Chapter Seventeen
Malory
I squeal as we nearly graze a tree trunk by a few inches, the bike rumbling heavily at the steep ascend.
Tearing through the uneven terrain, I’m grateful for Tyson’s solid body shielding me from the oncoming wind and branches.
We weave through the thick forest, speeding blindly amidst a blur of endless greenery.
I so desperately hope that Tyson knows the way like he claimed because I lost any sense of direction quite a while ago.
Another sharp turn throws me further against Tyson’s muscled back and I begin to suspect that he’s doing it on purpose.
The arrogant bastard.
My arrogant bastard.
Begrudgingly, I start enjoying the rush of adrenaline as we race through an open patch with Tyson revving the engine until I’m laughing freely while simultaneously clinging to him with everything in me.
Finally, the ATV comes to a halt on a semi even dirt spot serving as our makeshift parking space next to what looks like a rarely used hiking trail.
I stumble off the seat, my thighs numb and shaking from the vibrations.
Hearing Tyson chuckle at my state of distress, I shove the helmet into his lap, running a hand through my tangled hair.
I want to be mad at the man, and yet I can’t resist a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
This was a whole lot more fun than I anticipated. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud.
Out of nowhere, Tyson produces a tactical backpack that was stuffed in a trunk box at the rear of the four-wheeler, replacing it with our helmets before strapping himself into it.
It’s a rare occurrence that I see him in anything but black, but today a white t-shirt strains against his bulging muscles, flexing with every move.
The outlines of his tattoos visible through the sheer fabric, seamlessly blending into the ones peeking from under his short sleeves, running down the length his arms.
The image as ruthless as the man himself.
Saliva gathers in my mouth as my eyes track the wide planes of his pecs down to the hard ridges of his abdomen, my yearning for him gradually getting out of control.
This can’t be healthy for my heart anymore.
With a knowing look, Tyson takes my hand in his much bigger one, putting an end to my unabashed ogling as he leads me towards the stony trail.
Half an hour later I’m panting audibly behind him, going on my last reserves of energy.
Just like he promised, the hike isn’t too steep but I have literarily no stamina since most of my physical activity over the last few weeks consisted of us fucking.
Not that that isn’t a workout in itself, but Tyson usually does most of the heavy lifting.
It’s the way he handles my body with such dominance that all I can do is take it, let him control me. Trust that he’ll make it good for the both of us because somehow, this man knows exactly what my body needs.
With a choked exhale, I turn my full attention to the ground so I don’t trip and twist my ankle on a loose rock.
Why would someone want to do this if all they get to see is their own feet for hours on end until they get somewhere with a view is beyond me.
I’d love to look up, admire the different kinds of trees and ferns, but this damn path is too narrow and unkept with the occasional root sticking out, waiting to wrap itself around my foot the second I stop concentrating.
I can’t even look at Tyson’s firm butt sauntering in front of me.
What would I give to have some tracking poles for balance.
An elderly couple that passed us a while back had them and they didn’t look like they were on the verge of breaking down. Although they were going downhill so maybe it was that.
What do I know about any of this stuff?
As soon as Tyson saw people ahead, he stepped in front of me, hiding me completely from their view until the strangers passed without a second glance.
It was staggering.
The difference in his demeanor whenever we come across anyone so drastic it gives me a whiplash every time.
I’ve seen him act distant around me in the beginning of our… let’s say arrangement, yet it was nothing compared to the blank mask his face morphs into around others, void of any human emotion.
But then Tyson turns to me, and I see a spark in his eyes that no one else gets to witness, meant solely for me.
I’m starting to feel possessive over those looks, over the flicker of life I seem to be bringing out of this man’s carcass of feelings.
“Ty, wait for me!” I call out, wheezing in an attempt to get him to slow down. “I’ve got shorter legs!”
In an instant, he whirls around, making me almost crash into his chest as he takes my chin between his rough fingers.
“I love it when you call me that, little one.” His thumb traces my jaw affectionately, his voice gaining a strange quality. “I never had a nickname.”
“Never?”
“No.” His brief answer kills the tender moment of vulnerability too soon.
Wrapping my arms around his trim waist, I sag against him, half comforting him and half holding myself upright.
There’s no way I’ll make this.
Taking one look at my exhausted features as I struggle to take the next breath, Tyson leads me off to the side to one of the boulders lining the trail.
“Rest, little one.”
A light wind cools my overheated body as we sit in the shade, sweeping tendrils of loose hair into my face.
Rummages through the backpack, my tour guide hands me a thermos filled with iced water and a pack of my favorite almonds.
“When did you pack all this?”
“While you were scrubbing the oil paint off your fingers.” He nudges my shoulder with his.
I down half of the bottle in one go, sighing as the liquid soothes my dry throat before offering him some of the nuts.
Leaning back onto his elbow, he takes a handful, throwing them into his open mouth in one go.
Tyson tips his head back, exposing his long, thick neck to me. A look of utter peace settling over him as he gazes up into the crowns of the trees above.
I take him in as he lies there, his raw masculinity making my insides tightening. The sudden urge to run my hands all over his body, commit every grove, every scar to memory overcomes me.
Lured by the tranquility of the moment, I shuffle closer to his side, throwing one arm over his solid abs, laying my head onto his shoulder.
I feel him let out a long breath before he grips my hip, pulling me impossibly close as he buries his nose in my hair.
I love when he does that.
This is what utter happiness feels like.
We lay there for a long time, just listening to the serene sounds of nature surrounding us before I hear footsteps in the distance. Oh no.
Immediately, Tyson shoots up, eyes zeroing in on the intruder.
A man who looks to be in his late thirties, dressed in professional hiking gear comes into view and I sense Tyson’s body go rigid, readying himself to take down the potential threat.
Positioning himself between me and the stranger, I see him reach around, keeping a hand on the gun tucked in his waistband holster.
The hiker nods in our direction in greeting, letting his eyes sweep over our awkward position.
“Are you guys alright?”
“Yeah, we’re just taking a break.” I call out first, half hidden behind Tyson’s shoulder.
“You’re almost there. Hang on.” The man smiles in my direction as dread pools in my stomach.
Lopping my arms around Tyson’s middle in what must look like a loving gesture to the outsider, I try deescalating the situation before he can do something rash.
“We’re fine.” The glare Tyson sends his way would scare the bravest of men, his black eyes burning with contempt.
Wrapping an arm around me with his hand holding the back of my head in the crook of his neck, he marks his territory while effectively hiding me at the same time.
The man is long gone when Tyson releases his death grip on me while I continue rubbing calming circles over his back.
“It’s not going to be like this forever.” He kisses my temple.
“Either way, I don’t think I was built to do this again anytime soon.” I nod towards the trail in an attempt to lighten the mood. “I’m not sure I’ll even make it down.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He winks and my heart skips a beat at the easygoing gesture. So unlike his usual self, but incredibly attractive all the same.
“Huh?”
“Just jump on my back and I’ll carry you whenever you feel like it, baby.”
My eyes bulge out of their sockets, eyebrows shooting up to my hairline.
“I’m dead serious, Malory. We aren’t risking any blisters on your delicate, little feet.”
With that he hauls both of my legs into his lap, loosening the laces on my running shoes before slipping them off with care.
I almost groan with relief when Tyson starts gently massaging my tired soles.
“Ehm…” I hesitate in embarrassment, his raised eyebrow prompting me to continue. “It’s just, sorry I’m sweaty.”
“Don’t apologize, I don’t mind any of your bodily fluids, little one.” He adds suggestively and I can feel my cheeks heat.
“So, I can add foot fetish to your long list of kinks?” I retort before his crudeness can get me all hot and bothered.
“Mhm.” He lifts one leg, kissing the inside of my ankle, his warm breath tickling the thin skin. “But only yours.”
I’m sure my face is blood red by now and it’s definitely not from the exertion.
“It’s not much farther, little one. I can throw you over my shoulder or we can turn around if you want?” He puts my shoes back on, double knotting the laces. “It’s up to you, but I think you’d love the view.”
The concern in his voice melts my heart to a puddle and suddenly my aching feet don’t seem like such a big deal.
“No, I’m good. Thanks for the offer though.” I grin, before getting up on my tiptoes, softly kissing the side of his neck.
With a groan, Tyson entwines our fingers before leading me up the rest of the way.
It’s majestic.
Mountains spanning all along the horizon, coming together in a seemingly endless valley covered in a sea of trees that have been left untouched for hundreds of years.
There are no words to describe the wonder stretching out before me. No painting or picture good enough to capture the natural beauty of this place.
Our place.
We’re standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the wilderness below.
Tyson’s arms wrapped around me from behind. His chin resting on top of my head, partially shielding me from the crisp air as we both take in the unbelievable view.
Looking down towards the valley, I try making out something familiar. I know I won’t be able to see our cabin from all the way up here, but it’s rare to even catch a glimpse of the winding creek through the thick forest.
“We really live in a place like this.” I shake my head in awe at what my life has become.
“Yeah, sometimes I can’t believe it either.” He says it in a tone similar to mine, thick with admiration and something close to peacefulness. “It’s special. Just like you.”
As if that’s not going to make me swoon.
Somewhere along the way, I stopped being wary in Tyson’s presence, only basking in the warmth and calmness oozing from his very being.
No matter how warped his morals and intentions may be, at his core Tyson is a decent man. Maybe even more than that.
So what if he has more darkness brewing within him than others, I happen to respect that about him.
The man has suffered in unfathomable ways and managed to survive, to come out the other end.
There’s nothing broken or dead about him. Not to me.
He may have brought me here for selfish reasons initially, but then Tyson has proven time and time again how much I matter to him, has gone out of his way to make me feel not only comfortable, but free.
I turn slowly, the liquid darkness of his eyes trapping me like helpless prey caught by an apex predator.
Only I don’t have the slightest instinct to run and hide.
Those eyes intrigued me since our gaze first met that night back in San Francisco.
I was guarded, fearful of how unreadable they were with barely any emotion behind those bottomless orbs, making it downright impossible to distinguish his pupils from the irises.
Yet now being up close, I can clearly see the darker ring on the outside, the way they’re almost a warm shade of brown when the bright sunlight hits his sharp features.
They are eyes full of depth, full of things I have yet to discover and I’m not afraid to face those things, to face that darkness.
With Tyson’s gaze still locked on mine, they once more turn completely black, reminding me of how I called him my demon.
That was only this morning and yet it feels like a lifetime ago. Just a month has passed since he’s made me his despite it feeling like we’ve always been one.
Gradually, my previous life is starting to fade, overshadowed by Tyson’s care and control, retreating into the back of my mind like an unwanted memory.
Out of nowhere heavy rain breaks out, drenching both of us in a matter of seconds.
With a startled laugh, I tilt my head up towards the sky, letting the raindrops caress my skin.
The sensation completely new to me.
Taking my face between his hands, Tyson looks down at me with wonder as he covers my cold, wet cheeks with his warm palms, pressing his full lips to mine with so much passion it knocks the breath out of me.
The feeling of being utterly worshipped and conquered at the same time tears through me as we come back for more, sealing our lips to the point I think we’ll never part.
My hands that were resting on Tyson’s chest find their way up to his shoulders, circling his neck until my fingers are threaded through his lusciously thick hair, nearly ripping out the strands with the force of my need for him.
His hold on me is equally unrelenting, yet there’s something tender in the way he’s clutching me to him like a precious possession. His tongue sensually stroking mine, thoroughly exploring my mouth, staking his claim until all I can feel is him.
The man is everywhere and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Gasping for breath, I can’t tear my gaze away from Tyson’s swollen lips with raindrops running down his flushed face, dripping off the tip of his nose.
His deadly eyes burning like molten onyx.
The rain beats down on us ceaselessly, the wind getting increasingly more intense by the minute.
With our fingers intwined, we sprint towards the shelter of the nearby trees, running hand in hand with a lightness I’ve never felt before. Like nothing in the world could ruin this moment in time for us.
Finally, we come to a halt beneath an old pine, its thick branches offering some cover from the elements.
I’m still laughing from the run as Tyson presses me between the trunk and himself, rubbing his hands along my clammy arms to warm me up before wrapping me up in his strong, comforting embrace, his body shielding mine.
“You did so well today, little one.” He brushes back the wet hair plastered to my face, stroking along my rain covered cheekbones.
His soaked shirt sticks to his form like a second skin, letting me plainly see the intricate tattoos hiding under the drenched material that’s now nearly transparent.
Catching me stare at his defined torso yet again, Tyson peels off the piece of fabric before tucking it into his back pocket.
“Body heat.” He adds with a slight upward tilt at the corner of his mouth.
Crushing me into his naked chest, his hands wander all over my body, becoming more assertive, more demanding as he grabs a handful of my ass, kneading the soft flesh, pulling me flush against his throbbing erection.
I whimper at feeling his hardness, knowing I’m the cause of his arousal.
“Let me warm you up, baby.” The man rasps into my ear, voice brimming heavily with desire that makes my core throb.
The rain is thick enough that we’re in our own secluded bubble, forgetting about all that is around us. Every time Tyson touches me, he’s all I can feel.
He’s everywhere, making the rest of the world cease to exist.
One rough hand slides to my front, possessively cupping my pussy through the thin shorts. Winding my hips, I mewl in need at the raw lust reflected in Tyson’s eyes.
Kicking my legs apart, he wedges his thick thigh between mine, opening me up for him.
Before I can take the next breath, his fingers dip beneath my waistband, breaching my soaked panties without hesitation, dominating me with his touch alone.
I’m wet for him, trembling in anticipation ever since that all-consuming kiss by the cliff obliterated all my inhibitions.
Groaning at feeling my arousal, Tyson teases my opening before bringing it up to my aching bundle of nerves.
He rubs me expertly, brushing agonizingly slow circles over my sensitive flesh until I’m bucking into his hand, silently pleading for more.
“Ty… p-please...” I moan breathlessly, my nails sinking into his pecks for purchase.
“What do you need, baby?” The man circles my slick entrance, nibbling at my bottom lip that’s quivering with desperate need.
“M-more.”
“More what?” His jaw flexes visibly.
“J-just more…” I mewl, widening my thighs for him.
“I should make you spell it out.” He lightly bites my lip. “But you were such a good girl today.”
I moan into his mouth, the praise driving me into a frenzy, fueling the gleam in his obsidian eyes.
I’ll forever remember this look on him.
No one else gets to see him like this. Only me.
“You deserve a reward, baby girl.” With that Tyson trusts two fingers deep inside me, curling them in deliciously hard strokes, knowing precisely where I need him the most.
“Fuck, you’re taking it so well.” He grunts over the squelching sound as he finger fucks me roughly, rutting his own pelvis into mine with the same rhythm he’s plunging his thick fingers in and out of me, equally starved for release as I am.
“Ty!” I choke out, half sobbing and half screaming as my walls clench around his unrelenting thrusts. His palm bearing down on my swollen clit.
I’m gone. My release barreling through me, lost in the overwhelming amount of pleasure he so easily delivers.
Out in the open, crying out at the top of my lungs, my pussy spasms as I claw at his shoulders, coming apart in his arms with violent shudders.
I feel broken yet whole at the same time.
My legs trembling uncontrollably as Tyson holds my body up against his own, keeping me stuffed with his fingers, making little jolts of pleasure wreak through my core as I ride out my orgasm.
“You’re perfect, baby.” He breathes heavily.
Cradled in his arms, I feel utterly worshipped as Tyson gently kneads my hip, kissing my temple with tenderness.
The moment so wholesome nothing could shatter it.
When I go to kneel, wanting to return the favor, he tucks me firmly into the crook of his shoulder, ignoring his own needs.
“Later, little one. I need to be aware of our surroundings.” His lips meet my forehead once more. “Which you’re making incredibly fucking hard.”
With a content sigh, I rest my head against his solid chest as we watch the sky clear up. The first rays of sunshine bursting through the heavy clouds.
This is what freedom feels like.
What Tyson said about my feelings being valid, it hit home. For the first time in my life, I finally felt seen by someone and it’s such a foreign thing to me.
It’s hard to process that anyone, especially this seemingly heartless man, truly cares about me. That someone would make me a priority.
Yet in this moment, I believe it.
No one has seen me the way Tyson does, the real me that’s hurting even though I’ve done my best to suppress it. Something I’ve been doing ever since I can remember without even realizing it.
I never knew how much this truly impacted me.
Until Tyson.
My insecurities and self-imposed restraints have been rooted deep inside me, affecting my every decision.
No matter how small.
And although my former prison keeps haunting me, my captor just so happened to give me the means to free myself.
It’s not lost on me how ironic that is.
Despite the start of this hike being pure torture, I’m proud that I did this one thing for myself.
I did something hard, daring, and possibly dangerous. Well, definitely dangerous for my clumsy ass, just because I could.
Because of the freedom Tyson has granted me.
The shackles binding me to him don’t feel constricting but liberating. It’s hard to wrap my head around something so contradictory, yet it’s the truth.
How can someone who’s more or less holding me hostage be the one allowing me to spread my wings in ways that were unimaginable to me before.
It feels so incredibly good that I can’t tear myself away, sinking deeper into the addiction that Tyson Corso has become for me.
We make a slow descent, careful not to slip on the wet rocks after the quick rain shower, our clothes drying on us as we go.
My muscles ache with every step and I’m pretty sure that for the next few days, I’ll be wobbling around like a penguin from how sore I am.
That’s going to be attractive.
Tyson has an arm wrapped around my waist, supporting half of my weight with my tired feet stumbling along until we finally reach the ATV, just as darkness begins to settle over the woods.
It would have been breathtaking to watch the sunset from up there, but there was no way I’d make the hike down at night.
Maybe another time. Once I magically gain some stamina or take Tyson up on the offer of being his very own backpack.
Silently, we ride back in the dimming light. The man in front of me navigating his way to the cabin without a morsel of hesitation despite the nonexistent visibility.
That’s a feat I’ll never understand.
As soon as we’re back on the property with stars shining brightly above our heads, Tyson turns off the four-wheeler abruptly, discarding our helmets at our feet before he pounces on me.
Ripping off my tank top along with my bra, he mauls my breasts, marking them with his teeth, his hot mouth soothing the sharp bites.
I throw my head back with a moan, letting him ravage me while gazing up at the night sky.
“I’ve been thinking about fucking you bent over this bike all day long, baby.”
And he does just that.