13
Darcy
The blindfoldand zip ties on my wrists I could have lived with, even though they were both uncomfortable, but the gag was an utter fucking indignity. I fought as the ball was stuffed firmly into my mouth. The growl I let out at the two men who were restraining me so a third one could finish buckling the straps behind my head only made them laugh. When the man behind me had finished, he swatted at my ass, and then the absolute troglodytes dragged me forward. The toes of my shoes scraped across the marble as I refused to cooperate, but then the door opened, and an uncomfortably warm breeze slapped my face. Sweat beaded on my forehead. I had no idea where I was being taken, and I was a little scared, but I had to assumeBrookswas behind this.
And to think he’d seemed so unassuming and sweet. What a jerk move. Warmth coiled in my stomach.
He was here and had to have ordered his men to do these ridiculous things. I’d recognized one of them, anyway, and I thought I’d seen Levi skulking around looking unhappy. Because of course he would. With me out of the way, I was sure he’d been simpering and kissing up to Brooks. My gut twisted at that thought.
Yes, Brooks must have made this happen; it was the only thing that made sense. My heart pounded harder. And if he didn’t? I hoped like hell he would come to my rescue. I shuddered at the idea that I wanted to rely onhimrather than the resources of the Courtesan, but there it was.
Just because this farce was altogether too fucking much, I tried to elbow the man on my right, and ended up with an unimpressed snort from him instead of anything that sounded pained.
“Relax. Brooks wants you all to himself. He must enjoy a fight.” The man didn’t sound like he thought that was a bad thing.
I just growled again, as much as I could, because I’d been reduced to meaningless grunts and sounds instead of speech. Plus I wanted to rip their heads off. The man on my left shoved me along faster, and I stumbled, almost fell, and had to rely on my abductors to keep me on my feet. Anger replaced any of my lingering fear and I struggled again.
There was a click that sounded like a car door opening. I was dumped on my ass on the floor inside a cool cab while the two men chuckled. My feet were shoved in, and then the door closed. The interior was very quiet. I sat there fuming, straining to hear, but an insidious thing happened as I did. I couldsmellBrooks in this space. He’d been riding in here.
My cock took an interest in the situation as I tugged at my restraints. The memory of the way he’d tied me up the last time he’d fucked me had heat surging in my groin, and for a second my bound hands slithered down between my thighs, but a small noise from the front made me realize I might not be alone. I yanked my hands back up and jerked at the ties around my wrists as I inhaled deeply. I even went so far as to shove my nose against the seat because Brooks’ scent was stronger there. The reminder of him tripped a shiver down my spine.
He wanted me enough to fucking order his men to drag me out here against my will.
That wasnotsexy.
That waspushy and manipulative.
My cock pulsed and ached pleasantly, and I sucked in a deep breath through my nose. He wanted me. My emotions vacillated wildly between fury and happiness, and in the end I settled on disgruntled—with a side of horny.
I kicked at the door, but with less gusto than the situation probably warranted. Behind me a door opened and warm air rushed in. I felt disoriented, even though I knew I’d been kicking at a door, so there must be one behind me, too. Something warm and wet streaked across my cheek, and there was a doggywoofthat had to be Lemonade. Someone very human sighed and the sound wasn’t happy. There was a metallic click I thought was probably Lemonade’s lead being secured, and then the door closed. Lemonade rested her head on my shoulder, and I felt oddly happy to be near her again. I rubbed my cheek against her soft muzzle.
We meet again, girl. You’re the most dignified of all of them, did you know that? They’re animals and you’re an angel.
She licked my cheek again, and I laughed and rubbed it against my shoulder.
The door in front of me opened, and I drew my feet back because for a second I felt like I might fall over. I’d been anchoring myself upright there. Gentle fingers caressed across the top of my head, and the smell of Brooks’ cologne saturated the air. The tease of something spicy that reminded me of nighttime in the South—minus the mosquitoes—swamped my senses. I stilled as Brooks pressed a hand to my shoulder.
“You’re okay,” he murmured, it seemed to himself, and then he got in carefully and put his feet around me on the floor so I was trapped, scrunched-up between his legs. He pulled me back so my head rested against his thigh. The door closed.
“Now, Ford assured me you didn’t say your safeword before this went on.” He caressed his fingers around the gag, and the sensation trembled pleasant lust through my chest and downward to dance on my cockhead. “And I’m leaving it here until you feel less like you’re about to snap apart on me.” He brushed his fingers along my neck and downward to slide under the collar of my shirt. “You’re tense as fuck, Darcy. Why is that, huh?”
Shivers raced along my skin, and I growled, jostling around a bit.
Lemonade let out an unhappy whine, and Brooks laughed.
“I happen to think two days away from the Courtesan wasn’t enough for you, and I told your mother as much. I told her she’s killing you.”
I gasped in utter shock. Irritation clenched my teeth on the ball gag, but in an odd way I was touched, too. I bumped my head back against his thigh. He wasn’t fucking wrong, but what gave him theright?
Brooks let out a soft sound that was somewhere between shushing and encouraging. He ran his fingers through my hair until I wanted to melt into a puddle on the spot. Well, that and come. His scent was so strong I almost felt woozy from it, and his body heat scalded me. I didn’t touch many people—actively avoided it—and the pleasant warmth from his muscles was amazing against the back of my neck.
“This is what’s going to happen,” he drawled in a controlled, serious tone. “We’re going to my home along Lake Ontario. It’s beautiful there and you’ll like it.” He said that as if daring me to argue, even though I really couldn’t. I gave in and rolled my eyes, which was a weird sensation behind the blindfold. “I’ll be working from home the rest of the week. We’ll take anything sexual as fast or slow as you want, but you are going to let me take care of you in every way. You won’t have a single need unmet while you’re in my house. You won’t exhaust yourself. You won’t fret over that fucking hotel because your mother has promised to take care of everything. Nod if you agree.”
The car moved forward, and I sat still for a long time. Lemonade huffed out a doggy sound, and I was aware of the divider between the seats moving. The sounds in the cab changed just enough to let me know the black-tinted divider was going up to the top. My eyes stung a little, and for a few minutes I sat very still, feeling overwhelmed. I’d thought maybe I wouldn’t see Brooks again, thought he wouldn’t come back. After all, why should he? I’d done nothing but push him away. I couldn’t bring myself to agree or disagree with his terms. It was all too much, so I turned just enough to nuzzle my face against his thigh and inhale his rich scent. I pressed my cheek there so I could better enjoy his warmth and solid muscles.
“Darcy, answer me, or your nonanswer will get you over my knee later. One thing I can’t let you do is ignore me when I’m asking if something like this is okay.”
Fear of fucking up everything again paralyzed me.
