4. Micaela

4

MICAELA

I slowly become aware of my surroundings as I yawn and blink my eyes open. I’m tangled up in Morrison, the heat of his body making me tingle all over just thinking about everything we did last night.

His tongue on my heated skin, his kisses littering my body, and god, his thick cock sliding in and out of me, stretching me and bringing me to the brink of pleasure again and again before throwing me off the edge. I’ll never forget the gift he gave me last night. It was the most incredible first time anyone could have asked for and I feel lucky I got to experience it with Morrison.

My muscles ache in the most delicious way. I feel thoroughly used, worn out, and yet completely safe and loved. Part of me wants so badly to believe all of this is real, but I know better. Last night was a fairytale. A twisted, kinky fairytale to be sure, but perfect nonetheless.

When my phone beeps, I manage to slip out of bed without disturbing Morrison. He looks so peaceful, the first rays of sun peeking through the curtains and highlighting his chiseled features. The intensity and fierce edge he usually has is softer in the morning light. It’s far too easy to picture waking up to him like this every morning. I’d curl back up into his side and maybe wake him up with kisses.

Another beep of my phone pulls me out of the daydream. A bucket of ice is dumped on my head when I read the notification on the screen. It’s from my banking app letting me know the payment from last night went through. Right. Of course. This was a business transaction.

Was it just business? Didn’t we share something incredible?

I replay every moment of last night, all of his sweet words and dirty promises. Morrison unlocked something in me I didn’t know existed. He opened up a whole new world and I guess I let myself get caught up in the fantasy.

Don’t be silly , my inner voice tells me. There’s no way Morrison really wants to keep me. We both had high emotions last night, coupled with the adrenaline of escaping my father at the auction house and the fact that we were interrupted in the Tease and Please room… It was inevitable that we were going to have sex. That’s what he paid for, after all.

Another notification flashes across my phone screen, this time making my stomach drop. It’s my father.

I don’t know what the fuck you thought you accomplished last night, but it’s time for you to come home and face the consequences.

Another message comes through almost immediately.

It’ll be so much worse if you make me hunt you down.

My hands are shaking so badly I drop my phone. Morrison rolls over in bed, making me jump. He’s still sleeping, which I’m thankful for.

I dig through the small duffel bag I packed yesterday for my clothes and toothbrush. Was it really less than twenty-four hours ago I was getting ready to sneak away to the auction house? It already feels like a lifetime ago. I know I’m certainly a different woman than when I started this crazy journey.

Once I’m dressed, I tiptoe out into the kitchen to gather my thoughts away from Morrison. My heart lurches in my chest at the thought of leaving him, but what choice do I have? Our business transaction is over. My new life starts today.

I’ll have to get a room at a hotel for a few days while I look for a new city to move to and a suitable job. I suppose I have enough money now to hold off on working for a bit, but I think I’ll want something to occupy my time. Having a job will certainly help keep my mind off of Morrison. I hope. Deep down, I know I’ll never forget him. How could I?

My damn phone alerts me to another text.

Answer me, Micaela. I know you’ve read my messages.

A shudder runs through me and I set the phone down on the counter with the message thread open. I’m obviously not going back to my father’s house. I don’t belong there anymore. I don’t know where I belong, but I finally have enough financial security to figure it out on my own.

I notice a pen and pad of paper sitting on the kitchen counter next to me. I shouldn’t write a note, but I find myself grabbing the pen and removing the cap. The words flow from my hand almost without my permission.

Thank you for the best night of my life.

I know it was supposed to be just business between us, but I let myself believe in the fantasy. You’ll be in my heart and soul for eternity.

Love always,

Your Babygirl

I wipe the tears from my eyes, chastising myself for getting so emotionally tied to this man in such a short period of time. Yes, I’ve observed him for years and had a crush on the gorgeous man for a long time now, but none of it was real until he kissed me. And now…

Now, it’s time to move on. Taking one last look around the massive cabin I didn’t get a chance to explore, I allow myself a moment to dream about the life I might have had in a parallel universe.

Morrison and I would have at least five kiddos running around here causing all kinds of mischief. This close to Christmas there would be a pile of presents under the tree and homemade cookies fresh from the oven. Tears spring to my eyes and I swear I can almost hear children’s laughter echo in the hallway upstairs.

With a deep, cleansing breath, I gather my things and head outside, taking the first step into my new life.

I make it all of five feet before I’m yanked to the side and thrown to the ground. Luckily, the snow cushions my fall, but I’m still too shocked to hardly breathe.

“Slut,” my father spits out at me. “I raised you better. What the fuck were you thinking?”

Before I get a chance to answer, he grabs me by the collar of my coat and rips me off the ground. I choke out a cough and stumble forward, only to have my father wrap his hand around my bicep and tug me toward his car I didn’t notice earlier. He’s gripping me so hard I know it’s going to leave marks, even through my winter jacket.

When we reach his vehicle, the back door opens on its own. It’s not until I’m a bit closer that I see there’s someone else in the backseat who must have opened the door. One look at the man and I know my father is about to make good on his threat. It’ll be so much worse if you make me hunt you down.

“No,” I protest weakly, trying to twist out of his grip. My father doesn’t even flinch as he tosses me into the back of the car and slams the door shut.

“There you are, naughty girl,” the man next to me says. He must be my future husband. My stomach roils at that thought and I almost throw up as the reality of my situation sinks in. “Shhh, there’s no need to say anything.”

Before I get a chance to fight back, the man slaps a strip of duct tape over my mouth and then grabs my wrists, zip-tying them together tightly. I let out a muffled cry of desperation, tears and snot running down my face as terror settles in the pit of my stomach.

I pull at my restraints even though I know the effort is futile. The thick plastic digs into my skin, making me whimper at the sting. What the hell is my father going to do to me? Why did I leave Morrison without even talking to him first?