Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“And he didn’t care that you’re holding me captive?”
The tiniest hint at a frown ghosts around his mouth, but he quickly catches it and returns to his calm demeanor.
“I didn’t give him the details of our arrangement. He knows that you’re mine, and he knows that you were badly hurt. We’re safe to stay here until you fully recover.”
“And then what?” I press. “What happens once I recover?”
He fixes me with a level stare. “That’s up to you.”
I press my lips together. I know he doesn’t mean that I’ll have the option to leave. He thinks he’ll break me in the time it takes me to get better, and then I’ll meekly follow wherever he leads.
“What do you plan to do to me in the meantime?” I challenge.
I won’t give him a reason to assault me again, but that doesn’t mean he won’t expect sex.
“I plan to take care of you,” he grits out. “You have nothing to fear from me. I’ll prove it to you. Let me.”
I huff out an incredulous breath. Is he really commanding me to trust him?
I don’t bother to tell him that’s not how trust works.
“I scared you yesterday,” he says quietly. “I understand that now. You weren’t ready, and I pushed you anyway. I didn’t know how being together like that would upset you.”
“You think I like it,” I fling his sickening words back at him. “I don’t.”
His jaw tightens. “Now’s not the time for this conversation. I don’t want to argue. You need to rest and recover.”
I bristle at the fact that he’s essentially telling me to shut up again, but I swallow more defiant words.
He’s right. I do need to recover. I can’t get out of this nightmare if I’m injured.
“I’ll get you something to eat,” he says. “Food, then painkillers. I don’t want to see you suffering.”
Again, it’s all about what he wants. Not the fact that I’m in pain. He’s incapable of true empathy.
I close my eyes again, shutting him out in the only way that I can. He doesn’t make a sound for several long seconds, but finally, I hear him stomp out of the bedroom.
I know my reprieve will be short; he’ll come back with breakfast in a few minutes. Without his infuriating presence to draw my ire, pain consumes me.
After breakfast, the painkillers finally start to take effect. I ease back into the pillows, cushioned in fluffy clouds. The absence of pain is almost euphoric, and some part of me registers that I’m probably a little high from the strength of the drugs he gave me.
But I’ll take the dulled awareness over the pounding in my head and sharp stabs at my ribs with every shallow breath.
“Screen time is inadvisable,” Dane says. “I’ll read to you so you don’t get bored.”
I blink and manage to focus on him. He’s sitting on the too-small, pale blue chaise, his massive body almost comically oversized for the delicate antique.
I instantly recognize the book he’s holding, even though his big hand conceals most of the title.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
My favorite book. The one we bonded over.
I choose the dark god too. His remembered words torment me. At the time, they’d been a revelation, a miracle. The man I wanted so desperately understood my desires. It’d seemed like a dream, too impossible to be real.
I should’ve trusted my instincts.
“What made you pick up Addie LaRue?” I ask, even though I’m reluctant to hear the answer. “You never did tell me.”
He cuts his eyes away. “I think you know.”
Yes, some part of me did already know. He’s broken into my apartment. He must’ve seen the book at the top of my stack.
Uncomfortable silence stretches between us. I don’t have to reply or ask more questions.
He’s my stalker, my attacker.
And yet, when he starts reading my favorite book aloud in that deep, rumbling voice, I sink into the familiar story.
It’s so much easier than facing the horrors of my reality.
“You’ll want a bath. You’ll have to be careful with your stitches, but you can get properly cleaned up.”
My stomach turns. “I have no interest in getting naked with you.”
His nostrils flare with irritation. “I didn’t ask you to get naked with me.”
“No, you didn’t ask at all. Do you even know how to make a request? How to ask for my consent?”
He sighs. “I’m tired of arguing. It doesn’t have to be so contentious between us.”
I lift my brows at him but don’t say anything in response. I will not make life easy for him.
“I don’t intend to bathe you, as much as I would like to.” At least he’s honest enough to make the admission, even if he is making a concession for once. “You need to rest and recover. I’m not going to cause you distress.”
“Of course,” I say dully. “This is about making sure your pet recovers.”