Page 13 of Ensnared

Thatthought makes up my mind.

Asmy stomach dips in nervousness,Inod.

Aslow smile creeps across his face, and he drops a light kiss on my nose. “Youwon’t regret it, darlin’.”Pullingus both up, he calls to the other two, “She’scoming.”

“Iknew it!”Luckygrins, a godless glint in his eyes. “Edencould never resist temptation.”

Beausnorts atLucky. “That’sEve, idiot.Didn’tyour mama ever send you toSundayschool?”

Hehelps me up and leads me over to the others.

“Mymama had an upside-down cross hanging in her studio.Doesthat count?”Luckywaves offBeau’srolled eyes. “Fine,Iguess we’re going to plunder her secret gard—”

Beausmacks him lightly on the back of the head, andLuckysnickers.Then, eyeingDom, he takes a cautious step behindBeau.

Dom’sexpression is a thundercloud, dark and ready to spit lightning.

“Ihope you know what you’re in for.”Hestalks toward the south. “Ifshe can’t keep up, she gets left behind.”

Beauignores him and holds out his arm, his smile full of promises.Itake it hesitantly.Myhead spins, andIcan still feel the impression of his lips against me like a brand.

Whaton earth didIjust agree to?

Chapter5

Eden

Survivaltip #2

Don’twait for the next bad thing to happen.

Moveon before it does.

Aftertraveling for several hard hours at a grueling pace,I’mworried.Atthis rate,Iwillneed to be left behind.Darknesshas bled through the forest, turning everything to cool shadows.Luckyhasn’t stopped whistling, and the lighthearted sound is beginning to grate.

I’mrunning on empty.Eventhe prospect of a bed isn’t enough to keep my shaking legs moving anymore.Ormaybe they’re still shaking because of that kiss.Ihaven’t been able to look atBeausince we left the clearing.I’venever behaved like that in my life.Nokiss has ever made me feel like that.No, forget a kiss, full-blownsexhas never made me feel like that.

Ithas to be my exhaustion.Atbreaking point, some people get furious, some cry—andIapparently become wildly aroused.Itdefinitely makes sense.It’sscience.Addedto the fact thatIhaven’t so much as spoken to another person for four years, and it’s no wonderIreacted that way.

Mylegs wobble, andIpause, resting against a tree.Ineed to stop, just for a moment.Myeyelids droop.

“Ohhh, no you don’t.”

Thewhistling stops.Relieved,Idrag my eyes back open.

Laughingbaby blues meet mine. “You’renot getting away from us that easily.Comeon, it’s really not much farther.Barelyan hour.”

Myshoulders slump. “Itruly don’t think we have the same understanding of ‘not much farther,’Lucky.”

Hesnorts softly. “Allright, hop on up then.”

Mymind flashes to the way my legs were wrapped aroundBeau. “Oh, that’s okay,”Isay hastily. “Ican walk.”

DidIsay that too quickly?

Luckylaughs, then turns around. “UnlikeDoctorDesirableover there,I’llhave you know thatIhave a little class.Onlypure,Catholic, functional piggybacks for me, no matter what salacious siren spell you try to cast.”Helooks over his shoulder, and my hanging mouth clicks shut. “I’ma respectable gentleman, you know.Ineed to be wined and dined.”

Ihuff a laugh, and he indicates for me to jump on.IwishIwere strong enough to say no—Ihaven’t been carried sinceIwas a child, and now twice in one day—but my damaged body won’t let me pass up the offer.

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