He took a deep pull from the cigarette and exhaled. “I’m a better choice than Cody,” he muttered.
My stomach coiled at the implication. The mere idea of Cody touching me made me want to throw up. Maddox, on the other hand… I wasn’t repulsed by his body, and I didn’t dislike him as much as could be expected. Not to mention that he was probably the only chance to get out of here. None of the other bikers had shown the slightest interest in my well being.
“You aren’t any kind of choice. Nobody asked me what I want.”
Maddox nodded. “I’ve got to go.”
Fear overwhelmed me and I lunged forward, grabbing on to the bars. “What if Cody comes down here to get what he wants? I doubt your uncle would care.”
Maddox tensed, but I couldn’t read his expression when he turned to me. A few blond strands fell over his baby blue eyes and the gash that looked like a peculiar dimple deepened further as he scowled. “Cody can’t do anything without my uncle’s permission.”
Was that supposed to calm me? Cody was like a starving man who’d spotted his next meal when he looked at me.
Maddox’s gaze held mine and what I saw in his was pure hunger. I shivered and pressed even closer to the bars.
“You can’t let him have me,” I whispered. I could be yours, I let my eyes say. He wanted me, had wanted me from the very first moment. I needed him on my side if I wanted to survive this. I couldn’t rely only on Dad and Matteo to save me.
A war was raging in Maddox’s eyes. Maybe he realized why I was flirting with him. He flicked away his cigarette, stomped on it before he moved very close to me, only the bars between us. The dogs let out yaps of excitement. He brought his face so close our lips were almost brushing.
“I’m not stupid,” he growled. “Don’t think you can manipulate me. I’m not like that sappy ex-fiancé.”
His furious eyes darted down to my mouth, wanting, despite everything. He suspected me and yet he couldn’t stop wanting—wanting what he shouldn’t. I didn’t look away. I exhaled, then drew in his scent, a mix of leather, smoke and sandalwood. Nothing I’d ever appreciated but Maddox made it work. My body wondered, longed for something I’d been denied for so long.
“Who says I’m manipulating you?” Then I amended. “But even if I were trying to do it, you don’t have to let me succeed. You could just use me like you think I’m using you.”
“I don’t have to use you. You are at our mercy, Marcella, maybe you forget. I could do with you whatever I want without any consequences whatsoever.”
“You could, but that’s not who you are. You want me, but you want me willing.”
Maddox’s knuckles turned white as his grip around the bars tightened.
“You don’t know me.”
“No, I don’t. But I know one thing for a fact,” I whispered and then brushed my lips so very lightly over his, trying to ignore how my body heated from the light contact. “You can’t stop thinking about me, and after today you’ll dream about my body and how it would be to touch me every waking moment and even when you sleep.”
He jerked back from my lips as if they’d electrocuted him. I too had felt the zap rushing through my body at the brief kiss. “Don’t play with things you can’t control, Snow White. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” He turned around and left. He was probably right. Maddox was a different type of man than I was used to. He was crude and didn’t have an ounce of respect for my father. He’d love to piss him off. But that was part of why I was drawn to him, despite the horrible situation. Not that my desires held any meaning. I needed to get out of here, no matter how.
Maddox kept his distance the rest of the day, and luckily no one else came by either.
My stomach rumbled again. After the recording, I’d been sure I’d never be able to eat again, I felt so sick. The last few days I’d longed for my cell phone, now I was glad it was gone. My Instagram and Messenger were probably bursting with messages because of the nude recording. I shoved the thought away and glanced to the left.
Satan paced the kennel beside mine again. She probably was hungry too. I hadn’t seen anyone bringing the dogs food. I hopped off the hut, the only place in the shadow, and moved cautiously closer to the dog.
She threw me a quick look, then paced back and forth in front of the cage door again. Her water bowl was empty too. I peered toward the house. In the afternoon heat, the dog needed something to drink, even I knew that. I considered calling Maddox. Maybe he was in his room and would hear me but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.