Chapter 4
four
Jenna
This can’t really be happening, can it?
How did I end up strung up like a Thanksgiving turkey over the shoulder of a sexy mountain man?
I should be more afraid of him gagging me, tying me up, and carrying me through the forest than I am.
He doesn’t seem like the serial-killer type, but that’s probably what every serial killer wants you to believe.
I decide to save my energy for when we reach our destination, and he unties me—if he unties me.
I relax my body over his and plan my escape.
“We’re here. Home sweet home.” The sound of his boots on the wooden planks of the stairs leading to his home pulls me from my daydream of tying him up and exacting revenge for how he treated me.
It vanishes as he begins to slide my body down his.
A shiver runs through me at the intimate contact, making me forget my original plan to seek revenge.
“If you promise not to run or scream, I’ll take the gag out of your mouth and untie you.
” He places two fingers under my chin and tips my head up until our eyes meet.
Damned if I’m not lost in their crystal-blue depths again.
This man needs to come with a warning label.
Slowly, I blink, trying to shake off this strange ache he’s causing in my body, and nod, already planning my next move.
He holds my gaze for a few moments longer, as if deciding whether he can trust me.
He must see something, because within seconds, the silk pocket square is gently pulled from my mouth, and my hands are untied.
He slips the tie into his pocket, then pulls out a key. While he’s distracted, unlocking his front door, I stomp on the inside of his foot, taking him by surprise and making him stumble backward.
“Shit.” He curses, trying to regain his balance.
I take off running back toward the woods, but I don’t make it very far before a large, muscular arm clamps around my waist, swinging me back into his arms and over his shoulder again.
“Put me down!” I yell, frantically trying to wiggle out of his embrace, only to work the bottom of my skirt up and over my hips, exposing my butt to the wild animals in the woods and to one sexy mountain man.
“Fuck,” he says. His hand caresses my bare bottom.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” His hand lands a little harder on my bare skin this time.
“I’m hot and tired from carrying a little spitfire through the woods.
I need a shower and some food, then we can talk about why you were trying to stop the wedding.
” He pushes the front door open, bypasses the living room, and walks down the hallway to what I assume is his bedroom.
By the size of the cabin, I would guess this is the only bedroom.
Shoot. With his big, warm hand on my bare bottom, I completely forgot about my sister and the wedding. “You have to let me go. I need to stop the wedding.”
He shifts his weight gently, laying me on his bed, my wrists locked in his grasp. “Sweetheart, that wedding is already over by now. There’s nothing to stop. They're legally married.”
“My name is Jenna, not sweetheart,” I growl, trying to jerk my wrists free. “Then I’ll help her get an annulment.” I glare at my captor.
“Alright, Jenna, not sweetheart.” He gives me a smile that makes my stomach feel like butterflies are dancing around in it.
“I’m going to tie you to my bedpost and take a shower.
After I’m done, you can take a shower, then you can tell me all about why the marriage should be annulled.
” Before his words sink in, he’s already tied my right wrist to the headboard with his tie and is reaching for a discarded necktie on his bed to tie my other wrist.
What mountain man has two neckties lying around his house?
As if reading my mind, he gives me another sexy grin. “I couldn’t decide which tie to wear to the wedding. Lucky for you, they are silk, so they won’t chafe your wrists.”
“So thoughtful.” I scowl, tugging at the restraints on my wrists, making the headboard shake.
“Now, be a good girl while I take a shower.” He turns, leaving me tied to his bed as he walks toward the bathroom.
Hating my body's reaction to him calling me a good girl, I call after him, “You never told me your name.”
He stops midstride and turns only his head to face me, “Dash.”