Submitted

Ava lay there on the bed for a long time after Roman left, her mind reeling. She couldn't believe what had just happened. The betrayal, the pain, the sheer wrongness of it all. It was like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

Eventually, she gathered the strength to stand, wincing as she felt the sticky fluid between her legs. Roman's seed. The proof of his violation.

She staggered to the bathroom, turning on the shower with shaking hands. She needed to wash him off of her, to scrub away every last trace of what he'd done.

The hot water stung her skin, but Ava barely noticed. She was too lost in her own thoughts, too consumed by the weight of her shame and anger.

She couldn't believe she'd given in, that she'd let him use her like that. She was weak, pathetic. No better than a common whore.

But even as she berated herself, Ava couldn't ignore the flicker of heat low in her belly. The memory of Roman's cock thrusting into her, claiming her, using her for his own pleasure.

She hated herself for it, but a part of her had enjoyed it. Had reveled in the intensity, the taboo nature of it all.

Ava sank to the bottom of the shower, burying her face in her hands as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. What was wrong with her? Why did her body crave something so wrong, so forbidden?

She stayed in the shower until the water ran cold, until her skin was pruney and her fingers wrinkled. By the time she finally emerged, wrapped in a towel, she felt numb.

She stumbled to the bed and collapsed onto it, too exhausted to do anything but sleep. But even as she drifted off, she couldn't escape the nightmares.

Nightmares of Roman looming over her, raping her, using her. Nightmares of everyone finding out what she'd done, shaming her, casting her out.

Ava woke the next morning with a start, her heart pounding and her skin clammy with sweat. For a moment, she forgot where she was, forgot what had happened.

But then it all came rushing back and she buried her face in her pillow, fighting back a sob.

She had to get out of here. She couldn't stay in this house, not with Roman. Not with the risk of him doing something like this again.

But where would she go? She had no money, no family to speak of. She was trapped, a prisoner in her own home.

Ava stayed in bed all day, hardly moving except to eat the food Roman brought her. She couldn't face him, couldn't bear to look at him after what he'd done.

But that night, when she was alone in her room once more, there was a soft knock at the door.

"Go away," she croaked, her voice hoarse from crying.

The door opened anyway and Roman slipped inside, closing it quietly behind him.

"Leave me alone," Ava pleaded, huddling under the covers. "Please, Roman. Just leave me alone."

Roman ignored her, coming to sit on the edge of the bed. "I brought you dinner," he said softly, setting a tray down on the nightstand. "You need to eat something, Ava."

Ava shook her head, pressing herself further into the mattress. "I'm not hungry," she whispered.

Roman sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you're upset with me," he said finally. "And I don't blame you. What I did was wrong, Ava. I took advantage of you when you were vulnerable. I'm sorry."

Ava froze, shocked by his words. Was he...was he apologizing? She turned to look at him, studying his face for any sign of deception.

But all she saw was genuine remorse, guilt shining in his eyes.

"I...I don't know what to say," she whispered. "I thought...I thought you didn't care."

Roman shook his head. "Of course I care," he said quietly. "I care about you more than anything, Ava. I just...I fucked up. I let my desires cloud my judgment. I shouldn't have forced you like that."

Ava felt a wave of emotion crash over her - relief, gratitude, shame. She didn't know what to believe anymore.

"I...I don't know if I can forgive you," she admitted. "But...thank you. For apologizing."

Roman reached out, taking her hand in his. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this right," he promised. "I'll go to therapy, I'll talk to someone. I'll prove to you that I can change. That I can be the man you deserve."

Ava nodded, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Maybe they could move past this, learn to heal together.

It wouldn't be easy. There would be hard conversations, painful revelations. But Ava was willing to try. For Roman. For their future.

She squeezed his hand, looking into his eyes. "I want to believe you," she whispered. "I do."

Roman smiled, leaning in to kiss her softly. It was a kiss of apology, of forgiveness, of new beginnings.

And for the first time since this nightmare began, Ava felt a flicker of hope.

Submission

Ava lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the memories of the previous night flashed through her mind. The violation, the pain, the shame. She couldn't escape it, couldn't make it stop.

But there was something else too. Something dark and twisted that made her stomach clench with both fear and anticipation.

She had enjoyed it. Enjoyed being used, being dominated. Enjoyed the pain and the pleasure mixed together until she couldn't tell them apart.

It was wrong. So wrong. But she couldn't deny the truth of her body's reaction.

There was a soft knock at the door and Ava tensed, her heart pounding. Roman. He'd promised to make things right, to change. But could she trust him? Could she trust herself?

"Come in," she called out, her voice steady despite the chaos inside her.

The door opened and Roman stepped inside, his eyes softening when he saw her. "Hi," he said gently, closing the door behind him. "How are you feeling?"

Ava shrugged, pulling the covers tighter around herself. "I don't know," she admitted. "Confused. Scared. Excited."

Roman nodded, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I understand," he said. "And I want you to know that I'm here for you. Whatever you need."

Ava bit her lip, studying his face. He looked different somehow, more mature, more in control. Like he'd made up his mind about something.

"What do you want from me, Roman?" she asked quietly. "I...I know I can't give you what you need. Not after everything."

Roman reached out, cupping her cheek with his hand. "You can give me anything," he said softly. "Anything I ask for. All you have to do is say yes."

Ava's breath caught in her throat, her pulse quickening at his touch. "What...what are you saying?"

Roman smiled, a slow, wicked curve of his lips. "I'm saying that I want you, Ava. I want to own you, to control you, to make you mine. I want to teach you the pleasures of submission."

Ava's eyes widened, her mouth going dry. "Submission?" she whispered.

Roman nodded, his thumb stroking over her lower lip. "Yes. I want to dominate you, to push your limits, to make you beg for my touch. I want to make you crave it like nothing else."

Ava shuddered, a surge of heat flooding her core. She should say no, should run away from this. But god, how she wanted it. Wanted him.

"I...I don't know if I can," she said unsteadily. "I've never...I don't know how..."

Roman's grip on her face tightened, his eyes hardening with desire. "You'll learn," he promised darkly. "You'll learn everything I have to teach you. And you'll love every minute of it."

Ava whimpered, arching into his touch despite herself. "Please," she breathed, not even sure what she was begging for.

"Please what?" Roman growled, his other hand sliding up her thigh beneath the covers. "Say it, Ava. Say you want this. Say you want me."