Elena shouldn’t care what he thought of her, but the curl of his lip was her undoing. Whether in disgust, hatred, or regret she didn’t know, but she didn’t want him to look at her that way at all.
Rushing through the process, she donned the clothes he’d chosen. Wincing as she jerked stiff joints, the tight band of the skirt digging deep into her bruised waist. Riffling through her overnight, she unearthed her brush and wrenched it through her thick waves with crackling viciousness. Tearing the strands free with her impatience to appear normal despite everything to the contrary.
“I’m just hungry, please,” she stammered out, blinking back the stinging tears as she kept her back to him. “You said I could eat if I dressed, and I am now.”
“All right,” Leon said, catching hold of her wrist and prying the brush from her clenched fingers. Hands gentle as she couldhave ever wished, he smoothed her hair back over her shoulders and caressed her jaw before holding his arm out to her. “Let’s go eat.”
He held her steady as he guided her through the hall. Leon adjusted his grip, holding her around the waist with care this time as he led her down the staircase. Through the echoing foyer and a set of double doors to a formal dining room.
Elena made a disgruntled sound in the back of her throat as she saw the fine china place settings and tall candlesticks. He’d expected her to dress for dinner, and here she was in little better than a casual outfit.
“I can go change,” she whispered, not quite daring to defy him by stopping, though she slowed her steps.
“It’s fine,” Leon said, handing her down into a broad chair that swallowed her whole.
Her legs kicked beneath the table as she squirmed into position, grimacing at the spectacle she must be making of herself. Leon took the chair at the head of the table, totally at home and comfortable in his space.
Her humiliation doubled down as Mrs. Jacobs entered with another woman, this one young and fresh faced, both bearing wide trays of food.
“I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble, Mrs. Jacobs,” Elena said as the housekeeper came close to set the tray down on Elena’s side of the table.
“Not a bit, deary,” Mrs. Jacobs said with a cheery smile. “It’ll be nice cooking for two for a change.”
“A change?” Elena glanced at Leon, brow furrowed as she twisted her napkin in her lap. “I thought you and Marjory…”
“I ended our engagement.” Leon was stiff backed and cold as he waited for the other maid to serve him a plate of salmon and rice pilaf with some sort of rich cream sauce.
Elena was served something else entirely, a thick slab of roast beef with creamed potatoes and roasted vegetables. Shecouldn’t believe Mrs. Jacobs had gone through the trouble of cooking her a different dinner.
“Oh,” Elena said, feeling stupid as she poked at her food. Waiting for him to begin eating before she could take the neat, small bites dictated by propriety when she wanted to grab the juicy meat with both hands and gnaw upon it.
“Do you not like roast beef,” Leon asked, utensils held aloft over his meal. “I thought you didn’t like fish, but if you would prefer the salmon…”
Elena’s lips parted as she looked up at him without thinking, meeting the dark umber of his eyes head on as shock zinged through her veins. How he’d known she didn’t like fish in the first place was surprising enough, but to offer his meal in exchange was astounding.
Who was this man and what had he done with the Alpha who had just terrorized her mere moments ago?
“It’s fine,” Elena mumbled, ducking her head to hide her confusion. Apparently he didn’t stand on ceremony, so she cut off a small bite of meat. It melted against her tongue, juicy and rich.
Ignoring him in favor of her meal, Elena’s bites became larger and larger until she pushed huge chunks of meat and vegetables into her waiting mouth. Starved beyond reason, she’d never heal, and she figured that was the only cause he had to feed her such delicious, rich foods. Despite that thought, she was too hungry to care.
“Have enough?” He was lazing at the other end of the table, his food gone untouched as he leaned upon one elbow. Watching her every move, the predator tracking his prey. “I’m sure Mrs. Jacobs could whip something up.”
“I’m fine.” Elena swallowed hard, wiping at her mouth with a napkin that was still as clean as when the meal started. Her cheeks warmed, sure that a deep blush had settled there. She’d acted like a pig in front of him.
“Are you sure,” Mrs. Jacobs asked as she came back into the room, brows high as she smiled at Elena. “I can have a dessert ready in no time. Mr. Marchetti doesn’t much care for sweets, but I’m sure?—”
“No, no,” Elena said, giving a stilted wave of her hand. “I’ve been enough trouble for you already. Really, I’m full.”
It wasn’t the complete truth, but it was far enough from a lie that Leon let her off with the barest narrowing of his eyes. He waved Mrs. Jacobs off with two fingers then rose. Coming to Elena, he held his hand out to her in invitation.
Elena stood slowly, tensed as she prepared for his unwanted touch. She didn’t have to wait long, his arm coming around her as he led her back upstairs. He’d fed her at least. Now he’d do what he wished.
In the bedroom, it was his firm fingers that worked her buttons free. Ignoring her every hiss and whimper, he peeled her clothes from her body one item at a time. Leaving her shivering and naked before him as he circled her, looking her over from head to toe.
Inspecting his prize. Finding her wanting.
He was slow with his disrobing, giving her a chance to watch. Preening as he caught her furtive glances, frowning as she shuddered and tore her eyes away to stare hard at the floor.
