A wince drew her breath as her foot caught on something hard. Kneeling, she found a dull piece of metal. As she dug the dirt away from it, she gasped when she realized what it was. Slowly, she unearthed the small, rusted spade. The examination of the small shovel brought tears to her eyes as she stood up, looking for her grandmother as if she’d come out of the bush to claim it.
No one came. No one at all came to claim this piece of her precious past. She had traveled from her wooden bathing tub to wander in all this overgrown meadow to find her peace. This small gardening tool was able somehow to bring her the much-needed tranquility she’d longed for all her life. Her grandmother had been right. There were voices and memories here. The wonderful woman she had spent so much time with had made this a place of joy for the ones who’d been here. She’d created a space sacred for them and in turn made a place for Lily to come to and be at happy.
Deep down inside she knew she deserved it, to be down here. And now, looking at this simple yet complicated artifact of her past, she knew she was where she needed to be. Being in this placed wasn’t an imprisonment, it was a confirmation of freedom. Freedom to let Keith’s hurtful comments go, to enjoy watching two men fuck, and find pleasure in pain.
She wanted to be kept in this shack, this meadow, because it brought her the pleasure of release, of acceptance. She knew now that she needed to experience everything that fear and joy could bring. She deserved to be loved by someone who could be her other half—an alpha for her omega. Someone who could supply her demand for all things forbidden and find the same peace in eroticism as she did. Her someone. Her hero.
My Adam.
Lily returned to the cabin, wild daisies and dandelions in hand, to find the door still standing open. A sharp sensation made her calf itch. She inspected her legs to find the thin cuts from the thorns on the wild roses. She set her bounty of flowers on the stoop and set out to rinse her legs in the wooden barrel. The washcloth and soap were missing. She turned around to see if someone was near. No one. Inspecting the shack again, she noticed the door wasn’t as open as she’d left it.
She finished rinsing her legs and rushed inside to find a cleaned basin, tray of food, and pitcher of ice water. She looked down and wished he’d at least left her some clothes. But who was going to see anyway, the ghost bringing her the new supplies?
The journal was gone. She smiled and sat down next to the tray. Again, she filled her belly and drank from the pitcher. This was what she wanted, what she needed. Thank God her captor had opened the windows. She was excited by the thought of the night’s breeze floating through the darkness and wrapping around her. Instead of fearing it, she found herself welcoming the intrusion.
Lily snuggled on the mattress and drifted into a deep sleep. She jerked awake some time later and lolled around on the mattress, trying to fully wake up. She began to pace the floor when she noticed the door had been shut. It had been open when she’d fallen asleep. And the tray of food was gone. The need to make contact with Adam made her eyes water. She wanted to curl up in the corner and scream, but what good was that going to do? The situation was completely out of her control.
Dusk had set in as Lily looked out one of the small windows. She shook it as hard as she could, to only open it halfway. She reached her head out to see the moon’s glow igniting the tree line. The sound of soft footsteps scraped across the porch. The thud in her chest beat like the hooves of a wild stallion. She quickly turned and watched the door creak open.
This time Adam didn’t make an attempt to hide his presence. He stood in the doorway half naked, silently watching her.
Was she dreaming? Had she finally gone mad down here? “Adam?” Her voice was dry and weak.
He maintained his silence as he set the journal on the floor. His dark hair was a wavy mess, and his stubbled chin was a reminder that this adventure was taking a toll on him as well. He wore no shirt, only a pair of loose-fitting jeans that hugged his narrow waist. The dark work boots that he was wearing were covered with dirt. He was sweaty and covered with what looked like a patchy layer of sawdust. Each muscle of his broad chest twitched. His tight abdomen flexed and released. His muscled biceps curled as one hand rested on his hip and the other held… What was that?
Lily’s lips split into a full smile. The clear glass bowl held a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream covered with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. He’d brought her a piece of heaven. She couldn’t help but let a giggle escape as she cautiously walked closer to him. Heaven was right! She could see the beads of sweat glistening across his broad chest, reminding her of the pain between her thighs.