This is the revised version, as an anonymous reader pointed out very crucial flaws on my part. It was greatly appreciated. I do not have anyone editing my work. I write in my spare time. I am currently in college, which takes up a majority of my time. I write when I can. Please forgive the delays in between chapters and the typos. All comments are welcome. I appreciate everyone who is reading and following along! Your support keeps me going!
Annie
I groaned, feeling a pounding in my head so severe, I was on the verge of vomiting. I opened my heavy lids and blinked a few times, realizing that I was on a bed.
And
not
at the inn!
I sat up in a panic, looking around to gain some awareness of where I was.
Panting, I noticed that I was in some sort of cabin. A fire blazed in a hearth, igniting the room and its sparse furnishings. A simple dresser with a lamp sat on its wooden surface; along with a door beside it that was partially open, revealing what appeared to be a bathroom. I got out of the bed and my feet touched the warm, wooden floor. I looked down at myself, realizing that I wasn't wearing clothing that I was familiar with.
The red, flannel shirt was warm and soft against my skin. I took a gander at my legs, which were currently in black leggings that fit a little too perfectly considering my weight-which was more than average. I was a thick girl, with a extra pounds that I knew I needed to shed. Jerry made it a point to remind me of this imperfection. Every single day and night.
A noise jostled me, and I got up quickly and ran to the corner of the room. A door to the right opened and warm light spilled in from outside. I nearly screamed at the sight before me. A man-a tall, burly, muscular man- came through the threshold with a tray in his hands. I looked up and tried to take a guess as to how tall he could be. I estimated six feet, eleven inches...give or take.
My eyes widened as his appearance became clearer in the light of the blazing fire. Dear god, his eyes. They were golden like the sun; sparkling in a way that was
not
normal. His skin was tan and flawless. It was smooth without imperfections. His hair was as dark as night and thick. It fell in waves to his shoulder. He had half of it picked up and knotted in a bun on the back of his head.
I moved to his face, with his full lips and high cheekbones. His nose was straight and sharp. His body was the embodiment of male perfection. Though he wore a green flannel shirt-similar to mine-I could see every defining muscle that moved underneath. His arms were massive, as was his wide chest and thick thighs. I instinctively looked at his hands, which were just as large.
I swallowed loudly, wondering if I could ever survive a punch from a man like that. A man who dominated the room as he settled a few feet away from me by the foot of the bed. I shrank into the wall, feeling so small even though I was a chunky girl. With him, I didn't feel as big as I usually did.
"Hello there, bellula," he said with a small smile.
Shit. He had dimples.
He lifted the tray in his hands slightly. "I brought some food up for you. Cooked it myself."
I looked at the plate. There was chicken, rice and some vegetables. My stomach grumbled involuntarily. I didn't remember when the last time I ate was. "Who are you?" I demanded, apprehensively.
He inclined his head a little, causing a strand of thick, black hair to fall into his line of vision. "My name is Ethan."
I licked my dry lips. "Where am I?"
"My cabin."
"Where is it?" I continued.
"In my village."
"Where is your village?"
"In the forest."
"Which one?" I inquired.
"You'll find out soon enough," he said.
"Why did you take me?"
He didn't answer.
Boldly, I said, "What? You can answer anything else except that?"
He smiled again, this time, wider. His teeth were just as beautiful as he was. "How about I ask you a question this time?"
I folded my arms over my chest defensively. "Why should I answer? You kidnapped me, remember?"
He chuckled. "For good reason. Though, technically speaking,
I
didn't do the deed. My brother did. He can be a bit of a brute. He didn't hurt you did he?"
I made a face. "What?" I asked, incredulously.
"My brother," he repeated. "Did he hurt you in any way?"
"He drugged me!" I snapped, loudly.
Ethan put the tray of food on the mattress. "Lower your voice, female."
The tone reminded me of the way Jerry would talk to me. Like he controlled me and everything I did or said. It made me tremble. I tried my best to be brave...or act like it at least. I wasn't sure if I was even doing a good job at it.
He sighed deeply. "Let's try this again, shall we? My name is Ethan. And you are?"
It took me a few seconds to answer. I decided to lie and not tell him my real name. He didn't need to know it. "Jessica."
"Bullshit," he said, shaking his head.
My eyes went wide. "What?"
"You're lying to me," he said.
How could he even know that? "I'm not," I replied, my voice faltering a bit.
"You are. I can smell it. Now tell me your real name...please."
Smell it? What was he, a fucking dog? I blew out a frustrated breath. "Fine. Annie, okay? My name is Annie."
His golden eyes assessed me briefly before the corner of his lips curled up in a smile. "Annie," he repeated, softly. "Your name is lovely, bellula."
I scrunched up my nose. "Can't you just let me go? I promise I won't tell anyone that you took me. Not even Tony."
He growled low in his throat, sounding animalistic. A sound like that surely didn't come from a man...did it?
"The Sheriff's boy?" he snarled, taking a step closer to me.
I shrank further into the wall and wrapped my arms around my middle. "You know him?"
He took another step closer to me and I could scarcely breathe. "He is no concern of yours."
"Does that mean that I'm close to town?" I asked, my voice low and shaky.
