Jenna jerked when she heard the voice behind her; she couldn't turn or move as she was still coming down from an orgasm. She pressed her lips tightly together, wondering exactly what she was thinking when she started doing this to herself.
When she rocked her fingers against her core, it felt good, but now Jenna felt ashamed of herself. Slowly, Jenna pulled her fingers out and wiped them on her shirt.
"A-" her voice cracked, "Anne," Jenna said after clearing her throat. She had turned, but she couldn't meet his face.
Rhane moved his eyes down his master's body, then looked up at her face.
"I'm done bathing," he notified her in a calm voice.
Jenna stood up from the bed, her head hung in shame. She couldn't believe she had just had this same man she saved in mind while touching herself.
How could she? She was ashamed of herself.
"I - ehm," Jenna cleared her throat, "I left your clothes there. You can take them and leave."
Rhane noticed the urgency in his master's voice; he didn't ask for anything. He gathered his clothes and quietly left the room.
Jenna cursed herself after the young man had left. She wasn't always like this! She had control over her body. All these years without a man, she had been able to survive. She wasn't sure why, suddenly, she wanted to feel this young man's hands on her body.
She was scared of men! Especially one as big as the one she had saved and brought back home. All they did was hit women and use them. Jenna wasn't new to that world, and it surprised her that she had forgotten so quickly what life was for her before now.
Removing her dress, Jenna looked down at her own body and winced. She was covered in marks and scars that were unworthy for anyone to see. This was the reason Jenna had locked her mind away from having any man touch her.
Any man who saw her body would probably be disgusted and wouldn't want to touch her. Yet, it was a man who had inflicted these shameful wounds on her.
"Jenna..." she called her own name and sighed. She didn't need to forget so soon what had happened to her.
Jenna decided to quickly find out the young man's family and send him on his way. That way, this sudden infatuation would die a quick death.
. . .
The following day, the market sales began again. It wasn't as rowdy as the previous day, which was the first merchant sale in a long time. Though the crowd trooped in, they got their goods quickly and left.
Jenna and her crew got ready like others, and just like the previous sales, Jenna expected little or nothing, but she was still willing to try her best.
While they moved their goods, Jenna tried her best to keep her attention away from the young man, especially avoiding paying attention to whatever he did.
"Anne," Mabel began, "I'm so sorry we took you to wash with us last night. We didn't realize how uncomfortable it must have been for you."
Harriet joined in, "Yes... I hope you're not angry with us."
Percy opened his mouth to talk but remembered his mistress had warned him the previous night. He cleared his throat and instead said,
"I bet he was enjoying it. Right, Anne? Playing with naked women."
Henri smiled, "Percy, it's awkward when you're the only man there," the man added.
Rhane looked up to see if his master was watching, but Jenna had her eyes looking straight ahead like she wasn't even in the room with them.
"Good morning, Jenna," the young maiden who had confronted Jenna the previous night walked up to their stall.
Jenna gave her a polite smile, "Good morning, Beth. How can we help you?"
Beth's eyes moved around like she was searching for someone. Then she raised her finger and pointed, "I want him to come help lift something."
"Me?" Percy jumped out of the stall, ready to help the maiden in distress.
Beth rolled her eyes, "I'd ask for a lady if I wanted one."
Percy clenched his jaw at the insult, but he tried to laugh about it. He was the only one laughing.
Beth moved her chin and gestured at Rhane. "Him."
Jenna followed the young girl's eyes, then cleared her throat. "You—"
"And if you refuse, I'd take it that he is nothing but a bed warmer you have returned with in disguise of helping."
Jenna gulped, her eyes betraying her feelings about what she had done the previous night.
"What? You think my lady would go as low as to do anything with her servants?" Percy asked, his anger far from the girl's words about his mistress but more about the insult he had received earlier.
Beth nodded, "I think so!"
"Tch," Percy spat, ready to defend his mistress. "You think my lady is made for the road? She has her mansion and a very large house where—"
Jenna cleared her throat, "That's enough, Percy."
Rhane stopped what he was doing, his eyes now on his master, wondering what she was going to do.
"You know Anne isn't like others. He might not be of much help. I'll send Henri to help you," Jenna suggested. She didn't like the look in the girl's eyes, and it worried her what might happen to Anne.
Beth scoffed, "No need to hide behind that. Also... he seemed to be doing just fine yesterday. I can teach him all he needs to know." Her words had even more meaning behind them, with the smile she gave Jenna.
"But I'll understand if he belongs to you and you don't wish to share," Beth completed, throwing the bait for Jenna to be trapped.
Jenna squeezed her hand. She didn't want to send him away, but her reputation was at stake. Everyone would talk if she protected the young man, but also a part of her wanted to protect him.
After a moment of consideration, Jenna decided it was best to send him to help. That way, she wouldn't be watching him at all times and thinking about his body. And who knows? His memory might return to him.
"Very well, Anne. Do you wish to help them?" she asked, trying to get his consent first, as he wasn't a commodity but a human.
Rhane furrowed his brows for a fleeting second, but he bowed. "Whatever Master wants me to do."
Jenna's chest tightened, and she turned her face away. "Then follow her, go ahead and help."
"Yes, Master," Rhane bowed. He dropped everything else he was holding and followed the young woman.
Beth's lips curled into a thin smile, "I won't forget this favor, Jenna. Thanks." She gave her a wink, curling her arm around Rhane's.
"Let's go."
Jenna turned her face to the other side when they started walking. She could feel someone's eyes on her, but she couldn't get herself to look.
"I'm very certain she only wants her skirt to be lifted," Mabel scowled, watching as Beth left with their new servant.
Harriet nodded, "Master, you shouldn't have let Beth take him... last night she was trying to make Anne t—"
"That's enough. Let's focus on today's sales. Yesterday was poor," Jenna cautioned. "Beth needs help, and Anne is offering nothing... more." Her voice reduced when she said the words, even she didn't believe.
Jenna was worried.