Page 32 of Obsession

“Yeah.” She joined his brief laughter. “I like that, too, but what about before me… what did you do then?”

“I honored the nature all around me.” His voice was filled with what sounded like awe. “The trees, the birds, and the river. They all bring me joy.”

“You really like it out here, huh?” Ella couldn’t quite believe it.

There had been one brief moment by the river before the bear had arrived when she might have seen the appeal. The flowing crystal water and the blue sky overhead had understandable charm, but as for the rest? Ella saw nothing special in the endless miles of branches and dirt.

“I do.” His hand left her breast and rested on her chest below her collarbone. Ceding to his touch, she snuggled against him. “I worked hard for this little piece of peace and quiet.”

“Did you build this place?” Her gaze darted around the confines of the cabin. No doubt some would describe it as cozy, but all she’d witnessed was a run-down, glorified jail cell.

“I did.” Pride resonated in his voice.

“From scratch?” Ella had to admit, if it was true, it was an impressive feat. She might not love the place, but she couldn’t refute his skill set.

“From scratch.”

“Wow.”

She hadn’t intended to offer the praise aloud but acknowledged no regrets. Tucker had been a swine to her, but in recent hours, he’d been gentler and more intent on her needs. If she could only find something in the place that she could eat without vomiting, then maybe she’d have the strength to find a way home.

Home.

Her brows knitted at the thought, though she tried not to dwell. Her mum would be going mad with worry, and so would her friends.

“Is that what you did before this?” She pushed the rising emotion back down, determined not to give in. Getting upset again wouldn’t aid her cause. The best she could do was keep Tucker on side while she decided on her next move. “Were you a builder?”

“No,” he scoffed as if she were ridiculous. “Not a builder, beautiful.”

“What then, sir?” She glanced around the wooden building again. Surely, only a professional would have been able to create something like this?

“Do you really want to know?” His voice had taken on an edge she recalled from the barn, and her heart sped up at the menace.

“Erm…” Flustered, her gaze darted reflexively for the door, even though there was no hope in fleeing and even less point in trying to while she was naked and filled with his cum. She needed rest and food before she could figure out how to get away, but one thing was for certain—her next attempt needed to be her last. She doubted Tucker would ever leave her bondage-free again if she tried and failed to abscond. “I’m interested, yes.”

“You haven’t told me what you do yet.”

Why was he being so cagey about his career? Clearly, he’d gained his skills from somewhere.

“That’s because I don’t do anything.” Her lifestyle of shopping, lunching, and dating wealthy men had never troubled Ella before, but as she admitted her lack of a career to Tucker, a sudden pang swelled in her chest. What was that? Regret? Did she wish she had something more meaningful to share than only over-indulgence? “I mean,” she clarified. “I don’t have a job.”

Shit, that sounds even worse!

“You’re twenty-six, and you don’t have a job?” He sounded bemused.

“No, I…” Her voice trailed away as embarrassed heat gathered in her cheeks. “I guess I never saw the need. I always had money and preferred to be with my friends.”

“Don’t they work?” There was no judgment in his voice, only a curiosity to know more.

“No,” she admitted. “We just hang out and have fun.”

“Then, no wonder this is such a struggle for you.” He inhaled. “I didn’t realize.”

“Why would you?” Her hand rose to her face and covered her growing blush. She was glad Tucker couldn’t see her mortification.

She’d never met anyone like him, anyone who thought work was important. Everyone else in her life was happy to spend and party rather than earn and learn. For the first time in her existence, she contemplated that she could be a better version of herself.

“You must think I’m a spoiled princess.” She drew in a breath, the crease in her brow deepening as the pang inside her ballooned. It bothered her, she realized. She cared what he thought about her, and the idea that he found her cosseted and pathetic was more hurtful than it should have been.

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