A knock on the door distracts me from my internal battle, cooling my mounting need for her. I pull on a lightweight black robe and cross the sitting room to accept our breakfast. I thank the server and wheel the cart into the suite myself, ensuring that Evelyn and I have complete privacy.
I’ve just finished setting the small dining table when I hear the bathroom door unlock.
“Come here,” I call out, another firm order. “It’s time to eat.”
I won’t allow her to neglect her needs. Evelyn is my responsibility now, and I’ll make sure that she’s well cared for.
She appears at the threshold to the sitting room, and her eyes narrow on me.
“You can’t just order me around like that.”
I meet her with a cool stare of my own, my brows raised expectantly. “You’re hungry.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I am not.”
“I warned you not to lie to me.”
She huffs out a frustrated breath. “Fine. I’m hungry. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you boss me around.”
My mouth quirks in a crooked smile. She’s cute when she’s indignant.
I simply pull out a chair for her and wait, keeping her locked in my expectant stare.
She glares at me and digs in her heels, lips pressing to a thin, angry line.
“You can sit down and eat your breakfast, or I can feed it to you while you sit on my lap.”
Even as I issue the ultimatum, the prospect of following through on my threat stirs my darkest carnal urges.
I’m almost disappointed when she releases an exasperated breath and strides toward the table. Her obedience should please me, but I crave to cuddle her close and feed her from my own hand. Now isn’t the time to hold her against her will, but I resolve to fulfil that particular fantasy soon.
She sits stiffly, her back ramrod straight.
“Good girl.”
She bristles at the praise.
“I don’t want to be here,” she announces, keeping me fixed in that defiant glare. “I’m not behaving out of some desire to please you. I know I can’t fight you. I can’t outrun you. But you’re making a mistake keeping me here. The DEA will figure out where I am, and?—”
“Yourfiancéisn’t coming to save you,” I snap, a wave of ire surging to wash away my deviant pleasure.
She pales, but she doesn’t back down. “I know.” She swallows, her eyes shining with pain. “But I’m still an American citizen, and you’re friendly with the cartel. You can’t just kidnap me and expect to get away with it.”
“I didn’t kidnap you. You came with me willingly,” I remind her, not caring for the way she’s twisting the facts.
“I want to leave,” she insists. “Are you going to let me go?”
“No,” I reply flatly. “Don’t ask again.”
She rolls her shoulders, shrugging off the threat in my tone. “Then you’re holding me captive, whether you kidnapped me or not. It won’t make a difference to the American authorities.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the American feds,” I growl. “No one will take you from me.”
I hate the fear that shadows her eyes. I’d wanted to make her melt, not shudder.
“I’ll keep you safe,” I promise, gentling my voice.
I sit down beside her so that I’m no longer looming over her.