Page 52 of Ruthless Bonds

“What?” I quirked my eyebrow. “Why? Kreos, it’s fine, I’m just not hungry. I’ll save it for tomorrow.”

“I don’t make it a habit to repeat myself,kotic. Come here, now.” There was no room for arguing in his voice.

A nagging voice of caution whispered in the back of my mind, but I knew I had to listen to him. Slowly, Imade my way over to him with my plate. I set it down to the right of him and pulled out a chair, but he made a tisking noise and shook his head.

He scooted his chair back and spread his muscular thighs, patting his left leg for me to sit. My heart pounded so loudly in my chest, I was sure he could hear it. He didn’t actually expect me to sit on his lap, did he?

“Sit,” he commanded.

“You’re not serious, are you?” I scoffed, suddenly regretting being born a stubborn fool who couldn’t just eat their delicious dinner like I was supposed to.

“What did I just say about repeating myself?” There was no playful edge in his tone, because he was deadly serious.

Tonight was a lesson in picking your battles. And this was one I just didn’t want to go to war over.

I sighed, letting my shoulders fall as I glanced down at his leg. What was the proper etiquette here? Did I sit inside his legs, straddle him? The decision was made for me when he wrapped his muscular arm around my waist and dragged me so I was straddling his thigh.

A hot flush crept up my neck to my cheeks as he held me firmly in place with his arm. He picked up his fork and speared a piece of steak from the plate, and placed it against my lips.

“Open your mouth,kotic.”

It seemed like this was supposed to be humiliation, but for some reason, my sick and twisted mind sparked alive with a hint of arousal. I kept my back perfectly straight as I opened my mouth. His hum of approval had me chewing more aggressively thannecessary.

Down, girl.

The food was delicious, and I savored the robust flavor of the steak and the earthiness of the asparagus. As soon as I swallowed, another piece of food was pressed to my lips. The hunger inside of me took over, and I eagerly ate every piece of food he fed me.

At some point, my body relaxed into his so that my back was pressed snugly against his chest. Before I knew it, I had finished my entire plate of food. The server came in with a single dessert plate, setting it down in front of us without batting an eyelash. I tried to protest that I was too full, but Kreos wasn’t having it.

Besides, it was double chocolate cake. Had he known it was my favorite dessert in the entire world? The smooth chocolate creaminess melted in my mouth, and I moaned around the fork. Kreos’ fingers flexed against my stomach, making me extremely aware of how intimate this situation was.

“Good girl,” he murmured so close to my ear that I knew if I turned my head, I would find his lips there. My traitorous body was giddy at receiving his praise.

Surely, I was sick in the head.

Certifiably insane.

I knew I should fight my attraction to him. Be angry for being forced into this situation where all my control was being taken from me.

But I couldn’t deny that it felt right to be held in his arms.

I came to an alarming realization at that moment.

I felt safe.

Chapter Ten

Alora

Kreos escorted me back to my room, his presence both intimidating and oddly comforting. I’d prepared myself for a goodnight kiss, ready to play my new part of happy fiancée, but he simply opened the door and ushered me inside. But not before issuing another warning about the armed guards and dogs that patrolled the estate—a clear message to not try to leave.

I was surprised to find racks of designer clothes hanging in a rainbow of colors and fabrics from silk to cashmere in my closet. Someone must have brought them up when we were at dinner. I rubbed a sweater against my face and sighed into the material. For a moment, an odd feeling of jealousy ran through me at the thought they might belong to another woman. But then I realized the price tags were still attached.

A mix of emotions came over me. Anger at being forced into this situation, confusion at Kreos’ motives, and, even more perplexing, excitement.

I woke early in the morning because I had a plan for the day, and that plan involved getting outside of this compound. I put on a pair of tight black slacks and a green silk top that matched my eyes. It definitely wasn’t something I would typically wear, but the clothes clung to my curves and felt luxurious. I put my hair in a French braid, tossed on some mascara and then headeddownstairs.

Tash, Grigori, Anya, and Gavriil were all in the kitchen drinking coffee and looked surprised to see me.

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