Page 48 of His Captive

“Mr. Shaw,” I hear her shrill voice calling from behind me.

“What a pleasure to see you, and of course, the beautiful lady who accompanies you.” Julia hasn’t even given me a chance to sit my ass down before she’s beside us, fishing.

Perfect.

“This is Lysetta...” It suddenly occurs to me that I have no idea what her surname is. I really should fix that.

“She’s a very, very good friend of mine.”

“A pleasure.” Julia holds out her hand to Lysa, who takes it, shaking it charmingly.

“So town's most eligible bachelor has finally decided to step out with a lady, and one so pretty.” Julia reaches out and touches the delicate skin on Lysa’s face, stirring a rage inside me, and causing Lysa to blush awkwardly.

Man or woman, cunt or cock, look, but don’t fucking touch what’s mine.

“It appears so. Now, if you will excuse us, Julia.” My restraint permits me to smile pleasantly.

“Anything you’d like to comment on, for the record?” She pushes her luck some more.

“Julia, we both know you will write whatever the fuck your imagination can come up with. So, I’ll leave it to your expertise.” I immediately turn my back to her, blanking her, before taking my seat opposite Lysetta.

The shocked, yet amused look on her face, makes me smirk back at her.

“You know that woman really wants to fuck you, right?” she whispers.

“Her, and half of the town. She needs to get in line,” I tell her, picking up my menu and seeing what my new chef is offering.

“You’re kind of an ass,” she rolls her eyes at me playfully.

“Has it really taken you this long to figure that out?” I raise my eyebrow.

Eleven

LYSETTA

Everything has been perfect, from the ride in the limousine to the food at the restaurant. But better than any of that, is the way Ethan’s been. Tonight he wasn’t grouchy, he was charming and even a little tentative. He’s in such a good mood that he hasn’t even reacted to the people slyly taking pictures of us with their camera phones. It makes me feel like I’m out with some kind of celebrity.

We get back to the house and Ethan walks us straight toward his office, I pause before I enter, wondering if it’s a trick, his way to catch me off guard so I will break one of the rules he set for me this morning.

“You can come in if you’re invited,” he tells me.

“So, you’re inviting me in?” I ask, a little awkwardly.

“Yes, Lysetta, I’m inviting you in. Unless you need me to tell you to come in...” There’s a warning in his voice that is counteracted by a sexy smirk.

I shake my head, and step past him, taking a seat in the chair in front of his desk.

“Drink?” he asks, taking two glass tumblers and pouring a generous measure from the decanter into each before I have a chance to answer.

“You’re being very hospitable this evening,” I point out, taking the glass that he holds out in front of me. It smells rich and oaky and burns my eyes before I’ve even taken a sip.

“Tell me something you’re afraid of Lysa,” he says, out of nowhere. Taking a seat on the other side of his desk, his eyes now scrutinizing me.

I think hard before I answer.

“I don’t know, spiders are kinda creepy, and clowns… I really don’t like clowns.” I shake away the memory of the freaky looking clown that mom once booked to show up at my eighth birthday party.

Ethan laughs, and it frustrates me. Ironic, when I consider that the guy has been openly humiliating me for his own pleasure for days.

---