Captured and Kept: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance Read online

  If Dani didn’t know any better, she’d swear they were able to detect her condition, the scent of her pussy juice soaking her damp panties. Shrinking back, she bit back any sound as they walked past the girl at the counter, separating and moving down different aisles.

  “What do we do now?” Lisa whispered in her ear.

  “Watch. Wait.” But for what? She thought about striking up a conversation, but what good would that do if they didn’t talk? Her naughty girl, the vixen in her head who usually gave bad advice piped up and this time, she listened. Be sexy for once and daring. Unbutton your shirt. Walk toward one of them. Flirt. You can do it.

  Flirt. She was completely out of practice but what the hell? Snickering, she popped two buttons on her shirt and fluffed her hair.

  “What are you doing?” Lisa demanded, gripping her arm.

  “Seeing if they’re real men.” Breaking her friend’s hold, she backed up and moved to a different aisle.

  “Careful!”

  Careful wasn’t in Dani’s vocabulary, at least not today. Standing in front of her was the sexy blond. In his hands were several items and he was bending over slightly, unable to see her approach. She sashayed closer, inhaling. Even the smell of the man, a mixture of testosterone and some exotic timber was titillating, making her breasts swell and her pussy clench. She was wet in all the right locations.

  When she was only a few inches away, she pretended to stumble, yelping as she was pitched forward. In the most glorious slow motion, she was thrown utterly and completely into his arms. He’d dropped the items and by no fault of his own caught her, the hard thrust of the forward movement jetting her against his chest with enough of a thud her breath was ripped from her body.

  He was like hard granite, perfectly formed by the Norse Gods.

  “Oh!” Panting, she palmed his chest, her fingers clutching his shirt, clinging to him as if she’d just fallen off a cliff. Everything about the caveman was rough and tumble and she longed to run her fingers through his long beard. Her breasts were crushed against his chiseled muscles and she had a perfect view of his angular jaw and full lips. There was a split second where neither of them moved and she could swear he was going to drag her into a heated kiss, tongues entwining. His intense cerulean blue eyes penetrated every thought, every synapsis in her brain, leaving her completely befuddled.

  The spell broken, he merely growled once, his eyes sweeping down from her face to her chest, his hands firmly clasped around her buttocks.

  For a few glorious seconds they remained locked in place and she could swear he was kneading her ass cheeks. And all she could think about was being naked, waiting for her master to discipline and fuck her, thrusting his thick cock deep inside like a savage. She was out of her blazing mind.

  He certainly didn’t need to speak any words to let her know without a doubt what he was thinking, what he was hungering for: her naked body served up on a silver platter. His cock was hard as a rock, thick and long, throbbing against his jeans as he pressed his groin against her belly.

  Panting, she wiggled her hips more than once, mindful of her blatant actions. Lordy. The man was... Exactly what you crave. A savage, forceful man. Oh, the damn little voice. “My, you’re all big and handsome and studly.” Had the ridiculous words actually come out of her mouth? This wasn’t flirting. This was being reduced to a puddle of goo, her behavior more like a thirteen-year-old.

  A possessive sound slipped past his lips as he leaned closer until his face was a mere two inches away from hers. Taking a deep whiff, he ground his crotch back and forth.

  Dani could swear he muttered two distinct words. ‘Bad girl.’ She swallowed, aware her face must be flushed given the amount of heat coming off her body. Or maybe his.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed one of the other cavemen stalking the aisle, his dark eyes narrowed as if either angry or disgusted. “I’m so sorry. I slipped.” As she attempted to pull away, his grip remained firm, the obvious lust-filled expression keeping her weak, her legs quivering.

  Crack!

  Tingling all over, the realization he’d swatted her on the ass set her entire world on fire, fueling the raunchy side of her. Oh, God. Oh, God!

  The second man issued what could only be described as a guttural breath as he came closer and the blond released her, but not before allowing a deep, throaty growl to pass from his kissable lips. Then she did the unthinkable. She slid her hand over his thick bulge, squeezing.

  His eyes opened wide, a slight curl appearing on his upper lip. He snatched his items before Dani had a chance to offer help, darting one last look before disappearing around the corner. The second caveman stood for a few seconds longer, as if drawing a line in the sand.

  Don’t fuck with us.

  “Holy shit,” Dani whispered and tried to regain her balance, almost gasping for air. She could feel Lisa crowding her space. Hell, three other customers were peering at her, astonished at what they’d witnessed.

  “That was... amazing,” Lisa muttered as she inched closer, her mouth slack. “Did he... swat you? Is that what I saw?”

  “Uh-huh.” He did more than that. The sexy blond with the chiseled features and rugged body awakened every desire in her mind as well as her body. “Just before I felt him up.”

  “You did not!” Lisa squealed.

  “I did, and it was magnificent.”

  “Sweet Jesus. I wish I had your courage.”

  Dani walked up the aisle, her legs still like Jell-O. “Who the hell are these guys?”

  “I’m telling you, they’re real cavemen, living in the forests of the mountains, feeding on wild animals to survive. Maybe they can’t speak.”

  Dani slowly turned her head, giving her friend a look of sheer amusement. “Have you been seeing pink unicorns lately too?”

  “Hey, don’t you dare vex me. Besides, what other explanation do you have, Miss High-and-Mighty Reporter?”

  The question was a good one. She walked to the front of the store and stared open-mouthed, gawking at the window. “Did they... I mean, those guys, did they already leave?” she asked the girl at the checkout counter.

  The raven-haired girl bobbed her head, smacking her gum as she issued a death glare in Dani’s direction. “Yup.”

  “Do you know anything about them? Have you seen them before? Do they actually talk?” Lisa asked, her questions full of attitude.

  “Seen them before, few times. Don’t bother anyone and I don’t ask any questions,” the girl said with clear disdain.

  Dani jogged out of the store, looking up and down the street. They were nowhere in sight. It was at that moment, and she was certain she had full clarity of mind, that she decided to formulate a plan. She was going to track these men down if for no other reason than one. A hot. Sexy. Story. She was a reporter after all. This was her ticket, if not to stardom, then maybe to a real career. If there just happened to be some kinky, wild sex surrounding her research, then so be it. She was an adult after all.

  “What a shame. I wonder where they went?” Lisa huffed.

  She lifted her head, shielding her eyes from the sun. The gorgeous Elkhorn Mountains were the perfect backdrop to the cozy town, providing recreational activities for the entire family. The expansive mountain range, with its thousands of acres of forestland and hidden caves would make for a perfect hiding place.

  For cavemen of course.

  * * *

  Dani glared at her computer screen then took another gulp of wine. She had exactly four words written on the muffin piece. Well, it wasn’t exactly just a muffin piece but on the tiny pastry shop that had just opened up, famous for their carrot cake goodies, but to her, this was nothing but trite crap. Still, she had a deadline looming and she really did like paying her bills.

  Sitting back, she studied the cramped apartment, the very one she’d shared with Peter. At least he’d left without incident. Well, mostly. She had threatened him with some bodily injury if he didn’t vacate the premises. Sighing
, she took another gulp of wine, determined to finish the story before she went to bed. Easing the wineglass onto the table, she placed her hands over the keyboard. “You can do this.” The pep talk only gave her indigestion.

  She counted to five as she thought about the delicious muffins and how much customers would like them. Yes, they’d crave the intense, rich flavor as they dragged their tongues through the ooey-gooey icing. A smile crossed her face as she started to type furiously, her fingers flying. She laughed halfway through as she read over her sentences. The experience with the bearded men had certainly put her into an entirely different frame of mind.

  Ten minutes later and she was finished. “Wow.” She wasn’t entirely certain her boss would appreciate the title, but what the hell? She was going to go for it. Craving Something Sinful and Sultry? Then Peanut’s Bakery is the Perfect Choice. Yeah, it would do. After reading over the piece and making a few changes, she attached the document to an email and hit send. Maybe she needed a jumpstart every day.

  Four incredible cavemen.

  Delicious.

  Primal.

  Carnal.

  A mischievous smile crossed her face, a series of wicked thoughts entering her mind, her nefarious ideas reaching new levels. She was going to find the sexy men.

  No matter what she had to do.

  Chapter Two

  “If I follow through with my plan correctly, I’ll have an incredible story in just a couple weeks, maybe three.” Dani stood in front of Jacob’s desk, trying to keep her confidence high. She’d prepared an entire presentation, including utilizing her artistic drawing abilities, detailing the story. “I will do a teaser story before I leave to grab everyone by the balls, I mean their interest. Then we can plan say three, no, four stories with pictures about them. Hopefully they’re doing something nefarious to make the story even juicier.” She nibbled on her bottom lip as she thought about the various parts to her plan. “You know, like burying money they robbed from a bank or keeping a famous singer prisoner.”

  There was absolute silence from across the desk.

  Finally, Jacob Plank, the managing editor, stood, leaning over the desk. His expression remained stoic, much like the conservative, buttoned-up man she’d come to realize had no sense of humor. “Dani, let me get this straight. You plan on hunting down four strangers, men you yourself call cavemen, to live with for up to three weeks. Do you plan to get to know them, hoping they’re doing something perhaps illegal just to provide a story?”

  “Well, I won’t be hunting them. I’ll be following them out of town, and I might just watch them from afar, camping on my own. Oh, and remember, we’re talking at least four articles, complete with photographs.”

  Taking a deep breath, he dropped his head. “And you do realize there are wild animals like wolves and bears in the forest and that bad weather could drop on the mountains at any time? Right?”

  Hearing the incredulous tone in his voice, she took two steps closer, narrowing her eyes. “Jacob, I didn’t just drop off a turnip truck. I’ve done my research, weeks of research to be exact.”

  Yes, she’d tried to think of everything. The mischievous plan was good in thought, damn good in fact, but the follow-through would be a bitch. Dani was an experienced backpacker, having spent several weeks every year hiking and camping with her father. She knew the miles of Appalachian Mountains like the back of her hand. Sadly, she’d learned zip about the Elkhorn Mountain range, except that the peaks were taller, many areas were undiscovered, and several veteran hikers and climbers had died during excursions. Could she handle this kind of adventure? Hell, yes. Her inner voice had other thoughts.

  Her stomach churned at the thought.

  She was also well versed in the use of certain weapons, having learned how to shoot a handgun and a rifle before she’d been sent off to first grade. Obtaining a permit hadn’t been difficult during the last few weeks and the newly purchased selection was nestled behind the seat of her pickup truck. She even had a hunter’s knife just in case. A bundle of stakes, their tips painted red, were also positioned behind the seat, pinpointing every step of her trip. Getting lost was a possibility and with unpredictable weather, she had to make certain she could find her way down the mountain.

  Last resort? She would have her phone with her, even though she knew the reception would all but die once she entered the mountains. Still, it was some sort of a lifeline.

  “Uh-huh,” he muttered. “Are you flipping out of your mind? These cavemen could indeed be criminals hiding out, even serial killers, for fuck’s sake. This isn’t sexy in any way, shape, or form. Do you have any idea what they might do to you?”

  Use me. Fuck me. Whip me. Train me. Keep me.

  His tone was more like a bark, forcing her to blink more than once, but she kept her resolve, even as the thin glass window and door did little to squelch his words from others. Almost everyone in the press room shot a look in their direction. She slid her hand down her neck, steeling her nerves. “Did I ever tell you my daddy was a marksman, an avid hunter, and had survival skills better than any mercenary? He taught me everything. If a bear, or even one of those cavemen, tries to lay a paw or a finger on me, I will shoot them right between the eyes. Trust me.” She gave him a sickeningly sweet smile.

  Shrinking back, he mumbled under his breath and she could swear he was issuing every cuss word in the book.

  “Do you know what will happen to my insurance rates if you get hurt on this job?” he demanded.

  “I’ll sign a waiver.”

  “Not good enough. Jesus, what’s gotten into you?”

  “This could be important for the paper,” Dani said with conviction.

  He lifted both eyebrows, his entire face reddening. “We don’t need glorified fluff pieces.”

  She bit her tongue on that one.

  “Then just give me the time off. That’s all I ask.” Dani’s legs hit the edge of his desk as she crowded his space. “This is important to me, more than you know.”

  Jacob planted both hands on his hips. “All I can give you is two weeks off. That’s it. If you have an incredible story, then I’ll consider paying you for this four-part series you’re talking about, but you need to figure out a way to check in, so people know you’re actually alive. However, any longer than two weeks and you might be out of a job. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Crystal. This is perfect. I won’t let you down. This is awesome! Thank you so much.” Dani was elated, resisting jumping up and down. This could revive her stone-cold dead career.

  “Don’t forget you owe me a story on the new hardware store. Today, please.” Jacob rubbed his forehead. “And you can do the teaser piece. Just keep it family friendly. Okay?”

  “Yes, sir. You got it, sir!”

  Heading out of his office with her head held high, she stood next to his door, catching her breath and thinking through the rest of her nefarious plan. Hell, she’d already packed, convinced the man would say yes.

  She’d painstakingly laid out several different scenarios, checking maps and topography, from what limited information she could find about roads and campsites. Her duffle was stuffed with campsite style food and water, with more in the cab of the truck. Blankets. Matches. Fuel cells. She’d thought of everything. Or so she hoped. She’d also almost chickened out more than once, pretending she hadn’t seen them—hadn’t groped the sexy blond. Ugh. She’d certainly made an impression.

  She’d even asked around about the mysterious men, trying to locate anyone who knew details or identities, going as far as to check the closest prison. It seemed her mountain men didn’t exist, but they were indeed the talk of the town, handfuls of women acting as if one night with the hunks could change their lives forever. The thought was certainly powerful.

  The men in town, especially officers of the law asked the majority of questions. Where did they get the wads of cash? Were their funds stolen? Were they holed up in the mountains? Were they descendants of an ancient civilization? W
ere they escaped murderers? The best information she’d acquired at the local dive bar, lingering long after she should be writing. The stories got wilder as the drinks flowed but nothing was concrete.

  The lack of knowledge wasn’t daunting in her book. After all, she handled research for a living. At this point, she hadn’t mentioned anything to Lisa about her objective, fearing her buddy would somehow manage to shut her down. At least she knew that if she found herself in trouble, her bestie would send out the cavalry.

  Dani headed back to the cubicle she had and by the time she sat down, she wanted to throw up. What the hell was she getting herself into? Find your inner strength. Uh-huh. Right.

  She finished out the day, writing then rewriting the piece on the new hardware store, and checking her watch every thirty minutes. She needed to finish packing, write a teaser story that would sizzle the panties off every woman in town, and try to get a good night’s sleep.

  As if that could happen.

  If the cavemen arrived on schedule, she would trail them to their hideout. If they ran, she’d find them, using all her hunting skills. That is if she had the guts to go through with her plan. There were too many ifs in her mind. Don’t back down now. This is for a story.

  Uh-huh.

  Her article complete, it was time to call Lisa and pray the girl didn’t try to hogtie her to her truck or worse.

  Try to come with her.

  * * *

  On the sixtieth day since she’d last seen the cavemen, Dani sat in her truck in the parking area between the grocery store and hardware store. The half empty lot gave her a bird’s-eye view of the main thoroughfare and two cross streets. Her plan? Once the mysterious men left Maggie’s, she should be able to follow them. Unless they vanished into thin air. She chuckled and took a sip of water, a nervous tic appearing in the corner of her mouth.

  Thoughts about her father entered her mind: all his survivalist training, all his worries about the apocalypse and nuclear bombs. He’d even taught her how to find caves, sources for clean water and shelter. Had she really given a shit as a teenager? Uh, no. Now she wished she’d paid more attention. She couldn’t really call up Daddy-o to ask questions or give the real reason. Yeah, I’m hunting four sexy men in order to submit to them sexually. That would go over well. Daddy’s little girl had turned into a slut. She sighed and tried to relax, checking her watch only for the fifth or sixth time.