60
He reached out and took her hand, running his finger over her knuckles. “Isn’t this nice?”
Ruby smiled in response, forking another mouthful of pasta in her mouth. She didn’t know what she had been expecting, but the food was good—pasta carbonara, rich, creamy and comforting. She cleared her plate, then picked up her wine, draining the plastic beaker it had been served in. Despite the absurdity of the situation, the wine felt good—a brief spike of exhilaration surging through her before drifting away again.
“Pudding?”
Ruby nodded and within a minute had wolfed down a bowl of trifle. Stuck down here as she was, all she could think of was how hungry she was.
“I wanted to ask you something,” she said suddenly. “I... I get bored down here waiting for you, so I was wondering if I could have some books.”
He regarded her for a second, then said:
“What sort of books?”
“Anything.”
“You’re not fussy.”
“I just want to read.”
Another pause.
“Tell me some titles and I’ll see if I can get them for you.”
Ruby racked her brain, reeling off a list of favorites that would make her feel a little less alone. Books her dad loved, that Cassie was obsessed with. They would be her family down here. Finally she ran out of ideas. Her captor swallowed a yawn, fatigue finally overcoming him.
“Thank you, Summer. I enjoyed myself tonight.”
“Me too,” Ruby said. There was a small part of that which was true at least.
“And if you’re good to me, we’ll see about those books.”
He took a step forward. Ruby’s natural instinct was to step back, but she forced herself to stand her ground. He took another step toward her, wrapping his arms round her and pulling her into a hug. She allowed it, though she was screaming inside. She felt his lips find their way to her ear.
“All good things come to those who wait,” he whispered.
Suddenly Ruby had tears in her eyes. She could feel his erection pressing against her. She just wanted to be away, away, away from him. As he disengaged, she wiped her eyes quickly—refusing to throw it all away by losing her cool.
“Good night,” he said as he headed toward the door. “And thank you.”
Ruby stood stock-still as he departed. She remained there for a full five minutes until she could be sure he was gone—smiling her rictus grin, wanting to be a good girl for him, despite the fact that she was shaking like a leaf.
61
Hurrying straight into his bedroom, he locked the door and lay down on the bed. Unzipping his fly, he slipped his hand inside his trousers. The feeling of flesh on flesh made him shiver.
He knew he should resist, but there was no fighting it tonight. He had returned home in such a low mood, riven with doubts and fears, so this evening had totally ambushed him. Where he had been expecting defiance, hurt and acrimony, he had in fact found compliance and kindness.
Was he foolish to think that Summer was starting to love him again? Things had been so difficult and distressing, but suddenly she seemed to have turned a corner. Shewantedto be with him and took pleasure in his company. And tonight he had responded, in a manner that surprised and energized him. He had felt so aroused inher company that the greater part of him had wanted to take her to bed there and then.
Normally he managed to contain his urges. But not tonight. He climaxed quickly and fiercely. Lying on the bed later, he felt happy but oddly dissatisfied. It had been so long since he allowed himself even the release of fantasy—so fearful was he of ultimate disappointment—but even that failed to satisfy his needs now. With the realization that Summer might finally be coming home to him, his desire to be with her was growing stronger. He would not rush her—he had made that mistake before—but his feelings spurred him on. The dark days were coming to an end, his salvation was at hand and everything was prompting him to act.
Soon the waiting would be over. Soon their love would be real.
62
Alison Sprackling stood in her daughter’s bedroom and stared out the window. She often came here once everyone else in the house was asleep. Hadsheslept at all since Ruby had gone missing? She supposed she must have, otherwise she wouldn’t still be able to function, but it certainly didn’t feel like it. Jonathan was no different, tossing and turning from dusk till dawn, but this was little comfort. They seemed to be talking to each other less and less.
