Page 47 of The Alpha King's Curse: Part One

“Drop the indignant act. That’s why you’re here,” Jackson said. “Now run along, or I will come and help you dress.”

She walked into the bathroom in a daze. Sleeping with him again was out of the question, so she would have to escape sooner rather than later. Perhaps this dinner was a godsend after all.

Chapter 25

Layla smoothed the front of the dress as she looked at herself in the mirror. It was by far the most expensive thing she had ever worn. The soft silky fabric felt sensual against her skin as it skimmed against her curves and fell to her feet with a slit at the front. The round neckline made it look classy, and it draped at the back, showing more skin than she was comfortable with around Jackson.

With her height, shopping was a chore most days, so she knew she would have struggled to find something that fit her so well if she’d had to shop for herself.

It was gorgeous.

But it was hardly the type of clothing to wear when running through the woods at night. And she wouldn’t be able to hide her knife under it.

With a sigh, she fluffed out her curly hair and then slipped her phone into her cleavage before leaving the bathroom. Not the classiest of places, but she needed to get in touch with Brit once she was on the move.

Jackson stood by the windows, but he turned when she closed the door. His gaze slowly travelled the length of her body, heating her back up and making her hate herself. She could see exactly what he was thinking when his eyes met hers.

It was the drug Diedre had injected her with; she was sure of it now. Her body’s reactions were involuntary.

Jackson turned away without a word and walked to what looked like a box he had placed on the bed.

“Wear these.”

At least he wasn’t pretending to be a gentleman and wasting his compliments on her. They were not welcome, not from a cult leader.

She walked over to him to take the box, but Jackson caught her off guard by lowering to his knees in front of her. He placed the box beside him and opened it without looking at her. The shoes were high-heeled, strappy and black—the label on the box made her eyes bulge out.

She could understand why Brit would have immediately fallen in love with her new clothes if this was the type of quality Jackson provided.

It was too bad she would have to discard them when she ran. Running barefoot wasn’t ideal, but it was better than heels.

Then Jackson touched her.

She sucked in a breath as the same feeling from the morning hit her. His large hand around her calf instantly shocked her whole system as her lust went from twenty to one hundred. No one was supposed to be able to do that to someone with just one touch. She screamed at herself to pull away, but she couldn’t move. His hand moved slowly down her calf until he got to her ankles.

She knew he could see how her toes had curled and maybe even feel the slight tremble in her legs, but at least he couldn’t hear how her heart started to race. His head remained lowered as he concentrated on his task so she could only see his luscious hair. Maybe it was a good thing. If he looked at her like he’d done when she had walked out of the bathroom, she would likely make the first move.

Jackson lifted her foot, unbalancing her a little. She had to put her hand on his shoulder to support herself. His broad, muscular shoulder. Fuck, he was so strong. She was willing to bet he wouldn’t have a problem lifting her and fucking her against a wall...

She bit her lip and looked away.

She had to stay focused. She had to fight this drug that made her want to keep fucking this man. She had to remember her goal.

He repeated the same process with her other foot, gently caressing her before he strapped the shoe. He had to be doing that on purpose. Maybe he knew what the drug was doing to her.

But he didn’t say a word as he cleared his throat and rose abruptly.

“Come,” he said in a growly voice as he strode to the door.

The moment he stopped touching her, her head became clearer, almost like she was coming out of a haze. Whatever she had been given was too potent, too dangerous.

Jackson looked over his shoulder at the door but didn’t meet her eyes.

“Keep your mouth shut during dinner and do everything I say. Speak only when spoken to.”

What? Like a circus animal?

The last bit of haziness in her head cleared at the evidence of Jackson's arrogance.

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