Chapter 11

ELEVEN

Phoenix

T he blender churned, filling the kitchenette with the scent of strawberry. The powder and milk slowly combined until they turned that familiar smooth shade of pink. Only that day, I'd made a double helping. The high-calorie shake was as much a part of my routine as breathing. I never had to worry about what to cook or what I fancied,; it was always the same. Milk. Powder. Blend.

Pouring half of the mixture into a glass, I grabbed a straw and pushed it down into the thick liquid. Checking over my shoulder, I slid my mask down over my chin and pushed the straw through the tiny gap on the left side of what should have been my mouth.

A burst of sweet strawberry flavour washed over my tongue as I drank the shake down. Bar a child-sized toothbrush and toothpaste, it was the only thing I ever forced through the small opening. Even the toothbrush head took some force. The doctors had told my uncle that oral health was important, and I never forgot it. Even if we'd never gone back to have the surgeries that would have opened my burned, fused lips, I'd still always secretly hoped the day would come.

As months turned to years, and the scars solidified, I saw that dream die and embraced what I was. A monster living beneath the surface, someone people called upon but never wanted beyond their nefarious purposes. I was just another tool.

A noise behind me startled me, and I pulled the straw from my mouth before yanking my mask back into place.

Laura stood sheepishly in the doorway, her still wet hair brushed through and the empty tea mug loose in her hand.

I eyed it, half expecting her to throw it at my head.

I filled a second glass with the high-calorie sludge, offering it to her. With reluctance, she set down the empty mug and sat at the low table, casting a sceptical glance at the drink.

When she failed to take a sip, I grabbed the packet of powder and laid it on the table before her.

She had two choices; eat or starve.

‘Is this all you have?' she said, scanning the packet with a frown.

I nodded.

She took a little sip and swallowed, a grimace crossing her pretty face. The drink might not be tasty, but it would stop the grumbling coming from her stomach. No wonder she'd been acting like a caged animal. The first rule of taming a pet was making sure it didn't go hungry. I'd need to keep her belly full before I started filling her everywhere else.

Excitement threaded through me as I watched her lick a drop of strawberry shake from her lower lip, imagining it was my cum she lapped up so delicately.

Even in my hoodie and jogging bottoms, Laura looked delicious. The way her cheeks rounded so softly. The way my hoodie stretched around her chest. Seeing her walking through my boat naked had been the most divine torture. The temptation to bend her over and warm her with my hips crashing into her ass while she shivered from the cold had made me ache with desperation.

Soon.

Patience.

I doubted I'd be able to hold her captive forever without her stabbing me in the throat at some point, but damn would I make the most of the time I could keep her.

The stacks of money I'd amassed in my illicit work meant a quick fuck was always easy to find. Money meant nothing was out of reach. But I wanted more. I wanted to feel Laura fall apart under my fingers. I wanted to make her crave my touch even though she hated me. To make her beg for my cock even as she cringed at the scars that marred my face.

I needed to feel wanted, even if it was only until the post-orgasm shame swept over her.

I winced as I stacked the dishes into the compact dishwasher. The cut on my arm wasn't deep, but it stung like a bitch.

While Laura sipped her drink and forced it down like a good girl, I retrieved the first aid kit from one of the cabinets and set about cleaning up the wound.

The little fucker smiled when I shuddered at the sharp sting of the antiseptic, those big doe eyes watching my suffering with glee.

Pain and I were old friends. I'd been through so much worse.

I finished with my arm as she swallowed the last of the milky liquid and sat back on the bench.

‘So what now?' she asked, her words hesitant.

A visit to the cottage was on the cards, but I neither could nor I cared to tell her that. Instead, I closed the distance between us, enjoying the widening of her eyes with each step.

Her lower lip quivered as I ran my finger gently over her jawline, fear sparking across her lovely features. Sinking my fingers deep into her wet hair, I tipped her head back and drew my face close to hers, inhaling deeply.

In all the years it had been melted shut, never had I wanted to be able to open my stupid fucking mouth and taste something so desperately.

Fuck, I wanted to devour her.

She let out a little squeak that had my dick straining against my pants.

Her fear was enough to stoke me—for now.

I simply shrugged as she took a shaky breath, and my cheek twitched, the closest to a smile I'd had in an eon.

When I walked out onto the deck, glass smashed against the door, an angry screech following the crash.

That's it, Laura. Feed the rage. It'll stoke my fire, my little ember.