Mathew scrambled out of the car and I shot him my best evil stare. I thought he was a bodyguard. He acted terrified of Carl. I shot my gaze back to the man who was now at the door leaning in and yanking me out. Um, when did he become so big? I mean where did all the muscles come from? My body shook and it wasn’t from fear. Traitorous body. It was telling me to let go of my complaints, and give in to the gorgeous man. What the hell? Staring at the man, I resigned myself to my fate.
Carl’s arm came around my waist and he lifted me out of the car and up against his very hard body. I’d go along with all this craziness and the first chance to get away from here I’d take it. Even if I had to promise something crazy. This man made me feel and do things I’d never felt or done in my life and I didn’t like it.
My plan was to go along with whatever happened. Tomorrow was a new day and I hoped I’d come to my senses.
Carl
I’d never been so relieved to see Rafe, but when he’d told me about Annabelle and I’d seen her between two men, my caveman instinct had taken over. I didn’t care that the men were now my bodyguards. All I cared about was getting Annabelle away from them and no body part of hers touching theirs. Mathew, who I knew used to be one of Richard’s bodyguards, scrambled out of the car and backed away from me with his hands up in the air.
He better bloody well back away. Annabelle was mine. No one but me could touch her. She belonged to me. I quickened my stride, reached into the SUV and gathered Annabelle to me, holding her tight. I calmed a little when she didn’t struggle or try to get away.
Carrying her into the cabin, I went to the lounge room and sat her down on the sofa, then sat next to her and pulled her onto my lap. I reached out and clutched her hands, my thumb caressed her skin and a sense of calm settled over me at the contact. She felt so good against me. I took a deep breath in, her sweet honey smell had me inhaling again. Mmm. So good.
Annabelle sat stiff in my embrace and I knew I had to explain myself. I needed to tell her what was going on, to make her see I needed her. I was willing to do anything to convince her to give our relationship a chance.
“I know everything that has happened has scared you and I probably shouldn’t have kidnapped you, but it’s not really my fault.”
She snorted. “Yeah, because I made you kidnap me. And for fuck’s sake, I’m not scared of you. I’m pissed off that you took me.” She unhooked her hands from mine and pushed at my chest to get away, but I wasn’t letting her go. She gave up on a huff. “Oh I know. Was it the ‘fairies’ that commanded you to do their work, or do you call them the voices in your head?”
Crap, she still thinks I’m insane. “I’m not crazy. I’m cursed.”
She patted my shoulder. “I’m sure you are.” Her voice dripped with condescension.
I turned her so she straddled my lap and tilted her chin up. “It’s true. Look, I promise to tell you why I took you if you make me a promise.”
She scooted off my lap and stood, throwing her hands up in the air. “I’ll promise you whatever the hell you want if you take me back to my mother.”
I should’ve felt guilty for manipulating her. I didn’t though. This was my chance. This was how I was going to get her to give me a chance. This was my chance to get what I wanted. “Promise me you’ll give our relationship a chance.”
She narrowed her gaze on me and if looks could kill I wouldn’t have been breathing. “Fine. If you tell me why you kidnapped me, I’ll give a relationship between the two of us a chance.”
I knew I was grinning like a loon. Now another promise. “Last promise. I’ll take you to your mother if you move in with me.”
“What! You are certifiably insane. Why on earth would I move in with you?”
“Because you’re mine.”
“Argh, you’re crazy. No. No I’m not moving in with you. I said I’d give the relationship a chance. That should be enough.”
My stomach knotted and my chest pounded. Getting off the sofa I pulled Annabelle against me. As soon as her body came against mine the knot in my stomach settled. “With you I want it all. So no, it will never be enough. I’ll give you everything of me. You already own me.”
A hollow laugh echoed the room as she leaned against me. “Grrr, for Christ’s sake, your craziness must have rubbed off on me.” Annabelle bucked against me. “Fine. I’ll move in with you. But you have to promise we’ll leave here tomorrow and visit my mother. I’m not staying here any longer than a night.” She turned to look up at me. “Now sit down and tell me why you took me.” She pushed me back onto the sofa.