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What the fuck was wrong with me?

I should be better than this, shouldn’t I? Shouldknowbetter than to give into the whims of a man like Eli?

But nothing about the woman who’d failed to leave the cabin and had succumbed to Eli’s stinging palm reminded me of the Erin I thought I’d been only a few days before. One night trapped in the cold with the brute and I appeared to have fallen to pieces.

“I thought I said nose against the wall.”

Tensing at how loud his voice had suddenly become, I leapt, adjusting my stance as I sniffed back tears.

“You reallyarehaving a problem doing as you’re told, aren’t you?”

Loitering behind me, he sniggered. Somehow, the bastard had managed to walk over to me without me even noticing.

“I’m sorry.” I wasn’t sorry in the slightest. “I’m not used to taking orders.”

“Evidently.” His voice was softer as his body brushed against my defenseless backside. I gasped at his proximity, simultaneously thrilled and fearing what it might mean. “It’s okay, little girl. I want to help you.”

Help me?

Nothing he’d done since he’d woken up had done anything to help. Being told what to do and then humbled in such an old-fashioned way had totally blindsided me.

“Put your hands behind you.” He mumbled the order against my nape, his warm breath eliciting a shiver along my spine.

It shouldn’t have felt as good as it did to be commanded by the cocksure tour guide who’d ripped pleasure from me in the frenzy of our shared bed, but for perhaps the same twisted reason I’d relished submitting to him, I accepted that it did.

I liked his authority, even if, at the same time, I despised it.

“Why, sir?”

No facet of mewantedto move my hands. I understood without being told what the outcome of that little adventure would be, and I wasn’t up for being bound by anyone, let alone a man I didn’t trust. Despite the apprehension bubbling in my belly, I refused to surrender willingly.

I had to at leastdemandhis logic.

“Just. Do. It,” he breathed, squeezing my left cheek roughly.

He had no right to touch me at all, least of all handle me that way, and yet the desire for him to push me up against the wall and slide his cock into my pussy was stronger than I’d ever known. I wanted to yield, even though I hated myself for the urge.

“I promise things will be easier if you obey.” His voice had taken on a disturbingly melodic quality, as though he hoped to lure me into submission with song. Little did he know how badly I longed for the outcome, and it wouldn’t take much of a push to see me slide into the deference he seemed hellbent on.

Easier for who?

I wasn’t a heady schoolgirl falling in lust for the first time. I should have been able to fend off his advances with ease, but I didn’t seem able to close the doors Eli opened.

“But I’m afraid.” Fresh embarrassment washed over me at the admission, if it was possible for the woman with the bared bottom to feel any more mortified than I already did.

Which I doubted.

“We have a deal,” he whispered. “Honor your side of the bargain, and I’ll do the same. You have nothing to worry about.”

Funny, I didn’t remember any part of the deal that mentioned binding me—which was clearly what he had in mind—but my anxiety-ridden paralysis meant I didn’t dare mention that caveat.

“And what about Chelle?” My breathing was labored, the heat of his breath on my neck and his roaming hand making it difficult to focus.

He was so close.

Tooclose.

“Forgetabout Chelle.” The resonance of his growl danced down my spine. “Until this thing between us is resolved, I don’t want to talk about her.”

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