Enchained (4 page)

Water drenching her body, Jany closed her eyes. Something was happening to her. She had felt the first nudges; she had repelled them to the back of her mind. Although sheltered, warm, fed, and taken care of, she couldn’t afford the luxury of indulging in denial. She was having feelings for a ghost. For a faceless man who had kidnapped and chained her.

Oh boy, that can’t be possible! How did this happen? How could I let it happen? Goddammit, I wanna wake up. I wanna die.

Water pelting down on her, she pressed the sides of the shower cubicle and let out a long whine of despair. She stayed in the same position for a while, conflicting thoughts seething and churning in her mind, vibrant emotions raking her heart.

He will take off the mask. At some point, he has to. What if his face makes me wanna puke? What if it scares the hell out of me? What do I do then? Turn round and say ‘Thanks a lot, pal. That was fun, but I gotta dash now. See you around.’

Jany stopped the water. Sooner or later, she would have to get out of the shower. Once dry, she looked around for her clothes, operating on automatic pilot. Sighing, she went to the high bookshelf separating her “bedroom” from her “torture chamber.” Ignoring the blue dolphin, she browsed through the collection for items of interest. She needed to take her mind off the masked man.

By some extraordinary coincidence, her favorite books were lined up on one of the shelves. Right now, she wasn’t in the mood for anything familiar. Looking down, she picked up a thriller. The cover featured a running woman, face contorted in fear, chased by a man holding a gun.

Run, lady, run, but don’t be scared. You’ve seen his face. There’s nothing to be afraid of, lucky you.

Book in hand, Jany squatted. The lower shelf was devoted to music. Along with an MP3 player and headphones, dozens of compact discs lined the shelf. Without the energy to look through them, she just grabbed the MP3 player and went back to the bed. Propped up against the pillow, bedspread over her legs, she opened the thriller.
Come on, running lady, humor me.

Fourteen chapters later, and in spite of a great love story, the words seemed to jump out of the book. She let the novel fall on the carpet and put the headphones on her head. The first song was on the top ten list of her favorite ballads. Yet another coincidence?
Hey, what are the odds? Sure, my friend. Take me for an idiot while you’re at it.

Jany kicked the bedspread away. The heat must be pretty intense outside because it was getting hot in here. Lying down, she closed her eyes to listen to Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses.”

A caress on her cheek woke her up. Eyes flying open, she saw his tall shape looming over her, his white mask hiding the face she now longed to see, the face she feared so much. He stepped back quickly and with a nod indicated the tray on the coffee table.

She took the headphones off and sat on the edge of the bed. Her stomach leaped with joy at the sight of the beautiful plate. He had cooked different types of pasta in a rich, creamy sauce, sprinkled with grated cheese. Delicious aromas floating around, she realized hunger was gnawing at her. How long had she napped? What time could it be?

“What time is it?”

Picking up the fork, she dived into her meal, the first mouthful almost causing her to sigh. Absorbed as she was by the wonderful food, she still wasn’t about to let him build a wall of silence around him.

“I know you can talk. I believe I asked for the time.”

Refusing to raise her head, she focused on her plate. Admitting to herself that she had never tasted anything so good, Jany let him brood while she ate her pasta with great enthusiasm. Only then did she notice he was barefoot. Definitely a hot day. He had two feet, ten toes, ten toenails, the whole usual package attached to his ankles.

“Nineteen hundred hours.”

Although he talked like a regular
G.I. Joe
, she had goose bumps when she heard the velvety voice. Her appetite now gone for a ride, she sensed an opportunity, a breach in his bunker of silence and loneliness. Dropping the fork, she stood up slowly. Head high, fists on hips, breasts out, she challenged him.

“Look at me!”

Chapter Seven

Behind the mask, the green eyes stabbed her, yet she could tell he was having a hard time avoiding her naked body. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. She took a step toward him. He stepped back.

“Talk to me.” Keeping her voice leveled, she squared her shoulders. “I’ve had enough of this little hide-and-seek game of yours. I want an explanation now. You owe me one.”

“Didn’t you enjoy it?”

That low-pitched voice was so arousing that Jany had difficulty stifling a burst of desire. The velvety tune sounded like the feel of a fleece jacket on a winter’s night.
Holy Jesus and all his saints, he’s talking. The guy is talking! Good work, Jany girl. Keep it up. Don’t falter now.

“That’s not the point. The point is: why am I here? I know you planned all this….” Her gaze encompassed the room before coming back to him… “So don’t tell me you went through all that trouble just to give me orgasms.”

He flinched. Not much, barely a slight shifting, but he flinched. She heard him sigh, but no words came out of his mouth. If she didn’t high-pressure him now, she would blow her chances for good. She took another slow step toward the masked man.

“You know what?” She pointed at the metallic chains. “When I woke up in there yesterday, I mistook you for a friend of mine. Hey, don’t get me wrong. I’m not a big fan of the guy, but I wish I had been right. ‘Cause right now, I’d be dressed, blissfully alone, and safe in my house.”

“Right now, you’d be dead.”

What? Why dead? What’s he talking about? Is he trying to upset me? Is he making fun of me?

“You’re a funny guy, aren’t you?” Jany’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Is it a new game? I hope you didn’t waste your day devising it because I’m not interested. Actually, I’m so not in a playful mood at the moment. I think you should watch your tongue.”

She regretted her words as soon as they came out of her mouth. The reference to the way he used his tongue didn’t escape his notice either because he briefly clenched his gloved fingers.

Without warning, vivid sensations gripped her. Reminded of his provocative tongue, desire shot through her, hardening her nipples, tightening her belly.
This can’t go on. Get a grip on yourself, girl, ‘cause right now you’re just a horny bitch. Look at him. He’s nothing but an ugly bastard.

Oh yeah? Honestly? But if she considered him a “good guy,” how was she to fight her natural instincts? To refrain her immoderate lust for her captor? How was she supposed to tell her body to shut the fuck up? Was there a psychology textbook available on Amazon.com?

He gestured to the chains. When he opened his mouth, the worst part was that he sounded sincere. “This device isn’t meant for you. I thought you might find it interesting, but I’m not playing.”

Although the white mask concealed his expression, Jany knew he didn’t belong to the frolicking kind. No, not that guy.

“Aren’t you? Then tell me the truth.” The outset of a smirk lifted her upper lip. “Because so far, all I’ve seen of you makes me think of a sex maniac.”

“You’re wrong.”

“Sure, I am.” The smirk on her face deepened into a scorn. “Prove it. Come on. Convince me I’m here for a reason. I mean, apart from testing your sex toys.”

“I’m saving your life.”

He was unbelievable. That was just pure wishful thinking on his part as her life didn’t need saving. From what? From whom?

“By keeping me chained up and naked?”

This guy must have the hots for her, so he had concocted a mystery story to back up his lack of courage. He had probably seen her in the street, felt attracted her, but never dared ask her out. As a result, he had kidnapped her.
What a lot of guts that must have taken.

Then he had put a mask on to spur her curiosity. If she could lift it off, even for a second, she felt certain she would see a regular guy. Probably not a Brad Pitt lookalike but regular. Was he aware of the consequences of his actions, or did he believe his own crap?

“You have to stay here, it’s a…”

He didn’t finish his sentence. Instead he stood there, his intense gaze burning her bare skin, her naked heart.

“A what?”

Silence settled between them. Not a wall yet but a strong barrier. Conscious they were tearing down whatever connection they had begun to build, Jany went for the oldest trick in the world.

“Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t desire me.”

Stiff as a lamppost, he strode to the basement door as if she had slapped him or humiliated him. He was running away, and she had lost, for now. She called out to him when she saw him grab the door handle.

“Hey! If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like a coffee and my clothes.” Before he had time to vanish upstairs, she added as an afterthought. “Please.” Then the lock clicked.

Bye Bye Birdie. Go, have a cold drink, cool yourself down. You can’t belt me, and you can’t get rid of me. I guess you’ll be back soon. Don’t worry, honey. I’ll be waiting. My patience knows no limit.

Jany had time to finish her pasta, to find a comfortable position on the bed, and to read five more chapters before he came back. Eyes locked on page one hundred and eighty-seven, she listened to the soft shuffle of his bare feet on the carpet, to the tap of a coffee mug on the tray.

No way I’m breaking the ice, pal. You have something to say to me, you act like a man. I’m reading my book.

He moved out of her peripheral vision. Judging by sound, he hadn’t gone very far. Seconds ticked away, maybe a minute, and still not a word from him. Jany was staring so hard at page one hundred and eighty-seven, the words started knitting together. Knitting and weaving.

“I brought you a coffee.”

In a stupid, childish, teenage-like way, Jany’s heart collided with her ribcage. She raised her eyes to find him looking at her. He was leaning against the opposite wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“Oh, there you are.” She offered him a cute smile and casually put her book down. “Sorry, I didn’t see you come in.”

“Who’s playing now?”

Well said, big guy.
Throwing her legs over the bed, she sat to enjoy her fresh coffee. Holding the mug with both hands, she took a few sips before engaging in probable hostilities.

“Thanks for the coffee. Where are my clothes?”

“Upstairs.”

He could be so irritating at times. Banging the mug on the tray, she stood up to face him, not sure how this was going to end up. Before she could give him a piece of her mind, he uncrossed his arms, and raised a conciliatory, gloved hand.

“I lied when I said I didn’t want anything from you.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “The fact is I’m very attracted to you.”

“You see, there are other ways to seduce a woman.” Perceiving his admission had been a hardship, Jany tried to keep laughter off her voice. “Like approaching me. Maybe inviting me to dinner. You know, the usual. I assure you, most of the time it works.”

“You don’t understand.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to touch you. I can’t…” He seemed to be looking for words. “I can’t be inside you.”

Does he take me for the Virgin Mary? That would be a first. Damn it, is he a eunuch? Can’t he get it up?

Although his words could be easily misinterpreted, she knew he wasn’t being harsh on her. She also sensed they were going straight to the wall if she didn’t act. Besides, his velvety voice was working its mojo on her, and she wanted him.
I might regret this later, but to hell with his ugly face.
Holding on to the fierce green gaze, she came up to him.

“That’s too bad because I’m gonna unbuckle your belt now.” Closing in on him, she paused inches from his tall body. “And if you want me to stop, you’re gonna have to make me.”

Chapter Eight

Her hand hadn’t yet reached his belt when Jany noted the front of his jeans pushing outward. So he could get it up. As she unfastened the buckle, a gloved hand gripped hers. She raised her face to see the white mask moving left to right.

“I won’t do this.” His deep voice rumbled.

Her spine tingled. Regardless of his assertion, his obvious desire swept away her last reservations. Hand held but within stroking distance, Jany gave in to the irresistible impulse bidding her to devour the forbidden fruit. Or to be devoured. Pulling her hand free, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her body against his.

He seemed to be hit by a jolt of electricity. He shivered, wavered for a second, then seized her fiercely. An urgent, aching moan filtered through the mask as he crushed her body on his chest. Arms around her, his grip was powerful, almost painful.

Encased in his tight embrace, she couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t control the erratic flow of her pulse. She felt his heart beating, drumming against her cleavage. Standing on tiptoe, she brushed past his mask to bury her head in his neck, eliciting another poignant moan.

His profound cry from the heart moved her. He was holding on to her as if he needed to be rescued, as if she was an anchor in a raging, dissevered ocean. An unexpected emotion gripped her throat, wrenched her stomach, and weakened her legs. For a shattering moment, they clung to each other.

He released her only to slide down in a slow motion. Timid hands outlined her figure, nervous fingers delineated her breasts, her waist, her hips. Without a word, he knelt. When he raised his head, his intense gaze pierced her heart.

“Close your eyes.” He murmured.

The mesmerizing stare felt like an urgent plea, a fervent prayer for safekeeping and salvation. He was going to remove his mask, and he was placing his trust in her. She closed her eyes.

Once more, she heard a slight, shifting sound. In the silent bunker, life seemed to forfeit its clutch on reality. Nestling between her thighs, a warm mouth drew her lips in, gently licking them, nibbling, nipping.

Opening up like a sunflower in July, Jany sighed when his mouth licked her, when his tongue lapped its way into her. Her blood bounded in her veins, connected to the rushing sensations dizzying her. Eyes shut, she swayed from side to side, immersed in the steady beat of his staggering tongue.

She wanted to open her eyes; she longed to look upon the unmasked man. Yet they had a tacit understanding, an implied promise she was reluctant to break. Her lids rippled.

Jany girl, you’re such a hypocrite. You won’t open your eyes because you’re scared shitless of ruining one of the best moments of your life, because you’re terrified of what you might see, because you will cower and shut down if he’s not what you expect. You know you have it in you, but this is no effing game, so don’t fuck around. You think you’re brave, but you’re just pathetic.

She sealed her lids tight. His hands on her thighs, she felt his tongue move back to find her clitoris. As he caressed and licked, a surge of pleasure rocked her, quelling her fears. Even in the way he sucked her, she sensed thoughtfulness and respect. At that precise instant, she craved his touch and strength. She yearned for his love inside her needy body.