It had been three days since she fled the cabin. Days which passed like years. Gigi was about to find out that deceiving her daddy came with a price. There would be hell to pay once I decided on the right moment to deliver her discipline. Worse yet, sleeping at night without her by my side was now impossible.
It was prudent to wait for the optimal chance to demanded her complete submission. Until that time, my body moved through the day, tense, blood pumping, hot with anger and lust.
What kind of idiot was I thinking that having her in my proximity would slate my hunger for her?
Near.
Far.
I couldn’t get her off my mind.
There’d be no chasing after her this time.
That’s exactly what she wanted.
No, I’d pop up on her flank when she didn’t expect it.
There were only a few places she could run to.
Her apartment.
Ivy’s house.
Emma’s Ranch.
Or, The Ranch itself.
One thing about a small town like Briarville, news traveled fast.
It made it easy to keep tabs on her, and before she saw me coming, I’d have her under my thumb again.
This time for keeps.
I took some time to clear my head and formulate a plan to inflict the punishment she’d racked up.
She was not only naughty; she was a thief.
The hell of it was, when I fetched him from The Ranch where Gigi had Lucifer safely stalled, he acted as if he didn’t miss me at all.
Looked like he was now under her spell as well.
The maddening little vixen had stolen my heart, and my horse.
She’d lied straight to my face, smiling all the while, pretending as though she planned to finish her garden chores while I was out cutting wood. It was almost as if there was something inside her that enjoyed pushing my buttons. I’d returned a couple hours later, to find her gone, along with Lucifer and a change of clothing. She’d left a note on the kitchen counter.
Daddy,
I’m sorry I had to go, but I can’t stay glued to your side out here in the woods. I promise I’ll be safe, so you don’t have to worry about me anymore.
As if. I was fuming reading her words, clutching the edges of the paper so hard I nearly ripped it in half. Her next words eased my anger from scalding fury to simmering hostility. I’d find her, catch her and keep her.
I never knew how much I’d relax, sinking into your cushioning embrace. Or how your kisses send the pit of my stomach into a wild tornado. I’ve wanted you for a long time, but more than that, I really loved holding you.
Don’t be mad.
XO, Little Fox
In the end, I chose the night of the Masquerade Ball at the Ranch, one week later, as an optimal place for running surveillance under clandestine cover. Though admittedly, I felt a pain in the back of my throat when using my security clearance at the club as a means to stalk her.
Eyes fixed on the security camera, my Beauty and the Beast Costume was hot as Hades, but allowed me to be unrecognizable. Unlike Gigi and Ivy in their adult, cosplay bunny costumes. Each of them wore black, half-masks with long rabbit ears. A human-size cotton tail marked the spot where I planned to reprimand my girl, swat by swat, until the sting made her hop. Gigi’s legs went on for days in her black, thigh high stockings, and the jealous snake of envy hissed in my heart.
She was so close.
She was mine.
To rid any men of the idea they had a right to look at her, I’d stick to her like glue.
I intercepted her at the bar where she stood chatting with Ivy, not a care in the world, waving a plastic straw around to emphasize her words.
The place was packed with revelers in fancy dress, and I plowed my way through them to get to her, my size intimidating enough to part the crowd like the Red Sea.
Her eyes bulged with fright as I approached. “Noah?”
Behind the disguise, my relentless gaze bore into her in silent accusation. “Name’s Beast.”
Her beautiful face, what I could see of it, clouded with uneasiness.
She’d better worry.
“I’ll be your escort for the night.” I had an undeniable feeling of rightness, claiming her in public like this, even if I was hiding behind a mask. “No one will mess with you.”
Visibly, she forced herself to settle down.
It was as if the time we spent together in the cabin meant nothing to her. There was no indication of how much she loved the rough handling I’d delivered to her backside, or the ravenous way I consumed her pretty cunt.
It pissed me off.
“I’m not worried about anybody messing with me,” she responded sharply. “I’m worried about running into someone who isn’t really what they seem.” She threw back her head and place her hands on her hips. “Easy to do when you’re hiding behind a false face. I’m with my friend.” She boldly met my eyes and I wanted to chuck her over my shoulder and carry her off to one of the play rooms. “We’re not on shift tonight. We’re here for fun.”
My eyes dropped to her breasts, which were far too exposed for my liking, and I ached with the need to make her beg for it. It wouldn’t take long in this room full of randy club members before some man approached her, looking to feed his animal hunger.
I gave her the third degree, “Why are you visiting the club instead of hanging out with your friends on your night off?” I made a slight growl in the back of my throat and my chest felt on fire.
“What’s it to you?” There was defiance in her tone, as well as subtle challenge. She topped it off by rolling her eyes. “Stranger.”
She turned her sassy little bunny ass to me, and skated away.
It was slower going with the crush of people blocking her path, but she was still quick.
“Gigi!” Ivy called after her. “You okay or you need me to come with you?”
My vixen waved a hand in the air, urging her “bestie” to remain at the bar.
I clung to Gigi like a limpet, and followed her to the skating rink.
In the men’s changing room, I removed my shoes, took out my skates and slapped a palm against a locker door to shut it. Tying the laces tight, I told myself this is what all the practicing in secret had been about.
My moment of truth.
The flood lights were turned on for night skating, only Gigi wasn’t performing a routine.
She was a confident skater and made frenetic sweeping turns and twirls on the polished floor, as if outrunning the devil himself.
How the hell was I supposed to pull this off when my head was covered in a plastic disguise?
This should be fun.
Her tongue was heavy with sarcasm, hollering at me across the rink. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I asked, pushing off my skates and confidently skating a circle around her.
Hands placed belligerently on her hips, and she taunted, “You must actually be a stranger, because the man I thought you were never skated a day in his life.”
“Can we ever truly know someone?” Behind the mask, my stare drilled into her. “I’ve been studying you for the better part of a year, and no matter how hard I try… I can’t get my head around what makes you fucking tick.”
Biting down hard on her lower lip, she stuck her butt out and went backwards, emphasizing the puff of her bunny tale, effortlessly skated circles around me. She muttered hastily, “Same!” Disconcerted, she came to an abrupt halt, crossed her arms and pointedly looked away.
“Don’t you miss any of it?” I beseeched her. “Being in the cabin with me?” I asked, spacing the words evenly.
She shot me a penetrating look as she began to wheel away from me.
My disappointment was like a heavy rock inside me. Guardedly, I said, “You know what? Forget it. I don’t care that you look at me like you want to get away from me as fast as you can. I’m not going anywhere.”
The look on her face made me want to hug her. It confirmed every protective and caring concern I’d ever felt for my princess.
She was running scared.
From me.
Good thing for the secret skating lessons. My legs were longer than hers. She’d have to roll fast as hell to get away.
A man does what he must.
I’d worked hard so far to go after my dreams. Failure was never an option.
The matter under current consideration was, what would I do when I caught her?