And he got up and walked away. But first, he released her, and kissed her injured wrist, then her ankles.
Immersed in the warm water, with the young woman leaning against him, settled between his thighs, she felt his firm, huge, muscular body differently, and especially that part of him that had awakened as soon as they'd stood in the huge bathtub big enough for four people.
She'd been right. He was as dominant as he was insatiable. But he'd still had enough delicacy to spare her a second assault even though it was her first time for sodomy. And speaking of which, she could feel his fingers expertly tending to her black hole.
Hole he'd invaded and garnished.
"What are you doing?" she asked, trying to stop his hand.
"I'm washing you. I've got an accessory to do it faster but I'm too lazy to go and get it, but don't worry, I don't need it because it'll simply take longer."
He took his time, as he said, as he wished.
She felt flowing out of her his...
They stayed in the bath for a long time, and at one point he changed his expression and said to her.
"What you did was stupid."
He was talking about her knife wound.
"Maybe, but I don't regret anything."
He tensed and his face became relentless.
"If you knew how many people would give anything to receive the same protection I'm offering you. You have no idea what their fate is because they didn't get it."
Crystal's heart pounded achingly in her chest as as her captor's words were assimilated in her. He had taken a significant tone, which obviously revealed a personal connection. But above all, he meant that the stakes were too high to let go, even for a moment.
Yet he'd made that mistake with her, as he must have done in the past. He was human, after all. However, with Brad lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike, he couldn't afford to let Crystal remain vulnerable.
This made her realize that, in fact, apart from his physical greatness, his incredible talent for sex and his dominant personality, she knew nothing about him.
He gave her everything a woman could want in a physical relationship, although she should have been ashamed to feel such pleasure with those chains that go against morality and pride, and yet he remained a complete stranger to her, and she had never until now tried to remedy that.
The day after tomorrow, she asked him to visit the suite.
He was surprised and on his guard.
He asked, "Why? You've already visited everything. You've already explored every nook and cranny of this suite, and now know it by heart even more than I do."
She shrugged.
"Out of politeness and sociability." she said; falsely nonchalant, but in fact it was mainly to simplify the introduction of the discussion between them, and also to find the opportunity to ask him a favor, without the latter making him too wary...
He remained suspicious and crossed his arms, taking that great leader pause he was and knew so well how to do.
"'But still?
Crystal thought again and conciliated. That was always the best weapon.
"Look, I think we've started our... 'cohabitation' on the wrong foot..."
"So you're finally accepting my protection?"
"You mean my captivity?"
"The word is just a detail." he had the audacity to assert. She felt like throwing something at his head, but it wasn't time yet.
"You're right, so could you show me around."
Jarrod considered her for a few seconds, then sketched a gesture as if to say that, indeed, it didn't really matter.
He nodded, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Fair enough. Now, let's go then doing an official tour of the apartment. I think we'll find it quite interesting, all things considered."
Crystal took a deep breath, steeling herself for a confrontation that was probably inevitable. He perfectly knew Crystal would not be happy about her sudden abduction, but her safety was the only thing that mattered to him. But as his hypocritical father often said to all these criminals, it was not an excuse.
With a resolute expression, she followed her captor for a further visit of the suite.
As the visit progressed, the young woman kept telling herself that the apartment was truly sumptuous, and that was an understatement.
She was not at all surprised to discover that her preference was for a minimalist, uncluttered décor, as he never cluttered up and was content with only the essentials. But what essentials!
And most importantly, it was a secure location, a luxurious apartment tucked away from prying eyes, where he really could keep her safe until the threat had passed.
The gym, with all its state-of-the-art equipment, had to be used every day. She was going to spend a lot of time there too, that is, if Jarrod gave her a bit of strength to spare...
As Jarrod led Crystal through the expansive living space, she couldn't help but marvel at the attention to detail and the sheer opulence of her surroundings. The kitchen was sleek and modern, the living room furnished with plush couches and a state-of-the-art entertainment system. But it was the study that truly captured her attention.
Rows of mahogany bookshelves lined the walls, their shelves filled with an extensive collection of literature and nonfiction volumes. An ornate desk stood in the center of the room, its surface cleared save for a laptop and a few carefully placed documents.
"This is my favorite room," Jarrod said, his gaze sweeping over the space with obvious fondness. "I spend a lot of time here, working on my various business ventures and personal projects."
Crystal trailed her fingers along the spines of the books, her curiosity piqued.
She took her time to compose herself, for she had expected anything but this confidence from Jarrod, but especially this admission of vulnerability from him. Most of the time, he always seemed so cold and impenetrable, concerned only with his own whims and desires, and suddenly he'd willingly given her a glimpse of such vulnerability, it was staggering.
"You must be quite the voracious reader," she commented, glancing back at him.
Jarrod's lips curved into a small smile. "You could say that. Books have always been a source of comfort and inspiration for me." His expression grew more thoughtful, a shadow passing over his features. "They've also helped me through some of the darkest times in my life."
Crystal felt a surge of empathy, despite her better judgment. There was an undeniable sadness in Jarrod's eyes, a haunted quality that she couldn't quite place. Sensing finally the opportunity to learn more about her captor, she asked, "What happened? If you don't mind me asking, that is."
Jarrod admired her perfect face, illuminated by the morning light, then smiled.
"How about we play the trivia game."
This sudden change of subject took Crystal by surprise, but she'd more or less expected it. Her captor was the kind of man who confided in others with difficulty.
"Explain."
"Each asks the other a question in turn."
She gave a brief chuckle.
"Why should we since you already know everything about me."
He shook his head with conviction.
"Not everything, only what was useful to me professionally speaking, but what's underneath appearances...I'm still completely ignorant of."
"Like what?"
"Like your favorite color, for instance, or your first kiss, or your favorite position."
"I knew you...!"
He caressed her cheek, her lips with such paralyzing sensuality.
"And I'll tell you mine too. Then maybe we could do each other a favor."
She parted her lips and let him invade her mouth with his thumb, caressing her tongue as she, she had caressed the tip of his sex.
"You're so beautiful."
Jarrod couldn't help himself and took possession of her mouth with a brief sigh.
It wasn't long before he had her up against the nearest wall, pressing himself against her as she arched her back against him.
He kissed her over and over as if to drink her in. But just as Crystal thought he was going to undress them there and take her standing, he detached himself from her, took a deep breath, and smiled at her.
"You know what effect you're having on me, but I'm going to die if we ever go on like this."
"You dirty old man." she insulted him with an irresistible malicious expression.
"You know you're going to pay for this. And I also have the impression that you're doing everything you can to."
"If that's what you think."
"I'd love to ask you for your panties, but...you're not wearing any."
"And whose fault is that?"
They settled on a wonderfully soft sofa.
"So the game, do you want to start?"
"For once you're giving me a choice."
She pondered.