“Do you know where I was the last time that man tried to violate you?” His fingers speared in my hair, lifting my head off the ground so he could growl in my ear. “I was outside your window, with a gun aimed at his head.”
Knowing about my stepdad was one thing. Anyone could tell Ralph was a horrible person. He was rude, uncouth and mean. It wasn’t a far stretch to assume he was also a perv. But to believe that Enzo was ready to protect me…
Talk about a lie. My own mother thought I deserved the abuse.
“Perhaps it’s not your mother you hate.” His hand dropped from my head and he brushed his thumb over one of the scars on my arm. “Did this make you feel better?”
It was seriously scary how much he knew about me. I never told anybody about my secret addiction. Not even Angie. She’d try and take it away. Yet, this complete stranger knew. I was starting to think he knew more about me than my own family.
“If you want pain, Pet, I’ll give it to you.” The scruff on his face scraped against my cheek as he purred, “You don’t have to cut yourself to feel loved.”
I couldn’t stop myself. I glared back at him and hissed, “I am loved.”
“Are you?” He sat up and cocked his head. “How much sleep do you think your mother’s lost since you’ve been gone?”
She was my mother. She wouldn’t let me disappear. She wouldn’t.
“I know for a fact there hasn’t been a missing person’s report filed for you.”
I sucked back a sob and told myself he was lying, despite the pang of hurt filling my chest.
“No one is looking for you. No one cares, Pet.” He bent down, causing his hot breath to waft over the back of my head. “I’m all you’ve got.”
I hated the truth behind his words. “You’re a monster.”
“I may be a monster. But if you went missing, I’d find you.”
“Right,” I laughed outright. “Because you care so much.”
“I do care.” He stood up and sat in the chair.
Next thing I knew, I was off the ground and folded over his firm thighs. It was exposing, with my wrists bound to the leg and my arms stretched out. If it wasn’t for the towel, I’d be completely on display, ass arched over his lap, like I was presenting myself.
“After all,” he whispered, “what kind of monster would I be, if I didn’t protect my property?”
Whatever argument I was ready to spew out, vanished with a flick of his wrist. The towel covering my body fluttered through the air. My heart fell with it.
Cool air kissed my skin as I fought hard to cover myself up. Yanking on the belt around my hands while flailing my legs wildly. He could see every inch of my imperfection. I had to hide. Tuck away in a bubble of safety where no one could see me.
My desperation came to a grinding halt when my body swung upwards and Enzo chuckled. I stopped cold at the puff of air grazing across my nether regions.
“Well, this is a pleasant treat, Pet.”
Mortification spread through me faster than a wildfire. My thighs were spread, with one leg slung over his shoulder. Everything was right there. Inches from his face, and fully on display.
He leaned forward, tickling my inner thigh with the rough hair on his chin. “Normally I’d wait until after dinner to indulge in something sweet…”
Oh my God.
I flopped back down on his lap, with so much force that his firm legs knocked the wind out of me, and quickly crossed my ankles. I could breathe later. Right now, the most important thing was keeping my thighs shut.
My reaction apparently amused my captor, because his whole body shook with a full belly laugh. Meanwhile, I’d never been more embarrassed.
“Glad you’re enjoying yourself.” I grumbled.
“Oh, I am.” His palm smoothed over my butt, making me tense further. “Look at this lovely shade of red you’ve turned.”
Asshole.
