Page 18 of Clawed
“I know you will.”The pleasant tapping ceased, leaving only the warm thrum of need his touch had inspired between her legs.“I’m going to gag you, then start work on these clothes.”His gaze fell appreciatively over her body.“You’ll notice I already removed your skirt and stockings.”He winked at her.“Lovely touches, by the way.I approve.”
Fresh trepidation twisted at his insidious inference.He’d removed them while she’d been sleeping.What the hell else had he done while she’d been unconscious?Squeezing the muscles at the apex of her thighs, she tried to calm her breathing.There was no obvious pain or tenderness.As far as she could tell, he hadn’t done anything.
She could only guess he wanted her awake for whatever he had in mind.
“I bet I can take your mind off whatever pain you’re experiencing.”He stroked the inside of her thigh.
That one tiny gesture tipped the scales in her mind.Lawes had a way of morphing what might seem loving into menace.If he stripped her, it would be just like it was before.She’d be powerless to prevent him from taking what he wanted.Her nightmare would be back in IMAX, and that time, no one would know where she was.
“Sir, I’m scared.”There was little to lose by being honest.Throwing herself on whatever remained of his mercy seemed her only route forward.
“I know.”His voice was eerily even, cementing her unease.“And we both know that’s just how you like it, little girl.”
Chapter Seven
Elevation
––––––––
IT WAS AS THOUGH ALLLawes’ Christmases had come at once.Hannah had admitted her terror, her wide eyes and flushed skin confirming what her lips pleaded, and he couldn’t believe his luck.In all the time he’d held her in the basement he’d shared with Fuller, he couldn’t recall such honesty from her.Or, perhaps that wasn’t fair.Maybe she’d expressed fear there, too, but all he could remember was how wet she’d been, how much she’d welcomed his touch.
Standing in the abandoned lounge, things were different, though.It wasn’t like before.Now, there was no Fuller, no Matthew, and no other captives.It was only the two of them, ensnared in the delicious dance he’d initiated.
“Did you really think I’d forget what had happened?”His fingertips skimmed the back of her knee.“Forget that you took the stand to testify against me.”
“No, I—”
“Did you think I’d forgetyou, Hannah?”
“I thought you were in prison, Mr.Lawes, sir.”Her watery eyes rose to meet his.
“Oh, I was.”He sighed.“Long years at the Crown’s leisure.”He shuddered.“Not the best times...but now, I’m out.”
She nodded.“And you thought of me?”
The disbelief that had laced her voice had been replaced by the delectable waver of alarm he loved to hear.
