Page 95 of Knot a Thief

“I hate him.”

Argh!

“Forget it! Forget it!” I rock my head from side to side, trying to remove the memory, but stubbornly, it remains.

I throw off the covers and stand and walk to the wall. I turn and stare at the bed where I’d lain in his arms.

With a deep breath, I straighten my shoulders, trying to reclaim some semblance of control. I can’t allow these feelings to cloud my judgment or weaken my resolve.

No matter how comforting his presence had been, no matter how my body responded to his touch. I have to remember the truth.

I’m here against my will.

And no amount of gentle embraces, tenderness or soothing sleep-sounds can change that fundamental reality.

My eyes roll into my head as I inhale his scent.

Frustrated, I stride into the shower to wash away his scent.

Once I’ve finished showering, I spread toothpaste over my brush and brush my teeth.

There’s a gentle tap against the French doors in my bedroom that leads into the lush gardens.

With my toothbrush still lodged in my mouth, I pull back the curtains and see Lily, a massive smile on her face, and she’s holding out her bunny to me.

I turn the key, which I’m still allowed to have since I agreed to eat dinner with Max, despite trying to flee.

I spin around and glance at the clock again.

Fuck!

My heart sinks. I missed my five o’clock escape time.

Lily taps on the window again. I paste on a smile and open the doors.

“Hey.” I try to say with a mouthful of toothpaste. I hold one finger in the air and rush to the bathroom. Finish what I need to do and dash back to her.

Her nanny is sitting on a blanket with toys all around her. I pick her up in my arms and press a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Hello beautiful.”

She giggles against my neck. “Play with me.”

“Okay let’s play.”

If I have to spend another day in this gilded cage, I’ll gladly do it just to be around this little girl.

We play for three hours straight, including painting and too many games of hide and seek. I’ve read her stories, and now she’s on my bed because she wanted to snuggle into all my blankets while I read to her again.

She’s picked out her favorite book, and as I read, I can feel myself falling deeper into a dangerous attachment to the little girl.

Lily’s eyelids grow heavy as I finish the story, and soon she’s fast asleep beside me, her small form curled up in the blankets, but her little hand rests on my arm.

As I watch her peaceful face, my heart swells with an emotion I’m afraid to name.

This little girl has wormed her way into my heart, and the thought of leaving her behind tears me apart.

But I have to remember, she isn’t mine.

I pick up my book, trying to distract myself from the conflicting emotions warring inside me. That’s when I hear footsteps and look up to see Silas entering through the open French doors.

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