Page 58 of Saviors

The thing that drew my attention was the diamond stubbed collar around her throat. The leash attached to it was held by the man she was kneeling beside. She stared up at him with adoration as he stroked her hair as if she were a pet.

The act itself should’ve been demeaning, but it wasn’t. Because of their expressions.

He peered at her as if he was holding the world beneath his fingers. And she glanced back like he was the only thing she saw. I could feel their love for each other.

My chest ached, and I realized I yearned for what they had. It looked so easy. He took care of her. All she had to do was trust. Listen and enjoy it. I wanted that.

The more time I spent with the guys, the more comfortable I became. Not just with sex, but with myself. I didn’t feel like crawling out of my own skin. My worries seemed to disappear. I was… happy wasn’t the right word. I was content.

That felt like a miracle only a few months after being rescued from a monster.

Suddenly, my body tingled. My heart beat faster. I whipped my head around, searching for who I knew gave me this feeling. Then I saw him.

Maverick crossed the room towards me. It was like the man and woman; I had all of his attention. With tons of half-naked women in the club, he didn’t even glance. His gray gaze was only for me.

When he got close, he wrapped a thick, muscular arm around my waist and pulled me from my seat. The notion of resisting never crossed my mind. Especially not when his raspy voice ghosted over my cheek. “Come, belladonna. I have an idea.”

Tingles raced through me as I leaned into him. My chest pressed into his side and I felt the steady beat of his heart. My thoughts started to go blank like it always did with them. Maybe if I spent enough time here, I could reverse what happened to me. Forget it completely.

His shoulder brushed mine as we moved through the crowd. I wasn’t sure if it was my lack of bracelet or Maverick, but people parted as we walked by.

I was grateful. Though I felt at ease here, I preferred to keep my distance from other men. I couldn’t trust them. Not like I trusted my guys.

Mine.

For now.

Mine for now. I reminded myself. But as he led me down a familiar hall, all thoughts were pushed from my mind. He was steering me back to the place where it had ended. There was only space for fear inside me now.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

His lips brushed my temple, but not even that could stop the anxiety spreading through my veins. “Helping you.”

My throat closed as he opened the door. My lungs squeezed when it snapped shut behind us. I couldn’t breathe as I took in the room. It looked like a high end hotel. There was a giant bed in the middle with white silk sheets. A night stand had a decorative dish with condoms and lubes.

Two black leather chairs occupied the corners, with tables next to them. The walls had the same textured velvet wallpaper except where there was a window into the hallway. I realized it was there for the pleasure of other people. So they could enjoy themselves while observing what happened in these rooms. I watched as he pulled the red curtains closed, giving us privacy.

I waited for the memories to come as I took in the space with its low lighting and soft music. Nothing came to my mind, but my blood pressure spiked. My heart beat harder. My limbs trembled.

I was too drugged then to form any specific details. Just like most of my captivity. It was worse somehow. It let my imagination run wild with the possibilities of what might have happened. What horrors could’ve been done to me. The panic started to consume every corner of my mind.

Then I felt heat. Maverick stood at my back and wrapped an arm around my waist. He pulled me to his body, closing the space between us. “You can do this.”

His strength calmed my emotions. Slowly, my lungs expanded with oxygen that was filled with his scent. The rushing in my blood shifted into anticipation, not fear.

“We’re going to change the memory in here.” His breath skimmed across my neck, sending a shiver through me. But it was the good kind. The one that had excitement pooling in my stomach.

My heels were silent on the plush carpet as I turned. His gray eyes searched my face as if he was checking in without words. Making sure I was okay. I sighed as his concern sunk into me.

My hands shook as I pressed them into his chest. I felt his breath catch under my palms as I leaned into his body. His warmth made my skin tingle.

It traveled up my arms, down my limbs until I felt it between my legs. It gave me confidence as I brought my face closer to his. His stubble scraped along my cheek as I whispered in his ear. “You want me?”

I needed to hear him say it. I always needed it. It made me feel whole, not like the broken girl I was.

“Fuck yes, I want you.” I gasped in surprise as his firm hands grasped my arms. His harsh grip sent a jolt through my body. My lips parted as I looked into his stormy gray gaze. “I fucking need you like I need oxygen.”

Anything I planned to say was swallowed by Maverick as he slammed our mouths together. It wasn’t as soft as a kiss. It was desperate. Violent. An assault as his tongue lashed across mine.

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