Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58532 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“No matter what you’ve been raised to think about vampires,” I eventually say, “I’m not the type of vampire that wants to treat you like property, Blair. That never has and never will be my intention.”
Her expression falters just slightly.
“I won’t cage you,” I say again, slower this time. “But I won’t let you walk into danger either.”
Silence stretches as she studies me like she’s trying to figure out what the angle is and where the manipulation lies.
She won’t find either. My heart is bare with her.
Finally, she walks past me toward the open door. Her body is close enough that her shoulder brushes mine as she pauses in the doorway.
The contact sends a low current through me.
“If I’m not your prisoner,” she says without looking at me, “then why do you want to bother with keeping me here? Why do you even care what happens to me?”
“Because you’re not just something to me, Blair. You’re fucking everything,” I say the truth because it’s all I have. “And though I don’t own you, you are mine.”
Her breath stutters, and her eyes search mine for a long moment. She’s tempted to step back toward me; I can feel the need vibrating through her body.
But eventually, she forces herself to avert her eyes from mine, blinks several times, and then she steps into the hallway.
I follow her lead to the main floor and watch in amusement as Blair descends the stairs like she’s entering a ballroom instead of a cabin kitchen, taking in the room without turning her head too much.
My brother Rook follows her closely with studious caution.
Calloway leans back casually with an entertained grin on his lips. The bastard has already made up his mind that she’s going to run the second she has the chance and is probably intrigued to watch me chase after her.
“Good morning, Blair.” Thankfully, Kylie is her usual friendly and sweet self, which breaks up the monotony of three very intimidating, imposingly figured vampires.
“Good morning,” Blair says, and she doesn’t hesitate to walk to the table and sit down. “I’ll eat,” she adds, as if she’s granting us all something by not only gracing us with her presence but letting us feed her too.
Rook looks over at me like, who the fuck does your chick think she is?
Cal chuckles to himself.
I laugh out loud. I can’t help it. Blair Windsor is unlike any woman I’ve ever met in my life. Only she could get kidnapped and demand food from her captors.
“You’re in luck because I just made some breakfast,” Kylie says and moves to the table with a plate of eggs and toast.
Once the food is in front of her, Blair picks up the fork and takes a small bite.
“Scrambled eggs, okay?” Kylie asks.
“It’s…fine,” Blair says.
Rook huffs quietly, unamused by anyone who shows Ky anything less than the utmost respect.
Both Kylie and Cal hide their grins.
I don’t take my eyes off Blair. Underneath the calm facade, I feel her intentions. Not rebellion but something coiled. She’s making a genuine effort, but she’s also bracing for impact.
Fuck me. I hate how right she is to feel poised for the next blow. This shit is so far from over, it’s not even funny.
The urge to walk over to her and wrap her up in my arms is almost too much to bear. But I force myself to play it cool, to give her space, to not push for too much, no matter how badly the need to comfort her overwhelms my senses.
She glances up. Our eyes lock. And for a split second, the storm inside her body quiets. Because the bond is growing stronger by the day. That’s how it works. The more proximity there is, the more intense it will become, outside factors be damned.
Her shoulders lower and relax as she continues to eat the plate of food Kylie gave her. Right now, she feels safe, even if it’s confusing for her. And I can imagine she fucking hates that the only time her pulse steadies is when I’m near, even if I get a real thrill from it.
I move closer to the table. I don’t touch her, but I stand next to her chair. “You’re free to move around,” I say evenly. “Daylight only. Stay within sight of the cabin.”
She rolls her eyes, but she also nods. “Yes, sir. Mr. Kidnapper.”
Kylie snorts. Rook grins. And Cal doesn’t hold back his laugh.
Hell, I don’t hold back mine either.
And for the first time since I brought her to this cabin, she smiles at me. It’s not trust or forgiveness, but it’s something close to relief.
Fuck, it’s a beautiful sight.
And I hope it’s the start of a shift inside her.
Blair
Day three of being at the Slater brothers’ cabin and the first thing I notice when I wake up is the door isn’t locked. In fact, it’s cracked open.