“To show you a better life—a life with me.”
Cristian’s lips crashed against hers. She stiffened at the suddenness of it, but as his tongue coaxed to be let inside, she gave into the desire she was feeling. His body pressed against hers as he deepened the kiss. Everly had never felt like this before. Her body heated from the inside out as their tongues fused together. She lost all sense of time and space as she succumbed to his hungry demands. When Cristian finally broke the kiss, Everly’s skin was flushed. She peered up at him througha hooded gaze and shivered at the undeniable heat radiating from his eyes.
“You don’t realize this yet, but you're going to be mine because you want to be. Not because I paid to own you. Me being at that auction was a means to an end. I’ve been hunting these women for months. When I learned of Darby’s role in everything, I swore to free them all.”
“Then why pretend to spend all that money on me when you could have easily saved three or four women?”
Cristian brushed her hair back and cupped her cheek. “I’ve been lost to you the moment I laid eyes on your photo. I know it’s irrational and makes no sense to you—yet. And I know you think I have the power to destroy you—but it’s you with the power to destroy me.”
Everly bit down on her lip. “How could I destroy you?”
“By walking away.” Cristian turned away from her.
Everly pressed her fingers to her lips and sighed. She was sure she was dealing with some sort of Stockholm syndrome, because beneath the fear of her situation, she was drawn to him. And after that kiss, she knew she was in danger of more than being a prisoner—she was in danger of falling for a man she shouldn’t.
“I can’t just walk away.”
“Yes. You can. I told you from the start I wouldn’t hold you against your will once I knew it was safe for you to return home.I meant that, Everly. No matter how much it would pain me, I’d let you go.”
Everly pushed her shoulders back and walked toward him. “Well, whether I leave is pointless to worry about right now. Darby will be here in a week to take me back. If you won’t take my virginity… what’s going to stop him from getting what he wants?”
“My family won’t allow him to take you.”
“Then you’re asking for a war. Is preserving my virginity really that important?”
“Preserving your dignity is worth setting fire to this whole fucking planet. Darby is only one man—his life is worthless compared to yours.”
“Cristian.” Matias pushed open the door and stepped inside.
“What?” Cristian stepped around Everly and folded his arms.
“There’s a problem at the warehouse. We need to go.”
“Fine.” Cristian glanced over his shoulder at Everly. “Do not leave the grounds. It’s not safe.”
She watched as Cristian stormed past his brother. Matias huffed. “I take it he didn’t like your request.”
“No. He refused and has ordered his men to refuse me as well.”
“He doesn’t understand the risk involved in going to war with Darby. He’s been lost to you since the moment he saw your picture, he won’t want to do anything that risks you hating him anymore than you may already.”
“Hate him?”
“Everly, I know you don’t understand, but Cristian is doing everything for you out of love.”
“Love?” Everly furrowed her brow. “How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. But I can tell you when you find the person God meant for you, you’ll stop at nothing to ensure their happiness over your own. Cristian thinks by refusing your request, he is protecting you.”
“I didn’t ask for him to take my virginity out of some misguided way to save myself. Not entirely. I’ll admit I’m confused about how I feel. It’s been a few days since he brought me here. I should hate him… but I don’t. I shouldn’t feel this attraction toward him, but I do. Everything is so messed up.”
“The best thing you can do is keep trying. We have a week before Darby arrives and if something doesn’t change, we are going to have a war on our hands.”
“Because of me.?”
“Yes.” Matias frowned. “You’re worth too much money to him and he feels cheated. He apparently had a higher offer for you, and since Cristian wasn’t officially invited—he feels robbed.For you, Darby only see’s dollar signs. Money is a powerful persuader.”
“What do I do? I don’t want your family in danger.”
