Page 14 of Take Me Under

“Like I said, you didn’t wake up. I carried you from the car to the bed.”

He carried me?

I blinked. Once, then twice, not understanding how I hadn’t been aware for any of it.

“You put me to bed?” The phrase came out more like a question as my eyes darted to the red dress in the corner. Reaching up, I tugged at the collar of the T-shirt I wore. “Did you put this shirt on me?”

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost as if he were holding back a smirk, before he admitted, “Yeah. I did.”

My eyes widened in shock, appalled to know that a perfect stranger had undressed me without my consent. The dress had a built-in bra, which meant I was braless once he’d removed it. My underwear was still in place—only a slight consolation—but my breasts had been exposed to him.

Completely exposed.

To my horror, I felt my nipples harden beneath the T-shirt—as if I were actually turned on by the idea.

I quickly crossed my arms to hide my traitorous body, equally furious at my physical reactions as I was by his audacity.

“You had no right to undress me.”

“Your breathing sounded a bit shallow, and the bodice of that gown was very tight. I made a judgement call.”

“You had no right,” I repeated through gritted teeth.

“It was the best choice. I’m not going to debate my decision to remove it. You aren’t the first woman I’ve seen naked, and you won’t be the last. Calm down.”

“Calm down?” I practically squeaked. I could feel my temper elevate with each passing second. He clearly didn’t know that telling a woman to calm down worked about as well as baptizing a cat. “You are presuming, arrogant?—”

“Yes, I’m all of the above, princess. And as appealing as you are to look at, I promise I didn’t stare or touch you in an inappropriate way. I don’t get off on taking advantage of incapacitated women,” Anton stated flatly. “Now get back to bed. You look like you’re about to pass out.”

I straightened, feeling indignant. “You don’t know what I look like when I’m about to pass out. This could be how I look when I’m tired.”

“Right. I don’t buy that for a minute. Bed. Now,” he ordered, moving to take hold of my arm to guide me toward the bed.

I wanted to fight him but knew any physical resistance would be futile. He was right. I barely had the energy to stay upright. Nevertheless, I didn’t have the luxury to sleep.

“I can’t stay here, Anton. I have a flight to Italy to catch.”

“When?”

I pressed my hand to my forehead and willed myself to remember the itinerary.

“Tuesday evening. It leaves around five.”

“I hate to break it to you, but that flight left hours ago. It’s Tuesday, just after ten.”

“Wait, what? No.” I shook my head in disbelief. There was no way I’d been here since last night.

“Anyone who sleeps for over twenty-four hours clearly needs it. Now, I want you to lie down.”

I was weak and in no position to argue. Every time one of us spoke, the words banged around in my skull until I thought I might get sick. Perhaps he was right. If Anton were a psychopathintent on harming me, he would have done so by now. But still. There was no reason for me to stay here. I could easily sleep off this flu in the privacy of my own hotel room, whether he approved of my lodging choice or not.

Which reminded me—my room. Not only did I miss my flight, but I was supposed to check out earlier that day. I wasn’t sure what would become of my personal belongings without notice of an extended stay.

“Anton, I can’t stay here. I need to go back to the Midtown. My things are there. I was supposed to check out this morning and?—”

“Not happening, princess,” he insisted, and then turned my body so that my back was to the bed. Pressing my shoulders ever so slightly, he forced me to sit on the edge. Within seconds, I found myself tucked back under the plush satin comforter.

“I really need to go,” I murmured faintly.

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