Page 49 of Hunt for You

He gave another husky chuckle that made me want to bite my lip.

“I’m a patient man, Bridget. But this ismyhunt, and I will not let you steal it from me. So we now have a new rule…”

17. Gotcha

~ BRIDGET ~

“Are you listening?”

I nodded again, strangely enjoying the sensation of his hand on my throat.

“From now on, you tell menothingabout where you will be, or what you’re doing. If you do, you will only guarantee that I will go dark. You need to learn is that I canalwaysfind you. I amalwaysprepared to take you. And no one will choose the time and place but me. Not even you.”

I nodded again, thrill and fear trilling in my stomach.

“If you try to lure me out again, I will disappear from your life. I am the hunter. You are the prey. You do not choose when we meet. You do not choose where. And you havenosay in the moment our arrangement ends, are we clear?”

I nodded again, my heart racing when he leaned in.

“Unless you’d like to use the safeword? That is the only control you’ll have in this little dance.”

I shook my head as best I could.

He growled his approval, deep in his chest, then his thumb came up to trace the line of my jaw again. And his voice dropped to a whisper.

“Such a pretty girl… so fragile. You think you’re strong, Bridget. And in this world, you are. But not in mine. I can do more than just steal your air.”

There was a split second when niether of us breathed, then the universe spun.

Limbs completely out of control, I wasn’t even sure which way was up until I landed on the ground with a thud and a grunt—immediately followed by another as a heavy weight landed on my lower back and massive hands pinned flat against either side of my skull and pulled me back until my spine was arched and I was looking up at that mask as he straddled my back and stared down at me.

Hands clawing in the dirt but unable to give me any traction because I was bent backwards to my limits and all I could think wasdon’t break my neck!I caught myself, swallowed the sounds back just as I was about to plead with him to stop.

He huffed. “So you do havesomeself-control. Very good. You’ve pleased me.”

I tried to plant the heel of my hand on the dirt to give myself some support, but my arm slid out because of the angle he’d bent me into. My heart was beginning to hammer with fear again.

“Now, remember that I told you I don’t lie? Here’s an important truth. I could snap your spine right now. Just a few pounds more pressure and the right twist of your neck,” he tightened his grip on either side of my skull, “and this game would be over. Finished. The only reason you’re still alive is becauseIchoose it.”

I couldn’t nod, or speak, so I just listened, fear and thrill clanging through me.

Then he dropped his chin and his jaw brushed my cheek as he leaned down to whisper in my ear again.

“You’re mine, Bridget. No more of this teasing. No more trying to tempt me out. No more begging. I will come for you whenIchoose. I willtakeyou whenIchoose it. You have no control. None. And if that isn’t what you want, then when I disappear, you run home and send me that safe word.”

His breath was growing harsher, and I could feel his arousal pressing against my lower spine, it made tingles radiate between my thighs even as my body screamed terror because he had me stretched so taut I didn’t doubt at all that with just a small jerk, he could kill me on the spot.

Then, to my surprise he moved, releasing my head only to slide one hand back down to my throat and keep me bent backwards that way, while the other dove down the front of my shirt, and under my bra, to grasp my breast.

I thought he’d be rough. I thought he’d grab and twist and punish me for my insolence. So it was a surprise when he cupped my breast, his hand so much bigger than my boob, and stroked the inside of it with his thumb, then began circling his calloused palm over the painfully hard peak of my nipple which had been straining against my bra this entire time.

He gave that deep, approving rumble again and rocked his hips to press his length against my spine, but easing back the pressure on my throat just slightly so it was a touch easier to breathe.

“If I touched you, what would I find?” he rasped, the edge of that mask dragging against my hair. “I think I’d find you slick and ready for me. Am I right, Bridget?”

I gave a handful of short, quick nods because I only had about half an inch of movement before his hand would cut off my air.

He rumbled again and I started panting.

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