“I ordered you about three boxes worth of books,sweetheart,” Zane spoke up happily.” Everything you ever mentioned in our chatsand all the ones you saved to your online pin boards. They should be…”
Trembling she could barely stomach the next bite, settingdown her fork she stared heatedly at the edge of the counter. “How can you bothjust pretend?” Her voice shook with anger as she forced herself to hold backher tears. Sensing Reid come around the counter next to her, she tried toignore his presence and press on. “How can you both pretend as if you didn’tra…”
The callused grip on her chin yanked her head to the side asanother hand buried itself into her long loose curls. Her surprised yelp echoedoff the high vaulted ceiling as she was forced to face Reid’s furious facebefore he crashed his lips to hers.
Brutal and overwhelming, Reid laid claim to her mouth,forcing her to brace herself against the hard planes of his chest as his tonguedelved inside. Expertly he moved his lips against hers forcing her to respondand engage with him. Squeezing her eyes shut at the onslaught, Everly couldfeel a tear slip down her cheek as her tongue hesitantly moved with his. A deeprumbling growl of satisfaction tore from his chest.
Letting her go, he left her panting as he pushed her backinto the hard body behind her. Fearfully Everly looked up at Zane as he halfcaged her in his arms pressing her back into his bare chest.
Looking back up to Reid, Everly’s body tightened at thebarely contained fury he was trying to control. Another large hand threadingthrough her hair was her only warning as Zane fisted her curls gently andbrought her head backward, forcing her to meet his upside down gaze.
“And are you going to pretend you didn’t respond beautifullyin our arms last night?” Zane asked dangerously.
The question slapped at her pride. Struggling in his hold,Zane merely tightened his grip holding her firm before placing small kissesalong her jaw.
“Because I have to say, sweetheart,” he kissed the arch ofher exposed neck making her whimper. “You fucking milked me dry last night.”
Closing her eyes, Everly tried to rebuke, to block out hiscrass words. She didn’t want to hear this! They were the criminals, how herbody responded had nothing to do with what they did! Right? Doubt nagged in thecorner of her mind.
Reid’s hands settled on her thighs just above each knee. Shecould hear both of their heavy breathing as they sandwiched her between them.Zane’s lips touched her softly, kissing her slowly without demand. Nibbling ather lips, he gently sought admittance. Reid’s hands moved up and down her legsheating her flesh through her jeans, unconsciously she opened her legs widerfor him just as her lips opened for Zane. The kiss was odd in their positionbut no less potent as it was before, masterfully Zane guided her as his tonguedanced with hers. Reid’s hands slipped under her sweater and cupped her hipssearing his warmth into her flesh.
No, her mind screamed, logic reigniting under the dousingeffects of their ministrations. Sensing her change each man disengaged andstepped back, leaving her breathless and angry, mostly at herself.
Wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve, Everly lookedaway from the towering men. They were both breathing heavily, and she fearedwhat it would invite if she made eye contact with them again at this moment.
“You’re both monsters,” shewhispered, feeling very much defeated.
She felt them both walk away to leave but not before Zanereplied, “Yes, but we’re your monsters.”
±
After finishing breakfast, Reid had her follow him to theoffice while Zane went outside. The office was the only room she didn’t tourwith Zane the day before. The door to the office was the only other door alongthe long open hallway that led to the bedroom door. Opening the door brightlight from the massive windows glared in their faces as they stepped in.
Blinking, her eyes quickly adjusted to the sunlight.
The office was just as large as the bedroom, the largewindow at the end of the room as well. Instead of the right wall being made ofglass like the bedroom, this room was its mirror opposite. The tall walls werecovered in dark wood-stained bookshelves covering from one end to the other. Whereasthe entire left wall, was glass allowing her to view the front of the cabin.Two large mahogany carved desks sat parallel to the bookshelves with a smalldividing bookshelf jutting from the wall in between them. Two people couldeasily be sitting at each desk working with privacy the dividing bookshelfoffered. In the middle of the room, facing the long window wall, was a largeleather tufted sofa with beautifully arched armrest sitting on top of whatlooked to be a massive fur rug.
The room was rich and opulent in its heavy use of stainedwoods and expensive pieces but simple for the fact the desks were kept cleansave for a laptop on each and the massive row of empty bookshelves.
“Here, I wanted to show you this,” Reid took her hand andslowly guided her to follow.
Scowling at the large hand that enveloped her own, Everlydidn’t have much of a choice but to follow. Yanking her hand back was her firstinclination, to fight him at every turn no matter how simple or innocent thesituation may be. Letting her eyes drift up from his hand along his thick armto the broad expanse of his back and his lean tapered waist, she bit back asigh of hopelessness that threatened to escape. Who was she kidding, she wasterrified of the stoic giant. Terrified if she made any sudden moves orprovoked him in any way he would pull her to him again just like he did in thekitchen and maybe he wouldn’t stop this time. No, she had to stay quiet, shehad to bide her time carefully until she could escape.
Stopping at the far end of the room, Reid stepped backrevealing a built-in corner desk situated at the corner of the two tallwindows. Sitting there, the occupant would be surrounded by the view of thetrees and glimpses of the shimmering great lake.
“Your laptop and sketchbooks are in the cabinet there,” Reidpointed to the low cabinet next to the desk. “And when you’re ready to uploadany of your new drawings you can let me know,” his voice softened, he waslooking at her now she could feel his gaze on the side of her face. “Of course,this won’t be forever, Everly,” she had to stop herself from breaking at thesoft sound of her name on his lips. His voice was deeper now, like a lowrumbling engine sending goosebumps down her arms. “Once we know you won’t tryanything, you will be able to access the Internet…”
“Try anything?” She repeated in disbelief. Turning she methis gaze and she ignored the stab of guilt as she watched the momentarysoftness dissipate from his dark blue eyes replaced by a fierce wariness. “Youreally mean to keep me here forever don’t you?” She breathed not bothering tohide her horror.
Stepping closer, Reid cocked his head to the side giving hera confused smile. Crowding her against the desk, Everly could feel the warmbody heat radiate off of him as he looked down at her.
“Would I let someone who was made for me go?” His voice wasdeep yet soft as he brought his hand up to push back some of her hair that fellover her shoulder. Everly resisted the urge to flinch at his touch, avertingher gaze from his, as his hand gently cupped her neck. “Would I let you go nowthat I finally have you?” He questioned as if the very idea didn’t make sense.
Everly wanted to say something, to argue back but herinstincts held her back. Goosebumps traveled across her skin as he tilted herchin up with his thumb forcing her to meet his gaze. Eyes that were sodifferent from Zane’s wide, bright gaze. Reid’s narrow eyes were dark andcalculating, constantly scanning and assessing her for his next move. If sheopened her mouth now, she knew with complete certainty he would kiss her.
He smiled as if reading her mind.
“I’m not letting you go,” bending his head he placed a softkiss on her eyelids. “I watched you every chance I got Everly. I made sure youmade it home every night after class and every day after work. You are mine toprotect and mine to hold.” His other hand came up and cupped her nape just likethe other, caging her neck in his grip.
