Chapter 1
After dancing until I was nearly exhausted, I flopped into bed and stuck the electrode pads from my new therapy device onto my aching thighs.
Under the thin blanket, my legs twitched with every little electric pulse, and that strange tingling and soreness made me let out a little groan.
Just then, the door swung open and Charles walked in. He was all sharp in his suit, but his eyes were cold as ice. "What are you doing, hiding in your room all by yourself?"
I was a bit dazed from the electric pulses and nodded honestly. "Yeah it's just that the intensity is a bit too strong."
He didn't say a word, just yanked off his tie and strode over to the bed.
*****
After seven rounds of high-intensity eight-counts, I was completely wrung out, with every last bit of energy gone.
I sprawled out on the carpet, my legs so sore and swollen it felt like they were about to burst.
Charles had a business event tonight and wouldn't be back anytime soon. Perfect chance to mess around with my new "toy."
It was a super pulse therapy gadget I bought online. They say it works wonders for sore muscles.
I tore open the packaging, stuck the two cool electrode pads onto my thighs, and lazily pulled a thin blanket over myself.
I hit the power button and cranked the intensity up to a high setting.
The next second, a strong pulse shot through my muscles.
"Hiss."
My thigh muscles started jerking and twitching like crazy, totally out of control.
The soreness and tingling washed over me like a wave.
Just then, a voice call from my bestie, Sophia, popped up.
I picked up and put it on speaker.
"Emily! Babe! What are you up to?"
"I'm uh relaxing my muscles" I was so caught up in that weird, tingling feeling that I could barely get the words out.
"Relaxing? Why do you sound so weak right now?"
"Don't even get me started. This new thing I bought is way too intense."
The rhythm of the electric current suddenly changed, shifting from a steady vibration to a series of powerful, pulsating waves.
Emily couldn't hold back and blurted out, "Oh my god, Sophia! This new mode feels so weird. It's totally different!"
"Haha, is it really that amazing?"
"Seriously, it feels like my whole leg is numb, like it's not even mine anymore."
Just as I was about to describe how crazy this feels to her, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tall figure standing in the doorway.
Charles!
He had come back without me noticing, just standing there quietly with his briefcase, his face impossible to read as he stared at me.
I jumped in fright and blurted out, "I gotta go! Bye!"
Then I fumbled to hang up.
The room went totally silent.
Under the thin blanket, my thighs were still twitching, refusing to stop.
Emily stammered, her throat dry, "Charles, why are you back?"
He didn't say a word, just walked over to me, his steps long and purposeful.
He walked over slowly, each step of his leather shoes on the floor felt like he was stepping right on my heart.
He came right up to me and crouched down.
I caught that familiar late-night scent on him, a mix of cologne and a hint of alcohol.
He didn't look at me, or at my legs, still twitching under the blanket.
Instead, he reached out and picked up the phone I'd just tossed aside.
The screen lit up, and the chat profile pic of me and Sophia really caught his eye.
His gaze lingered on the image of us holding hands for a few seconds.
Then he looked up at me, his eyes full of curiosity.
"I didn't know," Charles said slowly, his voice low and heavy, "when did you start messing around with girls like this?"
"Wait, what?"
My mind was spinning, like someone had dropped a pebble in my brain and sent ripples everywhere.
What on earth was Charles talking about?
What did he mean by me liking to play around with girls?
"You and her," he said, nodding at the phone screen, "weren't you just really into your conversation?"
He paused, as if searching for the right words, then finally gave an icy smirk.
"No! Charles! It's really not what you're thinking!" I waved my hands desperately, trying to explain. "I just thought this therapy gadget felt kind of cool, so I wanted to share it with Sophia!"
He echoed my words, his voice icy and sarcastic. "Share? Feels kind of cool?
"Who taught you how to use this?"
"Sophia's the one who recommended it," I admitted honestly.
As soon as he heard that, his brows knitted together.
He deliberately looked away from my legs, which were still twitching, like he couldn't even stand to look at them for a second.
His ears were tinged with an awkward blush.
"Stop fooling around," he said, frowning. "You can't just play around with things like this. Don't ever use it again."
Who does he think he is, telling me I can't use this?
It's legit! It's got all the certifications!
My rebellious side flared up all at once.
"If you won't let me use it, are you gonna give me a massage instead?" I blurted out.
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted it.
But then I thought, Charles is so strong. Maybe having him massage my legs and help me loosen up these tight muscles wouldn't be so bad.
But to my surprise, his face went so dark it was almost scary.
I could clearly see his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.
"Are you really that into this?"
"It really helps me unwind," I mumbled.
My answer seemed to be the last straw for him.
He stared at me for a long moment, and it was like he finally gave up fighting with himself, closing his eyes in weary surrender.
"Go to your room and wait for me."
His voice was hoarse, with a tone that brooked no argument.
I was soaking in the bathtub when my phone buzzed. It was a message from my bestie Sophia.
[Babe, you okay? Why'd you hang up so suddenly? Did Charles come home?]
I told her everything that just happened.
[So now he won't let me use the therapy device, and he wants me to wait for him in my room.]
Sophia was quiet for a long time.
It was so long that I thought she'd fallen asleep, when suddenly a link popped up on my screen.