“Semantics.”
“You’re being infuriating right now.” I can hear the tone of his voice change from frustration to something else.
“You are infuriating!” I snap at him and turn to walk away for real this time. I have no idea where I’m headed, but I’m ready to go there as fast as possible. Run if I have to.
I don’t get far though. His arm darts out, and he snatches me back to him, pulling my body close to his. I can hear the forced patience in his voice when he speaks again.
“No. You don’t talk to me like that and just run off. It can’t work like that.”
“Then take me back to the cabin where I can read in peace while you go fuck your girl! I can’t believe I thought I had feelings for you!” I rip free from his grip and turn on him before I storm off.
I’m so angry right now, I’m irrational. Frustrated. Hurt. Sore over the fact that he played me so easily at the convent. I was so naive that I walked straight into the trap. It's pathetic that I didn’t figure it out before now, but that he didn’t tell me in the time we’ve had since? That’s what hurts the most right now.
“Oh, I think I’m going to fuck her right here.” He closes the distance between us, and I take steps backward as quickly as I can until I hit the barn wall. Then he pins me against it. At first, I think he’s coming for me, but then I see him reach for something else, checking over his shoulder to see where Millie’s gone.
“You wouldn’t dare,” I challenge him. I might not have many chips to play, but I'm not going to just sit idly by either.
“Right over this saddle stand.” It was a rope he was reaching for from the wall over my shoulder.
“Now you’re just trying to get a rise out of me. I don’t deserve this.”
He slips a hand under my chin, forcing me to look at him while he studies my face. I can’t read everything behind his eyes, but I wish I could. I don’t know how I misread this so badly.
“You’re right, sweetheart. You deserve so much better than that, but unfortunately, you’re stuck with me.” He starts to kissme, and I nip his lower lip. A guttural sound rumbles from his chest, and he pins me up against the wall as he kisses his way down my throat. It’s the perfect distraction while he snatches my wrists and ties them with the rope.
“What are you doing?” When I try to pull my wrists free, it only tightens the knot.
“Proving to you that I don’t have any interest in Millie.” He pulls the rope and my wrists with it. My feet are forced to move to keep me from falling forward. The rope acts as leverage so he can bend me over the saddle stand. Then he uses the small hook on the far side to secure my wrists, just like he did in front of Corey. It leaves me completely at his mercy. He bends over to bring his eyes level with mine, smirking when he sees the shocked look on my face.
“I will scream,” I threaten. It’s empty though. My heart is racing in my chest, and everything is pooling low and warm.
“And she’ll hear it. Not just her either. I imagine Kell and Grace are still out here somewhere too.” Then the man winks at me. Winks! Just before he rounds me and pulls my dress up my thighs and over my ass. “I like you in this color. Complements you so well when you blush. If you want me to stop, now’s the time to tell me.”
I regret not keeping my pants on for the ride. But I’d been thinking about impressing him, instead of being practical, so I put on this green sundress with a pink prairie flower print, hoping he’d like it. Now I’m sprawled out over a saddle stand in a barn, only partially obscured by a half wall where anyone could walk over and find us.
I could tell him to stop. He’d listen. I know I can trust that much about him from the way he’d protected me.
But I want it. I want him against all my better judgment. Even with the frustration still bubbling in my chest. The onlyway out for us seems to be through, even when we know how much more complicated it will make things.
“Anyone can see.” I point out the obvious, as if he doesn’t know that already.
“They could,” he agrees easily. Goose bumps rise on my skin. I thought he was just proving his point. “Say it. Tell me to stop, sweetheart. Otherwise, I’m taking you right here.”
“You’re not serious?” It’s half plea and half question.
“Deadly fucking serious, Z. I want to make sure we’ve satisfied all your doubts. Maybe a few of your appetites too. We already know you like being bent over this saddle stand with an audience. I figure we’ll see if you like being tied down while I fuck you loud enough for everyone to hear too. Last chance.”
I roll my lower lip between my teeth. I don’t want to capitulate so easily, but I don’t want to tell him to stop either. I can already feel myself getting wet from the anticipation—a thing he’ll gloat about momentarily when he pulls my panties down.
“I wish you could see yourself like this. I should take a picture so you can have it as a keepsake in your drawer at the convent. Then the next priest you try to tie up and ride can be forewarned about how you like to play.” He continues on, his fingers slowly tracing their way up the backs of my thighs before he reaches the waistband of my panties on either side of my hips and grabs hold.
“I was not trying to—” I can’t even say the rest. The words fade on my lips.
“Oh, don’t be shy now. You weren’t shy then. You were straddling me, undressing me, and running your hands over my bare chest when I woke up.”
“You make it sound like I was doing something—I was just trying to ask questions.” It was a small space and a narrow bed, in my defense.
“If that’s what it looks like when you’re just trying to ask questions, I’d hate to see your version of an interrogation.” He tightens his grip on my underwear and pulls them down, exposing me to the cool breeze that’s whipping through the barn. I can hear the moment he realizes how wet I am for him, a smug little sound of approval from his direction has me warming under his gaze.
