Chapter Seventeen

Night Shade

Tucker

Dusk threatened the sky as he carried her out into the fresh air. In the long hours of keeping and recapturing Ella, along with the ones where he simply watched her sleep, he'd lost all track of time. Night had bled into day, and somehow, that same day seemed to have slipped into sunset. Based on the approaching twilight, it wouldn't be long before another black canopy of stars covered their heads.

"Show me?" Her head rose. "What do you mean, sir?"

There was that word again, his lips twitching in recognition. She'd shown such disgust at the idea of calling him ‘sir' at first, yet now, it fell so easily from her luscious lips. He couldn't be prouder of how well she'd succumbed, although after repeated escape attempts, he still couldn't trust her.

"I mean, there's something out here I want to show you." Hadn't he been clear the first time? "It's okay." His initially terse tone softened. "It's nothing to worry about." Though whether her green eyes conveyed concern was impossible for him to say. Emotion danced in her mesmerizing gaze, though. Of that, he had no doubt.

What are you thinking, little girl? Staring at her, he wondered if she could read the query in his own eyes.

Hadn't she just concurred with his sentiment that there was more going on between them than only the push and pull of captor and captive?

Is that what she's thinking about?

His feet stilled at the idea that he was her captor. He'd agreed to take her as a surety from her lying, piece-of-shit father. He'd been happy to strip her of her liberty and clothing—he was far from a good man—but still, he hadn't identified himself that way. He saw himself as more of a babysitter than a kidnapper, even though he secretly knew the appraisal was generous. Tucker had taken her, all right. He hadn't given her a choice.

He was her captor.

"Usually, when we come out here, it spells trouble, sir." Her voice was laced with wariness as she gripped his bicep.

"I know." His gaze drilled into hers. "But not this time, little girl. This time, I'm hoping for a better outcome."

Despite his mistrust, he believed something better was a possibility for them if they could both just lean into a little faith. He had to hold on to the belief that she could behave, and he, for his part, had to stop trying to cage her. They could both prosper if they tried.

Striding across the decking, he rounded the cabin and carried her to the wall his bed backed onto. He lowered to one knee, resting her against his thigh as he gestured to the nearby bushes.

"There." His gaze fell over the perfect purple wildflowers that grew there, and his heart swelled at the sight of them. "These are what I want to share."

Kneeling there, he couldn't recall why bringing her to this spot had seemed so important. Of all the things he could have chosen to do with his little girl, the idea of sharing his mother's favorite flowers shouldn't have even made the list. It would have been good for them to have talked, or he might have chosen a domestic chore for her. The cabin still needed sweeping, and the thought of putting her to work naked was tantalizing, but in the end, he hadn't had the heart. He'd seen how far his bondage had pushed her, and he couldn't keep being that man if he wanted to keep her.

Keep her.

His body straightened at the idea. She wasn't his to keep, but then, she hadn't been his in the first place. One thing was for sure, though. Little Ella couldn't take much more without a reprieve, and much though he enjoyed tormenting her, he had no wish to break her.

So, there they were—out in the open—with her gaze scanning the bushes in the diminishing light.

"Sir?" She clung to him with one hand while the other gripped his mother's blanket. He was surprised how keen she was to be close to him after everything he'd put her through. Surprised but happy. Perhaps there was something to the spiraling feelings whirling inside of him. Perhaps the opportunity for more than only their existing dynamic was real. His heart pounded at the idea. "I can't see anything."

"Over there." He pointed to the purple petals of the flowers, withdrawing his hand and using it to gently guide her chin in the right direction. "Do you see them?"

"The bushes?" Bewilderment flashed in her eyes. She was apparently oblivious to the incredible display of nature.

"The flowers." He might have laughed at her ignorance had he not found it so depressing. How could a woman of her age seemingly know so little about the wildlife around her? Tucker found her unfamiliarity difficult to believe.

"Flowers?" She leaned closer to the blooms.

"Yes." His tone was sardonic as he permitted her to leave her resting place and approach them. She only moved a couple of inches across the grass, her focus fixed on the plant he'd shown her. "The purple flowers."

The collection of small plum flowers with five outstretched petals and swollen amber stamens were hauntingly gorgeous, much like the young woman before him. Tucker adored them, not only for their rugged natural beauty but also their deadly potential. Like with Ella, he admired the paradox.

Nature could be so exquisite, yet for those who failed to respect it, it could also be lethal. The trick was to learn how to manage wildlife. He knew that when you did, its bounty was more than worth the effort.

The tiny nightshades he admired had bloomed, despite the tough conditions they endured by the gloom of the side of his cabin. Wild and wonderful, they not only reminded him of his mother but also the little girl he'd managed to capture. Ella was like those flowers. She had also found the conditions of his cabin difficult to endure, but she was starting to bloom regardless, right in front of his eyes.

"Oh, yes." Her tone was excitable as she finally registered what he was referring to. "They're lovely, sir." Her right hand reached for one of the violet buds, but lurching for her wrist, he knocked her hand away.

"Don't touch!"

His pulse hammered faster as he forced space between her and the deadly flowers. The nightshade's main hazard was the black, almost cherry-like berries that the beautiful flower produced, but technically, all parts of the bloom were poisonous to humans. The last thing he wanted was to cause Ella any real harm.

"What?" Her expression was scornful. "Why not? You brought me out here to show me, but you won't let me touch!"

"They're nightshades." Her puzzled expression revealed that his explanation meant little to her. Of course. He inhaled. Naturally, a woman with zero knowledge of nature wouldn't have a clue what nightshades were.

"Nightshades?" Her tone was curious.

"That's right." Reaching for her hand, he encased it in his larger palm. She was so diminutive and delicate. So utterly wonderful and all his for the taking. His balls contracted at the delightful prospect. His cock, although only recently satisfied, stirred at the intoxicating mental image of all the ways he could take her.

Not helpful.His inner voice chided. I'm trying to keep her safe.

"They're beautiful," he went on. "But deadly."

"Deadly?"

"If eaten," he corrected. "But I think it's better to keep you at bay. I wouldn't want any accidents, little girl." There was no medical provision for miles and little the medics could do except offer activated charcoal to remedy the nightshade's symptoms.

"Right." Her expression was sheepish as she withdrew back to his knee.

It was such a small and reflexive deed, yet inwardly, Tucker wanted to cheer. She had withdrawn to him. In her moment of potential panic, it was his body she'd chosen to return to. In light of everything, that was remarkable, and it gave him hope.

"So, why show me if we can't touch them?" She turned back to peer at him.

"I just love them." His tone was wistful as his thoughts flitted once more to his mother. "Nightshades and I go way back."

"Oh?" Fresh confusion flickered in her eyes. "Why? I thought you were a soldier?"

"I was." Adrenaline coursed around his system as she mentioned the atrocious piece of his history. "Once, but I liked the flowers before then."

He considered telling her more, explaining why the flower was pertinent and held a special place in his heart, but he couldn't seem to find the right words. Even after so long, it was hard to speak about his mother.

She doesn't need to know.He watched as she glanced back to the bushes. She doesn't need to know any more about me.I've told her too much already.

"Well…" Her tone was hesitant. "Thanks for showing me, sir."

"You're welcome." He forced a smile, sensing how shallow the gesture was. "You remind me of the flowers, that's all. You know, you're both beautiful but not to be underestimated."

"Thanks. I guess…" She smirked, chuckling at his back-handed compliment. "But can we go back inside now? It's getting cold."

"You want to go back inside the cabin with me?" He was aware that he probably shouldn't have queried the one request he'd yearned to hear since her arrival, but her change of tack was so dramatic, he needed to make sure he'd heard her right.

"I know." She laughed softly. "It doesn't sound much like me, huh?"

"Not the Ella I've come to know." And come over. He resisted the urge to vocalize the final line, but it pinballed in his head, regardless.

"It's been a rough couple of days." She turned away. "I haven't really been myself."

"Understandable."

They seemed to be reaching a genuine accord—a place where both of them would be content to let down their guards—but a part of Tucker still called for skepticism, warning this could all be part of an act to lull him.

"I know this hasn't been easy on you, little girl." He snaked an arm around her middle and tugged her toward him. A gasp left her lips as she came to rest against his groin, but he noticed she didn't try to resist.

What did that mean?

Either she was tired of resistance, or she actually wants to be closer to me.

"I'm sorry for that." He blew out a breath. "I guess I didn't take your feelings into account when I struck a deal with Bennett."

"No shit," she scoffed, attempting to laugh, although it was clear to Tucker that tangible hurt simmered just below the surface. "But thanks for the apology. It's more than I'll ever get from Alexander."

Tucker suspected she was right.

"You should stay away from that prick." Leaning closer, he breathed in the floral scent of her hair. Even now, after however long he'd held her there without her range of cosmetics, she smelled sweeter than almost any bloom he could find in the forest. He had the sense he'd remember that scent far longer than was right.

If I let her go.

His breaths sped up at the provocative thought. ‘If' was such a small word, but it held the whole world in its hands.

"I don't have much choice while I'm here, do I, sir?" The traces of sarcasm in her voice weren't lost on him, but his improving mood meant he didn't blame her for them. Tucker recalled how it felt to be a prisoner. He hadn't much liked the premise, either.

"No." His voice lowered to a purr. "You don't, but you should still be careful about how you speak to me, little girl."

Her gaze widened perceptibly, her eyes searching his face for signs that he might be joking. "I thought…" Her words seemed to die in her throat.

"It's okay." His free hand rose to her face and gently stroked her skin. He reasoned if she found a mirror, a woman like Ella would think she looked a sorry state after hours without preening, but he didn't think he'd ever seen anyone look sexier. "I'm half joking, but keep in mind who's in charge, little girl."

"As if I could forget, sir." Her cheeks flushed as she stared into his eyes. "I'm the one naked. You're definitely in charge."

She hadn't forgotten then. That was pleasing, but he wondered if she knew how damn hot her answer sounded.

"I'm glad to hear it." His cock throbbed to reinforce the point. "I wouldn't want you forgetting yourself and ending up back over my knee."

"Or tied to your bed." Her eyes were like saucers, as though she couldn't believe what she'd just said.

"Right." His lips twitched at her stunned expression. "We don't want that, either." Although the blood rushing to his dick apparently begged to disagree. "Even though you secretly liked it."

Tucker had no absolute way of knowing how Ella had felt caught in his trap, but her body language had conveyed her pleasure at certain acts. He remembered how wet her pussy had been when he'd had her tied to the bed and how she'd surrendered to his touch with what had seemed to be an intense orgasm. Evidently, she didn't always loathe the treatment.

"What?" Her reddening cheeks revealed her true feelings, although her eyes flashed with her usual impetuous anger. "I didn't like it." Her breaths were coming in short pants as she tried to recoil, but the prison of his embrace held her firm.

"Liar." He watched her grip tighten on the blanket, knowing how nude and wonderful she was beneath the fabric. "It doesn't matter that you're lying to me, Ella. I accept you hardly even know me, but it matters that you lie to yourself."

Her expression faltered. "No one can like what you and Alexander have done."

"I know," he agreed.

"What?" Her brow rose at his concurrence.

"You're right about that much," he continued. "Your father and I are bastards. He should never have put you in this position, and a better man than me would never have accepted, but this is where you are." His gaze darted to the sky, acknowledging just how dark it had become since they'd come out to the grass. "And since you've been here, I've been paying attention, little girl."

She swallowed at that but offered nothing more.

"I noticed how your body reacted to my spanks and my binds." He paused, waiting to see if she'd reply, but still, she only stared at him, wide-eyed and red-faced. "And a part of you enjoyed them, whether you like it or not."

He supposed he could understand her reticence to admit how she felt, especially to him. It had been difficult enough coming to terms with his need to dominate. He couldn't wrap his head around how he'd feel if the tables were turned, and he was the one who wanted to be tied up and manhandled.

"I don't know about that." She blew out a breath. "I've just never met anyone like you before, Tucker."

That much he could believe.

"Sir," he corrected, aware of how his cock grew as she heaved in air and made herself reply.

"Sir." Her voice rasped as she met her eyes.

"Let's get you back by the fire." He rose to his feet, and before she had time to answer, she was back in his arms again. "Maybe you can tell me the truth there."