Page 60 of Ensnared

Whatin the world...?

“Mannersshould be taught during childhood,”Jaspertells me curtly.Everythingabout him is strung tight now, andI’msureI’vemade some horrible faux pas. “Butif that was somehow missed in your education,I’dbe happy to assist you.Now,Imade you an offer.Answerme,Eden.”

Istop my lip from trembling.Barely.Hebrushes the pad of his thumb over my mouth, as though sensing the movement.Luckysucks in a breath.

Mygrandmother had plenty to say about my manners, and so had my husband.Nomatter howI’vetried to leave my past behind me,Iknow my trailer-trash upbringing still shows.Itmakes me self-conscious about every reference, every turn of phrase, because despite all the booksI’veread and the studyI’vethrown myself into, it’s those small, habitual slips that will always betray me.Thatwill tip off mybettersthatIam poor, and lazy, and ill mannered, and whatever other attribute they choose to ascribe to me for the pastIcan never change.

Jasperis as calculated and wealthy asHenry’sfamily was.He’sthe manHenryalways strived to be.Articulate.Assured.Intimidating.

Ofcourse he sees right through me.

Ofcourse he’s disappointed by what he sees.

Theyears since my husband’s death crumble, and all at onceI’mthe insignificant, lonely girl who so desperately craved his approval.

Itear away from his penetrating gaze, lowering my eyes. “Yes,Jasper.”

Iknow this part.Iplay it as well as any actress.

I’msorry.Pleaseforgive me.Iwon’t embarrass you.

I’llbe good,Iswear.

Jasperstills.Hisstare is intense.Finally, the grip on my chin gentles.Aftera long moment, he makes a sound of frustration in the back of his throat and drops his hand.

“ItseemsI’mon a roll today,” he mutters, sounding unhappy. “Thatwill be a problem.”

OfcourseIam.

Ikeep my mouth pressed shut, but the sudden sting behind my eyes surprises me—as does the waver of my lip that, this time, has nothing to do with arousal.

Youdon’t need them,Iremind myself fiercely.Youcan leave at any time.You’rea survivor now.You’renot that same girl anymore.

God, how is it that in one week among people, all my insecurities have returned so viciously?Ihate this.Hatethe unsteady groundI’mwalking on here.Atleast withHenryIknew the rules.

WhydoIalways seem to be living by someone else’s?

Iwork to keep my face smooth asIstare at my feet, but tension knots my shoulders.

“Jesus,Jasper,”Luckymutters, “the lot of you need to back the hell off her so she can get her shit together.BetweenJaykobhulking out and throwing her against walls and you going full sadist, she’ll be completely warped.Letme show her how to have a bit of fun before you start stripping her raw.Please?Justback off of us for a while?”

Fullsadist?Strippingme raw?

Despitemyself, my gaze once again lifts and slides between the two men.Thelittle comments over the last few days start to make sense.Iturn the label over in my mind.Sadist.

Jasperdoesn’t respond right away.Thatchilling, deadly stance returns as he facesLucky; it would look almost lazy, if not for the treacherous tilt to his mouth.

Luckygives an uncomfortable roll of his shoulders under that stare, grimacing.Theflush deepens over his cheeks.

Hespares a blue-eyed glance at me, then sighs, setting his feet reluctantly, as though it physically hurts to set himself against his friend.

“Youoweme,”Luckyfinally says in a low, serious voice.

Somethingsilently passes between the two men.Aftera long, tense moment,Jasperinclines his head. “Verywell.”Thenhis eyes narrow and his voice becomes granite. “Thoughdon’t presume,Lucien, that there is any debt between us.Weboth know better than that.Ihave never taken more than was offered.”

Iam mostcertainlynot being told everything.

AsLucky’sface turns scarlet,Jasperlooks at me, and the bright, proud insolence from moments before dims back to his usual detached elegance.

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