The Arrangement

Chapter Twenty-Eight

As I sit in the passenger seat of Ashton's car the silence that fills the space between us is beyond intense.

I have no idea where we're going.

He's point blank refused to answer any of my questions. I was just told to put on this ridiculous dress, that in truth barely covers me. It's not so bad at the moment because the heat is on but if we get out of this car I'm quite literally going to freeze.

I probably could have just said no and refused, but I also let my intrigue take over. I want to know what he has planned, and the anticipation is causing my skin to tingle. It's a surreal feeling, and although anxiousness flows through me, there's no denying there's an excitement that mixes with it.

We left the city about ten minutes ago and the further he drives the more the scenery around us transforms from city lights and buildings to fields and shrubbery. Only adding further to the ominous feeling that continues to build around us.

There's a little voice inside my head that keeps reminding me that Ashton can cause serious harm if he wants to. Hell, I watched him do it just a few nights ago. Yet that thought doesn't exactly scare me, if anything it sends a thrill running straight through me. Like knowing he could easily overpower me and make me feel so fragile, utterly excites me.

It's not something I've experienced before, yet I want to soak in every ounce of it. Embrace the vulnerability that seems to be consuming me right now.

Something tells me his silence is a part of whatever he's got planned. Purposely building up the tension and unease in me. Making it almost impossible for me to concentrate on anything other than the pounding of my heart in my chest.

When he randomly turns down a dirt track shrouded by the cover of trees my throat goes almost unbearably dry.

"Ash, please tell me where we're going. I'm starting to get-" I croak, barely able to get the words out.

He cuts me off, his voice smooth yet tinged with a hint of something darker. "Scared?" He asks casting a brief glance in my direction, his gaze somewhat menacing. "Come on little mouse, I thought you liked it when I scared you"

There's something about the way he calls me little mouse that settles way down deep inside me and causes my thighs to clench together as I attempt to quell the way my clit has been throbbing since we left my apartment.

I know it's not used to be endearing, that's evidently clear by the way he says it. In truth it has my thoughts instantly wandering back to when they'd showed me the playroom and when Ashton told me exactly what it is he likes.

'I like to chase' he'd said and the reminder of those words has all of this clicking into place.

"Mouse" I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. "As in cat and mouse. You want to chase me." It's not a question. It's a statement as the puzzle pieces slot together.

The thought itself should terrify me, should have me attempting to escape as soon as he pulls the car to a stop ahead of a line of trees. But instead I stay rooted in place, just waiting for him to say something.

As he finally turns to me, Ashton's gaze flickers with something primal and the corners of his mouth curve into a knowing smile, one that's both thrilling and dangerous. "Clever little mouse," he murmurs, his voice a low purr that sends a shiver racing down my spine. "You've figured it out."

His gaze holds mine for a moment, a silent question hanging between us and I quickly gather that this is the time to hear he's giving me the option to back out. The decision is in my hands right now and for some reason I want to grab hold of it and embrace every moment of what's to come.