Page 16 of Run, Rabbit, Run

Demetrius was wearing a riding habit of his own; tall boots, well-fitted breeches, and a shirt that clung to his musculature. He looked like a brooding model. But she wasn’t attracted to him. She could not be attracted to him. Not when he held her like this.

“Hello, my Bunny.” Demetrius purred, a predatory smile complimenting the hungry flash that swept across his face, She noticed then that he was holding a ball gag.

Oh fuck off, Bunny thought, heart beginning to race. She had considered briefly that this could be a chance to escape. Her chances of using this opportunity were dwindling.

“Come.” He commanded, pointing to the ground at his feet. Bunny began walking before his voice boomed through the space between them again. “Crawl.”

Another spark of fury threatened to light an inferno in her chest. He couldn’t be serious.

But he was.

She sank to her knees, wincing as the pebbles once beneath her feet now bit into the skin of her knees through the thin pants. Her palms smarted on the rough surface. Red-faced, Bunny crawled the distance between them, the sparks of pain in her knees and hands worsening the longer she dragged on. And, of course, she would drag it out as long as possible. Why would she rush to be in the presence of the vile, little worm of a man?

Bunny took a shaky breath and turned her eyes to the ground. A nervousness had begun to bubble in her stomach. He used his thumb to drag her bottom lip down slowly before murmuring, “Open.”

When she looked up, she noticed the ball gag in his hands. Thinking better of using the moment to be nasty, Bunny held in her words but opened her mouth. Her jaw trembled with a mix of fear and anger. The ball gag was slipped gently into her mouth and secured. Demetrius then stood up and walked to the trunk, opening it, and gesturing for her to get in.

Bunny’s eyes widened to saucers, and then shut to slits. She made a muffled noise of disbelief. She wasn’t sure of a lot, but she was sure of one thing: she wasn’t going anywhere near a fucking trunk.

Demetrius sighed, giving her a weary look. “I don’t want to fight you today, Bunny. Just do as you’re told. I’ll count to ten and you’d better be in that trunk before I’m done.” As he counted, he began undoing his belt.

An animalistic sound ripped from her throat, and Bunny decided now was her chance to break free. She moved forward as though she were complying, but then whipped in the other direction and took off full tilt. Bunny ripped the ball gag She heard a yelp and an exclamation, and she hoped it had hit Demetrius.

Hearty laughter then sounded behind her, fading as she put distance between herself and the psycho holding her captive. In the next moment, she could hear the steady beat of his running feet as he gave chase.

The road made things easier, but the clothing she wore did not. Riding boots were not made for running and this pair wasn’t well broken in, the leather unyielding around her ankles. She wobbled horribly as she attempted to pick up speed.

Unfortunately for her, Demetrius had a pair that was obviously well broken in and much more suited for the chase. Her heart sank as she heard him closing the distance between them. She spared a look over her shoulder and her eyes widened at how close he had managed to get in that time.

So, she let him get a little closer before stopping short and throwing her shoulder into his chest. The impact threw her on her ass since his large form was still flying forward at full speed.

Apparently, it hurt him too, since Demetrius let loose a sharp cry as he bounced backward, landing on his ass, as well. They stared at each other for a few seconds, and then his eyes narrowed and she gulped.

Well, time to get the fuck out of here, She thought to herself, turning to take off.Unfortunately, Demetrius quickly recovered and flew at her with rage rivaling the coffee incident.

Within seconds, she was flat on her stomach with his heaving chest pressing firmly into her back. She slapped a hand on the loose gravel road, struggling to gain purchase but only succeeding in rasping her already painful palms against the sharp gravel as he grabbed her arms and dragged them behind her back.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Her voice was high-pitched, a panicked shrill as she realized her escape attempt had failed. What frightened her wasn’t his barrel chest crushing her or how every muscle in his body seemed tense.

What frightened her was that outside of his heavy breathing, Demetrius was silent.

Bunny froze in place, eyes burning as they filled with frustrated tears. She had always been quick on her feet and had the collegiate medals to prove it. Half of her scholarships were from her high school career in track and field. It wasn’t even him that beat her; her footwear had bested her this time. She was certain she would be faster than him if conditions were more favorable.

Unfortunately, there was nothing favorable about her current circumstances.

Demetrius finally broke his silence.

“Keep. Your hands. Behind. Your back.” It was a deathly whisper laced with venom that dissolved any resolve she had left to escape. She didn’t dare to disobey him for fear of his reaction.

Once satisfied that she would comply, Demetrius propped himself on one elbow. Bunny began taking desperate breaths as the pressure on her body lessened. She hadn’t realized just how dizzy she was from the lack of oxygen.

A hand wrapped tight around her mouth, and her eyes went wide. It was the same hand connected to the elbow Demetrius supported himself on. With the other, she could feel his belt buckle dig into her back as he undid his pants.

Her desperate breaths turned panicked and something between a shriek and a whimper escaped the almost airtight hold he had on her..

Demetrius pulled his belt loose and promptly sat up so that he was kneeling over her with a knee on either side of her torso. Without another word, the belt was looped around her neck, and he was pulling.

Bunny’s hands instinctively flew to her neck. With clawing fingers, she attempted to loosen the tight hold on her windpipe.

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