Page 41 of Red Captive

“I want to get to know Jennifer…Jen.” He winks at me, glaring at Steel. “I can’t very well do that without breathing room. I told your guard that the female is perfectly safe with me, but he doesn’t seem to believe me, which, quite frankly, I find offensive.”

“With all due respect, Idobelieve you, Your Grace, but I’m simply following my given orders,” Steel says calmly.

“The duke is my cousin,” the general says in a booming voice. “We grew up together. He is a good male. He can absolutely be trusted with Miss Harris. You are to remain outside while they get acquainted.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Steel says, giving me a look I can’t decipher. I can tell he doesn’t like it. His whole frame is tense. His eyes are dark, his jaw is tight. Then his gaze moves forward. “I will be right here. I wish you both a pleasant afternoon,” he says in a low voice.

“Thanks, cuz. See you on Thursday for our rematch.” The duke grins.

“Indeed.” Ice chuckles, and the line goes dead.

“Poker.” He winks at me again. “I beat my cousin every time we play, but he keeps coming back for more. Let’s go, Jen,” the duke says. “What would you like to drink?”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind an herbal tea.”

He stops, giving me the side eye. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to have a glass of champagne? Just the one.” He holds up a finger and makes pouty lips. Is it crazy that I prefer Steel’s look of disdain? That I prefer brooding to chipper?

I think about the trip home. It might be good if my senses are slightly dulled by a glass of bubbly. “Why not? I must warn you I don’t drink very much, Your Highness.”

He stops dead. “You must call me Hunt. I insist. I won’t make you drink anything else; I promise.”

I nod once. “Trust me, you don’t want to see me tipsy, Hunt.”

He gives me what my romance books would describe as a smoldering look. I think plenty of women would find it attractive. He is, but…I still think I prefer dark and brooding.

I’m broken.

Steel broke me. From here on out, I’m going to prefer brooding assholes who can’t so much as smile and who treat me like crap. Nice! I can’t wait for the rest of my life.Can’t! Wait!

“I’m sure you’d be quite delightful even when a touch drunk.” He laughs.

I smile. “I get very honest and a little too touchy-feely. I haven’t had much to drink in months. Truth be told, I’ve never been much of a drinker.” I’ve always had too much responsibility, even when Trevor was still around. Drinking and responsibility don’t go hand in hand. After dropping out of college six months in, all the fun stopped. My life…stopped.

We walk onto a patio with a beautiful view of the ocean, which sparkles in the sun. “Wow.” I take it all in.

“It’s quite something, isn’t it?”

I nod. Hunt is looking at me and not at the view. He hands me a flute of pink champagne after pouring it from a bottle on a tray, placed on a nearby table. “Now,” he says, “tell me all about you. Don’t leave a single thing out.”

“I’m really boring.”

“I doubt that very much. I’m all ears.” He touches the side of my arm briefly, his eyes on mine. His attention is wholly on me. My heart should be going pitter-pat, but it isn’t. All I can think about is Steel having to wait on the balcony outside. I wish he was here…with me.

14

Steel

I hate this. I fucking hate it!

It’s been over three hours. Nearly four whole fucking hours. How long does it take to have lunch?

The duke called her ravishing.Not merely beautiful, but ravishing. Those were his words. What the fuck! I don’t like the male one bit. He’s too damned smooth. Too polished. He’s a prick. It’s easy to see. It’s written all over him.

The other thing I hate is waiting.

I hate that I’m out here and she’s in there, where I can’t see her, can’t keep her safe. Thing is, it’s my duty to ensure that Miss Harris doesn’t escape. That’s it! She can’t escape from all the way up here. There’s nowhere for her to go. I feel responsible for her, too. I feel protective of my charge. I don’t trust Duke Huntington one damned bit. He has a reputation as an asshole. Not just in business, but in relationships as well. He treats females like shit.

The prick called his country manor homely. Homely, my ass! Also, that whole thing about having to be at the castle for business is bullshit. He’s trying to impress the human. That’sall it is. I have a horrible feeling that it might be working. I heard her giggle…fucking giggle. Surely, she isn’t falling for his bullshit? Falling for his tricks and deceptions? Surely, she’s more intelligent than that?

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