Ethan slid the leather at her neck until the D-ring came into view, and then, in a heartbeat, he attached the end of the leash. Lily inhaled as he sealed her fate.
“Down now,” he ordered, gesturing to the floor in front of him. “Let’s see how my little pet looks.”
With one lingering glance, Lily’s body shifted on to all fours, and Ethan grasped the leather handle of the leash as he rose to loom over her body.
“Beautiful,” he murmured appreciatively. “Fucking beautiful, little one.”
Lily’s head fell forward at the compliment, the dark mane of her hair concealing her face, but Ethan sensed how excruciating she found it.
“What do you say, Lily?”
She gasped, and without having to read her thoughts, Ethan knew what she was thinking.
“Yes, you do have to answer,” he told her in a stern tone. “Unless you want to ramp this up into a punishment session, as well.”
“Thank you, sir,” she replied in a hurried tone.
Ethan smiled. “What for?”
Lily pulled in another deep breath. “For my collar and leash.”
“Do you like them?” His eyebrow arched at his own question. He couldn’t wait to hear Lily’s reply.
“Yes,” she breathed. “And no.”
He laughed. That sounded like his Lily. “You’ll get used to it,” he assured her.
And she would. She’d have to, because now they were finally alone, Ethan intended to use her new accessories as much as he liked.
Lily
The heat of embarrassment burned at her face, and even though Ethan didn’t have a good view of her shame, Lily knew he felt it. He could read her thoughts, and her body language, so there was no way of hiding her responses, but somehow, that reality only made the whole thing harder to tolerate.
“Come on,” he called from above her. “We don’t have much space, but let’s try it out.”
A sharp tug at her collar was the only warning Lily got, and then Ethan was off, his long stride headed toward the bathroom as he led her. She crawled behind him, both mortified and aroused in equal measure. None of this made any sense, but then, that was nothing new. How was it possible that a good Christian girl from the suburbs could want to be belittled this way? Why was the collar at her neck and the metal chain that encouraged her on making her pussy so wet? It should be ridiculous, but that made it no less true, and as Ethan watched her crawl onto the tiled floor, Lily reasoned she could go crazy trying to reconcile it.
“Right,” he told her. “It is what it is, little one.”
Lily pushed back the well of humiliation that threatened to rise. Now she actually had to reply to him like this. Oh God…
“This is more difficult than I thought it would be, sir.”
Ethan chuckled, the dark sound filling up the air around them. “It always seems that way the first time,” he informed her. “But I promise, you will get used to it.”
Would she?
“Yes.” His answer was immediate. “And now that you’ve managed your first walk on the leash, we can find out how much you enjoyed it.”
Her gaze darted north and she watched while he seated himself on the edge of the tub.
“Sir?”
Lily wasn’t sure what that meant, but something about it was ominous. But now that she was naked and leashed, everything had started to take on a more menacing outlook.
And horny, she reminded herself miserably, because there was no doubt, she was shamefully aroused.
“Up onto your knees,” he commanded, easing the slack in the chain as Lily complied.
“Look at me.”
That instruction was harder to obey, and somehow, meeting his gaze seemed like a stretch too far.
“Lily.”
Her heart jumped at the threatening tone of his voice, and begrudgingly she lifted her face. Ethan’s gaze met hers at once, immobilizing Lily with its intensity. He was down with her a moment later, easing himself into position on his haunches, their faces now only a few inches apart.
“Is it so bad?” Ethan’s seductive voice washed over her. “Being my little pet?”
Lily gulped at the question. What the hell was she supposed to say to that?
“The truth, little one.” His reply was instantaneous. “That’s always what I want from you.”
She considered that, her mind recalling the rollercoaster of events they’d shared in the last few days. Lily supposed Ethan had always given her that much—he’d always been honest when she’d demanded it.
“It’s overwhelming,” she replied. “Sir.”
There she’d said it. And it was the truth.
Ethan nodded. “Of course.”
He sounded sincere enough. “But what else, little one? How does it make that gorgeous little pussy?”
Oh God. Lily’s eyes squeezed shut at his query. He was going to make her say it, again, wasn’t he?
Ethan’s laughter told her the answer.
Yes.
“Shall I see for myself?” His amused tone made Lily’s eyes fly open again, and all at once, he was right there with her, one of those large hands already reaching down between her legs.
Lily panted. “Please, sir.”
This was too much. More than she could bear. She should have just forced the words out when she had the chance, but it was too late now. Ethan’s fingers were already pressing through her soft nest of hair in pursuit of her desire, and Lily knew what he would find.
“Oh, Lily,” Ethan’s gaze widened as his fingers swept through her evident moisture. “You are so wet for me.”
It was bloody miserable to admit, but he was right. She was soaking. Lily could feel how wet she was.
Ethan shifted his position, coming to kneel beside her right hip. He dropped the end of her leash, using the hand to push back her hair. She was revealed to him now. All her humiliation, all her burning need—no doubt obvious from his close proximity.
“Don’t be ashamed,” he murmured, and as he spoke, his fingers pressed harder at her sex.
One digit stroked her swollen clitoris while the other pushed inside her wetness.
And fuck, it was so good.
“You have nothing to be ashamed about.”
Lily gulped at the certainty in his voice. She wished she could believe it, but it simply wasn’t true. She had every right to be ashamed, and it went much deeper than this act of debauchery. It resonated all the way to the core of their relationship. The way she had yielded to him; supported him and stood by him. Even when Lily had found out about the murders—even when she knew the truth. She’d still stayed silent.
She was complicit.
“Stop that.” His tone was harder now, matching the pace of his fingers.
Lily gasped. “I can’t.”
The sensation at her needy little nub was so good.
“It’s true, sir. I’m guilty, and now all of this—it’s too much.”
Her voice caught as Ethan slipped a second finger inside her pussy, his rocking palm slowly pushing her closer toward the hedonism she sought.
“You are not guilty,” he whispered into her right ear. “None of this is you, Lily. It’s all me.”
She shook her head, pulling in a deep breath. That just wasn’t true.
“I’m the killer,” he told her in a low tone. “And I brought you here by force, remember?”
“No,” Lily panted. “That’s not how it happened.”
“Oh, really?” Ethan’s hot breath tickled the side of her neck and all the while, his fingers continued their relentless rhythm. “Did I not bind your wrists and ankles for most of the journey?”
Lily glanced toward his face. He was so bloody handsome, and he had her now—in more ways than one.
Ethan’s free hand shifted, swatting her exposed behind hard. “Didn’t I, Lily?”
Oh, God, that feeling between her legs was building, and right on cue, Lily’s legs began to shake.
“Yes, sir.”
&
nbsp; She barely even recognized her voice now.
“So, how can this have been you?”
Lily’s lips parted. “I…” she started, but the stimulation was too much, stealing whatever words were coming next.
“Answer me, Lily,” he growled. “I will take my belt to you if you defy me.”
Oh fuck no. Not the belt. Anything but that!
She was trying, wasn’t she? Couldn’t he see she was trying to answer?
“I should have run.” She was almost hyperventilating now, and each new breath seemed a struggle. “I should have reported you.”
Ethan pressed his lips into her nape, the sensation clouding her head further.
“You aren’t going to report me, little one,” he purred. “You were never going to report me, were you?”
Lily shook her head. She wasn’t sure how much longer her thighs could withstand the passion he was creating.
“What was that?” Ethan yanked the end of her leash, jerking her body toward him.
“No!” she gasped. “No, sir.”
“What you’re going to do is come for me, Lily.” His voice was as insistent as his fingers. “Isn’t that right?”
The pleasure was crescendoing, making it impossible to think.
“Yes!” Lily cried out. “Yes, sir.”
Ethan’s arm snaked around her, holding her steady as his fingers curled inside her. “Good little pet,” he cooed. “Do it then. Come for me now.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ethan
He held her as she slept. Lily was like an unstoppable force he couldn’t resist, and at this point, Ethan had no intention of even trying anymore. Tonight she was bound only by the collar and leash that he’d insisted she leave on after they’d fucked. If he could get away with seeing her in it all the time from now on, then he would, but they would certainly be adorning Lily in private.
Ethan’s thoughts shifted to the next day. He had plans for his little one—his little pet—and he smiled as the ideas resonated. She was entirely his now, in every way he could imagine—except one. And that was a matter he intended to deal with as soon as possible.
They left the bed and breakfast early the next day, and Ethan headed west. Their destination was only just over an hour on the road, but he gave her no clues about where they were going, and she didn’t ask. Lily seemed satiated, or maybe she was just tired, but she barely interacted at all while he drove. As they approached the parish of Gretna Green though, Ethan sensed her thoughts whirring. She turned her head, glancing in his direction, those green eyes blinking at him as though they expected an explanation, but still there were no words.
“Do you have a question, little one?” Ethan sounded amused as he asked, because it was obvious what Lily was thinking, but all she did was inhale, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“No, sir.” She settled back into her seat, her attention shifting to the passing countryside.
Ethan smiled. “You’re sure?”
Lily swallowed, her focus returning to the small gold band sitting on her ring finger. “I suppose I should give this back to you now?”
“You’ve enjoyed wearing it, haven’t you?” He answered her with another question, and Lily’s gaze flitted back in his direction.
“You know I have, sir, but it doesn’t belong to me.”
A memory of his mother flooded his mind. She’d worn that ring once—for a long time—and look how that had ended. “No, it belongs to me,” he agreed. “And I asked you to wear it.”
She played with the metal at her finger. “And it worked?” she went on. “Nobody queried the fact we were supposed to be married.”
“Why would they?” Ethan’s hands shifted on the wheel. “We’re both adults, and I’m sure they can tell how happy we are together.”
Lily’s hand reached for her small neck, grazing over the area her collar had been. Ethan had allowed her to take it off when they left this morning, but he was in no doubt. It would be back on as soon as was plausible.
She turned to face him again. “Are we happy?”
The question startled him, and he eased his foot from the gas as he caught her eye again. “Together, yes,” he assured her. “Don’t you agree?”
Lily inhaled. “Yes, sir. And no.”
Ethan chuckled at her response. It was so Lily.
“I mean, I can’t fight the way I feel for you, but it’s hardly a conventional romance, is it? And it’s not what I imagined when I thought about falling in love.”
He supposed she was right. Most women didn’t fantasize about falling for men like Ethan. But then, Lily wasn’t most women.
“Are you disappointed?” His stomach clenched as he asked, but he had to know the answer.
“No.” Lily’s reply was immediate. “I’d just like to reconcile some of the loose ends we left when we came up here.”
He nodded. The murders?
“Not just that,” she answered with a sigh, although he’d not actually asked the question aloud. “There is no reconciling that.”
A silence fell over the car as the sentiment settled between them.
“I can’t understand what you did, Ethan, or why you did it.” Her voice was tiny now. “And despite your reassurances, I will always be culpable.”
Ethan shook his head. “Not to me,” he told her. “And not to any court in the land. I drove you up here bound on the backseat, and have thoroughly demeaned you since. Nobody would view that as consensual.”
Even if it was.
“But it was.” She ran her fingers through her hair as she attempted to process her own thoughts. “At least, on the whole, it was.”
He laughed. “So, don’t tell them that part?” he suggested. “If it goes to court.”
Ethan paused, his mind returning to her earlier reply. “So, what then? If not my crimes, then what? Why aren’t you happy?”
Lily blinked at him. “You know why, sir. I just abandoned my entire life. My God, Mrs. Dawson will be pulling her hair out at the salon, and my poor parents…” Her voice trailed away, and Lily’s gaze slid back to the passing Scottish terrain.
“It’s just not how I would have liked to have left things, that’s all.”
Ethan nodded his head. He could understand. Kitty was still down south somewhere, probably worried sick about him. What little remained of his conscience was pricked by the thought.
“Write to them?” The thought came to him in an instant.
“What?”
“Write to your parents, and the salon, if you like, and explain you’ve moved on for now and you’re happy.”
Lily bit her lip, her thoughts examining his proposition.
“It won’t change anything, but they’ll know you’re safe?” Ethan had already decided he would do the same for Kitty.
“You’d let me do that?” she asked in a tentative tone.
“Am I holding you captive, little one?” Ethan laughed at his question, but his cock throbbed at the idea.
“Well, sort of, yes,” she answered. “I mean, you have kept me restrained these last two nights, and I can’t exactly come and go as I please, sir.”
He smiled. She had a point. “True,” he concurred. “So, maybe you are my little captive then?”
Ethan flashed her an errant look, and grinned at the blush that engulfed her cheeks.
“Yes.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “The question is, why do I enjoy it so much?”
Lily
They drove into the parish of Gretna Green, her belly furling as the destination resonated.
Gretna Green.
There was only one reason couples came here, and even with her relatively cosseted upbringing, Lily knew what that was. This was where couples ran away to get married—especially young couples.
“Why are we here, sir?”
She had to ask. Someone had to address the unspoken matter burgeoning between them. Their relationship was messed up enough without another complication.
He tur
ned toward her for a moment, those blue eyes temporarily robbing Lily of breath. “I think you know, little one.”
Lily closed her eyes, throwing her head back against the back of the seat. Just for once, couldn’t something be simple. If he wanted to marry her, then couldn’t he just ask like any other man?
A low chuckle left Ethan’s lips. “I will ask,” he assured her. “I want to, at least, do this one thing the right way, Lily.”
She opened her eyes, rolling her head to look at him. Ethan’s attention was back on the road again now, and for a moment she just gazed at the man. This man who had come into her life and turned her whole world upside down. This man she loved more than she knew she was capable of loving anyone. This murderer.
A sigh escaped her lips as that torrid mixture echoed around her head. Lily had never given much thought to whom she would marry, preferring to dodge the subject entirely whenever her mother had raised it in the past, but never once in her daydreams had she imagined a scenario like this. Lily had no idea life was like this at all. She hadn’t conceived the highs, and she sure as hell had known nothing about the lows.
“You’re fretting.” Ethan’s tone was matter-of-fact. “Stop worrying. Leave the details to me.”
“You haven’t asked me yet,” she reminded him. “I might still say no.”
Ethan flashed her a salacious smile. “I guess that’s a risk I’m going to have to take.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Ethan
Ethan found them a decent bed and breakfast with adjoining rooms. Not that he had any intention of using more than one, but still, they had to at least pretend to play the game until he could really make her Mrs. Reilly, and that meant keeping up appearances. He called the blacksmith’s shop while Lily used the bathroom, checking out their availability. The blacksmiths in Gretna Green had been marrying couples for over two hundred years, and unlike the draconian laws in England, you only needed to be sixteen in Scotland to consent. That meant little Lily was plenty old enough.
The lady on the other end of the phone was helpful, assuring Ethan they could have a slot, so long as they observed the twenty-one day cooling off period which meant he and Lily would need to reside in Gretna for three weeks before they married. Ethan understood the requirements, and while he didn’t appreciate the condition, he knew there was no choice. They’d have to wait that long to marry, but if they had to wait, it didn’t mean they couldn’t have a little fun in the meantime. Plus, there was still the matter of his proposal…
Fallen: (A Psychological Dark Romance) (The Dark Necessities Prequels Book 2) Page 16