“Thank you,” I say, slowly turning back to face him.
“Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you in our clothes, but I thought you’d want some that’ll fit you better.” He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture is surprisingly intimate, and I find myself wanting to lean into his touch. On an inhale, I catch a hint of leather and honey coming from him, which is a weirdly alluring combination.
I let my eyes wander down his lean, muscular body. Now that he’s no longer covered by a mask and hood, I can’t stop staring. “Didn’t think you were the kind of guy to wear leather.”
He leans back just enough to look at the sleeve of his jacket. “Because I’m a computer nerd I can’t wear leather and drive a motorcycle?”
“You do?”
Smart, big dick, cares if I live, and rides a motorcycle? Where’d this guy come from?
“Maybe if you’re good, I’ll take you on a ride sometime.”
“And if I’m a brat?” I tease, because I can’t help myself. Something about these guys makes me want to push and test their limits.
Our gazes lock, and it feels like all the oxygen has been sucked from the room. “Oh, Fallon.” Pressing a hand against the wall above my head, he leans forward so that his hot breath fans my lips. His other hand travels up the length of my neck to cradle my jaw. “If I told you what I’d like to do to you every time you’re being a brat, then I’d never make it out of this room.”
“Oh?” My voice comes out unsteady. “Sounds like ayouproblem.”
He huffs a laugh. “This fucking mouth,” he says to himself and rubs a thumb over my lips, dragging the bottom one down before releasing it. “The things I’ve dreamed of doing to this perfect fucking mouth.”
For an impossibly long second, it feels like he’s going to close the distance between us and show me exactly what he’d do – what I want him to do – but he expels a breath and steps back.
All the oxygen rushes back in, cooling my heated skin.
“I’m going to go before you make me do something you’ll regret in the morning.”
When he turns to leave, I blurt, “Why the sudden change?”
He pauses a moment before turning back to me. His voice is low and thoughtful when he speaks. “Maybe we realized that to get the answers we need, we were dancing on the line of becoming the same monsters we’re fighting against. Maybe I believe you, and the thought of hurting you doesn’t sit right with me.” He leans closer so we’re face to face, a breath apart. “Maybe, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how we treated you, and I am going to do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I know locking you in your room and not letting you leave isn’t a great way of showing that, but I promise, keeping you safe is just as much of a priority to me as it is finding justice for those Cerberus fights for.”
Reaching out, I link my hand with his. I don’t give any verbal response because it’s not okay and I’m not forgiving him anytime soon. Instead, I squeeze his fingers because being able to apologize that way deserves some kind of recognition.
“I know it’s a lot to process, but I think you’ll be surprised by how well we’ll work together if you agree to this deal.” He squeezes my hand. “Promise you’ll think about it?”
I nod reluctantly because I’d be stupid not to consider this deal with Cerberus, but a part of me – a huge part – still doesn’t trust them. These are the same men who were hellbent on torturing the answers out of me days ago. Why would I believe they’d help me after they get what they want from me?
Akio lets go of my hand and quietly slips from the room with one last lingering look back at me. The door clicks shut, the sound of the lock echoing through the space of my new but much roomier prison, and I sink to the floor.
What was I thinking actually wanting my kidnapper to kiss me? How the fuck did I get here?
All I know is that these guys are getting past my defenses, and I’m not sure I want to push them out.
Chapter 14
Fallon
I’m at a loss of what to make of my new freedom – if I can really call it that.
Over the course of the next two weeks, I feel less like a prisoner and more like a bird in a golden cage. That is, if the cage is a ten-thousand-square-foot home on an enormous estate. They feed me the most delicious homemade meals and buy me designer clothing that fits perfectly. I sleep in the softest bed. And every morning, at a quarter to seven, the click of the lock rings through my room, letting me know it’s time to spread my wings.
Well, only so far.
I’m allowed to roam most of the house, just as Matteo said during our first dinner together when he lectured me about the rules. However, I’m not allowed in their offices when the guys aren’t present, and I can’t go outside without one of them shadowing me. And I’ve tested both limits, trust me. Not only do they keep their offices locked when they’re busy with work or doing whatever Cerberus shit they get up to, but on the first day they left me to my own devices, I tried every door and window leading outside. I wanted to see how well they confined me in here. As I suspected, they equipped each exit with the super special security locks and alarms they developed themselves at Lunar Security.
So I’ve been stuck inside until one of them wants to brave taking me out for some sun. After the hedge maze incident with Matteo though, I doubt they want to risk it. But hey, it’s loads better than what I was dealing with when they kept me in their basement of torture, right?
As for the guys themselves… Well, I’ve been keeping my distance whenever possible, but the fuckers are persistent.
