Mack’s Possession

Seven

Mack threw open the door of his bedroom and sauntered in as if he was walking into a studio for a magazine photoshoot. I hated how good he looked in a dark green dress shirt which brought out the amber in his eyes and gray slacks.

“What are you looking at?” He asked me as he loosened his tie.

“Green isn’t your favorite color so why are you wearing it?” I asked, closing the book that contained everything about him, or so Vivette said.

He arched an eyebrow as he strode over to where I sat in the armchair. He leaned forward, resting his hands on either side of me, caging me in his proximity once again.

“I see you’ve been doing what I asked you to.” Before I could come up with a smart retort he eliminated the remaining distance between us and pressed his lips to my forehead. I froze at the gesture, unable to comprehend the tenderness of his actions. He was a monster. I knew he was. And I didn’t expect him to be capable of any gentle behavior. “Good girl.”

“It was either this or throwing a bunch of plates against the wall,” I managed to say after a few seconds.

“Now why will you abuse a bunch of innocent plates?’ He asked, playfully, something I never expected from him.

“Because it’s more interesting than sitting here and learning about you. And it says here, you like flamingos. Frankly, I think that’s a lie,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

His eyebrow arched in its usual arrogant way and I did my best to maintain eye contact with him. “Why? Can’t I like flamingos?”

“It doesn’t seem like an animal you’ll be interested in,” I said.

“Really? So what do you think I’m interested in?” He moved closer and my breath hitched when his nose nuzzled mine.

“Not a flamingo. Maybe… a panther or something. A predator,” I replied, his touch sending sparks of electricity through every cell in my body.

“A panther. You’re being very specific here,” he remarked.

“You lied in that book, didn't you?”

His eyes bore into mine but he stepped back. “Did you eat dinner?”

I resumed breathing. “I want to leave.”

“Not possible,” he stated and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

“You have Vivette. You don’t need me,” I said. “And unlike me you actually own her.”

“I own you, too.” I shut my mouth because I couldn’t argue with him about it.

“Why did you do it?” I asked, bringing my knees up. “Why did you take ownership of me?”

“Because I wanted to,” he answered, vaguely.

“Why? You have Vivette. Why do you need another person to own? That’s only more responsibility on you,” I argued. I really wanted to know why he wanted me.

“I’m not afraid of work or responsibility. The more I have, the better,” he stated and disappeared in the closet only to emerge a moment later with a pair of sweats.

“That really doesn’t answer my question. Why me? I know I don’t have any cousins but I do have uncles and aunts. Why didn’t you take them?” I couldn’t let this go even though it was evident he didn’t want to answer my question. Just as he was about to step inside the bathroom, I ran out of the arm chair and stood in front of him, blocking his entrance to the bathroom. “Answer me.”

“Because I wanted you,” he answered, once again leaving me in the dark. “Now, unless you’re interested in accompanying me into the shower I suggest you step aside…”

“Or?”

A sensual smirk slowly spread across his face. “Or I’ll strip you down and drag you into the shower with me.”

My face heated upon his words and I moved aside before he could make good on his threat. He chuckled before disappearing inside and I cursed him while fanning my face. What was the matter with him? Why did he always try to get under my skin? And why did I let him? I should be resistant to his demonic charm.

He’s a predator. Just like you make him out to be.

My inner voice was right. That’s exactly who he was and I was his latest prey. But I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t let him do whatever he wanted just because he owned me. I wanted to make something of myself and my life. I didn’t want to be just his slave, waiting to do his bidding like Vivette.

By the time he got out I was sitting in the center of his bed in a lotus position. “Oh good, you finally know where you belong.” A drop of water dripped from his hair to his face and my eyes followed the path down to his sharp cheekbones until it disappeared under his shirt. “Stare all you like, Nia. There’s no one else who’s allowed to see me.”

His words broke through the spell I was sure he cast on me, and I scoffed, pretending he didn’t just caught me ogling him.

“Ugh, you wish.”

“My wish is right in front of me.” He flashed me a smile that made my heart feel all weird.

“You didn’t answer my question,” I said before I could lose my mind and start reading too much into his words and actions. “Why me?”

He prowled over to where I sat, exactly like the panther I believed he liked, and I tried to step back but ended up lying flat on my back with him hovering over me.

“There’s no particular reason as to why I chose you. I knew I wanted you and I took you. It’s as simple as that,” he replied, running a finger down the side of my face.

“It’s not enough, nor is it simple. What is your ulterior motive?” I asked, hating the way his touch seared into my soul. Did he know what he was doing to me? Why was I getting affected by him? I should be repulsed by him, but I was doing nothing to push him away.

“My ulterior motive.” He chuckled and twisted a strand of my hair around his finger. “I’m surprised you think I have one.”

“You must have one. There’s no other reason for you to keep me around,” I replied, holding my breath as he leaned closer.

“Contrary to what you think I have every reason to keep you around since you belong to me.”

“Tell me the truth, Mack. What is your ulterior motive?” I repeated.

“Well, if you must know, my dark, diabolical plan is to own every inch of you inside and out. This body is mine.” He emphasized that particular fact by wrapping his arm around my waist. “Now I need to make sure the rest of you surrenders to me as well.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I don’t have an answer for that because that’s not a possibility, my darling. Your surrender is inevitable, it’s just a matter of when.”

The confidence in his words irked me but along with it I felt something I’d never felt before. And it terrified me, because it felt a lot like acceptance and I couldn’t have that. I couldn’t accept what he wanted because I couldn’t give him what he was seeking.

“I’m not Vivette, Mack.”

“You can never be her.” He flashed me another smile which turned my heart to putty. I knew I was being stupid but it almost felt like I was the only recipient of his smile. His actual smile. “And that’s why it’s your surrender I seek; it’s your submission I demand and will have. Not hers.”

I willed my brain to come up with a smart retort but failed miserably. His smiled turned into a full on grin that had tears pricking the back of my eyes. What was up with his smile? How could someone so evil have such a gorgeous smile?

“I’ll never surrender to you,” I blurted out, though the words sounded hollow.

Mack closed the distance between us and pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth. “Go and change your clothes. We’ll have dinner and then I’ll take you away for the weekend.”

“What? Take me away? Where?” I asked as he pulled away and I finally got the chance to sit up. Being in such a vulnerable position around him was dangerous. I had to make sure it never happened again.

“Somewhere where no one can disturb us. You’ve been complaining about being cooped up in this house, so I’ll take you out,” he said as he got off the bed.

“When I said that I meant to go shopping or visit a park, and that too, alone,” I said as I followed him out of the bed. He walked out of his bedroom and I followed.

“You’re not going anywhere alone, at least for now. And it doesn’t matter. I’ve decided to spend the weekend away and that’s what we’ll do.” He took a couple of turns before he came to an unfamiliar door and pushed it open. I followed him inside and was surprised to see a small dining table, barely big enough for four, with food laid out on it. Windows lined the walls with drapes and tapestries flanking them on either side. Mack pulled out a chair for me and sat me down before I could say a word.

“We’re eating here? Why?” I asked as he sat down across from me.

“Because I don’t want to share you. So we’ll be eating here for the time being,” he replied and began putting food on my plate.

“Isn’t that going against your grandfather’s rules? I thought he wanted everybody to eat together,” I said as I watched him fill his plate.

“He prefers it, but there’s no written rule about it. Plus he understands that we all have things to do so we can’t always eat together and I’ve told him that we’ll be eating privately. So don’t worry and eat your dinner,” he answered.

I twirled some pasta around my fork and took a bite. I closed my eyes as I savored the flavors dancing on my tongue. It was delicious but there was a hint of something unfamiliar and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t understand what it was. Maybe it was a secret ingredient or something. I’d probably ask the cook if I got the chance.

“Is it good?” Mack asked and I nodded.

“The food in this house has always been good,” I said. We ate the rest of the food in silence and before I knew it I was wiping my plate clean and cleaning my hands with the napkin.

Mack took me back to his room and I was surprised to see two suitcases standing next to the nightstand.

“Who got these out?” I asked.

“I told Vivette to pack our suitcases,” he said and grabbed his keys from the bowl on the vanity table. “Come on. Grant will bring the suitcases to the car.”

“That’s it? We’re just going to go?”

“Yes.” He took my hand and led me out of his room and all the way to the parking lot where he unlocked his car and put me in the passenger seat. I caught a glimpse of Grant entering the parking lot with our suitcases and he quickly put them in the trunk before Mack joined me in the driver’s seat and drove out of the mansion.

I couldn’t believe it. I was finally leaving the mansion. I had no idea where Mack was taking me but I would use this opportunity to escape. Hopefully I’d get far away and he’d never be able to find me. Then he could spend the rest of his life with Vivette and everyone would be happy.

However, before I could begin planning my escape route my stomach turned on itself and I put a hand over it as I willed it to calm down.

“Nia? What’s wrong?” Mack asked, concern lacing his voice.

I shook my head and tried to gave him a reassuring smile. “Nothing. I’m fine. I think I ate too much,” I said and winced as another spasm rocked through my intestines. “H—how long will it take to reach our destination?”

He shot me glance before focusing on the road. “It’s not far. Just twenty minutes because the roads are empty. That’s why I chose to leave now, so we can get there quickly. Are you sure you’re okay? We can stop or go back if you want,” he said.

“No, no. I’m fine. Just curious,” I lied. I didn’t want to go back to the mansion when I just got out of it. Hopefully my stomach would settle down in another minute or so.

But it didn’t get better. And no matter how hard I tried to appear normal I knew Mack didn’t believe me. He kept glancing at me as he drove and I was grateful when he pressed on the accelerator. I really had no idea what was happening to me. I was fine a moment ago. But now, I knew I needed to use the bathroom.

By the time he pulled in front of a modern cottage I all but ran out of the car and into the house, but as it was, I didn’t have the keys so I had to wait for Mack to help me out and lead me inside the house.

“You’re pale and clammy,” he said, cupping the side of my face. “Come, you need to lie down.”

“I—uh—I need to use the bathroom first. I think I… I need to throw up,” I said just as he opened the door to a bedroom and helped me inside.

“The bathroom’s through that door,” he said and I pushed him away before running into the bathroom and flipping open the toilet lid.

And I threw up.