Page 40 of Stripped

Chapter 20

"Promise me you won't leave the cottage," Wraith said, coming out of the small bathroom, adjusting his tie.

Pim sat up in the bed. "I still don't see why I can't come with you."

"I told you. I need to gather some information and where I'm going isn't open to the public." He sat down on the edge, next to her. "Where's your phone?"

"In my purse."

He stood up. Finding her purse on the table, he opened it and took out her phone. "What's your passcode?"

She got out of bed, pulling on her underwear and wrapping her sweater around her. "Hey, just because we had sex, doesn't mean you can control me," she said, a bit touchy, trying to grab the phone from him.

He laughed, holding on to it. "If that's what you want to call it, that's fine. Now give me your passcode. I want to put my number in your contacts and make sure no one is tracking it."

She tried one more time to take it from him but managed to stub her sore toe on the leg of the table. "Fucking hell." Tears sprang to her eyes. She grabbed her foot, hopping around.

Wraith sat her down in a chair and went to his rucksack, coming back with a bottle of pills. He shook two out and handed them to her along with a bottle of water. "This will help with the pain and swelling. Now, what's your passcode?"

"Four, four, four, four."

"For the love of God, Primrose, anyone can hack that," he said, shaking his head with a frown. She watched as he punched in the numbers and entered his contact information, then set her GPS so he could track her on his phone, and turned off the passcode. "Reset your code. I've deleted this one." He grabbed his jacket from the armchair and put it on, picking up his rucksack. "Come here." He motioned to her.

She looked over at him and regret for last night hit her like a ton of bricks. She didn't want to have feelings for him, she didn't want to miss him when he left. "No, I'm good."

He came over to her and stood her up, bringing her into an embrace. "Promise me you won't leave the cottage," he said again. "I need to hear you say the words."

She looked up at him. "I won't leave."

He took her chin in his hand and kissed her. "I'll be back tonight.

She tried pulling away, but he held her tight. "About last night."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"I think there is, princess."

"And I fucking don't."

His hand came down hard on the bare skin of her bottom and he cleared his throat. "Language and respect." The same ache from last night took root deep in her and pleaded with her to obey.

"I won't leave," she said finally.

"Sir." He raised an eyebrow.

"Don't push your luck."

He laughed then kissed her one more time, lingering as he caressed her face. "I'll be back tonight."

Pim listened as he drove off, the tires crunching on the leaves and pine needles. She grabbed her sweat pants and went into the bathroom. The outline of his hand stood out red on her bum. Something about it excited her, knowing he'd put it there. Fuck. There had to be something wrong with her.The sound of a knock on the door made her jump. She pulled her pants up and went to get it, thinking Wraith must have returned.

"Hello?" a female voice called out.

Pim froze and looked around for a weapon. She tiptoed, trying not to make a sound, and grabbed a piece of wood from a stack by the fireplace, holding it in front of her. The handle on the door turned slowly and a face popped around the entranceway.

"Hello," a woman said, surprised, backing up when she saw Pim. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just checking to see if you needed anything. My name's Ailsa."

Pim lowered her makeshift weapon and took a deep breath. The girl had a baby strapped to her chest in a carrier. "Oh my God. I know you. You're the American duchess. I'm so sorry, I thought you were an intruder." She set the piece of wood down. The duchess was beautiful. Dark chestnut hair hung down to her waist and her eyes were as green as the pine trees outside.

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