Chapter 2

Krystal blinked awake as her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She groaned and reached over, fumbling to turn it off. Once it stopped, she just lay there, the quiet hum of the city outside her apartment drifting through the window. She knew the drill; get up, shower, drag herself to work. But she stayed put for a few extra seconds, her eyelids fluttering as she struggled to wake up. With a soft sigh, she rolled out of bed and shuffled toward the bathroom.

The tiles were cool under her feet as she twisted the shower handle. As the water heated up, she brushed her teeth, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She’d always hated mornings, even as a kid, but as an adult, they were even more loathsome. It felt like every day was a repeat of the one before, the same routine, the same mundane tasks. Even most weekends were spent doing the exact same thing.

Well ... most weekends.

She spit into the sink, rinsed her mouth, and gave her reflection a tired glance. She’d always had a certain allure, a kind of beauty that had drawn many admirers over the years, but these days, it felt more like a burden than a gift.

With a sigh, she turned her back on the mirror and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over her skin. The sensation of the water sliding down her body felt soothing, but it wasn’t enough to shake off the heaviness inside her. Slowly, her hand wandered down, fingers tracing along her slit as she began to rub her clit. She leaned her head back, a soft moan escaping her lips as a familiar pleasure built up inside her. As familiar as it was, it was the only time she really felt something anymore, the only time she didn’t feel empty and hollow.

She closed her eyes and continued rubbing her clit, her other hand reaching up and grabbing her breast. She squeezed it and pinched her nipple, the combination of sensations sending a wave of heat through her. She bit her lower lip, her breathing becoming more ragged as the pleasure mounted inside her. Finally, with a gasp, she came, her knees buckling as the orgasm washed over her. It was intense, but brief, and the moment it passed, she felt the emptiness returning, the same hollowness she’d been feeling for so long.

“No, no, no.” She muttered to herself. “Not yet...”

She continued rubbing her clit, desperate for a second wave of pleasure, but it never came. With a frustrated groan, she stopped trying and slumped against the wall, her hands falling limply to her sides. After a few minutes, she straightened up and turned off the water, stepping out of the shower and grabbing a towel. She wrapped it around her body and shuffled out of the bathroom, not bothering to look in the mirror again. The cool air of her apartment greeted her, sending a slight shiver through her as she made her way back to her bedroom.

She walked to her closet, pushing the door open and scanning the hanging clothes. Her options felt limited, and the few items that caught her eye were all a bit more revealing than she’d like. There was a snug black tank top that clung to her petite frame, a low-cut white top that showed off her cleavage, and a cropped gray sweater that showed off her midriff. She also spotted a pair of fitted jeans, some tight leggings, and a black pencil skirt.

“God damn it,” she muttered, running a hand through her wet hair.