Free Hunted by Ella Ardent

if he genuinely needed help. Her hiding place was obviously too good, because she did want to be caught eventually.
    Maybe sooner than that.
    She slipped out of the tree and moved toward his voice, alert for any signs of pursuit.
    “Help! Someone please!” Jared shouted again at closer proximity, his voice sounding strained. “For fuck’s sake, set me free!”
    Shara eased closer, her heart pounding. She could see something moving through the growth ahead, something in a small clearing. It was Jared, snared in a rope net and suspended from the ground. The rope was densely woven and she wouldn’t have known it was him, if not for his voice. He swore again and continued to thrash in the trap, his obvious fear convincing Shara to take another step forward.
    The net hung from a single rope, one knotted to a tree close beside her. Shara peered into the shadows, but couldn’t see anyone lurking there. She didn’t want to call out to Jared, because that might identify her position.
    That is, if no one had heard the pounding of her heart yet.
    It took her half of forever to get to the knot in the rope. Jared shouted and struggled all the while, apparently unaware of her presence. Otherwise, the forest breathed in watchful silence. Shara had the definite sense someone was monitoring her progress, but she decided it was silly. She couldn’t see, hear, or smell anyone. She reached for the rope, surprised to find it had been knotted so a single tug on the end would unfasten the knot. It was a kind of a hitch, maybe one used on boats.
    She grabbed the rope and tugged. The loosened rope shot through her fingers and over the bough of the tree overhead. The net dropped fast and Jared landed hard. He swore again, still flailing within the mesh of the net.
    Then the net stopped dropping. The rope had snagged on something, Jared still caught within the net. He swore and she shouted to him.
    “Sorry! I’ll get it.” Shara would have followed the course of the rope to find the snag but it was too late. She was caught from behind, a rough hood hauled over her head so she couldn’t see a thing.
    “Gotcha,” Damon said with satisfaction.
    Shara grabbed for the hood, but Damon had already seized her wrists. He spun her around and sealed them together behind her back, securing them with a cable tie. She stumbled forward, but he caught her around the waist, tipping her over his knee and binding her ankles together with alarming speed. She was eased to the ground, writhing but unable to get free.
    “You’ve done this before,” she charged, struck again by his efficiency. Jared bellowed again, but no one helped him.
    “But never with such a fine trophy,” Damon said. He pushed back the hood and she saw his triumphant smile. He was crouched beside her, looking purposeful and intent. Her puss started to hum with anticipation. This was what she’d wanted! Damon pushed his fingers through her hair again, lifting her head with his hand beneath her nape, and claimed her with a kiss.
    It was as hot and wonderful as the ones he’d given her the night before. Shara felt her eyes close with pleasure, and she wondered what he’d do to her next. She hoped he took his time in savoring his victory.
    She hoped she could stand it.
    Then he broke the kiss and she saw the length of knotted cloth. She opened her lips to protest, but he gagged her quickly, silencing her. He was rough and the cloth was pulled tight, making her his captive in a thrilling way. Shara’s heart was hammering and she bucked her hips a little in silent demand.
    Damon chuckled, then ran his hand over her. If anything, his eyes were darker and his manner even more intent. He liked this as much as she did.
    “Try to scream,” he instructed in a whisper. Shara did and was startled by how little sound she was able to make. Damon smiled. “Excellent,” he murmured. “We don’t want Neil to interfere with our fun.”
    Shara dared to wink at him and he grinned.
    Then he tugged