‘So you have seen sense,’ he said in that arsey way he had that made me want to punch him.
I balled my fingers into a fist. Why, even when I was offering him an olive branch, did he have to be such a controlling jerk?
‘There’s nothing sensible about this situation,’ I said, my temper turbo-charging the heat, not to mention the infuriating thought he was never going to give me an inch…especially if I made the mistake of backing down.
Agreeing not to attempt another escape was one thing, letting him treat me like a prisoner quite another.
‘I know my options are limited,’ I pointed out, determined to make him see I was making a choice here, not just surrendering to his agenda. ‘And as I was with you that night five months ago, when I got a taste of the threats against you…’ My gaze dragged over the scar on his shoulder again, and I couldn’t help the shiver of horror. ‘I’ve decided the safest option for my baby and me right now is to remain here with you.’
His eyes narrowed, and it was clear he wasn’t convinced by my sudden capitulation.
‘If you think to trick me, Mia, into trusting you again, so that you can escape, it will not work.’
For fuck’s sake…
I ground my teeth, his cynicism and arrogance starting to get on my last nerve.
‘Right now, I don’t give a crap whether you trust me or not,’ I said, wishing I could believe that. Because it was already clear gaining his trust was going to be a very tall order—when he had no doubt spent his life never trusting anyone. ‘But if you tie me up again, I will make you pay, when you least expect it… You have been warned.’
His eyebrows shot up his forehead—but then he let out an incredulous laugh. And I wanted to scream, mostly because the threat I’d just issued sounded preposterous even to me.
What exactly was I planning to do, browbeat him to death? The only person I’d ever hit was him, and that was only because he’d tied me up and kidnapped me…and it hadn’t even slowed him down, let alone stopped him.
But as I went to march past him, planning to return to my bedroom and sulk for the rest of eternity, he snagged my wrist, tugging me to a stop.
‘Don’t touch me…’ I yanked my hand back to try and shake him off. He simply tightened his grip, holding me still with ease, his strength so much greater than mine. He pulled me round until he could place his hand on my hip. And hold me.
I blinked furiously, close to tears, that devastating feeling of powerlessness mixing with all the pregnancy hormones to push me right to the edge.Again.
But instead of issuing another of his bloody ultimatums, he pressed his forehead to mine and let out a deep sigh.
‘Shhh, Mia, this is not good for the baby,’ he said—with a tenderness I wasn’t prepared for.
I drew back to stare into his eyes—the confusion I saw in them shocking me into silence.
I nodded. ‘I know.’
I wiped my eyes with my free fist, determined not to let the tears fall. And looked down at my toes again. Maybe this was Stockholm syndrome. Because it seemed when he showed me the slightest bit of care or attention, I became a complete emotional wreck, all my insecurities making me doubt myself…
He tucked a knuckle under my chin, lifting my gaze to his. He brushed a thumb across my bottom lip, making me tremble.
‘If you give me your word you will not attempt to run from me again, I will not tie you to the bed…’ he said, but the words were measured, as if he was making a major concession.
A part of me wanted to take the offer so we could get past this. But I knew I couldn’t capitulate. He was a man accustomed to using threats and intimidation to get what he wanted. But if I agreed to let him bully me, where would it end? I refused to be his captive. If I was going to be here by choice, I had to stand up to him, always.
I shook my head. ‘I told you I wasn’t going to run. I told you why. That you don’t trust me is your problem, not mine. I’m not going to promise to obey you when you threaten me. Because that’s not giving me a choice.’
He frowned, his expression hardening with distrust.
Well, he certainly hadn’t expected that. But I didn’t care. I couldn’t live with his constant disapproval and demands any more than I could live knowing he didn’t trust me to keep myself and our baby safe.
I tried to tug my hand free again, but he held firm. The puzzled expression made me wonder how long it had been since anyone refused to play by his rules.
‘You are making this more difficult than it needs to be, Mia,’ he said.
My pulse went haywire as his callused thumb caressed the inside of my wrist in slow, focussed strokes, that piercing blue gaze intensifying. ‘I am not a man who trusts easily…’ His gaze dropped to my belly. ‘Especially when there is much at stake.’
I shuddered, and his gaze darkened. The melting sensation at my core was familiar, and predictable.
