Page 4 of Obsession

“You told me you needed water.” He inhaled, apparently hurt by her so-called betrayal, but Ella had news for him.

That wasn’t betrayal.

Try being abandoned, not once, but twice, by your own father.

Try being offered in exchange for money.

Pain ached in her chest as she considered the fate that had befallen her. That was treachery. The likes of which she couldn’t have even imagined until she’d woken up in the woods.

“But all you really wanted to do was escape.” He swallowed as though the admission was painful.

Well, of course, I want to escape! She hoped the desperation in her eyes revealed the words she was too afraid to speak. Why would I stay here with you? I don’t even know you. I definitely don’t want you.

She squeezed her eyes closed, aware the final line at least was untrue. Or perhaps it wasn’t? She just didn’t know anymore.

Tucker’s dark, rugged looks were alluringly attractive, and—in another time and place where he wasn’t old enough to be her father, and he wasn’t the bastard who was holding her hostage—she might have entertained the idea of bedding him, but…

Oh God.

Dismay resounded as she looked into his gaze.

She had welcomed his kiss earlier, even though he’d done awful things to her. She loathed him, yet she craved him. When his lips had pressed to hers, she hadn’t been able to help herself.

It’s fear.

Each breath was excruciatingly loud as she sucked in air, his lips still only inches from where they might collide with hers. Like fight or flight, dread had kicked in and immobilized her. She had chosen to remain rooted to the spot and reciprocate.

It was a reflexive response.

“I did need water.” Her brows knitted. “Sir.” She couldn’t believe she was voluntarily calling him ‘sir,’ but the last thing she needed was to provoke more rage in the man.

I still need water.

She didn’t dare risk admitting it to him, though. There was no chance of persuading him to hydrate her after her sprint into the woods. At this rate, she’d be lucky if he ever trusted her again.

I’ll probably die here like this. Panic flared in her chest, making it difficult to take another breath. Bound to his crappy bed.

“Oh, little girl.” His tone was soft and taunting, negating the threatening gleam in his gaze.

I was so close. Each breath was agonizing as she heaved it in. So close to getting away, so close to following the river to freedom. So close to freedom.

She should have taken her chances with the bear.

“You used your thirst as a ploy to evade me.” He straightened, brow furrowing as he absorbed his conclusion of events. “And I fell for your dupe.”

“I just wanted to get away.” She’d told him this already. Tucker seemed like a smart man. Surely, he could understand?

“You can’t get away.” He emphasized the word he considered to be key, his attention flitting between the places his binds held her wrists.

“So, I see.” She couldn’t see. Her trepidation was too great to risk a glance anywhere but his face.

“I tried to tell you.” He shrugged. “To help you understand, but you didn’t get it so…” He gestured to the bed. “I’ve decided to be clearer.”

Message received and understood.

“How long will you keep me bound, sir?”

A part of her brain couldn’t believe she was asking, still couldn’t believe any of this was happening, but the more the hours ticked by, the more she was forced to admit the inevitable.

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