TIED: A DELVE Novella

by Jacob Chance

  “Yes, I’ve thought about you when I touch myself.” My hand slides over her hip and snakes up under her dress to wrap around her inner thigh. I walk my fingers up her warm skin until I cup her pussy with my hand. Her silky panties are damp. I smile. She’s already wet for me, and I’ve barely touched her.

  Twenty seconds…

  “Where do you touch yourself, precious? I want to hear you say it.” I slide my fingers along her slit, up to her clit and rub. “Tell me you touch your pussy, precious.” Her exhale is shaky from my touch.

  “I think of you when I touch my pussy.” I reward her by slipping my hand inside her panties and spreading her wetness over her clit. My fingers pick up speed, circling faster and faster.

  Ten seconds…

  “You’re going to come for me at the stroke of midnight, precious, and not a second sooner. This pussy obeys me.” She arches her back, raising her arm to hook behind my neck. My teeth bite on her neck and she gasps. “Get ready to let go.”

  Four, three, two, one…

  “Now.” I growl in her ear over the shouts of Happy New Year. She trembles in my arms as I draw out her orgasm. Her breaths leave her in harsh puffing exhales. I smile. Her body already responds to my every command. She already belongs to me; she just doesn’t know it yet. I quickly spin around and head to the back exit, sucking my fingers clean of her taste as I walk. Goddamn. She’s delicious.

  Soon there will be no secrets between us.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lana

  Being thousands of feet in the air on a five-hour plane ride gives me too much idle time on my hands. My mind can be a dangerous thing when it’s not busy. My thoughts tend to revisit moments from my past that are better off forgotten and people I’ve moved on from. Christopher. It always comes back to him. I can be doing the most mundane task and somehow my brain will meander down a path that leads me to some random memory of us.

  It doesn’t matter that it’s been over a year since I’ve heard his voice. Sometimes, it seems like yesterday and other times it feels like a lifetime. His green eyes had a special glint in them when he looked at me. His love made me feel like I could do anything. How did it all go so wrong?

  Falling in love is the most amazing thing in the world. The euphoric feeling it gives you is like no other. How can anything compare?

  Falling out of love is the worst thing to endure. The feeling of desolation it brings on consumes you. How can something so wonderful become so twisted and tortured?

  I drink down the rest of my rum and coke and place the empty cup down on the tray. My head falls back to the headrest and my eyes drift shut, allowing a happy memory of Christopher and I to wrap around me like his strong arms used to.

  Three years ago

  “What do you mean you don’t know how to swim? You’re twenty years old. How is this even possible?” he questions, raising an eyebrow at me.

  I throw my hands up in the air. “I’m afraid of the water. I’ve always been afraid of it. My parents signed me up for swimming lessons when I was a kid, but I wouldn’t get in the pool.” He walks forward, stopping when he’s close enough to wrap his arms around my waist.

  “Will you come in the water with me? You know I’ll keep you safe, darling.” His expression is earnest.

  I do trust him to keep me safe. I don’t need to look at his muscular chest and tattoo covered arms to know that. It’s nothing to do with how physically strong he is. It’s that he loves me, and he would never do anything to hurt me.

  “Yes.” I smile up at him and slip my arms around his neck. My fingers drift to the bottom of his longish hair and play with the curling ends.

  He leans down and brushes his lips against mine, but as he goes to pull away I tug on the back of his neck. He presses closer as his mouth connects with mine.

  We spent the rest of that afternoon in the shallow part of the water while he patiently taught me to swim.

  ***

  I napped through the last two hours of the flight and dreamt of Christopher. Now that I’m awake, my head feels muddled and confused. His lips on mine felt so real, I expected to wake up and see his green eyes staring down at me - to have his tattooed arm wrapped around me. It takes me a few minutes to remember everything that’s happened with us and when I do, I start to weep for all we’ve lost. Will I ever get over missing him? I wish I could go back in time and do things differently. We’d still be together and only a month away from the wedding we were planning. Now I’m alone and I don’t want to be. I miss being affectionate and having that connection with someone. The only man I’ve been tempted to kiss since Christopher is my neighbor Zack. He’s a great guy, but I don’t want to drag him into my turbulent past. He doesn’t deserve that.

  My thoughts wander to the stranger at the nightclub. He was so commanding with me both times. It was hot and just what I needed. If he hadn’t been so forceful I wouldn’t have been able to follow through with it. There’s something so hot about not being able to see who was making me come. I’d like to say it was Christopher who was on my mind, but I was picturing Zack behind me the whole time.

  I’m not sure what that means, and I really don’t want to dissect and examine it. It’s not a surprise that I’d find Zack attractive with his blue eyes, shaggy hair and thick beard. I’ve thought about kissing him on more than one occasion, but imagining him making me come was a first. It won’t be the last, though. I’ll be reliving those two experiences repeatedly each night in my bed, only I’ll be imagining it’s Zack’s thick fingers making me come, not mine. So much for what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

  ***

  When we exit the plane, a sense of relief washes over me. I’m happy to be back on the east coast. Nevada isn’t close to Washington, but it’s a lot closer than being on the opposite coast. Running from your problems is never a good idea, but sometimes you need some space before you can come to terms with them. Being back in Boston feels right. I’m not sure about a lot of things in my life right now, but I’m sure I found the place I’m meant to be, for now at least.

  I weave in and out through the throng of people waiting at the baggage claim area. I didn’t check a bag. My trip to Vegas was only for a couple of days, and I pack light. Everyone else is coming home tomorrow; except for Derek and Kenna. They’re on their honeymoon for the next ten days.

  When I step outside into the frigid air January brings to this part of the country, the icy temperature is so shocking I gasp and grit my teeth to keep them from chattering. My hands slide in the side pockets on my wool coat, pulling out my gloves. I drop my bag to the sidewalk and tug them on. I wish I’d thought to bring a hat. It’s going to suck standing here while I try to flag down a cab. Adjusting my scarf so it covers the bottom of my face, I lean forward to pick up my bag, the sooner I look for a ride the better.

  “Let me get that for you.” Jean clad legs stop beside me. I glance up from my bent over position and find Zack standing there.

  I straighten up, smiling at him. “What are you doing here?”

  He smiles back. “I’m here to pick you up.” His fingers gently sweep my bangs across my forehead and tuck them behind my ear. “That’s better. Now I can see your beautiful face.” His fingers trail down behind my ear and along the curve of my jaw. I shiver and this time it’s not from the cold. He softly cups my chin in his hand and stares at my mouth. Is he going to kiss me? My heart pounds, and my legs feel weak when I think of his lips on mine. I want to know what it would be like. I’ve been wondering for a while now. We spend a lot of time together and it’s difficult for me to keep all my thoughts of him in the friend zone. There are some murky areas there.

  “You are my biggest temptation.”

  Does he want to kiss me too?

  I study his masculine lips. What kind of kisser is he? Gentle? Rough? Will he make my stomach flutter with the caress of his tongue against mine?

  He leans forward. My breath catches. Is this the moment I’ll finally know what his lips
feel like on mine?

  “Relax, Lana. I’m not going to kiss you now. Our kiss will change things and you’re not ready for that.” He sweeps his thumb back and forth over my bottom lip.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. Change sounds pretty good right now,” I joke, feeling awkward. He grips both sides of my face and lowers his lips as close as he can to mine without touching. I feel the heat of his breath on my cheek and it makes me long for more than a kiss from him. He stares intently into my eyes, our lips only a hair’s breadth apart.

  My eyes drift shut when he runs his nose along the side of mine and then slides his lips across my cheek to whisper in my ear. “Our moment will be much bigger than this one. When our lips meet, life as you know it will cease to exist. Let me know when you’re ready.” His husky seductive words send a shiver down my spine. I’m ready now.

  Instead of telling him I’m ready, I grip his jacket in my hand and whisper, “Are you going to tell me what’s so special about your kiss?”

  The tiny hairs on the nape of my neck stand on end when his warm breath fans across my ear. “No,” he murmurs.

  “No?” People move around us and I don’t care. Instinctively, I lean into his touch. “It’s a secret, huh? I don’t like secrets.”

  He chuckles softly and his lips brush my neck below my ear.

  “Soon there will be no secrets between us.”

  The end

  DELUDE

  Copyright © 2016 Jacob Chance

  Releasing in early February

  This excerpt is unedited and subject to change.

  Prologue

  Zack

  Ten years ago

  “Dad, leave her alone,” I shout over the sound of my mom’s sobs. I push on his chest and shove him back a couple of feet, but he’s like a tenacious pit bull after a chew toy - he just fucking keeps coming. He reaches for her again, snaking by me. He grips her upper arm in his meaty fist and uses his other arm to block me. He digs his fingers deep into her skin. She cries out from the pain and the fear that he instills when he’s been drinking - like he has tonight. His other hand goes to her neck, gripping under her chin. Her shriek is cut off when he begins to squeeze.

  Her eyes open wide and bulge as the pressure of his fingers increases. He’s closing off her windpipe, restricting the airflow and I’m paralyzed, standing behind him, watching it happen.

  First, her face flushes red as a tomato and then it changes to a purple before heading on into the blue family. Blue’s always been my favorite color, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen this exact shade before.

  I’m frozen with fascination as I observe the transformation taking place. I watch as the terror and pleading in her eyes fades to acceptance.

  She knows she’s going to die.

  In her final moments, her eyes lock on me, her love shining through the full tumult of emotions she’s experiencing. Tears flow uncontrolled down her cheeks and a sense of relief washes over me.

  This is the last time he’ll ever make her cry.

  Chapter One

  Zack

  Early December

  “Here, let me get that for you.” I hold the door for my precious girl and once we’re inside the lobby of the building she pauses.

  “Thank you. I was wondering how I was going to manage unlocking the door with all this.” She gestures with her chin, at the two paper bags of groceries in her arms.

  “I’m Zachary, but you can call me Zack, I just moved into the vacant apartment on the second floor.”

  She smiles at me and my heart pounds. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. Why does she affect me like this?

  “Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Zack. I’m Lana and apparently, we’re neighbors. You’ve moved into the unit right next to mine.”

  I grin at her. I already know your name precious girl. “It’s great to meet you Lana. Let me carry those for you.” I take one bag from her and she hands me the other without any objection. Good girl. I like her obedience. My eyes meet her large green ones. I wonder if she finds me attractive. Most women do; I hope she does. Her skin is so fair that the tiny freckles on her adorable nose and along the apples of her cheeks look like cinnamon sprinkled all over. My mouth waters. I want to taste each one. I wonder what she’d taste like. Would she be spicy or sweet? I can’t wait to find out. I need to know.

  From the first glimpse of the gorgeous redhead, the night I followed Kenna to Quake, I was consumed. All night I watched her, instead of watching Kenna like I originally planned. Watched the way she threw her head back when she laughed, her long red hair tumbling past her shoulders. Watched her tongue make a slow trek around the rim of her margarita glass, licking up the salt. Watched her hips sensually sway to the slow music and grind to the pounding beat. I watched her all night long; watched her be oblivious to me and I promised myself it wouldn’t be long before we would meet.

  Lana – even her name is sexy. Something about her is different – something I don’t understand. My reaction to her is something that’s never happened to me before.

  I’ve been enamored with her for weeks now. I’ve been in her apartment numerous times, eaten her food and imagined what it would be like to be with her. I have to have her. I have to possess her. I have to own her; until the ultimate goal is reached. Until my end game becomes a reality…

  I’m going to make her fall in love with me.

  I follow her up the turn of the century curved staircase, my eyes entranced with her petite frame in front of me. Her legs are long and lean in her blue skinny jeans and make a nice ass of themselves. She’s wearing a light pink hoodie and her red hair is up on top of her head in a messy bun. The nape of her neck is exposed, tempting me, calling out for my lips to press against the soft skin - for my tongue to caress the graceful length - for my teeth to bite the curve where it merges into her shoulder.

  Her step is light as she leisurely jogs up the stairs on the balls of her feet. She waits when she reaches the top step and we remain next to each other all the way down the wide carpeted hallway. I imagine we’re a couple, coming home from grocery shopping and getting ready to prepare a gourmet dinner. Soon we’ll be doing everything together, precious girl.

  She pushes her key in the lock on the handle and turns the knob at the same time. The hinges creak as the thick wooden door opens wide for me to pass through. The moment I take my first step inside her space, I feel a sense of homecoming.

  I follow her to the kitchen and place her bags on the granite counter.

  “Have a seat. Let me get you a drink. Do you want a beer or would you prefer spring water?”

  “What kind of beer do you have?” Heineken.

  “Heineken,” she answers and I smile. I already know all about my precious girl. “Does that work for you?” She peers over her shoulder at me when she pulls open the fridge.

  “Yeah, that’s great. It’s my favorite kind, actually.” I drum my fingers on the wooden table, thumb, index, middle, ring, pinky, and repeat over and over. I count along with the motion, one, two, three, four, five, one, two, three, four, five. As I recite the numbers in my head I can feel myself relaxing.

  Being here is almost too much for me to handle. I wasn’t expecting to be in her apartment with her so soon. I thought it would be a few days before I even got to introduce myself and now that I’m ahead of schedule it makes me uneasy. I don’t like to deviate from my game plan. Lana’s the first thing that’s ever made me break from the planned course of action.

  “This is my favorite beer too.” She places the two green bottles on the counter, and rifles through the drawer where her bottle opener is. Her scissors, Swiss Army knife, corkscrew and an impressive multi-tool are in there also. “My brother used to make me drink Heineken with him when I wasn’t even legal yet.” She pops the caps off and drops it back in the drawer, pushing it shut with her hip. She clasps her hands around the two bottles and closes the distance between us. When she pulls out the end chair and sits down to my left my hea
rt begins to fiercely pound. What is this effect she has on me and how am I going to learn to cope with it? I really have no choice in the matter. I know what I want - her and I plan on having every single inch of her - body, mind and soul. She’ll be mine. Failure is not an option.

  “Are you from around here?” she asks before tipping her beer back for a small sip. I take a pull from the bottle and prepare my back story.

  “I’m from the western part of the state, by Amherst. It’s like another world compared to here.” She’s attentive to what I’m saying and it pleases me. She pleases me.

  “What about you? Where did you grow up?” Seattle. It’s amazing what you can find out about someone on the internet.

  “I lived in Seattle my whole life until I moved here about six months ago.” She pushes her long bangs to the side.

  “What made you move all the way across the country?” She looks down at the table and rakes her teeth over the outer corner of her bottom lip. The way it twists her mouth would look silly on anyone else, but somehow, it’s adorable when she does it. Her eyes raise, flicking to mine before dropping again. “I needed a change.”

  I know there’s more to her story than she’s saying. I haven’t been able to figure out what motivated her to move here, but I know it’s only a matter of time before she’ll confide in me.

  “What do you do for work Zack?” She studies my face.

  “I used to work in advertising before I moved here. I was paid well and I also have good instincts for knowing what investments are a sure thing. I bought and sold stocks and made a big profit from it. I don’t need to work anymore. I’m sure I’ll find something to fall into now that I’m settling here, though. I don’t know if I can handle not having a place to be every day. Everyone needs a purpose.” I shift in the chair and slowly begin to peel the label off the bottle. I take my time, working to remove it in one long piece. I wish I could tell Lana that she’s my new purpose, but she’s not ready to hear that yet. All in good time.