Great Escape

As Reed and I approach the passage door to the keep he bends down and picks me up swiftly as if I was weightless and tosses me over his shoulder. I protest every aspect of this and then he I’m stunned when he smacks my ass harshly and interrupts my struggle “You can keep fighting all you want sweetheart, you wanted to be kidnapped and I’m just obliging to the brides demands. So get comfortable we’re about to make our great escape. I hope you enjoy the look of revenge”.

I can feel all amusement drain from my face as I am now certain there is so much more to the family story than I know. What does Reed mean revenge? My gosh what have I gotten myself into?

The doors burst open and I’m still draped over Reeds shoulder with my ass in the air. He’s quickly walking through the kitchens and out into the foyer where guests are still piling in for happy hour. I pray nobody notices, and that’s when everything starts to get too quiet. The guests are looking at me confused, and a man manages to blurt out something about Bad luck to see the bride before the wedding and then I see him. Alexander Malcolm is staring at us with a thin line of pursed lips. Reed keeps a steady strut, winks at him and heads for the door. The silence was so miserable I thought an hour had passed before we reached the door. And then all of a sudden Alex is pushing the door open behind us in an all business manner “where do you think your going with my wife Cousin”

A black Wagoneer is rounding the drive way toward us and Reed tosses me in the back seat before I can explain and the driver is already acting as if we’re late with an impatient tap on the wheel.

Reed spews back with laughter on his tongue“ I thought Emily and I could get to know one another, think of it as something borrowed. I’ll be seeing you cousin”. Reed is then jumping in the backseat with me and Alex looks to be shouting but we’re already off before I can make out anything he is shouting. Seconds go by and his name is already lighting up my phone screen. Reed takes my phone and chucks it out the window in a swift finger flick manner. “Hey—“

“Emily you won’t be needing that any time soon. Trust me I have your best selfish interests at heart.”

I should be enraged at his carelessness but, I’m to busy with a swarm of emotions right now. I just kissed a man I never met on my wedding day, became a runaway bride without an explanation, and let this man toss out my lifeline. For all I know we could be heading to the lake and I could become apart of another true crime documentary. It wouldn’t be the first time this town caught itself in the newspapers.

“Alright Mr. Boss man, where are we off to now. You have officially kidnapped me after our grand escape and taken my only social device I had left. I think we got the point across and you have rendered your services like a gentleman but I can take care of myself from here thank you. He wastes no time with responding in a taunting manner.

“Emily, don’t be silly, it’s time for the honeymoon”.

I look at him confused, is he delusional? I just abandoned my wedding day and didn’t even make it to the aisle.

“What honeymoon” I demand confused.

“The one where you get to enjoy your selfish endeavors with no consequences or husband to embarrass you. I’ve seen his explicit affairs. I wasn’t sure if he was really set to be married until I arrived at the wedding. I even wondered if the bride to be was one of his flings or clueless. It’s part of the reason I came. You see I was hurt when I didn’t get an invitation to the special day. But you, you amazed me out in the garden. At first I almost pitied you and had already planned to put you out of the misery to come but you surprised me kitty cat. All of your sass and blunt responses intrigued me. I should say sorry but I’m not one to apologize and I don’t think this is an occasion for it.” I look at Reed in disbelief, what does he mean he wasn’t invited, and why did he say he was going to put me out of my misery? Nothing is making sense. I thought I was the bride and in control here. Reeds face is amused and his demeanor is all business, the driver then interrupts “Boss, are we going to the docks or the airfield”?

Reed smugly smiles never taking his eyes off of me like he’s ready to devour me and I can feel heat filling my cheeks “airfield”.

“ read, you can take me home on the way to the airfield I have a flat downtown that looks over the bay”

“ Emily, I know where you live I promised to kidnap you.” Reeds voice is firm and orderly. Is he always this wayy? I should be protesting every part of this. I don’t even know this man.

“How do you-“ I’m cut short he exhales a sigh.

“ I told you I considered putting you out of your misery. Seeing you in the garden was not a part of my plan so I’ve changed my mind in the meantime.” Before I can protest further he’s answering his phone. His grip hardening and his voice low “I told you to take care of it, do I need to make myself more clear? Get it done” He hangs up without a goodbye. “ curly change of plans take us to the docks, my wife and I going to a party”. The driver doesn’t respond, but instead takes the order and turns us around.

“I should have known you were married” I snarl irritated

“I’m not” he says amused. I look at him realizing I’m still in my wedding gown… “ I did you a favor by kidnapping you and now I need you to return that favor like I told you I’m selfish and for tonight I need you to pretend to be my wife and keep people distracted. Do you think you can do that for me kitten”

“ I’m not your kitten. I’ve had a long day and I would like to go back to my flat” my voice is now firm and annoyed

“ it really wasn’t a question sweetheart you’ll do this for me. I have no intention of taking you home anytime soon. But when you do return home, you can thank your ex fiancé for your troubles and redirect that tone of yours. Now you can either come to the party and pretend to be my wife or you can come to the party. And we can let fate decide how your night turns out.”

“ it seems I don’t have much of a choice, but I am a fan of fate. So where is this party” I mock back.

Reed bellows out a laugh and then smirks with his eyes “ it’s an exclusive party on one of my……boats ” he says nearly drumming over the word boat with thought. then he squeezes my thigh with a pressure that feels like ownership and brushed the side of my cheek with his other hand to look at me. “Don’t worry sweetheart before the night is over you will wish you were my so called wife” His tone is playful and sure but his smile speaks of secrets. I’m not sure how to feel but my heart is racing at his touch. I’m caught between wanting to slap this man to take me home but also wanting to kiss him again like we did earlier. After all it was my wedding day and I did have plans for after the reception to live up to” Twenty four years of waiting to finally free myself of my best kept secret. I look up at his emerald eyes, feeling feisty

“ if you wanted me to pretend to be your wife so bad you should of worked harder. giving me a small trail of kisses doesn’t count as an engagement ring. Besides, I think I would rather join fate and see why you had to kidnap a bride.” I can’t believe how taunting I sound, what on earth is it about this man that can bring out this side of me.

He looks at me nearly in awe and I can tell he is lost in thought. He pulls me closer by my hips and then places his hand around my throat firmly pinning my head back to the seat and brings his lips to my ear again “careful darlin” he begins to suck at my ear and I can feel my body starting to buzz with excitement. He then nips and kisses down to my neck, brushing his hand over my shoulder in a caress that sends me shivers. “You may end up married with that attitude”. I turn towards him my lips now leaning into his and keep my self calm and collected as I whisper back to him

“You wish” my lips nearly grazing his.