“Everyone here is watching you, admiring your wonderful body,” he murmurs. His fingers close around my neck, tightening. “It’s amazing what turns some people on, Charlotte.”
He leans closer to me, taking my nipple in his mouth. I squeal as he bites down, pain searing through me. From his pocket he retrieves a pair of handcuffs. He takes my wrists in one hand, lacing the cuff around each wrist and then securing them above my head to the pole that sits behind me. My eyes scan the crowd as Jaxon loosens his tie. He threads it from his neck. He kneels down until his gaze is level with mine.
“You know what I hate, Charlotte?” he asks. He doesn’t wait for my response as he secures the tie over my head, the silky fabric soft against my eyes. “People who think they know better than I do. People who will do anything to get ahead in life, no matter who they hurt.”
My breathing catches as panic begins to rise inside me. He knows. Oh, God, he knows. I twist my wrists against their constraints, trying desperately to break free. Being unable to see, I rely on my hearing to try to figure out where he is and what he plans to do with me.
“Everyone out.”
I jump, Jaxon’s cold, harsh voice cutting through me. I listen to the sounds of people moving around. The door opens and closes until there is silence. If I concentrate hard enough, I can make out the sound of his breathing. He’s close but not touching me. My body screams for his contact but my mind is nervous. His mood changes so quickly and so often it scares me.
I flex my wrists against the cuffs. I have no way of escaping if this all goes south. My heart begins to thud loudly in my chest as panic rises. I’ve placed way too much trust in a man I barely know. A man I’m lying to. God knows what he’s going to do to me. My blood runs cold. I shiver, my body shaking as I feel his breath against my face.
“What do you want from me, Charlotte?”
I gasp as his finger runs up my thigh and along my wet pussy. I’m so turned on right now, much more than I should be. The handcuffs, the blindfold…that voice…it’s driving me insane.
“Please,” I gasp. He slides a finger inside me, his expression giving nothing away. I cry out, terrified and aroused at the same time “Let me explain.”
He laughs. “Explain?” he scoffs, his voice harsh. “I’m not going to waste time listening to your excuses, Charlotte. Why are you so insistent on delving into my life? I don’t like it when my girls disobey me.”
“You said you wanted someone who would challenge you,” I fire back, breathless. I’m hardly in the position to be arguing with him.
“Challenge? Yes. Betray? Not so much.”
His voice gets softer as he leans closer to me, so close I can feel his warm breath on my neck. My heart is racing because I have no idea whether this is part of his game or if he is truly angry with me. Something tells me I really don’t want to see this man pissed off.
“It concerns me that you’ve been speaking to your little friend about me. It makes me wonder why you’re really here. So I did my own investigating.”
Friend? What is he…? My blood runs cold. He must have tapped my phone. It’s the only way he could know about my calls to Jess. And if he knows about her, then he must know about Erren.
“A journalism degree, Charlotte? You thought I wouldn’t find out?” He laughs bitterly and my heart sinks.
This isn’t good….
“I’m not…” My voice trails off. “The only reason I’m here is because I needed a job. That’s it.”
He pauses for a moment before replying.
“I wish I believed you, Charlotte, I really do. Now I need to decide what I’m going to do with you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to think about where this is headed. My restraints snap open. My eyes fly open as he removes the tie. He reaches for my arm, yanking me to my feet.
“Get dressed,” he orders, throwing my dress at me. Shaking, I slide it over my head. He grabs hold of my wrist and marches me toward the exit. I want to know where he’s taking me but I don’t dare ask. We walk through the small foyer, past the group of men who were only moments ago watching us. I lower my head, ashamed that my life has brought me to this.
Jaxon glances at me. “Embarrassed?” he says, his voice harsh. He laughs. “You should be. Get in the car.” He opens the door and waits impatiently for me to climb in, slamming it closed after me.
He doesn’t say a word as he slides into the driver’s seat and starts the car. My hands fidget in my lap as he exits the parking lot. He reaches over to the dash and presses a button. I jump as the doors lock.
“Is that really necessary?” I ask before I can stop myself. “Do you think I’m going to jump out of a moving car?”
He throws me a murderous look. “With you, Charlotte, anything is possible.”
Chapter 18
Charlotte
We’ve arrived back at his house. He doesn’t say a word as he gets out of the car and walks around to my side. He opens the door and his fingers close around my arm. I cry out as he yanks me from my seat. I wish he’d just yell at me, because the silence is worse. I have no idea what he’s thinking or what he plans to do with me.