While she didn’t recoil, her eyes opened wide, the same fear I’d seen before returning.
“Just wiping away glitter on your face. Nothing more.” I showed her the specks on my finger before wiping it on my trousers.
There was no mistaking the sizzle of heat or the desire burning a hole in my gut. As before, I sensed she felt the same thing, especially when she took a purposeful step away.
And her action had nothing to do with anxiety over how I’d handle her disobedience.
“I would expect nothing else from a loving sister and my intentions are exactly the opposite.”
I’d caught her off guard, her reaction to chew on her bottom lip. After a few seconds, she turned away, uncertain what to say.
“Now, would you like to change?” No matter the connection, I’d need to handle this very carefully. Did I have any fear she’d sold her soul? No, although I wouldn’t put anything past Lucifer and his guards, which meant her clothes and shoes would be tossed out.
“Yes.” With a single clipped word, she allowed me to lead her upstairs to the bedroom I’d selected for her. Whatever play acting we would be required to do wasn’t going to occur inside this house.
I stepped inside the bedroom first, turning on a couple of lights as I did. I had no clue if I was trying to be the consummate host or simply doing exactly what I’d been taught to do as boy. Just like opening doors for women and pulling out their chairs. My father had been adamant that treating a lady like a precious gem was required.
Then there was the concern that somehow someone from the Privileged had gone through my house. As she’d done the entire evening, she watched me as I turned on every light, checking every bathroom. All clear.
“This will be your room while you’re here.”
“You mean forever?” she quipped.
I rubbed my eyes, at least momentarily tired of the banter. “Are you hungry? My guess is you haven’t eaten very well.”
“Why would you say that? Because I look like a skeleton? Not that bread and water wasn’t satisfying. I was looking forward to having some gruel at some point.”
She bore the same look I’d seen in Denise. Someone who’d been given little food and water, yet upon the day of auction had been provided with lavish food and given all the proper attention to her appearance required for a successful and profitable sale.
Yet even after what she’d been through, Reese refused to back down from her rebellious spirit.
Denise had managed to share a few more details of the day she’d been sold. Hearing and remembering the disgusting details had almost made me do something earlier that I no doubt would have regretted.
Reese didn’t look like a skeleton. Just a terrified, beautiful woman that I wanted to protect.
And to defile in the worst ways.
Fuck me, I had to stop thinking with my dick.
Ignoring her barb, I moved to the closet. “Don’t blame me if the clothes aren’t right. I had to go on the information discovered. And no, I didn’t do the shopping. I’m going to change and I’ll be downstairs.” I headed toward the door. “There are a couple rules that need to be followed. Leave the blinds closedin the bedrooms and you’re not to venture outside without me accompanying you. Is that clear?”
Her exhale was as huffy as I’d heard before. “Yes,sir.”
Goddamn, this woman was going to drive me wild.
CHAPTER 10
Reese
Only when the door was closed did I allow myself to falter, forced to grip the edge of the dresser to keep from falling. Even more lightheaded than before, the last thing I wanted to do was to faint.
The moment Hunter had ripped off the mask, I’d been even further torn by my body’s reactions. He was beyond handsome, drifting into insanely gorgeous territory.
What in the hell was going on? Was this some sick game or an attempt at exposing the horrific club?
What world had I managed to drop into, every aspect twisted into something unrecognizable?
And who in the hell was the man downstairs?
