Then, a few hours later you are either puking your guts out, or you’ve forgotten all about that little glitch down low.
Well, it’s been hours and the glitch is still there, I’m not puking and it’s still got my attention. So, something is changing, and I’m way confused.
And…yes, turned the hell on.
There, I said it.
There’s the scent of roasting meat and burning wood that’s got me drooling as I push onto my tiptoes to see Oran poking at something on the fire. From that first moment I saw him, it’s like time stopped. I hate being down in here, but I like being in this space with him. Unable to leave with the hovering of a peacefulness I can’t remember feeling in so long.
He’s my captor, but he’s giving off a heavy protector vibe as well and the twitch down below is also a little clutch in my chest and I don’t even want to talk about what my nipples have been doing.
“I have food for you. It will be ready soon.” Oran stands at the edge, his eyes flick to mine, then scan down my body making me wince under their intensity.
I lick my lips, the gnawing in my belly rising with the delicious scent of the food. “Okay, I’m hungry.”
“I give youmyfood, not what they left for you. Dry bread and water.”
Why would he tell me that? Does he want me to think he’s on my side somehow? The good cop thing again?
“Thank you. I could use some water to wash up.” I say, holding my hands palms out for him to see.
“I will bring you a bucket of water.”
I wonder if he notices my hands are trembling. His body is tense and in some magical way, his twisted face is masculine and attractive. His forehead is set in a permanent furrow but there’s a low red flicker in his eyes I didn’t see before and don’t even get me started on his abs and his chest. I could tap dance on those plates of muscle, and he would barely feel it I’m sure.
Warmth trickles between my legs then a surge of guilt sweeps it away. If I’m down here, what’s happening with my grandfather? Are they there with him? Holding him hostage as well? Is he hurt? And, yeah, my brother is an ass but what’s happening with him? If I do manage to escape, then what? I get home to nothing and no one? Then, I’m on the run, I couldn’t stay there, they would just come back for me. Sure, there’s still some law in this part of the country and they need to legally own the property, but if my grandfather doesn’t do what they ask…
“Water.” Oran breaks me from the panic loop as he crouches down at the pit edge and lowers a wooden bucket. This is as close as we’ve been since I arrived.
Emotions overwhelm me for no concrete reason. I’m woozy, floaty-feeling as the muscles in his forearm ripple, deep circular twisted scarring I didn’t notice before covering his arms and chest. His focus is on me as I take the bucket, my hands on the bottom as he holds the handle by a single, thick finger.
He’s beautiful. And hot. I mean, okay, yes, sexy hot, but also just hot. Waves of heat pulse off of him and it shakes the chill away for a moment.
Through the unflattering way his face is distorted, the tusks and the forehead jutting out over deep eye sockets, I see it.
His being. His pain.
He’s growling as he releases the handle, staying crouched as my eyes linger on the darkness between his legs. He’s wearing thick, leather pants, hand stitched along the seams with black cording. His chest is criss-crossed with the traditional thick leather and metal adorned straps but it’s his face that I cannot pull my gaze from.
“You wash. I cook. Then, we eat.”
“Together?” I blurt trying to control the heavy bucket onto the dirt floor.
He pinches his brow, a tilt of his head telling me he’s not sure what I’m asking. His long, leather bound sort of ponytail slips over his shoulder.
“Will you eat with me? Come down here if you want. I know I’m not supposed to be out. But,” I add a shrug, guilty that I’m playing a game but knowing I don’t know how much time I have. “We could still eat together down here, right?”
He considers that with a low grunt, rubbing his fingers over his forehead with a twisted scowl. I’m not above using my body to save my life, I tell myself. I’ve not kept my purity for any reason other than I wasn’t interested enough in anyone to give it a second thought. But with Oran, there’s a draw. I feel it and I see he does as well.
This is his Achilles’ heel. I just have to figure out how to work things to my advantage. I should feel disgust toward him, and I do. He is part of whatever is happening to my family but somehow, this goes deeper, and I have to put together the missing pieces. If it takes putting my V card on the table, so be it. I’m not saving it for some white dress and picket fence. I’d rather use it as a bargaining chip.
I count as he stays silent. If I can get him down here with me, maybe I can figure out how to get out…
“I will bring the food down in with you. I have good, cooked meat and warmed bread. I tried to grill broccoli…” He looks over his shoulder then back at me. “Broccoli doesn’t grill. But, I heard it was good for humans.”
I shrug, a little flutter in my belly that he wanted to cook something good for me. “It’s okay. Not a fan.”
He nods on a grunt taking a long sniff of the air, grimacing like there’s something painful attacking him from the inside. My nipples tingle and poke at my t-shirt and his eyes seem to know what I’m feeling because he lowers his head a few inches, licking his lips, then one of his tusks as he pushes to his feet, eyes locked on my chest.