Page 47 of No Mercy
“Gotcha now.”
My pulse spikes as I dart towards the sound, weaving between the branches to avoid getting caught. But when I get there, it’s empty.
Smart girl.
I lean against the tree closest to me, trying to catch my breath, listening for movements.
“You’re making this fun, " I murmer, quiet but loud enough for her to hear. “Shame you’re not going to win.”
The soft sounds of the birds singing around me bring a sense of calm before the storm. Soon, the forest will be filled with another person singing my name.
All that is left to do is to find her. I know she will be somewhere close, somewhere that allows her to have a view of me at all times.
Quickly pushing myself away from the trunk of the tree, I run and dive behind a boulder, ducking behind it to keep me hidden. It doesn’t take long to hear the sound of leaves crunching as someone runs through them. Slowly, I peer around the edge of the rock just as a blur of blonde hair dashes behind a tree not too far.
You’re mine now.
Wasting no time, I sprint across the dirt floor and jump round the other side of the tree except this time, she decided to leave me a present.
“What the…”
I crouch down, picking up the glowing orange mask before gently tossing it in the air.
“Where are you hiding?” I ask myself. She couldn’t have gotten far with how quickly I got here.
The mask lies there, the orange glow beaming at me as it’s taunting me for not being fast enough. Just as I reach to pick it back up, a smile spreads across my face as the sound of heavy breathing breaks through the shadows. It’s faint, but it’s there.
“Ohhh, buttercup,” I sing softly, my voice carrying just enough to make Eva wonder how close I really am. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
I step lightly, careful not to snap any twigs beneath my shoes. My heart pounds in sync with the breaths I’m chasing, each one a clue, pulling me closer. The air is thick with anticipation as I round the bend of a tree.
Green eyes stare at me, widening in fear from being found. Her gaze stays fixated on me as her arse hits the ground before slowly shuffling backwards to try and get away from me. Her chest matching the pace of my heart as it rises and falls.
I crouch lower, resting my arms against my knees as I look over her body, “You gave me a hell of a chase Eva, I’ll give you that.”
Her glare sharpens, clearly not pleased with what I had to say, “Not good enough though, was it?” She snaps.
Something lingers in the air between us, an aroma so thick that neither of us need to say it.
She likes this. The chase, the thrill of being caught. It’s written all over her flushed skin and parted lips.
I don’t break eye contact as I pull the rope from my pocket, the sound of it sliding against the fabric bringing the dream to reality.
“I’m ready to collect my prize.”
Her breath hitches, “What if I don’t want you to collect your prize?”
Releasing a laugh, I lean forward towards her, “Oh baby girl, I can smell your arousal from here.”
I watch as her face goes through different emotions, embarrassment, horror and shame as she tries to hide her face with her hands.
I grab her wrists, pulling them away.
“Don’t ever hide your beautiful face away from me Eva. You have no idea how hard it is right now to not tie you up against that tree.” I tell her, my voice stern.
A soft whimper escapes her, “Why haven’t you?” She questions, pointing to the rope beside us.
I feel my heart swell at the sight of her looking so vulnerable. The urge to wrap her up and protect her growing every second. ? “Because,” I say, my voice steady, “no matter how much I want you—no matter how much I crave this—I’ll never do anything without your permission, buttercup.”
