Beth lay in a daze. She had never felt such intense pleasure in her life. Was it like this with all men? Somehow she doubted it. Her friends had described messy, unsatisfying encounters that were over too quickly and while their stories had always been funny to hear, they'd done nothing to encourage her to try it. Had she been missing out?
The way he had held her, kissed her, pushed her to unimaginable levels of bliss. Was it possible that she had feelings for him? After everything he had done to her? She had to get a grip. This man was holding her against her will and had forced himself on her. Whether she had enjoyed it or not was beside the point.
Her body felt like jelly but she had to move. When was she going to get another opportunity? Sliding out from under his arms, she scoured the room for some clothes to wear. She found her jeans, boots and bra before pulling on one of Jack's shirts. Being as quiet as possible, she closed a restraint around Jack's ankle before tiptoeing out of the room.
Guilt. Why on earth was that emotion swamping her stomach? A shiver ran down her spine -- he was winning and she could feel it. He was awakening something within her that generations of women had fought against. She would not give in and become the property of a man no matter what she felt for him.
Taking a deep breath, she found the keys to the ute in the kitchen and ran outside. This was so much easier than she'd anticipated. Jumping into the driver's seat, she turned the key and revved. Nothing. She tried again. Still nothing. Panic began to rise. He must have disconnected something and she had no idea when it came to cars. She gave it one more futile attempt as the tears began to fall.
"Beth?!" Jack's angry shout came from the bedroom.
"BETH!!!!"
Leaping out of the ute, Beth ran. Thoughts of water, food, maps and shelter fell out of her head as she panicked. She had to get as much distance between him as possible as quickly as possible.
Jack was furious. He'd heard the door of the ute slam and the empty ticking of the engine. He couldn't believe that she wanted to leave after the afternoon they'd just shared. His pretty wife was clearly far from tame and she was due another session with the paddle. He unscrewed the bed frame and released the restraint before going to get the key. He rubbed his ankle as it fell loose, realizing just how uncomfortable it was having them on.
He took his time getting dressed -- she wouldn't get far. It also gave him a chance to cool down and think rationally. He was silly if he thought he'd cracked her in less than a day. Of course she'd try to run. She had to at least try and she'd soon see that there was no point. Better she gets it out of her system now and accepts the inevitable.
Jack collected some rope from the drawer. Wandering out to the ute, he scanned the landscape. He could see a small cloud of dust caused by Beth's footfalls in the distance. He popped the hood and made some adjustments before starting the engine and driving after her.
Beth heard the truck start. He'd managed to get free a lot sooner than she'd expected and there was nowhere for her to hide. She slowed to a walk and held the stitch in her side. Shielding her eyes from the strong sun, she peered into the distance hoping to see a house, a car, a horse, anything, but she was once again disappointed. She knew she was in for another beating and felt the now familiar contracting of her stomach muscles. She walked on regardless and tried not to cry.
Jack pulled the ute alongside her and matched his speed to her pace. She refused to look at him.
"Where are you going Beth?" No answer.
"You know you won't get far in this heat -- not that I'd let you try. You're my property now sweetheart and I look after my things." Still no response.
"Question is, are you gonna get in the ute by yourself or do I have to make you?"
"Look Jack, I know you've won this round and I know I can't get away. I'll get in the ute myself in a minute and do whatever you say but not until you've listened to me." Beth knew she was on thin ice. There was nothing to stop him forcing her into the truck without another word but she hoped her offer to give in and submit by herself was enough to delay him.
"Why would a husband have to abduct and then train a wife? Why aren't women taught to submit to men from birth? If women are chattel to be sold or stolen, why don't their father's keep them locked up? - because it's not true Jack. It doesn't make sense..."
"Beth..." Jack's threatening tone almost stopped her but Beth knew she was in trouble anyway so she may as well carry on.
"Women are free to choose what they want to do with their lives. They can choose whether to get married or not, whether to have children or not, which job they'd like, how late they stay out, which friends they have. We aren't owned by anyone. We aren't slaves or property. If we get married it's because we're in love with someone and husbands have to listen to their wife's views and opinions. If a husband is mean to his wife, she leaves him and gets a divorce. I'm sorry Jack but somehow you've been taught all the wrong things. I ..."
"Enough!" Jack already knew Beth well enough to know when she was lying. This time it was different. She seemed so sincere but how could it possibly be true? A niggling doubt had crept into Jack's brain and it scared him.
"Jack your Dad has been..."
"I SAID ENOUGH!" Jack had stopped the ute now and in the blink of an eye he had her against the side of the truck while he bound her hands behind her back. Sweeping her off her feet, he secured her ankles together before running the rope up to her wrists. Her knees were bent up and her back was arched backwards in a hog tie as he threw her, none too gently, into the bed of the truck. He slammed the door and restarted the engine before heading for home.
The wind had been knocked out of her when she landed and Beth tried to suck in air as she sobbed. She knew she had made things worse for herself but at least she had made him think. As Jack made a sharp U turn, something slid into her leg. Looking down, Beth saw her bags from yesterday full of new clothes, money, keys and, most importantly, her mobile phone. There was no hope of reaching it in her current position but it raised a glimmer of hope for her.
All too soon they were back at the homestead and Jack was roughly pulling her from the ute. He carried her into the living room and dumped her on the floor as he sat in his chair. He was red in the face and breathing heavily. Beth wisely decided to keep quiet.
"I don't want to hear any more on that subject Beth. Do you understand?" Beth nodded.
