Captured Miracle (15 page)

“I needed to see you, Nova.” Calix explained gruffly before lifting a small paper box in his hand. “I brought you something.”

Quizzically, I stared at the box and Calix pushed it toward me. Grasping hold of it, I opened it carefully to peek inside. At the sight, my blood warmed and tears pricked my eyes. “Macaroons?”

Calix shifted, looking awkward. “You said they were your favorite. A treat you can’t live without.”

A small smile curved my lips and this time I didn’t try to shove it away. “You remembered.”

Intensely, Calix watched my face. “I remember everything about you, Nova.”

“Thank you,” I closed the box as I tried to restrain the abundant burst of emotion claiming my body. “But why?”

Calix’s blue eyes met mine and I noticed they were the brilliant shade of blue I had only seen a few times. It was beautiful. I could stare into them for eternity and never grow bored with the shimmering pools.

“I’ve seen you smile countless times, Nova. Every single smile is more mesmerizing than the last. I’ve just never seen you smile because of me.” He replied gravelly. “For once, I wanted to be the reason.”

His words affected me in a way I had never imagined possible. There was so much emotion in them, I felt as though I was drowning in it. Maybe, just maybe, Calix wasn’t as bad as I had made him out to be. Yes, he’d had me kidnaped. And yes, he was threatening my family for my obedience. But he was also kind and gentle with me. He was sweet. Maybe he simply didn’t know how to be any other way. Maybe it was in his DNA to be this domineering man I knew, and was beginning to cherish.

Giving the little box a shake, I spoke. “Thank you, Calix. This was very sweet.”

Calix rocked on his heels. “You’re very welcome, love.”

Cocking my head to the side, I chewed on my lip as I debated on pushing my way into his arms. I wanted to feel his thick strong arms around me. I wanted to press my face into his chest and inhale his intoxicating scent. I wanted to lose myself.

Taking one step forward, I paused. I’d never really been the one to make the first move and I didn’t know how. At a loss as to what to do from here, I glanced down at my little box of treats and felt emotion swell in my chest. I could feel Calix’s massive presence surrounding me, but I still felt - empty. I knew I would continue to feel empty until he touched me. I needed him to touch me.

Looking up at him, I found he was already watching me. His expression was intense and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of it. Why was he watching me so closely? Could he see my internal struggle? Was the truth of my feelings painted right on my face for him to see? Could he see how insecure I was? Did he know how terrified I felt? Why was he watching me?

“Calix,’ I breathed his name on a shaky breath. “I,”

He cocked his head, waiting. “What is it, love?” He asked gently.

“I’m sorry - for what I said.”

He blinked slowly. Pulling a deep breath in through his nasal, I watched as his chest filled before he released it. “Do you mean that?”

Did I? He was my captor - if I regretted anything in my life - it should be knowing him. But I didn’t. I knew it was wrong, but damn, I didn’t regret knowing him. Because as oddly bizarre as the circumstances were, Calix was the only man who had ever made me feel so alive.

“Yes,” I nodded. “I do mean it.”

“Say it.” He commanded and I knew he was back. Authoritative Calix had made his reappearance with a bang.

“I don’t regret knowing you.” I whispered.

At my words, something in his expression broke. The controlled restraint he’d been emitting shattered and he stepped toward me. Catching the nape of my neck, he breathed. “I’m going to kiss you, love.”

I didn’t say anything as he watched my eyes. Instead, I simply closed them. Unable to talk, closing my eyes was the only way I could tell him I accepted this - us - him.

And then his lips were on mine. They were soft and warm. The pressure of him against me was gentle. My heart raced, throbbing in my chest as he pulled my bottom lip between his. Gently biting before his tongue slipped out to lap at my tingling flesh.

He spoke against my mouth, “You taste so good, love.” I sighed, feeling his lips curl in a pleased smile. “You know I’ll never let you go now, Nova.” I opened my eyes to gaze up at him unsurely. “You’ve sealed your fate with me, love.”

Even though I couldn’t bring myself to accept his words, I couldn’t dispute them either. At my silence, Calix slipped his hand from the nape of my neck, down my shoulder to my hand. He took the box of macaroons from me before lacing his fingers through mine.

Staring down at our linked hands, I couldn’t help but wonder dazedly, what I was doing with him.

Chapter 14

Calix closed the door of his bedroom before turning to face me. His eyes were still bright - almost iridescent - and my heart was still racing. The butterflies that had chosen residence in my belly since meeting Calix were fluttering persistently.

“I need to take a shower, love.” His eyes flickered over my body and I felt heat flush my skin. Why did I respond so easily - so intimately - to him? “I’d like for you to join me.”

“I,” I shook my head. Stunned by his forward statement. I really don’t know why it shocked me. It shouldn’t have. Calix was terribly blunt. “I don’t,”

“I’m not giving you a choice, love.” Calix informed matter of fact and I felt my mouth pop open in startled shock. “You will be joining me.”

I frowned as I watched Calix move with the grace of a panther to the sitting area of his bedroom. Placing the box of treats on the coffee table, he turned to look at me. In his eyes, I saw resolution and I wondered where the patient, careful man, who had come back from work disappeared to.

Pulling a breath into my lungs, I stood my ground. “I’m not comfortable showering with you.”

“And until you’ve showered with me, you’ll never be comfortable with the idea.”

“So you’re taking away my choice?” I leaned against the wall, feeling overwhelmed.

He cocked his head. “You never had
choice
, Nova. I told you that was why I took you rather than courted you. Choice is an illusion I didn’t want to have to argue with you about.”

“Wow,” I blinked as I tried to allow his words to sink in.

He took a step toward me. “I thought we were getting somewhere?”

I scoffed. “So did I.” I rubbed my temple. “I must have hit my head,” I laughed and the sound was nearly hysterical. “Or maybe I was coming down with something to think that I missed you. Obviously, I was delusional.” I waved my hand like a crazy person. “Temporary insanity!”

He cocked his head and his cerulean eyes shimmered. His voice was deep, “You missed me?”

I tensed, feeling as though I was nothing more than prey in his presence. Determinedly, I lifted my chin. “I thought I did. Now I know I just didn’t know how to be here alone.”

He smirked. “We’re getting somewhere, love. You might not see it yet, but you will. Eventually.”

“I doubt that.” I smiled tightly.

“It doesn’t matter.” Calix brushed it off. I watched through wary eyes as he crossed the bedroom, pausing before the bathroom door. “Come.”

I shook my head. “I said I wasn’t comfortable with this.”

“And I made it clear you had no choice.” His eyes darkened. “Did you somehow misunderstand me?”

I folded my arms over my chest and wished I could blend into the wall pressed tight against my back. “I understood, Calix.”

“Then come.” He lifted his hand in a beckoning gesture that made me grit my teeth.

Childishly, I stomped my foot. “Are you seriously going to make me shower with you?”

“Yes.” His eyes narrowed. “Among other things.”

“Other things?” My voice squeaked. The man was positively insane! “What
other
things?”

“Nova,” his voice was a warning I was too stressed out to pick up on. “If you don’t walk your little ass over here, I’ll be forced to come and get it.”

“I’m not a child!” I snapped. I was irritated. The man was bossy with a capital B. “You have no right to charge me around.”

“But I do.” He took a step toward me, and then another followed. My heart raced, but I didn’t move from where I was standing against the wall. Somehow, I was under the delusion that I was safe if only my body remained in contact with the firm structure. “I have every right to do whatever I wish to you. You are mine.”

Calix didn’t stop walking until he was standing in front of me. He was so close I could feel his heat, but right now, the warmth wasn’t welcome. I wanted the sincere, macaroon gifting man to reappear. I liked him.

Calix didn’t say anything in response to my silence. Instead, he lifted his hand between us. Hooking his finger around a button of my sweater, he popped it open. My breath caught, and I tried to swat his hand away.

“What is wrong with you?” I hissed. “What makes you think this is alright?”

“The fact that you belong to me, love.” Calix replied without even a moment of hesitation.

He truly did believe, entirely, that he owned me. Body and all. The thought was a devastatingly terrifying one. It was poisonous.

I tried another route. “I’m not ready for something like this, Calix.” I felt a blush sting my cheeks and I looked to the floor. He had no idea how true that statement really was. This, feeling his hands on my body - I wasn’t ready for it. Seeing him naked and aroused while I was naked and vulnerable wasn’t a situation I wanted to face. Hell, it wasn’t a situation I
could
face.

He quirked a grin. “I’ll get you ready, love. Don’t worry about that.”

Confusion screwed my expression and my reply was hoarse. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His hand slipped into the now open front of my sweater to caress my side. I could feel the heat of his palm over my shirt. He explained huskily, “I’ll make you wet, Nova.”

Understanding settled in and my head spun as panic flared. I felt my skin pale as the blood rushed from my head. A small gasp sounded from my lips and I leaned my head back against the wall.

I was going to be sick.

Calix planned to fuck me in the shower.

My first time.

No...

I felt Calix’s hand still against my side where he’d been touching me before stepping back. “Nova?” He questioned, cupping my face. “Are you alright?”

Shaking my head from side to side slowly, I protested. “No,”

“You’re pale.” He leaned in close to my face, “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I can’t do what you want,” I croaked, feeling the swell of tears. “I
can’t
.”

Pulling back, he asked gruffly. “Are you a virgin, Nova?”

Weakly and slightly ashamed, I nodded. “Yes,”

Calix didn’t reply. The silence beat between us for so long that I looked up. His face was tense and his eyes were wild. His jaw was clenched tight and his hands were fisted at his side. He looked mad. “You’re lying.”

“No,” I gasped. “I’m not.”

“You had a boyfriend for two years.” He stated. “How could you still be a virgin?”

Suddenly angry, I spoke. “Not everyone resorts to force, Calix.”

Fire ignited in his eyes. “No man would have stayed with you for two years, Nova. Not without,”

I cut him off. “He wasn’t a man, Calix. He was a boy. We dated from the beginning of grade nine to the end of grade ten and we broke up because I wanted to save myself for marriage!”

Suddenly, he grinned. My palm tingled, itching to slap him hard in the face. “Looks like you got what you always wanted.”

And then I did it. I slapped him. The loud crack of my palm against his cheek ricocheted through the room. Stunned, I pulled my hand into my chest. “You’re a bastard.”

Calix’s eyes on me were enough to make my skin pebble with goosebumps. They were filled with ice that chilled me down to the very marrow of my bones. “Undress yourself, Nova.”

“No.”

“Do it, or I will.”

“We aren’t married.” I was grasping at straws now. “You said I got what I wanted.”

“We don’t have to be married for what I’m going to do to you.” He growled. “Remove your clothes.”

“What are you going to do?” I whispered.

“I’m going to make you come, love.” His words were spoken through biting anger. “I’m going to make that pretty little cunt of yours ache with a need only I can satisfy. You’ll be so wet, so hot for me, your pussy will seduce your body of your minds restrictions. By the end of this night, you’ll be begging me to fuck you.”

His words rattled me and melted me. They melted me in the very place I didn’t want to feel him. And I hated him for it. So deeply, I loathed my captor. “I won’t.”

“You will.” His eyes burned. “Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way, this is your choice.”

“What’s the hard way?” I asked pitifully.

He grinned. “You can fight me and I’ll tie you up so tight, you’ll have no choice but to take what I give you.”

I frowned. “And the easy way?”

“You can undress yourself, join me for a shower, and allow me to give you pleasure.”

I blinked. “You’re going to fuck me?”

“Not until you beg me.”

“Never.” I whispered.

He shrugged. “We’re done going in circles. Take off your clothes.”

I didn’t move. Mostly because I couldn’t.

He spoke again. “Easy or hard, Nova?”

I breathed. “Easy.”

“Good girl,” he purred.

Good girl, my ass! Just because I wasn’t choosing restraints and who knows what else, did not mean I
wanted
this in any way. I didn’t. Actually, I was dreading this with every fiber of my being. Because as much as I liked to tell myself I wouldn’t beg for him, that I wouldn’t allow myself to stoop so low, I didn’t really know. Calix made me feel things I didn’t know how to interpret. He made me want, ache, and need when I shouldn’t. Somehow, when Calix touched me, all rational thought just dissipated. Right blurred with wrong and sense meshed with senselessness. Every time Calix touched me, I lost a little more of myself to him. Soon, there would be nothing left to lose. Soon, I really would belong to Calix. Completely and irrevocably. There wasn’t much I feared more in this world.