Page 61 of Taking Adalisa

I nod and look at the food, not wanting to see whatever emotion is pasted across his face. I know he is happy, but at what expense? “No, look back at me. You don’t look away,” Matthias declares. “Look into my eyes.”

I look back at him and lean into his right hand. The warmth of his hands seeps into my skin, and I could fall asleep right here. I shouldn’t, especially when I’m mad at him for finding me so quickly and for bringing me to this compound where I definitely won’t be escaping. I should be trying to get away from him at all costs, yet here I am about to share food with him.

How messed up am I?

A lot.

I can’t seem to help but want to be around him all the time. I want him to touch me, feed me, and take care of me. I shouldn’t want that with someone like him.

“We are not going to think about anything,” he firmly says. “You and I are going to eat and talk. We aren’t going to think about anything else, understand?”

“Yes,” I whisper. “That’s easier said than done.”

Does he really think I can just shut off my brain and not think about anything? Does he realize how ridiculous that is for him to say that?

“You are going to do it because that is what I demand of you.” He kisses my nose. “I want you to focus on me and nothing else. Do you think you can do that?”

I shrug and try to get my face out of his hold. Can I do that? It’s a tall order, and I’m not really in the mindset to do it.

“We’re going to try. I’ll help you so you aren’t doing it alone. Would it be better for you to be watching something so your mind is off everything and I can feed you?” he asks.

I grip his wrists and shake my head, my breathing picking up at the thought. Nope. There is no way I am going to be watching TV while he feeds me. I can’t get caught watching something and not see if he puts something in it or not.

“All right, you’re okay,” he coos at me. “Everything is going to be okay. No TV while we eat. Forget I said that.”

I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes for a couple of seconds. No TV while we watch. I can do that. I can definitely do that.

“Good girl,” he whispers. “You’re safe. We’ll just talk, so you can keep your attention on me and can see that nothing is happening.”

My shoulders sag, and I nod. Right. I can do this. Everything is going to be okay because he won’t be able to do anything. I washed the spoon myself. He got the food out, but I didn’t see him take it from my fridge. I didn’t have an eye on it then.

“No thinking,” Matthias whispers. “No thinking about it at all. We are going to talk and nothing else. I want your attention on me and only me.”

“Arrogant,” I mutter.

He smirks. “I wouldn’t be your husband if I weren’t.”

His words leave me speechless as he lets go of my face and takes a step back. His arrogance shouldn’t be a turn-on, yet when I look at Matthias in front of me, I can’t help but feel aroused and want to be around him. There is just something about him that speaks to my soul, and I can’t figure it out.

“Come on, let’s get some food inside you.” Matthias grabs the container and walks around the island. “Sit next to me.”

I quickly follow him and sit beside him, looking at the food. My mouth salivates at the sight.

“Do you want me to warm it up?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I normally eat my food cold. I like it better that way. Put it in the microwave and it might get too hot and I could burn my mouth.”

The number of times that I have eaten something after microwaving it and burning my mouth. I don’t want to do it again, so I have just stopped heating things up. It’s easier that way.

“I can check the food before you eat it to make sure it’s the right temperature and won’t hurt you,” Matthias offers, holding his hand out.

Without thinking, I hand him the spoon. He would really do that for me? I’ve never had someone want to make sure my food was the right temperature so I didn’t hurt myself. Where did he come from, and why is he making me fall for him with every little thing he says?

“Open up,” he says.

Sweet potato and a little chicken are on the spoon, and I open my mouth, waiting.

“Good girl for letting Daddy feed you,” he praises me, and I take a bite.

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