A Rebel Captive by J.D. Thompson Page A

extended his hand to Olivia.  Her heart melted and she was absolutely mortified that she threatened to harm the little boy.  She took his hand and walked into the garden.  Spotting the guard running to his post, late again, she knew she missed her opportunity. 
    Thomas was a sweet, excited, boy.  He laughed and smiled as he plucked strawberries, popping a few in his mouth.  Olivia laughed with him as she handed him an extra-large berry, his eyes grew big at the prize. 
    The boy spent most of his time exploring the garden, looking under plants, asking questions, chasing a moth down a row of tomato plants.  Olivia kept an eye on him, letting him roam as she worked.  
    “Eeeeeeekkkkkkkk, Olivia!”  Thomas cried and she bolted from her spot, running to him. 
    He was pointing and shrieking at a large centipede, crawling along the ground.  She scooped up the insect, showing the boy there was no danger, and a plan of escape formed in her mind at the same time. 
    “Here, I’ll put him under this bucket so he can’t get you.” She put the centipede under a compost bucket, hoping it would still be the following morning. 
    After a few hours, she looked up and saw Cole smiling at her, watching her work alongside the boy.  Mrs. Wellings came over to fetch Thomas, thanking Olivia for her help and taking the boy’s hand.  They walked off and she could hear him telling the old woman about his day in the garden.  She smiled, watching the two of them leave, but then she looked over at Cole.  His eyes were dark and stormy.  He crooked his finger, beckoning her to his side.
    He stared at her heatedly as she approached him.  Without a word, he grabbed her hand and walked back into the fort, towards his rooms.  The silence between them made Olivia increasingly uneasy, but she wasn’t about to start up a conversation on her own.  When they got to his room he shut the door and went to his desk. 
    “Go get changed,” he said sitting down, and typing an email. 
    Olivia went into the bedroom and saw a navy blue dress and velvet blue pumps.  The dress fit her well, accenting her curves and floated gracefully around her knees as she walked.  The shoes were comfortable for heels and made her legs look long and thin.  It occurred to her then that he planned for her to wear the dress that morning, as she already wore a navy blue bra and matching panties.  Fully dressed, she couldn’t help twirling once and watching in the full-length mirror as the skirt of her dress swirled up like she was a ballroom dancer.  As she came to a stop, she looked at the doorway and blushed.  Cole was there smirking, he’d caught her little show. 
    “Ready?” he asked in a rough voice. 
    She nodded.  He escorted her out of the room and to a new part of the fort.  Cole stroked her back as they walked.  The light touch was enough to cause her entire body to prickle with awareness.  The pair walked out onto a veranda overlooking the west lawn.  The sun was just beginning to set.  Torches along the wall bathed the area in a warm glow.  A table was set up for them, dinner already there.  He walked over and pulled out a chair.
    “Do I have to sit in your lap again, my lord?” She didn’t mean for her words to sound so catty, but she couldn’t stop herself.  He just smiled and gestured for her to sit down, she did.
    He pushed in her chair while leaning down and whispering in her ear. “Not this moment, but probably.” 
    She flushed, but grabbed her dinner napkin, meticulously unfolding it and putting it across her lap, pretending his words had no effect on her.  He sat down across from her and uncorked a bottle of champagne.  She sat up straighter, excited to have a glass. 
    “How was your day with little Thomas?” he asked, filling her glass.
    “Fine,” she said, reaching for it.
    He put his hand on top of her glass, stopping her from taking it.  She tried to keep from pouting, but wasn’t sure how successful she