Page 54 of A Twisted Arrangement

Chapter 27

Scarlet

I can feelmy heartbeat in my temples, like a drummer attempting to crack my skull from the inside. I roll over, burying my face into my pillow, blocking out the light. Matthias’s fresh scent has memories flashing back.

The way my body responded to Matthias, craving more from him, has mortification rippling through me. Tears burn at the back of my eyes. I’d let him closer than anyone else. He freaking drugged me! How could I have been so naive after all this time? He’s shown me repeatedly that he’s more than happy to leave me wanting.

I rub the sore circle where the handcuffs had been. At some point during the night, he must have come in and taken them off. The thought infuriates me, and I groan and toss the pillow across the room, a Tiffany lamp wobbling on its base. I’m off the bed just in time to save it. The colored glass panes in flower motifs are gorgeous, and it would’ve been such a shame for it to drop. Now that I’m up, what I can only guess is one of Matthias’s shirts hangs around my thighs, engulfing me. It feels like he’s claiming me, and I want to rip it off to show him just how wrong he is.

Except my search reveals there’s no other change of clothes, and there is no freaking way I’m leaving this room naked.

Carefully, I crack the door open, unsure of what’s outside. I suck in a breath as I walk into a paneled hall with warm woods and detailed wallpaper. Large windows fill the space with light; it feels like something from a magazine. I trail my fingers along the windowsill, looking for the crank to open it. There are multiple ways to escape a building, but windows are by far the easiest way out.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” I nearly jump out of my skin, like a spooked cat, when Matthias approaches from the other end of the hall. A shiver runs along my skin at the sight of him. His hair is messy like he just woke up. He’s wearing a soft black shirt and gray sweatpants that hang low on his hips. I swallow hard, taking him in. He’s broad and looks so adorably rumpled that it doesn’t fit with reality. It’s like instead of kidnapping me, I’m waking up in an alternate timeline where he’s waiting for me. The way I want to wrap my arms around him and press my nose into his chest, breathing him in, scares the crap out of me. This isn’t how I should be thinking about my captor.

I’m normally smarter than this. Hell, I’d killed the men who’d tried to get away with it last night. So why do I feel so warm and fuzzy with his gaze on me now?

“And why not?” I cross my arms and lift my head high. There’s no reason he needs to know I’ve truly gone insane.

“I have men stationed around the house.”

“To lock me in?” Why does my chest hurt?

“To keep you safe.” He rakes his hand through his dark hair, managing to make himself even sexier. “You’ll find each exit point is locked.”

“What—”

“Just until you accept that you live here now.”

“That’s never going to happen,” I scream at him, a simmering heat curling in my stomach. The audacity.

He shrugs like he’s not keeping me hostage. “And that’s exactly why they’re locked.”

Matthias steps closer and reaches for my hand, but I rip it away from him. I hadn’t realized I’d let it drop to my side.

“Don’t you dare touch me.”

His eyes cast down and look to the side as his throat bobs. “You’re safe. Just come with me. There’s hot coffee for you.”

“I’ll pass.” I turn back, hoping there’s a lock on the bedroom, but I’m stopped by his wide hands gripping my waist.

I’m lifted and thrown over Matthias’s wide shoulder.

“Let me go!” I slam my fist into his back and squirm in his hold.

He grunts, arm binding me harder. “Be good, or I may drop you.”

“That’s exactly the point, asshole.”

“Relax. I’m just taking you to the kitchen.”

As he says it, we enter a light-filled space. There are windows lining the entire end of the wall, nothing but grass for what looks like miles except for a giant oak tree with a tire swing hanging off it. It’s surreal how pretty it is.

He lowers me to my feet. I turn toward the room, and my mouth falls open. It’s styled in a modernized French country. The kitchen takes up the other side of the space, with long marble counters. The oven is an eggshell blue with silver and gold accents. I’ve never lacked for money, but this is an entirely new level. I can’t even imagine who designed this. It’s so freaking pretty.

“Close your mouth. You’re drooling.” Matthias knocks his curled finger under my chin, and I snap my lips shut.

He’s so close, his shirt brushing against my hand. My instincts are failing me because rationally, I know I should pull away, but all I want is to move closer. I turn my head into him as he leans down, our lips nearly touching. Deep brown eyesswallow mine as we breathe in each other’s air. I lift onto my toes, my lips grazing his, before he’s the one that steps back.

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