Page 43 of Ensnared

“Takesa minute to get over the disappointment, huh?”Hisvoice is gravel, rough and rude.

Itsparks something defiant in me, something like that hot feeling when they all dismissed me.

“Youreally do have a chip on your shoulder, don’t you?”Iask, trying to match his tone.

Hedoesn’t say anything, but his scowl deepens.

“I—”Istart, then clear my throat and try again. “Idon’t know whatI’mdoing.”

Hesnorts. “That’spretty damn clear, princess.”

Swallowinghard,Ilift my hand to his chest—not to push him away, but just letting myself, and him, get used to my touch.Iwent horse riding once and they told me to keep my hand on the horse asImoved around it, so it wouldn’t startle.Maybethat will work here too.

Aftera moment,Islowly lift onto my toes and brush my lips across his, fully conscious that this is a man who can throw me over his shoulder without breaking a sweat.Hisfull lips are hard and unyielding, andIpress a second, gentle kiss to their firm crease, my pulse throbbing fearfully.

Beforemy heels have even dropped back to the ground, he’s spun again and is halfway toward the sliding doors that lead outside.Embarrassmentis just starting to crash in on me when he looks over his shoulder.

“Ifyou’re coming, move your ass.”

Themannered girl in me frowns at his language, but it doesn’t stop me from darting over and following him out into the darkness.

Chapter12

Eden

Survivaltip #278

Whenmanners fail,

go primal.

Jaykob’sworkshop is huge.Alarge jeep is parked in the far corner and machines of all shapes and sizes sit haphazardly throughout the room.Beamsof wood and piles of metal crowd the space, and the walls are lined with every kind of tool imaginable.Asmall kitchen is just visible from whereIstand.Theroom is only dimly lit, even with the light on.

Iglance around, looking for a bed.Hedoesn’t wait for me, ducking under a hanging beam and making his way to the back of the workshop.Itrail after him.There’sa door at the back of the workshop, only visible afterIround the half-repaired washing machine.Ieye it longingly, wishingIcould press some kind of priority sticker to its front.

Heopens the door, flicks on the light, and jerks his head for me to go inside.

Theroom is fairly small, almost entirely taken up by the large bed and a small bedside table.Assoon asIstep inside, he shuts the door behind us.

Turning,Iopen my mouth to ask him if he has any refreshments, but he presses me into the closed door.Thrustinghis hand into my hair, he tugs my head back and claims my mouth in a rough, punishing kiss.Histongue tangles with mine, invading, demanding.Myknees fall out from under me, but he shoves a thick thigh between my legs, pinning me to the door.Hisweight presses against my core.

Iwhimper my shock into his mouth, and his tongue coaxes the sound into his own.Despitemyself,Ishiver in pleasure.Hetastes like blackberries and the wine he had with dinner.Myhands flutter to his shoulders and clench in his shirt, holding on for dear life.

Myhead is spinning from his kiss and the wine, but my nerves are fading.Thespark of irritationI’vebeen nursing for him, though, that’s stoking higher with each demanding stroke of his tongue, with each throb of arousal that pulses inside of me.

“Wait,”Itry to say into his mouth, but he licks the sensitive inner rim of my lips, throwing my mind to carnal places, sending me shuddering.

Ipress back into the door away from him, needing air, needing to think, even as my hips tilt into his.

Traitors.

Hecrowds me closer, not letting me escape, his other hand cupping my waist, then moving up to my breast.

Breathcatching in shock,Ibite his lip.

Jaykobjerks his head back, and ifIwasn’t reeling,Iwould laugh at the shock on his face.Thenhe smirks, something close to surprised pleasure creeping into his expression.Hetouches his lip where a bead of blood has welled.Desirewhips his eyes into stormy seas.

“Ifyou want it rough, princess,” he drawls, “all you gotta do is ask.”

---