Jared pulled his gaze back to her eyes.“Absolutely nothing.I was admiring how beautiful you look tonight.”
Sky bowed her head and used her napkin to dab at her mouth.“Jared, you really don’t have to give me fake compliments because you think you have to.I know what I look like.”
A scowl pulled his brows together.“And tell me what you think you look like.”
Sky set her napkin on the table.
“I’m short and plump.My skin is too fair, and I tend to look ghostly.My hair is...”She faltered at the look in Jared’s eyes.He seemed to be getting angrier with every word she said.
“And your hair is what?”he bit out.
“My hair is muddy brown,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Is that it, Sky?”
Her stomach tightened at the threat in his voice.She was unable to talk, so she just nodded.
Jared studied her for a long moment.“Are you finished with your meal?”
He was going to deal with this situation as soon as she was rested.He guessed it was her father who was the one to put such stupid ideas in her head, using them as a way to control her.She really didn’t know how pretty she was.
Again, she nodded.
“You only took a few bites of your cake.”
Sky cleared her throat.“I’m just too full to eat another bite.”
“All right.We have a few things to discuss.”
“Like what?”
“You will be sleeping in my bed tonight and every night from now on.”
Sky gasped.“Jared, wait, we just met.I don’t feel comfortable with that.”
“We are not having sex tonight.But I want you to get used to me in bed with you.”
“Why not in a few days?”she asked frantically.
“Because, even though I won’t touch you, I still want you beside me.”
Jared bent toward her and took one of her hands.“Breathe, Baby.Everything is going to be fine.”He watched as she gained some control before asking, “I know we don’t know each other very well, but do you trust me at all?”
Sky thought about that for a bit before she nodded, a little surprised that she actually did.“I just realized how much I do trust you and in such a short amount of time.”
“Do you trust me enough to know if I say I won’t touch you, I won’t?”
Sky studied him.“Yes, I guess I do.”
“Good, I’m glad that’s out of the way.Now, let me go on to the next subject.You know, before, when I said you couldn’t go outside until tagging was done and the extra men left?”
“Yes.”
“I feel very strongly about it, so don’t disobey me.”
Sky looked at the determination in his eyes.“Okay.How long, do you think?”
“Another few days.After they’ve left, you can come outside.I still don’t want you around the men, so stay on the east side of the house unless I’m with you.”
