Chapter Sixteen
Tyson
Silence.
I haven’t heard a sound from Malory since we’ve gotten out of bed. Wanting to give her some space and needing to get a few things done, I pulled back into the garage where I am now, cleaning my rifles.
It brings me peace of mind to hold them in my hands, feeling the weight of cold steel between my fingers, giving me a sense of safety and strength that I lacked for so many years.
Didn’t need a shrink to figure that one out.
Normally, I’d keep an ear out for her cooing at the plants on the porch, or the clinking of Nero’s collar alerting me of her whereabouts since he follows her everywhere without a fail.
Not that I can blame him, I’d be doing the same if it wouldn’t freak her out.
I’ve always been a fan of personal space but when it comes to this girl, it’s like I know no boundaries.
And now I’m thoroughly regretting giving Malory room to breathe for once because there hasn’t been a squeak from her all morning. Nothing at all.
It’s making me fucking restless.
I don’t even know why I feel this constant urge to know where she is.
Most likely it’s just some form of deep-rooted male possessives combined with the need to protect what’s mine.
Then there’s also the obsession.
When I first saw her, something within me felt whole again, something within me recognized that we are one and the same. My darkness calling out to hers.
With a grunt, I lock the weapons in their steel reinforced cabinet. Just in case Malory decides to shoot me after all and return to her former shackles.
There’s a bothersome spark of hope in the back of my head that she wouldn’t do it given the chance.
But maybe that’s just my damaged subconsciousness trying to desperately latch onto any bits of affection she might have developed towards me.
Fuck it.
Time to get my girl before I self-combust from overthinking this.
There’s no one in front of the cabin with the living room being likewise empty. And I know for a fact she didn’t go down to the creek or she would have passed the garage doors.
Tightness like never before grips my chest.
She wouldn’t have run after waking up next to me, would she? Does she regret it?
Now that I think about it, she seemed to be deep in thought when we were having breakfast.
And where’s the damn dog?
Droplets of cold sweat start running down my temples and my hands that are always steady, easily capable to hit a target straight in the center of their forehead from a rooftop a mile away, are shaking now.
Taking three steps at a time, I barge into my bedroom convinced that my girl went back to bed.
It’s empty.
Something inexplicably dark twists inside me.
The breath is knocked out of my lungs as I fall to my knees in the middle of the room, fighting the gut-wrenching sound that’s tearing through my throat, choking me alive.
I haven’t cried. Not since the night I found my mother in a pool of her own blood.
And I won’t start now.
There’s no place in this world where she can hide from me. Willing or not, I’ll have her back in my arms.
Or these unwanted shreds of feelings will turn me to dust, obliterate my existence until there’s nothing left but ashes of my burned soul.
Malory has sparked a kindle within me, adding to the fire with each passing day only for it to threaten to burn me alive.
It hits me then.
A low humming breaking me out of the spiral of self-destruction. My vision clearing as the sweetest sound carries down the hall.
Scrambling to my feet, I take a few tentative steps in the direction of Malory’s old room.
It’s her . It’s her soft voice humming a melody I don’t recognize.
The fist that gripped my heart like a vice suddenly releases and I let out a long, shattering breath full of relief.
What has she done to me?
Cracking the door open, I carefully peek inside, not wanting to alarm her in the state that I’m in.
I actually broke down thinking she left me and I refuse to elaborate on what that means.
Yet there she is, sitting cross legged on the balcony floor, looking out at the never-ending forest spanning over the horizon with mountain tops peeking out on both sides of the valley.
The French doors are thrown wide open with Nero’s sleeping form stretched out on the plush carpet in the middle of the room, guarding the space between the entrance and my girl.
A large canvas is propped up against the railing with Malory outlining the view in front of her while swaying back and forth to the rhythm of her own melody.
Fuck, I forgot to buy her an easel.
Well, I can always make one out of the spare planks behind the greenhouse. By adding some floral carvings, it would fit with the rest of her furniture.
It can’t be that hard. The famous last words.
I lean against the doorway, filling almost the entire frame as I watch her in her element. Unaware of my presence, lost in her own world.
If I thought this morning was perfectly peaceful, the sight before me surpasses it a thousand times over.
The sudden need to touch her, to make sure whether the ethereal being before me isn’t just a cruel play of my broken mind, overwhelms me. So, I enter.
The floorboards creaking under my heavy step making Malory whirl around with a little gasp.
“Hey!” She breathes.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” I apologize while rubbing the back of my neck in a nervous gesture.
Only I don’t get nervous. I shouldn’t be able to.
“No worries.” With a nod, she beckons me to join her and I eagerly sink down next to her, glad that she doesn’t mind me intruding.
“Is everything okay?”
Clearly, she noticed something being off about me.
“Never been better, little one.” I soften my voice which makes her beam up at me while leaning her body slightly into mine, seeking out my closeness.
That smile, those deep green eyes.
Fuck, I can’t lose this.
I’ll never let that happen.
Never .
Malory doesn’t push a conversation, choosing to find comfort in silence just like me, maybe even more so.
It’s rare to find someone capable of it but that’s what makes us meant for each other.
Bound by our past trauma, understanding of the struggles the other one endured. Even though that’s still something Malory refuses to fully admit to herself.
Knowing she wants me to let her in, to lower my boundaries that are already too low for my liking, I fully intend on returning the favor by taking a hammer to her own walls.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but what your parents forced upon you, it was abuse as well. And I’ll do anything in my power to undo what they did, to offer you the freedom they took from you, little one.”
For a moment she freezes, staring up at me with wide eyes before tentatively wrapping her arms around my waist, placing a soft kiss to the side of my neck.
So fucking sweet.
“You’ve already done so much for me, Tyson.” Her hold on me tightens. “Aside from the kidnapping.” Malory adds with an adorable quirk of her lips as she pulls away.
Thank fuck she’s able to look back at that with humor because there was no other way of stealing her all for myself. I wasn’t about to leave her there despite the risk that she might not forgive me for it.
“That was a necessary evil.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’ve done worse.” Her elbow gently pokes at my ribs.
“Not to you. Never to you, baby girl.” I look deep into those big, round eyes, trying to convey how serious I am about this.
Her mouth opens without sound, her gaze glazing over.
Being kept in her gilded cage, Malory has never truly encountered the dangers of the real world, never expected anyone to truly hurt her. That's why she was so trusting towards me since the beginning, and I took complete advantage of her innocence.
Only to turn around and make it my life’s mission to protect her, to care for her.
“What I was trying to get at is that my past doesn’t cancel out yours. If you think that I’ve had it worse than you, it doesn’t diminish your own emotional trauma.” I take her delicate face between my palms.
“No matter how different it is from mine, it isn’t less important. Your feelings are valid Malory. Don’t hide them from me. Even if I may not be able to feel them myself.”
We don’t break eye contact as I watch the deep sadness followed by relief and gratitude pass over her soft features.
“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot.” Malory covers my hand with hers, leaving a smear of green oil paint behind as she squeezes it. “Abuse is abuse, in all its forms. I'm slowly coming to terms with it.”
My lips connect with her forehead, a sense of pride blooming in my chest.
“Will you let me watch?” I ask even though I know she doesn’t let anyone near her artwork, much less witness the process of them coming to life.
“Sure.” To my disbelief, Malory scoots over, making room for me beside her. “Though the initial sketch always looks weird before it transforms into something.”
I watch her turn back to the canvas, tracing the soft strokes of the brush with my eyes as I mimic the sensual movement with the tip of my finger on Malory’s back.
That’s when I realize she’s barefoot and wearing my oversized shirt, a white one that I almost never touch but it’s giving me the perfect view of her little, rosy nipples.
And fuck me, are those my boxers?
I didn’t know they could look this good hugging her hips.
The effort I’m putting into stopping the blood from rushing to my cock is genuinely one of the hardest things I’ve done in my life up to this point. Still, I have a feeling that this girl will put me through much worse.
Every day I crave her more and more, never satiating the carnal need within me to own every single piece of her.
“What made you want to paint again?” I force myself to change my train of thought.
“It just felt right.” Malory shrugs. “Would it be too cheesy if I say that it was probably you?”
“No. What about me?” I rasp against her ear as I pull her into my lap, wanting her to elaborate on her feelings for me.
“I-I’m not sure.” Too flustered to go on, she nuzzles my neck, placing the most tender kiss just below my ear and my heart constricts in a way it hasn’t before.
Not when I first saw her, or fucked her, or kissed her.
The fucking and kissing didn’t necessarily happen in the order of how things should naturally progress but who gives a fuck. It was perfect for us, just how it was meant to happen.
Yet somehow this small gesture of her affection is more profound than everything else.
We stay entwined on the balcony floor until the sun is high in the sky, the midday heat beating down on us as I gradually get more concerned about Malory’s porcelain skin getting burned.
“I was thinking, we could hike to the top of this mountain. That way you’ll get to see the whole valley, maybe get some inspiration for your paintings.” I suggest, nibbling at her ear.
“Like, right now?”
“It’s not too late. We’re high up already so it won’t take too long to get to the top.”
The skeptical look she throws my way makes me nearly want to retract my offer, but who am I to back down.
“All the hikes I’ve done in my life had barely any elevation and were like two- or three miles tops. Well, those were more like walks in a park so you should probably lower your expectations.” Casting her eyes downwards, a pink hue covers the apples of Malory’s cheeks.
Tempted to run my fingers over the transparent skin, I cup her jaw, tilting her head back up.
“We’ll take the four-wheeler as far as we can get and the last bit isn’t too steep. Besides, the trees offer more than enough shade along the trail.” I feel her breath stutter when I lower my hand to her neck, grazing the delicate softness as her pulse flutters under my fingertips.
“You’re safe with me, Malory.”
If my girl decides to climb a mountain, I’ll fucking carry her in my arms.
“I know.” She signs, leaning into my touch. “Okay, but don’t tell me I haven’t warned you when I pass out halfway through.”
A rare smile tugs at the corners of my mouth as I lean down to press a kiss to her forehead, then her nose and lastly, I gently peck her plush lips. “I won’t let that happen.” I whisper against her mouth before standing up.
“Meet me downstairs when you’re ready. And don’t forget sunscreen, baby.”
I stand in the shade of the nearby pine trees, the sun shining brightly on the wildflower covered clearing, a light breeze coasting through the high grass.
I’m leaning against the four-wheeler I keep at the back of the garage, waiting for Malory to come find me.
Since she’s gotten here, I haven’t had a chance to take this thing out for a ride, mostly keeping it as an emergency vehicle in case anything happened to the truck.
I won’t have my little one tracking through wilderness all the way to the nearest town if I were to break a leg.
The front door opens with a screech, reminding me to put oil on the hinges as my girl steps out onto the patio, dressed in black biker shorts paired with a cropped shirt showing off her slim thighs along with the curve of her adorable ass.
Great, now I’m going to have a boner during the whole ride up.
Malory’s eyes widen when she spots the giant ATV bike behind me. Only for them to then rove over my muscles with a subtle gleam of appreciation.
I give her a knowing smirk and she shakes her head before heading in my general direction, her gaze glued to her feet.
As soon as she’s within reaching distance, I grab her wrist, whirling her around until her back hits the hard planes of my chest.
“You can watch me all you want, little one.” I whisper directly in her ear, letting my lips coast over it.
“Just say the word and I’ll strip so you can have a good, hard look.” Tugging the collar of her shirt to the side, I reveal the sensitive spot where her naked shoulder meets her neck.
Trailing my nose down to it, I take a long inhale of her sweetly arousing scent, feeling her faintly shudder against me.
“I thought we were going on a hike?” The breathlessness in her voice giving away how much my touch affects her.
Women have always fawned over my looks, seeking the thrill and danger for one night. An irritation I didn’t care for.
Those surface level interactions meant nothing to me and in the end, it was easy enough to send them running with the dead, empty look in my eyes.
Yet with Malory, I yearn for her attention, possessive over every heated look she ever so discreetly throws my way.
“I have excellent navigation skills in the darkness if we let’s say get delayed for a bit.” This time I bit her neck, earning myself a needy moan.
Her back arches instinctively, her ass pressing into my throbbing erection.
The low growl rumbling from deep within my throat causing Malory to spin around in my arms, covering my mouth with her hand to stop my assault.
Her heart shaped face flushed, lips parted as her chest heaves against mine. Nonetheless, she narrows her eyes at how easily I’m able to get her to succumb to me.
“Later.” I kiss her palm, reluctantly pealing myself off her to reach for the spare helmet dangling on the handle.
Snatching it from me, Malory puts the giant thing over her tiny head while fumbling with the straps, determined to do it herself.
After a while, she finally gives up the struggle, puffing out a frustrated breath. “Help?”
“Say please, little one.” I tease, wanting to rile her up a bit more. “You know I like it when you beg.”
For a second, her pupils dilate, submitting to me as effortlessly as taking a breath.
It’s built into her nature, waiting for me to bring out of her.
Yet she catches herself quickly, shaking her head in exasperation.
“You know what, I think I have some plants to repot.”
Turning on her heel, she tries to leave but I catch her instantly, completely encircling her waist with my muscular arm while my other one singlehandedly shortens the chin strap.
“So small, yet so stubborn.” I murmur once I’m done, running my thumb over the red welt on her exposed shoulder where a bra strap is digging into her flawless skin.
Apparently, a hike requires her to wear one. A shame really. Well, at least I don’t have to rip out the eyeballs of every asshole we might pass.
Straddling the bike, the engine comes to life with a deafening roar.
“Ready?” I raise my voice so Malory can her me over the loud rumbling.
“Not really.” My girl mutters, eyeing the four-wheeler with caution.
At seeing her struggle where to place her foot, I twist my body, picking her up by those soft hips before plopping her down onto the leather seat behind me with ease.
Grinning at her stunned expression, I snap the visor on her helmet down before putting on my own.
The rhythm of my heart stuttering when I feel her thighs spread alongside mine, breasts pressing against my broad back and her arms wrap around my waist, fisting my shirt in the front.
How I fucking want her holding onto me like this for the rest of my life.
“Do you trust me?”
“I guess.” Her feathery voice is strained with anxiety. “In theory.”
“I got you, little one. Just hold on tight.”
Her grip turns almost suffocating, but death has never felt so sweet.
So fucking worth it.