Page 89 of Lost on Ice
I jerk my face away from his touch and glare at him.
“Lucky?” I hiss. “You’re the one who stabbed me, you fucking psycho!”
His eyes narrow and he snarls, “You better shut the fuck up, or I’ll find a better use for that mouth.” He palms his cock through his pants as he smirks at me. “Just give me a reason, little lamb. I’ve been dying to fuck those pretty little lips since you first taunted me with that shiny red lip balm you love to wear.”
My stomach churns and I think I’m going to be sick. I have no doubt in my mind that he will do exactly as he says. I needto calm down and reassess my approach with him. If I want to survive this, pissing off the crazy guy with the large knife and wild eyes is not a good idea. Pressing my lips together, I don’t say another word for the time being.
He suddenly stands, and I can’t help but flinch at his movements. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to notice as he moves toward his awful shrine of me. He’s muttering under his breath, and part of me is thankful I can’t understand what he’s saying. I can’t imagine it’s anything I want to hear anyway.
To my horror, he grabs the dirty pair of panties he stole from me and presses them to his nose, inhaling deeply.
The display is disgusting and I have to fight to keep myself from gagging.
Play along. Be nice. Don’t let him see how terrified I am or how repulsive I think he is.
Get him to drop his guard and then figure out a way to escape.
“What’s your plan, Paul?” I ask, careful to keep my tone soft. “Why’d you go to all this trouble just for me?”
I hate trying to humble myself, but I need to survive. I need to make it out of here to get back to Lilah and Jake. Make myself seem small, submissive, and stereotypically feminine and make him feel manly and like he’s in charge.
He glances back at me with a small grin.
“I’d do anything for you,” he tells me. “You have to know that.”
I try to look impressed, keeping my expression soft.
“I don’t think I’m worthy of all this,” I say, my voice squeaking slightly. “I’m not that special.”
“What?” His brows shoot up as he fully turns to me. “Of course you’re worth it! You are everything, Abbie. You are the only woman for me. We were meant to be together because you are so perfect. It’s just unfortunate that you have made somany mistakes, but you don’t need to worry about that anymore. I forgive you for straying from me, and I’ll make sure there’s nothing and no one to tempt you away from me again.”
My heart hammers and I lose my breath. Swallowing, I struggle to keep my voice steady.
“What… what does that mean?”
Chuckling, he turns back to face the shrine. “First, I’m going to kill that bastard for touching what’s mine.”
“Kill?” I murmur. “Are… are you talking about Jake?”
He nods, still not looking at me. “Yes, of course. Once he’s gone, I’ll take you away, and we’ll start a new life together. Just like we both have wanted for so long now, even if you liked to pretend otherwise”
My anger flares up in defense of Jake, burning away some of my fear… as well as my self-preservation, apparently. “Are you fucking kidding me?” I scoff.
Paul tenses before rounding on me with a furious expression.
“Do I need to punish you again?” he snarls, waving the knife. “Teach you a lesson so you appreciate everything I’ve done for you more?”
I clench my teeth and glare back at him. The thought of him threatening Jake, hurting him, has me feeling more rage than I can ever remember feeling before. Does he really think he can measure up to Jake? To the man who holds me in his arms every night, surrounding me with his warmth and strength, making me feel protected and cherished?
No way in hell!
“I’d rather die than start a life with you,” I hiss.
I don’t want any future that doesn’t include Jake.
Paul advances on me, his face thunderous, his eyes flashing with menace. I’ve never seen anyone look so ready to kill at any moment, and it chills me to the bone.
Dr. Westbrook growls at me like a wild animal. “Believe me, sweetheart. That can be arranged. If I can’t have you, nobody can.”
