Mack’s Possession

Nine

I could see the change overtaking his body. His body went taut as a bow ready to strike and his pupils dilated as his eyes caressed me from head to toe. There wasn’t an inch of me that was hidden from him and it seemed he had no intention of letting me hide from him either.

I should’ve done something. I should’ve grabbed the towel and wrapped it around my body or I should’ve run back into the bathroom and hidden there until he handed me my clothes. I should’ve done something to cover myself. But it was like my body forgot how to move and I blamed Mack for that. His piercing gaze pinned me in place as he stepped farther into the room, bringing him that much closer to me.

“I thought I will give you more time before claiming you from the inside out but it looks like you’re in a hurry for the inevitable,” he said, his voice thick with desire which I could see clearly in his eyes.

As much as I hated him for who he was, I couldn’t help the thrill that shot through me as he gazed at me as if I were a goddess or an ethereal nymph who descended from the heavens. I wished he’d stop looking at me but another part of me wanted to turn around so he appreciate every inch of me.

Snap out of it, Delphinia! What is wrong with you?! He’s the enemy!

My inner voice cut through the asinine trail of thoughts, but despite being pulled back to reality I couldn’t get my body to move. My eyes followed Mack as he ate the distance between us in two large strides and stood in front of me. I bit back a moan as the texture of his shirt brushed against my very prominent n*****s, causing them to harden at the barest flick of his touch.

He kept my eyes imprisoned with his, preventing me from focusing on his movements. That’s why when he wrapped the towel around me and tucked the corner of it in my cleavage I nearly jumped in surprise. But he was quick to shackle an arm around my waist and pull me flush against him.

“I hope you don’t reveal yourself to every man out there,” he said.

Now that my body was covered and he wasn’t staring at me like he was two seconds away from throwing me on the bed and ravishing me, I was able to find my voice again.

“I… don’t.” I tried to break out of his hold but it was impossible. “Let go of me.”

“After what you did?” He brought his lips close to mine and I held my breath due to the fear that the slightest movement would result in me kissing him. “I don’t think you want me to let you go. I think you want the opposite.”

I barked out a sarcastic laugh as I fixed him with a glare. “You wish. I just want you to stay as far away from me as humanly possible for you.”

“And that’s the thing, it’s not possible for me,” he stated and brushed his nose against the column of my neck, inhaling my scent as if he was hungry. “You smell divine. You always have.”

What? What was he talking about? How did he know what I smelled like when I had never been this close to him?

“Did you not notice the shampoo and body wash that you used?” He asked and smirked when my eyes widened in shock. “Exactly. I know the products you use and I have them available for you wherever we go. I love the jasmine and honeysuckle scents which have come to define you. And I want you to always use these scents. Is that clear? Consider it rule number two.”

“Now you’re going to tell me what soap and shampoo to use?”

“Perfume as well,” he replied and flashed me triumphant grin.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warned.

“Oh, but I don’t just think, little nymph, I do.” My breath hitched when his hand lowered and cupped my ass, causing me to stand on my tip toes just to get away from him but his touch was relentless. His eyes darkened as the next command left his lips. “Make sure no one else ever sees you like this. I’m the only man who can and will lay eyes on you. If you dare to show yourself to any other man or woman, I will not hesitate to gouge their eyes out. Got it?”

His words were heavy with truth but it was his eyes that really drove the point home. The amber disks were blazing with ownership and vivd scenes of murder and I couldn’t help but swallow hard as his words sank in.

“Don’t. Don’t hurt anyone,” I said, surprised that I didn’t scream the words at him.

He gave me a sardonic smile as his thumb brushed against the side of my face. “I won’t as long as you keep yourself for my viewing pleasure only. Otherwise you’ll be responsible for the consequences.”

“Why are you like this? Why do you think you own me?” I couldn’t help asking.

“It’s because I do, own you, that is,” he replied.

“But why? Why me?” I repeated, hoping he’d give me an answer now.

“Why you?” He sighed as if this was a question he didn’t know how best to answer. “So many reasons…” he twirled a lock of my hair around his finger. “And yet there aren’t enough reasons.”

“Stop being cryptic and answer me.”

“I don’t always know why I want something or someone. But when I do, I just take it without any rhyme or reason. You became mine the moment I saw you with Aston, but I had to be patient because when I finally claimed you I wasn’t going to allow anyone else near you. So I had to wait for my cousin to get married and get out of the house before I made my move, and now you’re here. With me. Forever,” he said.

“Really? You wanted me all this time and I didn’t know about it?” I arched my eyebrows in surprise.

He flashed me another cryptic smile; a smile so filled with secrets that I could’ve drowned in them and never reach the bottom, before he nodded.

“You only see what I want you to see, Nia. You’ll only hear and know what I deem appropriate for you.”

“I’m not a teenager who needs supervision.”

“Oh no…” his eyes lowered to my towel clad breasts and settled there. “You’re definitely not a teenager.” I blushed at the heat in his gaze seared my breasts before moving up with deliberate slowness. “However, I have the right to decide what you consume and what you don’t, and unless you want me to consume you right here and right now I suggest you to put on some clothes and come to the dining room. As much as I want to feast on you, you’re still too weak to handle me.”

He stepped back and I finally released a deep breath. I tore my gaze from his handsome face and eyed the clothes lying on the bed for me. It was only when he turned around and walked out of the room—closing the door on his way out—did I sigh and sat down on the bed. I fanned my face to alleviate the heat dominating the sides and forced myself to relax.

Fuck me, he was intense and I was in way over my head if I thought I could go against him and come out unscathed on the other side.

“f**k. f**k. f**k,” I said and ran a hand over my face. “This man…” I sighed once again before getting up and removing the towel and dropping it on the bed before picking up the underwear laid out for me and putting it on. Mack had put out a one shoulder top for me with a second strap crossing over to join with the first and a pleated skirt. I quickly put it on and slipped my feet in a pair of sandals before focusing on my appearance. I eyed myself in the mirror before throwing caution to the wind and striding out of the room. What was the point of fixing my face or make up when the enemy would be the only one to look at me. I didn’t want hm to think I was making any effort for him.

Not for him, but make an effort for yourself.

That’s the thing I didn’t want to. I didn’t fee like fixing my hair or putting on make up. Perhaps when the poison was out of my system and I felt better I might make an effort to make myself presentable.

However, as soon as I entered the dining room I knew I was in trouble when Mack’s eyes settled on me and narrowed to slits.

“What the hell? Why didn’t you dry your hair? You’ll catch a cold.” He dropped the plate he was holding on the dining table before walking over to me and taking a hold of my wrist.

“I’m not going to catch a cold. I want it to dry naturally,” I said just as he began dragging me out of the dining room and back into the room I just vacated.

“Sit down and don’t move,” he commanded before forcing me to sit on my side of the bed and pulling out a hairdryer from the closet which he plugged into an outlet behind the nightstand and turned it on. Mack settled behind me and and began drying my hair while I sulked like a petulant child. “Are you always this careless or are you doing this to get my attention? If it’s the latter, then I should tell you there are a million other ways to do that and they don’t involve having to risk your health.”

“Get over yourself. Not everything is about you. The heat damages your hair so I avoid using dryers,” I answered.

“Not anymore you won’t,” he said and I rolled my eyes. “I won’t have you falling sick on my watch.”

“Then don’t watch me.” I shrugged.

“You make it so exceptionally impossible,” he said, his words shooting straight to my heart. What was the cause of his obsession with me? Was he like this with everything he owned or was it just me? Was he obsessed with Vivette as well? If he was, then I needed to keep my distance.

And if not? Would you not keep your distance then?

Of course I would. I needed to run away to a place where Mack could never find me. I refused to be his little toy. But this man refused to leave me alone and Vivette might be keeping an on me in the house. So I had to be smart.

Mack finished drying my hair after twenty minutes, after which he proceeded to brush my hair like it was the most precious thing he needed to take care of.

“Mack, you can stop now. My hair is fine and I’ll no longer catch a cold,” I said but he continued brushing my hair as if he didn’t hear me.

“How long does your hair get?” He asked. “I’ve only ever seen it above your waist, but I know your family has good hair genes. Your Mother’s hair goes down to her knees.”

“I don’t like to keep my hair too long. It’s hard to manage,” I said.

He was silent for a moment as he ran his fingers through the soft strands. “I want you to grow it out.”

“I don’t want to. I don’t like my hair to be too long,” I argued.

“I want you to grow it out,” he reiterated, albeit a bit more firmly this time.

“And if I don’t?” Challenging him wasn’t wise, I knew that but I couldn’t help it. Since the moment he signed those papers he’d been bossing me around like I was a puppet rather than a human being and I was starting to get sick of it.

He placed his hands on my arms and leaned forward, causing me to shudder when his lips brushed the shell of my ear. “Do you really want the answer to that?”

I was about to say yes when I realized what he was talking about, and then quickly shook my head. How could I forget the lone threat he had hanging over my head? He would just summon my parents to be his slaves.

“Good girl. Then we understand each other. You’ll let your hair grow out and that’s final,” he declared and I wished I could bite him. “Now come on, let’s get some food in you and then I’ll take you home.”

“Home?” I turned to look at him. “You said we’re here for the weekend.”

“Why Nia, do you wish to spend more time with me?” He gave me a cheeky grin while I deadpanned him. “As much as I want to fulfill this little wish of yours, I’m afraid there are some urgent matters that require my attention. I’ll bring you back here some other time if you want.”

“What urgent matters?”

“Some… things happen which shouldn’t have. And I need to find the person responsible,” he answered.

“Is it about someone poisoning my food last night?”

His eyebrow arched in surprise. “So you were listening to my conversation with Adan.” He flicked my nose playfully, causing an unbidden smile to spring on my lips. “Naughty girl.”

“I wasn’t. I woke up and heard and you both talking.” I paused. “Did someone really poisoned me?”

Mack side burying his fingers in my hair to keep me in place. “It looks that way and that’s why I need to go and find out who’s responsible.

“The sooner I do that, the quicker I can punish them.”