Page 35 of Beautiful Secrets

Every. Single. Slap.

Did he notice I was getting wet? That the sounds I made were those of pleasure, and not pain?

From the way he smiles at me whenever we lock eyes, I’m thinking he did.

Am I losing my mind? It would explain how my body could be so confused.

Then again…my body has gotten things wrong before.

Like when Yuri—

I squeeze my eyes shut.

No.

No!

I empty my lungs of air, fill them. Again. Again. The panic that swelled up at the thought of Yuri’s dead eyes retreats.

It had been so dark inside that shed. Claustrophobic.

Terrifying.

Disgusting.

The moment Father had dismissed me the day of Vanya’s engagement party, I’d gone and locked myself in the bathroom. Washed myself raw. Cried myself out. Then I’d picked up the pieces and walked out with my head held high.

What Yuri did was more than wrong. It was abominable. I know that. But itwasmy fault. I had been in the wrong place, at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing. It was my punishment.

Just like the bruised ass I am sitting on was Cole’s punishment when I tried to escape.

But how long until my captor decides a slap to my ass is not punishment enough? Until he decides to shove his dick between my legs, whether I want him to or not?

I don’t plan to find out.

13

Cole

“Want a sandwich?” I ask Mika.

Her eyes dart to mine, and faint color touches her cheeks before she drops her head again.

“My little rabbit can’t be just skin and bones.” I get to my feet and walk over to her.

We’ve been watching a movie on the eighty-inch flat-screen television—some action skit with tons of explosions and screaming.

I used to love that shit. Would turn it all the way up. Drowned out the non-stop thoughts in my always-busy mind.

But that shit didn’t fly at the Facility. You had to “keep the noise down,” which translated into reading subtitles most of the time. Those first few months were the worst. I’d end up being locked in my room most of the time because I wouldn’t stop shouting at the top of my lungs.

I don’t know if Mika is a fan of Bruce Willis or something, but she’s been watching the whole thing with me. Not saying a word, not moving, but definitely watching.

Possibly even taking notes.

“Tell you what…” I grab her chin, gently lifting her head until she has no choice but to look up at me. “I’ll untie you if you eat something.”

Her eyes flinch with a small frown before she smooths her expression. “Okay.”