Page 7 of Trapped

“Yeah, well…” She glanced my way.“I guess I don’t have much choice, do I?”

“Not really.”I stifled my amusement.“You’re stuck with me, Erin.For the time being, at least.”

Chapter Two

Strangers

Erin

Scanning his profile, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.Certainly, the brooding hulk of a man at my side had inspired both emotions and a whole lot more, and I was struggling to get my head around everything that had happened.

He’d seemed so enigmatic at first, his knowledge and authority so damn alluring as he’d led me around the forest, but feeling like a prisoner in the suffocating little lodge hadn’t turned me on half as much as I’d thought it would.It was one thing being overpowered by a strong, dominant man—and I had no regrets about ultimately surrendering to his dick—but quite another to be his captive.I couldn’t survive like that.It was as though his constant orders were sucking the oxygen from the increasingly claustrophobic cabin.

“So, tell me about the man I’m stuck with.”I shifted to look at him, conscious of his arm around my back where I’d shrugged it from my shoulders.

Staring into his gray eyes, I couldn’t decide if I was really interested in his back story or whether I just needed a distraction from the encroaching threats of depleting wood and food supplies.

“What do you want to know?”He tilted his head at me.

“I don’t know.”My heart rate accelerated at his insistent gaze.He seemed to have the ability to see straight past my blushes into the inner reaches of my soul.It was downright unnerving.“What did you do before you were a park ranger, sir?”

Addressing him that way irked me less than it had before.The truth was, I had relied on Eli’s experience to get me to the cabin, and whether I liked it or not, I would likely need his expertise to get me back home.I respected that, so long as he didn’t try and pull another stunt that saw me face down over his thighs.

Even though I really enjoyed being there.

I swallowed at the knowing voice in my head, squeezing the intimate muscles between my legs.Being disciplined by him had been an outrageous liberty, but I couldn’t deny the way the ordeal had affected me.Instead of producing anger and upset, his palm had managed to evoke slick, hot need, the likes of which I’d never known until then.

“Before?”He smirked.“Trust you to ask about that.”

“What?”Bewilderment resounded in my voice.That wasn’t the reply I’d expected.“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re prying into a past you might not like, little girl.”His arm snaked around my middle.“I didn’t always help people like this.”

Like this?

I bit back on the idea that being hauled over his lap for a spanking had helped me, though I accepted I’d have probably frozen to death out there had he not located the lodge.Eli had saved me, but his care had come at a cost.

Fleetingly, my gaze flitted to the frozen window, an image of Chelle bursting into my mind.My friend had become collateral damage, and I recalled the ghostly dreams I’d had about her with disturbing ease.A manifestation of my guilt, I assumed, but a valid one.There was no way of knowing what had happened to Chelle, and staring at the frosted glass, I didn’t know if I ever would.

“Erin?”

Turning back at his nudge, I sensed my rising emotion.Chelle would continue to haunt me until I knew her fate, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

I deserve it.I glanced down, my hand rising to catch my initial tears.I let her go alone, and if anything happens to her, then…

“Hey!”He reached for me, stroking the back of my hand as I heaved in a breath.“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just Chelle.”I flinched, knowing already how little Eli appreciated the topic of conversation.“I’m worried about her, sir.”

“I know.”He edged closer, his silver eyes flashing with concern, and for the first time, I didn’t acknowledge any judgment in his voice.He’d been so annoyed when Chelle had stalked off alone and so irritated whenever I’d raised the subject, but finally, I sensed compassion.“I’m sorry I couldn’t do more to help her, too.”

“It’s not your fault.”I smiled despite the tears.“She wouldn’t have listened anyway.Chelle was always so strong-willed.”

“Is,” he corrected softly.“She’ll be okay, little girl.You’ll see.”

“I hope so.”I blinked away the burning water in my eyes.“But the not knowing is killing me.”

“I respect how much you care about her.”Taking my hand, he squeezed my fingers gently.“You’re a good friend.”

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