Page 74 of Clawed
Peering around the room, his mind whirled with potential outcomes from the police’s arrival.If he and his little girl remained silent, the police might assume there was no answer and leave.That was the result he hoped for.But if they heard something from inside the house, or worse, showed initiative, he might have uniformed officers in there in a matter of moments.
“This is going to go one of two ways, little girl.”He had little choice but to be straight with her.The affection swirling between them demanded he did.
“Either they leave or they barge the door down?”She glanced anxiously in the direction of the door.
“Right.”He shook his head at her perceptive response.She had always been intelligent.“And we don’t have long to decide how to respond?”
“We?”Her breathing had sped up as she looked back his way.
“If that’s what you want.”He couldn’t believe the words that had left his lips.
All those months he’d spent scheming her downfall and relishing every damn moment of the fantasy, and standing there, he was prepared to conceive the idea thatshe might not wantto live the sequel with him.
There was definitely something wrong with him.Maybe Hannah had bewitched him since she’d woken up, but his approach had done something of a one-eighty in the hours they’d spent together in the house on Ocean Gardens.
Because I’m falling in love with her.He swallowed at the disconcerting possibility.I have to give her the choice.
“WhatIwant?”Her fingers grazed over his chest hair.“You mean, it’s up to me, sir?”
“Apparently.”
He blinked bewilderedly at the woman who, even in chains, somehow managed to rule him.He’d been in charge of her once, but whatever had transpired in the dilapidated house had altered that.Standing naked in the lounge while the seconds ticked past, he realized for the first fucking time in his life he was prepared to cede.He’d lose if it meant the woman he loved being happy.
Pulling in a breath, she closed the limited distance between them.“What about you, Mr.Lawes?”
“Why do you care?”His gaze flitted from her flawless face to the door.They didn’t have long enough for a tête-à-tête, but God, how he wanted to know how she was feeling.“I’m the fucker who did this to you.You should go to them and get away.Forget about me.”
“What?”Her brow crumpled.“After everything we’ve just been through, why would you say that?”
“Because it’s true.”He fought to hide his rising emotion.“You should hate me, Hannah.”
“I do.”The tears had returned to her eyes instead.“Or, at least, Idid.”
“Did?”He reached for her then, apprehension thrumming within him about the impending police presence, yet knowing he needed to hear whatever came next.“And now?”
“I don’t know, sir.”She leaned against the palm he offered.“I should fucking hate you, but I don’t think I do anymore.”
He scowled at her profanity.“Language.”
Her lips curled at the admonishment.
“So, how do you feel?”he prompted.
“Confused.”She grasped his arm with her bound wrists.“I need more time to think...”
“But we don’t have any.”
Shit, how have I let this happen?
“Apparently not.”She clung to him.“I dreamed about the police coming to save me when you had me before, but now...”She hesitated.“Things seem different.”
“Theyaredifferent,” he insisted.“I feel it, too.”
I think I’m falling in love with you.
He held back the final line, unable to declare such personal affection for a woman who held his future in the palm of her hands.
“We need more time.”She sighed, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I think I want that.”
