Page 8 of Obsessed

Blake pokes his head into the bathroom. "Oh my gosh, can you move any slower, youturtle?"

I turn to look at him. "I'm scared shitless about going above, Blake. I feel like I won't even know how to act in public. What's happened tome?"

Blake shuffles on his sandals into the bathroom. "It's just a little paranoia brought on because you need yournectar."

"Shit, just how many fucking side effects does that stuff leavebehind?"

Blake puts his hands on his hips and arches his brow at me. "Not sure but I think we can add grumpiness to thelist."

"Sorry, I'm just excited and nervous." I show him my shaky hand and quickly remember that trembling is also a sideeffect.

He grabs my hand to steady it. "Get in the shower. I'll get you an extra big dose. Looks like you're going to needit."

I stand inside the steam-filled shower and let the hot water run down my face and back. It's only been a day since I last saw Kane, yet my entire body aches for him. That thought circles and squeezes me like a noose. How can I leave the man or run from him or for that matter turn in evidence against him when I can't stop thinking about him? I'm his willing prisoner. The truth is, I'm in a slight state of panic when the leather cuffs and anklets are sitting unlaced in a pile on the vanity. I feel more secure when I am wearing them. They remind me that I'm his eager captive, the woman who paces the bedroom floor to pass the minutes between hisvisits.

Blake knocks on the glass door. He's holding a towel open to hurry me along. He's far more anxious than me to go above. It makes me smile to see him so excited. I quickly finish my shower and step into thetowel.

Blake pats me dry. "Have a seat at the vanity, darlin'. We'll get you all dolled up." He leans back and looks at me. "Those protein smoothies have helped but you're still too thin. Maybe I'll have the chef double theirsize."

"Yes and then I can blow up like that blueberry girl in the Willy Wonkamovie."

Blake laughs and heads over to the medicine panel. "And the Oompas can roll you down to the juicing room. What on earth made you think of WillyWonka?"

"Someone once told me getting into the Lace Underground is like winning a goldenticket."

Blake turns around with the syringe. The amber liquid almost fills the vial. "Well then, darlin', here's your candy fix for theday."

8

Angie

My brief notionthat this would be a normal vacation quickly evaporates when I am blindfolded for the drive to the airport. The nectar has pushed me into that blissful haze that makes the blindfold more fun than worry. My hands rub over the soft leather seating in what feels like the back of a large car, a limousine possibly. The last thing I saw before Blake tied on my blindfold was a dark corridor leading to what I concluded was a garage due to the fumes of exhaust and sound of running engines behindit.

The car door opens and shuts. Instantly, I'm comforted by the scent of Kane's soap. He taps on a window. "Let's move. The plane is waiting." His voice circles around me. The deep, rich sound makes my pulserace.

I can feel the weight of him on the seat next to me but make no attempt to reach for him. He makes the first move. Always. I've grown to expect and love it. The wait only increases my state ofarousal.

"Yes, change the interviews for new members to same time next week. We'll be back by then." His business-like tone and the one sided conversation let me know he's on the phone. "Call if you need me." The callends.

I hear the movement of a small motor or gears like the panel for the medicine or music in my room. A popping sound and the clink of glasses is followed by the sweet scent of champagne. More nectar. Blake gave me extra to calm my nerves. If I relax any more, I might just slip off the seat into apuddle.

I flinch slightly when a glass touches my lips. "Drink," hesays.

I take a sip and rest my head back. My drugged state, the movement of the car and his nearness make me dizzy. He lifts the glass to my lipsagain.

I shake my head. "I'm so high right now, if you open a window, I'll floatout."

"Blake shouldn't increase the dose without asking me." There's a hard edge to hisvoice.

Instantly I come to my friend's defense. "No, it's my fault. I asked him to do it. I was so nervous about the trip, about going out in public," I let the last words trail off realizing how pathetic and weak I sound. I fucking need to pull Angie back. I need her. I'm becoming as fragile as a porcelain doll. One bad fall and I'll break into a millionpieces.

"You shouldn't be nervous. You'll spend most of the time in my cabin on theyacht."

My throat tightens. I'd already talked myself into gobs of fresh air and sunshine. "So I won't be allowedout?"

"I didn't say that." He doesn't sound certain. "We'llsee."

A chilling realization washes over me. Kane has not allowed me to talk to any other men since the first time he allowed me to go to the party and then quickly sent me back to the room. That night, he was filled with rage when he came to my room. In the heat of passion, he made me swear that I belonged to him. I'd pushed the unsettling night out of my mind until now. Purposefully, itseemed.

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