Tender

Natalie



We lay there for what seems like an age. I swallow, feeling elated, satisfied and shamed all at once. Was it revenge? Too be honest I no longer cared, if it was he had won and won greatly. I was his completely, just a shame he didn’t want me...not in the way it mattered anyway. With a sigh, I wriggle from under him, feeling weak tears threaten. I push them back determinedly. They were no good to me now. Whatever happened I must leave with as much grace and dignity as possible, well however much grace and dignity a girl can have with torn dress and panties. I smooth the dress down as much as I am able, trying to hide my trembling hands from him

“Sorry” he mutters with a crooked grin

Sorry my mind screams what exactly are you sorry for? Cheating on me? Breaking my heart? Making me into your personal whore, and making me love it I think sadly my body still throbbing with release, all of the above...or what was worse making me still love you despite it all. Bastard, but there is no venom in the thought, just a deep soul numbing weariness. Have your vengeance Hayden drink your fill, I hope you enjoy it I know I won’t. I walk over to my coat

“Hey!” he jumps up “Where are you going?”

“I...uh have...”

“You’re not going” it was a question, it was a statement smoothly spoken

“I have to get back”

“No you don’t...”

“Marcus”

His face darkens, his breathing grows heavier

“What about him?”

“I have to get back....”

“Where is he?”

“At home” I whisper

“Waiting for you,” he sneers

“He’s asleep” Yes he slept while I betrayed him in the worst possible way. Hayden’s face lightens

“Well then...” he murmurs grabbing the coat from my numb fingers “You don’t have to go anywhere do you?”

“Hayden...”

“The night is young after all”

“Hayden...” I pull away

He scowls

“Oh what now you feel guilty...”

“Please don’t...”

“You’ve changed your tune” he sneers, without thinking I slap him, tensing as a heavy silence falls afterwards. With a harsh sob, I fling open the door running down the steps, shivering as I hit the street, cursing my stupidity, it was raining heavily and I now had no coat. I tense as I hear a sound behind me

“Natalie...” I turn to find him standing behind me, coat in hand face unreadable, I hold my hand out for the coat. He just stands there

“Why are you doing this?” he mutters

“Doing what?” I turn away swallowing, rubbing my arms to keep warm.. With a sigh he steps forward placing the coat on my shoulders I snuggle into it, as he presses his face to my hair

“Hayden...”

“Why are you running back to him...you were there as much as I was Nat...don’t pretend I forced this...”

“You did, you as good as threatened to kill him!” I laugh harshly, slightly hysterical

“All I wanted was what was owed to me...”

“Oh so I was owed to you...” I sneer feeling cheap and sordid I try to pull away

“You know that’s not what I meant”

“Taxi!” I wave frantically pushing myself away as one pulls up

“Natalie!” I ignore him walking I open the door

“Natalie!” he cries again, I turn to look at him, his hair matted with rain, wet shirt clinging to him, he looked so young, young and vulnerable, but I wasn’t fooled underneath he was a shark. He had proven that

“Please stay...”

I know it’s an act, I know it is so why do I find myself weakening?

“Hayden...” I shake my head, what was the point?

“I can give you what he can’t!” he screams suddenly I turn to him in confusion

“What?”

He looks at me for a moment biting his lip

“I can give you a baby”