Tenderness is a Dangerous Thing

Chapter 11: Girlfriend?

The ride to his house was short but exhilarating. Anna clung to him as he weaved through traffic, the wind whipping past her. When they finally pulled up to his house, he cut the engine and helped her off the bike. "Welcome home," Zack’s house was a contemporary two-story house. The façade was composed of several large rectangular volumes that overlap one another. The left side of the upper floor projected outward in a sark charcoal finish, framing a large square window with black aluminum trim. Opposite it, the right side of the upper floor is finished with smooth white stucco, with another large window recessed into a darker grey accent panel. Between these two upper sections is a narrowed vertical recess containing a central window. On the ground floor, the modern glass front door sits at the center of the house, framed by a slim back frame and flanked by tall sidelight windows.

Two minimalist wall-mounted lights sit on either side of the front door, but they are not on. To the left of the front door is a large floor to ceiling window extending nearly from the floor to the ceiling. Through this window, a portion of a modern living space can be seen. A broad set of pale concrete steps lead from the front lawn up to the entrance. Garden beds line the front of the house, containing a mixture of lush green shrubs, bread-leaf tropical places and nearly arranged ground covers that soften the otherwise angular architecture of the house.

Zack parked his motorcycle beside the black garage, and they walked over the driveway to the front door. Zack unlocked the front door and pulled her inside, closing it behind her. The house was quiet and neat, with no sign of his father. They were in the foyer, where a single table stood in the middle with roses in it. “See? All alone,” he said with a grin, and before Anna could have time to admire the interior of the house, he pressed her back against the door. “Now I can have you all to myself.” His hands went straight to her clothes, unbuttoning her shirt with practiced ease. “Let’s get rid of these,” he murmured, pushing the fabric off her shoulders. He did not bother to take off his leather jacket, just shrugged it off and let it fall to the floor. His mouth found hers in a hungry kiss as he backed her further into the house, past the table, through to the living room. Anna caught a glimpse of the grey couches and the pistachio carpet. “You have no idea how much I have been thinking about this all day,” he said against her lips, his hands sliding down to cup her breasts through her bra. “About getting you alone and having my way with you.”

“Wait,” Anna breathed out quickly. “Just wait. What is this? I mean what does all this mean?” she asked, trying not to show how confused and scared she was. She needed answers before... Before they had s*x again. Zack paused, his hand still on her breast. He looked at her, his green eyes intense and unreadable for a moment. Anna held her breath in anticipation. ‘Was this it? Is he going to kick me out now? Is he going to say he could get a less chatty girl easily?’ Zack let out a low chuckle. ‘Oh, God. Is he going to make fun of me? Or is he going to say I am just a convenient fuck...’ “What does it mean?” he repeated, leaning in closer. “It means you are mine now, Anna. Completely and utterly mine,” his lips brushed against hers as he spoke. “It means I am not going to share you with anyone else. Not your brother, not your friends, and definitely not that Mark guy.” He squeezed her breast gently. “It means I am going to f**k you whenever I want, wherever I want. And you are going to love every second of it.” He captured her mouth in a deep kiss, his tongue sweeping inside to claim her. “Does that answer your question?” he asked when he finally pulled away.

Anna sighed, frustrated. “Not completely...” she muttered and looked away. ‘God, how do I explain to him what I am thinking?’ She sighed again. “Okay, I will just say it, am I your girlfriend or your f**k toy?” Zack’s green eyes widened at her blunt question. He let out a short, sharp laugh, the sound echoing in the quiet house. Anna looked at him angrily and felt the desire to punch him. “Girlfriend?” he repeated, tilting his head. “Is that what you want to be called?” He stepped back slightly, his hands moving from her breasts to her hips. “Fine,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “If it makes you happy, then yes. You are my girlfriend.” His answer was not exactly the heart-felt confession Anna was craving, but it was something... Zack’s grip tightened on her hips. “But do not forget what that means,” he added, pulling her flush against him so she could feel his arousal through his jeans. “It means I own you. Your body, your time, your attention... It is all mine.” He leaned down, his lips grazing her ear. “And as for being a f**k toy,” he whispered, his breath hot against her skin, “That is just a bonus.”

Anna looked deep into his green eyes, “I am serious. Am I just something for you to claim and f**k until you get bored? Or...or do you actually care about me?” Zack’s expression softened slightly at her words. He let out a slow breath, his hands loosening their grip on her hips. “f**k,” he muttered, looking away from a moment. “You are really going to make me say it, are you not?” He met her gaze again, his green eyes intense. “Of course I care about you, you i***t,” he said, his voice low and gruff. “Why else would I be doing all this?” He pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. “You think I go around claiming girls and bringing them to my house? You are the only one who has ever gotten this far.” His hands roam her back possessively. “So yes, you are mine to claim and f**k,” he continued, his voice muffled against her hair. “But you are also the only girl who has ever made me feel... Something.” ‘You are the only one who has ever gotten this far,’ those words echo in her mind. Anna felt like her heart could beat right out of her chest. Suddenly, all the fears and paranoia she felt about him only using her seemed so silly and far away. “Well, how should I know what you do with other girls?” she said, embarrassed, her voice slightly high-pitched. “I can’t know what you want or how you feel if you do not tell me properly,” she continued with a pout on her lips.

Zack sighed, his forehead resting against hers. “You are right,” he admitted, his voice softer than usual. “I am not good at this shit.” He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hand cupping her face. “Look, Anna,” he said, his green eyes locked on hers. “I have never felt like this about anyone before. You drive me crazy, but in a good way.” His thumb traced her cheekbones gently. “When I saw that Mark guy looking at you... It made me want to punch him in the face and claim you right then and there.” He leaned in and kissed her softly. “So yes, you are my girlfriend. And I am going to take care of you and f**k you whenever I want. Is that clear enough?”