Page 60 of Clawed
She met his eyes, oddly unashamed to admit how she’d coped with the aftermath of his devastation.He’d been at least partially responsible for what she’d been put through, so he might as well know how he’d affected her and that she’d been strong enough to contend with his malice.
“Clever girl.”There was an unexpected air of affection in his voice, as if he was genuinely proud of her.“Looking after our teeth is so important.”
He smiled, pressing past her to stand by the sink.Reaching for the mirrored cabinet, he opened the door and pulled out two toothbrushes still in their plastic wrapping.
“And any good dentist will tell you about the importance of consistent brushing.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Faltering Feelings
––––––––
LAWES HAD BEEN STARTLEDby the abrupt awakening, his first thought that his little girl had tried to escape.When his eyes had flown open and made out the mane of her soft hair on the pillow beside him, multiple other emotions had flooded his system.
He was relieved she’d chosen to stay.After the passion they’d created together, he’d taken a chance by putting her in bed at his side and not binding her to the structure, but it appeared the risk had paid off.Immediately after relief, however, there’d been concern.
If Hannah hadn’t made the loud noise, then what had?
Or who?
Straining his memory, he attempted to recall which direction the sound had come from, but for the life of him, he couldn’t decide if it was the front or the back of the house.
“Did you hear that?”
He fired the question at her, unsure if she was awake.He waited, his imagination running wild at the prospect of what he might have heard and his impatience rising at her lack of response.
“Little girl?”His tone was curter.“I asked you a question.”
“I...”She eased herself upright like a resplendent angel.“I heard it, Mr.Lawes, sir.”
A few blissful seconds passed when all he could do was look at her, barely believing all he’d achieved.She was there with him, naked and in his cuffs.He should have had her chained to the floor or in a cage.He should have been making her fucking pay for what she’d put him through, but as soon as she’d been his again, his agenda had changed.His resolve had softened.
He wanted her, wantedto be withher.
Nothing else seemed as important.
