself in here, but you see one familiar face and all your defenses are lowered? We don't know each other that well, it was reckless of you to let me in."

"I thought I knew you. I thought we were becoming friends."

"We are friends, that's why I'm doing this."

"Friends don't **** each other, Josh!"

"****? There you go acting all hysterical again. Here's what's going to happen: I'm taking you to my apartment. You'll be safe there. I'll take care of you and provide for you. And yes, I'll expect you to show some gratitude."

"And by gratitude you mean let you fuck me?" She spat the words out. "That's ****, Joshua."

"We can talk about that later. For now, I'm letting go of your arms. Don't do anything stupid, ok?"

Miriam glared up at me defiantly, but we couldn't sit there all day. I released her wrists, making sure to keep pressure on her back so she wouldn't go anywhere.

Which she immediately tried to do. Bracing her arms against my legs, she pushed herself up. I let her rise partway before easily forcing her back into position.

"Let me up," she demanded.

I smiled at her encouragingly. "When you've calmed down."

With a last growl, Miriam let her arms fall limp. For the next half hour, she lay quietly while I patted her back and hair, stroking her soothingly and massaging the pain out of her rear. When her tears had dried up and I felt she was ready, I helped her off my lap and eased her onto her knees in front of me.

She looked up at me with a final tremor, and I reached down to caress her cheek.

"Are you going to behave now?"