Page 96 of Ensnared

Ijust... can’t keep losing every match against them.They’renot playing fair, and it hurts too much.

Beaujust nods, those hazel eyes of his steady and soft.Itreminds me of the dayImet him.Howeasily he soothed me.Howall my fear just melted like hot butter under that accent and those woodland eyes.

MaybeIgave in to that feeling too quickly.

“IamEden.Aperson,not a doll, not yourpet.AndIam.Pissed.Off.”Mypulse races, thundering at my throat like a chariot charge.

Beau’slips quirk at that, just a fraction, andIsee red.Ilift a bowl, ready to throw it across the room.Idon’t want to hit him,I’msure of that.Prettysure, anyway.ButI’mjust somad.

Hiseyes widen, and he makes a grab for my wrists, putting gentle pressure on the one holding the bowl untilIdrop it with a hiss. “Heythere now, easy.I’mnot laughing at you, pe—Eden,Ipromise.”

“Promise?”Itry to shove him back, but, well, he’s strong, and my rage doesn’t lend me super strength.Themuscles in his arms barely flex as he holds back my weight, soImake my voice like a lash. “WhyshouldIbelieve anything you say?WhyshouldIbelieve anything any of you say when you won’t ever tell me the truth?”

“Lookat me,”Beausays softly, despite his firm grip.

I’mworried about getting snared in those eyes again.Thewoods are dangerous things, after all.

Butmaybeheshould be afraid.I’vestrayed off the pretty path now... and fires and forests don’t mix.

“I’mnot nothing,Ican help.Ican contribute more than just sex,”Itell his chest. “I’mnot nothing.”

Myvoice breaks on the last, andIbite my tongue to stop my anger from fountaining into tears.Itremble from the effort, caught in that awful, awful place between anger and misery.

“Eden, look at menow,”Beauorders, andIdo find my head lifting despite myself, uncertainty washing through my flames.Dousingthem.

Ieye him warily, swallowing and trying to hold on to some of that heat, but when he seizes my gaze, he holds it with resolute firmness.

“Isee you,Eden.Ofcourse you’re not a pet.”Hisgrip softens on my wrists, and he lowers them until they rest against his chest.Slowly, eyes trapping mine like ivy, he threads his fingers through mine.Hecontinues in a low voice, “Wemight not have spent much time together, butIalready know you’re clever—you kept yourself out of danger for years, then set up a home for yourself and taught yourself to survive.”

Histhumb runs over our hands, andIdecide not to tug them away.

Justfor a moment.

“You’reresourceful,Iknow that too.Youlived off the land with no one to help you.Andthe very fact that you’re still alive tells me you’re stubborn.Areal fighter.”

Hetakes a measured breath and then drops a sweet kiss to our hands, never untying me from his gaze.

“I’veseen your kindness, too.Withme, withLucky.Youwere afraid of us when we first met, and you still tried to get us to run to save our lives.Andyou’re so damn brave.Youstood up toDomwhen he went afterJaykwith his hunting knife, and you with only your bare, tiny fists.Iseeyou,Eden, and you’re the furthest thing from nothingI’veever met.”

Mylips part.Aftera moment,Isuck in a breath, getting a full, delicious inhale ofBeau.Morefool me,Ithink he does mean it.

“Youhearing me?” he presses.

Inod.

“Ye—”Myvoice comes out raw, andIclear my throat. “Yes,Beau.”

Beaugroans, deep in his throat. “Twoof my favorite words on your lips, darlin’.”

Iwork up a small smile, thinking hard.

Beaudrops a light kiss to my lips.Thenanother.Thenone more, this one lingering long enough to leave me breathless.

Hepulls back reluctantly. “Ihave to go, but we’ll talk later.Wecan talk all night tomorrow if you want.”

Tomorrow.Beau’s“day.”

Beauis tense and anxious, andIcan’t help but want to ease his worry.

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