Page 52 of CHASE: Captive to the Dark

“You’re getting better.”

I stayed quiet as I ate, trying my best not to show emotion. I couldn’t deny a part of me soared with happiness at the admission. I often wondered what he thought of the submission he forced me into. I also reveled in it, when I knew I shouldn’t. When I had thought to give myself to him before, I was sure it was the right decision. And maybe at the time it would have been okay. He didn’t know who he was then. His men had left, so we were alone. Now, it was the most dangerous thing I could do.

“I think I’ll reward you for your good behavior. Your foot’s getting better. I doubt you could go on a long walk, but I think you can make it to the deck just fine.”

My eyes shot up and I longed to kneel before him to offer thanks. I hadn’t seen the sun or the outside world in what felt like forever. I never thought I’d miss the fresh air as much as I had, but it was killing me to stay confined in this space for so long.

“Thank you, Father. I would like that.”

“Do you know what I would like?”

My fingers enclosed the bacon tighter.

At my silence, he placed his hands behind his back and continued the length back and forth, but his stare never left me.

“Finish eating.”

I didn’t want to finish. I didn’t think I could eat another bite. All I longed for was to go outside and breathe the clean, mountain breeze. But as much as I needed it, I took another bite. I was afraid to hear what he wanted. Who was I kidding? I already knew. He wanted my kiss. Something I had withheld from him on multiple occasions. To me, it signaled a submission I wasn’t ready for. One I couldn’t fall into.

Grief settled in and I let the truth sink in. If I didn’t kiss him, he’d take my reward away. I wouldn’t be going outside. Not today. Probably not until I found my way out of here.

I took a bite of eggs and my hand shot to my mouth. I couldn’t handle forcing myself to eat. It was making me sick. All of this was. More darkness, more of this room. More days cuffed to this bed with only a few hours here or there to walk around as best as I could. I was wilting away, not only on the outside with my weight loss, but also on the inside.

Somehow, I managed to swallow, but the sweat that began to coat my skin wouldn’t subside.

“I’m finished.”

“And not well.” Chase grew closer, but I kept my eyes lowered. His hand eased over my forehead and down to take in the temperature of my cheeks. God, how I loved the way it felt. How long had it been since I’d felt another’s touch besides my own. Days. Multiple days. It didn’t seem like a long time, but when you were surrounded by nothingness, it was a lifetime.

“You don’t have a fever.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You lie. You are far from okay, but it is your own doing.”

My eyes shot up and I wanted to scream at him that this was his doing. He was the one keeping me here, locked in this basement like I was some sort of prisoner.

“Stand.”

His order was clear, but I knew where this was headed.

“I don’t care to go outside. I’d like to lie back down. I’m tired.” Which I was. All I ever really did down here was sleep. It helped the craziness that was beginning to take over my mind. The voices that begged to give in and be free of this hell.

Hardness pulled at Chase’s features and he didn’t move. He gave me an order and he expected me to follow it.

Slowly, I stood on the mattress, hiding my anger by keeping my face low so my hair could conceal me. There was a slight weakness in my foot, but my ankle was healing. Pressure from his hands grasped around my forearms and he pulled until I was directly in front of him.

“Look at me.” His grip disappeared and he brought his hands up to push back my hair. When I met the deep blue of his eyes, butterflies tickled my stomach, making me feel worse. There was no dominance, just concern. And he was still touching me. Still provoking the neediness that was my biggest weakness. “Talk to me, Kathleen.”

“I would like to go back to sleep.”

My hair was tucked behind my ears and he lowered, wrapping his arms around my waist so his head could rest on my chest. The comfort felt so good, I almost leaned into him. I wanted to. I needed to.

“I’ll admit, I never expected you to last this long. I underestimated you in so many ways.”

I tried to shift, but he held me tighter. The twitching of my fingers was due to the desperation pumping through me. If I could only touch him back, just for a moment, perhaps this yearning would cease. Before I could give in, he continued.

“You’ve chosen. Going outside can wait until later. Since you wish to sleep, I will lay with you.”

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