BLYSS (Blyss Trilogy #1)

by J. C. Cliff

  I feel him pinching my nipple hard as he whispers into my mouth between heated kisses, telling me to ride his cock, take my pleasure, and give into my body. I envision his cock driving into me, entering and retreating as his balls slap against my ass. I can feel the walls of my pussy being stretched wide as he fills me to the brim. I want to feel that unfamiliar pull low in my groin again, warning me of my impending orgasm.

  I have the insane urge to slip my fingers inside my pajama bottoms and into my wet core, something I’ve never done before. Oh, the things I would give for another taste of him and the feel of his hands roaming over my body. The way he made my body respond to his was definitely brand new to me. I never felt those sensations…or those emotions before. I let out a long, throaty groan of frustration into the silent room.

  The hole I’m digging for myself is getting deeper. If I don’t stop and pull myself out of this absurd daydream, I’ll end up putting on a show. I reluctantly heave my achingly-aroused body up from where I’ve melted into the sofa and sit on the edge of the cushion. My feet bounce nervously as I try shaking off the carnal thoughts. I’m beginning to feel edgy, almost panicky, my body crying out desperately for a release. I can’t think straight, and it’s mocking my ability to rationalize. Because, shit, who thinks of begging and playing dead for a necrophiliac? That’s just beyond repulsive. I’ll definitely need a psychiatrist after this.

  My arms and legs start to slightly tremor against my will. I am up against an evil and undefeated monstrous power that’s making my hormones fly faster than a bat out of Hell, and I feel completely out of control. I’d say they finally found the right fucking dose. If this is how they wanted me to feel, then by George, I think they’ve got it! Travis asked him to double the dose, and I think after our knockdown, drag-out fight, Jared quadrupled it instead.

  What’s even crazier is I don’t seem petrified at the thought of losing my virginity and being violated at the moment. I frown and lower my face into the palm of my hands. The fact I don’t seem affected by the act of someone sexually pillaging my body should really bother me. It’s these damn drugs; they have me out of my mind. It’s obvious I’m not going to get rescued in time; something is bound to happen sooner or later, whether I want it to or not, and a very dark part of me doesn’t mind if it’s Travis. How sick is that—to want my captor, especially after all the things Jared revealed about him yesterday?

  Suddenly, I realize all too late I’ve just willingly cheated on Adam in my very own mind. A huge sense of guilt washes over me. How could I? It was one thing when Travis was on top of me, holding me down and grinding into me while I couldn’t get away. I reluctantly gave in; I admit it, but here I sit, alone, fantasizing about another man taking me as I beg for it. I smack myself on the forehead hard enough that the sound echoes in the small room. I’ve already let the master manipulator, Travis, strategically place himself in front of Adam. I’m such a two-timing skank. At this point, I have to ask myself, Just how much do I love Adam? I feel like such a bitch for making Adam wait so long before we could make love, and yet, in a matter of three days, I’m all too ready to spread ‘em wide for the next passerby.

  I flop back into the sofa, blow out a deep breath, and I groan as I gaze up at the popcorn ceiling in a trance. Adam…I do love him. I love him so much it hurts. What am I supposed to do? I’m forced to live with these drugs running amok throughout my body, and I’m forced to deal with one particular handsome man pawing at me at every turn. I wish I were in Adam’s arms right now; better yet, I wish he were rescuing me and taking me far away from this deranged mess I’m living in.

  He loves me; I know he does, and I have to believe he hasn’t given up hope. My fingers drift unconsciously to my ring finger to find it bare. Damn Nick, he had no right to take what was mine—freedom, rings, and otherwise. I know Adam would forgive me for these thoughts. He would tell me none of this is my fault and that we could get past this bump in the road, because we’re meant to be together.

  I allow a few silent drops of sadness to escape my tear ducts before I have to push my love—my Adam—back into the recesses of my mind, in order to deal with the here and now. I was saving myself for the man of my dreams, but I won’t have that now. Nick is going to rob me of that, too; I’m sure of it. I have to kick myself back into survival mode. I don’t bother wiping my stray tears away; they can stay. I pretend they’re a piece of Adam comforting me, remembering how he wiped them away at the airport before my flight to Atlanta. Crazy, I know, but I’m dying on the inside, little by little. I’m losing touch with reality at an alarming rate, and I’m grasping at straws for any sort of familiar comfort. I find myself clutching my medallion, holding it with a death grip in my hand.

  I abhor this feeling, this state of being a slave to my own body. The drugs are snaking their way through my bloodstream, making my body physically ache with an animalistic hunger. Jared was spot on—the drugs are taking over every aspect of my mental faculties, affecting my concentration, making me think of nothing but...unnatural desires. Excessive saliva pours from my parotid glands, and I feel as if I’m a caged wild animal, sickly foaming and frothing at the mouth. I throw my head back and moan. Just…God, please don’t let me think of bestiality. I can’t handle that shit. There’s enough debauchery pervading my brain to make a whorehouse look like a convent.

  I’m sure I’m creating quite the picture for the sickos watching me right now through the cameras in each corner of my room, and I find myself struggling against these horrific urges to take matters into my own hands, literally. I refuse to give these perverts a show, I think as I clench my fists. I can see it now—them monitoring me, fist-bumping as they sit down with a cold brew and a bowl of popcorn, waiting for kickoff.

  Frustrated, I get up from the sofa and go draw a wicked-hot bath, one near boiling point. I want something else to focus on, pain. Perhaps feeling burning pain on my skin from the scalding water will knock the neediness out of me. I’m also counting on the steam that’s billowing around in the small bathroom to help me sweat this shit out of my pores, as well. I will not be picking up that particular book again, nor any other romance novels, for that matter. I don’t need any other outside forces wreaking havoc on my body and running rough-shod over my brain. It would be equivalent to starting a giant forest fire with a tiny little spark, watching the flames spread uncontrollably and consuming everything in its path.

  Do they really think this is a more humane way to treat women? I guess we’re not considered women in the scheme of things; we’re prized possessions, like expensive racehorses as Jared put it. I need to find a way around the Blyss, keeping it from impairing my judgment, and not let it cause confusion and disorder in my mind. I still have this small window of opportunity left to save myself before they twist my mind around, making my body addicted to the drug, the sex, or both. If there is one thing I’ve been taught in life, it’s where there is a will, there is a way. I have no doubt I will find a way. I may have been naïve and sheltered, but my dad and Jake didn’t allow me to grow up a helpless and spoiled little princess; therefore, these people don’t know the willpower I possess.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ~Travis~

  I walk into the security room the next morning at about 7 am, where we have guards monitoring every room inside the facility. We have a team on these camera feeds around the clock, always watching for either suspicious activities or keeping an eye on the captives. Since she spent the entire day yesterday in solitary confinement, I’m curious as to how her evening went. Shutting the door behind me, I ask, “How did room seven do last night?”

  “She did fine, cried herself to sleep. Nothing unusual. It was a boring night,” he says with a yawn, and then takes a sip of his coffee.

  “Boring is good,” I say, taking a seat in an overstuffed leather chair, scanning the multiple screens hanging on the wall.

  The door opens behind me, and I turn my head to see Nick walking in. I nod my head in acknowledgment. “Hey
, Trav,” he greets, sitting down beside me, “I guess this will be day number four for her. Blyss should be sinking its claws into her mind and body by now. “

  “You would think,” I reply and nod my head. “Damn, that is one strong-willed chick. I can’t believe we had to damn near double her dosage.”

  “You know, if she would just cave, she could be rewarded with so many things her heart desires, including certain freedoms,” Nick says, taking a sip of coffee and then shakes his head, displaying minor frustration.

  “I decided to keep her in solitude all day yesterday. Let her think about things in a new light, you know?” I pause, glancing over the monitors. “It drives most of these women nuts to be alone, and usually they’re more than ready to comply by the next day.”

  “Yeah, well, judging from her behavior yesterday, and watching her from the monitors when I had a chance, she almost seemed relieved to be alone,” he points out.

  My elbow leans on the arm of the chair as my fingers play with my lower lip in thought. “Yes…yes, she did. She seemed to be pretty self-entertaining.” Every time I had a moment, I stopped in here to keep tabs myself. She was always reading a book from the collection Nick had placed in there specifically for her. Since Nick apparently did his homework, I suppose he knew her likes and dislikes and decided to mollycoddle her. I shake my head at the thought. Damn Nick, I can’t afford for him to intervene and screw up her training again.

  “I had Jared go in her room yesterday morning before she awoke to inject her with another high dose of Blyss. Her dinner was drugged with a sedative, so when she passed out, Jared was able to go back in again, giving her a second dose. Need to keep her blood levels up.”

  I turn to the guard and ask, “Did Jared get in there early this morning to give her a morning dose?”

  “Yeah, saw him slip in around five-thirty this morning. Girl didn’t even budge.”

  I didn’t want to go into her room yesterday at all, not after the way she glared hot daggers at me. If looks could kill, she would’ve had me ten feet under with that piercing stare. I needed her to cool off from her anger for a day or so. How could I even begin to tell her what I did in the clinic wasn’t an act? Hell, if Nick knew… I don’t let myself think about it. None of that shit was planned out; my own body took over, running on autopilot, desiring her just as much as she wanted me, if not more.

  Nick breaks into my thoughts. “I know it’s normal in the beginning for these women to break down and fall apart, but you’ve got to put the pieces back together, Travis. I know with my temper that I’ll mess it up…and she’s too precious to destroy.”

  I sigh out loud. “Well, since she hates me, it should make my job a little more interesting.” I look to the screen that has Room Seven written above it and see Julianna has already started her day. She’s already dressed, sipping a cup of coffee and reading a novel. Damn, she looks so beautiful. Her long, blonde hair is drying naturally from her morning shower, and I can’t wait to smell her fresh scent and pull her soft body into mine. Oh hell, I’m in trouble.

  “What time did she get up this morning?” Nick asks the guard.

  The guard types into the computer in front of him, the keyboard clacking while he looks up the information. “Looks like she got up at 6 am.”

  “Did she eat?” Nick questions.

  “I watched her eat everything on her plate.”

  Everything gets logged into the computer, every minute of every day, even what times they use the bathroom. There is zero privacy. We have to monitor and control every second of their lives.

  “Well, since she’s been up for a while, I figure we can get this party started.”

  With my statement, Nick turns toward me with a serious look on his face before I get up from my chair. “I’m sure I don’t have to remind you, Travis, that when you work with her today, you’re breaking her for me.” He eyes me speculatively.

  “What’s that supposed to mean, Nick?”

  “It means I’ve been watching you. I see the way you’ve been kissing her, and I don’t like it.” He grows tense, clenching his jaw, and my body stiffens at his declaration.

  I cock my brow and put on my stone face. “Nick, this is what I do. Either you trust me or you don’t. You’ve never questioned my loyalties before, so why now?”

  “Because…this one is special to me.”

  “Yes, I see that. That’s why I’m working hard to break her down without breaking her spirit, but she’s a fighter. She isn’t making this easy, and I’m forced to turn on the charm.”

  “Yes, well, see to it you don’t turn on the charm full blast. I’m a jealous man, Travis,” he warns.

  I nod my head. “Point taken, Nick. I’ve never let you down before, and I don’t plan to start now. I have the end prize in mind, which is seeing to the success of this enterprise, not getting sidetracked by a hardheaded female.”

  “Just making sure we’re still on the same page. I’d hate for you to see what my jealous streak is capable of.”

  “I’m well-aware of your capabilities,” I give him a cold, hard stare back, “and you are aware of mine.” He doesn’t intimidate me—no one does.

  Having said that, I get up from the chair and leave the room. I make my way through the corridors and stop just outside Julianna’s door. Before I open her door, I hesitate a moment, preparing myself. I need to be the usual hardass that comes so easily to me, but each time her baby blues swell with tears, it twists a knife in my gut, breaking me down. I find myself caving in every damn time, and it’s got to stop.

  I take a deep breath and walk into her room, and I damn near lose my breath at the sight of her. The camera doesn’t do the dress she has on any justice. The powder-blue fabric matches her eyes, and her long, blonde hair flips over her shoulder as she whips her body around to face me. I’m met with pure hatred as she glares her unyielding daggers at me once again. I shake my head. Yep, figured as much, still pissed.

  “Get away from me, you —“

  I shake my head again, saying, “We talked about your behavior the first night you were here, remember? I let you get away with it on the second, but today, if I need to, I’ll have to adjust your attitude.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Is that right? Are you sure you’re ready for me, sweetheart?” She’s got to learn, and I know what will help set her straight. She can’t stand the BDSM shit, so leisurely, I walk over to the set of red curtains and draw them open. Standing by the dimmer switch, I turn the lights on high so all the paraphernalia is highlighted. “This is what we call the attitude adjustment center.”

  She gasps out loud. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  I stroll to the center of the wall and take my time stroking the St. Andrews cross as if it’s a prized possession. Keeping my hand on it, I slowly look over my shoulder, zeroing in on her eyes with my stone wall erected. “Oh, I think I would dare,” I say in a deceptively-calm, matter-of-fact tone. “Care to test that theory?”

  I watch her lift her chin and clench her fists, resolving to swallow her pride as she replies, “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.” That’s a start, but she doesn’t truly mean it.

  “I won’t warn you again. Yesterday was your last free ride for an outburst. You were alone, so there was no one for you to throw a tantrum at.” My tone is cold and hard. “You will respect all of us here, and you will mean it, acting only with humility starting now. I know when you’re faking it, and I’ll warn you now…” I tap the cross for good measure, “…that has consequences, too.” I tilt my head to the side, letting that information sink in. “Care to try that again? You don’t seem like you’re truly sorry for your outburst, Julianna.” My tone tells her I’m done entertaining her mood swings. “You don’t want to see mad Travis.”

  Hanging her head down and gazing at the floor, she says half-deflated, “Yes, sir, I truly am sorry.”

  Smart girl. “Are you beginning to see how imperative it is for you to take your situation seriousl
y? You see, your daddy isn’t going to be able to rescue you anytime soon. In fact, he won’t be able to rescue you at all.”

  She whips her head up, looking at me as if she’s seen a ghost. “That’s right; you need to remember that. You’re flying solo now, and you should be scared.” I arch my brow, leaving the curtains open as a reminder of how rough things could get if she gets out of line again.

  I saunter over to her slowly, watching her form as she warily takes me in. She nervously takes a step backwards, bumping into the kitchen table, and she grabs its edge behind her with apprehension. I pervade her space with my body, and I get inches from her petite, trembling frame. I hear her breath hitch as I lean in closer. I let her think I’m going to kiss her, but I don’t. I reach behind her and grab the book off the table.

  “What are you reading?” I ask, turning the book over in my hand.

  “Oh, um...” she nervously whispers, confusion crossing her face over the invasion that never came. I know the game; I damn near invented it. I know how to manipulate and knock her off-track, and she falls into the trap so easily, like leading a kid to candy.

  “It’s called Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire,” she finally replies.

  “That’s not the book you were reading yesterday,” I say with a knowing grin. She flushes and glances down. I find it humorous she can’t look me in the eyes and tell me she was reading smut.

  She lifts her head at the sound of my chuckle and schools her expression. “What’s so funny?”

  I shake my head and let her off the hook with a grin. “Nothing, sweetheart.” I turn the book around and skim over the excerpt. “Is it any good?”

  She shrugs her shoulders and takes the book from my hands. “I suppose if you like history, then yes, it’s a wonderful book. It reads like a novel; so much so, that by the time you get to the end, you don’t realize you just read a unique, real piece of history. Because it’s so highly-engaging, you actually walk away having learned a great deal of Roman history.”