Captive Romance

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Rebecca woke from a peaceful sleep, finding that she was still wrapped snugly in Brantley's arms. Her eyes wandered down his angled face, so peaceful in slumber. She took in the lines of his neck that led down to those broad, well-muscled shoulders.

His strong arm was wrapped around her and her bare skin was flush against his torso. This was a new situation for Rebecca who had never before awaken in a man's arms.... She'd never fallen asleep with a man either. Martin had his own bedroom and she was expected to leave it and return to her room when he'd finished with her.

But Brantley had loved her body in ways that Rebecca had not known possible. He had taken time to taste and worship every last inch of her and she'd found her release countless times before they'd both collapsed upon the lumpy mattress and fell deep and contentedly asleep, curled up into each other.

Rebecca's soul was conflicted. On one hand, she felt more at peace and alive here with Brantley than she'd felt in nearly a decade. The connection she felt with his kindred spirit was strong and it was real and it felt so very right. But on the other hand....

On the other hand she wore another man's ring. A man who had paid good money for her. A man who had been decent to her all these years despite her inability to give him the one thing he truly desired. Not to mention, she was only here with Brantley because she'd been kidnapped by the men he called family.

But, that wasn't Brantley's fault and he had offered to allow her to leave—which she knew would mean trouble for him; possibly even death when his gang members returned.

Suddenly feeling overwhelmed and in desperate need of air, Rebecca disentangled herself from Brantley's body and slid from the bed. He grunted but showed no other signs of waking. Slipping into her clothes quickly, Rebecca left the tiny room and entered the main cabin, realizing there was early morning light streaming through the windows.

After a quick trip to the outhouse, Rebecca decided to see to some breakfast. After being denied simple household chores and duties for so long, it felt liberating to do them once more.

After building a fire in the cookstove, Rebecca peeled several potatoes and placed them and some eggs in a pan to fry.

She walked to the window, as they cooked, and stared out at the miles of land stretching off into the horizon. Why did she feel so comfortable here? Why did this shack, which was essentially a prison, feel more a home after a couple of days than Martin's giant mansion after nearly a decade?

As her mind struggled to come up with the answer to her questions, Rebecca felt a strong set of arms wrap around her middle and a warm mouth caressed her bare neck. Trembles coursed through her. Brantley's touch inspired heat and hunger like she had never known and yet it already felt familiar and warm and somehow comforting.

"Good morning," he greeted, his deep voice washing against her ear and rumbling out of the broad chest pressed to her back.

Rebecca leaned into him and let out a shaking breath. "Good morning."

"Why did you leave the bed?"

Rebecca hadn't been expecting that question. She laid her arms over his on her stomach and shrugged a shoulder. "We're going to need food to keep our strength up," she replied, hoping her voice contained the teasing coyness she was attempting.

Brantley grunted. He pulled away, spun her around gently and then pulled her back against him, this time smoothing hair from her face and looking into her eyes. "Don't lie. Despite my upbringing and unlawful ways, I am a fairly educated man and I'm good at reading. Right now, your eyes are telling one hell of a story. Do you regret last night?"