Page 18 of Obsession

She wasn’t sure if it was the urgency of her bladder or the visceral chemistry between them, but as she said the words, she realized she meant them. She hadn’t chosen to be there, and she didn’t take her captivity lightly, but for the first time since she’d arrived flung over his shoulder, Ella didn’t want to run.

Chapter Seven

The Bucket List

Tucker

Tucker had no reason to believe her. God knew every time he’d given the girl an inch, she’d tried to take a mile, but staring at her frantic green eyes, he sensed something was different this time.

There was a shift in her, as though the climax had changed her perspective. He certainly hoped so. God knows he’d been desperate for his own release after sharing hers, his cock ready to burst by the time he slid his fingers from her wet cunt, yet almost as soon as he’d moved to liberate it from its fabric prison, she’d drifted off to sleep in front of him.

At first, he’d been incredulous. How dare the little prick tease get him so worked up, then fall asleep without so much as a thought for his needs? Her father’s philosophy had drifted into his mind. Bennett never had any qualms about taking what he wanted from a woman—whether she was awake or not.

But he wasn’t Bennett.

As he’d watched her resting after her orgasm, his mood had altered. Liberating her limbs from the bondage of his ties, he’d resecured only her wrists to the ropes he’d fastened to the middle of the bed. The new binds would be much more comfortable for his little girl to endure while ensuring she stayed just where he wanted her.

His little girl.

So much had shifted so fast between them, but he had to remember that none of it was her doing.

Everything she’d been through was down to him. He’d agreed to take her as collateral from Bennett. He’d hoisted her over his shoulder and stalked her through the forest, and even though he’d been acting with her best intentions, he’d even made her eat the rabbit pie. Tucker was responsible for the state she was in, and primarily, that was exhausted. That was why he’d let her sleep. He was thrilled that she’d permitted him the pleasure of ripping such an intense orgasm from her gorgeous body. God willing, there would be other opportunities for his passion.

Watching her now, he noticed the softening of her demeanor. She hadn’t resisted calling him ‘sir’ and, in fact, had done so without prompting.

Maybe she’s warming to me?

A part of him longed for it to be true. Having her there willingly in his bed would be a thrill he’d scarcely contemplated until his digits had stroked her sex. He’d all but given up on female company out there in the woods, convincing himself he didn’t need it, but it had been untrue. Ella’s arrival had reminded him of everything he’d denied himself these last few years.

He blew out a breath. She was wonderful, but equally, he was old enough to know better than to hang onto false hopes and dreams. Ella would have to use the bucket, but he wouldn’t make the same mistake he’d made before. This time, he would monitor her every move.

“I’m going to release you.” His attention moved from her face to the ropes at the wrist farthest away from him. “Do us both a favor and don’t try anything stupid.”

“I won’t, sir.”

Her voice was breathy as her gaze burned into his fingers. Seconds of silence stretched out around them as he emancipated first one, then her other wrist.

“There.” Rising to his feet, he offered her his palm. “You can go. I left the bucket close to the fire for your comfort, but be careful. The metal could be hot.”

Swinging her feet to the ground, her focus flew toward the fire. “You’re letting me go on my own?” Wariness echoed in her voice.

“I am.” He hoped she wouldn’t make him regret that decision. “But I’ll be right here, little girl. Don’t forget that.”

Her widening eyes suggested how unlikely it was that she would forget him. “Okay.” She rose to her feet unsteadily, her fingers gripping tightly at his mother’s blanket.

He wanted to tell her to leave the cover, that it was his mother’s, and he didn’t want it dragged to the bucket she was destined for, but he didn’t have the heart. He’d already condemned her to the bucket’s use. It would be wrong to force her to do so without the blanket’s protection.

I’m getting soft in my old age.

There was an irony to the admission as she shuffled past him. He’d expected his years of solitude to have hardened his soul. His experiences had certainly done nothing to temper his views about those who owed him money, but it seemed the first time his conscience had been tested by the fairer sex, he’d succumbed. Ella had only been with him just over a day, and already, he was willing to give her pleasure without any promise of its return.

There had been absolutely nothing soft about his reaction to her arousal, either. Tucker couldn’t recall his cock being so hard for many years.

“Will you turn away while I go, sir?” Her words were like a sigh, conveying she surely already knew the answer to her own query.

“‘Fraid not, little girl.” His chin rose to acknowledge her even deeper blush.

Ella’s skin reddened so easily. It was one of the many things he’d grown to love about her, as well as her smokin’-hot body and fiery spirit. Naturally, that feistiness drove him nuts at times, but secretly, he respected the fight in her. That essence was one he recognized and knew all too well.

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