I just want you to know me.

I watch him start to undress me. The ground moves my feet, but it’s my knees that are shaking. The temperature in the room goes up a few degrees. My breathing quickens. I watch his fingers pick at my tank top. Nicholas slides one hand underneath. He runs his fingers over my torso, presses them against my stomach. They move up and down with each one of my breaths.

Tell me to stop,” Nicholas said earlier when he led me here. “Tell me to stop,” he said when he fastened my arms to the headboard. “Tell me to stop,” he says now when he lifts up my shirt. He waits for my answer. Again, I say nothing and let him pull it up to my collarbone.

How do you know me?” I ask. Now, it’s his turn to look down at the floor. Now, it’s his turn to hesitate. “You have to tell me or I won’t even entertain this offer,”“You owe me a debt, Olive,” he says, slowly. “I don’t have to explain anything to you beyond stating the terms of how you can replay it.