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Chapter Eight

Exposure

Erin

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TUGGING THE MAC OVERmy head, I discarded it to the hard floor. “What do you mean?”

Hadn’t he and James shared a similar exchange before the day’s events had unfolded? Eli had vowed not to let anything happen to James as well, but that hadn’t stopped Chelle’s irritating boyfriend from tumbling to his fate.

I faltered at the comparison, aware it wasn’t fair. James had been a fool who’d ignored Eli’s warnings, and that wasn’t what I was doing. I was only asking for a miserly few minutes of privacy to disrobe without his prying eyes.

Staring down at my soaking legs, I couldn’t wait. Despite the welcome heat of the fire, the cold seemed to be seeping into my bones and making it difficult to think.

“Don’t play dumb.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I know you understand.”

“But you said you’d go out there anyway,” I protested, though even as the words left my lips, I wasn’t sure why. Eli’s expression was as unyielding as I’d ever seen it. He wasn’t going to back down without a fight, and he was right on one count; I really did need to change out of the drenched leggings. “If you go now, we’ll both be happy.”

“I’m not going now.” He blew out a breath. “I just told you the plan. I’m going to see what else is hiding around this place.” He flashed the beam around, momentarily blinding me and forcing me to turn away.

“For goodness’ sake!” Exasperation flooded my system as I lowered to tackle my bootlaces before finally relieving my aching feet of the uncomfortable footwear.

Had I survived the nightmare of the day, only to end up stuck there with Eli’s dictatorship? I wasn’t sure how much more I could deal with.

“You’re wasting time.” His back was turned as he searched around the edge of the bed. I had no idea what he expected to find there, but I didn’t press the point. “You could be changing while I’m not watching.”

“How do you know I’m not?” I scoffed, reaching for the waistband of my leggings.

“Call it an educated guess.” Smug arrogance radiated from his tone as I hooked my thumbs under the elastic and yanked the wet material down my thighs.

“Fuck you.” I mouthed the words at the back of his head as I wrenched the sodden attire from my clammy skin. It was good to be rid of the tormenting leggings, but my legs were so cold that I had yet to notice a difference.

Reaching for the top blanket, I unfolded its length and wrapped it around my middle. My panties were also soaked through, but I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of abandoning those as well.

“I thought you weren’t going to let me out of your sight.” My tone was taunting as, gripping the blanket at my waist, I held the wet fabric aloft. Shuffling forward, I draped the leggings beside his clothes.

His lips twisted as he spun to face me. “From now on, I won’t.”

How reassuring.

“There.” He pulled in a breath. “I knew you could be a good girl and do as you were told.”