She glanced up to see his gaze darken.
“You killed someone, Master.” Molly swallowed deeply as she met his eye. “You killed her with your bare hands.”
“The same hands which have brought you immense pleasure?” he countered.
“And the same ones which have paddled me to within an inch of my life, caged me, and chained me?” her retort was curt and immediate.
“Yes, I killed her,” he agreed. “Tell me, kitten, how does that make you feel?”
She drew in a deep breath. “Shocked, and a little scared,” she conceded. “I knew you were fucked up, but this was a level I didn’t anticipate.”
“Yeah. I am a whole new level of psycho,” he drawled coolly.
“How can I ever trust you? I mean, it was hard enough as it was, but after this. How can I ever trust you, again?”
“Maybe you can’t,” he told her. “Maybe you shouldn’t, kitten, but it’s not like I’m going to give you any choice either way. You’re mine, and even when you had a chance to escape, you didn’t take it. I think we’re as fucked up as each other.”
Molly was quiet for a moment as she contemplated his words. “Master, I think you’re right.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
It was a long night. They talked for what seemed like hours. It was light again by the time she slipped back to sleep, and he had joined her for a few hours of rest. Connor was surprised she trusted him enough to doze off again that way, or maybe she was just so exhausted, she was past caring. Either way, she knew about him. She knew what he’d done; who he was. Connor had no idea what was going to happen now, or how their story would end, but at least the truth was out. For the first time in years he had been honest, and it was true what they say, the admission had made him feel better.
Of course, there was still the matter of the police. He had the feeling he hadn’t seen the last of Detectives Finley and Jones, but hopefully he’d thrown them off the scent for at least a couple of days. They would need grounds to search the house – actual evidence – and so long as Carson held up his end of the bargain, there would be none of that. The thought of Carson stirred him, and he slipped from the bed. He needed to call that bastard again and see what was going on. If he was going to start letting Connor down, then he’d need to pay him a visit, and apply a little pressure of his own. Perhaps it was even time to get in touch with his brother again. He knew that Dalton would have his back.
Finding his clothes on the floor, he collected his cell phone and quietly unbolted the door. He searched his directory for the number he wanted as he strode toward the upstairs kitchen. The digits on the phone showed it was nearly twenty to eleven in the morning. Carson should be at his desk by now. Connor was just about to hit call, when he heard noise on the drive.
A car.
The sound of tires on the gravel made him tense. He had a bad feeling about whoever was driving that car. Slipping the phone back into his shirt pocket, he took the stairs two at a time as he ran to the door. The obscured glass in the front door didn’t give much away, but he could make out a dark looking sedan. It was ominously familiar.
“Shit!”
The word slipped from his mouth on reflex. The detectives were back already, and even now he could see one of them leaving the vehicle and striding toward the house. Damn it, how can they be back already? They were only here last night!
“I’m not ready!” he hissed into his chest. “You can’t search the house yet, you son of a bitch. I’m not ready.”
It was then that he remembered Molly. She was fast asleep upstairs in his bed and he hadn’t bolted the fucking door when he’d left the room. He could physically feel the blood draining from his face as the silhouette of one the men arrived at his door. It was too late to get back to the bedroom, and anyway, what would be the point? If they had a warrant, then they could bust the door down anyhow. Better that he remain calm, and go along with the story from last night. Molly was his girlfriend, so there’s no issue with her being asleep in his bed. He just needed to play along, and keep calm.
Stay in control.
The sound of the knock made him jump in spite of himself. Connor inhaled as he pulled the lock away from the door.
“Detective?”
Even he was surprised at the casual nonchalance in his voice.
“Mr. Reilly.” It was Finley – the tall one.
“Back again so soon?” Connor quipped.
He glanced left to see Detective Jones sauntering over to join his colleague. “Good morning, Mr. Reilly,” he smirked.
Something about that guy really wound him up. “To what do I owe this illustrious pleasure, gentlemen?” he snapped. “Were you not just here last night?”
“Some new evidence has come to light since our last visit,” explained Finley.
“New evidence?” he repeated. “Like what?”
“We’re not at liberty to divulge that information, Mr. Reilly.” Jones’ voice was thick with his obvious smug intent. “All we can tell you is that we now have a warrant to search this address, in relation to the ongoing investigation.”
Connor’s belly knotted with trepidation. Even though he had anticipated this, it was all happening rather more quickly than he’d guessed it would.
“I thought it was a missing person investigation?”
Connor kept his body wedged between the men and access to the house. He might only be able to stall them, but something about this act didn’t add up. If they were here to search the house, where was the cavalry? Were two men going to instigate a property search on their own?
“I’m sorry, sir.” It was Finley speaking again. “We’re not at liberty to divulge that information, either.”
“Yeah, right,” he snorted, not believing a word. “So, where’s this warrant then? Let’s see it.”
The two men at his door exchanged a wordless glance. Their expressions were telling.
“We don’t have the paperwork with us at this time, Mr. Reilly,” sighed Finley. “We were rather hoping for your cooperation.”
Connor wanted to laugh out loud at that one. “My cooperation?” he said coolly. “By which you mean, what? Let you snoop around my house for signs of an ex who hasn’t lived here for years?”
Jones’ brow arched at Connor’s sarcasm.
“I wouldn’t put it that way precisely,” replied Finley. “But if you work with us now, then your cooperation will be noted.”
Connor had heard enough. “Well, thanks for stopping by, gentlemen, but without your warrant you can forget a guided tour around this place.”
Jones shook his head. “I told you,” he said turning toward Finley. “I told you this guy would be no fucking use.”
Finley stared at Connor for a moment, but didn’t reply to his colleague. “We’ll be back with our warrant, Mr. Reilly,” he assured him. “And when we are, we won’t need your cooperation.”
Connor eyed him back. He could feel the irritation bubbling inside of his body, clenching his fists as the emotion swept over him. “I look forward to it,” he told the men in little more than a growl.
He watched them wander away, his mind ticking over tens of thoughts as they headed for the unmarked car. Why the fuck had they come here again this morning when they didn’t even have the warrant with them? Were they just trying to frighten him, or piss him off? He closed the door slowly, struggling to contain his emotions. As the latch connected, he slammed his fist into the woodwork. Something had to be done about those two bastards, and soon. He wouldn’t let them torture him over this.
“Master?”
Molly’s voice startled him, and he spun on his heel to find her at the top of the staircase. The sight of her was breathtaking, and he watched as the metal swayed between her pretty, pert breasts.
“What are you doing out of bed, kitten?”
She stared at him coyly, shifting her weight awkwardly between one foot and the next. The gesture was reminiscent of a naughty schoolgirl, and it made him hard
.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I couldn’t find you and the door was open, Master.”
He nodded, climbing the stairs until he was nose to nose with Molly. “How are you, my beautiful little kitten?”
Connor saw the way her skin flushed at his compliment, and it made him smile. Even after everything he had put her through, and after his impromptu confession, his words could still make her blush.
He’d thought it before, but it was truer now than ever before. Molly was too fucking adorable.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Standing there at the top of the staircase, Molly wondered if she had finally lost her mind. She’d been worried about it for a long time, but now it seemed obvious. Connor – the man who had snatched her, and held her against her will had told her he’d killed his girlfriend. He’d actually confessed to the murder, and what had she done in response? Had she screamed and shouted at him? Had she trembled with fear and revulsion? She’d certainly had all of the internal thought processes on the subject. She knew how afraid and disgusted she should be. In reality though, what she had done was listen. She had listened to his explanations. She’d even thought about understanding them, and worse, she’d fallen asleep in his arms.
If that didn’t make her insane, then what did?
“I’m confused,” she murmured in response to his earlier question. “I heard voices, Master. Has something happened?”
Connor’s lips grazed over her mouth, sending jolts of electricity through her body. She opened for him, like she always did. There was no other way with Connor. She’d learned that now. You could fight, but he was stronger. You could run, but he was faster. She had pushed and defied him the whole way along, and at the end of the day, she had paid the price. But it was more than that. She knew it. And she knew he did, too.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” he told her as he drew away slowly. “Just my detective friends again.”
“Again?” she repeated in a raspy voice. “About Lydia.”
His stare was soft, yet insistent. “Yes, about Lydia. I have the feeling the net might be closing.”
Molly felt her heart pick up its pace at his words. It was ridiculous. She should be glad that the police were onto him about his dead girlfriend. She should be relieved. It was her first real chance of escape, so why didn’t she feel the appropriate relief and gratitude?
“What are you going to do?” she asked him, deflecting her own confusion into the question.
“The first thing I’m going to do is you, kitten,” he purred in that way that made her nipples bead instinctively.
“But…” His lips crashed against her mouth again, terminating her sentence.
Molly knew she was caving in, she could actual feel her body capitulate. His tongue was slow and sensual, caressing the inside of her mouth as he claimed her. Christ, she loved this. She loved the way he took her and made her his. He didn’t ask her permission when he kissed her. He never had, but for this he didn’t need to. She didn’t understand what the fuck was going on, but she knew one thing. If he was going to get busted, and thrown in jail, then this could be the last time he ever fucked her. The last time she ever opened for him, felt his cock inside her. And the crux of it was, Molly didn’t even know how she felt about that.
As the kiss ended, his gaze was soft; taunting.
“And the second thing?” she whispered, as if she was in a daze.
Connor was smiling as he nudged her backwards to rise to the top step. “What’s that?”
“You said I was the first thing, Master, but what’s the second thing?”
Connor laughed at that. “Always my smart little kitten,” he chuckled. “The second is that we need to move. We need to get out of here before my detective friends come back.”
“Move?” she repeated. “Where?”
She could hear the shock in her voice. Practically everything about this whole experience had been about this house. She’d first woken up in the spare room just across the hall after he’d taken her. He’d made her eat all those agonizing meals from the dog bowl in the kitchen. He’d cleaned and shaved her by hand in the bathroom, and loved her in the most unimaginable ways in his bedroom. And then there was the way he’d humiliated her with that damn awful punishment post, and that God-awful cage in the basement. This small property had become the center of her entire world. The only time he’d taken her out of here was to go to that horrendous, fucking cabin, and she remembered how bad that had been. It had actually been a relief coming back here, even though it did mean more rounds of punishment.
“Yes,” he insisted. “We need to go. They’ll be back soon, and finding you here will make things even harder to explain. Unless…”
“Unless, what, Master?” her tone was breathy. She dreaded to think what he would come out with next.
“Unless you want to be found?” he concluded. There was a pause as their eyes met, and they both absorbed the intensity of the moment. “Is that what you want, pet? Do you want the police to find you?”
Time stood still, protracting in that way it did with Connor. This was it, the pivotal moment in their relationship. Everything which had been happening between them boiled down to this moment in time. Was she going to take the opportunity she’d been looking for, and escape him, and would he really let her go? Every logical part of her brain knew that she should. She should want to, but Molly knew she had feelings for Connor. That much was obvious, too. She didn’t know what they were or what they meant, but they were there. She also knew deep down that he felt something for her as well. She could see it in his eyes. In the way he touched her, and in spite of everything, in the way he always sought her consent before they fucked. Connor felt something, and that alone was more than she’d ever have given him credit for.
“We talked about this,” she answered at length. “If I’d wanted to be found, I would have screamed when they were here yesterday. They’re not looking for me, are they, Master? They don’t even know I’m here?”
“I don’t think so,” he brooded from beside her, “but that’s not good enough. If you’re not looking for a way out, then I’m not going to let them find you.”
“I’m yours.” The words came from her spontaneously. “You’ve said it yourself often enough, Connor, and we both know it. No-one else can take me.”
That was it. She was officially crazy, but as his hand slid to the back of her neck and drew her in for another long kiss, Molly wasn’t sure she cared. Sane or insane. Trust or no trust. She was what she was. They both were, and they were in this together now.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
He picked Molly up and carried her back to his bedroom. As he stalked across the rug with her, he realized how little time she was spending on the floor now. Given the regime he had wanted to introduce, it was ironic that she was either on her feet or on her back these days. Throwing her gently onto the bed, he took a moment to revel in the look of his kitten. In such a short time she had come so far – they both had. Sure, they’d had their ups and downs, but even in his wildest dreams, Connor hadn’t imagined this. A time where she could wander around the house unchained seemed inconceivable, even a few days ago, but now. Now, things were different.
He did feel something for her. It was new, and even disconcerting, but it was real enough. Every time he contemplated landing in prison and losing her, his chest constricted. The thought was painful. She was his now. His. It was meant to be.
“How do you want me, Master?”
Her voice was a sexy little purr. Perfect for his kitten. She leapt into action, twisting onto her hands and knees and throwing him a cheeky smile over her shoulder. Connor’s cock grew exponentially.
“Are you ready for me, pet”? he demanded, grabbing a condom before he climbed onto the bed behind her.
She was panting now, her knees splaying wider to receive him like an automated response.
Not automated, the little voice in his head taunted him. Learned.
“Always, Master,” came the breathy little reply. “Haven’t I always been ready?”
“Yes, you have,” he drawled as his yanked his pants down from his hips, and eased the condom into position. “You are such a good, little kitten.”
She meowed at him playfully, giggling as he moved in behind her, cocooning her body. Her whimpered response was reflexive, but the noise made him even harder.
“Do you want me, Molly?” His voice was low and insistent.
“Yes,” she replied in an instant. “You know I do, Master. I always want you.”
That was all he needed to hear. Much though he adored hearing her beg, there wasn’t time for that now. He lowered his mouth to her nape, caressing the sensitive skin with his lips. Fuck, he loved this. He loved being this close to her. The thought halted him for just a second as he positioned his cock over her damp pussy lips.
Was this love? his thoughts demanded. Was this what love felt like? Hot, emotional and needy, like his every fiber depended on her being; her essence; her submission. Connor closed his eyes briefly, before his lust took over. He speared her with one long thrust, the sensation warm and cathartic. Their throaty sounds filled the room around him, spurring him on as he withdrew and lunged into her again.
“Oh, Master,” she called out, her back arching beneath him to allow him even greater access. “Yes, fuck me.”
“Don’t worry, pet,” he growled. “You are going to get every last inch of me, over and over until you’re begging me to stop.”
His words made her mewl, her wetness clenching his shaft as he fucked her. Every time he lunged, the sensations got better. His balls tightened, his climax nearing, but damn it, he wanted to pause; to make it last.
The passion grew, its need burgeoning until it felt animal-like and out of his control. When he finally found his peak, depositing his seed into the woman he owned, he was replete. They tumbled together, their bodies collapsing onto the bed. Trapped under the weight of his body, Molly whimpered. There was a pang of guilt as he registered her own lack of pleasure, but she looked satisfied enough as he snuggled into her fine body.
Tamed: (A Dark Romance Kidnap Thriller) (The Dark Necessities Trilogy Book 2) Page 19