Page 27 of Redemption (Favorite Malady Duet #2)

ABIGAIL

“ W here are you taking me?” I demand.

“You asked to leave the party,” he reminds me, like he’s being completely reasonable.

“Take me back to the car.”

“I never agreed to that.” His low laugh is infuriating, and my inner muscles clench.

I cover my face with my free hand, relieved that he can’t see my chagrin when I’m slung over his shoulder.

He’s taking me somewhere deeper in the shadowy grounds of the grand estate.

Night has fallen, but Yorkshire is far enough north that the sky is still dusky despite the late hour.

I’ve seen enough to know that we’re in a curated garden; I noted perfectly pruned rose bushes and a neat hedge in my peripheral vision.

Otherwise, I’m looking down at the dirt path beneath Dane’s designer shoes.

Too late, I realize that the hedge has risen up on either side of me. I’ve been so absorbed in my inner turmoil that I didn’t pay enough attention to my surroundings.

We’re in a hedge maze, and I’m already hopelessly lost.

Dane seems to know exactly where he’s going.

“Put me down. I don’t like this,” I say shakily.

“Liar,” he drawls.

His restraining hand eases up my thigh to caress my swollen pussy through my thin dress. I gasp at the answering burst of pleasure and buck over his shoulder. His only reply is another arrogant chuckle.

“Bastard,” I hiss.

“I’ll enjoy taming that pretty mouth later. I have other plans for you now.”

He finally sets me down, and I’m disoriented for a moment at the shift in perspective. I blink and realize we’re in the center of the maze. A bubbling fountain featuring giggling cherubs is illuminated to our right. The small statues seem to mock me with their sly smiles.

Dane bends down and rummages in a waiting black duffel bag.

“What’s in there?” My voice is a touch higher than usual.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“You planned this,” I accuse. “You’ve arranged all of this in advance.”

He quirks a single dark brow at me. “Of course.”

“You knew no one would help me.”

His sensual smirk is pure, masculine satisfaction. “I have you right where I want you.”

I lift my chin and glare at him. “You wouldn’t put me in a scenario where you could get caught. I thought we were building trust, Dane.”

“That’s exactly why we’re here,” he explains calmly.

He’s holding a short coil of rope in one hand. My stomach flips, and I try to edge away from him.

What else is he hiding in that bag?

“If you think I’m just going to stand here compliantly while you tie me up, you’re mistaken,” I defy him. “I won’t let you.”

He pins me with that wickedly sharp smile. “I’m counting on it.”

His hand jerks to his side, and my cuffed wrist forces me close to him. Before I can reason through how I can deny his twisted game, he twists my arm behind my back and grabs the other. Rope loops around my wrists, binding them together at the small of my back.

“No!” I try to twist away.

Which is exactly what he wants. He wants me to struggle, to indulge in his dark mindfuck.

I know this, but I don’t soften and submit.

I can’t. My pride won’t allow me to surrender so easily.

And some secret, perverted part of me doesn’t want to remain meekly compliant.

The metal cuff unlocks, dropping to the dirt path. But my wrists are even more securely trapped than they were before.

I lunge forward, propelling myself away from him. He loops an arm around my waist and drags me back.

“No running yet. We’re not finished here.”

My heart hammers against my ribcage.

Yet.

He’s going to chase me through this maze, and I have no idea how to get out.

I harden my resolve and try to elbow him in the ribs. His sharp exhale is my only reward before I’m shoved to my knees. He grabs my shoulders and forces me down onto my back, trapping my hands under me. His weight settles over my hips, just heavy enough to pin me without causing me pain.

I writhe in the dirt, but when he fists my dress in both hands, I arch toward him. With one jerk of his powerful arms, the delicate material tears, baring my breasts to him. He cups them with reverence, teasing my nipples with his thumbs.

Pleasure sparks beneath his tender touch, and I swallow a whimper.

“No one else will ever see you like this. You’re all mine, Abigail.”

We’re alone out here, completely isolated from the rest of the party. I don’t have to worry about anyone witnessing my humiliation anymore.

“No one will save you from me,” he warns, and I shudder.

He keeps me pinned and reaches into that damn bag again. Something jingles softly when he pulls it out. I instantly recognize the silvery glint of nipple clamps.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen them, but they’re different from the ones he’s used on me before. These are connected by a black leather cord, and three delicate silver bells hang from it.

“Don’t you dare.”

“How else am I supposed to keep track of my pet when she runs away?” he taunts.

“I’m not your pet,” I seethe, wriggling beneath him.

All I manage to do is stimulate my clit against his growing erection.

He hisses in a sharp breath as his own lust torments him, but he doesn’t have an ounce of mercy in his hungry gaze. The light from the fountain catches in his eyes, illuminating the dark green pools so that they practically glow.

He’s so unbearably beautiful: my dark god.

He hums in false consideration. “Aren’t you? Pets wear pretty collars, just like yours.” He leans in close, his lips teasing mine as he says, “Pets obey their master.”

I snap my teeth at him, and his eyes flash with delight.

He grips my jaw, holding my head still so that I can’t sink my teeth into his perfect mouth.

“No biting,” he admonishes sternly. “I’ll tame you again, Abigail. It will be my pleasure.”

Wanton arousal wets my thighs, and my clit pulses madly against his erection. It takes all my willpower to prevent myself from rubbing against him like a needy kitten.

He plucks at my nipples, drawing a reluctant moan from my chest. His deft fingers feel so decadent, tormenting the tight peaks with pain that blossoms into forbidden pleasure.

I throw my head back on a sharp cry when he captures them in the clamps. They bite down on my sensitive nipples, and I squirm in the dirt. I must be getting filthy, but he wants me this way: dirty and degraded. I never knew how the humiliation could make me burn for him.

He stares down into my eyes and twists the screws on the clamps, adjusting them until they’re tiny vises on my throbbing nipples.

When he’s satisfied with my squeak of discomfort, he relents and flicks the bells that are draped between my breasts on the leather cord. The melodic jingle mingles with his cruel laugh.

His hands close around my shoulders, and he drags me upright.

With my hands bound behind me, I have to rely on his support to get to my feet.

My torn dress slides down my body, pooling on the ground and leaving me bare before him.

A scrap of black lace is my only bit of modesty, and judging by his possessive gaze, the lingerie only entices him more.

I glower at him, allowing the full force of my defiance to pierce him like a knife.

He simply smiles and caresses my cheek. “So beautiful. My pretty pet.”

“Stop calling me that,” I seethe.

He cocks his head at me, and midnight hair tumbles over the black skull mask. “Say the word, and this will end. You do have a choice, Abigail. Always. I’ll never take that from you again.”

My ire melts away. He’s asking for my trust.

He said that he brought me here for a reason. He wants me to remember how good it can be between us when we both indulge in our mutual darkness. My soul matches his in so many ways.

My heart tugs toward his, stronger this time. I yearn for him, for us. I want to engage in this twisted game, but I’m frightened.

“I’m scared,” I admit, my voice small.

His jaw firms, but his hand on my cheek remains achingly gentle. “I never want you to be scared of me.”

“I’m scared of me . I shouldn’t want this. It’s sick and wrong.”

“Nothing about you could ever be wrong. You’re perfect, Abigail.”

He tips my chin back so that he can stare down into my soul. “Do you want to stop?”

That question makes all the difference. I settle into my decision, accepting everything that we are. Accepting him.

And myself.

“No,” I breathe. “I don’t want to stop.”

He leans in close, and his lips brush the shell of my ear when he commands, “Then run, little dove.”

He steps back, watching me with open curiosity for my next move.

I straighten my shoulders and kick off my high heels. The dirt path is cool beneath my feet. The earth is hardpacked; it won’t hurt my bare soles.

His tilted grin is pure, maniacal pleasure. “You have thirty seconds, and then I come after you.”

“Aren’t you going to untie my hands?”

“And let you pluck off those lovely bells? I don’t think so.”

I hesitate, torn between denying him his fun and wanting to unleash my most primal urges. This is a battle of wills, and even though there’s no way I will win, I’m determined to engage in the fight. The struggle. The inevitable, ecstatic defeat.

“Twenty seconds now,” he warns.

I start running. I have to get as far away as possible before slowing down; the damn bells will give me away if I continue sprinting, and I already know he’s faster than I am.

I hurtle down the path, willing my eyes to adjust to the darkness as I run farther away from the light of the fountain. The maze opens up to my left, and I choose to take the turn rather than going straight. There’s no way to know how to get to the exit, and Dane is well aware of that fact.

My fate is already sealed, but I grit my teeth and increase my speed.

He wants a hunt? I’ll give him a hunt. He’ll have to work for it if he wants to capture me.