Page 30 of The Scandal You Started
She scowled, irritation and some nameless, throbbing heat pounding through her blood.
His eyes slunk over her face with lazy appreciation. “Or maybe the mad one is me. Because, despite your claws and hissing words…I still wish to pet you.”
Rayna outright refused to acknowledge the way his low words hummed in her midsection and clung to her frustration. “Listen closely, Dominic. You are a Study. I am your Guardian. That’s it. We’re working together for four months, and then we’re never going to see each other again. In that time, your feelings areyour own, but nothing—absolutely nothing—will ever happen between us. Is that clear?”
He stayed mute as his face flattened into an unreadable expression. Eventually, without a word, he let go and dropped his chin, settling his arms over the rim of the tub again.
After taking a slow, deep breath, she leaned over to pick up the showerhead, wanting to be done with washing his hair so she could leave.
But as she flicked on the water, she could’ve almost sworn she heard him mutter, “That cannot be guaranteed.”
Over an hour later, Rayna stood with a tray of two empty bowls and two glasses by the threshold of Dominic’s bedroom, while he sat at the edge of his bed. Donned in a dark blue T-shirt and pyjama bottom set, he fiddled with the nail cutter she’d given him but looked up when she spoke.
“I’m going to get you a jug of water, and then I’m going to bed,” she told him. “I suggest you do the same, but if you don’t yet feel sleepy, there are some books in the nook at the bottom of the bedside cabinet.” She gestured at it, and he bent forward to peek at the small stack. “There’s also a sort of‘Welcome to the Future’manual in the drawer that you might want to have a look at, and feel free to sift through the clothes in the cupboards and drawers to see if they all fit.”
“But,” she added firmly. “Under no circumstances are you to leave this room unless it’s an emergency.”
“Whyever not?”
“Because it’s not safe. You don’t know what anything is, and with how curious you are, you’re going to end up hurting yourself.”
He grunted. “So I have been taken from one locked room and put into another?”
“I’m not going to lock you in here, but you can lock the door yourself if you want to. And I’m only telling you to stay in here for the night. Tomorrow morning, once I’ve explained the basics, you’ll be able to wander around wherever and whenever you want within the house. I’ll slowly start taking you out too, the more you learn. But for tonight, you have to stay in this room.” She nodded to the left. “I’m down the corridor, so if you need anything, just shout.”
Rayna paused, wondering if what she was about to offer was a good idea, but if she wanted to treat him like any other Study, then she had to do what she always did. Although admittedly, usually her Studies were women. Not big, flirtatious, lusty lords.
“But,” She raised her chin. “My bedroom door will always be open, so if you ever feel alone or anxious, or if you want to talk, you’re allowed to come in at whatever time of night.”
For a moment, he stared at her unblinking, then thunder crashed through his honey-coloured irises. “What the bloody deuces do you mean, woman?” he rumbled. “Are you mad? Inviting a man you hardly know into your bedroom at night. That is not asking for trouble, that is bloody damn begging for it.”
“I’m not inviting you in, Dominic. I said my door would be open—”
“To a man youdo not know,” he reiterated louder. “I’m beginning to think you bloody enjoy playing with your life and safety by welcoming danger with open arms.”
“An hour ago, you were telling me that a man offers a woman protection, and now you’re telling me I’m welcoming danger by letting you into my room? Make up your damn mind.”
“I said it was a man’s due responsibility to. I did not say that all men adhered—”
“Fine,” she spat. “Then I’ll keep my door closed. Good night.”
She swerved around, the bowls slipping on the tray, and reached for the doorknob.
“Now hold on a second.” There came a rustle of the bedsheets.
Rayna flashed her teeth at the door in a menacing grin.Got you, you idiot.
“I do not pose a danger to you—”
She rotated halfway to find Dominic standing and widened her eyes in exaggerated question. “Oh? You don’t? But I don’t know you. So how do I know you don’t pose a danger? And why should I believe you just because you say you don’t? You could be lying. In fact…I already know firsthand that youaredangerous.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked as his fingers stretched and curled, and smugness swung its legs inside her happily. “Do not patronise me.” He swallowed. “It sickens me that I hurt you once. I would never even think of doing it again.”
Both her ire and satisfaction dampened under the weight of his rough timbre. “Don’t patronise me either, Dominic. If I really thought you were a danger, you would never have met me in the first place.”
A moment of understanding, or rather acceptance passed between them.
“Good night,” she offered softly.
