“I’m gonna stroke that pussy for myself,” he panted into my neck, breath hot and nasty. “I’m gonna feel those slutty folds for myself.”
“Help!” I screamed again in desperation and fear, full-blown panic taking over then. “Help!”
Suddenly, heavy footfalls sounded. Then a massive roar, and Mason burst from the trees, bolting into the open, expression a mask of rage, his teeth bared and savage.
One minute the strange man was touching me all over, making me scream with fear. And the next, he was on the ground, crying and screaming as Mason beat him to a pulp. Literally, the thuds were dangerous and devastating. Thump! Thump! Thump! came the heavy blows, interspersed with the crack of bones breaking. Even in the dark, I could see blood spurting, black pools forming on the ground.
“Stay! The Fuck! Away! From my girl!” Mason punched Jonas with each word, his breath harsh and savage in the circle of trees.
“Stop it, Carlton! Stop it!” Jonas screamed. “You’re breaking the rules.” His loud cries echoed around us, and I shivered with fear even as relief coursed through my veins. “I didn’t see her pussy!” Jonas shrieked again like a ten year-old girl. “We’re supposed to share! It’s in the rules, it’s in the rules!”
Mason got to his feet, panting and snarling, bloody fists clenched. “Maybe I shouldn’t be in this fucking club then.” He growled and turned to look at me, eyes wild. Then with one last kick, Jonas was silenced, curled in a fetal position on the ground. “I don’t care what the rules are, you’ll never see her sweet cunt. That belongs to me, and only me.”
And with a rough pull on my elbow, the alpha dragged me out of the park, my frozen form tripping behind that massive male bulk. What was happening? I’d been assaulted, only to have Mason jump out of the trees and literally save me from rape, humiliation, and who knew what else. So where were we going now? Was I safe? Or was I only jumping from the frying pan into the fire? Confused thoughts swirled in my head … and suddenly everything went dark.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Beth
“Baby, wake up.” Mason’s deep, powerful voice pulled me up from the darkness. “Let’s go home.”
Where was I? What was going on?
My eyes flickered open to see the big man looming above me, strong jaw cast in shadow. I squirmed and leaves crackled beneath my butt. Oh god. The park. That scary guy who tried to attack me. I gasped and looked around, frightened once again.
But Mason was here now.
“No worries honey. He’s gone. But we still have to get you out of here.” Slowly, I nodded, grabbing Mason’s big palm. And with a lurch, I was up, balancing shakily on my own two feet. The billionaire curved an arm around my waist, and I almost sobbed then. Because it felt so good, so warm and reassuring, but it shouldn’t have. He’d betrayed me, and here I was, melting into that maleness. Why was I so weak?
But Mason had other things on his mind.
“Come on, sweet thing,” he grabbed my arm urgently. “Git.”
Okay, okay. I could do this.
Taking a deep breath, I tumbled after Mason through the towering oaks, cold and afraid. Even with that muscular back leading the way, the night was still ominous, gray clouds trailing over the skies.
Because who was that man? Who was Jonas? Were other threats coming as well?
Terrified, my hand crept to my throbbing throat involuntarily. The skin stung where my attacker had squeezed, marks sure to show up tomorrow in mottled purple and red. And like an idiot, tears flowed hotly then, short, sharp, panted breaths escaping my lungs.
Because what had happened?
Who was that man?
I was okay now, right?
But I wasn’t safe. My attacker, Jonas, clearly knew Mason. So what was I doing, putting my life in the billionaire’s hands? My heart too?
The tears flowed like a river as we ran through the park.
Faster and faster, the ground churned by, even as my mind whirled.
It’d just been dreams.
My perfect existence had been nothing more than unicorns and rainbows, the fantasies of a stupid girl.
And reality was a thousand times worse, ugly with jagged edges.
God, why was this happening?
Mason stopped then, taking my hand urgently.
“Shh, baby, he won’t hurt you anymore. I promise.”
But I jerked my hand away from his, eyes wild.
“Don’t touch me!” was my shriek. “Don’t you ever touch me again!”
I didn’t want anyone to brush up against my filth. After all, noxious fumes emanated from my form, bits of vomit in my hair. I was a disgusting and dirty girl who’d spread her legs for the world to see. I was nothing more than a cunt attached to a bag of skin.
What had I done to deserve this?
Why me?
I thought our lovemaking had been amazing, Mason transporting us to another world. But instead, it’d just been a farce. What I believed was magical was actually slutty and whorish.