Capturing Kate by Alexis Alvarez Read Free Book Online Page B

women?”
    “First of all, you’re not my woman . And second of all, spanking isn’t hitting. It’s either part of a healthy sex life, enjoyed by both parties, or it’s an effective punishment for a disobedient sub. Which, right now, is what you are. Consider me your master for the time being.”
    “You are not my master.” She punched at him and he grabbed her hand, twisted, and got her in a grip hold. For a second she struggled in his arms, and the very act of fighting him made such arousal surge in her body that she stopped short, startled at the emotion.
    It was different from fighting against the kidnapper back at the car. This was something else. She wanted to get away, yes, but not because she was scared of him. A sudden realization hit: She trusted Sloan. For whatever reason, she knew he’d keep her safe to the best of his ability. And the other thing was that when she fought against him, she wanted him to fight back and take charge.
    “Kate?” He tilted his head to look into her face.
    “Quit it and let me go.” Not sure how to process her emotions, she yanked a hand free and slapped at him. It occurred to her that this, too, meant she trusted him: he wasn’t going to hit back. Not in violence. Not to hurt her.
    “Kate, you do that again and you’re going over my lap right this minute.” His voice was stern, and she pulled her hand back.
    “I need to pee again, and then I need a shower.” She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart. Why the hell did part of her want to be over his lap right now? What was wrong with her?
    He gave her a long look, then spoke. “You can wear an extra pair of my sweats and a t-shirt while we clean your clothes or get you new ones. And yeah, you do need a shower. You stink.”
    “Jesus. Really? You think? Why don’t you try getting kidnapped and beaten by a monster, and maybe you’ll vomit on yourself too and sweat like a pig or whatever. I’d like to see you handle that.” Her voice was thin and brittle and she crossed her arms defensively at his smile. “And it’s cruel to tie me up like that. What if you died in the night? Then I’d starve here. I read that’s one of the most painful ways to die. Plus I’d have to smell your rotting corpse the entire time, which would make it extra horrible. Is that what you want for me?”
    “Are you really worried about that or are you trying to be funny?”
    “Oh, now corpses are hilarious? Why don’t we head on down to the cemetery for a real laugh fest. Of course I’m legitimately upset. Can’t you tell?” She scowled at him but couldn’t hold back her own small grin. “It’s only funny because I happen to be a person with a fantastic sense of humor. But I don’t like being tied up.”
    He didn’t respond, but chuckled as he bent over to unlock the cuff on her ankle. She watched the muscles in his arms and shoulders move. “You could get out of this,” he mused, “but I’d notice and wake up and stop you. It’s a temporary deterrent.” He pulled some clothes from the pine chest in the corner, a pair of sweats and a shirt. “These will be too big but at least they’re clean. Here’s a bar of soap.”
    “Shampoo?”
    He raised his eyebrows. “Nope.”
    When she started down the hall, he called, “Wash carefully in the area of the wound, Kate. Don’t let the spray hit that part of your leg directly. Understand?”
    “Fine.” She rushed to the bathroom before he changed his mind, and couldn’t get the gauze and her sticky, nasty clothes off fast enough and when she was under the spray, soaping herself, she cried as the water came down. Why did this have to happen? One day she was a happy reporter, eager and excited to have a big break in her story, a woman with friends and a good life. And in the blink of an eye, she was a captive. Supposed to be dead. Presumed dead. Missing from her life.
    Were people wondering yet where she was? Her boss, probably not—after all, it was Mac Week, and the