OBSESSIVE LUST

CHAPTER 14

I was instantly woken, and the atmosphere was dark. I scanned around, but the walls were difficult to see clearly. No window or anything to catch a whiff of fresh air. Nothing but four white, dull, constricting walls gradually closing in.

My arms were pinned behind my back. They were taped there, tightly. Thick tape was smushed over my mouth. Panic filled my mind. I attempted to recall what I'd been doing recently. I kept reliving my past memories....to be with my mother, to be with Liam.

There were seconds going by. Or maybe longer. Then I heard the sound of footsteps. Out of the darkness stepped a man. I didn't recognize him at first. He had a perverted, sadistic look on his face, a smile that gave me goosebumps. He had a wooden rod in his hand.

My voice shook and quivered. "W-who are you?" I tried to say, but my voice broke with the effect of fear.

His smile broadened. "You're the one responsible for my daughter's name being in shreds," he answered purposefully. "You humiliated her. And now… now you'll pay for every minute she endured."

The words tightened my jaw. I chilled to the bone. Was this Jessica's father? The realization made my heart race even harder.

I was outraged confusion. "She was the one who initiated it," I yelled between my tears. "I didn't do anything—"

But he interrupted me. "She would've never embarrassed you if you hadn't seduced her man," he snarled, voice hard and brutal.

I couldn't keep it in any longer. "I didn't!" Klein had stated that he wasn't—"

I was caught in a gasp as the stick cracked across me hard on the side. I cried out. Tears welled up in my eyes as I fought to catch my breath.

"You ought to have known better," the man growled again, his tone with venom.

My own voice shaking and desperate. "Please, sir—" I managed to get in before the stick hit me again.

I felt another shock of pain within me. It just kept coming.....hit after hit. I could not remain conscious, but the room was spinning. I was dizzy, fighting just to remain awake, as every inch of me pleaded with the pain to end.

Suddenly, there was a voice in the silence. "Stop!!!", the voice bellowed.

It sounded out so loudly, ringing in the room. Then pounding feet came in. Rescue was arriving? That momentary flash of hope flickered through my mind.

The voice approached. "Come here.". I am sorry I was late," it said to me gently.

Then warm hands released me. Someone wrapped a warm coat around me. I was lifted up. My head was fuzzy, thick with pain and confusion. My heart was beating rapidly, not only due to fear and agony, but also for the abrupt transformation.

And then I relaxed my eyed. Something within me continued to nag at me that whoever had me in their control at the moment, would never allow me to get into harm's way again. All I realized was that I was safe at the time.

The first time I opened my eyes, there was nothing familiar to me. The room was painted with whites and light grays. My eyelids were weighed down by my eyelashes but I struggled to keep them open. Glancing about, I could see out the large clear glass balcony window, a man standing outside. He held in his hand a glass of wine.

I sat up in bed slowly. My gaze was caught short by a burst of bright color, a purple guitar against a chair. Perhaps it was for his girlfriend, I had thought.

Then something occurred to me. Where is my stuff? I turned once more, attempting to locate my purse, my phone, or any hint of where my things were, but none of them were within reach.

I could seize a little more information or stand up and look for them, there was a voice. It wrapped around me and made my heart skip a beat. “You’re up,” the voice said softly.

I had turned to face and saw a gentleman. I was able to whisper, "Liam?" as my voice still shook a little.

He continued walking towards the small kitchenette, and as he moved, he carefully set his glass down on the table and grasped his apron. He did not hurry, but tied it around his waist.

"Why the surprise?" he asked, not attempting to hide the smirk anymore.

I paused, searching for the right words. "Y-you saved me?" I asked.

He shot a swift look over his shoulder and a faint smile wrinkled his lips. "Why?" he jeered. "Did you think spineless boyfriend was going to ride in there and save you?".

I said nothing. I attempted to deflect the mounting panic rising within my heart and shook my head. "No… I was taken aback," I gasped.

Without hesitation, he inquired in a relaxed tone, "Hungry for some breakfast? I can whip something up for you." He walked towards the tiny kitchen alcove.

I hesitated, then recalled I was hungry. "Bacon and sandwich… if that's alright," I panted.

He stopped, then glanced over his shoulder at me with a smile. "That's all." He sounded taunting.

I nodded a little, experiencing the flash of appreciation and interest. "I'm used to it.," I grumbled to myself. "Nobody actually cooks for me… except Camille." My sentence faded away. I wished I knew where she was. Was she okay?

Liam's piercing gaze observed the shift in my mood. He stopped. "What is it?" he asked.

"N-nothing," I replied, attempting to keep my fears concealed, yet I knew that he would see through me.

He went on quietly tying his apron. He kept speaking. "You received a letter. Top drawer, next to the bed," he informed me while tightening the string.

I nodded slowly and curious. Who would send me a letter? In this age of instant emails and phones, the thought of a paper letter seemed old-fashioned

I bent over and hesitated before I opened the drawer. A tiny creased piece of paper folded inside. When at last I pulled it into sight, my own breath caught. Mom's writing.

I lashed back into the kitchen. Liam leaned against the kitchen, dressed in a white sleeveless top and simple office slacks. His wide shoulders seemed even wider in morning light. His resolute jawline reflected the light. The way he moved. I just stood and watched while he laid out the glasses, added bits of bread and fruit, and poured a glass of what appeared to be wine. A shroud of confusion enveloped me at that moment. I wasn't accustomed to seeing him this. I lingered, my head mired in a stupor.

I forced out a whisper, "I-I don't drink," with a bitter smile.

Liam's face eased a bit, and he smiled gently. " I'll get you a juice instead, he said in a gentle, calm voice.

Turning aside, as he prepared the drink, I at last mustered up the courage to open the letter.

It informed me that she loved me more than there were words to tell and that she'd provided her reason for leaving. She said she was returning to my sister, who was in the hospital. That news hit me hard. My sister’s illness was something we’d all been worried about, but hearing she was back in the hospital made my stomach turn in worry. Mom had stipulated that having seen me safely in Liam's hands was sufficient for her to sleep. She promised she'd return as soon as possible. The final words from her—"I love you always."

That's when I heard Liam's voice, audible behind me—"Sweet."

I spun my head around, and in a flash, we were nose to nose, nearly. I could sense his breath on my skin. And then his eyes drifted down to my lips, and it remained there for a moment.

My own lips clamped down over themselves, silent. I longed to say something but nothing emerged. Instead, I was there, stiff, holding breath. And why, all of a sudden, did my heart race when he gazed at me like that?