Page 25 of Cruel Master

“Say it,” he repeats, his eyes wilder than I’ve ever seen them.

I shake my head and stare at him stubbornly.

He sees the resolution in my eyes, and I see the swift flare of anger that lights his.

He lets go of me and roars a sound that makes me jump before he pulls his fist back and slams it into the wall, putting a hole in it.

My mouth falls open as he turns and stalks from the room, slamming the door hard behind him.

I'm shaking so badly in the wake of his fury I can't even stand.

God, what is wrong with me that I'm attracted to this violent man? He's dangerous in every way. He kidnapped me. How could I have even let my guard down enough to say that last night?

And how can he even expect me to say it now after I just watched him shoot a man in the leg just because I smiled at him?

There's something deeply wrong with Gabriel Blake—and there's obviously something wrong with me too that my body could even react to a monster like him.

I make my way over to the bed with shaky legs and collapse onto it. I sit there, my heart pounding like I've just run a marathon as I contemplate my options.

I could be stubborn and refuse to give him what he wants, but the man is obviously dangerous. I just saw him shoot someone in the leg just because I smiled at him.

I think of my little sister Gia, and my stomach drops. Gabriel knows about Gia. What if he does something to her to get back at me or to try to force me into compliance? Something tells me that Gabriel is not used to hearing the word “no.” He's used to getting everything he wants. Is it really worth it to be stubborn and fight this battle with him?

He kidnapped me for a reason. It's obvious he desires me. Maybe it will be easier just to give him what he wants. Maybe after he gets what he wants, he'll finally let me go. Perhaps by fighting him I'm playing into his game and prolonging everything.

I really can't chance him hurting my sister.

I go back and forth in my mind considering all of my options.

There's only one way to find out how this is going to end, and I'm doing it to protect my sister.

That's what I have to tell myself, anyway, if I'm going to live with my decision.

I swallow before I look straight ahead. I don't know where the cameras are or I’d look directly into one, but I know that he's watching. He’s always watching. I can feel his eyes on my skin.

I take a deep breath before I utter the words that will change the course of my life forever. “Okay, Gabriel. I want you.”

ChapterSeventeen

I almost thinkhe was waiting outside the door because no sooner do the words leave my mouth does the door swing open, and Gabriel is towering in the doorway. His blue eyes blaze down at me hotter than any flame, and in just a few quick strides, he's completely across the room.

He pulls me back to my feet and wraps his arms around me, pulling me flush against him as his lips crash over mine.

He devours me like he's starving, and my mind short circuits as his tongue plunges deep into my mouth.

I can't think, and it's a good thing too because my mind is still so conflicted. I don't want to want him, yet I do. God help me, but I do.

I fist my hands in his shirt and hold on tight to keep from falling over, but I needn't worry because his arms are banded around me like steel bands.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers in between kisses. “You’re mine, Nora.”

His words shouldn't comfort me. They should frighten me, but I can't deny the warmth that lights my chest at his whispered promises.

His fingers fist in my curls as he angles my head the way he wants it to deepen the kiss.

He kisses me until I can't breathe. Only when I feel like I'm about to collapse does he pry his mouth off mine.

I gulp in a lungful of air as he trails hot kisses down my jaw and along the side of my neck, leaving a blaze of fire in his wake. He deftly slips my dress from my shoulders, his lips following the trail of the fabric until he reaches my bare nipples that are hardened into little peaks.

---