Page 24 of Stolen Queen

The truth is, I don’t know him. I need to remember his reputation as a dangerous man, willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family. Including, apparently, kidnapping me.

I spend the next few hours alternating between moments of fear and despair and determination to get free. Eventually, I get bored and find a book on a single shelf over the dresser. I’m a little surprised by the options, all of which are classics. I chooseKidnappedby Robert Louis Stevenson, as it seems apropos for my situation.

I’m several chapters in when I think I hear a door open and close. Is Matteo back?

My heart races as footsteps approach. This is it. It’s time to make my escape. I adjust myself on the bed, hoping I look provocative but not obvious.

Matteo enters, his blue eyes scanning the room before landing on me.

I meet his gaze steadily, forcing a small smile onto my face. "I was wondering when you'd be back. I was starting to get bored here all by myself."

A flicker of surprise crosses his face. Good. He wasn't expecting this reaction. “I brought you dinner.” He sets it on the table and picks up the other tray. He’s going to leave me again. No. I can’t let him.

"I'm sorry about earlier," I blurt out, hoping he’ll stay. "I panicked when I woke up in a strange place. I shouldn't have reacted so strongly."

Matteo's eyes narrow slightly, suspicion evident in his gaze. “I understand. Does that mean you’re ready to talk?” He leaves the lunch tray on the table.

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what I'm about to do. I think back to that night at the club, how I felt so alive and daring. I need to channel that energy now.

I stand and saunter toward him, swaying my hips slightly. Matteo was drawn to me then, and maybe I can use that to my advantage. Do I look alluring or like a silly girl? My heart is pounding so hard I'm sure he must hear it, but I force myself to maintain eye contact.

When I reach him, I place a hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "I realize now that you were just trying to help me. It was foolish of me to try sneaking out again. I could have been seriously hurt if you hadn't been there."

"What are you doing, Ava?" he asks warily, looking down at my hand on his chest before returning his gaze to me.

I lean in closer, close enough that I can smell his cologne. It's a heady scent that makes my head spin slightly. I have to remind myself to stay focused on my goal. "I've been thinking. Maybethis isn't such a bad situation after all. At least here, I'm free from my father's control."

“I see.” He’s still suspicious.

"I've been thinking about that night at the club. About our kiss,” I say, attempting to make my voice low and sultry. "Maybe we could… pick up where we left off?" I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. Am I being too forward? Not forward enough?

Inside, my head is exploding at what I’m suggesting. I’m offering myself. My body shimmers with electricity at the idea. It’s not a bad sensation, which is crazy. This guy is my captor. Why am I intrigued by the idea of his touching me?

No. I’m not really offering myself. I’m just trying to put him off-guard so I can escape. I look up at Matteo, trying to appear both innocent and alluring. Men like that, right? Since I came of age, I’ve been told that my value has been in my body, particularly as a virgin.

Matteo's eyes darken, but he shakes his head. "That's not possible, Ava. At least not right now. Our situation is… problematic."

Undeterred, I step closer. I can feel the tension in his muscles, the rapid beating of his heart. His eyes close, and I interpret this as a sign that my seduction is working.

"It doesn't have to be problematic," I whisper, leaning in closer. "We could figure something out, couldn't we?"

I'm trembling inside, both from fear and a strange excitement. I've never been this forward with a man before, and despite the circumstances, I can't deny the thrill it gives me. But I remind myself that this is all an act.

I see fire in his eyes. It’s similar to what I remember when he brought me home and I kissed him on my balcony. For a moment, I think he’s going to give in.

He takes my wrist, pulling it off his chest. "Ava, stop.”

I freeze, caught off guard by his directness. My carefully constructed façade crumbles, and my cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“That’s not what this is about,” he says, his voice low and husky.

“So, what is it about? Are you going to hand me over to traffickers?”

His eyes widen in shock. “What? No.”

“Then what? If it’s to have your way with me, I’ve just offered myself. I’ll do it in exchange for letting me go." I see the open door behind him. I nonchalantly maneuver myself around him so that he’s not blocking my path to the door, a calculated move to position myself for a quick exit if the opportunity arises.

He glares down at me like he’s annoyed. “If I wanted to hurt you, I could have done it that night at the club. I had the perfect opportunity. But instead, I made sure you got home safely."

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