Page 20 of Bonded Chaos

I sank into the mattress as I stretched my limbs to ease the discomfort.

My eyes flew open when I remembered I was not supposed to be lying on a mattress. I had gone to sleep on the floor to escape the insufferable asshole who occupied the bed.

As I glanced down at my body, my gaze halted on the large, corded forearm thrown over my middle. A quick peek over my shoulder confirmed what I had hoped to avoid.

I was in bed with Ryker.

That bastard must have moved me once I’d fallen asleep.

He had touched me without my permission.

Again.

The man didn’t understand boundaries.

As slowly as I could, I gently lifted Ryker’s heavy arm and placed it atop his thigh. I let out a relieved sigh when the movement failed to rouse him.

I inched away from his sleeping form, careful not to disturb the blankets strewn across his naked waist. My heart raced inside my chest as I neared the edge of the mattress before swinging my legs over.

Maybe it was foolish, but I didn’t want Ryker to see how much waking in his arms rattled me. He was the type of man who would identify your greatest weakness and exploit it to his advantage.

I eased myself out of the luxurious bed and winced as the floorboards creaked beneath my weight.

Ryker stirred, and he mumbled something incoherent as he flung his forearm over his eyes.

I waited a moment longer before taking a tentative step toward the door. When Ryker didn’t wake, I took another, then another.

I closed the distance between me and the door before reaching out and twisting the handle.

Locked.

Of course.

I whirled around and scanned my surroundings, intent on finding the keys Ryker had undoubtedly discarded somewhere nearby.

A familiar bejeweled dagger lay haphazardly on the nightstand, catching my eye.

Did he truly see me as such an insignificant threat?

I wanted to laugh out loud at the absurdity, but refrained.

Determined to teach him a lesson, I tiptoed over to the nightstand. My hand darted out, and my fingertips brushed the precious gemstones that decorated the hilt.

I picked up the dagger, careful not to scrape it against the wood beneath, and rolled it over my palm. The steel was cool against my flesh, and I wrapped my fingers around the base as I adjusted to its weight.

Satisfied that I had a decent grip, I lifted the hem of my nightdress and climbed onto the bed.

I looked down at Ryker’s sleeping form and then at the dagger gripped firmly in my hand. I lowered myself until I was straddling his waist, then I leaned forward and pressed the sharpened tip of the blade to the soft underside of Ryker’s throat.

We were so close that our breaths mingled, and I wasn’t prepared for the unwelcome shiver that raced down my spine.

“Is there something you need, Cadence?” Ryker murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

I pressed the dagger further into Ryker’s flesh. Not enough to draw blood, but enough that the threat lingered unspoken between us.

Ryker chuckled, and the sound sent butterflies soaring inside my belly, my body forgetting once again that I hated this man.

Ryker shifted beneath me, his hips moving upward as he readjusted his position.

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