Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice the sound of the bedroom door opening. I blink to recenter myself, finding Emris leaning his shoulder against the side of the door, watching me.
“What are you doing?” he asks. Pushing off the doorframe, he steps farther into the room, his eyes never straying from mine.
“What do you want, Emris?” I sigh, bringing my knees up to my chest.
I can’t let him in. I need to keep him at arm’s length, or I’ll never get out of here.
But what if—No. I can’t entertain any what-if’s.
Right?
“Wanted to see if you’d like to come outside and meet everyone?” He seems genuine, but again, I might feel like I’m physically safe here, but mentally, Emris could destroy me.
“Pass,” I mumble, looking away from him.
“Come on. You’ve been up here all day. Five minutes, and if you wanna come back up, I won’t stop you.” Emris steps in front of where I’m sitting, holding his hand out.
Do I want to open myself up to those people? Not really, but it’s not like I will ever see them again once I leave.
“Fine.” I get up, stopping as I look down at my clothes. I threw on some sweats and a graphic tee earlier. Looking back up at him, I sigh. “Let me change.”
“Take your time.” I watch as he lowers himself to the bed. He leans back on his elbows, his eyes tracking down my body.
Even fully dressed, I can still see the hunger lingering in the depths of his blue eyes.
Stepping into the closet, I look at the rows and rows of clothing. I reach for a simple black pocket tee and a pair of jeans to go with it. In the closet are more clothes than a single girl would need. Brand new shoes, socks, underwear, and everything else you could want.
Looking over my shoulder, I find him still watching me.
Smiling, I take a step closer to the door and slam it closed. His laughter booms through the door, and I shake my headbefore stripping and putting on the new clothes as I try to mentally prepare for going downstairs.
When I pull the closet door back open, Emris is leaning forward, elbows on his knees. He looks up at me, eyes tracking over me as if I’d let him, he’d devour me right now.
My eyes work their way from his face to the tattoos on his skin all the way down to the veins on his hands.
I’m fucking screwed.
I clear my throat. “Ready?” I ask, trying to sound more confident than I am. He stands, smirking as if knowing the kind of reaction I’m having to him. He stops right in front of me, his hand coming up to push a strand of hair behind my ear.
My heart pounds, not knowing if I should push him away or pull him closer, but he chooses for me.
He takes a step back, grabs my hand, and pulls me out of the room without a word. I follow helplessly until we walk through the back door.
The cool air hits me right in the face, and I instantly shiver. It’s chilly but not too cold if I’m close to the fire, but as we get closer, everyone looks our way.
Or my way.
Their eyes zero in on me, and my skin starts to feel itchy, but I don’t make a move, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself.
“Guys, this is Brielle. Brielle, this is Ash”—he points to a pretty blonde, who gives me a small smile—“That’s Ray or Raymond, and his brother Troy.” Ray is tall and lanky, but he seems nice as he says hi and smiles. Troy, on the other hand, crowds me instantly.
Troy’s arm goes around my shoulder, causing me to tense.
“Oh, um—” Emris sees me lock up and knocks Troy’s arm off me. The feeling of Emris’s arm around me instead makes me instantly relax.
“Nice to meet you.” He winks, but his smirk remains.
“Thanks, you too.” Wringing my hands together, happyhishands are off me, I look toward the fire.
