“No? That’s where you’re wrong, baby. For instance, I know that you broke your arm, ankle, and almost died from a brain injury in the accident that took your family. I know that you cried but also put together a party to honor them and spent half that day drunk off your ass. And then there’s you going back to school and getting straight A’s even when you didn’t want to get out of bed.
“I know all that, and that three months after that, you were stalked by a sick maniac who eventually nabbed you and kept you for a plaything for three weeks. I know it all from police reports and anything else I could find. And now, after months of watching you, I know that you’re trying to disappear, even from yourself. So tell me what else I don’t know and then maybe I’ll let you have a chance to bargain with me.”
That’s a lie and I feel like an ass just saying it, because I will never let her get away from me. But it has the desired effect and she smirks, letting her eyes take on a light that I haven’t seen in them except for when she’s angry.
“I don’t have to bargain for squat, mister. You’re committing a crime by keeping me here against my will, and make no mistake, this is against my will. You don’t want any trouble from me. You let me go and we’ll all stay alive. You so much as try anything with me and I will fight you to the death.”
Damn, looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you, Wyatt. But what else could I possibly expect? If anything, I’m proud of my baby for being so strong and not folding even though this may be just as scary as the last situation she was in.
It means she’s smart enough not to just eat one good meal and be reassured and at ease. And that if any other swinging dick comes near her for any reason, she’ll put him down if I’m not close enough to do it.
Damn, I find her sexy as hell right now, knowing she’s terrified but still gutsy enough to put me in my place.
Unfortunately for her, I know my place already—in her heart and between her thighs. She’ll learn.
I know I am a total bastard for this approach, but it’s not like I hadn’t tried the easy approach first. Hell no, I’d been a gentleman about things and tried to ask her out like a normal human being that one morning I’d walked into Susie’s, but she’d totally ignored me, kept her head down, and then eventually told me to screw off.
After that one failed attempt, I wasn’t about to try coming at her from the front again. This was my only choice and one that has worked out a hell of a lot better than spending months trying to get close to her.
“Look I know you’re within your rights to be afraid and more than a little pissed right now, and I can’t blame you one bit, but I am not the bad guy. As for not bargaining...” I shrug and take note of her nostrils flaring and the slight tremble running through her. “You had your chance and you just threw it away. So listen up. You’re here. You’re mine. You are not leaving me, ever, and if you harm yourself trying to, it won’t make me very happy. You’re safety is my job and I take it seriously.”
I stop and start collecting dishes to load the dishwasher before turning back to her with a raised brow.
“You mother—”
“Eh, no bad language. I don’t like it on you. Now that that’s taken care of…you want a slice of chocolate cake? My ma made it and had it sent over just for you.”
Her eyes light up for only a second before dulling. Jesus, I really hate this shit she does, denying herself anything good in life as if letting go of all that strict control will hurt her.
No one denies my baby anything, least of all her. I just have to see to it that she understands that and doesn’t get ill just to spite me.
“No thank you.”
God, manners to the core. I like.
“Huh. Well, I’m going to have to insist, baby. Ma would be heartbroken if you don’t accept her gift.”
Like I’d tell the poor old girl, but Ellie doesn’t need to know that.
“I’m not eating shit I didn’t see you preparing,” she snarls. I have to stop my lips from twitching at her glower.
Damn, if she keeps this up, I’m not going to be able to keep out of her for long. I’ve never liked mouthy women, but on her I find the mouthy stuff damn near impossible to resist.
Speaking of that mouth, it’s so plump and soft looking, all I can think about is the way she’ll taste or what all that softness will feel like around my—
Stop. Not the time, asshole.
“What did I tell you before, baby? You have to eat, if only to keep yourself strong to argue with me.” I slide the plate under her nose and pick up my own, leaning back against the counter to watch.