“It is, but you still need a lot moretraining.”
“Yeah, I’ll work on that,” I said, turning back to admire theJet Ski.
***
Darren showed meto rest of the garage, and I was in awe at the cars he possessed.He had a dark chrome Ferrari 458, a black Lamborghini Aventador, asilver McLaren F1, and a bigol’ pretty black Ford F-150. I was instantly jealous. He evenhad a classic 1967 Chevy Impala on a car lift overthetopof the Ferrari.How much money did this guy seriously have?
Once we were doneogling the contents of the garage, I found myself yawning fromexhaustion, and it was now completely darkoutside.
“Come on,” Darren said, wrapping his arm around me. “I thinkit’s time for bed.” I nodded in agreement. When we got tothetopof thestairs, I headed for my room, but Darren kept me at his side andpulled me away. “Nope, you’re sleeping in my bedtonight.”
My stomachshattered into a million tiny pieces, and my heart started beatingfrantically. I knew right away that I would not be getting a goodnight’s sleep.
As we entered hisroom, he pulled the covers down on his bed and gestured for me toget in. I looked up at him nervously. “Do you mind if I use thebathroom first?” I asked.
“Make it quick,” he said, and I hurriedly sauntered around himand headed straight for his bathroom, locking myself in. I tried toget my anxiety under wraps as I used the bathroom and washed myface with cool water.
Calmdown. Calm down. Calm down.
Once I finally gota grip on myself, I opened the door and walked out to find Darrenalready lying in bed, his one hand resting behind his head, whilehe read something on his phone. Of course, he was laying on theside closest to the door. Damn him.
I walked to theopposite side of the bed and slowly crawled under the sheets,trying to maintain as much distance from him as possible. I laid myheadonthe pillow andturned my back to him completely. Closing my eyes, I hoped I wouldfall asleep quickly, but it didn’t happen. My anxiety was toohigh.
“Jaden, what are you doing?” Hechuckled.
“Sleeping?” I mumbled, keeping my eyes closed and hoping thatwould be the end of it.
“Come here, sleepyhead. You don’t get to wear clothes in mybed,” he said, reaching across the king-size bed and pulling me tohis side.
He then got on topof me, straddling my hips as he began to pull the buttons of myshirt apart. I let him, not wanting to deal with a fight. Hisfingers were quick, his movements sure and precise as he made quickwork of the buttons, and I couldn’t help but suck in a breath. Oncehe pulled the shirt off me and tossed it to the floor, he rolledback over and pulled my back against his chest before grabbing hisphone.
“Just one little thing,” he said and instantly the cuffsaround my wrists clasped together. “Don’t want you getting any badideas that might get you in trouble,” he said, returning the phoneto his nightstand and shutting off thelight.
Ha, he did stillsee me as a threat. Why the fuck would he restrain me while weslept otherwise? He was afraid I’d get him in his sleep, and he wasso fucking right. When he rolled back over his voice became low anddangerous as he breathed into my ear.
“Your perimeter has been reduced to this room, so if you thinkabout sneaking out later, it would not be in your best interests.My phone is password andthumbprintactivated,and I’m a very light sleeper. Do not test metonight.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it, Darren. I’m too hungover to fight youright now. I just want to go to sleep.”
“Smart girl,” he said kissing my hair and relaxing againstme.
I really wasn’tinterested in creating any difficulties tonight. I was on highalert as it was, and I just wanted to close my eyes and succumb tothe sleep that was calling to me. Darren’s arm was tight around mytorso; any tighter and I wouldn’t be able tobreathe. Ihopedhe at leastmoved inhis sleep so he would release me at some point. After about twominutes, I found myself able to relax and practically jumped intothe darkness.
Chapter Twenty
Midnight Snack
I suddenly woke upwith a raging pressure in my bladder. I looked up at the clock onthe nightstand that read 3:15 a.m. I had to pee something fierce,but Darren still had his arm wrapped tightly around me. Hisbreathing was slow, even, and deep. He was definitely asleep, andfor some reason, I was afraid to wake him. I waited another tenminutes hoping I could just fall back asleep, but the pressure justincreased and Darren still hadn’t moved. Fuck.
Deciding I hadonly one option, I carefully took Darren’s wrist and tried to pryhis arm from my side. His body protested against my movement, hisarm actually a little heavy, but eventually, I was able tomoveitand gently laid itdownbehindme.
Like that of amouse avoiding the wrath of a cat, I maneuvered quietly through thebed, pulling the sheets silently from my body. The coast was clearas I made it to the edge of the bed, but out of nowhere, Darren’sarm came sweeping over my torso and pulled me back, slamming meback onto the bed. My heart practicallyleapedout of mythroat.
“Where thefuckdo you think you’re going?” he growled overtopof me.
“I just have to pee!” I shouted in defense, my open palmscoming up to protect me. “I swear!”
Darren looked meover, his face full of anger, and I squeezed my legs closed toalleviate the pressure.
