Maximus

 

Her scent alerted me to her presence as she made her way back into the living room, then I heard the creaking floorboards. Daci was a beautiful vision. When she emerged from the bathroom wrapped in the fluffy light pink robe, the belt pulled snugly around her small waist, my cock began to stiffen. I’d have loved nothing more than to make her mine right then and there, but I wasn’t going to force her to do anything. I knew in time she’d see what I saw – that we were meant to be.

My eyes roamed her stunning figure. Her skin tone was an intriguing bronze perfection and her eyes were green and inviting. Her long jet-black hair hung straight, as if weighted down by the water. Small wisps curled ever so slightly near her forehead. My cock was reacting to her against my minds commands. I knew I needed to give her time.

“Feel better, my love?” I asked. I adjusted my cock when she turned her head away from me.

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, sweet thing.”

Her head snapped in my direction, her dark eyes locked on mine, and her mouth opened. Before she could say a word, I quickly corrected myself.

“I apologize. I mean Daci.”

Her mouth closed and she sighed. Her eyes moved from mine and she stared at the floor. She looked sad. This was going to be more difficult than I’d imagined.

“Are you hungry?” I asked.

“No.” Her stomach growled, betraying her.

“Your tummy says differently. Don’t starve yourself. I have plenty of food. Are you hungry?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Good. Have a seat and be a good pet. I’ll be right in the kitchen.” I stood from the sofa and walked over to within inches of her, inhaling a deep breath, taking her scent in. I placed my finger under her chin, lifting until our eyes met. “And, my love, before you get any wild notion that you can escape, all of the doors and windows are locked from the outside.”

She gazed up at me through her long lashes; tears began to well in her deep green orbs. Her nostrils flared, and her lips were perfectly plump and inviting. My cock was standing at full mast in anticipation of sinking deep into her sweet flesh. My own breaths became shallow as I fought the urge to claim her.

 

 

Daci

 

I hated that I liked that vile man’s soapy-clean scent. He wasn’t my mate. He’d never be my mate. My Coy-wolf was walking in circles. She wanted to be set free, but I wasn’t going to risk being thrown back into the cage. It was bad enough being trapped in the house, but the cage -- no fucking way.

I walked over to the sofa and sat down, pulling my feet up under my butt. The leather was soft like cotton candy.

“Feel free to turn on the television, my love.” My stomach roiled every time I heard him utter those two words, my love. I wasn’t his. I’d never be his. I wasn’t sure exactly how, but I was going to get out of here and away from him.

My stomach rumbled again. I rubbed my hand across it, and then reached for the remote control on the glass table. With the click of a button, the large-screen television came to life. I flipped through the channels until I found what I was looking for: Food Network.

I never replied to Maximus’s comment. I sank down into the soft, cool leather and laid my head on the armrest. I was thoroughly disgusted with myself for being so stupid. I knew better than to get in the truck with him, but I did it anyway. I should have known to run before it got to that point. I should have run before he got back with the bags of chips and soda. Stupid, stupid, stupid me.

“Buttercup.”

I could hear the voice, but wasn’t making the connection. My Coy-wolf growled.

“Wake up, my love.”

His words nauseated me as I woke from my nap. I had no idea how long I’d been sleeping, but I was upset this whole ordeal wasn’t just a bad dream.

“Come on. Dinner’s ready. I think I have something you’ll like.”

I continued to stay mute. I didn’t want to talk to him. I didn’t want to reveal any additional information other than the things I’d told him already.

I stood and pulled my robe tight, refastening the belt before shuffling my feet and following him into the kitchen. He was standing behind a chair, his hands on the back, waiting for me.

“Come, my pet.”

I wanted to kick this guy in the nuts. I walked over and sat in the chair he was holding for me, then he helped me move closer to the table before he made his way to his chair and sat.

He prepared my plate, then helped himself to larger portions.

“Feel free to eat whatever you like. You can help yourself to seconds, too.”

I kept my eyes lowered to my plate. I didn’t want to look at or talk to him. I just wanted to eat and go back to sleep. But that wasn’t the plan, according to Maximus.

He reached over and wrapped his long, strong fingers around my chin and forced me to turn toward him and raise my eyes to meet his. “Don’t be disrespectful. I can make this really hard for you if that’s the game you want to play. I’m giving you freedom inside my home. Our home. If you’d rather be treated like the ungrateful mutt you’re acting like, I can oblige you. Do you understand?” He ground the words out through his clenched teeth.

Hearing his voice deepen and his tone become angered, he scared me. I’d been trying to convince myself that I hadn’t lost control, but his sharp words let me know I had no control at all.

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?” he barked.

“Yes, sir.” The tears began to well in my eyes at my dire situation.

He slammed his fist on the table and leaned over toward me. “Don’t ever fucking call me sir!” he screamed.

I startled at the harsh sound of his voice, dropped my fork, and began to sob from the terror. I didn’t know what he wanted. I was terrified that as his anger raged out of control he’d hurt me.

He walked over to me and pulled my head against his bare stomach, rubbing one hand down my hair while his other hand held me by my chin.

“Don’t cry, my pet. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hollered at you.” He kept smoothing my hair. I could feel the warmth rolling off his body. His fingers threaded and combed through the length of my hair several times before he held a handful tight in his grasp and leaned my head back to force me to look up at him.

“Will you forgive me?” he asked. His gaze was fixed on me.

I nodded my head.

“I need to hear you say it.”

“Yes, I’ll forgive you,” I whispered.

His heated eyes never moved from mine and his hands held me tight. His piercing blue eyes darkened while his jaw ticked, his stare pinning me in place. I kept my eyes on him. Then, without warning, he released my hair and took his hands off of me.

“Let’s eat. I’m starving.” He returned to his seat and began cutting his meat. “I hope you like it, sweet Daci. They’re venison chops.”

Deer was my favorite meat. I preferred to hunt it and eat it raw, but cooked was good, too. I cut off a bite and placed it in my mouth. As my lips closed around the fork, my eyes closed and I let out a low moan. My Coy-wolf was skipping around in delight. I slowly pulled the fork from my mouth and began to chew the delicious meat, then opened my eyes to find Maximus staring at me. Smiling at me.

After we finished every bite on our plates, I offered to clean the kitchen. It was the least I could do for such a fantastic meal. Plus, I wanted to ingratiate myself again. I didn’t want him to holler at me or do anything to hurt me in any way. If being nice was the price I’d have to pay to keep myself safe, I could do it.

“When you’re finished in there, my love, please, come join me,” Maximus said.

It took me a couple more minutes to finish washing everything, then I walked in and sat on the sofa on the opposite end from him.

“Please, my pet, come closer. I won’t bite you, unless you want me to.”

I edged closer until I was halfway between the arms of the sofa.

“Come on. You can do better than that. Come all the way here, right next to me.”

I did as I was commanded. I moved all the way next to him, so there were inches between us. That was close enough, in my opinion.

Maximus thought otherwise. His long arm reached around my shoulder and pulled me until our thighs were touching. He pulled my arm across his waist and held me tight to him. I let out a deep sigh before resigning to the position he held me in. I wasn’t hurt, my belly was full, and I wasn’t locked in a cage. I was in survival mode. Things could have been a whole lot worse than sitting with my arms around a decent-looking Warlock who smelled clean. It could have been a whole lot worse.

But he wasn’t my soul mate.

I’d pretend to concede to him until I could figure out a way to escape, or kill him.