Page 43 of Under Control

Danica had no idea, but she knew she was going to have to face him soon enough, so she had to find her center again and stop feeling like a sobbing mess. She reached out and grabbed a pillow, placing it on the little white rug in front of the patio door. It was time to sit and breathe. Just before she did so, she cracked open the door, ending the deafening silence of the house. Seagulls singing and ocean waves crashing emanated through the space, resolving at least a few issues within her, as she could always count on nature to do for her.

She set her sketchbook in her lap and popped on her reading glasses. Looking out over the scenic view, she began sketching what she saw…what she felt. Even from a seated position, it was easy to observe the ocean because the balcony was framed in glass. She allowed her breath to find the deepest parts of her lungs and her soul as she sketched a bird dancing in and out of the ocean before her.

Cross-legged while holding the sketchbook, she inhaled deeply, mindful of how her breath came in through her nose and went all the way down into the back of her ribcage. Repeating this for a minute or two, she tried to clear her mind, focusing only on the bird. She let herself enjoy the ambient sounds outside. Her mind wrapped around the natural world before her, and she drank it all in.

Just how Carrick drank in every last drop of me last night.

She immediately flashed her eyes open, a hot flush rising from her neck and into her cheeks. A rush of excitement filled her pussy with the thought of his fingers entering her, driving her over the edge. Her instant arousal couldn’t have come at a worse time. Masculine footsteps echoed through the home as his lordship came stomping up the staircase.

She clenched her teeth, hating just how she felt about him and hating even more that it wasn’t mutual.

“Morning,” he grunted as he marched to where she sat.

She turned her head, forcing a stiff smile before turning back to her work.

“Whatcha drawing?” he asked casually as he took a seat in the chair right beside where she sat on the floor.

“Nothing,” she responded too fast and slammed the sketchbook shut.

Carrick, smirking, reached down and slowly opened it. As he looked down at what she’d drawn, all she could do was study his solid profile. His scent filled her nose—pure virility.His body was so close. She found herself leaning backward, guarding her heart. His gaze climbed up to hers and he grinned with that skillful mouth of his.

“That’s incredible. God, you are talented.”

Panicking, Danica whipped off her glasses and searched for a reply.

Carrick shot her a sly look and stood to walk into the kitchen. She turned her head, involuntarily following his movements as he put on the coffee. While watching him work, the reality of her feelings hit. She did not want to talk about last night or this morning. She wanted to pretend none of it had ever happened.

I just have to get through this on my own.

As the coffee percolated, Carrick put his hands on the island, looking over to where she sat. He was still wearing his black T-shirt and army-green sweats, his dark hair disheveled. Danica hated how he always seemed to take her breath away.

“How did you sleep?” he asked, studying her.

Again, she smiled politely and replied stiffly, “Fine. And you?”

She waited for what he would say—if he would tell her about his phone call and the threats. He rubbed the dark stubble on his chin as his terribly blue eyes assessed her.

“Look, Dani… I’m ready to make a plan,” he explained, “with what I dreamed about last night. I’m damn well ready to do something.”

She digested his words—“dreamed about last night”—and stirred in her spot. She’d had dreams, too, the previous night. Her only question was whether or not his had been as hot as hers…

“I’m having visions of ripping heads off,” he clarified. “Ripping these assholes to shreds.”

Her voice fell into a low, hurt tone. “I guess you can do that.”

Charity case.

His earlier words had been burned into her soul. Carrick raised his dark eyebrow as he must have seen her frown then look away.He leaned forward on the island, his arms and shoulders flexing.

“Dani, do you want to learn how to fight? Protect yourself?”

“Yes,” she confirmed, and watched him nod in understanding. “W-we are in trouble?”

“We are.”

“And are we safe here?”

“For now.”

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