I was lost in my thoughts as I kneaded the bread dough for the evening’s supper. I still had found it shocking that this was something I had actually learned how to do. Vivian had been insistent that I knew how to cook from scratch. A good wife knows the way to her husband’s heart is through his stomach, was her lecture as I begrudgingly learned how to follow recipes. Since being kidnapped and forced to be trained as Pope’s wife, I had cooked, cleaned, learned the ways of proper etiquette, groomed, sewed, massaged Pope’s feet, submitting and serving him in every way as Vivian constantly told me an old-fashioned bride would be expected to do. I was so exhausted I could barely see straight at the end of each day.

Thinking of Pope as I manipulated the dough, I wondered what would eventually happen. How long could this all go on? This game had to be wearing on him just as much as it was for me. I had never worked so hard in my life, so by the time sunset fell, I could barely keep my eyes open long enough to undress and collapse into bed. Fantasies were replaced with chores, and sexual need substituted with exhaustion. But that was only allowed after I gave Pope his evening’s blow job. Every single night, Vivian forced me to suck him off.

Every single night.

Even Pope seemed to grow tired of the forced act.

I paused a moment and brushed a blonde ringlet from my forehead with the back of my flour-encrusted hand. I rolled my shoulders up and down a few times, in an attempt to loosen my aching muscles.

“Vivian is nearly working you to death.”

I jumped at the sound of Pope’s voice. Turning my head, I saw he’d come into the kitchen. His jeans were dirty, and his sweat stained shirt clung to his chest. His baseball cap rested low on his head just enough to shield the depths of his eyes. Even filthy, he exuded sex appeal. Vivian had had him busy planting rose bushes along the side of the house. She wanted a floral paradise on the property for the wedding to take place. It was all the woman could talk about at meals. How lovely the grounds would be for our nuptials.

“So much to learn to be that dutiful wife of yours.” I turned my attention back to my bread making, realizing that my comment had come out entirely snarkier than I had intended. I was just so fucking tired.

Pope walked up to me, placing both of his hands on each side of my shoulders and began to give a gentle massage. “I know how tired you are.” He continued to massage as he spoke, causing me to close my eyes and relish the delightful feeling. “I know I haven’t told you, but Maria is lucky to have a friend in you. If she knew what you were doing for her and her baby. What you were sacrificing for their safety.”

I turned and faced him, my eyes meeting his. I wanted to melt into his body. His touch. His words. Everything.

Pope took a deep breath and a large step backwards. “I want to take you somewhere.”

“What? What about supper and Vivian?”

“Vivian went to take a nap. All her bossing you around has worn her out, and I decided to surprise you with a picnic supper. It’s the least I can do to thank you for all your hard work and your shocking ability to deal with this bullshit we call our life.”

I stood in disbelief. “A surprise?” I couldn’t believe he had taken the time to plan it all out. “Now?”

He smirked. “Come on. Let’s go.”

We walked quite a distance in silence, his arm wrapped around me, and after a while, I began to feel the muscles in my body ease. My breathing calmed, and my heart seemed to beat regularly again. Every time I adjusted my body, Pope would squeeze tighter, enveloping me in his security and safety. I could feel his breath against my neck, feel his body heat against my side. The sense of being protected, guarded and cared for, replaced any thoughts of fear.

“Over there.” Pope pointed. “There’s a natural hot spring I thought would be perfect to help ease your tired muscles. The Sierras are full of them. You just need to know where to look.”

I turned my head so I could look up into his smoldering brown eyes. “A hot spring? That sounds amazing. I’ve heard of them, but never have seen or been in one. Are they really hot?”

Pope placed the palm of his hand on my lower back and walked me to the steaming water. “Some are, but this one is the perfect temperature. Go ahead and get in. I’ll set up our picnic.” With a twinkle in his eye, Pope smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t peek.”

“Wait. You aren’t going to join me?”

“Well, since we don’t have suits, I thought I would give you your privacy and let you have it to yourself.”

I reached for his hand. “I would like you to come in with me. If you don’t mind.” I winked and, with a mischievous smile, began to take off my clothes. “It’s not like you haven’t seen me naked before.” I stripped all the way nude, not caring what he saw, and ran towards the water. “Come on!”

“Woman! You really never cease to amaze me.” Pope removed his clothes as quickly as he could, following close behind me.

I slowly eased my way into the hot water, almost moaning in delight as the sultry liquid covered my body. I closed my eyes for only a split second, not wanting to miss the full view of the unclothed man before me. I had seen him before, but this time was different. Vivian wasn’t watching as well. We were alone. Private.

Being able to take my time and look at him without the madness of video cameras hidden about, Pope’s body did not disappoint. Muscled, lean, and mouthwatering, the man took my breath away. He exuded power as he made his way to the water, reminding me of a Greek God.

“Aww, this is exactly what my body needed,” he said with a sigh as he lowered himself in.

I tried to conceal my smile. I couldn’t help but have images of what my body really wanted and needed from Pope.

He looked at me with an eyebrow raised and asked, “What are you over there smiling about?”

I just smiled more and shrugged in response.

He ran his wet hand through his black hair, slicking it back. “I think we’re going to have to make a habit of this. Make this our special spot so we can escape crazy town for a little bit.” Pope moved his body closer to mine, our legs barely touching. “I know things have been really tough on you. The things that have been asked, the sick game you have to play. I’m sorry. I wish I could fucking fix this.”

“I know. But there’s no way to fix it. We just have to wait until Vivian is satisfied with my wifely skills, or she—”

“Dies?”

I looked at him, and my heart sunk. “I’m sorry for thinking that.”

“It’s the truth. The only way this all is going to end is if Parkinson’s and all the other health issues finally put my mother out of her misery.”

“Do you think Vivian will die too? Didn’t you say that Vivian isn’t sick?” I rubbed my wet hands across my face as if I could wash away the dark confusion. “I don’t understand the split personality thing. I mean… I do. But I also don’t at the same time. It’s confusing as fuck.”

Pope positioned my body so he could move up behind me as he began to massage my neck and shoulders. His fingers were hard but gentle at the same time. The rubbing turned my body to jelly. “I don’t have the answers,” he said softly. “There was never the perfect answer or an explanation to what was going on in my mother’s mind.”

“How long do you think we are going to be here?”

Pope stopped massaging, his hands still resting on my shoulders. “That’s completely up to you. If you want to leave right now, I’ll get the plane ready. I hope you know that. But we also both know that Maria could be in danger if you do. I hate having this hanging over us, but I have no fucking clue how sick and demented this Richard guy truly is.”

“He’s sick enough to have slashed Maria’s tires. I saw proof of that.”

“And he helped kidnap you, so I think it’s fair to say he’s pretty fucked up,” Pope added.

“I don’t want to leave.” I lifted my shoulders up and down, silently hinting for Pope to continue the massage. “Aside from your mother and all her crazy training tasks, this place isn’t all too bad. It really is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. And my life was pretty shitty back home, so it’s not like I’m missing anything. And you are…” I swallowed hard, realizing I was about to open up to him a little too much.

“I’m what?” he asked as he continued to massage my shoulders and upper back.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess… well, I wouldn’t have been able to get through these last couple of days without you. Your mother has had me do some pretty awful things, that shouldn’t be awful normally. I mean, it’s different when you are forced to give a blow job or something, rather than wanting to. You know?”

Pope chuckled. “Yeah, I know. It’s different for me too.”

I looked over my shoulder at him, causing him to stop the massage. “You’re so concerned about me, and to be honest, I’ve been so concerned about me, that I haven’t stopped and thought about how this all could be affecting you. There are times I’m essentially raping you. Your mother is making me rape you.”

His eyes locked with mine, and I could see sadness within them. “Yes, I guess so. But it’s different for me.”

“How so? It’s still against your will. Even though you have to pretend that it’s not. It’s still wrong.”

“What if I told you that it’s not against my will? Would that make me just as much of a monster as my fucking mother? What if I told you that the minute I saw you that first night, kneeling between my legs, I was a goner. You captured my fucking soul. I just… I’m attracted to you in ways than I can’t even explain, and as much as our situation is fucked up beyond belief, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

I looked down at my pruning hands, not being able to handle the intensity in Pope’s eyes any longer. “I…” I took a deep breath, preparing for my confession. “It’s not all against my will either. I mean, I don’t like the fact that your mother is ordering it, or that I know she is watching, but when I’m doing the actual act, it’s not all against my will.” I positioned my body so that I could look at him straight on. “But then, I think I’m just as messed up in the head as your mother is.”

“When I’m around you, sex is damn near the only thing I can think about. I want you, I hunger for you like I’ve never done with any woman before.” His smoldering eyes locked with mine. “I want to respect you,” he said softly. “After everything you have been through, I want to give you that. But I also want to just take what I want.”

“What you want?”

“I want you. I want to fucking take it. Stop playing the nice guy. I’m sick of playing. I’m sick of games. I’m sick of it all. I just want to do what my body demands.”

I smiled as my heart did flips. “Tell me… these demands you speak of.” I moved forward so I was inches from his face. “Show me. I’m sick of the fucking games too.”

I gasped as Pope’s mouth crushed down over mine. I clung to his shoulders, pulling him closer. Opening my mouth to the smooth feel of his tongue, I ached to feel him deep inside me. The feeling was so familiar, but this time the ache would be quenched even if it meant me taking what I wanted.

A shudder rippled through me as his hand gently caressed my breast. Pope continued to ravish my mouth as his hands explored every part of my wet and exposed chest. I moaned as a hot surge of hunger rushed through my throbbing pussy. I ran my hands across the hard plane of his muscled torso, all while his fingers continued to stroke my nipples, giving attention to both equally.

Pulling me closer than I thought possible, the hot water splashing between us, Pope groaned, “God, I want you. I fucking need you.” Placing hot, wet kisses along my collarbone, he whispered, “I’ve wanted you since the day I first saw you. There was something unique. You were strong, yet broken at the same time. Something about you that was unexplainable. I think your darkness sparked something deep inside of me.”

I clung to him, gasping for air. The heat of the water, the fervor between us, was almost too much intensity for my fragile mind. I still felt as if I was balanced precariously on the tightrope that hung over the deep cesspool of madness. My mind spun, but my body pulsated.

“I’m taking you right here, right now. I can’t fight this any longer. I need to make you mine.”

I looked into his blazing eyes and nodded. “Yes… yes. I don’t want you to stop.”

In an instant, I found myself lying beneath Pope on the soft grass surrounding the spring. He kissed his way down my body inch by inch, until his lips made contact with my yearning pussy. I arched my back as he eased my legs further apart. Little by little, Pope began to place soft kisses along the inside of my thigh, gradually making his way to his ultimate target. I tensed as his tongue flicked the sensitive bud that controlled my inner harlot, causing me to moan in pleasure.

A wavering burst of fervency slid into my stomach. Pope continued to suck and lick, pleasuring my very core as he used his roughened fingers to part the folds of my sex, heightening my bliss, bringing me closer to complete ecstasy.

I tensed. Unsure of letting go completely, I tried to fight the wave of passion that my entire being threatened to succumb to. Having him in such an intimate position battled against my insecurities.

Pope continued to circle his tongue along the outer edges of my pussy as if he had a craving that couldn’t be quenched. With a thrust of his finger deep within my heat, he whispered, “It’s okay. Let go. You’re safe with me. Trust me. Let all that darkness go.”

His soothing words, mixed with his sensual ministrations brought me over the edge. Light flashed, heat conquered, and hunger satisfied, I could do nothing but release a heavy gasp.

Regaining some control, and with greedy need, I reached out and wrapped my hand around his swollen shaft. Thick and heavy with his arousal, I guided him to my parted legs. Pope grabbed my hips and held me immobile before he thrust his hard cock deep within me. A rush of pleasure ripped through me with a force that took my breath away. Pope groaned as he pulled out almost all the way, just to thrust his hardness back into my tight pussy, as if desperately wanting more.

I gasped at the suddenness of his submersion, even as my body hungered for more. My head fell back as I closed my eyes and reveled in the sensation of lust pulsing through my core. I moaned loudly as my body drove upward to meet his pace, driving his cock even deeper within.

His body felt strong and good so close to mine. I arched my back when Pope slipped a finger to my clit and began to circle, increasing the pressure in my pussy.

“God, Demi. You are the most beautiful, sexual, and passionate woman I’ve ever experienced,” Pope growled as he lowered his mouth to the crevice of my neck and softly nibbled.

His body felt hot against mine, contrasting with the cool breeze against my bare flesh. Another moan escaped my lips as Pope thrust into me hard, again and again, harder and harder, bringing me closer and closer to ecstasy. The building pressure threatened to overflow at any second.

Lifting my legs, Pope wrapped them around his waist. He plunged in and out, going deeper with each pounding motion. Setting up a rhythm, Pope rocked me to an orgasm like nothing I had ever experienced. I cried out his name as heavenly bliss poured through my shattered soul. Pope stared into my eyes as the climax rocked my body, never letting up until he was sure I was fully satisfied. With one more hungry kiss, his muscles tightened, and his breathing became ragged. He moaned deep as he followed me to release.

* * *

It seemed like hours had passed as we laid entangled in each other’s arm, luxuriating in the late afternoon sun. Pope ran his fingers through my hair, occasionally giving soft and alluring kisses everywhere his hand grazed. I rested my head on his shoulder, rubbing my fingertips along his bare chest. Without another moment’s pause, I kissed him, hungry for him once again.

Pope rolled me onto my back with his weight pressed up against me. “If I knew being with you was going to be like this, I would’ve made you mine a long time ago,” he murmured against the kiss.

“I need you. I want you.” I kissed him again, hard and demanding.

I wanted him in every way. Having sex with Pope only sealed the deal. I didn’t ever want this moment to end.

I love you, Pope. The words stayed trapped in my throat, locked tightly in my mind. So close to declaring my feelings, but afraid of the true power those words could release. I wasn’t afraid of telling them to Pope, but rather what would happen if my demons heard me say them. Demi Wayne was not allowed to love. The devil in my soul dictated that as so. A broken girl cannot love. A shattered soul is incapable. I knew this. I absolutely knew this.

Pope paused, studied me for a few long moments, then shifted his weight on his side. “Where did you just go? Something changed just now.”

I shrugged. “Nothing really.” No way would I confess that I’d been about to proclaim my love, but then realized I was entirely too messed up to do so. “I’m just taking this all in, I guess.”

He tucked me close, caressing my stomach. “There’s a lot to take in lately. The kidnapping, the craziness of my mother, the threats against your friend and her baby, the fact that Vivian actually believes we will be married, and then you and me.”

I snuggled closer, playing lightly with his chest hair. “You and me?”

“I’m not the man for you. My life is so fucked up, that there is no way I can pull you into my hell.”

“My life was already hell even before I met you.”

“Not like this, and you know it.”

I sighed. “My mother always used to sing this nursery rhyme.

Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water.

Jack fell down and broke his crown,

And Jill came tumbling after.

She used to tell me to find my Jack. That when I find the man I am meant to spend the rest of my life with, I will be willing to tumble down with him.” I closed my eyes, trying to block the sound of my mother’s voice as it was too painful to remember. “She’s right. And with you, I’m prepared to climb that hill and tumble down with you. Broken crown and all.”

“Even if my darkness swallows you up?” he asked.

With a nod and smile, I managed to roll Pope onto his back so I could trace a hungry trail down his body. I kissed, I licked, I tasted my way down to his hardened shaft. I moved my way lower and lower until the tip of my tongue touched the tip of his cock.

With his hips rising to meet my seduction, he moaned, “Put your mouth around me.”

I followed his command—not Vivian’s—and took his hardness deep within. I wanted this. I wanted to do this with no cameras, no orders, no one watching to see if I sucked him off like a dutiful wife would do. I wanted to do this for Pope. For us.

By doing so, I was able to reclaim the control that I’d had stolen from me. I was doing this by my free will. I had the power—not Vivian.

Swirling my tongue in small circles, I relaxed the back of my throat to allow his size to be engulfed completely. His gasp, his shudder and the way his hands grabbed at my hair, only drove my need to please even higher. I worked my lips up the base, then drove them back down in a rhythmic motion. I drove myself to meet his demands. Tightening my lips, and licking lightly, I worked his cock, intensifying his pleasure. Slowly up, then plunging back down, I worked until his control snapped. His breath hitched and his moan reverberated through his entire body as he climaxed in my mouth.

The moment ebbed, satisfaction blanketing us both. Pope pulled me in close as I wrapped my arms around him and clung tight. I was his. I would always be his.