5

Vincenzo

"He's joking, right?" Her voice drifts over from where she's been curled up on the bed for the past half-hour.

I gaze up through the skylight, sunlight streaming into the room. It had been late evening when we entered that house and found the family we'd been searching for. Was that just yesterday? It must be. I can't have lost more than a day, can I? It's hard to tell. Besides feeling extremely hungry and sensing I've missed a few meals, I'd have no idea how much time has passed. My stomach grumbles loudly in the silence of the room.

"They'll bring us food before sunset. That's what they've done the last couple of days. It's not bad, freshly cooked, so there's someone in the house," I say, though I don't expect a response.

Ignoring her, Frederick had exited the room, locking the door behind him. I couldn't resist checking the door myself—it was, predictably, locked. Turning back, I found her staring at me, her amber eyes wide in her disheveled face. She looked angry and bewildered, and I half expected her to lash out or break down. Instead, she marched to the bed, threw herself onto it, and turned away from me. I moved to the opposite wall, sliding down to the floor where I stayed until she questioned if Frederick had been joking.

"Unfortunately not," I finally concede.

"Huh?" She blinks rapidly.

"The answer to your earlier question," I nod towards her, "is that he wouldn't have gone through all this trouble to get both of us here if it was just a joke. He's planned everything meticulously." I rap my knuckles against the wall. "This place is soundproof, even the floor. It's temperature-controlled. And, of course, there's the camera."

She sits up, folding her legs underneath her. "Who is he? Why is he doing this?"

"As you probably figured out, he was my father's partner. Clearly, he's still angry about what he thinks my father did. My father, who was a real pain for me and my brothers." I rest my elbow on my knee and lean forward. "For some twisted reason, he's determined to make me suffer for my father's actions."

"But why involve me in all of this? Why put me through this?" she asks.

"Seems like he needed a woman for his plan," I shrug. "You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"So, I'm just unlucky?" She tightens her lips.

"Looks that way."

"And what did you mean by saying you perform better when you're watched?" she presses.

"I meant exactly what I said. I enjoy having an audience when I have sex."

She blushes. "So, that's your thing?"

"Well, I do believe that's the first time I've heard you say that word."

She lifts her chin. "I say it all the time."

"No, you don't," I smirk. "You have no idea what I'm talking about."

"Yes, I do. You like having sex when someone is watching," she retorts.

"And even when they're not," I drawl. "In fact, in your case, I wouldn't mind either way."

"Oh, get lost," she crosses her arms. "I'm not going to sleep with you, just so you know."

"Isn't that a challenge?"

"A statement."

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"Only when I’m locked up in a room with an a-hole—"

"—Alphahole."

"—who thinks the world begins and ends with him."

"It does," I retort.

"Hello, open your eyes. We're trapped in this room and a pervert— "she glances with distaste at the camera and shudders "—is watching us, and he’s made it very clear that he’s not letting us leave until you and I... Uh, you and I—"

"Fuck?" I supply helpfully.

"Yeah, that." Her face seems to grow even rosier, if that’s possible.

"I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman who blushes so much," I state.

"I’m not blushing.” She scoffs. “Who says I am blushing?"

"So, if you touch your cheeks, you won’t find them warm?"

She shakes her head.

"Hmm, I think you’re lying.” I rise to my feet.

She squeaks. "Wh-what are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" I prowl toward her and she stares at me in horror.

"Keep to your side of the room, please," she says crisply.

I chuckle. "Nice professorial voice you have going there. Is that one of the roles you’ve played? Speaking of… Do you like role-play?" I close the distance to her. "That’s one of my particular fantasies, actually."

"I-it is?" She gulps.

I nod. "To play teacher-student… Where I’m the professor, of course, and I fuck my student after I’ve turned her over my knee and spanked her for being impertinent to me." I reach the bed; she scrambles back into a corner.

"Anyone ever tell you you’re romantic?" She huffs.

"Only all the time." I chuckle. "So, what do you say? You up for some horizontal action?"

"No, of course not," she snaps. "And don’t think you’re going to get any from me."

"Any what?" I can’t stop my lips from quirking. She’s so cute when she’s all hot and bothered. And why do I find that attractive, anyway?

"Any…" She bites the inside of her cheek. "Oh, you know what."

"No, I don’t." I tilt my head. "Why, my feisty little Angel, I do think you’re embarrassed by the ’s’ word.”

"No, I’m not," she protests.

"So, say it then."

"Sex." She throws up her hands. "Happy now? Don’t expect to get any sex from me."

"Oh, but I am not going to get it. I am going to take it from you. But it’s not sex."

"What?"

"I’m going to have sex with you, Angel."

"No."

"Yes." I can't help but let my grin widen. "And when we do, not only will you welcome it... you'll ask for more."

"Keep dreaming," she scoffs.

"Until we do it, though, that bastard..." I gesture toward the camera. "He won’t let us leave."

"Frederick can go to hell. I’m not sleeping with you, especially not while that pervert watches."

"Hmm." I trace my finger along my lower lip. Truth be told, I’m not thrilled about Frederick watching us either. It’s not like I care if he sees me... but him watching her? Anger pulses through me. Nope, I won’t let him see her in that position. But how do I stop it?

"What's that 'hmm' supposed to mean?" She grimaces. "I don’t like the sound of that."

"Don’t worry your head about it." I deliberately use the phrase, knowing it’ll get under her skin. And bingo! She stiffens, her golden eyes blazing.

"Nice to know you still think of women in such outdated terms."

"So you’re saying you’re not pretty? Or small? Or that you don’t have beautiful hair?"

She opens and closes her mouth. "I think I’m going back to sleep. Wake me when the food comes." She lies back and turns toward the wall.

I let my gaze travel down her spine, from her broad shoulders to her narrow waist. The curve of her hips, her strong thighs that would grip me when I’m between her legs, her slender ankles and small feet...

She shifts, trying to get comfortable, and sighs. Adjusts again, then flips onto her back.

She stares at the ceiling, eyes wide open.

"Can’t sleep?" I ask.

She shakes her head, exhales heavily.

"How about we play a game?"