Page 47 of Ruthless Beast

Lucas moves on top of me and takes my nipple into his mouth. Our feverish bodies, wet with perspiration and passion, morph into a single unit, working together in perfect harmony. We move faster and faster until I cannot hold back the wave of orgasm any longer.

“Let it out,” Lucas says in a low, thick voice.

It’s hard to explain what I’m feeling. It’s as if an orgasm that’s been stuck inside me for years suddenly bursts out of me with such ferocity that I’m sure my spine will snap as I arch my back. Lucas waits for me, and as soon as I stop jerking, he pushes for the finish line. His orgasm is as earth shattering as mine.

If there was an Olympic event for lovemaking, he and I would surely have just secured gold. I’m too spent to say a word. My deft lover rolls off me and lies next to me as we both try to catch our breath.

I’ve completely forgotten that my hands are still tied together until Lucas reaches for me and removes the belt. He checks my wrists to make sure that I’m not hurt. He kisses the marks where the belt dug into my flesh.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No. I’m fine.”

It’s a little awkward now that I’ve come to my senses again, and I can’t help but wonder where to go from here. I’m naked on a floor in a house where I’m being held against my will. This isn’t exactly familiar territory for me.

“That was insane,” Lucas says softly.

“A firm first for me. The belt, I mean.”

“Yeah, not sure why I did that.”

“So, it’s not your usual MO, then?”

“No.”

“You’re an enigma, Lucas.”

“Are you still mad at me?”

“Of course. This changes nothing.”

“I was afraid you might say that. I really am sorry, Emily.”

“Uh-huh. So you keep telling me.”

* * *

It’s been a week since our crazed session in the studio, and I’ve settled into a routine of sorts. It’s clear to me that I’m a semi-permanent houseguest of Lucas, whether I like it or not, so there’s no point in fighting it.

Dominick and his team of merry men keep me fed, and Lucas pops by every now and again to make sure I haven’t dug any trenches under the house to escape. I sketch, paint, and go for walks in the garden, and now and again, Dominick lets me off myleashso I can walk on the beach.

I keep asking Lucas to contact Dannie to let her know that I’m okay, but he insists that it isn’t safe. I’m determined to keep at him until he relents. The conversations get pretty heated.

“No one must know where you are, Emily.”

“But you’ve assured me I’m safe here with you. What’s the harm in telling Dannie? She’ll be worried sick!”

“Please, Emily. Trust me. It’s better for her too.”

“How the hell do you figure? She’ll be out of her mind with worry. Please, Lucas.”

“Fine. I’ll get word to her.”

“Thank you.”

I can’t complain, really. Living under Lucas’ roof has been less of a prison sentence since he moved me into the cottage. I wonder what David would have thought about the current awkward situation I’m in.

Lucas and I are getting to know each other better. We haven’t slept together again. I don’t want him to think that I’m that sort of woman. He’s going to have to work for it. Besides, the situation is weird enough without complicating it even further by throwing sex into the mix.