Page 167 of Hide And Seek

“You rigged a fucking snare trap.”

“It’s technically a capture net.”

“You belong on a watchlist,” I said, laughing softly despite myself.

His expression shifted slightly at the sound, something warmer flickering beneath the amusement.

“You almost made it to the creek this time,” he said. “I’m impressed.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Are you going to let me out now?”

His gaze slowly slid over my body before returning to my face again, and a shiver crawled down my spine as he reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out a knife.

His thumb flicked the blade open with a crisp metallic snap. “Hold still for me, baby.”

The teasing amusement in his voice did nothing to slow the adrenaline crashing through my veins as he leaned over me and slid the knife beneath one of the thick cords pinning my leg inside the net. The blade passed so close to my skin that I could feel the cold of the metal through the thin fabric of my tank top.

With one sharp slice, the rope gave way with a cleanthwip.

Rhys’s eyes lifted to mine, dark and steady. “See? I’d never hurt you.”

“Unless I want you to,” I murmured, lips quirking.

A low laugh rumbled from his chest. “That’s different, and you know it.”

He worked slowly and deliberately. Each cut loosened the net a fraction more, keeping me trapped just long enough for the anticipation to twist tighter in my belly.

The blade flashed again in the dim light filtering between the trees, severing the final cord near my thigh. With that, the entire net collapsed beneath me.

Before I could draw breath, Rhys caught me around the waist and dragged me against him. Pine needles crunched as he pushed me onto my back on the forest floor, one hand braced beside my head, the other still holding the knife.

His palm slid up to cup my jaw, then wrapped around my throat. Not squeezing hard; just resting there, claiming me. A helpless moan slipped from me, and his grip tightened, cutting off just enough air to make my pulse spike. Then his mouth crashed down on mine in a bruising kiss, and my back arched hard off the ground, chasing the edge like it was oxygen.

The knife dragged down my side, the tip scraping lightly over fabric and skin. Then came the sharp tear of cloth as he sliced cleanly through the front of my tank top.

“Rhys,” I gasped against his lips.

His eyes met mine, dark with hunger and wicked amusement. “Hold. Still.”

The blade moved lower. One ruthless stroke split my leggings from waistband to ankle, and a second later, my underwear snapped apart. Cool night air kissed my bare skin.

Rhys’s breathing had grown heavier, chest rising beneath the dark hoodie. The knife hovered at my throat now, the tip restingjust beneath my jaw, pressing lightly into the frantic flutter of my pulse.

“Tell me what you want,” he demanded, voice rough.

I swallowed against the steel, eyes locked on him. “I want you.”

“Not good enough.” The tip dug in a fraction harder, a sharp sting that made me whimper. “Try again.”

The danger should’ve terrified me, but instead I just feltseen. Like he alone understood all the twisted things I craved in the dark.

“I want you to fuck me,” I breathed, voice shaking. “And… I want you to keep the knife.”

A slow, dangerous smile curved his mouth. “That’s what you want?”

“Yes.” The word came out broken. “Please.”

He dragged the blade downward in a feather-light line between my breasts, over my stomach, until the cold tip rested just above my pussy. I didn’t dare move. Then he flipped the knife in his hand, pressing the thick black rubber handle against my clit.