“I’m sorry about your mother,” he said in earnest, she nodded a thank you, but remained silent.
“You know, I was born into my title and duties. I’ve never known another life nor had the opportunity to explore one. You’re very brave, taking off on your own like that.”
They finished their dinner. He lifted the last lid and just looked at the plate, eyebrows furrowed.
“They’re chocolate soufflés.” She couldn’t help it and smiled again.
He took a hesitant spoonful, but quickly nodded his approval. She took a bite and her face seemed to light up.
“Women rarely run their own businesses anymore, very uncommon. Tell me why you opened a restaurant, why do you like food so much?” She started to speak, but stammered, got nervous, and stopped. “Take another bite then close your eyes and tell me.”
She again did as he asked. The soufflé was warm and rich with just the slightest bite from the dark chocolate.
“Because food brings people together. It can make strangers into friends and family. It’s one of the few things you can put your heart into and still reap the rewards. Anyone can make a great meal; it’s a joy worth sharing without the need of formal training. Sometimes passion is just as amazing as skill.”
She stopped herself, realizing the last part sounded like she was describing sex just as much as cooking. She opened her eyes again and found a devilish smirk on his face. She didn’t say another word, too humiliated to even look up from her dessert. Finally, she pushed her plate away and yawned uncontrollably.
“Off to bed with you.” He led her to the bed, tucked her in, but didn’t touch her.
Instead, he went to his desk and flicked on the light.
. . .
When she woke the next morning he was in the same place and in the same clothes. Papers were scattered across his desk and his hair was spiky, standing on end as if he spent a good portion of the night running his hands through it in frustration. She tried to stay perfectly still, not to make a sound so he’d think she was still asleep. She took the opportunity to surreptitiously observe him. Cole’s hands were large and powerful looking; his fingers were long and elegant. His shoulders stretched and strained the dress shirt he wore. He looked better suited chopping fire wood than typing emails.
“Good morning, Livie, did you sleep well?” he said with his back still to her.
She nearly gasped out loud, wondering how he knew she was awake. He pushed himself out of the chair and went to her, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Would you like to work in the garden again today?” He rubbed his hands over his stubbly cheeks as if he could wipe away the weariness from his face.
“Yes, my lord,” she said in almost a whisper.
She’d been hoping he’d let her go back again, she wanted the time away from him. It gave her a chance to breathe a little easier and work through her thoughts. It gave her a chance to steady herself and bring focus to her situation. He nodded and went to get breakfast while she went into the bathroom and found a new set of clothes.
When he got back he called to her. “I hope you don’t mind that I told the cook to lay off the gourmet meals.”
They ate in silence and when he was done he went to his desk to collect his paperwork then motioned for her to come with him. As they walked down the hallway, a group of soldiers walked by. One licked his lips and blew a kiss at her. Olivia quickened her pace and bumped into Cole’s back. He turned around to scold her, but saw the fear in her eyes. Following her gaze, he let out a soft sigh.
“Don’t worry, Olivia. The soldiers have strict orders not to touch you. You’re mine and mine alone.”
The words both comforted and frightened her. With an audible gulp she nodded. He took her hand, pulling her down the hallway. They walked into the courtyard and he forced her to a halt.
“So you’re sure you want to stay out here today?” he asked.
It was another beautiful day and her fingers itched to dig in the dirt and feel the sun on her back. She nodded, biting her lower lip. He loved it when she did that.
“Is it worth a kiss?” She froze at his words. “Well okay, if you’d rather stay in my room.”
He began to push her toward the door, but she pulled back. He turned and stepped into her, moving his face to just inches away from hers.
“Well?”
Bide, your time, make him happy, always be looking for a way to escape. She sucked in a breath and pressed her lips to his then quickly pulled away. He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and jerked her against his body. He pressed his mouth to hers, tenderly stroking her lips with his. When he pulled away from her she was panting.
Mrs. Wellings came up to them just then. “What a beautiful morning and how are you two?” she beamed.
The two didn’t respond. Cole’s eyes seemed to sear the skin right off of Olivia’s body. She couldn’t help blushing and looking away.
“Behave, Livie,” he smiled and turned to leave.
Mrs. Wellings walked with her to the garden, cooing over what a fine job Olivia had done the day before. They passed a group of men at the outdoor kitchen and she couldn’t help put glance at them. Most of the soldiers were busy cleaning vegetables, peeling potatoes, or other prep work. Most of them didn’t even look up as she walked by. A few gawked at her as she was a hot topic of discussion in the fort. One of them boldly eyed her up and down. He gave her a barbaric look that made her stomach turn and she had to look away.
She spent the day just as the last, weeding bed after bed of vegetables, filling buckets, and taking them to the compost cabinet. The grueling labor of it all helped her work out much of her pent up frustration and terror. As her hands cramped and her back screamed, she felt a calmness flood over her. She would be okay. She would make it through this. The same guard was on duty at the compost entrance and as the day progressed he started to chat with her. His name was Ronny and he’d been at the fort for a year. He liked being a soldier alright, but he really wanted to be a carpenter, he liked to build things, to use his hands. She smiled, listened to the young man, and thanked him when he helped her with the buckets.
After a few trips to the compost, she realized she needed to turn the growing pile. A rake stood by the cabinet and she grabbed it, trying to use it to stir the contents of the bin, but she wasn’t tall enough to do it right. She spotted a latch that would probably open one of the panels, making it easier for her to access the cabinet’s contents, but she took a risk.
“I’m going to climb up here.” She patted the small ledge of the cabinet, “so I can better turn the compost. Okay?”
He nodded and helped her up. She used the opportunity to try to look over the wall, but she wasn’t quite tall enough. She tried to nonchalantly stand up on her tiptoes and crane her neck, but she still couldn’t see. With the bucket maybe, she thought, but Ronny was watching her. She went back to turning the compost and Ronny looked at it to see what she was doing. A swarm of beetles scattered out from where she was working and he jumped back.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, yeah,” he said, gingerly stepping back to the cabinet, but didn’t look inside. “I just have a thing about bugs. I guess that doesn’t make me a very tough soldier does it?” He looked ashamed.
She jumped down from the ledge and they walked back together. “Hey, please don’t tell anyone,” he said, rubbing his neck.
She smiled at him. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
Throughout the day, she caught the same brutal soldier staring at her. She grew more and more uncomfortable under his malice filled gaze. Glancing at Ronny, she wondered if she should say something about the man, but instead kept working. Finally, on a return trip from the compost pile he walked away from peeling potatoes and stalked toward her. Olivia backed away from him, uneasy with his approach. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ronny fumbling with his watch console; surely he’d help her if she shouted for him.
“So, you’re
the hot little snatch that made the Lord finally want a slave,” he snarled circling her. “You must be a real fine piece of ass.” She whipped around, refusing to put her back to him.
He reached for her, but she stepped back.
“You stay the hell away from me.” She took another step back.
“Are you giving me orders?” he growled right before lunging for her.
The man grabbed her and tried to ram his body against her. “Come on baby; show me how you earn your keep?”
She swung her compost bucket and it hit him square in the head, knocking him over.
“You stupid slut.” He held his head with one hand and slapped her with the other.
Olivia’s head snapped back and she lost her balance, falling into a pile of muddy weeds. He advanced on her and she scuttled backward, trying to stay out of his grasp.
CHAPTER 5
Cole was just wrapping up a meeting when the intercom clicked on. “Lord Landon, it’s Tom from the surveillance team. There’s a situation in the back courtyard that I think you should be aware of. I’ve sent the video to your console.”
Cole was already out the door before the man finished. He nearly ran to the courtyard, watching the scene on his watch. He smirked when he saw Olivia hit the man, but started running in earnest when he saw the soldier strike her back. One word kept ringing in his head, mine.
He burst into the courtyard to see a group of soldiers trying to hold back the man that hit Olivia and Ronny standing protectively in front of her.
“What’s going on here?” he bellowed and everyone froze. “I demand someone tell me what happened?” He was seething and when he saw the red handprint on Olivia’s face he nearly lost all sense of reason.
The soldier that hit her pulled away from the men holding him.
“I was just trying to introduce myself to your little bitch and she hit me.” Cole was clenching and unclenching his fists.
“So, you hit her back?” His voice came out strangled with anger.
The soldier was too smug to notice. “Well, someone’s got to teach her to behave. I expect you’ll teach her some better manners.”
Olivia started to tremble. His words brought back scenes from the other courtyard and the general’s command to teach Trebble some manners.
Cole rubbed his chin and walked up to the man. “Yes, thank you for your suggestion, I’ll deal with her.” The man grinned, but only for a second.
Cole grabbed him by the collar and yanked the man to him so he could spit in his face. “And now let me give you a suggestion. If you ever tell me what to do ever again, I’ll show you what fists can do to that brainless skull of yours instead of a measly fucking bucket. And if you ever touch my property again I’ll kill you.” Cole flung the man away from him and he stumbled, falling into the crowd of soldiers. “Take him to the cells,” he said, turning to the trembling, dirty Olivia.
Cole put his arm around her and started walking through the crowd, toward the door. She could feel everyone staring at her and burrowed deeper against him. Her face burned, from where the soldier hit her, from the embarrassment of all those men watching her, but also from the realization that she took comfort in Cole’s presence and his touch.
Property, the word hit her nearly as hard as the slap. She would have bubbled over in anger and humiliation at the word, but he was radiating rage and she didn’t dare provoke him. Instead, she focused on what he’d said to the soldier, I’ll deal with her. She shuddered and tried to steel herself to whatever was to come, but just ended up trying to hold back tears. When they got to his room he hustled her inside and slammed the door. He turned to her and she stepped away from him. He followed her, grabbing her chin and inspected the damage.
“I didn’t mean to hit him,” she blurted out. “He came at me and I just reacted. I’m so sorry, please don’t hurt me.”
He blinked at her, confused. “What are you talking about?” He still held her chin.
“You told the soldier you’d d-deal with me.” Her eyes pleaded with him.
He released her chin and stepped away from her. “Dammit, Olivia, I’m not a monster. I’m not going to hurt you just because you defended yourself against someone who had no business touching you.” She did cry then, in relief he wouldn’t hurt her, in horror of the events of the last few days, in the loss of adrenaline.
He took her in his arms and she let him hold her. He kissed the top of her head and gently whispered to her. After a few minutes, her tears were nothing more than a few hiccups and he lifted her chin to make her look at him. There were leaves in her hair and a layer of dirt over her entire body; he remembered seeing her fall into the pile of weeds.
“You’re a mess.” He smiled, she laughed and nodded. “Why don’t you go clean up?”
. . .
Cole paced back and forth. He kept his composure for her, but as soon as Olivia was in the shower it fell away. He kept seeing that soldier pull her against him. Mine! He wanted to go find the man and pound his face in with his fists. Mine! He stopped and sat down at his desk, driving is fingers through his hair. He thought of what might have happened if the other soldiers hadn’t been so quick to respond. Mine! Then his thoughts turned uncontrollably to her life before he took her. He couldn’t help but think of the men that might have had Olivia before him. Mine! Of them touching her, making her cry out in pleasure. Mine!
She came out of the bathroom and went to the bed, looking for a new set of clothes. Her long, toned, legs were still glistening with moisture, her breasts were full and pressing out of her towel, wet strands of hair clung wildly to her back. He shoved himself out of the chair and went to her, blinded by a single thought: Mine, mine, mine. Cole pressed his body up against her back and she jumped in surprise. He pulled her towel away and pushed her onto the bed.
“No, no, no,” she begged, scurrying away from him, but her back hit the headboard and she knew she was trapped.
Then, he was on top of her, running his hands over her still wet body. She tried to push him off of her, but he grabbed her wrists, pulling them above her head and tapped them, securing her to the headboard. She cried out, looking up and seeing her writs bound. She panicked at the restraint and started bucking underneath him. Cole grabbed her hips, held her down, and growled into her neck. Olivia realized she was at his complete mercy and stopped her struggles.
“Please…” was all she could muster up to say.
He kissed and nipped at her neck and chin. His hand cupped her sex and he growled again.
“How many men have you been with?” His voice was rough and strained.
A look of horror crossed her face and she shook her head. He thrust two fingers into her pussy and she jerked against the sudden intrusion.
“I said, how many men have you fucked?” He thrust violently in and out of her.
“I don’t know,” she cried, trying to move away from his hand.
Snarling, he grabbed a fist-full of her hair and yanked. She yelped in pain.
“You will give me an answer.”
He could feel her heart pounding against his chest and her pussy growing wet around his fingers. “I… I… Six,” she finally said.
She blushed furiously and turned her head away from him. He could feel a flood of jealousy rush over him and he started to assault her body with kisses, working his way from her neck to her chest down to her stomach. His tongue played over her body, his teeth grazed her skin. He settled himself between her legs. Olivia tried to press them shut, keeping him out, but he pushed her legs open wide, exposing her most private parts to him.
“Six men have fucked you?” He rumbled more than spoke.
“Yes,” she whispered, pressing her face into her arm.
He had an unexpected desire to track them all down and kill them, to rip his clothes off and bury himself inside her, searing away the memory of any other man. The thoughts scared and incredibly aroused him. He stared at her snatch, her lips glistened, and he wanted nothing more than to
brand her with his mouth. Cole dipped his head and lightly licked between her lips. She tried to pull away from him, now so completely aware of her nakedness while he was still fully dressed. He held her down and licked her again.
“How many men have tasted you,” he demanded.
“Please, stop,” she begged into her arm.
He dipped his head back down to her. “Please stop, my lord,” he corrected her, taking her clit into his mouth and running his teeth across it in warning.
“Please stop, my lord!” Her body bucked against the feeling of his teeth on such a sensitive spot.
“Answer my question, how many men have tasted you?” He licked her clit and she started to pant.
He looked up at her. She was watching him lick her, her body flush with a mix of arousal and humiliation.
“Three.” She shook as he licked her again.
“Three men have what?” he demanded.
“Three men have tasted me, my lord.”
He rewarded her for the proper response by burying his tongue in her. He thrust in and out of her pussy. Her body trembled and she started to rock against his lips ever so slightly. He moved his hands to cup her ass and lift her, giving him better access.
“How many men have fucked your ass?” He pressed his hands harder against her ass and bit her thigh, rubbing his stubble against her sensitive skin.
“Please, Lord Landon. Please don’t make me.” The sound of his name on her panting lips drew him mad.
He started eating her out like he was starved for her, his tongue lapping at her; he thrust a finger inside her and started pumping. His other hand pressed against her ass, a finger threatening to press into her. She tried to move away from his intrusion, but couldn’t.
A Rebel Captive Page 4