Page 9 of Savage Desire

Sign the death certificate now and cremate me on the spot.

I can’t survive this, but despite the raging inferno at my core, I strain, desperate to hear his next words.

“What’s the idea?” I’m not entirely sure if the question comes from me or someone else, but when I feel the breath against my cheek, I brace, ready for impact.

“Let’s see how well she takes all of us.”

I dart upright in bed, hand pressed against my chest as I struggle to calm my ragged breathing.

What in the holy fuck was that, and why do I hate the fact that I’m awake right now?

Slumping back against my headboard, I take a deep breath before I pry my eyes open and succumb to the fact that I’m no longer dreaming. At least I managed to sleep, I guess. My eyes latch on to the sun rays bursting through my window and I sigh, the sound almost content until I freeze, recalling the fact that I specifically left my curtains closed today.

I wanted to hide away from everyone and everything, sunlight included, yet they’re open.

Rubbing my lips together nervously, I frown, when the outline of a shadow catches my attention out of the corner of my eye.

Startled, I whip my head around to find Tatum sitting at the foot of my bed. There’s a soft smile on his lips, one that makes my stomach clench as butterflies threaten to take off inside of me.

Don’t fall for it, Polaris. It’s not your fault they sent the sweet one.

Keeping my movements slow and measured, I sit up straighter, my gaze fixed on the new addition to my room. Clearing my throat, I point at the closed door behind him.

“My door was locked,” I state, the words lamer than I intend as he nods.

“It was.”

Was.Noted.

“From the inside,” I add, trying to process how the hell he’s in here right now.

“I’m aware,” he says with a shrug, making my pulse quicken.

He broke in. He’s aware he broke in, and… he doesn’t seem to mind.

Taking a deep breath, I try to remain calm, which is annoyingly easier in his presence since he seems to be able to do that to me.

Dammit.

Pursing my lips, I nod, refusing to let myself get distracted by his warm presence. “Well, this seems very… un-Tatum-like,” I mumble, and he cocks a brow at me instantly.

“You don’t know me.”

His words remain calm and soft, but the harsh reality of the fact that I indeed don’t know him as well as I think I do still cuts me in a way I can’t describe.

“You’re right, I don’t,” I agree with a nod. “I shouldn’t make assumptions, but you shouldn’t break into my room,” I add, staring at him intently for an acknowledgment that he shouldn’t be in here right now, but he ignores the hint, running his hands over his denim-clad thighs as he tilts his head at me.

“Are you doing okay? We were concerned when we didn’t see you for breakfast, and when you didn’t show up for lunch, we decided we needed to check in on you,” he explains, and I frown.

“Lunch? What time is it?” I fumble around for my cell phone, but a sudden hand around my ankle makes me freeze.

“The time is irrelevant. Are you okay?”

My gaze latches onto his once more and I gulp, a sudden reminder of the dream I was having reigniting from a simple touch.

“I’m fine,” I whisper, struggling to breathe with his hand on me. He cocks a brow, refusing to fall for my crap. “That’s a lie.”

“Hands down, the worst one you’ve told,” he agrees with a small curl to his lips, and the tension building in my shoulders eases.

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