Page 32 of Bleeding Blackheart

I shake my head at him. I don’t know what the hell he wants, but I’m not in the mood. His jaw tightens as he leans forward, and I know he means business. “Don’t make me ask again, Montana. Come here.”

I keep my chest high while I walk toward him, feeling something I haven’t felt before with him. For the first time ever, I don’t feel frightened of him. With him seated before me, I almost feel in control.

His strong hands land on my hips, and he spins me around slowly, putting my ass in his face. I get a flashback to when he spanked me, and I hate how much I want him to do it again.

His hands slide lower until they’re at the hem of my skirt, and he brushes his thumbs over my bare upperthighs. His low and husky voice tickles my exposed lower back. “I don’t like this one.”

My confidence lowers five notches at his revelation, and I turn around, breaking free of his grasp. “What’s wrong with it?”

His eyes dart down to the skirt, looking it over carefully. “It’s way too short. Might invite someone to put their hands on my girl. I can’t have that. Go change into the last one.”

I feel the need to be claimed at the way he calls me his girl. He only sayshis girlswhen he’s referring to his horses. He’s probably just playing into our charade of lovers, but it makes me feel desired all the same. And I’d never tell him, but the thought of him desiring me doesn’t sound as bad as it did yesterday. Even if he is mean and moronic. It must be my hormones making me feel this way.

It takes me longer to get dressed in the last outfit. I pull on a pair of high-waisted leather pants, and then put on a black leather crop top that’s so short, it barely covers my bra. It has a high neckline, and it fits as snug as a sports bra. Paired with the pants, it looks amazing.

There’s a black studded belt on a hanger, and I loop it through the pants which gives them a little extra glamour.

Then there’s a cropped black denim jacket with fringe on the pockets. I slide it on, and then I add a black velvetchoker that got slipped into the pile. Last but not least, I put on the black leather cowgirl boots that get slipped under my curtain. There’s a black leather jacket with fringe on the sleeves that would go with this look too, but the denim jacket isn’t as hot. I step out to show him what he created, and he stands up with a smile on his face. “Now you look like mine.”

I ignore the heat stirring inside me and spin around on my own, wanting him to see the full look. He walks past me into my fitting room getting all of the other options he liked, and then we head to the register to check out.

By the time we get to the motel, it’s nearly six p.m., and I’m starving.

Blackheart carries in our suitcases and shopping bags into our room, and I sit on a chair in the corner, getting ready to take off my shoes when he stops me. “Don’t change. I’m going to use the bathroom, and then we’re going out.”

“Going out where?” I figured I’d spend my evening chained to the bed with shitty takeout, but it seems we have other plans.

He pulls out his phone, typing something in. “I didn’t want to come to Colorado Springs to stare at the paint on the wall. We’re going to a bar not too far from here where we’ll have dinner. Is that a problem for you?”

His question is rhetorical, but I answer anyway, not wanting him to change his mind. Going out might be nice. Maybe he’ll let me have a drink and I can try and erase my terrible memories and pretend I’m not Montana Barnes for a few hours. “That’s not a problem at all.”

He heads toward the bathroom then doubles back, looking at me. “Can I trust you, Montana?”

Nois the first word that pops into my head. He can’t trust me, and he shouldn’t. Just like he’s still suspicious of me, I’m suspicious of him, and I’m still on the fence about running. The closer we get to Arizona, the more I think that maybe I could still escape him. If I got a ride, I could get my money without him, and I’d be on my way and never have to see him again.

But the thought of doing so scares me. There’s no one else I can go to for help. Charlotte was all I had left. And putting myself in the hands of another stranger is just as frightening as staying with the man who attempted to shoot me. For now, I’ll just play it by ear and see how the next couple of days are before I do anything crazy.

I look at him and give him my most sincere look, hoping he believes the words I’m about to say next. “You can trust me. I won’t go anywhere. I promise.”

He nods his head, and then he goes into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

15

Blackheart

I’m on edge the entire time I’m pissing, praying that Montana doesn’t run out on me. I hope by now we’re past her trying to escape. We had a rough start, but deep down she has to know that being with me is better than being with her father. And hopefully after a few drinks I can get her to tell me why he wants her dead and why she’s not as innocent as she’s pretending to be.

Once I finish my business, I head back into the room. Montana’s warm eyes meet mine, and she stands up, facing me. She looks good in her new clothes. I can tell she feels better in them too. Her energy is less sad, and she looks more self-assured. Wanting to be close to her again, I take her hand in mine, not concerned with whether she wants my touch or not, and head out to the truck.

Montana’s eyes light up as soon as we step into the bar like it’s her first time being in one. I guess this is her first time doing anything fun since she was taken. I wonderhow long he had her and where he kept her. I’m going to make it my mission to find out.

She wants to sit at the bar, but I pull her to a table instead. I prefer the bar myself, but I don’t want any punk here trying to talk to her. We get drink menus first, and I hand her one, wanting her to feel like she has some agency over her decisions. If I show her a nicer side, she may just relax enough to let her guard down and share some of the secrets she’s so desperate to hide.

Blowing a piece of hair out of her face, she wets her mauve lips with her soft pink tongue. “What am I allowed to get?”

“Whatever you want.”

Her eyes widen, and I correct myself. “Just for tonight. Don’t get used to it.”

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