Chapter 13
Catherine
I sensed him, the same tickling of current that electrified the air the moment he stepped into a room.
He was a dangerous presence, even more so while sitting in the dark. With the blinds partially open, the shimmer of the full moon provided a shadowed silhouette. He was stretched out in the plush chair, his long legs spread wide open, one arm casually draped over the armrest.
He was watching me sleep.
Waiting.
Hungering.
I could smell it on him as I did an entirely different scent than before.
Something fresher, a mere hint of citrus mixed with a ruddiness of an exotic wood.
He said nothing, the light rise and fall of his chest possibly indicating he’d fallen asleep while waiting for me to awaken. But I knew better.
The predator rarely slept, perhaps keeping a protective watch or maybe a further determination I wouldn’t escape. As if the guards posted outside the bedroom door and pacing the lawn below my window weren’t enough to keep me from disobeying him.
Hours had passed, the early twilight fading into an overwhelming blackness. As promised, he’d had bags of clothes brought to my room, food and drink to keep me nourished. The fruits and cheeses remained untouched, the water consumed, and the clothes strewn across the room in a fit of fury.
How dare he keep me prisoner. I’d paced the floor for hours, demonizing him in every way possible.
I’d made mental lists of the charges I could bring against him, almost idolizing the notoriety I’d receive when putting him behind bars.
I’d savored the thought of the years he’d spend in prison with no chance for parole.
Or redemption.
I’d also fallen prey to the feeling of emptiness exposing the ugly desire that refused to disappear. Without trying, he’d managed to awaken something deep and painfully twisted within me, sparking mental and emotional debate while longing for his touch.
And his rough kisses.
Every inch of me was sore, especially between my legs. Nothing about him was gentle, but that only increased the craving that had kept me from focusing. At some point, I’d need to bargain my way out of this mess. But I doubted he would let me go before the weekend was up.
Maybe I wasn’t fighting hard enough because I just didn’t want him to.
I’d questioned what kind of woman craved a dominant criminal instead of any of the nice but boring law-abiding men I worked with. I’d had one or two ask me out for coffee or a drink. I’d politely refused after realizing their entire lives were all about impressing someone.
The boss.
A family member.
Maybe an old girlfriend.
They rarely did anything spontaneous and almost never had an opinion that didn’t speak the office party lines.
Maybe that’s why until a few hours before, I hadn’t gotten laid in over two years.
I’d told myself it was so I could sink every available hour into my career so that in a few years, I could purchase a nice little house in the suburbs. I’d been lying to myself.
Yet the quiet fib had grown old over the last few months.
Now he was here, taking up space in a beautiful room that seemed nothing like him. The luxury was evident in everything from the furniture to the soft bedding, yet nothing seemed as if he’d made the selections.
Even in his silence, his presence was overwhelming. Perhaps if I remained quiet, he’d find himself growing bored and would leave me alone.
After Alexander had left and the few hours of pacing, I’d finally convinced myself I could shut down my feelings for him.
But here he was wearing a provocative scent, owning the chair and the room without uttering a single word.
Just as he’d done with everything else, including me.
The convictions I’d grabbed, locking behind plates of armor were suddenly in threat of being tossed aside as another wave of lust formed explosive heat between my legs.
He pulled his hand to his face and I realized his long fingers were wrapped around a drink.
Why did I have a feeling I was right that he never slept, maybe rarely ate, and could consume alcohol for hours without being affected?
This felt like a game and one he was willing to wait for to continue playing.
I refused to play by his rules.
As I turned over, doing everything I could to avoid another confrontation, the stiff cotton of the shirt I was wearing brushed against my aching backside. Every time I moved, I was reminded of the harsh spanking, which was a clear indication of what he had in store for me.
Punishment whenever necessary.
The thought was both revolting and alarmingly sensual.
My thoughts drifted to the reminder I was still wearing his shirt. Even after spending nearly an hour in the shower, scrubbing the sinful act and the lingering scent of him off my skin, I’d chosen to slide into his shirt once again, craving the smell of him.
I almost laughed, the sound announcing I was awake.
His shirt. He’d had his sister purchase several outfits from beautiful and very expensive dresses to different yet equally as sophisticated casual clothes.
He’d also instructed her to provide lingerie.
Silk and lace bras, matching thongs, and the loveliest baby doll nighties I’d ever seen.
Not only was it strange that his sister had done the shopping for an unknown guest in her brother’s house, but also that he’d spent a small fortune on the selection.
And why? Because he’d ripped my skirt and blouse, tearing away my panties as if the slight hindrance was no longer acceptable? Maybe. Right now, the answers swimming in my mind weren’t acceptable.
The seconds ticked by becoming minutes, the electricity in the room now crackling through the heated air. When he finally chuckled in the deep, husky sound that I’d wanted to hate, I cringed deep inside.
Not from disgust, other than for myself, but from the tingles skimming down every inch of my naked skin from the sound alone.
“I know you’re awake, sweet Catherine.”
“I’m not awake. I’m in a nightmare, but I’ll hunt and kill the horrible monster before he feasts on another victim.” Sparring with him was easy. The words came naturally. Unfortunately, I sensed they’d turned him on. The room pulsed with a silent craving that soon wouldn’t be capable of denying.
“Are you managing to pierce the heart of the bastard chasing you?”
“Since he doesn’t have a heart, I’m finding other more useful ways of utilizing my blade.”
His laugh was full of amusement. The sound continued to reverberate through every nerve and muscle.
“You can see I’m just fine and was unable to escape.”
“Does that mean you tried?” he asked, the amused tone continuing.
“Would it matter if I had?”
Every sigh, every murmur was pointed. “Yes, it would. I can’t have something so precious fly away from me. If necessary, I’d need to put the little creature in a cage and I’d hate to clip her wings. But often life necessitates doing things we’d prefer not doing.”
There always seemed to be a hidden meaning in everything he said.
I found myself tensing and when he remained silent, I shifted closer to the nightstand, flicking on the light.
My reactions were spontaneous. Even though I was wearing his shirt, I pulled the covers up to my neck before rolling over so I could face him.
His nostrils flared as he peered at me, the thick cords in his neck drawing my full attention.
Something was different about him. Not only because he’d taken a shower, his dark hair damp and slicked back.
The generous shadow of stubble grazing his chiseled jaw was more pronounced, the roughness complementary to the pitch-black appearance of his eyes.
As I shifted onto my bent arm, I was better able to see his posture and his change of attire. Wearing a dark tee shirt and black jeans, the material of the shirt provided a clear definition of his carved abdomen.
“Except I’m not a creature you can own just because that’s what you want.”
Another slight chuckle brushed across the rim of his glass as he brought the crystal to his lips. “I think you already know better by now.”
The world and everything in it had become his personal playground. I’d had enough of toying with him, the charade of doing so completely unlike me. The argument would be the same and would end the same and he’d yet to provide me with any evidence he was innocent.
Tossing back the covers, I swung my legs off the bed, immediately standing.
While I was forced to walk by him to get to the door, there was enough space he couldn’t reach me.
“We’re on a never-ending cycle, Alexander.
You basically told me I would help prove your innocence, but you left for the evening, locking me away.
That certainly doesn’t provide me with any incentive to work on your behalf.
I need to get dressed and you will take me home.
Or I’ll catch an Uber. It’s up to you. This will end, this toxic thing that we have going on. ”
The lateness of the night didn’t diminish his strength or his speed. He barely leaned forward, grabbing my arm and yanking me into his lap so I was forced to straddle him. As soon as he did, I shuddered from the heated touch of his hand and the sheer hunger in his gaze.
There was no denying he unnerved me, especially when I felt the hard push of the thick bulge between his legs. I pressed one hand against his chest, doing what I could to create a slight barrier between us.
He merely looked down at my hand, the amusement lingering.
“It’s the middle of the night, my angel. There is little that can be done at two in the morning. Tonight, we play.” The way his lips twisted in amusement, while once an irritant, was now a powerful allure.
“No, Alexander. I’m finished with playing with you. You locked me away for hours without telling me anything. You act as if you own me when you don’t. I barely know you and you certainly don’t know me.”
“I know enough.”