Page 43 of The Devil's Deal

I shrug my shoulders, pursing my lips.

He shakes his head. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Then his hands are on my wrists as he sets both of them free.

“Shit,” I mutter as I massage each one, sitting up against the bed.

“Let me.” He takes one of my hands in his, his calloused fingers working my skin, easing the raw pain radiating there.

But I don’t let myself enjoy the feel of a man’s hand on me. Not this man. I snatch my hand away.

“You don’t get to play the hero, or whatever the hell this is! You’re the one who caused me pain!” I shout, lifting up my wrist for his viewing pleasure so he can see the red ring around it. “You don’t get to take it away!”

His jaw pulses. He doesn’t say anything as he picks up a steaming cup of what smells like coffee and sets it on the nightstand before handing me the tray.

“Make sure you eat.”

“How about you stop telling me what to do?”

“How about you stop fighting for just a second?”

“I can’t do that. I’ve been fighting my whole life. I’m not about to stop now. If anything, being with you is even more reason to keep on fighting.”

A deep sigh leaves his body. “I get that. More than you know.”

This man has me confused. He’s hard, yet soft. He’s like a jigsaw puzzle with so many undiscovered parts. My father would never have set his captive free, nor feed her. Brian wasn’t wrong about that.

I pick up the fork and slice away a piece of the crepe, and when it hits my mouth, I fucking moan.

Holy shit, this is delicious.

I don’t even care that he heard whatever noise just came out of me.

“That good, huh?” He laughs genuinely for the first time.

“Mm-hmm,” I mumble with my mouth full, my eyes widening. I take another bite, ready to eat the plate too.

“My cook, Sonia, is the best. She can make whatever you want. If there’s anything you’d like to request, let me know.”

I nod. Maybe I could get used to this new life. No one cooks for me. I survive on pre-made food. If I tried cooking, I’d probably burn my house down.

“After you’re done, I’ll show you the bathroom. I had all your essentials packed up and brought here last night, so you have all your things.”

“You were in my damn house?” I question with shock, my eyelids blinking rapidly.

“I was. I really enjoyed your panty collection, especially the crotchless ones.”

My mouth opens wide. “You’re gross.”

The taunting gleam in his eyes is the only response he gives.

“How the hell would you feel if someone invaded your privacy like that?” I ask.

“I’d probably kill ’em,” he answers casually.

“Exactly,” I mutter as I pop another bite into my mouth.

My stomach growls again. Man, I’m hungry.

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