Chapter 9 #2
"Sage," Nicholas warns, tongue running over his teeth as he watches me with quiet anger like he can read my mind. "It's either we're going together, or not at all."
I pace a few steps backward to keep my distance from him, slowly slipping off one of my heels.
"What are you doing?" he warns, trying to take a step towards me.
When I hold my hand up, he halts.
"Complying," I lie. "Since I'm out of options... I suppose... you'll have to fucking catch me first!"
I kick my second heel off, right into his chest, before I spin and bolt across the grass. Hoping to hell I don't step on something sharp since I can't see where I'm going in the dark.
I hear a groan when my shoe lands, but footsteps quickly follow and shit, they sound fast.
I whip my head around to check. He's gaining on me. Can I outrun him? I swear I used to be able to.
I pick up my pace, pushing my thighs to burn as I bare my teeth. I'm not un-athletic. I've spent my life locked up in a house with nothing much else to do but keep in shape. Feeling strong has been an imperative, especially after the incident which gave me my scars.
Unfortunately, though, it's the months of moping in my bed mourning my father that ultimately catch up to me and make me slow. That's... ironic.
Nicholas takes the opportunity and pounces. Running up alongside me, he finally slips in front of me and barely gives me time to halt as he stops dead. I slam into his solid chest, bouncing back and knocking myself onto my ass with the force.
"Nice," Nicholas admits, through his breathlessness.
I sit up on my elbows and lift my head in triumph.
"Now, you gonna show me where you were running off to? Or are we going back to the house?"
Wet, sticky grass clings to me when I stand, leaving stains across my dress. Great. I like this fucking dress. I don't deign to give him an answer as I turn back to the house.
I start to walk away from him again when he grabs my hips and pulls me close to him. "Don't," he snaps, palming my hips. "I'm not in the mood to chase you again."
I swat at his chest to get him to back off, but he bends and wraps his hands around my calves, hauling me up over his shoulder where I can do nothing but struggle.
"Put me down!" I seethe, my head bouncing and my ass exposed as he hauls us both back to the house.
"I can't trust you not to run," he says, breath not even labored by my weight on his shoulder.
I kick my legs, flailing as I aim for his groin, but he secures my legs with his other hand, tightening his hold. I feel a wet pinch on my thigh.
I gape. "Did you just bite me?!"
"Couldn't resist," Nicholas says. He slaps my butt and chuckles as I growl.
By the time we ascend the porch steps back to the house, I've given in to my fate. He's caught me. Was worth a try, though. I expect him to stop and put me down, but he doesn't. He keeps me pinned over his shoulder all the way up the steps and towards the door.
"At least let me down here," I struggle. Nic pushes through the back doors of the house and heads for the stairs.
"Not until you're back in your room."
He slams the door shut with his foot and continues hauling me up the stairs. I park my hands on Nic's butt so I can lift my head. Looking around, I spot Freddie watching us from the lounge. "Freddie, help!"
"Bloody hell." Freddie begins a howling laughter when he sees us. "Is that necessary?"
"Have you met her?" Nicholas growls.
Freddie wipes tears of laughter from his eyes and gives me a shrug that seems to say: fair enough. We go all the way to my bedroom, and Nic kicks that door open too, walking right up to the bed, where he throws me down onto the comforter.
I sit up on my elbows, glowering at him.
"Don't try to sneak out again, Sage." He leans over me on the bed, forcing me down, caging me in his arms though not settling his weight on me. "It's for your own safety. Plus, I'll catch you."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a promise."
A wicked smile spreads across my lips. "I sure hope so."
We watch each other for a moment, my breath holding as I wait for what he's going to do next. A confrontation like this one usually gets us all hot and bothered. We usually find ways to expend excess energy.
I run my hands up the sides of his ribs.
His eyes drop briefly to my lips, but he turns his head and clenches his jaw like he's in pain. He shudders, giving in, but only for a second. He takes my breast in his palm, squeezing tightly until I drop back in a moan.
When I open my eyes, he's backed off completely, and is standing over me with his arms folded. "I'm not gonna fuck you." The words grate out with a hard edge.
I open my mouth in incredible surprise. "Why the hell not?"
"You're engaged," he grits his teeth. "I'm respecting your fiancé."
He stalks towards the door. What the hell?
I scramble upward. "Respect my fiancé? Are you joking?"
He opens the door, but I rush ahead to slam it shut before he can leave. The only response I get is an annoyed stare, even though I can see the outline of his erection in his pants.
"Urghhh," I groan, throwing my head back. "Fine! I don't need you, anyway. I've got an eight -inch vibrator in that drawer." For effect, I point to the drawer in question and Nic's eyes follow. "And I won't be thinking about you while I'm coming all over it."
He visibly shudders as he pushes me aside, slamming the door to my room on his way out.
Asshole.
I slam the door a second time for good measure and cringe. Jesus, I really am pathetic.