Page 7 of Suspicion

“Why?” Her voice cracked as she glanced up at the enormous tree she’d been leaning against. Wiggling her feet up the sleeping bag, she forced herself upright.

He couldn’t help but admire her determination as she finally managed to stand.

“You know why.” He folded his arms across his chest, watching the way her attention darted around the tiny clearing.

What was Miss Bennett expecting to see? An escape route, maybe, or a magical portal that had just opened up in the forest? Surely, she understood what was coming. She was going with him, and there was nothing she could do to prevent the inevitable. She couldn’t be foolish enough to think there was a way out. He couldn’t contemplate being stuck with a woman that stupid.

“I already told you.”

“But please!” Yanking at the ropes securing her wrists, her face reddened. “You don’t need to do this.”

“This isn’t going to be easy.” It was more a statement to address his own growing exasperation than an expression of solace for her. Ella would do as she was told whether she liked it or not, but he’d much prefer her cooperation. Or, at least, he’d rather not have to fight her all the way home.

“It doesn’t have to happen.” She employed what she probably thought was an imploring tone. “Just let me go. No hard feelings.”

“I’m going to say this one more time.” His patience was running out. A long trek awaited him, and his pace would only be slowed by her additional load. “You are coming with me.”

“No.” Her expression crumpled, her shoulders rolling forward as she lifted her hands to banish her impending tears.

“Yes.” His voice deepened as he sought to be clearer. “You’re mine, and that’s a good thing. What do you think would happen if I left you out here?”

“Untie me, and I’ll be fine.” Petulance echoed in her tone, although he sensed even she didn’t believe her words.

“You won’t be fine.” He wanted to laugh at her naivete. Maybe she was a fool. “I’ve done my homework on you, Ella. You won’t survive another night out here.”

That was a lie.

Tucker knew nothing about her beyond the little Bennett had told him and what he’d ascertained since they’d met, but he was willing to wager that he was right. She looked like the kind of woman who was more used to a six-star hotel than life out in the wild. Her decorated fingernails suggested she’d never done a day’s work in her life.

“I’ll be all right.” She swallowed down her own untruth, no doubt like him, wondering why she was lying. “I can make it out of these woods on my own.”

Good grief. Either she’d led such a cosseted life that she truly believed what she was saying, or she was intentionally spouting nonsense as false bravado.

“You have a choice, Ella.” He wasn’t prepared to talk about it anymore. The conversation appeared to be going around in circles.

“What choice?” Her watery eyes met his.

“You can come with me without a fuss.” He arched a brow at her. “I’ll take care of you and do my best to meet your needs.”

“Or?”

The defiant edge to her tone goaded more than it had the right to. He didn’t know her and shouldn’t care what she thought, but somehow, her simmering insolence riled. He supposed he’d hoped she’d make his life easy, but obviously, that wasn’t to be.

“Or…” He paused, hoping his gaze would convey how serious he was. “You come with me the hard way.”

Chapter Three

Dismayed

Ella

Things were getting worse—and fast. Waking up alone in the woods and finding herself fettered and freezing was awful enough, but this latest development sent fear spiraling along her spine.

The man claiming to make the rules was enormous. Not only was he outlandishly tall, but he looked as though he was built like a brick house as well. Beneath his plaid shirt, she bet there was a stack of muscle. Tucker was clearly strong and resolved to snatch her.

She was in big fricking trouble.

Thanks to Dad.

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