Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“Everything.”
“What could I be hiding in my underwear?”
He casually shrugs a shoulder. “I just want to get a look at you.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“So you’ve said.”
I slip off my bra and panties, trying not to think about it. Not to think about being naked in front of this man and so completely vulnerable.
“Satisfied?” I ask, forcing my arms to remain at my sides. I will not cower.
He lets his gaze move slowly over me. It feels like he’s touching every inch of my skin. It takes all I have not to cover myself, and I feel my face grow hot with fury or shame, I’m going to tell myself it’s the former when he finally meets my eyes.
“Spin.”
“I don’t have anything on me. There’s nowhere to hide anything.”
He shrugs a shoulder. “Give yourself more credit than that, Dandelion. I’m sure you can be crafty. Don’t force me to do a more thorough search.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Try me.”
I hold up my middle finger. This is to humiliate me. To punish me. So instead of doing a quick spin, I look him in the eyes and turn, keeping my gaze over my shoulder, glaring as he takes me in.
“Seen enough to jerk off to later?”
“Why jerk off when you’re standing right here? Now face me.”
My heart thuds at his insinuation, and it takes all I have to face him. To keep my spine straight and look at him.
“Good girl.”
“Fuck you.”
He casually turns to move to the bookshelf. Earlier, I’d seen the single leather-bound volume that looked more like a photo album than anything else, but I hadn’t investigated the contents. He pulls it out and sets it on the table by that vase of wilted, drooping flowers, flipping through a few pages before closing it and turning back to me.
“Not-so-light reading for you to pass the time,” he says and heads toward the door. “You can get dressed now.”
“Wait!” I call out as he opens it, stopping short when I see the guard’s face as he pokes his head in and sees me. I flip him off, then wrap an arm over my breasts and set my hand between my legs.
He hands the dagger to the soldier and makes a point of leaving the door open when he turns back to me.
“Yes, Dandelion?”
“My call. You said I could call my sister.”
“I said we’d see, and I saw and decided you won’t be making any calls just yet. I mean, where is the lesson to be learned if I just let you make the call? Give you what you want when you throw a tantrum. It’s how you spoil children, isn’t it?”
Rage uncoils inside me. “You said—”
“I said we’d see.” He checks his watch again, and this time, when he spins to leave, that rage that starts as a slow burn in my belly courses through my veins, and I find myself charging him. He turns just in time to catch me when I jump, all claws and nails. I get my fingernails into his neck, but he’s too fast and, within moments, has me on my back on the bed, his full weight on me, both of us breathing heavy. He pins my wrists over my head and draws back a little, looking at me as I process what it is I’m feeling. What it is that’s pressing between my legs.
“I’m going to enjoy you, Dandelion,” he says with a slow thrust of his hips.
I freeze, unsure what to do. Unsure how far he’s willing to go. And he holds on to me until I finally look away, being the first to break eye contact. Another victory for him.
He straightens, then adjusts the cuffs of his shirt. I remain where I am as he stands looking down at me. I know I’m beaten.
He turns to go.
“Is it money you want? Ransom?” I ask, sitting up. “My brother—”
At that, he spins angrily back, and I find myself cowering from the sudden storm in his eyes. “Look around you. Does it look like I need your money?” He looks like it’s taking all he has to hold himself back from launching at me, and I wonder if I got off lucky just now when he resumes his walk toward the door.
“Tell me your name,” I call out. He stops. “I don’t even know your name. I don’t know who you are.”
He looks back at me. “Amadeo Del Campo Caballero. Now you know my name.” He points at the book he left on the bureau. “In there, you’ll see who I am.”
He gives me a once-over, and I’m very aware of how naked I am. I draw my knees together and tuck them to myself. His eyes meet mine, and there’s nothing victorious or arrogant in them. Just a deep, unending darkness like a void. And after everything that’s happened now, that makes me shudder. That has me pulling the blanket close and hugging my arms around myself.