Chapter Six
In the rustic office, Beck’s pulse thudded hard in a tense, anticipatory beat. Seth stood beside him, tension vibrating off him in waves. Both men fixed their hungry stares on the wooden gate where Heavenly had vanished into the darkness.
The bearded proprietor glanced at his watch. “Four minutes, thirty seconds.”
Time was crawling by.
With a sigh of impatience, Beck dragged his gaze to the map in his hands. Seth followed suit, leaning close. The compound’s layout was deceptively simple—five buildings scattered across what looked like twenty acres of wooded terrain.
“We should strategize. Where do you think she went?” Beck murmured, eyeing the schematic. He had to admit, the names of the structures on the property were clever…
“Since I don’t think she’s eager for us to toss her to the ground and do her under a bush, she’ll run straight to one of the locations.”
“Absolutely.”
Seth tapped on the icon for the Love-Shackled Cottage. “Here. It’s her style—romantic, intimate…with a bit of bondage. She’s likely to feel most comfortable there.”
“Probably.” Beck eyed the other options. “But let’s be tactical. If she’s not there, where should we search next?”
“Since the cottage is the furthest building on the property, I say we work our way back toward the front.” Seth traced a suggested path with his finger across the map.
“Makes sense. So, our next stop would be, St. Merciless General?”
“Yep.”
“God, I hope she doesn’t go there. I work in a medical facility; I don’t want to play in one.” Beck grimaced. “Then again, our girl might think it’s funny to make me chase her through a fake hospital.”
“I wouldn’t mind giving her a thorough exam, like we did in San Diego.” His smile was sly. “Good times.”
“Oh, the night she wore the pearl panties and we made her walk back to our villa after dinner? Great times.” Even the memory ratcheted up his lust.
“I’m down for a repeat.”
“Same, but not in a medical environment. Next time, though, I’ll swipe you a lab coat…Dr. Cooper.”
“Deal.” Seth chuckled, then quickly sobered as his finger swiped across the page to The Ministry of Sin. “I fucking hope she doesn’t pick the church. Between our priest and my mom, I’m already carrying enough Catholic guilt.”
“With my past, you know I hope she chose somewhere else.” Beck consulted his map again. “Obedience Corral and the Headmaster’s Office are about the same distance from the church. I can guess which one flips your switch.”
“The Headmaster’s Office.” They chuckled in tandem.
“You said she got off on that game of ‘master and maid’ you played with her last spring.”
“Oh, she loved the power dynamic.” Seth’s rough voice dropped an octave. “And the thought of her playing naughty student to our very stern principals…”
“That doesn’t turn me off. But…maybe she’ll surprise us and choose Obedience Corral.
We’ve introduced her to a few different kinks, but she’s always curious about more.
” Beck had never shown her his single-tail skills, and his cock stirred at the thought of cuffing Heavenly to a cross and sending her to subspace.
“True that. It will be interesting to see where we find her. At least we have a game plan when that goddamn timer finally goes off. How much longer?” Seth asked over his shoulder.
“Two minutes,” the proprietor announced.
Beck groaned. Each second crawled, stretching his nerves thin. That sounded like two goddamn years.
“I’m impatient, too. But not much longer.” Seth clapped him on the shoulder as they tucked away their maps.
Anticipation coiled in Beck’s chest. When Pike had mentioned this place, Beck had known Seth would be all in.
And he’d jumped at the opportunity to see how Heavenly took to primal play.
Though their girl was still innocent in some ways, she had a dirty heart.
He’d bet most every dime, she was going to melt and scream—and love every minute of this.
As soon as they found her.
God knew he relished the chance to hunt her and make her theirs in the most intrinsic way possible as she surrendered to them completely.
“When you’re done for the evening, gentlemen, mark one of your maps with whatever buildings you used and leave it with your goggles on the counter on your way out,” the proprietor said. “We’ve got to clean and sterilize everything for the midnight hunting party booked after you.”
He and Seth nodded, their focus on the wooden gate as the seconds ticked down.
Beck felt like a caged animal, every muscle ready to spring into action. Beside him, Seth’s breaths came short and fast, his hands flexing and releasing at his sides.
They exchanged a glance, a moment of understanding. They were partners in this hunt, united in the pursuit of their woman. In finding her. In dragging her beneath them. In heaping every sensation and pleasure possible on her.
Impatiently, he glanced back at the bearded man. When would that fucking timer go off?
Finally, a shrill ding cut through the silence.
Liquid fire surged through Beck’s bloodstream as the proprietor yanked open the glass door with a knowing smile. “Happy hunting, gentlemen.”
A cool evening breeze rustled through the trees as the silvery moon rose in the sky.
Beck and Seth pulled on their night-vision goggles in perfect synchronization and sprinted down the dirt path, now a landscape of green through the lenses.
Dimly glowing footlights flared like bright white orbs.
Shadows shifted at the edges of his vision, every rustle fanning his hunt instinct.
After last night, he and Seth were bound to Heavenly. They’d overcome so much, and tonight felt like a celebration. A claiming. A sealing of their commitment.
The crunch of Beck’s boots against the packed earth mingled with Seth’s, drowning out the sounds of chirping crickets and humming cicadas as they charged through the wooden gate and burst into the open compound.
Beck scanned the area. No sign of Heavenly among the foliage, which suggested she’d already hidden somewhere. Smart girl.
“The cottage is dead-ahead, nearly against the far perimeter fence.” Seth led him along the path bisecting the hunting grounds.
Silent minutes later, they reached the Love-Shackled Cottage. Between the adrenaline and the run, Beck was already panting, his pulse kicking hard. She had to be here.
Together, they raced up the wide porch steps, dashing past the cozy bench swing and tearing off their goggles before they burst through the door. Their rapt stares combed the almost dreamlike interior for signs of Heavenly.
The place glowed warmly from a cozy fire crackling in the stone fireplace.
Scented candles filled the air with vanilla and jasmine.
A large four-poster bed dominated the center of the room, draped in flowing pale fabric and sprinkled in rose petals.
Silk ties were attached to each corner of the frame.
An innocent white, see-through lace camisole decorated with pink bows lay draped across the mattress like an invitation. Beck’s cock jerked at the sight.
Baskets lined the shelves along one wall, filled with condoms, lube, butt plugs, vibrators, and more. An ornate vanity against the opposite wall held more tiny bows, lace gloves, ornate masks, velvet cuffs, and flavored massage oil. Next to that, a bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket.
“Are you here, angel?” Seth yanked open the closet door and peeked inside.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are, little girl,” Beck taunted as he bent and checked under the bed.
They searched every nook and cranny—behind curtains, inside wardrobes, even the bathroom. She was nowhere to be found. Was she evading them? Toying with them?
Yes, and the idea of finding her, pinning her, claiming her made his blood kick harder.
Beck settled his specialized goggles back over his eyes as they stepped outside again. “Looks like she’s decided to be more adventurous.”
“Or more devious,” Seth drawled.
Either option shot thrill down Beck’s spine. “But it’s almost a shame she’s not here. The thought of violating our girl in that flimsy little nightie makes me fucking hard.”
“Your bow fetish is showing, doc.”
He shrugged. “Sue me.”
“Nah. I dig it, too.” Seth laughed, as they jogged the path through the clear, crystal night.
Minutes later, St. Merciless General came into view.
They removed their eyewear again the moment they stepped inside.
The space was well-lit, clinical, and sterile, lined with cabinets and one narrow closet.
The sharp antiseptic scent hit Beck’s nostrils, so familiar he’d swear he was about to step into the operating room.
A hospital gown was draped over a padded exam table complete with stirrups and cuffs.
A metal stand held a tray containing condoms and lube, along with rubber gloves, a silver speculum, bottles of alcohol, cotton gauze, and a package of play-worthy needles.
“You hiding in here, little girl?” Beck called.
Total silence.
Seth checked the narrow closet near the door. “You know, I’m surprised you picked vascular surgery over gynecology.”
“I didn’t ever want pussy to get boring.” Beck, who had been methodically opening cabinets, slammed the last one shut. “She’s not here.”
Seth glanced around one final time. “You’re right. Let’s head out.”
Back under the moonlight, they donned their lenses again.
Unease crawled under Beck’s skin as they trekked to The Ministry of Sin. The moment they stepped inside the church-like structure, his stomach rolled.