Page 40 of Saved

“Erin.” My tone was firmer that time. “Enough of this. You’re staying here with me.”

I yanked at her bag for good measure, pulling it from her shoulders despite her reluctance to cede it. Stamping her foot, she swung around as gravity took its weight to the floor between us.

“Why won’t you just let me be?” Her chest was rising and falling at speed, reminding me of the writhing pussy cat who’d taken me right to the edge and then promptly fallen asleep in my arms.

What had happened to that woman?

If I was honest, I’d been pretty disappointed with the way our spontaneous intimacy had concluded. My cock had been ready to explode as she’d spasmed around my fingers, and I wouldn’t forget how the teasing minx had favored sleep over reciprocation, but I much preferred that softened, sexy woman to the insolent version of Erin.

“Because it’s not safe!” How many times did I have to go through this? “Neither of us are going out there until we’re warm again, have eaten, and have a plan.”

I wasn’t exactly being unreasonable.

“But Chelle.” She stared at me keenly, as though she expected me to change my mind, but that wasn’t an option.

Not only was she the sole remaining person left in the party I’d been charged with leading, but in the hours we’d been forced together, I’d grown rather fond of the riveting brunette. Her actions didn’t always make sense to me, but I respected the way she stood up for herself and how much she cared for her friend. Of course, the fact that she had a great body and I knew how good it was to hold her also did nothing to assuage my desire.

I wanted her there with me, wanted more time with her. Whatever the weather, the moment that door was opened, the delicate shoots of that fantasy would be erased. Deep down, I feared that outcome. I wasn’t sure why I was so drawn to Erin—she wasn’t the first attractive woman I’d taken into the forest—but I sensed there was something special about her. Something I needed to explore.

“I can’t justleaveher!” She was constantly on the edge of either tears, tantrums, or as I remembered, tantalizing climaxes. “Why can’t you understand?”

“Idounderstand.” That was a lie. Little of her behavior made sense to me. “But going out there and getting yourself killed won’t help anyone, least of all Chelle.”

She frowned, evidently wanting to argue and yet struggling for the right words. “Jesus!” Fresh tears emerged from her beautiful eyes as she slammed her palm against the door. “Why did you have to wake up? I just want to go.”

“You won’t last out there.” Resisting the urge to grab her hand and insist she come away from the exit, I folded my arms in front of me. “I know it and so do you.”

I tried not to take what she said personally, but glowering at her, I heard her words ringing in my ears.

Why did you have to wake up? I just want to go!

That hadn’t been the greeting I’d hoped for when my arousal had finally ebbed away, and I’d given in to sleep. I’d hoped for something warmer—a little gratitude perhaps, and a chance of pleasure for myself. The impertinent expression on her face made me wonder why I’d bestowed the carnality on her in the first place.

“Fuck you!” Chest heaving, she jabbed a delicate finger in my direction. “I’ll do fine out there, but you won’t let me leave.”

“That’s funny.” I’d had just about enough of her attitude. I might have respected how feisty she could be, but there was a limit to my patience, and whether she realized it or not, little Erin was rapidly approaching it. “Fucking me was just what I had in mind this morning, but instead, I get this little song and dance routine.”

“There’sno wayyou’re fucking me.” The venom accompanying her hissed words hurt more than their meaning. “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on Earth!”

Logically, I accepted she was angry at some perceived loss of liberty, although God knew why. I was trying to look after her, not harm her. But I couldn’t tolerate the way she thought it was acceptable to weaponize our arousal against me. I’d been there with her in the dark. I knew precisely how aroused she’d been, recalling her deliciousness in agonizing detail. Any inference to the contrary wasn’t only cruel, it was patently untrue.

“Watch your tone.”

“Or, what?” She leaned toward me, audacity glaring in her eyes as though she was daring me to bend her over and show her ‘what’ would happen. “What are you going to do, Eli?”

“I’m glad you asked.” I could have laughed at her performance. She was begging for someone to take her in hand, and that someone was me. “I’ll show you.”

I moved like lightning, wrapping my hand around her wrist and yanking her toward me. Lurching forward, her expression crumbled from temerity to shock. Apparently, despite her gall, she hadn’t expected me to respond. Turning toward the chair, I suppressed my growing glee. Things were only going to get tougher for stunned little Erin.

“Wh-what are you doing?” she gasped as I hauled her with me. “Stop it! You can’t do this!”

“Which is it, Erin?” Pausing suddenly, I smiled as she stumbled straight into me. “Are you asking what I’m doing, or do you already know?”

“What?” Her gaze flitted from the place I held her to my face, desperation flashing in her wonderful eyes. I’d have wagered she was contemplating whether she could prize my fingers from her, but her hesitation was smart. Even if I allowed the deed, it would not go unpunished. “Please, Eli. You’re hurting me.”

My attention darted to the same spot reflexively. “I’m not hurting you.”Yet.“But I am showing you what happens when you don’t speak to me with respect.”

Confusion flickered in her expression as she tried, and failed, to pull her arm from me. “So, why have you dragged me across the cabin?”

---