Wishes by Allyson Young Page B

punched my face when I wouldn’t suck him.” Kennedy’s voice was now flat.
    Graham moved over her and kissed her, stealing her breath. He rested his forehead on hers and let his bulk warm her. He couldn’t let her retreat into herself while she recited her story like it was about someone else. After a few minutes she went on.
    “I think I went somewhere else in my head because it all felt far away after a while. And that made him angrier. He had a knife, a long filleting knife.”
    She began to weep silently, and Graham released the restraints to gather her close, petting her hair and rocking her against him.
    “He showed me how sharp it was by chopping off a piece of my hair and threatened to put my eyes out with it. Instead, he cut my pubic hair off. He was so rough, and I felt the blood running down my thighs. He laughed and smeared it around. He told me he’d fuck me again just to see how it felt, if I’d be wet this time.”
    Kennedy took another deep breath, and it seemed that she borrowed Graham’s strength, for she continued. “I was screaming and crying, and he was laughing. He looked insane, waving that knife around, my blood on it. I decided to block him out again, and he knew it. He slapped my face until I opened my eyes and told me he was going to cut my breasts.”
    Her voice came out all in a rush, “He started to cut me, and then there were people everywhere and lots of shouting, and Randall let me go. I found out later a security guard had noticed Randall enter the building but not leave. It was after hours, so they started a search. They walked in on us…”
    Kennedy pushed away from Graham and rolled to find a tissue from the bedside table. He pulled her back while she dried her face and held her tight.
    “I went to the hospital, and I saw a dentist, too. I healed physically, but the dental work took a really long time. I went for therapy, and that took even longer to get to where I am now. Alex and Susan came to see me in the hospital and apologized. They didn’t say what they were sorry for, and I didn’t ask. They left a letter that provided me with a reference to cover my forced absence from the workforce, a statement that my medical and treatment bills would be covered, and a check marked severance pay . I took the money and considered it my right.”
    Graham said, “I’m not going to fill up the silence by going on about what you already know, that none of what happened is your fault. I do want to know two things. Firstly, do you have any idea what a remarkable, resilient woman you are? And, where is that dirtbag?”
    Kennedy stared at him. “I find that I like your opinion of me, although I don’t feel that way all of the time, Graham. I strive for it though. And Randall is dead. Killed by another inmate while awaiting trial. His death is what gives me the strength to go on because he would have waited forever to have another crack at me, and I would have lived in fear of that until I died.”
    They cuddled in silence. Graham wished for Randall to be reincarnated so that he could kill him again.
    “Can you tell me what you think about us, Kennedy?” Graham then asked.
    “I’m attracted to you”—she shrugged—“and I obviously trust you to allow you to spank me and then tell you more than what I have told maybe four other people.”
    She smiled at him. “I like the sex for sure, and that’s a big bonus, Graham, because I didn’t really think I would ever want to fuck someone again.”
    Graham decided to go for broke. “I’m attracted to you, I’m hot for you, but it’s more than that, honey. I’m set on you, and I’m not going to go away. So we have to find a way to make this work.”
    Kennedy bristled. “I’m not keen on ultimatums or pushy men, Graham, and you seem to meet both those criteria.”
    “I will expect your total submission in the bedroom, honey, that’s no lie, although it will not always be about restraints or discipline.”
    Kennedy shook her