Page 24 of Dark Reasons

"Why would I do that?"

"To see who I've been talking with," I shoot back.

His body shifts, causing the sheet to slide lower, revealing the hard rivets of his stomach. I can't tell if he's naked underneath there. "Surely you keep it locked. I couldn't get into it if I wanted."

What if he IS totally naked under there? He said he brought spare clothes, but...

"Selena."

I flick my eyes up, seeing his sharp smirk.

"What are you so distracted by?" he asks softly.

"Nothing," I sputter, yanking my blankets up around my throat, like I'm the one who's indecent. And I'mnot,I'm still in my shorts and shirt from earlier. "There are ways to get into people's phones. I bet you know some."

"Your face is very red," he chuckles.

That makes me blush harder. "Right!" I scoff, an idea hitting me. "You could have used my face while I was asleep to unlock it!"

Jamison's brow knits together, making fine lines in his smooth skin. "Clever idea. I could have done that."

A tiny thrill rushes through me from his compliment. It's quickly replaced by unease. "Did you?" I whisper.

"You'll never know."

"Tell me!" I growl.

"You're really worried about this," he notes coolly. "Here's a tip. If youdon'thave something to hide, it's better to pretend you don't care."

"Then you didn't?" Jamison doesn't react to my question. "Show me your phone."

"Why?" he asks, squinting curiously.

"So I can see the time."

"I said it was after 2."

"I want to see for myself."

For a second I think he's not going to do it. To my amazement, he reaches on the other side of him—I see his bag is there. He pulls out a small, forgettable black phone. He doesn't hand it to me, but he flicks it on, showing the blue digital screen blinking the time. "Satisfied?"

"Is that a burner phone?"

"Of course it is. It hasn't even been 24 hours," he whispers, "and you've already forgotten what I am."

"I haven't forgotten," I swallow.I never will."I want the truth from you about my phone."

He moves forward, lithe as a viper, one huge palm shoving me by my collar bone down onto my bed. I'm flattened by his strength, my instinct to struggle, but his finger brushes my lips... he's shushing me. "I didn't touch your phone. But if I wanted to," he says in a gritty rumble, "I'd do it. If I couldn't break into it, I'd havemadeyou unlock it for me. You couldn't stop me. If I want something, Selena, it's inevitable...I will get it."

A full body tremor hits my core. My urge to fight back evaporates, leaving me limp under my blanket. It's the only protection I have and it's as useless as air. "You don't scare me," I make myself say.

His lips tighten. "Yes, I do. I feel you shaking."

"I can't help that. It just happens. But I'm not afraid of you, you won't hurt me."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because if you do, you're fucked."

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