Page 59 of Connor's Claim

“House rules. Ye live here now. With me. You’ll be full of my cum all the time. These,” he groped my breasts, the image lewd in the mirror’s reflection, “are to be bare whenever we’re alone here.”

I gave a soft laugh, realising I’d got my voice back. “You want me to strip half naked when you come into the apartment.”

He nodded and pinched my nipple. “Tits out. Mandatory. I need to see them.”

“Anything else?”

“You’ll obey me in all decisions related to your safety.”

My smile died. Last night, I’d been so scared. If I’d stayed in that house, I knew what would’ve happened. At best, Piers would’ve forced me into a sex act I didn’t want. At worst, he’d have raped and beaten me. My cries would’ve fallen on deaf ears.

I didn’t want responsibility for myself anymore. Just to be safe in this hideaway with Connor.

Slowly, I nodded.

Connor kissed my neck. “I expected more of a battle.”

I couldn’t answer, any element of fight in me broken. I rolled my shoulders then flexed my arms, the power returning. Connor helped me to sit up, and I glanced across the bed to the window.

“What time is it?”

“About three in the afternoon.”

I whipped my head around. “I’ve missed work.”

“I reported ye in sick. You’re not going back all week.”

His gaze held mine, that same challenge there for me to push back. I didn’t. Fuck my father, and fuck work. For a few days, they’d have to cope. I couldn’t walk into Town Hall even if I wanted to. Something powerful in me warned me off, let alone Connor’s edict about managing my life.

As if understanding, Connor touched our foreheads together, then pressed a soft kiss to my lips. My heart ached at the tenderness.

“I packed your bag, again, so ye have most things you’ll need, I hope.” He tilted his head at my holdall on the floor. “Your phone’s in there, too.”

“Thank you,” I said, and I meant it in every way. For being there last night, for keeping me safe, for us waking up together like this.

Connor climbed from the bed and picked up my bag for me, setting it down by my feet. “Hungry, thirsty?”

I unzipped it and examined the choices he’d made this time. Comfortable clothes and pretty dresses, nothing appropriate for work. I spied my contraceptive packet and fished it out. It looked a little crumpled, but presumably that was from being in the bag. “A glass of water would be lovely.”

Connor’s gaze lingered on the packet, and he disappeared into the kitchen, followed by the sound of the fridge opening. Once, I’d dreamt of getting pregnant by him. It was a stupid teenage solution to keeping him. For a millisecond, I considered stashing the contraceptives back in my bag—I’d never loved using them anyway—but it was an errant thought.

He returned with my water. I took the pill.

The cold drink woke me a little more, then another startling memory returned. Slowly, I lifted my head, puzzling over theloose thread. “Did you hear a scream last night when you were in my room?”

Regret passed over Connor’s features, and he sat at the bottom of the bed. “Your neighbours’ house-sitter was killed. They came home to find her dead.”

My mouth fell open in shock. I’d seen the house-sitter a few times, though hadn’t spoken to her. She’d been so young. “God, that’s awful. Another woman murdered? Was it by the same person?”

“I don’t know any more details yet, but Arran’s going to sound out his police contact and debrief us all later.”

“Us?”

“Genevieve and Cassie called the meeting. Cassie seems to have moved in, and she said she wants ye on her team.”

A short burst of warmth crept up against my sorrow. “I like them both. I feel so bad for that poor house-sitter, though. What she must have gone through, oh, and my neighbours who found her. For that to happen in their home, and them unable to do anything to help her.”

Connor collected my hand in his and kissed my fingers. “All the more reason to let me keep ye safe. I might be acting gentle but I don’t feel it. I’m half inclined to chain ye to this bed so I know where ye are at all times. Consider that a warning in case ye decide to test me.”

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