The double height floor-to-ceiling window frames an uninterrupted view of the lake, and as far as the eye can see, it’s just breath-taking. The thick lush forest edges the crystal green lake that sparkles like emeralds as the sun dances over the rippling waves. The sky is clear save for a few fluffy balls of cotton, and it’s so quiet all I can hear is the happy beat of my heart.
“You like it?” he asks, but the pride beaming from his expression makes me think he has no doubt of the answer.
“Duh!”
“I knew there was a reason you’re top of your class, so articulate,” he teases but steps slightly out of range, just in case I’m inclined to wipe that smirk from his face.
“Funny guy.” I rush him, and he switches in an instant from braced to waiting, as I jump into his arms. “Joel, it’s amazing. I don’t know how you’d ever want to leave this place. It’s so beautiful.”
“I didn’t come here for a long time. It was my grandfather’s place, and he left it to me when he died. It caused a bit of an issue with my family, and honestly, I was just too sad to come back. I used to spend all my summers here growing up, and it didn’t feel the same coming here when he wasn’t.”
“You were close with him?”
“He pretty much brought me up. My father died when I was very young, and when my mother remarried, my grandfather didn’t like her new husband, Bradford. He made it a condition of my inheritance that he, my grandfather, that is, was my primary guardian. There were other conditions, but this was the main one, and I didn’t mind. I wasn’t so much interested in the money, and Mother was never very hands-on. I just wanted to be with him as much as I could. He was so cool; he taught me all the things he taught my father, and in some ways, it made me feel close to him.”
“That must’ve been nice.” It’s an effort to pull even the smallest smile. I’m not jealous, yet I can’t help feeling the chasm between our upbringings.
“It was. I had the best childhood. I’m sorry, babe, not a very cheery subject.” He kisses the end of my nose, and I shrug off the dark cloud before it settles.
“No, it’s fine. I like to hear about you growing up, and it’s hardly your fault my dad did a runner.” I sniff, derision thick in my dismissive quip. I unhook my ankles and my legs find the floor. He keeps a firm hold of my hips and looks intently into my eyes before he speaks.
“This is what I was talking about, Regan. Unplanned pregnancy is just irresponsible. It ruins lives, and it’s so unnecessary.”
“My life wasn’t ruined, Joel. I didn’t know any different.” I swipe my hands down the side of my body, severing his contact.
“I didn’t mean that, Reggie,” His tone softens the harsh truth coming from his mouth. “But it did ruin your mom’s life, and she never forgave him and blamed every other man that came into her life. She lived a lonely life, your words, babe, and she took it out on you and your sister. I highly doubt she was unique in this, so please don’t tell me unplanned pregnancies don’t ruin lives, because you are never going to convince me otherwise.”
“You don’t want a baby; I get it. Loud and clear.” I choke back the lump in my throat and fight the sudden spring of tears behind my lids.
“Good, and I’m not saying ever.” He closed the gap I had started to create and wraps me once more in his strong embrace. I can’t even counter his argument because a huge part of me knows it’s true. I soak up the comfort engulfing me and do my best to ignore my own truth, for this weekend at least. I’ll make my decision on Monday.
Joel speaks, interrupting my poor attempt at denial. “I’m just saying not now. Actually, I have to have children one day, another condition of my inheritance. I’m even supposed to make a deposit of my little soldiers just in case.” He cups himself and my jaw nearly hits the floor.
“What?” He laughs, nodding as he explains.
“When my father was killed, my grandfather really worried that the Lincoln Prescott name would end with me. He was adamant that wouldn’t happen. He took precautions.”
“Precautions?”
“Yeah, if something happens to me. If I get sick or—I don’t know—I couldn’t have kids for some reason, he wanted there to be a back-up plan in place to keep the bloodline going. It’s pretty crazy, but he was old.”
“Rich people are weird.” I shake my head in disbelief.
“We prefer eccentric.”
“Eccentric as a loon.” I snort.
“So you like it?” He twists me in his arms so my back is to his front, and he’s resting his chin on my head, arms wrapped tight around me, and we are both looking out across the lake.
“I grew up in the countryside, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a place so green, so alive, and still unbelievably peaceful. There’s not a sound.”
“Trust me, that is about to change.” The deep, husky tone makes the tiny hairs on my neck spark to life, and my insides quiver. He lifts me effortlessly into his arms and carries me across the room and lays me reverently on the impossibly deep and luxurious comforter. He covers my body with his, and sweeps his hand from my brow, gently down my cheek and continues the length of my body, as if he’s checking every inch. His eyes search mine, and I feel my throat dry and the space between my legs melt.
I know this game. He’s making sure I feel treasured, cherished, and adored. It’s not just important to him; it’s crucial to us both that we understand the position we are starting from, that we are on the same page before we begin. I tingle from tip to toe with excited anticipation whilst checking my sanity at the same time. I’m such a freak. I never believed I was this person, but maybe I’m only this person because I’m with him.
“Are you ready to play, angel?” His mouth curls in a nefarious smile that would not look out of place on the devil himself.
“Yes.” I am basking in the glare of dangerous desire that Joel is levelling on me. I have to bite back a playful grin by dragging my bottom lip through my teeth.
“Do you trust me?” he asks.
I reply without hesitation. “Yes.” With my life.
“Safe word?”
“Banana hammock,” I respond with a serious expression, which I hold right up until he smirks and chuckles.
“That will make me laugh.” he taps my nose.
“Which will also work as a safe word then. I can’t see you carrying on if you’re laughing.”
“True.” He rolls off of me and rests his head on his hand; his long lean body stretches almost to the foot of this enormous bed. I’m tempted to jump him now, he looks so damn good. If I didn’t know how unbelievably amazing he makes me feel when we play like this, I would, but since we don’t do this often, I’m going to resist.
“You have one minute.” He looks at his watch.
“And I can go anywhere?” I ask
“Fifty seconds,”
“Nothing’s off limits I mean? I can go outside?” I ask quickly, not really taking in that the countdown has started. Surely there are some caveats, rules—
“Forty.”
“Fuck, Joel” I leap off of the bed and sprint from the bedroom to the echo of his deep throaty laugh. My heart is already set to explode, it’s beating so fast. I race along the landing and down the stairs; my tight grip on the rail prevents me falling, as my feet slip with the speed I’m taking the last few steps. I steady myself, looking left and right, trying to remember the layout of this cavernous cabin from the whirlwind tour Joel gave me.
I need to hide.
I slip my sneakers off and move barefoot as I silently scurry deeper into the house. There is a vast split-level lounge with several doors, and I pick one. It leads to a long dark corridor that illuminates with my first step. I freeze when I hear heavy footsteps above me. Fear mixes with erotic fantasies and drives me forward. Adrenaline saturates my veins and pumps my heart until it beats so loudly, I swear it’s like a siren call to Joel.
He’s coming for me.
I silently open the door at the end of the corridor and enter what looks like a second smaller lounge with sunken sofas, a large flat screen TV and a wall of built-in cupboards. I race along the wall, pulling at handles until I find one that is just my size. I rush back to the door and flick the light switch off. My eyes take a moment to adjust to the sudden complete darkness; however, approaching footsteps make me lurch forward and hurriedly feel my way to the cupboard door I had left open. I climb inside and close the door quietly behind me just as I hear the click of the room door handle.
I imagine the sound of Joel’s deep, heaving breaths, since the blood rushing in my ears is deafening, and it’s all I can hear. I hope the thumping in my chest and my own shallow panting isn’t going to give me away. A fine line of bright light illuminates the outline of the door to the cupboard I am currently crammed into. I can feel my chest tighten and have to use a meditation technique to calm my rocketing pulse; slow, silent breaths in and out of my nose focus my mind and instantly ease the panic. I’m not great with small spaces, and I have to challenge the wisdom of picking this as a hiding spot when there’s a whole damn wilderness just outside the front door.
The silence is broken with the sound of his slow steps into the room. He hums absently, and I can just picture his narrow eyes taking in the room for any sign of disturbance. He walks past me and my breath freezes in my lungs, even my heart stops beating as a million terrified tingles dance the surface of my skin. I count his steps until they become faint and then stop. The door opens, darkness falls, and I exhale at the final suction sound of the door sealing shut. I don’t move. I’ve seen the movies and screamed at the screen for the heroine to just stay hidden. I leave it a good ten minutes before I tentatively push the door open and climb out of the cupboard. I feel my way along the units until I get to the wall, and when I recognise the light switch, I flick it on.
“Ahhh!” My lungs burn with the scream that rips from me at an ear piercing volume. Joel is right there, his back against the door preventing my escape, and before I can draw in another breath and scream again, his hand covers my mouth, and he slams his full weight against me, pinning me up against the wall.
It’s on.
I grunt against his palm, and my hands fly to his arm, trying to pull it away from my face. His eyes shine with a dark desire I know matches my own. I can feel every inch of his hard body against mine, and I yearn for his touch…his rough and painful touch. I struggle against his ironclad grip. His body feels like an impenetrable wall of muscle. My strength is no match, and I don’t really want to kick him in the balls or gouge his eyes out, which I wouldn’t hesitate to do if this was a real attack; however, I also don’t want to make it too easy. I let my body go heavy, limp, and like liquid, I pool to the floor, slipping through his grip. I’m quick and dart across the floor, using the sofas as a natural separator.
“You scared the crap out of me.” I bounce on my toes as he smiles and stalks toward me, stepping with determination around the sofa. I retreat step for step keeping the distance. It’s not enough; I need to get to the door.
“I know,” he says and fake lurches forward, making me nearly jump out of my skin. Asshole.
“How did you know I was hiding in here? I didn’t make a sound.” I glance toward the door, and he arches a comical brow and waves his arm in that direction as if offering an open invitation for me to make that move. I don’t bite.
“I could smell you,” he replies, drawing a deep and heady breath that makes his chest rumble with pleasure. He briefly closes his eyes, and despite that being the perfect opportunity to make my escape, I find I am captivated by his aura. When he opens his eyes, he fixes on me like there is not another soul on the planet, and I feel him everywhere. “You’re intoxicating when you’re terrified, Regan, like now. Your scared rabbit heart calls to me. Your scent drenches my senses. I’m going to devour you.”
“You don’t scare me,” I bluff…I think.
“Yes, I do, but do you want to know a secret?”
“Yes,”
“Not as much as you scare me.”
“I know what you’re doing.” This conversation momentarily intrigues me. It’s different, and I’m almost taken in, when I see his lips carve a wicked smile. He’s playing me, and the distraction almost worked.
“Is it working?” He leaps over the back of the sofa before he finishes his sentence and before I can react. He wrestles me to the floor, and I’m fighting every inch of the way for long exhausting minutes of endless moves and counter moves, wriggling, bucking, and screaming blue murder. I reluctantly accept defeat. His legs pin mine wide and flat to the floor, my arms are stretched above my head, both hands held tight in one of his. His wild feral eyes devour me just before his mouth crashes to mine. His tongue dives and dominates, swirling with mine, tasting, and taking the very breath from my lungs. He breaks the kiss, and I cry out, teeth gritted, fighting mad and crazily turned on.
“Stop.”
“No.”
“Don’t,” I say feeling the turmoil of the game even as the thrill excites me to ends I never dreamed, Consensual non-consent. He sits up, moves me so he has my hands pinned to my side, trapped between his legs and my own body. He’s like a vise. His glare darkens, and his throat moves slowly as he swallows. His tongue wipes a wet path across his bottom lip as he places his hand around my throat, and I swear, I nearly come right there. I’m a freak…we’re freaks.
“Beg me,” he demands.
“Please don’t do this.” I swallow, and the muscles in my throat fight against the increasing restriction of his firm fingers.
“Oh, you can do better than that,” he goads.
I struggle, but only for a second as he squeezes. Dark dots flit across my vision, and I freeze. He keeps his hand on my throat while the other rips at my clothes and his, until we are both not quite naked, but there is just enough access to satisfy the need that consumes us both. His skin touches mine, and I burn. The heat of his heavy cock is molten as it slides along my soaking entrance. There’s no gentleness, no hesitation as he lunges inside me, every thick inch to the hilt. At the same time, he squeezes his fist a little tighter, and my body detonates. Erotic euphoria obliterates me. Every fibre, every nerve ending explodes into a brilliance of a billion tiny lights and unbelievable sensations bombard me even as the darkness pulls me under.
I drift and fall for endless moments, vaguely cognisant of being moved, stroked, kissed, and tied. My eyelids flutter with the effort to open them. My body trembles with he aftermath of an orgasm that I felt shake my very soul.
“Here, drink this.” He holds a chilled bottle of water to my lips, and I take a sip. He smiles wide and wicked, and I shiver with the knowledge of what’s still to come.
“Thank you.” He wipes the stray drops of water from my lips and replaces the cap on the bottle.
“You’re very welcome. How are you feeling?” Stroking my face with his fingers, his eyes hold a wealth of concern that I quickly ease with a bright and wanton smile.
“So good, restricted, but very, very good.” I’m bent over a tall padded stool with a large square seat, my arms are tied behind my back with some intricate rope work, no doubt. Although I can’t quite see, Joel prides himself in the detail. My ankles are strapped wide and equally secure to the legs of the stool. I’m happier with my current predicament than I am with the speed at which he captured me in the first place. “I can’t believe you found me so quickly.”
“It was a good hiding spot.” He walks around me, appraising his work with an appreciative hum. His fingers dance lightly on my skin, slipping under the rope and checking for pinch marks now that I am completely naked.
“Obviously,” I snort sarcastically. I wonder if he even looked anywhere else, or whether my ‘scent’ left a trail like the yellow brick road.
“Don’t beat yourself up, Reggie…that’s my job.” His finger traces the length of my spine to the curve of my arse cheek. Where he lifts his hand and strikes down with a full swing of his arm.
“Ah!” I cry out with shock. The pain ignites a fire in my belly that makes my eyes roll with sublime pleasure. “Son of a bitch.” The words come out of nowhere.
“True, but how about you count instead of giving supposed insults,” he retorts with a wry smile, his fingers smoothing the sting against his other hand.
“How many?” I ask. Waiting on the promised magic number, I let the anticipation wash over me like a sensual wave of bliss.
“It rarely matters, Reggie, whatever I say, you always beg for more.” True.