Sharae Stevens watched the range of emotions flood over Preston's face. Shock, surprise, confusion, and a hint of pleasure in those dark eyes. However, he made no move to accept the rope from her. He stared at her as if he were trying to comprehend the situation.
She averted her gaze, trying to see around him and peer into the house for a sign of Angel. Preston shifted his body to block her roaming eyes. “Can I help you?” he asked.
Sharae flinched. This wasn't what she expected at all. Come to think of it, she didn't know what she expected. All she knew was that she wanted to be back under Preston's control. It had started the very day Preston had kidnapped her. The initial terror was something she never wanted to experience again, but later, when he tied her standing in front of the mirror, something seemed to click inside her. Maybe it was the feeling of total helplessness and vulnerability. Maybe it was Preston's bold look of lusty appraisal as he scrutinized her bound body. Maybe it was the hungry, horny expression on her own gagged face staring back at her from the mirror.
Whatever it was, it made her feel sexy and alive in a way she'd never felt before. She tried to deny her feelings, but they only grew more intense as she observed Angel in her servitude and the way Preston treated her. By the time Joe had shown up at the house to buy Melissa, Sharae had decided she didn't want to deny the feelings anymore. She actually wanted to stay with Preston, but he'd kept her gagged the entire evening, so she couldn't tell him. It was especially maddening because she was certain Preston wanted her too.
Then her week in Joe's house turned out to be a complete disaster. He was so bumbling and inept. His idea of being a Master entailed little more than being cruel and sadistic twenty-four hours a day. Though she'd come to realize how much she craved being controlled by a strong man, she quickly realized Joe was no Preston.
The thought of Preston snapped her back to reality. There he was, standing in the door, waiting impatiently for her to answer his question.
“Uh-” She was at a loss for words.
Suddenly his big burly hand grasped her firmly by the arm and he dragged her inside and slammed the door shut. “What the hell are you doing here?” he demanded as he pinned her none too gently against the wall.
“Uh-I–I w-wanted to, um, be w-with you,” she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.
The corner of his mouth curled up in a half-smile. “Say it again."
“I wanted to-"
“No, no. What did you call me?” His eyes were searching her face. Sharae felt as if he could look into her soul with those eyes. She had never met any man so powerful and intense as Preston. She knew he was what she needed.
“Master,” she whispered.
His mouth was on hers at once, in a crushing kiss that threatened to take her breath away. She felt the rope slip from her fingers as he pulled her arms behind her. When their lips parted, Sharae discovered her wrists were bound tight behind her.
He smiled. “Welcome back, Slave Sharae."
Sharae's whole body was tingling in anticipation, and the words “Slave Sharae” made her suddenly weak. Yes, she thought, this is what she wanted, where she belonged.
Joe Adams stared in disbelief at Sharae's empty room. He'd left her tied to her bed that morning, her hands lashed to the headboard and her feet to the footboard. The frayed ropes were still there, apparently severed by the steak knife lying nearby.
Anger boiled as he remembered the feast Sharae had prepared for him the night before. Steak and lobster-his favorite. She wanted to make up for being a brat the past week, but must have sneaked the knife out and hid it under her pillow.
“Dammit!” he hollered, his voice echoing through the house. He slammed the door and stomped into his bedroom, slamming that door as well.
“Mmmppff!” came a terrified cry from the naked bound woman on the bed. Melissa lay spread eagled, her limbs pulled taut to the corners. A large white ball-gag was buckled in her mouth. Her enormous bosom was bound in a “rope bra,” making her tits stand out prominently. She watched Joe as he stomped around the room, cursing his own stupidity. It was over for him. No doubt Sharae had gone straight to the police to report him.
He had to get out of there, pack up Melissa and set up camp somewhere else. Thinking of his slave, he walked over and sat down on the bed next to her. He smiled at her.
“Did you have a nice day?” he asked her.
Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. She nodded.
“Good. Now answer me this. Do you have any idea where Sharae went?"
Joe saw the battle in her eyes. He could tell she knew something, but was debating whether to protect Sharae or her own gorgeous hide.
“C'mon, Missy. Answer me,” he said, squeezing her left nipple.
Melissa's eyes filled with tears and she motioned her head toward the desk.
Joe walked over and smiled. Sharae may have been sneaky when planning her escape, but she didn't think of covering her tracks. His address book lay open. Preston's phone number and address stared back at him. Of course! It made sense. That was where she had gone. There had been times over the past week when he was sure she was getting horny in her bondage. But no matter how hard he beat her or how painfully he tortured her, she continued to resist him. Maybe Preston had brainwashed her somehow, programmed her like a homing pigeon. That bastard!
Joe convinced himself Sharae hadn't gone to the cops, but he'd still move out of the house for a while just to be safe. The old family cabin would do for now. Then, after he got Melissa situated, he'd go back to reclaim what was rightfully his-and maybe grab a little extra while he was at it.