Remembering my father, I wish I could talk to him so he could help me keep the enemy out. He was my everything. He shaped me into a confident, strong girl, and he instilled in me the belief that no one could ever dare hurt me.
Seated on a chaise lounge by the pool, with the umbrella casting protective shade from the burning sky, I watch Vian do laps, splitting the water that glistens like a blanket of diamonds.
His mad love for me charges every atom in my being. So why would he jeopardize that by killing the only other man I loved?It’s not something he would do. I just have to ask him, but I am too afraid of the truth.
While he’s intent on knocking me up, I can’t help but shake my head. The asshole already did that, but revealing that tidbit would ensure I never leave this place.
Pushing himself up the handrail, he gets out of the pool, and water glides down his carved torso, making me trace every drop. The image is drool-inducing, and I wet my lips, imagining licking him.Get a damn grip. Sure, this asshole is physical perfection, but his heart is corrupt. That’s what toxic love will do.
He snatches a towel and dries himself, laying in the chaise lounge, arms tucked behind his neck, looking like the epitome of serenity while I lose my mind every second here.
I storm toward him just to pop his peaceful bubble. “Not afraid to get burned?” I ask, egging him on. He has no business being this relaxed while he holds me captive.
“I’m cold-blooded. Reptiles love the sun. That’s why I need you.” The corners of his mouth arch up in a wolfish smile.
“So funny,” I snicker, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I wasn’t joking.”
I can’t shake the impression he’s up to something. Here I am, trying my best to provoke a fight, yet he’s not taking the bait, the insufferable, cunning ass. “I hope you get a sunburn.”
“You take such good care of me, so it wouldn’t matter.”
I tilt my chin up. Please, God, give me strength. The devil incarnate is testing me.
He flicks his index finger toward me. “Come here.”
“No.”
“Come here, Zara, or I will get you.” His deep voice drips with command.
I should hate him for daring to order me around, but damn, it makes me hot. My traitorous body slips into arousal, and he hasn’t even touched me.
I would trade my body if I could, so he would stop eyeing it like it’s his to do with as he pleases.
Unaware of my own legs, I reach him in one step, and he drags me onto his lap and begins massaging my shoulders, unknotting the muscles there. His hands on my aching body feel so good, as if he weaves magic with his fingers. A small moan slips from my lips, tension lifting from my muscles with each expert stroke.
I give in, the ministrations feeling marvelous. Entering a trance, I lean against his chest as he runs his knuckles down my back.
I am about to move when he grips my waist, squeezing a little. We don’t need words to communicate, and it’s as disturbing as it is comforting.
“Let me go.”
He brushes his nose along my cheek, his voice sounding hoarse. “Not now. Never if it were up to me.”
“Luckily, it’s up to me,” I snap, tired of fighting myself and him. It’s a losing game, one I haven’t had enough of.
There’s no shame in quitting, yet I am too involved to stop.
He rolls us to the side, his body enveloping me in false safety. “You haven’t been sleeping.”
Your baby keeps me awake is on the tip of my tongue, but I catch myself before saying it.
I don’t want him to notice anything pregnancy-related, though I doubt he would. While I am constantly tired during the day, I brim with energy at night. My bouts of throwing up have been random and not as intense as the first ones.
“Blame it on the stress of being a captive.”
“It must be such a hardship,” he chuckles, not sounding apologetic at all.
