The Escape

by Alice Ward

  “I ordered us some ice cream, and I’d like to tend to you, please.” If she refused, I’d lost. And suddenly this game had a lot more at stake than a family legacy.

  “That sounds nice,” she whispered in a raspy voice.

  “I’ll need to undress you, are you comfortable with that?” I felt like I’d turned to stone as I awaited her answer. Usually, by this time in the evening, the women were playing the thank-you-master part as I rewarded them with soothing balms and salves. Most of them, despite the rough treatment and sore patches, were ready for a second or third go at it.

  This was different. This was Ava. I’d tie myself to the chair before touching her sexually again tonight.

  Hesitating for only a second, she simply rose, slid the robe off her shoulders and stood before me naked. Her pale skin was flawless but for the red marks on her buttocks, and her breasts that were darkened with discolorations.

  Guilt for my overzealous treatment of her burned in my gut.

  “Let’s start with your breasts.” I cleared my throat. “Lay down on the edge of the bed, lengthwise.”

  She did as I asked, and laid there stiff and full of tension.

  “Try to breathe, this might feel a little cold at first.” I stroked her breast lovingly as I administered the gel to her ravaged nipples. I could tell they were tender to the touch by the way she squirmed when I applied the oily liquid to her skin.

  I made sure to gently rub her tender flesh until all of the Arnica was absorbed, then gently guided her onto her stomach and administered it to her ass. Here, the marks weren’t as bad, just faded pink orbs, but I lovingly smoothed the gel over her heated flesh. When I was done, I kissed both of her ass cheeks, helped her off the bed and handed her back the robe.

  “I really need a leash.” When her eyes widened, I realized my meaning would have sounded like I meant the leash for her. I slapped my hand across my forehead. “For me, not for—”

  She laughed. “I really need to do some research.” She was making an attempt at humor, with a spark in her eyes that told me she might be leaning toward a little adventure. That was good. All might not be totally lost.

  I exhaled, my chest loosening. “Do you like chocolate chip ice cream?”

  “I love it.” She smiled, and I guided her to the kitchen.

  I could only hope Mason was having the same challenges with Isabella I was having with Ava. But Isabella seemed like a real firecracker.

  Ava and Isabella were strong women in different ways. Ava would be the one to survive a disaster and help those around her get out alive. Isabella would take on the force that caused the tragedy in the first place. Ava was reactionary while Isabella seemed revolutionary. Neither were women my cousin and I — given our attitudes — should be hooked up with.

  In fact, quite the reverse.

  It was as if Uncle had chosen the wrong matches on purpose.

  The thought gave me pause. Had he gotten to a point in his old age that he’d screw up something this big?

  Isabella would have been the better match for me, personality wise. Except I wasn’t really attracted to her, and she didn’t have the spark that drew me to Ava. I guessed that was what the old cliché meant, we’d met our matches.

  Bravo, Uncle Harv.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Ava

  I woke up the next morning, bright sun coming through the drapes. Lucas was already out of bed. I flew into a sitting position, holding the sheet to my chest, searching the room for a clock.

  I usually had my phone right by the bed, but the guide had taken our phones. We’d get them back sometime today to make a few last calls before they’d be switched off for the rest of the competition.

  “Don’t worry.” Lucas came in looking fresh in a pair of jeans and a crisp white t-shirt. “It’s only eight o’clock. We got another box, but the guide said to let you sleep. There’s breakfast when you’re ready.” His smile was warm as our gazes collided — there was a bond between us that hadn’t existed before.

  Last night, after our talk, he’d done his best to help ease the pain he’d inflicted. Even though I was sore, his touch had inflamed me, made me want him again. But I was so embarrassed by my reaction, by my liking what I’d always categorized in my mind as abuse, that pressed down my new desires.

  I’d settled for the ice cream he’d ordered up especially for me. It was some of the best I’d ever tasted, made more delicious by our circumstances.

  After our dessert, I could barely keep my eyes open at the kitchen table.

  “Let’s get you to bed,” he’d said as he swooped me up in his arms and carried me there. I dropped my robe to the floor and snuggled between the soft sheets, hoping he would not be able to resist my nakedness. But then I fell asleep immediately.

  “I don’t smell bacon cooking. What, no breakfast in bed?” I asked, trying to tease my way to a good start this morning.

  “My specialty is ice cream at midnight. You fell asleep before I could show you what I could do with it.” He gave me a sinister grin.

  I gulped. “Oh.”

  His grin grew wider. “I didn’t make the breakfast, but it looks delicious, and the view is amazing this morning.”

  “I’m starving.” I grabbed my robe from the floor, slung it around me and jumped to my feet. “Oooh!” came out of my mouth as my body objected.

  “You okay?” Lucas looked panicked.

  I was still a little sore. It’d been so long since I’d even had sex, let alone hard-pounding, pussy-pummeling sex. I’d have to give my flesh some time to adjust.

  “Nothing to worry about.” I smiled and did my best to walk normally to the kitchen.

  As I passed through the entry hall, I noticed a red and white box sitting on the table again. Shivers ran down my back and to my center, curing me of any lingering hesitation.

  So that I wouldn’t appear too eager, I continued on to the kitchen, where someone had set out our breakfast. I took a seat across from Lucas, where we could look out at the white mountain peaks.

  After we ate, he broached the subject of the box. “We’ve ignored it for as long as we can.”

  Now that we’d found even ground again, I guessed we were both reluctant to risk it.

  “Right, we should check it out.” I pretended like I was enthused by the idea of having to compete again so soon. Surely, though, this wouldn’t be a sex challenge. But the daylight task of shoveling snow hadn’t been much of a picnic either. “Let’s hope for a non-labor activity.”

  We approached the box as if we were stalking our prey. He snatched it up, and I closed my eyes, throwing out a little silent wish as if the box were a fountain and I’d thrown in a penny, just in case it would help.

  Inside was another handwritten card.

  CHALLENGE #5

  Rough Ride

  We know things have been a bit bumpy, but here’s where the ride gets really rough. You’ll be skiing Céleste Chalet’s black slope.

  Gear is in your closet.

  Winners of the last two challenges will be announced on the slopes.

  The task commences at noon.

  “This’ll be a breeze,” Lucas exclaimed, looking relieved before he turned to me and his expression changed to worried. “Are you okay?”

  “I can’t ski. I’ve never been skiing, or even seen real skis up close. However, I do know what a black run is. I might actually die on a black run. I’m willing to try but—”

  Lucas stepped toward me, lifting his hands to cup my face. “Shhh… listen for a moment. I’ve a surprise for you. I want to keep it as a surprise, but I don’t want you to worry about the skiing, I’ve got you covered. I promise. I know you don’t really trust me at the moment, but you’re going to have to rely on me for this.” His voice was confident and reassuring, and he met my eyes. I could tell he wanted me to see the truth in them.

  He was right — I didn’t trust him too much, with reason. And yet, I had no choice but to put my trust in him. It was either tru
st him or die on the slopes of the Colorado Rockies.

  “Okay, ski master, I’ll leave this challenge in your hands.” I smiled and took his hand, shaking it in an overexaggerated measure of goodwill.

  Just then, the guide came in and offered us our phones. Finally. I was happy to get back in touch with my reality.

  Lucas didn’t seem as excited, and probably had a pile of work to attend to.

  I was ravenous to speak to someone, anyone outside of the chalet. I needed to call Sylvia, let her know I was still alive, but I was afraid she was going to notice something different about me just by hearing my voice. I never thought I’d miss my annoying roommate as much as I did, and it’d only been a few days.

  “Do you mind if I take a minute?” I asked sweetly as I cradled my phone to my chest.

  “Yes, of course. Let’s get our responsibilities out of the way.” The way he’d sobered when handed his phone made me wonder if he liked his chosen profession as much as I did mine.

  Slipping open the terrace door — it was sunny and crisp outside, and I hoped the fresh mountain would help me think clearly — I stepped out and hit Sylvia’s contact, listening to it ring.

  “Hey, y’all, the billionairess is on the phone, get your asses out here,” Sylvia shouted as she answered.

  I couldn’t believe the nostalgia that hit me for my cramped apartment — then I reminded myself of the fact that it wasn’t my apartment anymore. Still, it’d been my comfort zone. It had never been home. Home was what I’d left behind when I’d run off to New York.

  As Sylvia bombarded me with questions, I heard the window to the bedroom open. I didn’t turn to look, as I was afraid Lucas would think I was eavesdropping. God knew how he’d choose to punish me if he caught me trying to snoop. I got off the phone quickly, trying to save time to call my sister, after assuring Sylvia I hadn’t been bound and gagged.

  Dialing my sister, Lillie answered, out of breath. “Is everything going okay?” I’d let her know only a piece of what I was doing before I boarded the plane here. “Is it glamorous? Is he sexy?” Lillie was a barrage of questions, as usual.

  “Oh my god, no, it’s not glamorous at all. In fact, I had to shovel the driveway the first day here. I did get to design some cool clothes, though. That was fun. They made them in a day, can you believe it? All I did was sketch them, and they used my measurements from my registration form. Whoever constructed the clothes was amazing. I didn’t even have to have them fitted, everything was perfect.” I was rambling, hoping to keep her questions at bay.

  “Sooo, tell me about the guy.”

  “Oh, Lucas? Yeah, he’s a nice guy.” Nice was not a word I’d ever use for him. “I like him, but we don’t have much in common. He and I are from different worlds, and I’m pretty sure his world isn’t something I want to get used to. Having money isn’t everything…” I switched subjects because I could hear the nervousness in my own voice. “This place is gorgeous though. The mountains are beautiful, and I know I can get through this, it’s just… I guess I realize I’m out of my league here.”

  “Just give it your best. You’ve got this, sis.” Her sunny disposition came through in her voice and made my heart pang for the sight of her. It’d been too long.

  “Yeah, I’ll do the best I can. I can do anything for a few weeks.” The sound of music and silverware clinking together came across the line. “Where are you?”

  “Oh, um, I’m meeting a guy. I met him yesterday at the campus tour. He was really cool. And hot.”

  “A guy? What guy? Is someone with you? You aren’t alone, are you?”

  She sighed, loud and long. “Ava, I’m a big girl now. An adult. I can go out on a date.”

  “It’s barely noon, early for a date. How well do you know this guy?” I sounded like our mother, but it was a hard habit to break, mothering Lillie.

  “Don’t worry. I’m fine. Look, gotta go. You’re gonna win this thing, and before you know it, you’ll be back watching the New York skyline and dancing the night away.”

  Dancing the night away? What made her think of that? Was that what she’d been doing?

  I could see the guide in the kitchen, through the glass. She’d come to retrieve our phones. Dammit.

  “I love you. I have to give away my phone today so I won’t be able to talk to you again until this is over. Don’t worry. When it’s finished, I’m flying you to New York for a visit, and I’ll tell you everything.” I frowned at the deep voice in the background. Now it was me who was worried.

  The phone sounded like it was muffled for a second then Lillie came back. “I can’t wait to see you and New York. Talk to you soon, bye!”

  The call ended, and I stepped back into the kitchen.

  “I’ve come to collect your phones. I suggest you suit up and get ready for your challenge. We will commence exactly at noon. Harvey and Lucy will be on hand to judge this competition and announce the winner of the Secrets Challenge after your run. You can practice as soon as you get on the slopes, but everyone needs to be at the black run by noon.” She said this with a sweet-sounding efficiency as she collected my phone, then Lucas’s and disappeared.

  “You heard the woman, let’s get dressed.” The light in his eyes told me he was amped and ready for this.

  Me, on the other hand, I felt sick to my stomach.

  “Does Harv have a medic or something nearby… is there a hospital close?” The butterflies in my stomach felt like they were wide-eyed and terrified, and battling to get out. For a moment I almost regretted my decision to come.

  But then I’d never have met Lucas.

  I wasn’t sure what the surprise he’d spoken about was, but I doubted it would be able to save my life in this situation. Even a bubble-padded ski suit wouldn’t be enough to keep me among the living.

  “My uncle would never endanger any of our lives. Crazy old man puts a novice on black run at his mysterious ski chalet, and a beautiful young woman’s body is found in pieces, scattered about the snow. That wouldn’t be a piece he’d want to be run in any of his magazines.”

  “That’s the picture I had.” I gnawed on my bottom lip.

  “Remember, I said to trust me. I promise my surprise is guaranteed to save your life.” He winked and retreated to get geared up.

  “Great,” I huffed with a fake smile as I slunked into my closet, the same one that had been so exciting just yesterday.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Lucas

  I’d seen the terror in her eyes when she read about the skiing challenge. I empathized. If I had never been on a pair of skis, the idea of coursing down a steep slope would, without a doubt, make me very apprehensive.

  Mason and I had both run the slopes with our uncle when we were kids. Before we became estranged, we’d worked for weeks to finally get enough experience on the black diamond slope, and finally, we both were able to master it. It was a great day and one of my best memories.

  The Céleste Chalet’s black diamond run was famous for being treacherous, especially the middle section where it was hard to slow down and even retain control. That part was shadowy, thick with trees, and slick. The only way out of that section if you knew you couldn’t make it was to plant yourself in a vertical position and let your body weight slow you down. However, bruises and scuffs were guaranteed.

  Just what Ava needed, more sore spots. This, however, would give me the opportunity to rub more healing balm on her body tonight. Last night had been torturous, and I’d laid awake for a long time after thinking about what I could do to her and what she might and might not like.

  I wasn’t sure of Isabella’s skiing skill, but I knew Ava’s was zero, So I made sure we got down to the slopes before the other team in case my uncle did something crazy like only provide one set of tandem skis.

  All Ava would have to do was follow my directions. I would navigate and control the skis.

  “Close your eyes,” I commanded as we neared the slopes.

  “Why?” She hesitated t
o cover her eyes.

  “So I can give you my surprise. It’s a fun surprise, so I want to see your face when you open your eyes. It’ll make me happy.” I knew I sounded like a teenager but didn’t care. We needed some carefree fun right now.

  I watched her for a moment as she stood there, her red highlights glowing in the snowy backdrop. My heart lurched in my chest. I tore my gaze away and picked up the tandem skis that had been propped near the launching area. They would allow two people to ski together, one in front of the other. I dragged the long skis over to where she was standing and propped them up in the snow.

  “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

  When she opened them slowly, you would’ve thought I was Saint Valentine, bringing her the key to her lover’s heart, from the excited and overwhelmed expression on her face. It was priceless to see her fear melt into joy.

  She let out a gasp, followed by a squeal. “Can I ride on those with you? Are they for two people?”

  “Yep.” My chest felt like it was going to burst, just taking in her exuberance. “And I’ve skied this course many times. All we have to do is practice a little on these so we don’t fall over.”

  “I’m so relieved.” She pressed her hand to her heart.

  “Uncle Harv wouldn’t let you die on his watch.” I took her gloved hand and held it with a firm grip. “Or on mine.” I then gave her a reassuring smile which she returned with a glorious grin that fired up my insides.

  God, she was cute… and sexy, beautiful and… fuck, so much more.

  Just then, my uncle and Lucy joined us on the ski slopes, as did Mason and Isabella. They were all suited up and ready for a day of skiing. Lucy gave me an excited wave, checked out Ava, and winked. Dressed in a bright purple snowsuit, she never changed a bit — still acting as if she were twenty rather than in her sixties. With her perfectly done bob the color of a sunset and perfectly applied makeup, she would pass for in her forties.

  Mason and Isabella seemed calm and already in game mode — united and determined. I was curious about what was transpiring between them during their challenges.