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“Hayden,” I say, struggling to keep my voice stern, “there’s nothing left to talk about. We’re at an impasse.”
He doesn’t move, not even to acknowledge what I’ve said. Or maybe that’s on purpose to show he disagrees.
“I’m going to call it a night,” I say.
“But you haven’t eaten.”
I shrug. “I can’t when I’m upset.”
“Upset” might be the understatement of the year. My brain is so muddled I don’t know if I can chew and swallow food without choking. And from the way my thoughts are buzzing in my skull, I doubt that I’ll sleep tonight.
“You’re going to eat, even if I have to force feed you,” he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now, you can either walk into the kitchen or I can carry you there, but either way, you’re going.”
Righteous indignation causes me to lift my chin with a dainty sniff. “Fine.”
I don’t wait for him. My bare feet sink into the plush carpet with every step until I reach the cold tile in the kitchen. The stark change in temperature against my soles sends a chill through me, but not more than the predatory man trailing me. Although I can’t hear him walking, I can sense him.
I always do.
“Do you have a preference tonight?” he asks.
After turning to look at him, I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter what you give me, I won’t enjoy it.”
“Miss Green, you’ll enjoyanythingI stick in that pretty mouth.” When I press my lips together, he smirks at me. “Have a seat.”
My pride, already raw from his lies, chafes at the command. I cross my arms and give him a pointed stare. His gaze narrows to little more than slits.
“Sit. Down.”
I continue holding his stare, begging my inner fortitude to remain strong. Backing down is not an option. Not when this man has taken possession of me in more ways than I care to admit.
He’s on me from one blink to the next, moving too fast for my brain to process. I let out a shriek at the feel of his hands grabbing my waist. He lifts me onto the island, his fingertips digging into the fabric of my jeans. I chose to wear them and a plain blouse instead of Hayden’s clothes. Once I found the pearls in his pocket, I couldn’t get the coat off fast enough.
I glare up at him, unable to keep my breathing even while agitation rushes through me. My chest heaves with every inhale and he drops his attention to the hint of cleavage my top displays. I resist the urge to pull the neckline up.
“My eyes are up here.”
His lips twitch. “I’m not going to apologize.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Making sure you stay put.”
I huff. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“It’s good to hear you accept the inevitable,” he says, “because now you’re mine.”
Chapter 2
Calista
Hayden’s wordswrap around me like a ribbon, silky, yet restrictive and binding.
He watches me for a moment as if challenging me to jump off the island. I’ve already fucked around and found out. I’m not interested in another lesson.
Before I can think of a response, he walks over to the refrigerator and removes a tray laden with fruit, cheese, and crackers. The bright colors are too cheerful for the tension-filled atmosphere. Like the black and white decor all around us, Hayden and I are complete opposites. While he’s domineering and severe, I’m caring and tender-hearted.
In a perfect world, we’d compliment one another.
