Page 24 of His Captive Pet

“I’ll take Samuel out then turn in.” She brought her plate to the sink, brushing his arm as she did so.

“No. I’ll do it. You don’t know where we are, and the sun’s gone by now. It’s dark as hell out there without lights.”

“I think I can manage taking my own dog out,” she snapped at him.

He captured her elbow, pinning her against the fridge. “Maybe if you had used a nicer tone. Maybe if you hadn’t kicked me, cursed at me, and then pulled that little stunt up at the main house, I’d be a bit more accommodating. But until you learn to obey, to heel when I say so, you’ll get no wiggle room with me, Aubree.”

She took in a sharp breath, making her breasts rise up against the too-tight tee she wore. The ends of her lips curled, taking away the sharp edges.

“Heel? Like some pet? No, Blake. Maybe if you hadn’t barged into the warehouse and put me in cuffs I could be a bit more accommodating, but you didn’t.”

She gasped when his hand slid behind her neck, and he grabbed hold of her.

“We’ll see, won’t we, Aubree. We’ll see who is the truthful one here and who is the one hiding.” He captured her mouth beneath his before she could utter a word. Her hands came up, pressing against his chest, but not hard enough to make a difference. She could have, if she’d really wanted to. Her knee could connect with his cock at any moment, given their proximity.

When he pulled back, their breaths heavy and mingling together, her eyes dilated, her lips moist from their kiss, he studied her in silence. He wanted more. To taste every inch of her body, to feel her naked against him.

Samuel barked from the living room.

“Go. To. Bed.” He let her go and walked out of the kitchen.

The bedroom door slammed.

He let out a long breath. It wasn’t enough to have her mad at him—his cock was getting pretty damn frustrated with him, too.

“Let’s go, Samuel.” He opened the front door and stepped out into the darkened night.

Chapter Ten

Draped in the morning sun, Blake watched Samuel make his way around a tree, finding the perfect spot to raise his leg. The dog had taken to him easily, followed directions, came when he called, and sat when he was told to.

Samuel didn’t resemble his owner in the least.

Aubree fought him every single step of the way. It had been simple, go to the washroom and come back. Instead, he and Devin had found her in Devin’s basement trying to rescue Kara. If she knew Kara, she wouldn’t have panicked the way she had. He’d seen her face, the raw fear. Did she really think he would take her some place unsafe? Was she worried he might actually harm her?

Any fear she may have harbored hadn’t shown its face when he’d had her pinned against the fridge. Angry, aroused, definitely frustrated, but not scared. And much to his surprise, she hadn’t stepped foot out of her room all night.

He wouldn’t make the mistake of believing she would be so easy to handle after a few hours of sleep. She’d been exhausted, and probably fell asleep before she could hatch a harebrained escape plan.

With all her intelligence, she didn’t think when the situation called for it. She just leapt into something without a real plan. It would get her hurt, or killed, and he wouldn’t let either of those things happen.

After he’d woken up, he had checked on her. She slept like the dead. Even with the obnoxious creak of the door and Samuel’s barking from the living room, she hadn’t stirred a bit. Just continued to sleep with the comforter snuggled up to her chin. He didn’t like not having her near him, but he had to get his mind straight. After their kiss, and the rest of the day’s events, he needed to be sure he could operate more with his head than his cock.

And with her, it would be hard. Both the attempt and his anatomy.

Whatever was happening between them would grow, one way or another it would change, but first he needed to be sure she was safe.

John hadn’t gotten back to him yet and calling before dawn wouldn’t get him any answers. He’d have to wait a little while longer.

Greg had already sent a few texts updating Blake on the progress at Aubree’s house. The fire had destroyed everything, and from what he was able to get from the media hanging around the bar and the few contacts he had left at the station, an accelerant had been used. None of that information surprised him. It’s not like the gas line had blown on its own.

Blake picked up a stick and whistled for Samuel, tossing it once he had the pup’s attention.

He didn’t want Greg getting too deeply involved. He hadn’t spent the last five years of his life caring for him, only to have him get himself killed trying to solve this problem.

The door to the cabin creaked and soft steps followed. He didn’t turn around, didn’t need to. The only person within a quarter mile was Aubree. Aubree didn’t need to be making friends with any of the other resort patrons, not just yet. Not until he could trust her not to go spewing off her mouth and trying to gain sympathy, or worse, aid in going home. The worst thing she could do would be to try to get back to Chicago before he had a handle on the situation.

“Hey.” Her soft voice pulled at him. It was going to be a hard day for her if her attitude from the day before carried over. He wouldn’t let her endanger herself out of irritation at him.

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