She needs some space

She slipped into the bedroom, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. The room was dark, cool, and quiet. She leaned her back against the door, closing her eyes, her skin still prickling where Ben’s rough hands had been kneading her. The phantom sensation of his grip on her tits made her knees weak, and the sudden loss of his touch left her feeling sick.

She pulled her phone from her pocket, her thumbs trembling as she opened the chat. She typed quickly, needing to acknowledge her retreat, needing to beg for his patience.

I’m sorry, Ben. I panicked. Everything is just... I need a little space to think. Please.

She stared at the screen. The silence was agonising. Every second that ticked by without a response felt dangerous. Was he angry? Was he punishing her with his silence? The thought made her stomach twist into a tight, miserable knot. She needed him to be okay with it.

She waited in the darkness for what felt like an eternity, listening intently to the sounds of the apartment. Finally, she heard the unmistakable click of the front door latching shut. He was gone.

She hurriedly pulled herself together, smoothing her hair and checking the mirror to ensure she didn't look completely wrecked. She couldn't afford any mess ups. She turned to the bed, where Tom was still sound asleep, his breathing deep and rhythmic. She envied how peaceful he looked, how completely unaware he was of the chaos that had just unfolded in his own flat.

She reached out, gently shaking his shoulder. "Tom, wake up," she whispered, her voice tight.

He groaned, blinking against the dim light, confusion clouding his features. "Emma? What’s wrong? You’re leaving?"

"I... I just remembered I have some things I need to take care of at my place," she lied, her voice breathless and shaky. She avoided his eyes, not trusting herself to keep the secrets of the last hour from spilling out. "I'm sorry, I just need to head out now. I’ll call you later, okay?"

He looked half-dazed, still drifting in the haze of sleep, simply nodding as he rolled back over. "Okay... drive safe. See you later."

She didn't wait for him to fully wake up. She grabbed her bag and practically sprinted for the front door, the air of the apartment feeling suddenly too thin to breathe. As she stepped out into the hallway and let the door click shut behind her, she felt the sobering truth of her recent actions crashing in. She was away from Ben, but the memory of his hands and the absolute, thrilling degradation of their encounter clung to her like a second skin. She was going home, to think.