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A sudden wave of embarrassment forced me to turn around so I could catch my breath. Men were such pricks. I was angry ashell, but more than that, I was hurt. I wiped my eyes, refusing to allow him any satisfaction that he’d made me cry. That wasn’t going to happen again.

“I know you don’t want me here and I assure you that I don’t want to be an inconvenience to anyone. However, since I’m here because you had no other choice, I’ll need a few things. Unless you want me running around in tropical shorts and a tee shirt for the duration.”

His grunted response meant nothing. I allowed a few seconds to pass as he tucked his shirt into his pants. Every movement conveyed frustration.

“Since I’m your hostage, maybe you could be decent enough to take me into town for a few things. If there is a town here. And if it’s not too much trouble, show me where the coffeemaker is.”

He still didn’t offer any answer, just like I’d expected. I retrieved my thong and would happily toss it in the trash except I only had one more. I’d spent my life wearing designer clothes and I was worried about two cheap pieces of material. Things had changed in my life.

And not necessarily for the better.

“Kage. What happened to you? You weren’t seeing me when you reached for my throat. Was it a nightmare or a horrible vision from your past?”

When he turned to face me, for a few seconds the world had stopped revolving. The fire in his eyes was entirely different, the green eyes even more penetrating. I didn’t know him, not really, but the hard stare was a brief but powerful warning.

Don’t ask him about his past.

“Get dressed,” he said gruffly. “I’ll take you shopping. After I get my truck back.”

Sadly, whatever horror he’d experienced was far more controlling than any other aspect of his life. I shook my head, noticing Tank standing in the doorway where he’d likely been the entire time. He had a look on his face that mirrored the way I felt. Sad and uncertain.

“Thank you.”

I stroked Tank on the head, trying to calm the nerves that had lingered after the personal vision had broken free from the padlocked box I’d kept them in for so long. Being around Kage had resurfaced unwanted memories. My feelings of being hurt were silly. We were adults and felt an attraction and nothing more. There had to be a way of getting along without picking at each other’s scabs. Maybe I’d find a book when I was in town so I could keep out of his hair.

It wasn’t like he was going to fall madly in love with me anyway. And I certainly wouldn’t be able to stand his holier than thou attitude for very long. My caustic mouth was difficult to control. We’d kill each other. The man was like a lion pacing his cage and I didn’t want to be around when he escaped.

Just as I stepped from the room, he cleared his throat.

“Just for the record, you’re not my hostage.”

I stood in the hall, trying to think of something catchy to say. My stomach was in knots, which wasn’t helping me think clearly, and I didn’t like it one bit. The man had a way of creating shock and awe and that was as unnerving as everything else about him.

Damn it. Why did my confused body like it so much?

Instead of saying something snarky and cute, like an idiot, I felt another tear slip down my face.

CHAPTER 21

Kage

I’d watched her perfect berry lips part in anger and offense the moment my mood had shifted, heading straight into a bath of toxic waste. Juliette hadn’t deserved the stark switch in moods, yet I couldn’t control them.

She’d snuck up on me, something I should have warned her never to do. I’d been out of my fucking mind, the nightmare more visual than usual. Then she’d been there in my line of sight. In my space.

She’d become a temptation I had no chance of ignoring. Dammit, the firecracker was trouble.

Irritating as hell.

Someone who could drive me bat shit crazy.

A woman who needed a spanking every single day just to keep her in line.

She was also the most engaging, luscious female I’d ever laid eyes on.

Or fucked.

Again.