Page 27 of Escaping Wonderland

“You scared me, Shadow!”

His grin tilted up at one corner. “You seemed frightened well before I spoke.”

She shoved at his chest, but he held her firmly in place. “Youalsoleft me.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You did. I’ve been alone since I woke up.”

“I’ve been with you the entire time, Alice.”

“Are you saying…you’ve beenfollowingme?”

“Well it would’ve been foolish to let you wander off on your own, wouldn’t it have?”

Alice didn’t consider the potential consequences, didn’t pause to consider how he’d react or how strong he was, she simply succumbed to the flare of anger in her chest; she clenched her fist and punched him in the shoulder as hard as she could.

Shadow grunted softly and swayed back a bit; she moved with him, thanks to his unrelenting hold on her.

She glared up at him. “I called for you, and you just ignored me! You let me think you abandoned me.”

“I hardly see how I’m responsible for what you do or do not think. What goes on in your head is no fault of mine.”

Alice pressed her lips together as tears of fury and hurt welled in her eyes. She pushed against his chest again, struggling to break his hold. “Let me go.”

His grin broadened. “Now youwantto be alone?”

Alarm fluttered in Alice’s stomach; this was the turn. He wouldn’t let go, and then he’d do something to her, something bad, he’d hurt her…

But Shadowdidrelease her, backing away and keeping his hand on her arm only until she’d regained her balance before breaking physical contact with her completely. He sank into a deep bow and swept the hat off his head. “My deepest apologies, dear Alice. Though I must say, your beauty takes on a unique cast when you are angry. I find it hopelessly alluring.”

Alice stared at him, dumbstruck for a moment. As soon as she regained her wits, she yanked off his jacket and threw it in his face. “You are such an ass. You’re not in the least bit sorry.”

His free hand caught the jacket before it fell. To her disappointment, he was still smiling when he lowered the garment. He straightened and tossed the hat in the air. It flipped end-over-end several times; Shadow swayed to the side, and it landed right-side up atop his head. “I just like to keep things interesting. No harm done, is there?”

He pulled on the jacket as he stepped closer to her, but Alice spun away and folded her arms across her chest. Her gaze fell on the nearby male who bore such a striking resemblance to Shadow. If she crossed the fallen log, it would only take a few more steps to get around the man and see his face…

Shadow’s arms wrapped around her from behind, and he leaned his chin on her shoulder, resting his cheek against her ear. He was warm, and solid, and his hold on her was so gentle, so secure, sosheltering, that she couldn’t help it when some of her anger dissipated and she eased against him.

“Did you miss me, then?” he asked.

Alice stiffened. “No.”

He chuckled; the sound vibrated into her from his chest. His fingertips brushed along the backs of her arms, tickling the skin just above her elbows. “I think youdidmiss me, Alice. You can tell me. It’s all right.”

It irritated her that she reallyhadmissed him, especially after the stunt he’d pulled, but she wasn’t going to give him any satisfaction by admitting that.

“Why did you follow me? Why didn’t you just come out when I called?” she asked.

“I wanted to see what you would do. What fun is there in spoiling it right away?”

“You find it fun to scare me?”

“I find it fun to be near you. Even when you don’t know I’m there.” He turned his head toward her slightly, and his breath was feather-light on her cheek. “I’ve been with you since you came here, you know.”

Alice turned her face toward him, her lips nearly brushing his. “What?”

“I found you while you were asleep”—he gestured to the figure standing just on the other side of the log—“just like them. You looked so beautiful, so peaceful, and I wanted to know what you were like when you were awake. You were so confused when you first woke, yet there was such determination in your eyes… I hadto see what you would do, but the Hatter’s little scurrier showed up before you could act.”

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