Free Captive, Mine by Trent Evans, Natasha Knight Page B

were agonizing over the decision. He hoped she was.
    Then those fingers moved lower, between the soft labia, splaying them, the bright wetness within making his cock throb once more.
    “That’s it.” He turned his hand palm up and stroked a finger along that wet, pink flesh, the tip easing forward against the prominent hood protecting her clit. He worked that bundle of nerves for a moment, again curious at what she might do. He smiled at the involuntary tightening of her hamstrings and her harsh exhalation of breath, but, again, she stayed put.
    “Interesting.”
    He rose, slapping her on the hip.
    “Time for that shower.”
    She spun around immediately, her hands covering her sex and breasts once more. Her brow was furrowed, her teeth working at the corner of her mouth. She moistened dry lips with her tongue then took two deep breaths and looked up at him. But when he met her eyes, they weren’t shooting daggers as he’d expected. He saw something else there instead.
    Confusion.
    She crouched down, reaching for her clothes.
    “No. Those stay here. I need to check them too.” He stepped back, sweeping an arm toward the door. “You’re welcome to that shower now. You can close the door, but don’t lock it.”
    “I don’t… I don’t understand this,” she said, shouldering past him. “Any of it.”
    The door to the bathroom slammed, the springs of the mattress whispering as Lake sat down, studying the slippery moisture still glistening on his finger.
    “Neither do I, Ms. Cross.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    I n the time it took me to get into the bathroom, I was already blocking what had just happened from my mind. I looked at my face in the mirror. What the hell was wrong with me? I pushed the shower curtain aside, switched on the water and glanced at the lock on the door. I reached for the little button, knowing if he wanted to, he’d shove the damned thing open with his shoulder and punish me for locking it. I did it anyway though. I needed one minute where I could be alone, even if I was kidding myself.
    The tile was cold beneath me but I sat there anyway, processing. I didn’t believe my dad had hired Lake to protect me. Or rather, if he had hired Lake, Lake was no longer working for him. What had happened when he had knocked me out in the car? I had no idea and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. I did remember the feeling moments before though. And I remembered well DeSalvo pulling on his gloves, asking me something about what I’d be willing to do to survive.
    A shiver ran through me and I rose up off the ground. What had happened a minute ago in that bedroom left no doubt as to how far I’d go to survive.
    “Screw you, Lake Freeman!” It wasn’t loud enough for him to hear and I did twist the doorknob a little to release the lock before I got into the shower. There was some noise in the hallway like he was drilling or something.
    The water was thankfully hot, almost too hot, and the bathroom had already begun to steam up. I picked up the bottle of cheap shampoo and squeezed some onto my palm, scrubbing my head furiously.
    What the fuck was that in the bedroom anyway? Checking me for a wire? Bullshit, and we both knew it. He was no different than other man — a horny fuck. He wanted to show me who was in charge? Well, I knew that. He hadn’t had to make me do that.
    And what about my reaction? Since when had I been one to strip when told to strip? Who dared even tell me to strip? Who dared tell me to bend over and…?
    Heat flooded my face. Fuck ! When had I forgotten who I was?
    Blood boiled in my veins. At least I was getting angry. I might have been scared before, confused even. My body’s reaction to him puzzled me but that was chemistry. That was all it was. And Lake could go fuck himself. He got himself an eyeful today. Probably was jerking off at the memory even now.
    “Hope you enjoyed the view, Lake Freeman,” I said aloud after rinsing my hair. I looked around for