Callie's Captors [Mountain Men(31)

If any place is magical, this place is.

“Where are we going?”

“We’re meeting my brothers at the pond.” He picked up his pace even more and she had to jog to keep up.

“Do you remember the white-haired man you saw last night?”

“Sure. He was with the little guy that reminded me of an elf.” She hissed at her mistake. “I’m sorry. That was so un-PC of me. I can’t believe I said that.”

“Don’t worry about it. Titto wouldn’t mind. Anyway, the older man is Charlton and he heads up The Council. They’re the ones who determine the rules around here. What few we have, that is.”

“And?” She tensed up, expecting the worst.

“The Council has determined that you should stay a few days until we can sort things out.”

She froze. “And what if I don’t want to?”

“I’m sorry, Callie. That’s the way it has to be.”

He pulled her along with him until they broke through the tree line and to the edge of a beautiful pool of water. Even from where she was standing, several feet from it, she could see through the clear blue liquid to the bottom. Fish whipped about with one popping to the surface every once in a while.

Raine and Pete stood in the shallow part. Her heart picked up speed, almost forgetting what Blue had told her.

Holy crap. They’re naked.



* * * *



Blue could see the yearning on her face, but he could also see her hesitation. But he couldn’t blame her. Not after Raine told them what had happened last night. He’d almost lost control with his brothers. Both Pete and Raine had already lain with her—which drove him crazy—but not only had Raine done so, he’d done it after they’d agreed to leave her alone.

“Don’t worry, Callie. Nothing’s going to happen.” He couldn’t keep from running his gaze over her and imagining her body skimming through the water, her long hair trailing behind her. “Unless you want it to.”

Her response was swift and filled with anger. “Sorry. You’re shit out of luck. I’m not giving you the green light so you can complete the challenge, or game, or whatever the hell you guys want to call it.”

“That’s not what’s going on here.”

“Then why don’t you tell me what is going on?”

Although she was angry, her words spoken in a challenge, he could sense the longing inside her. She wanted to hear that she was wrong, yearned to believe what he’d tell her was the truth.

“I don’t know how to explain it well. You’re going to have to listen to your gut and recognize that what I’m saying is real.” He stepped closer to her, needing to touch her as though his touch would succeed where his words had failed. But she stayed out of his reach.

“There’s a special something happening between us. Between all four of us.”

Her anger diminished, but her knitted brow told him she wasn’t ready to accept everything he’d said. If she believed him enough to know that they weren’t playing games with her, then that’d be okay. For now.

“Do you trust us?” He stopped her with his palm up and facing her. “No, don’t answer yet. And don’t listen to your head. Listen to your heart. Then answer.” He paused, giving her time to do as he’d asked. “Do you trust us?”

“Yes. I think so.”

“Then believe me when I say this is not a game to us. Can you do that?”

She narrowed her eyes and he could almost see her mind warring with her heart. “Yes. I think I can.”

“Good. Then let’s have a little fun, okay?”

He paced to a large tree, reached out behind it, and brought out her backpack. “Pete brought this along.”

“Does that mean I can leave?” She took the bag from him and opened it to examine the contents.

Did she think they’d stolen her stuff? That and the way she’d glared at him cut him to the bone. He had a lot to make up to her, but, if he had his way, he’d have a lifetime to do it.

“No.”

She pulled herself taller. “And what if I take off right now?”

“I’ll have to stop you any way I can.”

“So I’m still a prisoner. Are you planning on tying me up again?”

“Only if you want me to.” If she said yes, he’d grab the first thing he could to tie her up, then strip her clothes off. His wolf howled with delight as he pictured her, bound, lying on the green grass at his feet.

Her eyes flashed before she took a step back. “Don’t even think about it. Can I at least take some photos? Or is that not allowed, too?”

“Sure. Go ahead.” Whatever pictures she took would never leave The Hidden. He would make certain of that.