Mia blinked. “Huh?”
He put his arm around her waist to pull her back into his arms. “Kiss the boo-boo, baby.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re nuts.”
He smiled slightly. “My mother always kissed the ouchies after she put on the band-aid.”
“I’m not your mother.”
Shane grabbed one of her breasts, squeezing just hard enough to hurt. “No, you aren’t, but you’re still going to kiss it all better.” He said it mockingly.
Mia swallowed, knowing this was some idiotic power game he was playing with her, but not sure how to get out of it. Did she really want him to hurt her again for something so minor? Was she losing the war by surrendering this small battle? Of course not.
Making no attempt to hide her reluctance, she stretched on her tiptoes to brush her mouth against the bandages before looking up at him. “Happy now?”
“Not even close.”
Before she could struggle, he wound his hand in her hair to hold her head immobilized for his kiss. She clamped her mouth shut and glared at him as his lips descended on hers. Her scalp burned when he tightened his grasp on her hair, but she refused to yield.
His body practically vibrated with his frustration right before he bit her lower lip hard enough to make her yelp. His tongue traced the outside contours of her lips, but he didn’t penetrate her mouth. “If you even think about biting me, you’ll be sorry.”
Mia fought internally, trying to decide if she should bite him anyway as his tongue slipped into her mouth. She grazed her teeth against him, more as an experiment than a commitment to biting him, and cried out when he pulled her hair so hard pain radiated throughout her head.
“Behave.” And then he kissed her again, deepening the kiss with confidence, as though he had vanquished her.
Mia wanted to show him differently, to prove to him and herself that no man was going to conquer her, but she froze. She wanted to believe it was because she was afraid of losing hair the next time he pulled, but her innate honesty wouldn’t allow her to lie. His soft and coaxing kiss blew her away, filling her with a mix of conflicting sensations and emotions.
Desire pulsed through her, even as repulsion chased it for supremacy. Her body ached for him as he swept his tongue through her mouth with demanding strokes, while her mind screamed at the violation and insisted on asserting her autonomy.
She almost considered it a win that she had managed not to externally react at all when he lifted his head. Mia tried to keep her gaze impassive as he cradled her face between his hands to kiss her again. He nibbled and licked, causing her lips to soften involuntarily. Eyes closed tightly, she tried to resist the onslaught as long as she could. He battered at her barriers with tenderness until she issued a small whimper.
Shane looked satisfied with that small sign of surrender when he lifted his head. “Good girl.”
She glared at him, making a production of wiping her mouth, though the damage was done. He had won that skirmish.
“Let’s get you to bed.” The tone was gentle, but the look was lascivious.
Mia dragged her feet and struggled against his hold as he pulled her forward. Finally, with a curse of annoyance, Shane lifted her into his arms and strode into the bedroom.
She grunted when he tossed her onto the bed, desperately struggling to escape when he dropped down atop her, straddling her stomach. He held her wrists, and it took her a moment to realize he was forcing one back against the headboard.
Panic rose inside her like a sharp blade, and she renewed her thrashing as he pushed one the wrist into a leather cuff lined with fleece. “No. Let me go, you bastard.”
Shane ignored her demands and protests as he fastened the cuff before subduing her enough to secure her other wrist. Mia tugged at the restraints forcefully, determined to escape. “Untie me, you disgusting Christian Grey wannabe.”
Shane’s lips twitched. “I’m hardly a Mr. Grey, honey. There’s no Red Room of Pain anywhere in the house.” He licked his lips. “We could add one if it pleases you though.”
She glared at him, still tugging at the cuffs. Though lined, they still cut into her flesh as she struggled. “Fuck you.”
He sighed. “I had planned to spend most of the night doing just that, honey, but plans have changed.”
She narrowed her eyes, not trusting him. “Why?”
“You’re a virgin.” He laughed darkly. “Or you were. I’m sure that tight little pussy is still tender, so I’m going to be sweet and pamper it for the rest of the night.” His expression darkened. “Not that you’ve done anything to earn consideration or tenderness. You’ve been a fucking bitch the whole time.”
“Being kidnapped and violated makes me completely forget my manners.”
He grinned. “I like your sharp tongue, baby, and I can’t wait to see what other talents it possesses besides witty retorts.”
She froze, nausea churning in her stomach at the thought. She hadn’t had a man’s penis in her mouth for four years, and she liked it that way. “Stay away from me.”
He rolled his eyes. “Do I need to gag you, baby? You can scream all you want, but I’m getting tired of the impotent threats and name-calling. Can you behave, or do I need to shove a gag in your mouth?” He lifted his penis and wiggled it slightly in her direction. “Or maybe something else to keep you quiet?”
Mia snapped her mouth closed with an audible click.
He nodded in satisfaction. “That’s better. You keep quiet like that and be a good girl. You do that, and you’ll be rewarded.”
“I don’t want anything from you,” she said softly, afraid to speak too forcefully lest risk the threatened gag or forced oral sex.
He lifted a shoulder. “We’ll see.” His intent became clear when he slid down her body to pull her legs apart. Mia whimpered and tried to kick free, but he pressed her thighs to the bed with what seemed like no effort at all. When he lowered his head, she braced herself for the worst thing he’d done to her that night.
Chapter Three
He kept her legs pinned to the bed with his upper body and one arm, but the other dipped inside her folds to stroke and explore, breaching her barriers as an advanced guard for his invading mouth. A combination of pain and pleasure assaulted her, making her squeeze her thighs to try to block his touch.
Shane gave her an exasperated look. “Stop fighting me, honey.”
She had to blink back tears. “Please don’t do this.” She couldn’t bear for the same man who had taken her and already given her so much pain to pleasure her.
He looked genuinely puzzled. “Why not? I promise you’ll like it.”
No longer able to bear looking at him, Mia turned her head as the bed shifted. She squeezed her eyes shut, a tear trailing down her cheek, when he breathed against her mound. Clenching her hands into fists, she held herself taut as two of his fingers parted her lips, and his tongue touched her folds a moment later.
She jumped at the shock of the contact. It was more intense than she had expected, and the gentle way he licked her had her fighting twice as hard not to relax. If she loosened her resisting muscles, she might end up having an orgasm. The shame would be unbearable.
Shane seemed to be in no hurry as he explored her. Each slow, careful stroke made her tremble. Mia dug her nails into her palms and used all her anger to keep her muscles locked. The taste of copper filled her mouth when she bit down on her tongue to keep from moaning as he circled her clitoris, focusing on the bundle of nerves that sent sharp sparks of electricity through her with every touch.
It felt so good that it was horrible. Mia didn’t know how she could hold out against him. Her first experience with a man tasting her was proving to be a lot harder to fight than she had expected. Even knowing what he had done to her already that evening couldn’t keep her stomach from tightening and her thighs twitching when he sucked gently on the sensitive nub.
He concentrated solely on pleasing her with his mouth, apparently keeping wit
h his intention to “pamper” her after the brutal assault that stole her virginity. Knowing the kind of man touching her didn’t keep the touch from feeling good. Hating him with every scrap of her being, she glared at his head between her thighs. Mia had to bite her tongue again at the unexpected way the sight aroused her.
Her muscles were relaxing, and Mia knew she was losing the battle to keep from coming. Shane seemed to sense it too, because he started licking her faster. The heat in her belly moved lower, and she was almost on the edge of surrendering when she froze. His finger pressed lightly against her anus, and the violation was like ice water.
Mia surrendered to her panic and determination to stop him. She started thrashing and kicking him, adrenaline and his distraction aiding her in freeing her trapped legs from his body. His grunt and cursing didn’t dissuade her, and she couldn’t make herself stop fighting him as he leaned over her, trying to pin her legs to the bed with his body. “No. Get off me. You’re not doing that to me. Never again.”
He loomed so close his face was suddenly all she could see. Mia gasped when he squeezed her throat with one of his hands. She could still breathe, but the reduction of oxygen helped bring clarity for some reason. Stilling beneath him, she looked at him with wide, fearful eyes, awaiting his reaction. Blood poured from his nose, and she got a dark thrill of savage delight to know she had injured him. She was sure to pay for it, of course.
Her juices still gleamed on his face, making her stomach turn, and she looked away from the sight of his blood mingling with proof of her reprehensible arousal. “Just kill me,” she rasped.
His grip tightened reflexively before loosening. “That wouldn’t please either of us, Mia.”
To her surprise, he reached up to undo her hands. She lowered them from the cuffs with exaggerated care, not wanting him to think she was even thinking about renewing her struggles. Of course she was considering it, but was too frightened to do anything more tonight.
“You need some rest.” He rolled off the bed and stood up.
Mia was ashamed that she couldn’t look away from his taut, toned body as he padded naked back to the bathroom. For a second, she stared at the opened door before realizing she was stark naked too. Diving under the blanket offered a false measure of security, and she was much calmer by the time he reentered the sleeping area, once more dressed in black slacks and the purple button-down.
“Good night, Mia.”
She just glared at him, refusing to offer niceties or use manners.
Shane grinned, clearly delighted. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” His expression darkened slightly. “Maybe you’ll be more cooperative by then.”
“And maybe pigs will fly out your ass.”
With a sigh that sounded full of annoyance—as though he was the one who had suffered yet endured—he shook his head and left her room. Mia lay there for a couple of moments before gathering the courage to slide from the bed.
She knew the door would be locked, but she had to try it anyway. Mia grabbed the blanket to wrap around her before padding over to check. Even expecting it not to turn, she still cursed and slammed her hand against the wood.
“Behave,” barked Bruno from the other side.
Fuck, a lock and her own personal goon detail? He must really want to keep her around for a while.
Remembering for what sent Mia running to the bathroom. She purged the contents of her stomach into the elegant toilet before slumping to the floor. What was she going to do? Physically, she was no match for Shane. She hadn’t been able to keep him from violating her.
Squirming with shame, she acknowledged she couldn’t fight herself either. Though he had hurt her, she had still been close to coming on his face until he touched her backside. If that hadn’t brought back a rush of hated memories, she would have surrendered to the orgasm he’d been determined to give her.
Still, she wasn’t going to just give in and do whatever he wanted. Even if her efforts proved futile, she would still fight him—and herself—every step of the way. It was the only thing she could do and maintain a scrap of self-esteem. Surely, when he realized she wasn’t going to yield easily, he would be done with her and let her go.
Her heart lodged in her throat as she considered the odds of that really happening. Was he ever going to let her go? Mia didn’t think she’d be the object of his obsession for the rest of his life, but maybe hers. After all, he was a man used to making people disappear. He wouldn’t hesitate to dispose of her when he was finished satisfying his dark lust. The only escape from this nightmare was to find a way out for herself.
***
She was surprised to find a note on the nightstand inviting her to brunch in the solarium at eleven a.m. A glance at the clock told her it was a little past ten. Her head was still fuzzy from lack of sleep, since she had tossed and turned fitfully despite the physical exhaustion she’d felt after working a busy shift, combined with the toll her altercations with Shane had taken.
Mia started to roll over and go back to sleep, but her eyes popped open when it hit her that if she didn’t join him, he would probably come back here. She didn’t want him anywhere near her while she was in a bed. He could violate her wherever they happened to be, but there was no reason to make it easier on him.
With a reluctant groan, she lifted her head from the soft pillow and slid out from under the down comforter. There was a faint chill in the March morning that was particularly noticeable through the hardwood flooring under her feet. Shivering, she hurried into the bathroom, going immediately to the large tub to start filling it. No way was she ready to face that shower stall again after what had happened in there last night.
As she waited for the bath to fill, Mia examined herself in the mirror. Scratches and bruises were scattered across her body, but she didn’t look as bad as she had expected. Her face was the worst of it, bearing a large purple bruise under her left eye that extended most of the way down her cheek.
She discovered an ache between her legs when she slid into the hot water, followed by a sting, but it soon dissipated. A flick of the switch on the panel started the bubbles, and she leaned back into them, enjoying the soothing sensation.
Her mind tried to conjure images of the previous night, but Mia ruthlessly quashed each picture as it bloomed in her mind. She didn’t want to remember what had happened or dwell on it. Her time would be better spent figuring out an escape plan. Right now, she was too drained to focus on that concept either, so she let her mind drift.
Finally, when she was as relaxed as she could be in the situation, Mia stepped out of the tub, turned off the jets, and opened the drain. The towels were as fluffy as she remembered, and it only hurt a couple of spots to dry. She was still tender from his rough possession, but she could move around freely.
Mia brushed her hair, planning to leave it down, but paused in the act of smoothing the dark strands over her cheeks. Why should she hide what he had done to her? He was the animal, and he was the one who should feel shame. Defiantly, she gathered the locks and smoothed them into a ponytail, secured with a simple black hair elastic she found in an unopened package in the drawer.
In the bedroom, she took the most comfortable underwear she could find—meaning the least sexy too—and shimmied into them before exploring her clothing options. The dresser was full of filmy, feminine things she didn’t have the nerve to parade around in, especially in the middle of the day with who knew how many thugs in the house.
Last night, she had skipped searching the closet, and she rectified her mistake. There were several outfits in there, and she breathed a small sigh of relief. At least he didn’t plan to keep her completely confined to this suite and wearing only the bare minimum.
She chose a pair of skinny jeans and a sweatshirt, though part of her wanted to opt for the yellow sundress, because it would display the bruises on her upper arms and the long scratch down the inside of her thigh. Mia wanted to rub those in his face, but she decided going for modest clothes was still safer.
Besides, was he likely to be bothered by what he had done to her? Doubtful. To Shane O’Mara, she was simply a toy to use. He wouldn’t care about collateral damage to her person, as long as she could still fulfill the designated role.
Feeling sick with apprehension, and a strong dose of anger, Mia marched to the door, mildly surprised to find it unlocked despite the invitation. She stepped warily into the hall, finding it deserted. Mouth dry, she veered toward the stairs and took them two at a time in her haste. A small, foolish part of her hoped she could somehow make it out the front door. Then all she had to do was some lightning-ninja shit to jump over the daunting fence and run how-many-ever miles back to civilization. Yeah, no problem.
First things first. Get out of the house and figure out the rest from there.
That notion was dashed by the appearance of Wallace at the first-floor landing. He seemed to have been waiting for her and fell into step beside her. “Good morning, miss. The boss asked me to show you to the solarium.”
“Yay.” She walked beside the goon in a facsimile of cooperation so he wouldn’t manhandle her into going with him.
He led her away from the front door, of course, and down a long hallway. After what seemed like a ten-mile hike, they entered a glass-enclosed room. Mia had to catch her breath, surprised by the loveliness of the lush greenery. The sun seemed to stream brightly into the room, though it was an overcast day. She didn’t know if it was a treatment of the glass or discreet lighting.
The room was also warm, and with all the plants, it reminded her of the garden on the roof of her father’s building. Stefania had tended it lovingly until Vadim destroyed it in a fit of rage for perceived disrespect. Her stepmother had never tried to replant, and the woman herself had started to fade gradually at that point.
Shane sat at a wrought iron table, but got to his feet as she approached. He nodded to Wallace, who disappeared without a word, as he came toward her. “Good morning, Mia.”
She glared at him. Did he really think she was going to sit around making pleasant conversation with the man who had kidnapped and debased her?
Surviving Shane: Volume One Page 3
