Daniel shook his head. “We can entertain ourselves.”
Anya tried to breathe normally and not show the panic spiraling through her entire body. Her legs twitched. The door was so close. God, she couldn’t do this.
He smoothed the hair away from her face. “The color is so vibrant, and it’s genuine. I can tell it’s real.” He clasped her nape. “Only one to two percent of the population has true red hair.”
“Oh,” she said, her body stiffening.
“Yes. Also, did you know that redheads feel pain stronger than other people?”
She gulped. “No. I didn’t know that.”
“It’s true. Scientifically proven.” He leaned closer. “I’ve conducted my own research as well.”
She closed her eyes.
In one smooth motion, he grabbed the bottom of her sweater and yanked it over her head.
Her mind revolted.
“That’s a pretty blouse,” he whispered.
She shivered as cold went through the thin cotton. His hand wandered down and around to grasp her breast.
She jolted. Pressure built inside her, and her ears rang. Panic took over. Twisting, she threw an elbow into his nose. It cracked. She jumped up and skirted the couch, her chest heaving. “This isn’t going to work.” Think, damn it. “I’m not that type of girl, so you need to show respect now.” She could make it to the door.
He stood and faced her, his expression dark. Blood dribbled from his already swelling nose. “I knew you would take convincing. Pain works with women. Trust me.”
“I’ll fight you,” her voice quaked, even as she edged toward the door.
“I know.” He shook his head, his too-handsome face in grim lines. “You’re spirited, and I like that.” He almost casually moved around the sofa toward her. “I’m prepared to make you love me.”
She made it closer to the door, her panicked senses tracking his every twitch. “Not a chance,” she spat.
He smiled. “Please fight me.”
She didn’t have a choice. It’d be a fight to the death. “There has to be a third alternative.”
He tilted his head to the side, his gaze voracious. “What’s that?”
“We get you help.” There was something so sad about the lunatic. Her legs trembled, and chills engulfed her shoulders. “You made a nice dinner, and you’re trying too hard to make a connection with me. Don’t you want to be able to do that? A good shrink could help you.” The words burst out of her. She didn’t see one weapon anywhere near.
He sighed. “I’m about to make a connection with you.”
There was no reasoning with him. She bolted for the door and yanked it open. Wind and snow burst inside, and she rushed out onto an icy deck, her arms windmilling as she slid. Snow-covered trees spread in every direction, and the wind whipped up the snow in a frenzy.
A battered truck was over to the right, nearly covered with snow. She turned and ran for it with all her might. Snow and ice covered her bare feet, and she slipped, but she finally skidded to it. Gurgling almost uncontrollably, she tugged on the frozen handle.
“It’s locked,” Daniel called from the doorway. With the firelight behind him, his entire face was in shadow.
She gulped, the icy snow burning her feet, and turned to look at him. He didn’t move. Why wasn’t he chasing her? She looked frantically around for any other lights or sign of life. Nothing.
“I see you’re understanding your position here,” he said clearly, out of the storm. “I’m feeling generous toward you for some reason. Maybe because you called me into your life.”
She swallowed down another scream. “I didn’t really think we’d meet,” she yelled back. “I thought I was just setting a trap for you, you fucking lunatic.” The wind slapped her, and she shivered. The cold burned across her toes and up her ankles. The wet soaked her jeans. It had to be about ten degrees, maybe less with the wind. She wouldn’t last long if she didn’t find shelter.
“Anya? Last chance. Come meekly back here, and I’ll let you warm up before we get started.” He whistled a lonely tune. “There’s nowhere to run, and you’re only hurting yourself. We must do this my way.”
What if she drew him out and then ran back inside? Had there been a lock on the door? Would a lock keep that asshole out? Probably not. A slap of water against a dock caught her attention, and she partially turned. Behind the cabin, there was a lake? She had to get to the water. Maybe there would be a boat or raft stored somewhere nearby.
