Page 39 of Ensnared

Iswallow hard and nod once.Istep around him and into the laundry room, not looking at him again.Jerk.GodforbidIshow a hint of concern.

Oddly, though, his tone knocks me back onto familiar ground.Mygrandmother would have given me the exact same distasteful look if she had seen me looking like this.

Someof my nervous-excited flutters have stilled, and whenI’msafely closeted inside,Idump the basket and shove the wet clothes into the dryer.Idon’t even sort them.

Domcan deal with lint balls for allIcare.

Tearsprick my eyes asImake my way to my room.Damnit.Thisis going to be a disaster.I’mnot even naked yet and his disappointment is still enough to chill me to the core.

ThenIsee the clothes.

Spreadacross my bed are jeans, blouses, sweaters, activewear, loungewear, boots, and pretty dresses thatIitch to slip into.Iwonder ifIcould get away with wearing dresses like those whileI’mhere.It’sbeen years sinceI’vebeen able to wear anything but the most practical clothing.

Sittingbeside my new clothes, piles and piles of lacy, sinful lingerie beg for my attention.

Ifinger the edge of a satin lavender bra that has clasps around the throat with a touch of wonder.I’venever worn lingerie like this in my life.Eyeingthe tag,Irealize that they even managed to get my sizes right.NotthatIshould be surprised.Theycertainly had an eyeful that first night.

Consciousof time,Ispeed through my shower routine, gladIwashed my hair earlier.Confrontedagain by the multitude of underwear,Ipluck the least outrageous set from the pile.They’rea shimmery, metallic cream, silky soft and cut low.See-through lace peekaboos my bare skin on either hip.

Thebra has a simple hooked front clasp that looks like a shinings, and it isn’t untilIfasten the clasp thatIrealize exactly how dizzyingly high it pushes up my breasts.

Aftera moment of indecision,Ibrush past the activewear.Islip into a short, flirty blue dress and leave my room beforeIcan let my dread convince me to do something stupid.

Likelock myself in the bathroom and refuse to come out.

God.Whatif it’sDomfirst?Ifhe looks at me with that kind of disgust whileI’mwith him, how willIever be able to respect myself again?WhatifIcry?WhatifI’mso bad that they immediately demandIleave?Isthere a notice period for my eviction?AmIgoing to be graded on this?

Istop outside the kitchen, breathing fast.Whycan’tIchoose who is first?Beauwouldn’t be so bad.Thememories of his fingers and indecent mouth are fresh.He’sthoughtful and sexy.IthinkIcould bear it if it was him.OrmaybeLucky.I’msure he’d be gentle with me—though he’s so carefully friendly,I’mnot sure if he’ll inspire that same kind of thrill.

And, so far,Ihave been thrilled.Somehow.Despiteeverything.

Jasper.Hehad his mouth all over me, his teeth pushed me over the edge, and his kindness with the books warmed me to him... but something in that dark, dangerous control of his makes me certainI’mdeeply out of my depth.Thenthere’s—

Thekitchen door swings open.

“Comeon in, darlin’.We’rewaiting.”Beau’svoice is kind, inviting.

Iam so screwed.

Chapter11

Eden

Survivaltip #200

Asafe place is worth any price.

Evenyour pride.

“Damnit,Beau!”Luckycomplains from behind the beautiful doctor. “Ibet a week of chores that she’d come in by herself!”

Pushingmy glasses up my nose,Igo inside.Allfive of them stand about the room.LuckyandJasperare working over the dishes on the countertop.Lucky’swearing aKisstheCockapron that makes my cheeks color primly.

“Shewasn’t coming in, idiot.Shewas standing outside hyperventilating.”Jaykobis sprawled by the small table, flipping his pocketknife.Hedoesn’t look at me.

Ignoringhim,ImeetDom’sgaze.Hetowers by the door to the dining room, andIcan’t read anything in the regal lines of his face.Impassiveand assessing, he takes me in.Sourly,Idecide he must be great at poker.

“You’relate,” he says. “Grabthe plates,Lucky.”

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