Page 62 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

So now here I sit, wearing exactly what I said I wouldn’t, waiting until I am allowed to go downstairs.

Gail steps into my room with a smile. “I’m glad you chose to listen, Red. You look exceptionally beautiful,” she says as I stand from the bed allowing the front of the dress to fall to the floor. Two long slits along both sides show my full legs when I walk. I’m wearing matching silver heels. It most certainly wouldn’t be something I would normally wear. Actually, I wouldn’t be caught dead in something so revealing. Plus, my dad would kill me if he ever saw me in something like this. But Master expects me to wear it, and I am not sure I want to know what happens should I go down to dinner disobeying him.

I showered as expected and applied makeup, and, of course, am wearing the stupid red lipstick.

Feeling confident, I step out of the room and follow Gail down the stairs.

I wonder what Gail is to Master?

Is she also his captive?

She’s young and beautiful.

How did she become his housekeeper?

We make our way past the kitchen. Gail walks through French doors which lead outside to a dinner table, long enough for ten people, but there are only two seats prepared tonight. I check around noticing the beautiful flowers in the center of the table and petals that are scattered on the tablecloth. I don’t seehim, but I hearhimwhen he says, “Hello, Red. You look beautiful tonight.”

I spin to the voice and find Master right behind me. He’s so close I can feel the heat of his body on my back. His hand runs down the side of my neck, and I flinch at his touch. He leans in and whispers in my ear, “You will soon come to want me, just like I want you. It’s only a matter of time, Red.”

I swallow hard at his intimacy, but honestly, his touch makes me sick.

How can he force a woman to be what he wants them to be?

Why does he even want it that way?

I will never want him.

I hate him.

I despise him.

I hate what he represents.

I don’t even know him.

I turn to face him with a million questions running through my mind. “Why me? Why not some other girl? Please, I want to go home,” I cry out, a tear now running down my cheek.

Master’s green eyes pierce mine with anger now evident. I’ve crossed the line again. I have asked questions when I was warned not to. I step back out of his space, frightened now with his intense stare boring into me. His hand comes out, and I flinch back.

“I won’t hit you, Red,” he explains, then cups my cheek, allowing his finger to brush away my fallen tear. His eyes focus on my lips, and I hope and pray he won’t try to kiss me.

It’s not that he’s not good-looking, he is. Actually, he’s a very attractive man, but I don’t want him. I never will. He’s a kidnapper, a man who forces women to have sex with him. He’s a sick man with sick thoughts. All I want to do is eat and go to bed.

My mind drifts quickly to Rhyder, and I wonder if he’s looking for me? He surely knows by now that I’m missing, and undoubtedly my family is searching for me.

“Where is your mind at, Red?”

My eyes flick up to his. “I, um… I was thinking about my family.”

Master steps in closer, our noses an inch apart. “They are your past, Red. I am the only person you should be thinking about, but don’t worry, I will help you think about only me.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

He rubs his fingers over his scruffy jaw and tilts his head. “You are still so young and naïve.” His fingers pinch my chin and pull it down causing my lips to open. “I’m going to have so much fun with you. I don’t think you’ve had many men, and your body hasn’t been fully aroused. But I’m glad about that fact, Red, because I’m going to enjoy bringing your body to life by just using my…” he dips his head above my lips and his tongue flicks out to lick my bottom lip, and as I attempt to move his hand that holds my head in place, “… mouth.” He rasps out the words as his lips touch mine.

I put pressure on the hand that’s at the back of my head, trying to break free, but he’s too strong and won’t let me go.

“All in due time,” he says quietly, and then he runs his nose down my neck and looks at me, smiling. Finally, he removes his hand and walks to the table, pulling out a chair for me.

---