Page 123 of Ensnared

Slowly, he nods. “Well, alright then.”Hesqueezes my hand, and his next smile seems to bury all the sadness in his face. “Getyourself some water,Eden.”

Idon’t need a drink.But, wanting nothing more than to get the blood off,Ikneel by the water’s edge.Isubmerge my hands, then rub at my face and rinse out my mouth.Takinga handful of the coarse sand,Iscrub it into my skin, managing to get the worst of the blood off my neck and arms.

“Now, now, darlin’, you’re gonna need to get wetter than that.”

Iglance up just asBeaureaches over his back and pulls his shirt over his head in one motion.Mytongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.Beauwithout his shirt is... a sight, and it must be a common one, because he has a delicious golden tan across his whole torso.There’sa light dusting of dark gold-brown hair across his chest that narrows to a trail that beckons me to his waistline.Ihesitate before blinking the water from my eyes.

Seeinghim like this with pure clarity might be enough to stop my heart.

Whenmy gaze finally makes its way back to his face, some of the cold blankness in me recedes at his twinkling eyes.Thesudden mischief in them reminds me ofLucky.There’scolor rising in his face, too, like he’s just gone for a run.

Howis he sonormalright now?Hejust took a life.Livesprobably.Evenknowing who they were...Thatboy was young.Twenty, tops.Didhe really deserve todie?

Beaubites his lip as he watches me too, and sadness flashes across his face before his smile returns full force.Hekicks off his shoes and unbuckles his belt, andIsuck in a breath asIrealize he’s half hard already.

“Whatare you—”Myvoice sounds strangled.

“Idon’t know about you,”Domsays from behind me, “butIdon’t bathe fully clothed... and you’re filthy.”

Domis leaning against a tree, andIneed to crane my head over my shoulder to look at him.He’sstill vibrating with that odd energy, like he’s about to spring back into motion at any moment.It’sin the twitching of his fingers, his tense muscles, the restless way he keeps shifting.

Thatintense gaze fastens on me.

“Strip.”

Ashiver of warning runs down my spine.Theway they’re standing, one at my front, one behind, feels deliberate.I’mreminded of the way a wolf sends a runner to chase down prey into the jaws of his brother.Afrisson of nervous energy tingles over my skin.

Iwet my lips, eyes darting between them. “I—Uh.I’llclean up when we get home?”

Whydid that come out like a question?

Beau’sbrows lift up, andItry my best not to notice, but he’s, well, he’s really hard now.

“Thatwasn’t really a suggestion, sweet girl.”Beau’scrooked smile deepens, and he takes a deliberate step toward me. “Youshould do what he says, hmm?”

Iscramble back.He’sstill smiling, but there’s an unholy light to his eyes.Somethingpagan and dangerous.Irealize abruptly thatImay have underestimated my charming doctor.Darkand feral needs lurk under his good nature.

Beausteps forward again, andIstumble to my feet, not taking my eyes off him.Thethreat in him is illicit, delicious, and my breaths come faster.

“Rememberyour safeword, darlin’?”

Fearand excitement thrill through me, and my somber thoughts grow blessedly quiet.Iwet my lips. “Whydo you need to know my safeword?”

Mypulse throbs in my neck, my core.

“Oh,Iknow your safeword,” he confides, and the way his eyes slide over me is vile.Erotic. “Justmaking sure you do.”

Theback of my neck tingles in warning, and my nipples tighten into sensitive nubs even asIrecognize he’s giving me a choice.Mystill-red hands clench in the material of my pants.

Idon’t want choices right now.

Takinga deep breath,Istop backing away.

“Bristlebrook,”Iwhisper.

Thetension inBeaudoubles.Hisgaze flicking up over my shoulder is the only warningIget.

“Goodlibrarian,”Domcroons, deep and threatening, right beside my ear.

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