Page 13 of Blackwood

My forgery hadn’t exactly been the best move, but it had led to a major discovery about my father. I wouldn’t regret it, no matter what sort of trouble it led to. I stiffened my spine as best I could. “I remember.”

“But you trespassed anyway. I should have you arrested.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and backed away a step. “Instead, Sheriff Crow wants you to recover here in the lap of luxury—” A mirthless chuckle escaped his lips. “So word doesn’t get out that you didn’t enjoy your time in our fair county. Especially not that you got attacked and almost killed under his watch.” He hung his head, his chin touching his chest and his dark hair catching the light. “Fuck me, this sucks.”

“You can’t keep me here,” I said with far more bravado than I felt. “I refuse to be held prisoner by a psycho in need of a shower and shave.”

He laughed, this time the sound rich and sultry. It reverberated inside my chest. Something about it reminded me of the forest, the way the sunrise warmed it but couldn’t quite reach its dark heart.

“You don’t like my beard?” He sat next to me, much closer this time.

My pulse ratcheted up, and I took in a quick breath.

“Well?” He grinned and took my wrist.

I tried to pull it away, but his grip was like an iron shackle. He eased the back of my hand down his cheek. “Not so bad, is it?”

It wasn’t. Not exactly soft, it felt thick and masculine. Rich. “What are you doing?” I leaned back until I pressed up against the headboard.

He moved closer, his woodsy scent a mix of smoke and soap. Maybe he didn’t need a shower after all. I didn’t turn away, not even when his lips were only inches from mine.

“I just wanted to see.” His eyes flickered to my lips.

“You’re about to see what a vicious head butt looks like.” My rapid pulse infected my voice, making it quaver.

“Yeah?” He squeezed my wrist harder. “I don’t believe you.”

“Fuck you.” I stared into his eyes, searching the stormy irises for some way to solve the enigma of Garrett Blackwood.

He smirked again, just the slightest quirk of his lips, then leaned back and released my wrist. The air cooled between us, and goose bumps rose along my bare arms.

“I won’t stay here,” I said as he stood.

“Wrong.” He shook his head slowly, as if he were disappointed in a small child. “You’ll stay right there until I say you can leave.”

“I’ll be gone long before then.” I tested my leg, trying to move it to show him I could do it. The scorching pain brought tears to my eyes. I bit them back and stilled.Fuck.“And where’s my car? Did you take it?”

“Your car?” He scratched his beard and shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Like I said, you aren’t going anywhere.”

“This is bullshit!” If I could have pummeled something, I would have. “Give me my phone.”

“Not a chance. And don’t kid yourself, Red. As soon as I can kick your ass out, I will.” He turned and walked to the door, eating up the dark wood floor with his long strides.

I glared at his retreating back and stifled a litany of curses. They wouldn’t do any good. “My name is Elise.”

“I’m aware of that, Red.” He shot an amused look over his shoulder as he walked out the door. “I’ll make your breakfast and bring it to you, but just so you know”—His voice floated back to me over the creaking floorboards— “I can’t cook for shit.”

Chapter Nine

Garrett had beenhonestabout his lack of culinary prowess. I struggled through a breakfast of dry eggs and toast. Garrett disappeared while I ate and only showed back up after I’d been finished for half an hour.

“I have to pee.” I glanced to a door I suspected led to a bathroom.

He bent over and picked up my tray, then set it on the wide dresser. “I was afraid you’d say something like that.”

“What, you never pee?” I fought the awkward, but it began to overwhelm me.

“Sure, but I can do it all by myself unlike certain nosy little girls.” His smirk was back.

“A: I’m a grown woman, not a little girl.” My voice rose, irritation winning out over fear. “B: go fuck yourself. C: if you would let me go, you wouldn’t have this problem.”

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