Sloane found herself pondering why she’d gotten so tired during the bath. She bit her bottom lip, stared at the ceiling, and played around with different ideas. Despite how ridiculous it was, the only conclusion she kept coming up with was that the bath oil was some kind of magic. Sure, she was tired from walking around after being bed ridden for so long, but was that enough to make her pass out after the bath?

The floral scent of the oil had been familiar, but there was more to it than just one kind of flower. With how relaxed and tired she’d become, she figured lavender was at least the main ingredient. The more she thought about it, the more she remembered how her muscles had released their tension. She felt herself starting to relax even with the memory.

She hadn’t been surprised to wake up in what had become her normal position. She wasn’t surprised that there was still no blanket, still no clothes, and no idea when Carter would come visit her. It didn’t bother her as much, maybe because of the reminiscing about the bath oil. Plus, she knew what she had to do and what to avoid to make him believe that she knew she was his.

It had become another norm to guess what time of the day it was. Because the cellar always had an earthy smell to it, even with the wood paneled walls, it was impossible to make out any aromas that might come from the kitchen. The scent of the bath still pervaded the air making it even more difficult to detect any odors.

Her guessing game went on for a while before Carter made his appearance.

“Good mornin’.” He drawled as he carried her breakfast to the nightstand.

“Morning.” She tried to make sure her voice wasn’t weak or didn't crack. It was becoming more important to her that he fall for her trick.

He gave her a coy smile before he released her right wrist. “I figured you would like to feed yourself.” He offered her the explanation without any prompts.

“Thanks.” It was a little difficult to find a comfortable position since her movement was still restricted, but she managed and waited for him to move the tray onto the bed.

Once he did, she dug in. It would have been a lie if she said she wasn’t stupefied by how hungry she was. A part of her wanted to ask for seconds. And juice because as usual, her coffee was lukewarm.

“Why didn't you eat with me?” A hint of hurt laced her words.

“I didn’t have enough bacon for us both. I’m gonna just eat some oatmeal.” He shrugged, already cleaning up the dishes. “You want some?”

She thought about it for a second and then nodded. “I’m starving.”

He chuckled and tipped her chin up so he could look into her eyes. “All that exercise really did a number on you.”

Her smile was unsure. “Maybe.”

“Be right back.” He turned away, not bothering to close the door behind him.

Her heart gave a quick flutter and she looked at the other restraints. It would take seconds to get the padded cuffs off; but she had no key to unlock the shackle. So she stayed just the way she was and waited for his return.

A subtle shocked expression crossed his face before being replaced with one of appreciation. “You didn’t unlock yourself?”

“No.” Sloane shook her head for emphasis.

“Good girl.” He muttered as he leaned down to place the tray in between them.

The smile she gave him was unexpected on her part, but his eyes lit up.

“Um…how did you get all your land?” It wasn’t something she had been wondering, but it was what came to mind as she decided to use this moment to get to know him better.

“My uncle owned it. I bought it from my dad.”

“Bought? He didn’t just give it to you?”

He let out a derisive laugh before he took a spoonful of mush into his mouth. There was an odd silence before he looked at her with malice. “My folks and I…we don’t get along.”

She waited for him to elaborate, but he kept eating. “Why not?”

“They always thought I was odd. I guess because they’re more city than anything. I always loved coming out here to visit Uncle Vick. He taught me how to hunt, how to navigate the woods.” His face morphed from a sneer towards his parents to a gentle reminiscent love toward his uncle. “He taught me how to be a man.”

“And because your parents and you aren’t close, they made you buy the land?”

“What I knew at the time is that I wasn’t old enough to inherit it, so Uncle Vick left it to my parents.”

“How were you able to afford it?” She almost regretted asking, sure he’d take offense.

“I busted my butt. I did all kinds of odd jobs. But my uncle had left me a trust. I didn’t get it ‘til I turned eighteen. But I used it to help me purchase the land.”

“Then why didn’t he leave you the land when you turned eighteen?” Confused, she narrowed her eyes and watched his face transform once again.

“I later found out that he did. My parents were to be the property guardians until I was old enough to legally inherit it. They kept all of that hush hush and decided to tell me that they would sell me the land just before I turned eighteen. So, because they knew how bad I wanted it and how much it would mean to me to have it, I gave them the money I had earned and promised them the trust fund money. I haven’t seen them since we made the exchanges.”

Her heart ached for him. How could his parents have been so cruel to him?

“How did they manage to keep that from you? Weren’t you present when the will was read?”

“Physically, yes. Mentally, hell no. I was torn to pieces over his death. I don’t remember anything that was said with the lawyer and my parents. But, I got the treasured item I wanted from him. And they got what they wanted any way you look at it.”

She couldn’t help the small smile. “And you don’t hate them?”

“Of course I hate them. I never liked them, but after all of that, I despise them. Hell, they might be dead and I could care less.” He gave a casual shrug and scraped the last of his oatmeal out of the bowl. “Enough about them. What about your family?”

Her heart ached again. “My mom passed away a few years ago. She got in a bad car accident. Two others were killed.” Her voice cracked as she remembered the night she and Danielle had gotten the news. “I didn’t know my dad. Mom always told us that he left not too long after my sister was born. I’m only a year older than her.” Visions of ashy brown hair surrounding heart shaped faces danced in her mind. She didn’t realize that she was crying until Carter brushed the tears off of her cheeks.

After a sniffle, she looked up at him, trying to reassure him that she was okay.

“You were close to them?”

She didn’t catch that he’d referred to her sister as a part of her past. “Yeah. We had some really great times.”

“Where are you from?”

“Oh. Uh, Mirkens, Georgia.” While his question caught her off guard, the laugh that erupted from him shocked her. “What?”

“I saw once, that in the urban dictionary, mirken is a vagina wig.”

“You lie!” Sloane’s eyes widened as a smile spread across her face at the idea of something so ridiculous existing.

“Not at all.” His laughter broke up his statement.

“That’s so crazy. Who thinks of this crap?”

He shrugged and moved the tray out of the way.

“So, you said your parents were city folk. Does that mean you were born and raised in the city?”

“Yeah. About two and a half hours away is Jettson, Tennessee.”

“Which of your parents was your uncle’s sibling?”

“My dad. They were total opposites.”

A thought occurred to her and she decided to ask. “I’m just guessing, but you said you have a lot of land so I assume this place is pretty remote. They didn’t live here, in this place, did they?”

“No. They lived in the little town down the mountains. But it wasn’t what my dad wanted.”

“How far is the town?” Sloane hoped he wasn’t getting tired of her questions, but hearing that there was a town in the vicinity peaked her interest.

“Maybe an hour, hour and a half.”

“Maybe I’ll get to go with you one day?” She knew it was risky to suggest she leave the house, but she also wanted to gauge how far in gaining his trust she’d come.

“Maybe.” He gave her a tight lipped look. “Until then, let’s work on getting your foot back in working order.”

She waited for him to release her and then help her up.

He led her through some exercises that stretched the tendons in her foot and hurt a little at first, but felt so blissful afterwards. She walked around, better than she had before. When he suggested she take a break, she scowled at him.

“I want to keep going.”

“But you’ll overdo it.” He grabbed her elbow to keep her from continuing.

She rolled her eyes but allowed him to guide her back to the bed. What she thought was anxiety started to grip her insides. Before he could get her onto the bed, she twisted and slid her arms around his neck, pulling him down toward her.

Their lips met and she pushed herself against him, forcing her tongue into his mouth and then matching his rhythm. In the next second, he slid a hand down to her butt and pushed her harder against him where she felt a hardening bulge.

Going along with things, she began to grind against him, earning a groan.

He pushed her down and before her body lifted from bouncing off of the bed, he was on top of her, running his hands up her sides, kissing her neck. She moaned and arched her back, wrapping her arms around his neck again.

His mouth found her breast and with weird nips, he made his way to a nipple, sending tingles through her body. When his mouth closed around her peak, he sucked and flicked his tongue. She felt a surge of pleasure course through her body and pool in between her legs. Her moans came louder and longer. He lifted a hand to her other breast and began to give it gentle strokes and squeezes.

Sloane couldn’t think. Her reaction was natural and she didn’t want him to stop. In between pants, she started to beg him to keep going. In return, he gave a little more force to the sucking, kissing her breast and rubbing the other.

A warmth started to spread over her and her core throbbed, aching to reach her apex. She squealed as Carter pinched one nipple and took his mouth from the other. He blew on it and watched her writhe.

“Please. Don’t…stop.” She panted, reaching for his head.

He smiled and lowered his mouth back to her breast, giving her one final suck and flick before her moan filled the room and her body stiffened.

“Oh.” Her breathing was heavy, but she didn’t have time to do anything because he was already trailing his mouth down to her sex. His hands slid down her sides and slipped under her butt, lifting her pelvis higher. His mouth attacked her again, causing her to gulp in the air.

“Carter!” She cried out as his tongue danced against her sensitive folds. Her legs began to squeeze together only to be pushed wide as he kissed her. She continued to moan and lift herself.

He never missed a beat; he raised as she did, lowered with her. Once her breathing became quick pants again, he stood.

She looked outraged until she saw that he had unbuttoned his pants and was rolling a condom on his shaft. As he positioned himself, she put her hands on his shoulders. “Scream my name again.”

A little shocked at the request, his demand went unanswered long enough for her to realize that he wouldn’t enter her if she didn’t do as he said. “Carter!”

He rammed into her, gaining a gasp. She moved her hands down to his hips. As her body loosened, she let her legs fall, granting him more access which he took. He buried himself in her, determined to have her moan for mercy.

The noises she made urged him to pump faster and harder. She started chanting his name as she pushed her head back, exposing her neck. He clamped his mouth against her flesh and sucked. She moaned more, dug her nails into his hips as she squirmed to feel his manhood move within her.

When he pulled his mouth away, he was satisfied to see an angry red mark; it was going to be a beautiful hickey.

“You are…?” He teased her by gliding in and out slower than she cared for.

She gave him a confused look.

“Say it.” He demanded, stopping and staring down at her.

Nothing came to mind. What does he want me to say?

As he stared at her, she became scared he’d get angry and hurt her. Just as he started to pull out, she decided to take a chance. It had to be what he wanted her to say. She was trying to make him believe she thought it.

She gripped his wrists and yanked as hard as she could so that he leaned above her, staring into her eyes. “I am yours.”

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