Mansions

by Whitney Bianca

  “Is it the right brand?” His fingers travel up my knee and settle on the skin of my thigh. “If it's wrong, tell me and I'll exchange it.”

  “No,” I shake my head. “It's perfect.”

  “You asked for it a long time ago,” he says. “I didn't forget.” He pulls me closer and then reaches around me to unstrap my prosthetics. I grip the box, a million thoughts running through my mind. I think of all the places I'll go, of all the things I'll see. All the scenes I'll be able to capture. All the faces. For some reason, I think of Irina. In all the months I lived with her, I never got to capture her face. And now she's gone. He told me he buried Irina somewhere nice, somewhere with a view. He told me the man, the one who ran away and abandoned me, is there with her, too. I don't know if I believe him but I didn't question it. I don't think I really want to know the truth.

  I sigh with relief when he pulls my new legs off, one after the other. I was getting used to the feel of them, but now that they're off, I can't deny how much better it feels. Especially when he starts to massage my thighs with his big hands. I moan and collapse against him, still gripping the camera box tight. I'll need a hot bath to fully relax my muscles but his hands feel wonderful anyway.

  I know it won't always be like this; soon it'll feel normal to wear the prosthetics, as normal as putting on a bra or underwear under my clothes. He knows that, too. He's waiting for it just as much as I am. Then I'll be whole again. I turn to him and stare into his eyes. He doesn't look away like I expect him to. He just stares back, his fingers still working against my thighs. The blood is flowing to my muscles again and my body feels alive again. Tomorrow, I'll get up and do it all again and the day after that and the day after that. He knows I will. I'll work until I get it right. That's the only thing I know for sure.

  I'm going to marry him. I'm going to do what he wants, for now. I'm going to let him try to make me happy, even though I know that maybe we'll outgrow each other and maybe he'll stop trying. Maybe it'll all go sour. Maybe it's inevitable. Maybe one day he'll get tired of me and want to get rid of me, and then I'll have an accident like Selene. I can't let that happen, though, especially not now that I've truly decided I want to live. But he's given me an out. He's given me an escape route. He drops his eyes to my legs, to watch the way his hands work over my flesh. At that moment, I wonder if we're thinking the same thing.

  It's only a matter of time before I learn to run.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  My name is Whitney Bianca and I'm a dark erotica writer. My debut book, I Know What Love Is, was published in 2014, followed by the sequel, Love is Strange, in 2015. MANSIONS is my first standalone novel.

  I'm a true fan of LOVE, romance, and sexy times.

  I enjoy writing about power plays between two people, whether they're in love or in lust. I love taking my characters to the edge and shoving them off.

  If you like to take a walk on the dark side, you're my kind of person. Maybe we can be friends.

  Shoot me an email: bia.whitney@gmail.com

  Thanks for reading!

  The situations described in this book are fictional and intended for entertainment purposes only. If you or anyone you know is experiencing or has experienced the traumatic effects of:

  sexual abuse

  suicidal thoughts

  relationship violence

  There are people and organizations in your area who can help.

  You are not alone.