Page 15 of Little Darling

“And you’ll still have to bathe… but in icy water.” He hummed, as if the thought turned him on. “I can picture your perfect skin covered with goose bumps, your nipples tiny and hard and begging for my mouth, little darling.” He growled that last part, and I shivered, hating that his words and the sound of his voice made me… feel some kind of way.

I stood by the tub, my arms wrapped around me, as if that could somehow protect me from the reality of what he was asking. No—demanding.

“I can help you bathe, Dolly. Would you like that?”

Help me bathe? The thought of him watching me, of his hands on my skin, made my stomach... God, it made it flutter.

“Leave me alone,” I said softly, maybe too low for him to even hear me. I looked him in the eye, wanting him to see the strength I had—or the strength I tried to portray.

He narrowed his eyes, but it wasn’t in irritation or anger. It was more calculating—like he was planning something.

“So strong, sweet girl. So independent,” he replied tenderly and stepped inside, reaching back and shutting the door behind him but not closing it fully.

I shook my head, not sure what I was saying no to at that moment.

Everything.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Right? I was saying no to everything?

Panic bubbled beneath the surface, and I breathed out, “I’m not fighting you… Lars.” I thought saying his name might soften him toward me. Maybe he’d see he had to be gentle with me if he wanted me to go along with this and not struggle. “I need privacy.”

The air in the room went still, tension filling the space between us. I turned and faced him but kept as much distance between us as I could, even if it was only a couple of feet. As we stared at each other, I could see the way his jaw clenched. I took in his imposing size and the way his hands flexed at his sides.

For a moment, I thought he might strip me naked and force me into the tub himself. But then, after what felt like a stand-off between our two warring sides, Lars tipped his head toward the tub and reached behind him to open the door.

I thought he’d leave, but he didn’t. He leaned a broad shoulder against the frame, crossed his thick arms—his flannel stretching over the wide expanse of him—and stared at me.

He was unmoving. Unflinching.

“This is as far as I go.” His voice was colder now.

The way his eyes stayed on me, as if he didn’t want to even blink for fear I’d disappear, was so intense that Ifeltit cover me like a second skin.

His expression was dark and unreadable and sent a chill down my spine. I knew without a doubt that Lars wouldn’t ever be far. He would always be there. Never letting me leave.

There was no point in stalling because the longer I fought this moment the more my chances of pissing him off increased. Besides, for all I knew, he’d already seen me naked while I’d been out.Because he drugged me.

My hands trembled as I undressed. I kept my focus trained on the ground, too aware of him being so close, watching me, and knowing everything about me.

When I was naked, I folded my clothes, taking my time and putting them neatly on the sink as if I still had control over something. Anything. And then I threw my arm over my chest, covering my breasts, and covered my pussy with a hand.

A quick glance at my reflection in the cloudy mirror showed my pale face and the dark circles under my eyes. I twisted my hand while still keeping my breasts covered and stared at my inner wrist. The tattoo on my skin was a stark reminder of the man I now apparently belonged to.

Lars.

“Get in the tub, Dolly.”

I hated to admit to the heat that rushed through me at the sound of my name rolling off his tongue.

I slid into the tub, and although I felt like I’d been standing there a lifetime, the water was warm against my skin, and instantly, I felt a calmness wash over me. But it was impossible to fully relax.

Every part of me was vibrating, and when Lars came closer and sat on the toilet, far too close, it was a reminder that I wasn’t alone and probably wouldn't ever be again.

Out the corner of my eye, I saw him shift and lean, and then he handed me a rag. I took it without saying a word and started washing. I could imagine his eyes on me, watching every single move I made.

“I’m here, Dolly,” he said, breaking the silence between us. “And I always will be.”