Free Ella (Twisted Tales) by Kimber Sharpe

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    My childhood had been one of laughter and light but that had all changed when my mother died, leaving me in the care of my stepfather, Adam, and three older stepbrothers.  At age sixteen, I began cooking and cleaning as well as tending our garden in the small community of Salem Village.  Our home was larger than some so I kept pretty busy during the day with hardly any time to pursue any kind of relationship with the young men in the community and while lonely, I was content.  I’d no idea that on the morning of my eighteenth birthday, everything about my life would change.
    Adam stepped into my room before I’d even risen from bed, lighting a candle next to my bed.  “It is time, Ella, that we discussed your situation in this household and how you contribute,” he said as he stood over me, arms crossed his thick chest.  Like always, he was dressed proper, without a dark hair out of place.  I sat up in bed and waited to hear what he had to say.
    “You are nearly too old for marriage and have no prospects for a husban d who could help with the housing and food. Each person of this household must carry his own weight and do with the exception of you.”
    “I cook and clean,” I tried to defend myself despite the hurt his words evoked.
    He glanced around my bedroom as if in disbelief.  “This room is rather large for someone who has taken on a housekeeper position.  I wouldn’t have to provide material for her to make her dresses either or buy her shoes.” I wanted to sink down into the bed and disappear.  It had never occurred to me that they would wish me gone or that I was a financial burden to them.
    “What will you have me do ?” I asked in a small voice. “Will you put me out?”
    I didn’t like the way his eyes narrowed.  I’d never been close with him or his sons because of how uneasy I always felt around them but until that moment, I’d not realized how dark they might be beneath their polished exteriors.
    “I will not as long as you start contributing by taking care of our needs.”
    I frowned.  “I do take care…”
    He held up his hand, stopping me in midsentence.   “It’s no longer enough.”
    I took a deep breath and nodded.  “Tell me what chores you wish me to do and I shall do them.”  I knew I couldn’ t survive on my own.
    “Then you agree to contribute more?”  He raised his eyebrows as if surprised.
    “Of course, I’ll do whatever you wish,” I vowed.  Until then I’d not realized what he meant by contributing.  I’d assumed more household work, perhaps cleaning the stables as well.  But my naïve mind cleared when he began unbuttoning his shirt.  His gaze never left mine as he undressed and I couldn’t speak a word.  Instead I pressed back against the headboard of my bed watching him with my heart pounding in my chest.  I’d never seen a man naked before.  Adam’s was a solid, hard body with hair dusting his chest.  Lower a long, thick stalk stood out from a nest of thick dark hair.
    My gaze darted to his face to find him watching me.  “Surely you don’t mean for me to bed with you?”  The words came out in a croak.  I knew that’s exactly what he meant but it seemed surreal that it was actually happening.
    “I mean for you to take care of our needs.  It is the very least you can do for all that we provide for you.”  He grasped his penis and ran his fingers up and down its length.  “Everything in this household belongs to me as long as it remains here.”
    I swallowed loudly.  “Maybe I could find a husband.”
    “And what do you think he will expect you to do for him for providing for you?”  He tilted his head. 
    I licked my lips nervously, trying not to look at his penis.  “I could become a maid for another household and give you my earnings,” I suggested.
    “And the master of that household?   What if he has other needs as well?”  Adam rested a knee on the edge of my bed.  “Besides,