In Chains (8 page)

Why is the countryside always so dark? I can’t see where I’m walking. I grip Kayden’s hand tighter. “Do you have a torch?” I ask.

“Nah. I’m used to coming here in the dark, I won’t get you lost.”

“It’s not that, I’m worried I’m going to trip over or be attacked by an animal that I can’t see.”

I gasp as his hands land on my butt and my feet leave the floor. I hook my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. “Is that better?” he asks. Oh it’s so much better. I can feel his powerful muscles moving between my legs as he walks and his hands are still on my butt. Resting my head on his shoulder I plant little kisses on his neck. He grunts and his body jerks. “Sorry, promise I won’t drop you.”

I’m not worried about him dropping me. I feel completely safe with him. I shift a little to get more comfortable and once again he gets a shock. Damn that chip. I put my lips to his ear and am about to tell him I’m sorry, when he gets shocked once again. I’m going to bloody kill him at this rate. “Put me down Kayden, I’ll walk.” I unhook my legs and slide my body down to the ground and damn it, that gives him another shock. “Is it safe to get so many shocks so close together?”

“I dunno,” he says. “It hasn’t happened before. Let me carry you. To hell with the shocks. You’ll get scared walking in the dark.” He picks me up again and so far so good, no more shocks. I’ve no idea where we are. He’s climbed over two wooden fences with me still in his arms. I don’t know how he’s managing to find his way without a torch. He must have a good internal navigation system.

“I think we broke the chip,” he says, laughing.

“How do you know?”

He puts his lips to my ear and whispers, “Coz my dick has been trying to get out of my jeans for the last five minutes and I haven’t been shocked yet.” A shiver of excitement runs through me.

We’re in the corner of a large field. A rusty old caravan rests on bricks, there’s cardboard where a window should be, the glass must have got smashed I guess. In front of the caravan is a large bonfire and from the light of the flames I can make out two men and a woman sitting around it.

The woman stands up and runs towards us. Even dressed in rags she’s beautiful. Curvy, with long legs and a tiny little waist, long ebony curls tumble down her back. She flings her arms around Kayden and he lifts her off her feet and spins her around, then smiles down at her.

Oh I’m so stupid. I thought he liked me but she’s obviously his girlfriend. If she isn’t I can see he wants her to be. Why did I come here? I should have gone to the movies. Turning around I start to walk back the way we came. He’s too busy talking to her; he won’t even notice I’m gone. I don’t know how I’m going to get home in the dark, I’m going to get lost and Simon will have to send out a search party, they probably won’t find me until morning. My eyes fill with tears as I stumble blindly. I hear footsteps behind me and then Kayden is in front of me, his hands on my shoulders. “Where you going Savannah?”

“Home. Enjoy the picnic.”

“What’s wrong? What have I done? I’m sorry.”

Ugh, I don’t want to tell him. I’m too ashamed to admit that I thought he liked me. Maybe I can pretend I’m not feeling well but then he’ll have to walk me back and I’ll know that he’ll wish he could’ve stayed here with her. That’ll make me feel even more stupid. I’ve got no choice, I’m going to have to put a brave face on this. It’ll only be for a couple of hours, then I can go home and cry. I’ll avoid Kayden after tonight. “I’m fine.” I put on my best fake smile. “I thought I’d left something at home but now I remember it’s in the bag.”

He puts his arm around my shoulder and we walk back over to the others. This is the last time I’ll ever feel his hands on me. Maybe I should be making the most of it, but I can’t. We sit down around the fire with them. They’re looking at me but no one is saying a word. Finally Kayden speaks. “This is Savannah. She’s my owner’s sister.”

The beautiful one looks at him, her eyes wide. “You call her by her name Kade?” Oh they are so definitely dating. She’s shortened his name; I can never call him that now. She obviously thinks we’ve got close. So did I. We’re both wrong.

“She told me to call her that.”

I close my eyes. I don’t want to hear anymore. He was obviously happy calling me Miss and keeping his distance. I should have left things as they were. I should never have asked for his help with the eggs. Should’ve, would’ve could’ve. I tune out the rest of their conversation and look around at my companions. The guy sitting opposite looks a couple of years younger than me. He has the same blue and brown eyes and dark hair as Kayden but this guy’s hair is longer, wavy and flopping into his eyes. He notices me looking at him. “The names Trent. Nice to meet you Miss.”

I’m about to tell him to call me Savannah but I made that mistake with Kayden, so I keep my mouth shut. “Nice to meet you too.”

I look to the other guy. He’s about my age. He’s shirtless and lean and toned like Kayden. His hair is shaved close to his scalp but what distinguishes him the most are the scars and bruises all over his face and body and the thick metal collar around his neck. There are scars on his arms that look like someone has carved letters into his skin with a knife. Looking closer I see they are in fact letters. FUK on his bicep and U on his forearm, is it supposed to be ‘fuck you’. I quickly close my mouth, suddenly aware that I’ve been gawping at him. He’s glaring at me. His eyes are hard and glacial. Nervous, I turn towards a friendlier face, Trent’s.

He’s pouring liquid from a plastic bottle into some tin mugs and he hands one to me. Putting it to my lips, my eyes water, it smells like paint stripper. I can’t get past the smell to be able to drink the contents. “What is this?”

Trent sniggers. “It’s home-made potato wine Miss. It’s ninety percent proof, so go easy.”

Everyone else is drinking it, so I hold my nose and take a mouthful of the foul smelling liquid. Oh God, my throat is on fire! Coughing and spluttering I can feel Kayden rubbing my back. “It takes some getting used to Savannah.”

I take another mouthful, not looking at him. I’m in the mood to get drunk. His hand still rests on my back. What’s his game? Is he using me to make his girlfriend jealous? Now I’m being ridiculous, I couldn’t make her jealous if I tried. I guess the alcohol has given me confidence and I tell him to take his hand off my back. He does but now he’s frowning at me.

“I’ve brought some food.” I open the cool bag. “There’s eggs, crisps, peanut butter sandwiches and muffins. Help yourselves.”

Kayden leans towards me. “Thank you,” he says softly.

I just nod. I’m still not looking at him but I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my face. Trent and the beauty queen dive into the food. The guy with the collar just looks at it, he seems pissed off. Kayden isn’t eating anything either. I had no intention of having any, I can get food anytime.

Kayden leans in towards me again. “The girl’s name is Kaci and-”

I don’t let him finish. Standing up I walk away from the fire and light a cigarette. I don’t want to know her damn name. Kaci and Kayden, even their names are perfect for each other. Pinching the bridge of my nose I want to go back home more than ever. I finish smoking, put out my cigarette and walk back over to them.

Kayden is hanging his head, his shoulders are slumped and he’s picking at his fingers. Then I spot the source of his misery. Kaci is sitting on the lap of the guy with the collar, feeding him egg. Unrequited love. I know how that feels. I should be glad that she’s not his girlfriend but watching him mope over her is actually worse. Trent has disappeared.

I turn the radio on, I need a distraction. The DJ announces it’s the love hour. Oh great! Kayden raises his head. “Will you dance with me Savannah?” An hour ago I would have jumped at the chance, but not now. He only wants to dance with me because he can’t have Kaci. I shake my head. His eyes drop to his hands and he resumes picking at his fingers.

Trent returns with another plastic bottle full of hooch. I hold my mug out to him for a top up. Kaci is now snogging her boyfriend, Kayden is still moping over her and I don’t want to watch this anymore. I mouth to Trent, “Do you want to dance?”

He nods his head and grins as he takes my hand. Kayden’s head snaps up and I hear him gasp as Trent and I start moving to the music. I can feel tears pricking at my eyes but I’m not going to make a fool of myself by crying in front of him. I lose myself in the music, the hooch is certainly helping, I’m beginning to feel better and am starting to enjoy myself. The song ends but I don’t want to stop, so I keep swaying with Trent till the next song begins. I’m not in the mood for conversation but he starts talking and I can’t ignore him. “Thanks for the food Miss.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I hope Clay didn’t upset you Miss. It’s not you, he doesn’t like any humans.”

“Is Clay the guy with the collar,” I whisper. He nods and I glance across at Clay. He’s wrapped himself around Kaci and he’s actually smiling.

The song ends and I bend down to pick up my mug of hooch. I’m still holding Trent with my other hand; I’m not ready to stop dancing yet. I take a big gulp of the hooch and put my arms around Trent as the next song begins.

“TRENT!” We both jump and look towards Kayden who is now standing up, his fists clenched and glaring murderously at Trent. He snarls at him, “Trent, sit the fuck down.”

Trent looks at me. “I’d better not dance with you because…,” he nods towards Kayden.

Sitting down I knock back the remainder of my hooch. I should be feeling drunk. I wish I were, but I’m not. Trent throws more logs on the fire. He doesn’t seem bothered by the way Kayden spoke to him. He’s laughing and joking with Clay. Kayden is staring into the fire, his face sullen.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Savannah

I hear the opening bars to ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ by Roberta Flack. Kayden moves to kneel in front of me. He looks sad. “Please will you dance with me Savannah? Just this one time. Please.”

I may as well enjoy one last dance with him. I wish he liked me as much as I like him. He wraps his arms around my waist and I rest mine on his shoulders. His arms tighten around me, crushing me to him and he buries his face in my neck. We slowly sway to the music, under the stars. And then he sings to me, his voice smooth and deep. No one has ever sung to me before. I pull back a little to look at his face and he continues to serenade me, his eyes locked with mine. When he gets to the words about ‘kissing’, his eyes fall briefly to my lips. My hand moves to stroke his cheek, feeling his bristles beneath my fingertips. My lips part as his head slowly dips down, his soft lips brush against mine. He sucks on my bottom lip, still holding my gaze; his eyes are almost seeking permission. “Yes,” I breathe and he closes his beautiful eyes, parts his lips and kisses me. Slowly his tongue thoroughly probes every inch of my mouth while his hands run up and down my back. Pausing, he rests his forehead against mine. “You’re so beautiful baby.” He kisses my nose, my eyelids, my cheeks. “I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you.”

“As much as you want Kaci?”

He cups my face in his big hands. “I only want you Savannah.”

“But the way you hugged her earlier, if she wasn’t with Clay, would you…?”

He closes his eyes and presses his forehead against mine. “I want you. Only you. You’re all I think about and it drives me crazy. I only want you.” He kisses me again and I forget all about Kaci. I forget about Simon, Ben, Dan, everyone. All I can think about is how much I want him.

We’ve joined the others back around the fire. Kayden is lying on his side on the grass, his head resting in my lap. His eyes are half closed as I’m tracing little circles across his jaw and his neck with my finger. I’ve acquired another mug of hooch and I’m beginning to feel warm and mellow. I lean down, kiss Kayden’s ear and whisper to him, “How come Clay doesn’t get shocked when he touches Kaci? Doesn’t he have a chip?”

He opens his eyes and smiles lazily up at me. “Sure he does. But he’s had so many shocks he don’t notice them anymore.”

“Why does he have that collar?”

Getting up, he sits behind me, wraps his arms around my waist and kisses me on the neck. “Coz he’s a disobedient fucker who don’t do what he’s told.” He laughs near my ear, it tickles. I lean back into him as he nibbles at my earlobe. Time is flying by and I want to stay here in his arms forever.

Everyone is chilling out now. Kaci and Clay are lying on the grass tangled around each other. Trent is lying on his back, his hands clasped behind his head. Picking up his mug, Kayden tosses it towards Trent who looks up as it lands on his stomach. “Top that up for us will ya?”

As Trent hands Kayden his drink I ask if they all grew up in the same pound together. “Yeah,” says Trent, as he sits down in front of us. “We were all in the same classes.”

“Was it horrible there?”

“Yeah, I was glad when I got sold.”

Kaci stands up, pours her and Clay another hooch, then wanders over to us. Clay follows behind her. They sit down between Kayden and Trent. Clay shoots me a hateful look before kissing Kaci on the head. I wonder what happened to him to make him hate us so much. “What you guys talking about?” asks Kaci.

“The pound,” says Trent, taking a mouthful of hooch.

“Remember that guy they had in the prison?” she says, looking at Kayden. “The one we saw set on fire.”