He reminds me of home.
“This dress isn’t you,” he continues, glancing toward the smooth satin fabric I argued with Nathan over for days. “It’s what he put on you. It’s how he kept you small. Destroy it. Let out your frustration.”
My throat tightens as I let my body remember all the horrid things Nathan did to me before the wedding, and suddenly, a rage starts bubbling inside of me. A rage I’d been trying to repress for the sake of reality, for the sake of Nathan’s feelings, for the sake of everyone around me.
“The way his eyes would go black,” I say, a near whisper, the knife releasing a harsh hiss from the fabric as it starts its path through the material, a muted crunch resonating as it comes out.
Why does this feel so good?
“The way he shut me out when I had a feeling.” I slash.
“The way he treated my mother like an inconvenience.” I slash.
“The way he shoved me, and shook me, and made me feel like I was the problem.” I slash again, but this time Rhett’s hand is on my arm.
“He did what?”
I glance toward the giant, my mouth hanging open, the room suddenly hot and prickly. I’ve never told anyone thatNathan got physical, mostly because I’m embarrassed that I let someone touch me like that and get away with it. I’m not even sure why I said it now.
“He put his hands on you?” Rhett’s jaw locks and his shoulders tighten before he turns away. “He’s going to pay for fucking hurting you.” He paces back and forth before his massive hand lands on my head and pulls me in, holding me in place against his solid chest. His heart is hammering. “You’re safe now, baby girl. Daddy’s got you.”
Daddy’s got you.
Okay, I’m hearing it loud and clear. He totally just referred to himself as Daddy.
Why does that make my clit throb?
Why do I want to be his baby girl?
Why do I want him to take care of me?
Why do I want to fall into the safety of his arms and lay there forever?
I lift away from his chest and stare up at him, trying to decide which of us is insane. Then, my breath catches, and something tightens low in my ribs. The space between us hums and his eyes lock on mine as the world narrows to this one single point of connection. The pull is instinctive and primal, like my body recognizes something my mind hasn’t caught up to yet.
I want him to kiss me.
I want to kiss him.
I want him to touch me.
I want to touch him.
I want to end things with Nathan, and I want to see where this thing with the kidnapper goes.
If this were a competition of crazies, I’m pretty sure I’d be winning right now, and I’m okay with that.
Chapter Four
Rhett
Maybe I am a psychopath. I told myself a thousand times I couldn’t fall for Pepper, that I wouldn’t let my dick get hard. Two minutes in and I’m calling myself daddy, ready to murder anyone and everyone who’s ever caused her pain.
Why the fuck did he have to put his hands on her?
I’m going to kill the man. I’m going to tie him up by his fucking ankles and drag him through the rocky fucking lake shore until he’s no longer breathing, then I’m going to leave him there for the gulls to feed on like some piece of trash no one ever fucking cared about anyway.
I pace out onto the front porch and pick up the VHF radio since Pepper is using my phone to call her mother. I shouldn’t let her call anyone, but she’s been through it today and I need to keep her calm. A call to her mom will do just that. Then again, I’m letting my feelings get involved, which isn’t ideal given my current circumstances.
