Page 91 of Sage Haven
I gave her nothing in return but a slow, knowing smile. The kind that seemed to piss her off.
And it worked.
Her frustration snapped like a live wire. “Fuck you,” she spat, venom lacing every syllable. “Let me go.”
Her chest heaved, breath ragged from the effort. Anger flushed hot beneath her skin, blooming in her cheeks and throat. She radiated fury.
And beneath that…I saw her searching me.
For an answer.
For weakness.
For anything to latch onto.
But I wasn’t giving her a thing.
“I’m not your pet, Reich.” She spat out. Her voice was sharp, meant to wound. But hearing my name on her lips did something it shouldn’t.
Something dangerous.
So, I looked away for a moment and regained control. Barely.
This was going to be a long fucking battle.
I closed the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. Letting the weight of my presence press against her before I touched her.
When I did, it was almost gentle. A mockery of comfort as I cupped her cheek.
For a fraction of a second, her lashes fluttered closed.
And then—she tried to bite me.
Adorable.
I chuckled softly, my thumb brushing over her jaw as I gripped her throat with my other hand.
“Careful, wildflower,” I warned, amusement flickering behind my words. “Don’t bite the hand that’s about to keep you fed. Or maybe you need me to teach you some manners.”
She sucked in a breath, her pulse a frantic drum beneath my fingers.
And still, she fought.
“Manners?” she hissed. “Like taking something that isn’t yours?”
Clever girl.
Too clever.
“You don’t own me, Reich—”
I didn’t answer. Only let my grip tighten slightly, enough to remind her she wasn’t in control here.
The air between us thickened, dense with something we both refused to name.
“—so, stop acting like it,” she bit out, her eyes flashing.
Her words cut deep.
