Page 35 of Innocent Intentions

Matty walks in.

“I brought you coffee.” He holds out the mug like a peace offering. “I wasn’t sure how you take yours, so I put cream and sugar in it. If you don’t like it, we have more downstairs. There are a few machines that I think also make coffee, but I don’t know how to use them. You can ask Dotty. She’ll make some for you. She was busy, and I didn’t want to be the reason you go two days without coffee.”

He throws me a wink. A fucking wink.

That can’t be right. My captor cannot be sweet.

Wait… Dotty? Who the hell is Dotty?

“I won’t be the other woman,” I mutter under my breath before I can stop myself.

His brows furrow. “What?”

“Who’s Dotty?” I snap, my jaw clenched.

He stares for a second, before answering. “Dotty is the head of house. She’s in charge of cleaning, cooking, and whatnot.”

Oh.

I’mtoorelieved. Not that it matters. It doesn’t.

“She’s also old enough to be a grandmother.” His lips twitch. “So, how do you take your coffee? I’ll get it right tomorrow.”

“Caramel macchiato. Wait.” My stomach drops. “Tomorrow? You’re keeping me here another night?”

He winces. “I haven’t figured out what to do with you yet.”

I gape at him. “Excuse me? I’m leaving immediately!”

I storm towards the door, but he blocks my path, his broad frame unmovable.

“Move.”

“You know I can’t let you go. Just hang tight.”

Hang tight?

My voice rises. “What am I supposed to do all day? I will find a way to leave.”

Before he can respond, a bark cuts through the air.

Benny.

My heart lurches. “Where is he? Bring me to him now! If you hurt a hair on his head, I’ll kill you.”

Matty’s expression darkens. “I’ll take you to him. But if you cause any trouble, it’s Benny who’ll pay.”

Tears sting my eyes. I nod. I won’t let anything happen to Benny.

Matty leads me out of the room, down a series of hallways, and finally down a grand staircase.

I’ll never remember how to get back to our room.

Hisroom. Notourroom.

He’s out of his damn mind if he thinks I’ll spend another night in bed with him.

We enter a bedroom and my gaze locks onto the dog bed.

---