Page 19 of Ensnared

Thethought pulls me up short.Whaton earth has come over me?Sincewhen doIthink about, well, aboutmore than kissing?

It’sas thoughBeausparked something by the river, thenJasperfanned the flames, and nowJaykobandLuckyandDomare just sitting around like sexy man kindling.

Thisneeds to stop—now—orI’mgoing to end up embarrassing myself.

Ishiver and look back atLucky’sgame, which seems the safest option at the moment.Amocking snort comes from the scary artist’s direction.

“Themouse?” he scoffs.Hisvoice is gravel and windburn. “Whatever.I’llmake do.”

Iflinch, andJaspercurses softly behind me.Mygaze swings back around to findJaykobstalking up to me.Ibarely see the dark intent in his midnight blue eyes before his hand grasps my chin and his mouth fits flush against mine.Mylips part on a sound of surprise, and he takes the opportunity to plunder my mouth.Hisgrip moves to the back of my head, almost painfully, and his other hand grasps my backside, pulling me hard against him.

Ishudder, shocked, lost in his demanding mouth.Witha whimper that gets lost in our tangled tongues,Iraise my hands to his chest, not sure ifIwant to push him away or pull him closer.Noone has ever been this rough with me.Mybreasts rub against him, shockingly sensitive through the thin silk.

Thenhe’s yanked away, and a hand grasps my elbow, keeping me upright.

Isuck in air, panting jaggedly, heat rising in my cheeks asItake in the scene in front of me.Jasper, who had been closest, was the one who draggedJaykoboff me, andBeauis helping him hold back the now-swearing man.Luckyhas abandoned his game and stands between them and me, andDom...Domhas my elbow.Ilook up at him, wide eyed and damp lipped, and he gives me a stern, searching look.

“Thefuck was that?”Beausnaps.

Jaykobsmirks at him, chest heaving as he half-heartedly tries to shake the two men off. “Itis what she’s here for, ain’t it?”

Mycheeks burn.WasIconfused before?Idefinitelywould have pushed him away.

Eventually.

BeforeIthink about whatI’mdoing,Istalk up to the three men and slapJaykobhard across the face.Itbarely moves his cheek and my hand stings from the impact.Icurl my fingers into my palm to soothe the sudden shock of pain.

Everyonestills.Theburly man gives me a look of darkening disbelief.

Immediately, guilt pricks me.Stabsme, really.It’sas unacceptable for a woman to strike a man as the other way around, but memories of the men in the woods are still too fresh for cold fear not to prick me at his roughness—even if that fear is only filtering through now.Andhedidgrab me first.

“WhateverIagreed, you donothave the right to manhandle me like that unlessIgive you permission!”

Myvoice is only half as stern asI’dhave liked it to be, my body still roiling with...Ipurse my lips.EvenifIam attracted to him, it’s not okay for him to just paw at me like that.Idon’t know this man.

“Youwill—Youwill treat me like a lady!”Iadd, trying to keep the indignation in my tone and wishingIdidn’t sound so much likeScarlettO’Haraon the verge of a swoon.

Mystomach dips again whenIsee the angry red mark growing on his cheek.I’venever hit anyone before.Evenfrightened,I’mbetter than this.I’mcertainly smarter than this.Guiltmakes maintaining my anger difficult.

I’mabout to apologize when his eyes trail over me obnoxiously, lingering on my breasts.Idon’t have to look down to know my nipples are tight and hard against the thin silk.

Traitors.

Theurge to apologize dies, andIlift my chin.

Jaykobmeets my eyes and sneers. “Lady, is it?”

Thescorn in his face makes me cringe, though there’s a flash of something small and bitter in his downturned mouth that makes me wonder.Whyshouldhebe upset?

Thenhe rubs a hand over his reddened, stubbled cheek and the look is gone.

Helooks atDom. “Gota type, don’t you?Justso it’s on the record, hypocritical bitch ain’t mine.”

Beau’sbrows lower in a menacing look that would makeDomproud, butJaykobpulls his arm free ofBeau’sgrip and moves toward the door.Justbefore he leaves, he turns. “Ifshe’s staying, she’ll do her part for all of us.Orshe’s out.”

Thedoor slams behind him.

Chapter7

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