"Tell me, darling," Jasper demanded, stopping just inches from where I lay on the bed, his towering frame casting a shadow over me. "How do I make you submit? Why can't you just love me? How do I make you love me?" The pleading in his voice cut through me like a knife, and I could feel the raw vulnerability buried beneath the lust in his eyes. It was unsettling, how close I felt to giving in to him, to melting into his arms and forgetting all the reasons I shouldn't want him.
"Tell me what to do," he said, his voice barely audible as he leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. "Tell me how to make you mine." My body screamed at me to just give in, to let him claim me and end this torturous dance we'd been caught up in for so long. But my mind, my heart, they knew better. They knew that a relationship built on coercion and fear could never be real. And so, despite the overwhelming desire coursing through me, I looked up at him with a resolve I didn't know I possessed.
"Movie Night!" Verity's sudden exclamation jolted me out of the dangerous spiral of emotions threatening to consume me. Her eyes glinted with mischief, but there was an underlying determination behind her smile.
"Uh, what?" Jasper blinked, momentarily thrown off by her unexpected interruption. Kieran looked just as confused, his expression a mix of amusement and bewilderment.
"Erica and I used to have our movie nights with the girls? I think it'll help her feel more at home here," Verity explained, setting everything down on the coffee table. I stared at her open-mouthed, shocked that she would even suggest such a thing in front of Jasper.
"Are you saying I should join you for this... movie night?" Jasper raised a sceptical eyebrow, his blue eyes narrowing. Verity laughed, shaking her head.
"No, no. I meant Erica needs a girls' night to help her relax and adjust. It might make her feel more comfortable and at ease." Kieran, perhaps sensing an opportunity to deescalate the tension, chimed in.
"Maybe the blondie has a point, Jasper. Let the girls have their fun, and you can reap the rewards tomorrow." He winked, and I couldn't help but shoot him a glare.
"I'm right here, you dick," I snapped, my heart racing from the blatant way they were discussing me as if I were some prize to be won.
"Fine," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. "Maybe you're right, Verity. Maybe a movie night will help." I glanced at Jasper, my heart pounding as I forced myself to smile. "I'm just feeling so overwhelmed by everything. It might be nice to have a little taste of my old life." Jasper studied me for a moment, his blue eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite decipher. But then he nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "If it'll make you more comfortable, Erica, then I'm all for it. After all, if you're happy, it'll be easier for you to love me." My stomach churned at his words, but I kept up the facade, offering him a sad smile.
"It's just... the man who was fated to love me is about to reject me, and he's made no attempts to rescue me. Maybe I should move on."
"Alright," Jasper agreed, though I could see the hope burning in his eyes. The moment Jasper's lips brushed against mine, a shiver raced down my spine. He pulled away with a bright smile, his blue eyes filled with promise. "Enjoy your girls' night, Erica. I'll see you in the morning."
He turned to Kieran and Grant, suggesting they go for a drink. Kieran agreed enthusiastically, but Grant hesitated, his eyes darting between Jasper and me suspiciously.
"Maybe I should stay behind and protect Erica," he offered, his voice guarded.
"Grant, I'm an elite warrior," Verity interjected confidently. "I can protect her just fine."
"Take the night off," Jasper added with a grin, clapping Grant on the shoulder. "You have your whole life to protect her." Reluctantly, Grant nodded, and the three of them finally left the room. As the door closed behind them, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and dread. Relief that I was temporarily free from Jasper's intense presence, but dread at the thought of facing him again tomorrow.
"Alright, they're gone," Verity whispered, her ears twitching as she listened intently to the fading footsteps outside the door. "Erica, I need you to trust me." I frowned, my heart still racing after the close call with Jasper.
"What's going on, Verity?"
"Shhh," she hushed me, lifting a finger to her lips. "Come with me." She led me into the walk-in closet, and I followed, curiosity piqued.
"Verity, what the hell is this about?" I asked, watching her rummage through drawers filled with jewellery.
"Keep your voice down, Erica," she hissed before tossing a pile of black clothes at me. "Put these on, quickly."
"Wha-" I began, but she cut me off with a glare that held an unspoken warning. This was serious. I hurriedly changed into the black clothing, wondering what on earth she had in mind. The fabric clung to my skin like a second layer, emphasising every curve of my body.
"Okay, now what?" I asked, growing more anxious by the second. My thoughts were a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and, inexplicably, lingering lust for Jasper that made me nauseous. Why couldn't I shake these feelings? As I finished dressing, Verity pulled out the casing of a drawer filled with necklaces, revealing a hidden compartment underneath. To my surprise, it contained a collection of sharp-looking knives. My eyes widened, and I couldn't help but wonder if this was part of some twisted plan Jasper had concocted.
"Grab one," Verity instructed, nodding towards the knives. I hesitated for a moment before picking up one that felt well-balanced in my hand.
"Ah-ha!" Verity exclaimed, grinning triumphantly. "I knew it."
"Knew what?" I asked, my grip tightening around the handle of the knife. My palms were sweaty, and my breath came in short, uneven bursts. Verity reached into the box and picked up one of the knives, wincing as she did. She dropped the knife and showed me her hand. It looked like she had been burned.
“The knives are specially made,” she said as she pushed the box towards me. “Highest grade silver that is strong enough to still be useful.” I stared at the red mark on Verity's hand, my mind racing.
"Why am I not affected by silver?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"I’m not actually sure, but I noticed when the chains in the cells didn’t affect you," Verity replied cryptically. "But now isn't the time to discuss it. We need to focus on getting you out of here." Before I could question her further, her phone beeped, the sudden sound piercing the tension in the room. She glanced down at the screen, the corners of her mouth turning up into a grin.
"Everything is set. The rescue plan starts in thirty minutes."
