Page 57 of Hush Darling
He shut the door, apparently unthreatened by her access to the sharp cutlery. “I assume your bath was pleasant?”
She recalled his earlier orders about gratitude. “Yes. Thank you…James.”
He paused from removing his boots and looked at her. “Careful, darling. No one calls me by my first name.”
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“That’s better.” He slid his leather boots off and tossed them aside.
Power pulsed in the air as something dark and ominous slithered through her insides. She stepped back as he looked at her with unapologetic hunger. Only a towel concealed her body from his view, but he seemed to have a good enough imagination to picture what she hid underneath.
The longer he stared, the tighter her insides coiled. She lifted her gaze and straightened her spine, refusing to show that he intimidated her.
A low chuckle spilled past his lips. “So brave, yet so timid.”
He crossed the room, which had warmed from the fire. It also helped that she was no longer chilled to the bone.
Hooking a finger under the material, he tugged, and the towel fell away. “That’s better,” he said, amused. “Courage is a tempting look on you.”
Hopelessness choked her. This was it. There was no way out. His dark stare stripped away all lingering pretense, and she lifted her chin, proving she wouldn’t cower.
It was a strange paradox. He was a lethal man, but also a beautiful one. It wasn’t fair that evil could be so pretty. She needed to remember who and what he was, a vile criminal set on ruining her. How strange that she would inevitably thank him for it.
She shivered and pressed her lips in a flat line. When her arm moved to cover her breasts, he gently tucked it back at her side.
“No, no. I want to see my prize.”
Never before had she stood nude before someone, let alone a man. Every breath was visible, and her chest burned with humiliated outrage. If she made an enemy of him, she’d never survive. She needed to calm her emotions and lead with logic.
“What are you thinking, darling?”
She was thinking that, despite him being her adversary, some twisted part of her could do this. She needed to please him, not torment him. He ultimately had control, and if she made this difficult for him, he would make it far worse for her.
Like a Chinese handcuff, the more she tried to force her exoneration, the more trapped she’d become. True freedom rested in captivity. And she had years of experience when it came to confinement.
If she cooperated and did as she was told, he’d start to trust her. Trust was the key to escape. The sooner she earned his trust, the faster she’d break free.
Forcing herself to abide his command, she relaxed her arms at her back and straightened her spine. “I’m just waiting for you… James.”
He closed the distance in two long strides. That quickly, the look in his eyes shifted from amused to dangerous. She cowered, but he caught her by the arm in an unbreakable grip.
“I’m not a game you get to play, little girl.”
Her bravado vanished, and she sucked in a breath as his hand tightened. “You’re hurting me.”
“Something I warned you about, but it seems you have a problem with listening.” His grip tightened another degree. “Let me make this crystal clear. I’m in control, not you.”
“J-James, please?—”
He shook her hard enough to rattle her teeth. “What did I say about using my first name?”
“I’m willingly surrendering to you. I’ll give you whatever you want. But you’re hurting me.”
He flung her away and turned. “You will address me with respect.”
“Okay. I’m sorry, sir.”
His eyes narrowed. “Put something on.”
