Captured and Kept: A Dark Reverse Harem Romance Page 4

  “You mean if someone is onto Cane,” Bronco snapped. “All of us could be in mortal danger.”

  “Funny, dude,” Cane mumbled, his right foot tapping aimlessly on the floorboard. “As far as the cartel is concerned, I’m dead. I faked my death long before taking this assignment. They couldn’t give a rat’s ass about me.”

  They had enough modern conveniences but connecting to the internet had proven challenging. He’d been able to search the identities of his companions before he’d ended the lease on his apartment and sold most of his shit. What he’d found had been interesting to say the least. They all had reasons to be here, holing up like no-good criminals, society outcasts. The expression regarding not throwing stones certainly did apply.

  Danger pulled the truck to the usual spot, glaring at the cabin. The place had been here long before they settled in. While it was comfortable, providing all their needs, he preferred spending time in the cave doing research. Perhaps his old training would never leave him, or the experience in Afghanistan, the months of imprisonment. For some reason, he’d thought living in the wilderness would heal his heart or his mind. He’d been wrong.

  “I’m gonna check on the traps. Either wolves or coyotes are killing our stash,” Cane stated.

  Danger nodded, glancing out the windshield. The animals were crowding closer to civilization, products of recent wildfires and up to the last month, significant droughts. Their garden had been decimated during the summer months. Now, their smoke shack, a place where they dried their meats had been raided by either wolves, bears, or coyotes on a regular basis. The traps were necessary, humane upon his insistence.

  “Let’s get our shit done,” Bronco snarled. “Need some R & R this afternoon.”

  “Hey, we can at least fantasize about the pretty girl without fear of retribution. No way she can find us unless she’s a tracker,” Wolf stated before exiting the vehicle.

  The concept was interesting, and Danger was almost sorry he’d lost her. He shifted his thoughts, angry that he’d allowed his guard down with her in the first place. Fuck it. He had wood to cut before nightfall, one of his assigned chores. Then he planned on having more than one drink, just to get the sexy filly out of his mind. Damn, the woman had gotten under his skin, crawling right into his very soul. There was no reason for his reaction to her. None. But the way she’d looked into his eyes, as if seeing past the gruff exterior had kept him awake on several nights. Hard work. That’s what he needed.

  Two hours later and he was hot and sweaty, the late afternoon sun cresting over the edge of the mountains. Time for a swim. He heard the others carousing, already drinking. The days they went into town were considered their only day off, even though they set their own schedules, and worked their own hours. Getting sloshed was usually in order. He snorted as he tossed the last logs against the building. The nights were cold, the days scorching, but he was used to the climate. If only he could get used to the loneliness.

  He hiked the short distance to the lake, peeling off his clothes and throwing out his arms. The last rays of sun were spectacular, shimmering across the crystal-clear water. He did love the area, the mountains and streams, the clean living. Maybe one day he’d purchase a few acres of land, build a dream house. He stepped into the water before diving in, kicking out as he swam several yards. Seconds later, he shot up, shaking water from his hair, the beads clinging to his shaggy beard. He rubbed down the length, his fingers getting caught in the tangles. No wonder the good folk of Baker City were flabbergasted when they walked the streets.

  Long beards and hair, a form of a disguise as insisted by Wolf. He rolled his eyes at the thought.

  The sound of cawing birds caught his attention. This was his personal slice of heaven, his private time to reflect, maybe dream. Even fantasize. Snickering, he swam several lengths before using his hands to scrub the dirt off his body. He’d take a proper shower later, but this was more refreshing than the shower at the cabin. He swam back to the shore, sliding onto the smooth rocks and gazing at the bank of trees. Everything was beautiful, peaceful.

  Lying back, he closed his eyes, his thoughts almost immediately drifting to the girl. She had sultry long legs, the kind meant to wrap around his hips. Her skin was almost perfect, the warm flush cresting along her jaw sexy as hell. She was alluring in a girl next door kind of way and he could tell she had no idea how beautiful she really was. As he rubbed his hands across his chest, his cock stirred yet again.

  Huffing, he slid his fingers to his shaft, wrapping his hand around the base. He pumped with one hand as he rolled his tightened balls through the fingers of his other. Everything ached, especially his cock. With every stroke, moving all the way up the length off his cock, he envisioned her face, her sexy voice as she leaned over him. He could almost feel her strands of hair tickling his chest and his nipples.

  The tension easing from his body, he continued masturbating as he allowed himself to daydream. For some reason, the rigged animal trap came into his mind.

  “Help me!” the girl screamed as she struggled to release herself from the netting.

  Danger studied her actions from the shadows in the forest. The crude trap had worked with ease, her body dangling from a massive tree limb. She was going nowhere unless he allowed. He waited for a solid fifteen minutes until her actions seemed to tire, her screams nothing more than ragged whimpers. Only then did he advance, the knife in his hand.

  Her eyes grew wide the second she noticed him, as well as the jagged steel blade shining in the bright sunlight. He moved to within two feet, the distance allowing him to scan her face and body, as if searching for any sign of a gun. In truth, he wanted her on edge, fearful of what he was going to do.

  “Who are you?”

  He remained quiet.

  “Are you going to help me?” she demanded, struggling again, managing to rip a small hole in the tightly woven material.

  Danger was impressed, even giving her a slight smile.

  “Asshole!”

  “A mouth like yours isn’t going to get you released,” he said, turning toward the river.

  “You’re a jerkoff. A creep. Get me out of here.”

  She wasn’t able to see his full smile. He had no intention of leaving her exposed to the wilderness or the wild animals for long. However, he did require her full attention as well as respectful demeanor. “Not until you ask nicely.”

  “What? Are you fucking kidding me? Get me out of here or else! If you don’t, I swear to God, I’ll call the sheriff on you! I’ll hunt you down like the wild dog you are.” When he didn’t respond, she added yet another insult. “Fuck you, prick!”

  He simply walked out of sight, allowing her to stew. Then he counted. One. Two. Three. Four...

  “Wait!” she called, frantic. “I’m sorry. Please come back. Please! Help me. I’ll be a good little girl. I promise.”

  Danger wiped the blade on his jeans, taking his time before reappearing. “How can I be certain?”

  “I promise. I’ll do anything you ask. Just get me out of here.”

  Sniffing, he moved to the rope securing the trap, pretending he was going to cut the line then pulling back. “Where I come from, a woman with an attitude and a mouth like yours isn’t tolerated.”

  “What?” she huffed.

  “Yeah, I’m serious.” He rubbed his jaw, nodding several times. “In fact, we handle disciplinary issues the old-fashioned way.”

  “What in the hell are you talking about?”

  “Now, see? There you go again. You have a caustic mouth on you, young lady. I think we could come to an agreement, but you’ll have to accept your penance.”

  “Penance? Over my dead ass body.”

  “Suit yourself. Gonna be a scorcher today.”

  She frowned, slapping and ripping at the netting, her face reddened from frustration. “You’re really going to keep me here?”

  “As I said, just say you’ll accept the punishment you deserve, and I’ll be happy to get you do
wn.” Danger kept his eyes hidden behind dark shades, fearful she’d see the twinkle in his eyes.

  Her face pinched, her nose wrinkling and he had no doubt she was debating her decision, as well as her fate. “Fine. You can punish me in whatever way you want if you’ll get me down from here.”

  “Say pretty please.”

  “Pretty. Please,” she hissed.

  “That’s better. I just might be able to train you.” He was amazed she kept her nasty words to herself as he cut her down, standing back as she crawled out of the tight confines.

  She wiped dirt from her legs and stretched, not bothering to look at him when she whispered two simple words. “Thank you.”

  “You’re more than welcome.” He shoved the knife back into the sheath and folded his arms, leaning against the same tree. “Now, about that discipline you need.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Just a man living large on life.”

  Her mouth pursed, she sashayed closer, giving him a haughty look. “What kind of punishment?”

  “As I said, the old-fashioned kind. A spanking on your bare bottom.” The way her mouth twisted, her eyes filling with horror was more than amusing. His cock was aching, throbbing to the point he would need relief soon or face blue balls.

  “You’re really serious.”

  “As a grizzly bear eating his prey. Oh, and bears adore sexy little blondes.”

  “You’re a beast of a man. Do you know that?” she asked, rolling her eyes more than just once.

  “So I’ve been told. Now, I’m certain you’d like some nice cold water. Let’s get that spanking over with. Shall we?”

  “Fine.”

  Danger held up a single finger.

  “Let me guess, you want me to say, yes, sir. Right?”

  He allowed a full grin to spread across his face. “That would help lessen the number you’re going to receive.”

  “Then, yes. Sir.” The accented word was followed with a snarl.

  “Why don’t you take off those jean shorts and panties. I’ll be waiting for you on the log just over there.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He noticed the flush increasing on her face, but he was also able to see her hardening nipples, the peaks pressing against her tight tee-shirt. Damn, he was hot all over. Positioning himself on the log, he was unable to take his eyes off her as she turned away, fighting with the button and zipper on her shorts. Everything about this girl was breathtaking, driving him to the darkest part of his very soul, longing to take her, fuck her. Use her.

  Danger snapped his eyes open, breaking the incredible vision, his heart racing. Hell, he was that dark and evil man, savage in his desires. Grimacing, he twisted his hand around his cock, savoring the painful friction, revolted yet titillated at his own thoughts. He swallowed several times before closing his eyes once again.

  She took short steps toward him, her head lowered, her hands covering her sweet little pussy. All he could do was stare at her long legs, the kind meant to slide around his waist.

  He patted his lap, keeping his breathing even as he pulled her over his knees.

  Moaning, she wiggled after being placed into position, her fingers digging into the dirt.

  As he began to spank her, moving his hand back and forth from one cheek to another, he inhaled her sweet scent. The girl was hot and ready, her feminine scent filling his nostrils.

  “Ouch!”

  “Stay in position. You need to learn manners,” Danger whispered, peppering her ass with a series of hard smacks. The blush on her skin was invigorating, driving every muscle to a tense state.

  “But I’m good!”

  He wanted nothing more than to blister her ass. “No, you’re a very bad girl and naughty girls deserve harsh spankings.” As his hand came down over and over again, the color on her bottom deepened to a lovely shade of crimson and the way she squirmed made his cock that much harder.

  A crack of thunder dragged Danger out of the fantasy. He jerked to a half sitting position, realizing he’d come all over his hand. Laughing, he shook his head, but the intense sensations of the dream lingered, creating a wave of electricity shooting through every cell. He knew that he would run into the girl again and yes, he was going to be the nightmare she no doubt feared.

  He would capture and keep her, giving her exactly what she deserved.

  And what she so obviously craved.

  Chapter Three

  “Damn it all to hell,” Dani mumbled, straining as she made the most vicious expression possible. “Damn. Fuck. Shit. Ugh!”

  To say she was frustrated was the understatement of the year. She’d searched for almost three solid hours, cursing every time she made a wrong turn, realizing they’d simply vanished after hour one. They were obviously experts. At what? Building fires? Killing wild beasts with spears, cooking over a spit? Capturing and disciplining a wayward woman... The intimate thought made her roll her eyes.

  She sat idling in her truck, hanging over the steering wheel, glaring at the waning sun. Time to make a decision. She could either go back the way she came and forget about the entire stupid idea. Or...

  She could hike up her big girl panties and press on, securing a campsite for the night then heading out again in the morning. The two-week deadline hung around her neck like a tight vise. She would do this. Sitting up straight, she took a deep breath of the chilly mountain air and made her decision. Throwing all caution to the wind, and the remainder of her sanity, she slammed the gear into drive. There had to be a decent area where she could throw a tent, start a fire, and hunker down for the night.

  What seemed liked another hour later, she could see a nice flat spot under a large oak tree. She’d stopped again to hammer in a stake, making certain her path was marked. The twists and turns in the mountainside could easily disorient anyone inexperienced with the area, especially her at this point. Snorting, she cut the engine and lumbered out of the truck, stretching as she turned in a full circle. The area was beautiful, craggy rocks and trees with a breathtaking view of the mountains as well as the town. She hadn’t realized she’d gone so far. The pinpricks of buildings gave her pause, a lump in her throat.

  The single crack of thunder made her jump. Shielding her eyes, she noticed the dark clouds in the distance, rolling in fast. “Fuck. Me.” Racing into action, she dragged the tent from the bag, managing to put it together in a few minutes. Thank God, she wasn’t completely rusty with her camping skills. By the time she’d finished, the wind had increased, the rumbles of thunder getting closer. She’d been able to tie the tent to the tree by the time the first flash of lightning danced across the darkening sky.

  Chills coursed through her body as she finagled to drag supplies through the flap, finally settling just as the rain started. Crossing her legs, she held the bag of food and water against her cheek as she watched the light show, the heaviest portion of the storm appearing over the city itself. At least she had shelter and could certainly hop inside the truck if necessary.

  Dani rocked, the wind sweeping through the tent, howling in the background. After ten minutes, she was chilled to the bone. She grabbed a blanket from the bag, water and whatever cardboard food bar her fingers had snagged. This was going to be a damn long night.

  As the storm raged on, pelting rain sideways, her thoughts drifted to her second reason for doing this. There were at a least a few single, hot-looking men in town. Why chase after four would-be ax murderers? The answer was simple as well as clear. And one that would forever piss her off. Peter’s last comments before he’d slammed shut the apartment door had a direct influence.

  “You’re not adventurous enough.”

  In bed? In life? In nature? She hissed at the memory, kicking her boot into the dirt. Who in the hell did he think he was, some sporty dude worthy of athlete of the year? Uh, no. He was the pasty white geek, not her, preferring computers over anything else. Yet, the comment had plagued her, sliding into her dreams. After this experiment, no one could ever say tha
t about her again. And she might garner national attention for her sizzling report. Could she handle the heat of being scrutinized once again? Hell, yes. She gave herself a mental high five, jumping as she heard a cracking sound and it had nothing to do with the storm.

  She’d left her gun in the truck. Jesus. Christ. What if a wild animal attacked her? She hadn’t made a fire, there was no weapon by her side, and the truck was a solid fifty yards away. Good girl, you fool. Swallowing, she uncurled the sleeping bag, making as little sound as possible, barely breathing as she slid inside. Now, hearing only the sound of the rain, she zipped the bag around her and said a silent prayer. Maybe going back to town was a better idea, but that would have to wait until in the morning.

  If she survived the night.

  * * *

  Birds. That’s what she had to be hearing. She opened her eyes, but as she tried to focus, she envisioned a bear’s face, his sharp teeth. “Ah!” Jerking and unable to free herself, she almost panicked in her effort to get away from the suffocating sensations. No. No... After blinking several times, she was able to breathe. There was no bear, no coyote, and definitely no sexy caveman threatening to eat her. But there was the shimmering sun and chirping birds.

  She disengaged herself from the sleeping bag and crawled out into the morning light. The air was crisp, not a cloud in the sky and the view was magnificent. She could see clearly the outline of Baker City, certain buildings gleaming in the sun. Last night’s storm had given way to a snippet of paradise.

  Time for a little breakfast then a decision. She was smiling as she walked toward the truck until she glanced a mere hundred feet from where she was stationed. The storm had been more significant than she’d realized, washing out the trail she’d taken to get to this point. As far as the eyes could see, there were rocks, fallen limbs, and dirt. Mounds and mounds of muddy dirt. She glanced at the road leading further up the mountain. There were some fallen rocks, slight debris but much less. Still, traveling forward with the truck was going to be a pain in the ass. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Walking closer, she looked over the ridge. Even trying to hike down would prove to be treacherous if not impossible. Her decision had been made. Was fate rearing its ugly head?