Page 50 of Enforcer's Obsession

I felt his gaze on me, and, I didn’t hate it.

I paused for a moment, chewing the food in my mouth, hoping to swallow it down with my shame.

And I did feel that shame.

Because I was getting used to this.

Getting used to him.

And I hated myself for it.

I knew exactly what kind of man Nico was, but even still, I found a comfort in his presence.

He’d been here a lot for the last two days, and those times when he’d been gone were the worst.

It made no sense, but when he was around, I felt safe.

The exact opposite of what I should have felt.

I told myself it was just shock, trauma, but I wasn’t sure if I’d believe that.

I finished my food, trying to push my thoughts away.

Trying to focus on getting out of here.

As had become our ritual, I cleared the table, then washed the dishes.

“There’s a dishwasher,” Nico said.

It was the same thing he had said the previous days, something that I ignored again.

Told myself I needed to do something to keep from going crazy.

The truth was, I hated washing dishes, so doing so was a slight punishment, though not nearly as much of one as I deserved.

“You don’t like dresses,” Nico said.

I could see why he would think that.

Tons of clothes had been delivered, a wardrobe bigger than any I had ever owned, but so far, I’d only worn the slacks, shirts, and jeans.

The truth was, I loved the dresses, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d plucked those dresses right out of my dreams.

Which was precisely why I would never allow myself to wear them.

Wearing those dresses would be accepting that this was real.

Would on some level me giving into this.

And I wouldn’t allow that to happen.

Ever.

So I forced myself to meet his eyes. Was proud when I did and even prouder when I whispered, “No.”

THIRTEEN

Hope

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