by Lea Bronsen
His masculine scent, a spicy mix of forest freshness and Old Spice, assaulted her. Knees quivering, she raised on her toes and lifted her chin. Concentration still on his mouth, pulse pounding in her ears, she pressed her lips to his.
At the moment of contact, a jolt of electricity shot through her, and sent Mark into his action. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her plaint body against his hard one.
Her eyes flew open.
“Like you mean it. Remember?”
Swallowing down her shock, she slipped her hands up his glorious chest to encircle his neck. She moved in. Her plaint, open mouth pressed to his, and her eager tongue danced along his waiting lips.
Mark’s grip on her tightened and he opened to her exploration. His tongue seared hers as he took control. Her fingers twined in the hair at his nape of their own will as he nipped at the corner of her mouth. She swallowed a whimper.
He drew his lips from hers and his arms fell away, leaving her breathless and shivering, her body instantly missing the heat of his. “Take your pill. I’ll return shortly.” He turned and without a second glance, left the room.
* * * *
Shortly turned out to be hours later. While Lexi had no real way of knowing, her growing impatience with her solitary confinement told her it had to be at least three. She lay stretched out on the bed, the bedsheet toga wrapped tightly about her, staring at the ceiling when her prison door swung open.
Mark came in carrying a food laden tray. A bottle of water jutted from his left pocket. He set the tray on the dresser and put the bottle beside it before pivoting to face her. “Do you need to use the bathroom yet?”
“Yes!” Lexi scrambled from the bed like it was on fire, the toga slipping from its moorings. She grabbed frantically at the makeshift covering, jerking it back into place, but not before Mark got an eyeful of her twin Cs. She straightened, fingers curled tightly around the sheet. Her cheeks burned. “Very much so.”
His rich laughter warmed the rest of her body to the temperature of her face. “I guess so.” A dark grin teased the corner of his mouth. “I’ll take you to the bathroom before you eat, but the sheets belong on the bed, not your delectable curves, so it stays here.”
Her jaw dropped. “W-what?”
“You heard me perfectly clear, Alexis. I’m not sure why you insist on making me repeat myself.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I don’t unchain your ankle, and you don’t go. I’ll bring you a chamber pot for the corner. You can use that instead. Rather humiliating I’d imagine. Not much help for the modesty hang-up you seem to have either, but I’m all for offering choices.”
She wanted nothing more than to wipe the smirk from his face, but had very few options for doing so. The darkness in his gaze left little doubt about the truth of his words. He wasn’t bluffing.
You can do this.
Steeling her spine, Lexi lifted her chin, and released her stranglehold on the sheet. The white cotton slid down her body to pool at her feet. She resisted the urge to look away. He’d not see her cower. Her fingers tried to curl to fists at her sides, but she forced them to remain relaxed, let the tension seep from her shoulders. But there was nothing to be done for the frenzied butterflies wreaking havoc with her stomach. She raised her chin, defiant. “Whenever you’re ready then.”
Mark’s smoldering gray eyes held hers as he reached into his pocket and withdrew the silver key. He swallowed the distance between them. She held her breath as he bent before her slowly enough she imagined he took in every inch of her nudity on the way. Senses on high alert, her skin tingled where his knuckles grazed her calf.
With a click, the lock broke open, releasing Lexi’s ankle from its imprisonment.
He came to his feet again, took a step back and inclined his head toward the door with a nonchalance that annoyed her traitorous pulse. “After you. Bathroom is to the right. First door on the left.”
Of course. How could he fully enjoy her humiliation if he led the way?
Lexi folded her arms over her breasts, anxious to deny him something, anything, and stalked to the bathroom. Once inside, she turned and shoved the door closed. There was no lock to keep him at bay, but that didn’t diminish the pleasure she took in the fleeting moment of solitude. No smoldering eyes bearing down on her, no cameras watching her every move, and no chain wrapped around her ankle. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
There wasn’t much to the bathroom beyond the necessities. A white porcelain toilet and small pedestal sink the room’s only décor. At least it was clean. She glanced at the mirror perched above the sink.
Medicine cabinet?
Lexi drifted across the small room, her palms itching. Surely, he’d have cleaned it out before allowing her to use the toilet. Mark was a college professor, for fuck’s sake. He was too smart to leave anything good behind. Wasn’t he?
The methadone he’d given her would take care of any withdrawal, but it wasn’t going to give her a buzz, and what she really needed at that moment, was a strong, mind numbing buzz.
Sending a fervent wish to the heavens, she jerked the cabinet open. While she wasn’t surprised to find the small shelves empty, disappointment still jabbed at her chest as she pushed the little door closed again.
Lexi looked at her reflection. She barely recognized the bloodshot green eyes staring at her from the other side of the mirror. Dark smudges nestled beneath them, as if she’d spent ten hours sleeping off a bender while in full theatrical makeup.
Sober less than twenty-four hours, and she was already a mess. She shook her head. Why was Mark even wasting his time? What did he stand to gain from bothering with her? Where was the benefit to him? If she’d taken anything from her short education at the University, it was one simple lesson. Nobody did anything for nothing. Everything, and everyone had a price. An ulterior motive. So what was Mark’s?
Grunting, she turned from the mirror and sat on the toilet.
Did he really think he could force her to get clean? Even if he could, he couldn’t make her stay that way. What was to stop her from using again as soon as he released her? Assuming he ever planned to let her go. He had to eventually. Didn’t he?
While Lexi’s mom wasn’t going to win a mother of the year award anytime soon, she still called. Sooner or later, she would tire of getting no response from her ungrateful daughter, and come looking.
A sardonic laugh bubbled to the surface. Which could, and probably would, take months. In the meantime, Lexi was completely at the professor’s mercy. She sighed. Why did the prospect thrill and scare the shit out of her at the same time?
Because you’re fucking sick in the head.
Lexi got up, flushed, and washed her hands. Before she opened the door, she took a moment to run her fingers through her tangled mess of thick hair and pinch some color onto her sallow cheeks.
Yep, fucking sick.
Only someone who’s lost their grip with reality primped for their kidnapper.
As expected, when she pulled the door open, Mark waited for her, leaning against the wall, shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, hands tucked harmlessly in his front pockets. He pushed upright as she exited the bathroom. “Better?”
“Much.” She offered a shy smile.
“Good. Let’s get you back to your room then. Your dinner is getting cold.” He inclined his head toward the hallway. “I’m sure you know the way.”
Lexi headed back to her room. As she stepped over the threshold, she immediately noticed two things. First, Mark had apparently brought steak for dinner. Its succulent aroma filled the small space, and set Lexi’s mouth salivating. Second, and far more disturbing to her churning stomach, the bedsheet she’d dropped on the floor before going to the bathroom disappeared, along with the bed’s solitary pillow.
She spun on him, anger lacing her words. “I did what you asked. Why did you take my sheet and pillow away?”
He quirked a brow. “My?” His hands slid from his
pockets. He held the key to her ankle cuff in the right.
“The.”
“I took away my sheet, because if I had wanted you to cover yourself, I would have given you clothes to wear. And before you ask, I took my pillow away because I felt like it.”
Lexi sputtered as her mind tossed a volley of curses in his direction. “How am I supposed to sleep without a pillow? Even prison inmates get a pillow.”
“Not in my prison they don’t.” Mark bent and fastened the metal collar around her ankle.
Lexi cringed as the weight of her tether returned.
Standing, he slipped the key into his pocket and smiled. “Have something to eat and get some rest. You’re going to need it. We begin in the morning.”
She frowned. “Begin? Begin what?”
Mark left the room without answering, leaving Lexi alone in her cell to fume, and consider all the devious possibilities her drug ravaged imagination could conjure.
* * * *
Lexi woke to the sound of a lock springing open. She bolted upright on the bed, eyes wide.
Mark stood over her, imposing, silent, probing her very soul. The steel manacle hung from his hand.
How long had he been there? A shiver of pleasure danced down her spine at the thought of him watching her sleep, leaving her unsettled.
He tossed the chain aside and extended a hand in her direction.
Heart hammering, she placed her palm against his.
He drew her to her feet. “It’s time for your first therapy appointment.”
“Therapy? For what?”
“You and I both know I can feed you methadone all day long, but unless we deal with the reasons behind your addiction, you’re doomed to repeat the same bad habits as soon as you’re given the chance. Is that really what you want for yourself, Alexis? For your life?”
While his concern seemed sincere, and her stomach, and parts lower, warmed as her brain absorbed that fact, warning bells still clanged in her skull. Her eyes narrowed. “What does it matter to you what I want?”
He shook his head, disappointment evident in his expression. “Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you.”
Lexi barked a laugh. “So you sent for a therapist to cure me? Save me from myself?”
“Not exactly.” Mark left the room and returned a few moments later carrying a large black duffel. He set it on the floor beside the bed. The disarming smile returned. “I’m your new therapist.”
Her brow furrowed. “You have degrees in Psychiatry and History?”
Chuckling, Mark bent and unzipped the bag. He reached into the opening and withdrew a riding crop. “It’s not that kind of therapy, Alexis.”
Lexi took a step back. “That looks a lot more like punishment than therapy.”
“It’s just a tool. One of many I carry in my medical bag.” He tapped the business end of the crop on his open palm. “Now, turn around and put your hands on the bed.”
Lexi shot a glance at the open door.
“You’ll never make it.” His grin widened. “But by all means. Give it a try.”
“What does beating me have to do with therapy?”
“At your core, you’re a masochist. A misguided and untrained one, granted, but a masochist all the same. I’m about to show you how to feed those instinctual desires without using drugs to do it. As you probably know, the methadone won’t give you the euphoric feeling your Vicodin did.” He motioned a circle in the air with the end of the crop. “But I promise I can. Now, don’t be such a coward. Turn around and do as you’re told.”
The challenge in his words was unmistakable. Lexi would admit to being many things, but a coward wasn’t among them. Despite the screaming protests of her thoughts, she spun around and put her hands on the mattress. Her knees quivered, forcing her to accept that a part of her was curious to see what came next. She focused on keeping her breathing even, calm, as if she hadn’t a care or worry in the world. He wouldn’t know the turmoil churning her insides.
His palm caressed her hip. Lexi jumped, startled by the gentle contact.
“Easy, girl.” His fingers trailed down her outer thigh. Just relax and remain as you are. Stay still and let me have a proper look at you.”
Lexi bit down on her lower lip. Fire burned her cheeks. She closed her eyes. If she didn’t see it coming, maybe she wouldn’t flinch.
Mark’s hand left her side a heartbeat before his belt buckle pressed against the crack of her ass. The fabric of his shirt caressed her back as he bent over her. His hands found her breasts.
She gasped, jerking back, her knee-jerk revolt stopped short by his hard chest.
“Don’t move.” His words were a whispered command, one that weakened her knees.
Her fingertips dug into the mattress. “I-I’m trying.”
“Well, try harder, Alexis.” Mark weighed her dangling orbs in his warm palms, gave them a soft squeeze. His thumb and forefinger found her tightening nipples. “Like little diamonds. I think they are enjoying this.” His hot breath rustled her hair.
Then he was gone, cold air rushing in to take his place, raising gooseflesh on her arms. Lexi turned her head slightly to see where he’d gone.
Swoosh!
The riding crop came down hard across her bottom.
She squealed and bucked, tears blurring her vision.
“I said stay still. I mean it.”
A stinging burn heated the right side of her ass. She resisted the urge to rub the pain away. “Sorry,” she muttered.
“Sorry what?”
“Sorry…sir?” Her stomach performed a little flip-flop.
“Good girl.”
Lexi sensed the smile in his voice, and a jolt of pride shuddered through her. She marveled at the feeling. Proud of what? Avoiding another whack from the crop he’d just blistered her with?
Mark’s hands returned to her skin, fingertips trailing down her back from shoulder to hip, scattering her thoughts. He traced a digit over the source of the heat.
Air left her lungs in the form of a sigh.
“You’re beautiful, Alexis.” His warm lips replaced his hand on the raised flesh of her ass before he moved away again.
Disappointment taunted her.
“Stand up straight and turn around.”
Pulse racing, Lexi did as told. She studied the floor.
“How do you feel?”
The question took her by surprise. How did she feel? She tried to get her brain to form thoughts again. Helpless. Nervous. Aroused, but she had no intention of saying so. “Embarrassed.”
He grinned. “Why? Because you’re naked? Because I’m caressing you? Administering discipline if you disobey me? Or embarrassed because you know you’re enjoying it?”
Lexi looked up at him. A mistake. Her stomach tightened and her breath caught. She swallowed hard and all the excuses she’d scrambled to come up with flittered away. “All of those.”
Mark closed the distance separating them, his proximity drawing the air from her lungs. “Honesty is so sexy.” His fingers tangled in her hair and thick waves, drawing her head to the side. His mouth crushed hers in a breath-stealing kiss.
As if drawn by a magnetic force, her body molded against his, but before she could explore the hard planes of his chest with her eager hands, he broke the tantalizing contact and drew away.
“Lock your fingers over your head and spread your feet.”
“Am I under arrest?” Cavity search?
Mark lashed out with the crop. The swooshing sound cut the air again.
The leather tip bit into her thigh.
She sucked her breath between gritted teeth.
“Now.”
Lexi laced her fingers on top of her head and slid her left foot out until her feet were a little wider than shoulder’s width apart. Being exposed and vulnerable, at his mercy, kindled an odd fire in her belly, one that smoldered low and warm, but threatened to burst free and consume her.
He moved around her, scanning up and dow
n her naked body. When he’d made one complete circle, he reached out with the crop and traced the underside of her breast.
Her nipple puckered in response.
“Tell me, Alexis. How long has it been since you started crushing your Vicodin and sucking it up that cute as a button nose of yours?” He traced a tightened nub of her left breast with the crop’s end.
The question caught her off guard. The effects of the attention he paid to her body occupied the majority of her concentration, so it took her a few moments to give a response.
Apparently a bit too long for Mark’s tastes.
The crop drew back and snapped at her right nipple, sending a shockwave of electricity straight her pussy.
She squealed and jerked, earning a second surge of current from the crop’s impact on the left side. “Fuck!”
“You’re very bad at the don’t move game, Alexis. Seems you and the end of this crop are going to become well acquainted by the time we’re done. Now, answer the question.”
Gray steel held her mesmerized. “Uhh…” She glanced at the crop resting harmlessly against his pant leg. “I started crushing last summer, so about eight months now.”
“Why?”
Lexi shrugged. “I guess that’s when I finally realized my college days and my volleyball career were over, and I was never getting my scholarship back.”
In a blur of motion, the unforgiving crop struck her flank.
She sucked in a breath. “What was that for?”
“Shrugs count as moving.”
Fuck!
“I don’t see what difference it really makes when I took the big leap off Fuck It Point, I did. Just like I took the jump off Sell Your Soul Mountain by hooking up with Billy and agreeing to sell on campus for him. Let’s just say there’s been a long line of bad choices over the last two years.”
Mark nodded. “Fair enough.” He lifted the end of the crop again, sliding it down Lexi’s body in a leisurely trail, from her collarbone to the landing strip of curls at the apex of her thighs. “As to the difference it makes, understanding why we do what we do is the first step in the long process of changing unwanted behaviors.”
He flicked the end of the crop against her pelvic bone over and over until Lexi squirmed and dodged the onslaught of shocking pleasure rippling through her body.