Page 10 of Survival

“Yes.” A dark look came over hisface. “Sir,” I corrected.

“See? You’re learning already. Now, come on,” hesaid enthusiastically, tugging me along. “Let me show you yourcloset.”

He opened the door, and I thought we had actuallystepped into another bedroom. It was a huge walk-in closet with along marble island in the center of the room, two cream leatherottomans on either side of the room, and another leather couch tomatch by the window. Hanging from the racks were probably a hundreddresses, all in different lengths,colors,and patterns. Most of them were different shadesof pink, and my nose instantly crinkled in disgust.

I let my hand feel the fabrics as I walked along,noticing how soft and delicate they all were. But why the fuck wasthere so much pink? I couldn't hide my irritation as I continued myobservation. Turning around, I found him leaning against thedoorframe; he took up most ofthespacewith his size as he kept his arms crossed over hischest.

“Something wrong?” he asked almost amused.

Yeah, you’re not bleeding out all over the floorwhen I mentally stabbed you in the throat three seconds ago.

I thought about the words I was about to use, but hewas the one who insisted on complete honesty.

“Yeah, just who the fuck were you shopping for?Barbie?”

He threw his head back and let out a genuine laugh,the soft deep roll of his laughter vibrating through my skin. “Nota fan of pink?” he asked with a bright white smile.

“Not really,” I replied, eyeing the clothing. “I’mnot a very colorful person to begin with. I’m more ofa jeans,concert t-shirt, and Converse kind ofgirl.”

“Not anymore,” he replied seriously. “You will notfind any of those things here while you’re in my possession.”

My skin nearly crawled off my bones as he spoke thatlast part. The thought of actually being considered a possession orinsinuating that I belonged to someone inany waywas seriously enough to make me throw my fistthrough the wall. I was a fucking person, for God’s sake; not agoddamn object to be owned.

After a few seconds, I suddenly realized something.“Wait … no jeans?”

“No pants, no shorts, no leggings.” He shook hishead.

“Why?” I asked a little harsher than I had meant to.No pants? The fuck kind of shit was this?

He exhaled an annoyed sigh. “It’s your first dayhere, so I’ll let some of your misbehaviorslidebut know that you are testing me,” he said as henarrowed his eyes at me.

I felt myself shiver with his silent warning. Ireally hated when he looked at me like that. I raised my hands upin surrender and took a step back. I wasn’t sure if my body wasready for the “hurricane” he declared he hadbrewinginside.

“I actually enjoy the femininity of a woman, and Ifind that pants contradict that image. Plus, they’re too much of ahassle when taking them off. I prefer you to be easily accessible.”He winked.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. He could easilyaccess my fist to his face if he preferred that.

“Watch it, little girl,” he warned. “I don’t takekindly to sarcasm, and you’ve been pushing it as it is.”

“Just what am I supposed to wear when it gets coldoutside or when I want to work out? I don't see any sweaters orcardigans, and I can’t work out in a dress.”

This question wasn’t so much about the clothes as itwas for the revelation of where the hell I was and how long I goingto be here.

“It doesn’t frequently get cold here, and should youever become chilly, I’m often told I’m a walking furnace,” he said,spreading his arms out and smiling so wide I was sure his cheekshurt. Like I’d ever come to him for warmth even if it was the lastsource on Earth. “And there are someskortsin thedressersyou can wear for your workouts.”

Skorts? What the fuck was this, Catholic school gymclass?

“Now, if you can hold off on some of your questions,I have some business to attend to. Why don't you take a shower, getcleaned up and dressed, and meet me downstairs for dinner in twohours? That should give you plenty of time to get ready.”

I nodded, almost excited at the promise of a realshower for the first time in days.

“Do not be late,” he cautioned.

“I won’t.”

With that, he turned from the doorway and headedout, shutting my bedroom door behind him and leaving me to my newbeautiful prison cell.

Chapter Four