Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Chapter 12: Austin.

A tad bit distracted with work, she peaked her head in through the door. She did not mutter a word but I was aware of her presence, aware of her fine and dandy whiff. Merrigold, admittedly made me excited. She was different than any other negro I had ever encountered. She did not bow her head when I walked by or treat me with the respect I needed. I found that attractive, I found it attractive how stubborn she was and how I had to teach her to submit to me, she would eventually. I had gone off far the rails with the way I had started everything. If I was a tad bit nicer to her we'd see how that would work out.

"Sir, you have mail...from lady Harriet, her butler dropped it by." She said, for many reasons she refused to call me Master and I had noticed she preferred sir. That certainly wouldn't have a good ring to it when we finally indulged in this foolery of lust between us. The tension was clear and building up. I could see it in the way I caught her eyes searching for mine when I was not looking. Whenever we mistakenly touched. The way she was more open to me with the door closed.

"Come in Merri.." I told her.

She did.

"Put it in there.." I pointed at the trash can, making her gasp.

"At least read it before carelessly dispose of it."

"I have entertained her for too long. I'm fatigued by the thought of her." I shrugged.

"You're cruel, the poor girl loves you."

"I do not blame her, it is after all the weak hearted that get hurt in the end."

For a moment something seemed to click before she sighed putting the envelope on my mahogany table. My eyes traced every meander and symmetrical shape of her face down to her bottom lips. The weak hearted, I could only hope she thought of Thomas. In all honesty he was denser than a wall. A block muscle and no brains. He was always respectful and uncomplaining.

"I'll take my leave." Merrigold added softly.

"Merrigold?" I called, I couldn't take it. I needed her attention. I always did even if it meant conversing in a simple conversation.

"Yes?"

"Thomas is a fool." I said standing up from my seat rounding the table slowly. I was sure as could be that Merrigold was panicking. Her face said it all, her face said I want you close but not too close. Her face screamed, afraid? Afraid of me or the consequences.

"I... do not appreciate you speaking of him that way."

"You're smart Merrigold, you're better than this."

She gulped down uncomfortably, as I went closer and closer, I backed her against the door. She skin looked so smooth, I could lick it. Her skin looked so smooth, I had always loved cocoa.

"Thomas is an imbecile, he will never know how to properly treat you."

"And you do?" She snapped back. Her eyes wearily stared at mine, if anything I'd say I found them the most attractive. I could always read her thoughts and know her initial reaction to anything.

"I did not imply anything of that sort."

"Thomas is a good person, stop belittling him. He works so hard to impress you. He enjoys working with your animals. He puts his all in everything you ask him to. He deserves better you ridiculing him. He speaks so highly of you, he assumes you want to befriend—"

This made me chuckle.

"Befriend him?"

With a sigh, Merrigold responded. "I knew you weren't being nice to him for no reason."

"I'll be upfront Merrigold." I cleared my throat. We we at such close proximity, our chests were almost touching. "I could care less about you or Thomas or any other negro on this plantation. I really could care less. I'm a man, who has been forced to reside alone with a woman and I have needs. These needs need to be met, one way or another not by my hand."

Flustered, she stuttered looking for a response but she could not say.

"If I really wanted to, I would have had my way with you that very day when I was already positioned between your thighs but no, I carry myself with a level headed head on my shoulders."

"You still went and raped my sister in law, you're sick!"

"I did not." I dismissed her immediately. "It was all for show, just so you'd see it. She isn't a virgin. Who knows where she has been... and what infectious disease she may carry. I want you Merrigold, pure clean untouched."

She did not speak.

"I want you to meet my needs, I'm giving you that privilege. You should consider yourself lucky that I, as I am willing to look past you being a negro."

"You sound as if you're doing me a favor but you aren't!"

"I'm sure you have been curious about being with a white man of my stature. What a better way if I was your first?"

"I want more than that."

"Name your price?"

"I want you to give my brother and his wife a room apart from the commune."

"Could be arranged, infact even two rooms if you do a good job!"

"I want you to stop ridiculing Thomas!"

"I can't really promise much on that."

"I want you to continue paying wages to the workers at the commune just as your parents did. I want you to be nice to me."

"You're asking for too much, but my lust has me making delusional thoughts."

"Are you done with your demands? You sure sound like a prostitute. Thought you were better than that Merrigold." I chuckled when I saw her knit her brows and cloud up.

"You asked for it so I might as well benefit off it."

"I have to know what you taste like before hand..." I said softly closing the gap between us. She stood stagnantly unmoving. When her lips touched mine, I felt every hair on my body stand up. A soft peck leading to something more serious. Her lips moved along with mine, I felt like an addict getting their first fix. I was tempted to bite her plump lips, I had never kissed a girl with lips as plump as hers. Her lips tasted like peppermint, her delicate hand laid on my chest trying to push me back as I continued to indulge and insert my tongue. Pressing her against me so she could feel every single angle on my body. With a heavy breath she pushed me back and...

Started crying? I was confused. Had I not been nice? Had I not even accepted her petty demands? If I force myself on her she cries, if I'm a gentleman she continues to cry, I could never understand this woman.

"Why are you being such a Debbie downer after what I presumed was a pleasing moment...?" I asked her.

"This is wrong."

I only laughed out loud.

"It's not amusing at all, I do not see your reason for laughing..." she replied.

"You're such a child." I hissed, a little annoyed by now. "Listen here Merrigold, I believe your parents are bereft of life. I'm not your mother nor your father. I will not baby your tears. Be a grown woman, you're grown. You were grown enough to hump on Thomas in the barn. Quit acting like a little Princess because you won't like the person I will become. I have been nice enough, too nice and tolerated your tantrums. You're still a negro and you bet I will take you right now even if you cry wolf or kick and scream. Get yourself together before I lose it."

It was quiet, she looked afraid.

"The day after tomorrow, you will visit my bed at exactly 8:15pm. I will not tolerate any tears. You will take it like a woman and I believe I will be meeting your demands so it's only right you behave. Are we clear?"

"What if..." she paused.

"What if?" I questioned.

"Was Harriet a virgin?" She asked out of the blue.

"That has nothing to do with you." I rudely remarked.

"What if she wasn't?"

"Merrigold, if my demands are not met, I will not meet yours infact you will hate me with all your might. I do not care what you have done with Thomas in the barn or by yourself. Tomorrow when my manhood vacates your warmth, you better and listen carefully! You better be what I expect you to be."

"I—"

"Get out! I need to get back to work."