Page 68 of Hook

Cillian stops and yanks me to face him. “I call it you being stubborn not wanting to admit that ever since we met, you’ve wanted me. That we quite clearly belong together, and once you admit that, you’re free to come and go as you please, as my equal.” His eyes dip to my lips. “Until you admit it, I’ll keep chipping away at the bullshit notion that we’re not meant for each other.”

I hate that I want him to kiss me. “It’s not bullshit,” I say, half-heartedly. I’d have to be thrown in the looney-bin if I think I’m meant for Cillian. He has no idea what a healthy relationship should look like. For a start, it should never begin with stalking or be followed by kidnapping.

Cillian yanks me against him. His lips press against mine in a frantic kiss. One that I can’t help but give in to, allowing his tongue access as he plunders it. It’s getting harder and harder to resist the pull between us, despite everything he’s put me through. I fear his declaration we’re meant for each other may be true.

Cillian releases me from the kiss and smiles a wickedly handsome smile that makes my insides flutter. “Come on, or we’ll be late for our reservation.” He grabs my hand, his fingers entwining with mine as he leads me across the sand.

There’s a comfortable silence between us as dusk falls across the island, giving the place a peaceful atmosphere as the sound of music drifting from the harbor mixes with the soft sound of the waves meeting the shore.

After about a twenty-minute walk, we come to a small fish restaurant right on the sea front. We enter the elegant little restaruant which has walls of glass that look out onto the sea.

“Good evening, Mr. Hook.” The host greets us. “Let me show you to your table.” He leads us out onto a patio and past a number of diners until we get to a private courtyard with breathtaking views. The soft sound of waves caressing the shore echoes up the cliff the restaurant sits upon.

The air smells of salt and freshly cooked seafood. Soft music plays in the background while a waiter moves toward our table with a silver platter of appetizers.

Cillian pulls out my chair. “My lady.”

He’s trying to act charming, and I can’t fall for it. I sit and wait for him to take his seat.

“Some champagne?” the host asks, holding a ridiculously expensive bottle of Bollinger.

“Yes, thank you.”

The host smiles and pours me a glass before pouring Cillian one too, and then he leaves us alone.

I can’t help but draw similarities to the way Piero wined and dined me a number of times before I was kidnapped.

Cillian’s eyes look majestic as they appear to glow in the candle light. “What are you thinking?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I’m thinking this is crazy. I should be trying to kill you rather than have dinner with you.”

“I’d love to see you to try.” He smiles wider. “Any tousle between us would probably end in my cock in your sweet little cunt.” He lifts his glass of champagne. “To us.”

The crass comment goes over my head. I pick my glass up. “To me escaping.”

He chuckles. “If you wanted to escape, you would have tried it by now.”

“Perhaps I’m biding my time for the opportune moment.” I reach forward and grab a portion of calamari off the platter, putting it on my plate.

“And when would that be?”

“I’m not exactly going to tell you, am I?” I bite into one of the delicious calamari. “That would screw up my plan.”

“Keep pretending like you have one.” He winks and takes a sip of his champagne before serving himself shrimp.

Little does he know he had an enemy on the inside with Tilly, who hasn’t been back for the last three days since the near miss in the library.She’s given me ideas, and I’ll bide my time for the perfect opportunity to escape. Maybe it’s foolish to mention it to Cillian, but perhaps it’ll make him believe that I wouldn’t mention it if I was going to try.

“I hope you like lobster, as I’ve ordered us it.”

My brow furrows. “Why didn’t you let me order for myself?”

“Because the lobster is the best I’ve ever had here, and therefore you have to try it.” He tilts his head. “But if there’s something else you’d like, you can order it as well.”

“No, lobster is fine, but I’d appreciate being given a choice in the future.”

He chuckles. “Oh, I didn’t think there would be a future, since you are intending to break out of prison.”

I clench my jaw. “The place is fucking impenetrable,” I admit.

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