“Yes,” she admitted. “I wasn’t really scared when he caught me. I wasn’t even scared when he seemed to be driving forever. But when I thought he was carrying me through the woods and lugged me up a ladder to some deserted place, I started to wonder. When he pushed the ladder away, I believed I was trapped and that everything that had happened had made him go insane. He said he wouldn’t punish me unless I screamed and I knew I wasn’t going to be able to hold it in. Jesse, what have I done?” Andie sobbed uncontrollably as she realized how her mistake had ruined any chance they had of being together.
* * * * *
Kiley noticed Brett crossing the yard and going into the gatehouse without looking toward the house. She saw the expression on his face and went up to the office where Jordan was researching material for his talk show.
“Miss me already, sweet?” Jordan tugged her into his arms. “I thought you were going to do some practicing?”
“Brett’s in the gatehouse.” She held him tightly. “Something’s wrong. He looks awful.”
“Damn.” Jordan kept her against him. “This morning, he said he knew how to get Andie back.”
“Jordan!”
“I know. I didn’t tell you because he wouldn’t give us any idea of what he was planning. He asked me and Shane to trust him and promised nothing he did would hurt her. I guess it didn’t work out.”
“You should go talk to him. He didn’t look like he wanted anyone around so I’d better wait in here. Yell if I can help.”
“Thanks, Kiley. Have I told you how much I love you today?”
“Not since this morning and I love you too.” She kissed him. “Go take care of him, Jordan. I think it’s really bad this time.”
Jordan reached the gatehouse just as Shane appeared. Together, they walked in and found Brett slumped against the wall by the door.
“Far as I could go,” he said when they sat with him. “Go ahead. Say it. You tried to tell me and I wouldn’t listen. How could I be so stupid?”
“Brett, what happened?” Jordan urged gently.
Brett needed several deep breaths before he could answer. “She was terrified of me. Andie really thinks that I would hurt her.”
When he didn’t say more, Jordan looked to Shane. “He built some sort of abandoned-looking room in the attic. She must have believed that he took her someplace deserted and planned on keeping her there.”
“I thought I could get through the wall she’d built between us. I thought if she believed she was helpless, she might be willing to let me talk to her. I was so sure it would work. I would have sworn that by morning, Andie would be ready to let me love her.”
“She doesn’t really think you’d do something to her,” Jordan tried before he saw Shane’s frown.
“You didn’t see her eyes,” Brett stated as he nodded. “I asked if she would be honest with me and she agreed. I asked if she was afraid and she said yes. I took off the blindfold and I could see just how much fear she had. Can I stay here tonight?”
“Of course you can,” Jordan responded. “Shane, you didn’t just leave Andie there alone, did you?”
“Jesse’s with her. He’ll make her see how wrong she was,” Shane added.
“I doubt it.” Brett closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall. “I gave her everything. Will you help her with the financial stuff if she needs it?”
“What do you mean, you gave her everything?” Jordan asked the obvious.
“Everything. House, car, my part of the station, investments, money. Everything.”
“Brett.” Jordan was too stunned to continue.
“I think it’s time for me to try something else. I’ll take off in the morning.”
“For where?” Shane shared Jordan’s concern.
“What does it matter? Andie won’t be there so one place is as good as another. Maybe it’s time for me to see what it’s like to be the starving artist. Where were you headed when you were planning on leaving after Kiley said she didn’t love you?”
“I was going to buy an island and spend my life drinking in the sun. If you’ll remember, I was making lots of money, not giving it away.”
“Same difference.” Brett shrugged as they heard a knock.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Kiley poked her head in the door. “Jordan, you need to take this.” She handed him the phone.
They all watched as Jordan listened. “Okay, I’ll take care of it.” He and Kiley exchanged a grin.
“What?” Shane questioned, incredulous at their lack of sensitivity.
“Come on.” He stood and motioned for Shane to do the same. “That was about you.” He yanked Brett off the floor. “I was asked to remind you that it’s not wise to leave your captive alone too long. She’s a very clever girl and if you don’t get back to your hideout, she may just find a way out of her restraints. She may not have any clothes left but she’ll walk home wearing nothing but a quilt if you don’t hurry up and stop her.”
Brett stared, not letting himself believe Jordan’s words.
“Go home, Brett,” Kiley urged. “Get back into character and go play with your hostage.” She giggled as she started to cry. “This is great! We’ll be over tomorrow. I have to see this fantasy you created but I’ll try to stay away until lunch.”
“You heard them.” Shane shoved him toward the door as his grin matched the others.
They all laughed as Brett took off across the yard, running for all he was worth to get back to his willing captive. He stopped when he saw Jesse sitting at his front door.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Jesse held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “For what it’s worth, walking away when you saw her fear was the best thing you could have done. I think you would have been successful eventually anyway, but leaving like that made Andie see instantly the extent you went to get through to her.”
“Is she okay?”
Jesse laughed. “Oh, I’d say so. Or she will be when you get back up there. I think I’ll stick around and see what you think in the morning. I’m sure Jordan won’t mind.”
“Thanks, Jess.”
“Don’t mention it.” He frowned, stopping Brett before he closed the door. “Before you get all bent out of shape, I should tell you that Andie was covered before I went in and helped her. See you tomorrow.” Brett could hear him laughing as he strolled down the street.
Chapter Thirty
Brett reached for the note Andie had tacked to the door to his hideout.
Brett,
I love you too. We need to discuss those papers in the morning. Tonight I want to show you how much I appreciate the trouble you went to, creating this illusion for us. Shift into the beast and come ravish me. No limits.
Your willing and oh so wet wench,
Andie
He lit the candle she’d placed in front of the door before turning off the attic light. Forcing back his grin, he swung open the door so it slammed against the wall. Brett stalked toward the bed, noticing at once that she was tied, spread-eagle, under the quilt. The blindfold was partly raised over one eye, as if she had managed to squirm enough to push it out of place.
“Think you could escape, wench?” Brett growled dangerously. “I won’t leave you alone near long enough for that to happen.”
“I-I j-just wanted to see where I was,” Andie said breathlessly, fighting back a smile.
Brett locked the door behind him and put the key on a ledge she couldn’t reach. “If I’d wanted you to look around, I would have removed this earlier.” He snatched the blindfold from her head. “You ruined my plan.” He pulled off his coat very slowly before he moved around the room, lighting more candles. “I will have to punish you for that.”
“No! Please! I’m sorry,” Andie gasped as he towered over her.
“Sorry? I don’t believe you, wench. I told you to have patience when you asked me to take it off before I left. Now I think you need a demonstration to teach you a lesson.”
“How?” And
ie’s eyes were saucers as he approached her again.
In a swift motion, Brett jerked the quilt from her. He stood, staring, letting his eyes touch every inch of her naked body. “I think you already know the answer to that.” He leaned over her, flicking her hard nipple with his tongue.
“You can’t,” Andie’s back arched toward him.
Brett chuckled and pulled back, out of range. “I don’t think you can stop me.” He turned away and removed his shoes and socks while she watched. Holding her gaze, Brett unbuttoned his shirt, lingering over each button. His glare raked her flesh repeatedly as he finished undressing.
Andie’s skin flushed everywhere his gaze landed. He could tell that the anticipation was killing her. She clearly wanted his hands on her yet knew he intended to make her wait.
“So perfect,” Brett muttered as he trailed one finger from her wrist to her neck. He drew a line along her jaw before caressing her cheek. He traced her collarbone and brushed her side before his hand settled on her hip. “You’re even more beautiful than I suspected.” His touch skimmed the outside of her leg. When he reached her foot, he ran his finger from her heel to her toes, making her shiver. He walked around the bed and repeated his motions, ignoring the areas where she wanted his touch the most.
“Please,” Andie moaned.
“Begging already, wench?” Brett tormented her by licking her neck. “So impatient.” He licked the inside of her elbow before moving to her navel. Andie was twisting against her restraints as his mouth brushed her knee and then her ankle. Again, he rounded the bed and mirrored his licks.
“Brett,” Andie gasped.
“Is there something you want, wench?” he asked innocently.
“Touch me!”
“Isn’t that what I’ve been doing?”
“Brett,” she cried with frustration.
Brett’s lips caught her nipple and sucked it into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the peak. Andie arched again before he released her. “Is that more what you had in mind?” he asked as he palmed her breasts.
“God yes! Please, Brett, touch me,” Andie pleaded.
“Why should I?” He shifted away from her again. “You disobeyed me. I told you not to move and I know that blindfold didn’t slide up your face all by itself.”
“You’re right.” Andie looked chagrined. “But I was good on the ladder. I didn’t fight when you trapped me. I stayed down in the car. I didn’t scream when you took off the gag. Doesn’t any of that count for something?”
“Hmm.” Brett considered her words. “Perhaps you’re right.” He sucked both breasts, shifting between the two, kneading the one not in his mouth. Andie was panting by the time he raised his head. “But you still need a lesson in patience,” he stated as he rested his palm on her stomach.
“Oh please. I’ll do anything. Anything at all.”
“Anything for what?”
“Anything so long as you don’t stop.”
“Since you’re already at my complete disposal, I don’t think that’s enough incentive.” Brett bit her neck.
“I won’t struggle.”
“Maybe I like a little struggle.” Brett teased the corner of her mouth.
“Then I’ll fight all you want.” Andie managed to catch his lip in her teeth. She nibbled until she was able trace it with her tongue.
Brett couldn’t resist kissing her. His mouth covered hers, savagely plundering her with his tongue. She met his thrusts with equal fury, tasting his mouth as it moved over hers.
“Where the hell did you learn to kiss like that?” Brett growled. “Who taught you? I thought you said you were practically innocent?”
“No one,” she gasped. “I was only doing what you were.”
“Are you lying, wench? One who claims to be as inexperienced as you, shouldn’t kiss like a wanton.”
“I will never lie to you. I’ve never kissed like that before. You made me want to give back what you were doing. You make me feel things I never felt before. You make me want to do things I’ve never even considered before. You make me want to give you my body. I’m so confused. I don’t even understand what I’m asking for but I know you hold all the answers.”
“Interesting,” Brett said calmly as his blood boiled. He knew they were playing but on some level, Andie was being truthful. He absently fondled her as he studied her face.
“I love the feel of your hands on me,” she whispered. “Do you like touching me?”
“God, yes,” Brett exclaimed before he caught himself. “Your skin is so soft. Like a peach. You probably bruise just as easily too.” He sucked the side of her breast until he was sure he’d left a mark. “There. I’ve branded you so now you’re mine.”
“I wish I could see it.” Andie meant it.
“Maybe, if you please me, I’ll show you.” Brett kissed her again. By the time it ended, she was quivering with need.
“Let me try.”
“All right.” He toyed with her nipples, rolling and twisting relentlessly.
“More,” Andie begged. “I’ll do anything.”
“Anything?” She nodded. “Fine. I will touch you but only if you can remain still.”
“No!”
“Yes. You said anything and that’s the price of my touch.” He flashed a triumphant smile. “Ready to admit you can’t do it, wench? I thought you’d be more of a challenge than this.” He started to stand.
“Wait.” Andie forced her body to stop arching toward him. “I can do this if that’s what it takes.”
“Okay.” He stretched out next to her and took her mouth. “Kiss me back but only with your mouth. Don’t move against me.”
Andie was fighting her body’s instincts. He knew it was torture but of the most erotic kind. His command would force her to focus on the sensations his mouth created. He devoured her mouth until his control was about to break.
“Impressive,” Brett stated. “Let’s see if you can keep it up.” He shifted lower, feasting on her sensitive nipples. He could feel her restraint as he lavished her breasts with attention. “Excellent,” he declared as he met her hungry gaze. “Shall I continue?”
“Please,” she whimpered.
In response, Brett cupped her mound, sending shivers racing over her skin. Andie barely managed to fight the urge to rub against his hand. “So wet, wench.” Brett felt her shudder. “You want this.”
“Yes.”
“Quite a change from earlier,” Brett improvised. “If I’m not mistaken, you are the same woman who claimed you’d never willingly submit to a beast like me. I seem to recall you insisting the only way I would get inside you was if I forced my disgusting cock into your dry, unwelcoming flesh. You said I wasn’t man enough to make you want me.”
“I didn’t know,” Andie replied. “I never wanted a man before.”
“Oh please. You expect me to believe a passionate wench like you doesn’t go around lusting after every cock she finds? You’re dripping.” He swirled his finger through her pussy.
“I always thought something was wrong with me. I didn’t think it was possible for me to get this way. It never happened before.”
“Are you telling me that I’m the only man to claim you?”
“No,” Andie admitted sadly. “I tried before but it wasn’t very good. I used to talk to my body so it would respond like I thought it should.”
“Did that work?”
“Not always. Sometimes I stayed dry and it hurt so much. A few guys said I was frigid and a bitch for teasing them. They said it was all my fault and that I caused any pain I felt.” A tear slipped from the corner of her eye.
Brett studied her face and knew her words weren’t part of their illusion. “Obviously, wench,” he pulled her from her troubled thoughts. “They were idiots. You are so wet for me and I’ve barely started to pleasure you. Shall I show you how wrong those fools were? Deep down, I think you knew they were inferior and you were just waiting for the right man—me—to demonstrate how it should be
.”
“Show me,” Andie pleaded. “Teach my body to please you.”
“It already does.” He stroked her slit, coating his fingers with her moisture. He brought his fingertips to his mouth and tasted her. “Sweet,” he announced as he touched her lip. “Taste,” he urged her to open her mouth.
“Mm,” Andie licked her traces from his fingers.
“I need much more of that,” Brett decided before kissing her deeply. When he slid between her legs and opened her pussy with his fingers, he inhaled. “Pure woman.” He stroked her lips with his other hand as he watched her face. She was struggling to keep her hips on the bed as he had instructed her to do when he started his exploration. “So eager to please. Tell me what you want.”
“I need more. I want your fingers inside me. I can feel how you’re toying with me and I wish you’d stop teasing. I know your touch will be incredible even though I don’t know what to expect.”
“I can’t believe their stupidity. Any man who can’t see what a delicious morsel you are is too much of a moron to deserve a woman like you.” Brett slid first one, then two fingers into her sheath. “Move against me, wench. I want you to show me how you want this.”
Released from her previous promise, Andie arched toward him as much as her restraints would allow. She must have realized that he was holding his hand still, letting her thrust against him. “I can’t move enough,” she panted. “Please. Help me.”
“Like this?” Brett added a third finger as he began to stroke. He watched her face and knew she was close so, without warning, he withdrew his hand and smiled wickedly.
“Brett,” Andie moaned the loss of his touch.
“How quickly you forget. The lesson here is patience.” He blew against her clit as her hips reached toward him.
“Please,” she begged.
“Please what?”
“Please show me what it should be like. I feel so, so…”
“So what, wench? Hot? Horny?”
“Yes,” she gasped as she struggled against her restraints.
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