Page 28 of Ensnared

“Beena while, huh?” he deadpans.

Inarrow my eyes at him but decide against commenting onthat.Gettingup,Itake my bowl to the sink and flick the tap on.

“Juststick it in the dishwasher,” he calls casually.

Aftera pause,Iopen the wooden panel under the sink and find the dishwasher.Unbelievable.Theyhave a workingdishwasher?Howon earth did they manage that?

Luckygrins. “Whole-house generator.Jasper’sparents had it built so it’s completely self-sufficient.”

Istare for a moment, then put it in, shaking my head.WhenIstraighten,Ibite my lip, at a loss.

“What’sup?” he asks.

Ispread my hands over the cool marble countertop. “Whatnow?”

Hishead cants to one side questioningly.Strandsof hair have escaped from his messy bun and slip along his neck in long, traceable lines.

“Isthere somethingIcan do to help?Whatdo you all do all day?Dowe need to go hunting or something?”

Understandingdawns on his features, then he laughs. “Youdon’t need to do anything.Youhave your daily chore ticked off.”

Histone is teasing but the way his eyes light with blue fire leaves no doubt in my mind he’s replaying the scene from earlier.

Mycheeks heat, but only partially from embarrassment.I’mworth more than just sex.

Irritationmakes my voice crisp whenIsay, “WellI’mhardly going to spend all of my day walking around and parceling out orgasms.Ineed something to do.”

“Shame.”Luckysmirks, then stands and wanders over. “Whatdid you do before, when you were alone?”

WhatdidIdo?Thedays and months are blurred together, a hazy mix of hunger and fear and boredom.Ishrug.

“Iusually checked and re-set my traps.IfIwas lucky,Imight have caught something.Iwasn’t usually lucky.I’dcollect my herbs and vegetables for the day.I’dwash my clothes.Veryrarely,Ihad to go into a town for supplies.”Igrimace, remembering the throat-closing fear that all but paralyzed me with every trip. “Mostly,Iread.I’dbring books back from the library.I’dtake some non-fiction—on topics that would help me stay alive, of course—and some fiction, soIwouldn’t go stir crazy.WhateverIcould get my hands on, really.”

HorrortightensLucky’sfeatures. “I’dput a bullet in myself before living like that.”

“Notall of us had these luxuries,”Itell him quietly.

Hiseyes widen and he shakes his head. “Ididn’t mean it like that; it’s amazing you stayed alive.Ijust can’t deal with being alone.I’ma people person.Eventhese idiots are better than nothing.You’retougher thanIam, is allImeant.”

Hisvoice is so earnest,Irelent.Igive him a rueful look, very aware of what a hot messIlook like right now. “Idon’t feel very tough.”

Luckytugs me into his arms beforeIcan protest, like he did afterJaykobkissed me.Ishould have known he’d be a hugger.Myinstinct is to tense, but there’s nothing loaded or suggestive in the way he holds me.It’smore like he’s drinking in the sensation, andIcan’t help but want to take a sip as well.

Irest my head in the nook of his neck and, after a moment, tentatively wind my arms around his waist.Hisshort beard tickles my forehead, andIfind myself enjoying the unfamiliar sensation.

Aftera moment, he says, “Jasperhas a lot of books.I’msure he’ll share if you ask nicely.Asfor jobs aroundBristlebrook, we kind of split tasks.DomandBeaudo most of the recon and raids for parts and essentials; sometimesIsub in, but there’s always at least two of us out together at a time.Wetry to keepBeauthere in case anything goes south.He’shandy with a rifle as well as the med kit.IfI’mnot with the others,I’musually out hunting.Thethree of us are gone on and off about half the week.”

“Hm.AndJasperandJaykob?”

Hishands trail over my hair, twining through the strands and stroking them between his fingers. “Jaykis extra muscle, if needed, but he’s pretty handy, so he mostly works on getting shi—Uh,stuff, up to scratch.Handlesmost of the mechanics, wiring, weapons, that kind of thing.AndJasperis our housemaid.Hecleans the place, monitors security forBristlebrookand surrounds, takes care of the farm, fixes our heads, and does most of the cooking.He’snot as good as me, obviously, but even he can’t have everything.”

Idon’t crack a smile; my mind is caught on something he said. “Didyou say ‘farm?’”

Hereleases me with obvious reluctance. “Oh.Jasperdidn’t give you the full tour, huh?He’susually perfect.”Hischeeks color, and he clears his throat, avoiding my eyes. “Imean, perfect at that kind of...Youknow what, never mind.Followme.”

Grabbingmy hand, he tugs me out of the kitchen and into the sitting room, walking slowly to allow for my injured foot.Ahuge stone fireplace is unlit, but sunshine dances outside, warming the room.Hetugs open the sliding doors, letting me see the code to lock and unlock the house.Acozy swing chair stuffed with soft cushions is perched on the wrap-around deck.

Thelarge front yard brackets the house, extending to the line of the woods.There’sa barn far to our left and a small shed about thirty yards back from that.Thetwo towering barn doors are closed tight.

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