Page 13 of Rescuing Tobias

Honestly, she didn't even know what she wanted or needed.

All she knew was that something churned inside her and she couldn’t figure out how to still it.

If she didn't, it felt like she was going to spin all the way out of control.

Since she didn't want to watch TV, wasn't hungry, and didn't want to grab a book from the shelves in the corner, Isabella just paced around the room. Even though she was free now, rescued, safe, it felt like she was still caged.

The sounds of the city were too loud and nothing like the soft, country sounds she was used to. There were too many people around, too many buildings, too many cars, and she was swamped by a feeling of claustrophobia so strong it almost took her to her knees. She wanted to be surrounded by trees and wild animals, to have the whole expanse of sky spread out above her, twinkling with a myriad of stars rather than having them all blocked out by the light and air pollution.

“You okay?”

Unexpected as it was, the voice behind her made her jump, but as she spun around and her gaze landed on the man standing there wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, all that glorious muscle on display, she suddenly knew what she wanted.

What she needed.

For months everything in her life had been out of control. She’d been used and abused, coerced into doing things shedidn't want to do. She’d been starved, forced to go to the bathroom with an audience, and kept locked up.

Now she wanted to be truly free.

Wanted to be in control of her own body and what happened to it.

Without overthinking it, she flew across the room and threw herself at Tobias. His eyes widened in surprise, but his arms moved automatically to catch her, even though he grunted in pain.

“Sorry, you okay? I forgot you had an old injury, you must have aggravated it while rescuing us,” she apologized. But when she went to wriggle out of his arms, he tightened his hold on her, keeping her right where she was. So she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his hips, and groaned as the hardening ridge in his boxers pressed up against her aching center.

Sex should probably be the last thing on her mind, but she couldn’t fight against the need for this man that was suddenly thrumming its way through her system.

This wouldn't fix anything, wouldn't change anything, wouldn't make anything better or show her what her next steps should be. But it would be so good. It would give her something else to focus on, would give her body pleasure rather than the pain it had grown accustomed to. It would give her freedom and control, remind her that she was in charge of her own life and that those people hadn't broken her.

“I’m fine,” Tobias assured her, and she found herself staring at his lips as he spoke.

They were nice lips, looked like they would be heaven to kiss.

Would he tell her no?

Would he stop her?

Would he call her crazy if she said she wanted to sleep with him?

Of course, there was no way she would follow through with this if he didn't want it too. Just because he’d gotten hard with her wrapped around him like this didn't mean he actually wanted to sleep with her. He was a man, and it was a natural reaction to having a half-naked woman clinging to him.

“What are we doing?” Tobias asked. His dark eyes were bright with arousal, and his gaze dropped to her mouth when she ran the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip.

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“What you're up for.”

“What exactly areyouup for?” he asked, pulling back a little.

Their gazes clashed, danced, and she knew he knew exactly what she was up for. She wasn't wearing anything under the T-shirt he’d loaned her, and she knew she was wet for him, knew he must be able to feel it through the thin material of his boxers.

“We can't, little firecracker.” Although he said the words, his hold on her shifted slightly, his hands gripping her backside. With her legs spread as they gripped his hips, his fingers were so close to where she wanted them.

“Why?” She wanted this, as far as she was concerned, the only potential roadblock was if he didn't.

“Because you were trafficked, you were hurt, you’ve been through so much and I can't … I can't offer you anything.”

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