Chapter 1: "The Night's Uncomfortable Beginning"

Josh lay in his bed, his eyes fixed on Liv as she climbed in beside him. She had just showered, and the scent of her soap wafted through the air, mingling with the sheets. Josh loved the way she smelled, but tonight, he was in a particularly finicky mood. As she settled into the bed, he shifted, making room for her, but not too much room. He liked to control the space between them, to dictate how close she could get. Liv, sensing his tension, hesitated for a moment before snuggling into the space he had made for her. Josh's eyes narrowed as she nestled in, her body inches from his. He liked her close, but not that close. He adjusted his position, shifting her slightly away from him, so that there was precisely two inches of space between their bodies. Liv, accustomed to Josh's peculiarities, didn't react, but instead settled into the new arrangement. She rested her head on his shoulder, her hair tickling his chin. Josh's grip on her tightened, his fingers wrapping around her wrist, holding her in place. As they lay there, Josh began to dictate the sleeping position, his hands guiding Liv's body into the exact arrangement he desired. He liked her on her side, facing away from him, her legs straight, and her arms at her sides. It was a position that allowed him to maintain control, to keep her safe, and to ensure that she didn't move too much during the night. Liv, used to Josh's controlling nature, submitted to his manipulations, allowing him to position her as he liked. She knew that resisting would only lead to more tension, and possibly a sleepless night. As Josh's hands moved over her, arranging her limbs into the perfect position, Liv felt a familiar sense of discomfort. She had grown accustomed to Josh's need for control, but sometimes, it still felt suffocating. The room was quiet, the only sound the gentle hum of the air conditioner outside the window. Josh's chest rose and fell, his breathing slow and steady, as he settled into the position he had created. Liv lay still, her eyes fixed on the wall, her mind wandering to the events of the day. As the minutes ticked by, Josh's grip on her relaxed, his fingers releasing their hold on her wrist. Liv didn't move, waiting for Josh to settle into a deeper sleep, so she could adjust her position to something more comfortable. But as she lay there, she couldn't shake the feeling that tonight would be different, that something was off, and that the night would bring more than just sleep. The darkness of the room enveloped them, and Liv closed her eyes, trying to drift off, but her mind remained alert, sensing that the night was only just beginning, and that Josh's controlling nature would not be the only thing that would dictate their rest. As she lay there, she felt Josh's eyes on her, even though she couldn't see them, and she knew that he was still awake, watching her, waiting for her to make a move.