Page 17 of His Dark Purpose

“That’sthe point, Amy.” His voice grew louder, drawing her attention to the side of the bedroom suite where his couch was.

That’s where he is.

She couldn’t decide if she was relieved or perturbed by the information.

“But I need to pee, sir.” She cringed at the admission, wishing it wasn’t true, but after hours holed up in his room, the inevitable effects of hydration had taken hold.

“Right now?”

His voice was weary, reminding her of a parent who’d been nagged relentlessly by a child. It was hardly a fair comparison when all she’d done was pass out from trauma and woken up cuffed to his bed.

“Yes.” Why would she make something like that up? If she needed to go, then she needed to go. “Please.”

“Just as well, I’ve thought of everything then.” Pale light flicked on from the other side of the room, and blinking past its glow, she saw him stretched out on the sofa.

“Sir?”

It felt more natural to refer to him that way that time, but she wasn’t sure why. Nothing had changed. He was still an asshole who’d weaponized the truth and bound her to the bed.

“Wait.” He rose, straightening his lapels, and she noticed he was wearing his suit jacket again. “I’m coming.”

Her throat dried as he neared, his towering figure looming over in a matter of a few long strides.

“How are you feeling?” His expression looked serious.

Like crap.The answer danced in her head, but she held it back. “I’ve been better.”

“Yeah, me too, little girl.” His tone was equally somber, reminiscent of the man who’d first hired her and not the lover who’d flirted, teased, and pleasured her. “But you were out cold, so I wanted to check you didn’t hit your head or anything. Does anything hurt?”

Only my ego.

She still couldn’t believe she’d been foolish enough to believe his shit when all along she’d been little but a woman Kyle was prepared to barter tenancy for, but yet again, she squashed down the retort.

“I have a stomachache,” she admitted. “But that’s probably because I need to use the restroom.”

“Right.” One eyebrow rose as though he was less convinced of the answer. “I’m worried about you, Amy.” His brow furrowed, one of his hands trailing along her leg.

She froze, holding her breath. The caress that had once been so welcomed seemed suddenly insidious.

“I’m pretty worried, too, sir.” Her tone was raspy, but that time it wasn’t arousal inspiring the change. “I just woke up cuffed to your bed.”

She glanced down at her ankles, the light confirming her suspicion. All four of her limbs were secured to the bedstead, the sight reinforcing her worst fears. Cuffed at all four limbs, she had absolutely no way of getting away from him.

“You were in a real state.” He sounded wistful. “Upset and overwrought. I didn’t know how to help you.”

She inhaled, recalling the way she’d demanded he leave her alone. He hadn’t listened to anything she’d said then, so what made her think he’d listen now?

“So, you cuffed me?” She tried not to sound skeptical about his intentions, but the niggling doubt remained. Kyle’s solution was not normal. If she was upset, surely he’d console rather than capture?

“Yes.” His lips tugged, the gesture amplifying the alarm resounding in her body. “I love you, little girl. I need to know you’re okay.”

“I’m okay.” The urgency in her bladder was becoming difficult to ignore. “But Ireally doneed to pee.”

“Understood.” Reaching into his inside pocket, he produced a small silver key. “But I have one question first.”

He paused, glancing her way.

A question.She tensed.Perfect.

---