Page 30 of Trapped

“Of course.”Kicking my boots off at the end of the bed, I climbed into the bed beside her.“Sadly, I suggest we leave our clothes on.”

“I know.”Her smile was wistful as she peered back at me, and reaching for her, I wished I could ease that concern away.

My cock twitched at the idea of consoling her, already full of ideas about how and where it would offer solace, but I urged it to be silent.Much though I craved Erin’s body, it was better that we snuggled close and preserved our body heat and strength for the ordeal awaiting us.If possible, sleep would come and guide us through until the dawn.Without much food, rest was going to be even more important.

“I’m okay with that, sir.”She relaxed when my arm snaked over her, edging back until her leggings-covered ass grazed against my groin.“And I didn’t mean to infer this was your fault.I could have pushed to leave earlier, and I didn’t.”

That was a crock of shit and we both knew it.If she’d protested at my decision, I’d have just as likely seen her over my knee for another spanking than I would have heard her out, but I appreciated her willingness to take responsibility.That was rare in my experience.

“This is on me.”I murmured the words into her hair, amazed that even after all the time we’d been caught up in the cabin, her tresses were still soft and smelled like honey.“But I promise I’ll make sure you—”

“I know.”Interrupting me, she clasped my hand.“You look after me, Eli.I believe you, sir.That’s why I’m still here, playing your games, because, even after everything, I trust you.”

“Playing my games?”I sighed into the growing shadows.

Honestly, she was too much.How many times did I need to tan her alluring backside before she thought twice about how to speak to me?Yet, holding her closer, I realized I wasn’t entirely sure that was what I wanted.Passive and compliant sounded good on paper, but after years of taking orders, I knew how it went.However good the regime that purported to care for them, people had to learn to think for themselves.Deep down, I knew if she ever acquiesced completely to my will, I’d miss her willful nature.

“You know what I mean.”She wriggled her ass against me.“Calling you sir and letting you spank me.I play along because I know you have my best interests at heart.”

“Is that right?”Grazing my palm along her chest, I cradled the weight of her breast through her clothing.

“That’s right.”She giggled as though she realized the ice she was skating on was getting pretty thin.

“Get some sleep, little girl.”I was too tired to take her bait, however fucking enticing it was.“We’ll see how well you play in the morning.”

***

Eyes open and with my heart pounding, I stared into the gloom.Something was wrong.I didn’t know how I knew or what the problem was yet, but I did know.The creeping insecurity in my gut confirmed what my racing pulse already suspected.

Danger was imminent.

Remaining still at Erin’s side, I strained my senses, reaching out viscerally to try and discover what had stirred me from my sleep.Certainly, I was exhausted enough not to have woken.Slumber had fallen over me like a shroud after we’d said goodnight, and there was no physical requirement to wake, but I’d roused regardless, and for the first time since I’d been in proximity to my wily brunette, lust wasn’t the primary stirring emotion.

What’s wrong?

Craning my head on the pillow, I listened for any clues about what had disturbed me, but nothing was obvious.The air beyond our covers was freezing, but with the outside temperatures tumbling and no heat source in the cabin, that was to be expected.No unusual noises permeated from past the cabin’s walls.If I listened hard, I could just about make out the occasional hoot from an owl or wail of a passing wolf, but nothing that seemed out of place.

Nothing.I inhaled.There’s nothing wrong.

So, why am I awake?

Untangling myself from her limbs, I rolled onto my back and focused on calming my hammering heart.With so much adrenaline coursing around my system, though, quelling its urgency was all but impossible, so I took the opportunity to rest and check my instincts had missed the mark.

It’s okay.

Blowing out my breath, I repeated the mantra in my head, consoling myself in the frozen silence.We’d get more sleep, and we’d leave with the light.Whatever happened, I would get Erin to safety.There was a great comfort in that thought, in knowing I was still in control and everything was going to be all right.

Whatever I thought I sensed, I got it wrong.Maybe I was dreaming, or maybe I—

A stark beam of pale light blazed a sudden strip of illumination through the window farthest from the bed and lit the other half of the cabin.

What the fuck?

Acting on reflex, I swung my legs out of bed and was on my feet in seconds.Only an extremely strong flashlight could create a shaft of light as powerful as that, my mind sprinting through the potential possibilities of who could be there.

“The emergency services!”

I whispered the answer excitedly, thrilled that, in the end, one of our allies had come through for us.It didn’t matter whether it was Erin’s mother, her friend, or good old Baron.So long as someone had alerted the people who could help us, we might yet be able to avoid the bone-chilling hike back to base.

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