Page 15 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

“There must be a mine nearby,” he says as he heads up the steps leading to the low porch of a cabin. “This was just a halfway point to the nearest town, I’d say.”

I just nod, not caring. He could be leading me into a five-star hotel, and I wouldn’t give a damn.

I have to get back to my son!

When Rider shoves the door open and drags me inside, a sigh of pleasure eases through my lips as the temperature drops. The cabin is dark and shadowed, well-built without cracks between the planks of wood on the walls and roof.

“Hit the jackpot,” Rider says, grinning. “It’s nicely insulated.”

He takes a step away and almost lets go of my hand, then turns back to face me with suspicion in his eyes. “If I let you go, you’re going to run again, aren’t you?”

“No promises,” I answer.

Rider rolls his eyes. “For fuck’s sake. After everything that just happened to you, you still can’t just behave. Why are you so desperate to get back?”

I just shake my head, glaring at him. Rider reaches out and grabs my shoulders, making me look into his eyes.

“I want to protect you,” he whispers. “I didn’t ask for this situation, but now I have to keep you safe. It’s the only thing that matters.”

There is an urgency in his voice that affects me deeply. His clear green eyes are intense and focused, full of an emotion I can’t identify.

“Fiona,” he whispers, and I feel his breath against my lips.

Something inside me breaks, and the atmosphere in the room changes abruptly. I’m keenly aware of all the feelings I’ve been holding back, the attraction and lust I can’t bear to let myself acknowledge.

Yes, I’m afraid, and I want to get back to my son. But being so close to Rider and not touching him is a torture unto itself.

The moment draws out, and the intensity builds. I can’t help it—I’m pulled towards him like an asteroid is to a star.

Our lips touch. A shudder runs through me, so powerful it shakes me to the bone. I wrap my arms around Rider and kiss him deeply, feeling his strong arms going around me as he leans into the kiss.

I run my hands up his back and press my body up against his, short cries slipping out of my mouth around our frantic kisses. A floodgate has opened inside me, and behind it is the desperation of hundreds of hopeless nights.

Rider’s hands slip around my waist, and he pulls me against his body. He strokes me gently across my lower back and hips, not squeezing me too hard or trying to grope me.

I wish he would.

Gripping his shoulders with both hands, I writhe against him, kneading his lips with mine as I slip my tongue into his mouth. He groans, leaning against me and tightening his hold on my hips.

Yes, yes!

I cling to him, rubbing my body against his as I kiss him harder. He responds, grabbing my ass and grinding back against me. I run my fingers up the back of his neck, teasing as I rock my hips towards him.

I love you.

The words are in my heart, almost on my lips. I push him away, and I stagger backwards. I barely stay on my feet as I cover my mouth with both hands.

“Fiona?” he asks.

I shake my head and run towards the nearest doorway. The room is small and dark, with no windows. An old bed is pushed into a corner, a dusty dresser and trunk the only other furniture.

I hear Rider’s footsteps and turn around. I want to tell him to leave me alone, but I’m also hoping he’ll throw me on the bed and finish what we started.

I missed you, Rider. I missed you so much.

He pokes his head in the doorway and glances around. “This will do fine,” he says, nodding with satisfaction. Then he takes a step back, slamming the door shut. A few seconds later, I hear the clinking of metal as he secures it with a chain.

Now, I truly am his prisoner. And from here, I can never get back to my son.

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