Niko: Love me Harder by Serena Simpson Read Free Book Online

like she was lost in the sea. She walked over and turned on the spigots over the tub. He wanted her clean? Well, she wanted to sink in that tub and forget this night ever happened.
    There was a knock on the door before he entered, his long legged stride eating up the distance between them.
    “I could’ve been naked.” She wanted her voice to be indignant, hot with displeasure, but all she could manage was tiredness.
    “I was hoping. Here’s a suitcase with some of your things.”
    “Where did you get this?”
    He just stared at her.
    “This is the bag I left at Rena’s.”
    “Guess I won’t rape you then dismember your helpless body so I can cry at Rena’s side after all.” He walked out laughing at her.
    She jerked her clothes off fuming. He had the nerve to laugh at her. If she was honest, she would be laughing at herself in his position too. She knew all along he wouldn’t hurt her. Call it a sixth sense.
    Her paranoia helped to keep her safe. She’d a strong sense of who would hurt her. It was never Niko. She felt safe with him. No, all he ever did was piss her off.
    She found a nice thick towel and opened her bag to find her favorite shower gel. She looked at herself in the full length mirror. What are you doing with yourself Dee? Her eyes were gaunt and she saw ribs. This wasn’t who she’d been four months ago.
    Niko still thought she was beautiful. Another glance in the mirror confirmed it had nothing to do with looks. She slid into the big tub and sighed. She reached over and turned those jets on. Heaven.
    Her body relaxed and she smiled at the pleasure that was making her feel so good. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She dreamed.
    “What are you most afraid of little human?”
    She’d been kidnapped. In the beginning she’d been scared, but not terrified. She’d recognized the person behind the mask. He was one of the people who was in charge where Rena worked. All she needed was a chance. She would drop kick him into the middle of next week.
    She hadn’t gotten that chance. She’d been taken to some abandoned house. She hadn’t seen her surroundings, but her nose didn’t lie. She’d walked up the stairs like an obedient little girl, still waiting for her chance.
    He’d bound her to a chair, wrist and ankles, taken the blind fold off and left her. She thought she’d been alone at first, until the shadow of that man had fallen on the walls.
    “Are you afraid of the ones on your planet that are supposed to protect you, but instead look at you as easy prey?”
    His shadow had stretched, grown and her eyes had bulged, not believing what she was seeing.
    “Do you fear the animals more? The ones you put behind cages in the zoo and go to stare at? Do you fear them getting loose and coming for you?”
    She followed his face as he lowered it to stare at his fingers. One after another they became claws. She shook the chair, trying to get away. Her heart beat faster and sweat poured off her brow. He was crazy. In that moment she knew she was going to die.
    “Which do you fear more little human? The man or the animal?”
    He reached for her.

Chapter Nine
    The sound of her voice screaming woke her up. She floundered in the big tub, looking for something to grab onto, a piece of reality to keep her a float. She looked up to see Niko there grabbing for her with one hand, a thick towel in the other.
    She didn’t even blink an eye when he pulled her from the bath and wrapped her tight in the towel. He picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.
    His voice was rough when he spoke. “Dry off and get some clothes on. Bad dream?”
    She nodded her head, seeing those claws coming for her. Real bad dream. He turned his back to her. It seemed a little too late, but she still appreciated the gesture.
    She dried off and dressed quickly. “What now?”
    “Now we sleep, unless you had something else in mind.”
    She shook her head. “Sleep sounds good. I’m exhausted. Which guest room would