Natural Submission: Book 1 of the Submission Series by Cordelia Caldwell Read Free Book Online Page B

it hadn’t exactly been all day, but it felt like it, and even though it wasn't that late, the forest, and the season made it seem later.
    The towering trees had started producing shadows and it was harder and harder to see in the encroaching darkness. All of a sudden her spine stiffened at the thought of the coming darkness. Who knew what wild things lived in these woods? Francine had been a Biology major in school specializing in Herbalism, but animals? That was definitely not her shtick. If it was on four legs she definitely didn't want to mess with it if it wasn't on a plate. Certainly not out here, in its natural element, in the dark .
    What was worse? The woods with the animals, or the cabin with K? Clearly this is the point he’d been trying to make - asshole. Thinking of K made her think of that breakfast and that kiss. He was so different from the men she’d dated in the past. He was rugged and raw, untamed, like this damned forest. She thought about dinner the night before and breakfast this morning. How the food had been presented on the plate. She’d never met anyone that could cook like that. She thought about the bathroom and the soap, just for her. He was thoughtful and at the same time scary. Very scary. She thought about the collar and her fear of it. He’d said it was a tracking device.
    She looked around her for the first time thinking what if something did happen to her out here, and it got dark? What if she passed out from hunger? As a scientist she knew that realistically the thirst would get her first, and even that would take several days. Boy, these were upbeat thoughts.
    He had said she could go home, maybe. What if she promised not to run? Then he wouldn’t need the collar. Uh yeah, because you’ve been so good about not running so far Francine. She sighed heavily at the now familiar feeling of frustration. She had just been so sure she would have found help by now.
    Instead she found herself tired and hungry and wanting a shower. Even she knew she could only survive so long on roots and tenacity. Her spine wilted and she hung her head over her knees in defeat, her hair forming a protective tent around her face. What was she going to do?
    Snap! What was that?! Was that sound - natural? She looked around her. The wind whistled through the bare tree branches. That crack sounded new, unlike anything she’d heard the forest make before. A spike of adrenaline went through her body causing her to sit straight up in alert.
    There it was again! Had he found her? She stood up and darted around looking for cover. There was an old abandoned structure about 10 feet in front of her. Only 2 sides were left. It looked like something someone might have built for a well or water pump. Francine darted behind it trying to catch a breath. After a moment she peeked around trying to peer through the ever increasing haze but saw nothing. She leaned back trying to catch a breath. “Looking for me?” K said right next to her.
    Panic screamed like acid through Francine’s system making her try to leap forward but K caught her easily. “Oh no, I do think that’s enough running through the forest like a wild gazelle for one day.” But still she twisted and squirmed in his arms. Of course after a full day of walking and missing lunch, if felt like her struggles were exhausted all too soon. “The last two hours you’ve walked in circles Francine.” He added. She wilted in his arms the rest of the way, leaning heavily. So she wasn't imagining it, she had gone in a circle. Shit, shit, shit! She felt tears prick her eyes at the injustice.
    He saw the tears and again felt compassion for her. He could have let her go on, but she had looked so defeated on that log, and circumference she’d taken on his property the last hour, he’d decided he’d proven his point. Finding a dry spot he lowered them both to the ground.
    Again, before she knew what he was about the collar was back around her neck with a click. “No,