Page 24 of Captive Union
I don’t respond, keeping my gaze locked on a spot on the floor. There’s one little scuff on the wood that makes the otherwise pristine room a little less perfect.
“Do you like the dresses I’ve provided for you?”
“They’re nice.”
“Well, do you want to try them on? I wanted to give you options to make sure you get the wedding of your dreams. I’m not a complete monster.”
I glance at him to see him smirking. He fully knows what he’s doing right now. “What if I say no to trying on the dresses?”
He shifts in his seat. “Then I’d be disappointed.”
“Just disappointed? You wouldn’t …?”
“Wouldn’t what?”
“Force me to try them on?”
“What? Like grab you and strip you naked and force a dress over your head?”
I gulp. “Yes, like that.” The idea of being naked in front of Erik again sends a shiver over me, one of fear and … desire. I hated feeling so vulnerable when he made me shower in front of him, but I can’t stop remembering the dark look in his eyes when he looked me over.
“No,” he says in a softer tone. “I won’t do that to you again. If you don’t want to try a wedding dress, that’s fine.”
I sigh, feeling the tension leave my shoulders. “Thank you.”
“But,” he continues, “if you don’t pick out a dress, I’ll pick one for you, and you’ll have to wear what I choose on our wedding day.” He reaches over to touch a skintight, mermaid-style dress. “And you might not like what I pick.” He drops his hand, settling his eyes onto me. “So it’s your choice. Have a say in what you will undoubtedly wear to our wedding since our wedding is happening. Or let me choose. That’s your choice.”
“No other options?”
“Afraid not.” He steeples his hands under his chin, looking like the picture of composed while I feel like a shaking mess.
“Is this your way of being kind to me?”
“This is my way of showing you that you have some say in what happens to you here. Kira, I want you to desire me the way I desire you. I want you to give me a chance.”
I duck my head. “But you kidnapped me.”
“And I can’t change the past. What I can say is that I want us to look to the future, one where you’re fully mine.”
“Because you want to hurt my brothers.”
He sighs. “Enough with going around in circles. Yes, I took you to hurt your family, but I also took you because I desire you. You can either fight what’s happening between us or go along with it. Trust me; life will be much easier if you ease into your new life here.”
“And what’s happening between us?”
He leans forward, his dark eyes set on me like I’m his prey. “Something special I like to believe. There’s an attraction between us.” I open my mouth to object when he holds up a hand. “No. It’s true. I felt it last night, as I’m sure you did, too. Let’s not fight it. Give in to me, Kira. Give in to us.”
“There is no us,” I blurt out.
“There can be.”
I look away, staring at the handful of dresses before me. I have choices but limited ones, so they’re not really choices at all. Erik is right, though. I’m attracted to him despite knowing I shouldn’t be. I need to survive here. So, I’m going to go with the option that gives me more choices.
I stand up slowly and approach one of the dresses—one that’s not too big and not too tight. I grab it, holding it up for Erik to see.
He nods. “That’s a good choice. Try it on.”
“You’re going to stay here when I do?” I hate that my voice squeaks.
