After Escaping From Wedding Night

Chapter 24: Control

It was obvious to Jessica that Roger was more passionate this time than every other time he had kissed Jessica. Before, his kisses had been rough and harsh, devouring her as if she were his last breath. But this time. This time, it was different. His hands were warm and soft, gently holding her close to him. They trailed over her skin like feathers, leaving her with goosebumps wherever they touched.   

Jessica could not help but raise her hand to circle Roger’s neck, with her soft body approaching his gradually, melting into his embrace. Roger suddenly opened his eyes and gazed at Jessica. Even his gaze seemed different this time around.

Roger peered closely at her face, brushing the side of her lips with his thumb. Jessica could never resist his touches. Was this what she really looked like? He was a bit befuddled. How had he missed the sweet little details about her? Like how her left eye had a dark brown mole. Or the cute splatter of freckles at the bridge of her nose. He always thought himself to be detail-oriented but guessed he had missed these about her. He wondered if it was the onslaught of emotions he felt whenever she was around.

He did not know what it was about her that brought out the worst in him. As he gazed at her, the frustration that he could not control around her came out again. Only when he heard her begging, could he feel the pleasure of revenge. Yet at the same time, he wanted to keep her safe and within his protection. Roger growled lowly and closed his eyes. He hated her! She had ruined his life but why was he so attracted to her? He should feel nothing but hatred for her!

Roger, frustrated at himself and her, pinned Jessica hard against the wall, his hands grabbing onto her behind, massaging her body.

"Wait…what…" Jessica started to say; however, Roger's hands traveled from her back to her front. Her breath hitched as his hands roamed over her breasts, stilling over her already hardened n*****s. Jessica groaned as Roger pinched and played with them; she felt a shiver run through her whole body.   

Roger smirked at her flustered look. He wanted her to beg – beg for more. He wanted to feel powerful over her. He wanted to control her and her body’s reactions. He wanted to be the cause of her body shaking underneath his hand. He wanted to control her.

Right as Roger's hands traveled down to her shirt, Jessica felt alert and pushed his hands away. She took a step back along the wall and stared at Roger defensively, protecting the button on her chest with her hands, “I can take it off by myself.”

Roger raised his eyebrows – this was new. He smirked playfully. 

“Okay." Roger was not going to complain at all. 

Jessica seductively turned around, facing the wall. She wanted to give him a show but not give everything away.

“Why are you turning around? I’ve already seen everything?” Roger spoke in an arrogant yet playful tone.

Jessica scowled while still facing the wall. Why was he such a bastard? Jessica stilled her hands and made up her mind. She was not going to give him everything he wanted. She turned around, glared at Roger while pushing him away, and ran towards the door.

Roger stared at the direction Jessica had left for a long time. Though he let her go, he was not angry but smiled. This woman was doomed to be a catastrophe for Roger.

______

As soon as Jessica sat inside Aaron’s car after work, her cell phone started ringing continuously. She looked at the caller ID and sighed, throwing her phone back in her bag.  

But Roger was stubborn and kept on calling, so Jessica finally silenced her cell phone. She was off duty now, so she was unwilling to be disturbed.

Aaron could guess who was calling and frowned in aggravation.

“You know you should not have to put up with this. Why don't you quit and find another job?"

Jessica herself had thought about this option many times. However, her conscious did not allow it. The guilt of what she had done to Roger three years ago would not erase from her mind easily despite Roger had already gotten her back many times. She had a plan in mind. It had been her fault three years ago, so she needed to do something to make up for her mistake now.

“No Aaron, I cannot quit,” Jessica shook her head in response.

“Jess, think of your son, Evan. How long are you able to keep this up? How long are you going to keep this pretense up with Roger?” Aaron tried to persuade her. He knew she was playing with fire and she was going to get burned especially if that fire was Roger Richard.

Jessica looked out the window, deep in thought. Roger was not a bad and unscrupulous person who had no principle even though he seemed indifferent to others. Jessica could tell he was emotional and sensitive; he just did not show that side to others. And she could feel the change in him towards her the more they got closer which reaffirmed the fact.

“Jess, I’m going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me seriously.” Aaron broke into her thoughts.

She peered over at him and noticed he was gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Okay?” She replied softly sensing where this conversation was going.

"Jess…" Aaron again paused for a long while before he spoke again. "Jess, what are you looking from Roger? Because…because, honestly, the way he is treating you now is too... The Jess I know would never take that s**t from anyone!"

Jessica sat rigid as Aaron finished asking the question. She knew he was right. But she did not want to admit to herself that he was right. Because that meant she was admitting to acting the wrong way with Roger.

No. She could not. Her heart could not – would not allow her to admit that.

“Jessica, think about Evan,” Aaron spoke up again. “He does not deserve this.”  

Tears came into Jessica’s eyes as the image of her sweet baby came to her mind. Aaron was right. Did her baby boy deserve this? Was she willing to put him through that? What would he think when he got older and if he found out about all this?   

Aaron gently clasped Jessica’s hands when he saw a tear roll down her cheek. He regretted the words he said but he knew Jessica needed a wake-up call. And as her best friend; it was his duty to be that call.