Page 28 of Survival

“Exactly.”

He gave me a wide devilish grin, and it justmade me want to slap it right off his stupid smug face. Goddamnhim; he knew just what to do tokeep me tame. It was as if I had been muzzled, for fuck's sake.

“Well, aren’t you clever,” I scowled,folding my arms back over my chest.

“Now, you’re catching on,” he said, takinganother step in my direction. I felt myself begin to seizeup,but then felt better when Inoticed the faint marks on his face from my attacks. It warmed meto the core knowing I could still make the man bleed.

My body became rigid with tension as Darrenclosed the distance between us, his long arm stretching out tostroke my freshly cut and styled hair. He released a long slowbreath as he stared down at me, that possessive glimmer in his darkeyes that made me want to gouge them out. I still might.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said softly. “Doyou know that?”

I didn’t know what to say as I looked up athim with uncertainty. I didn’t care to accept any of hiscompliments;though, I supposeanything nice coming from him was better than his dominance.

He gazed down at me with the softest smile,his eyes wide with what almost seemed like adoration, and for somereason, my insides began to melt a little. It made me toouncomfortable, so I glanced away to break whatever connection hewas trying to force. But then his large warm hand gently gripped mychin and brought my eyes back to his.

“Don’t look away,” he spoke softly, histhumb tracing along my jawline as his eyes drove right into mysoul.

I felt the exposure of my vulnerability, andI didn’t like it. I wanted this to end. I gently placed my palmonhis forearm, the same arm thatheld my chin in place, and almost pleaded with my eyes for him tolet me go. His smile seemed to soften even more as his handreleased my chin but then slid over my cheek and into my hair.Wrapping his fingers in my tresses, he slowly pulled me in for agentle but firm kiss on my lips.

His lips were soft, warm … welcoming. Mybody bending withhis while myhands found themselves pressed against his chest, trying tomaintain some distance. Yet the feel of this kiss almost had mewanting more. Butterflies swarmed like a flaming tornado in mystomach as Darren moaned into my mouth, his tongue dipping in whilehis other hand gripped my hip and pulled me in closer.

I nearly whimpered from his touch, themixture of fear and heat swirling in my belly, and I didn’t likeit. His body heat warmed me, the hard muscle under my handsenticing, and his lips sent me intoaworldI knew I should fear because if I wasn’t careful … Imight lose track of my yellow brick road.

When he finally released me, my heart waspounding, my blood was rushing, and I could feel the heat bloomingin my core. Fuck. I tried to conceal his effect on me by focusingon his response. It was clear from the hardened length in his pantsthat he very much enjoyed that. But I seriously hoped he wouldn’tact on it.

Finally breaking the connection I sodesperatelywanted gone, Darrenreleased a heavy breath and looked up ahead of me at the perfectscene behind me.

“Do you like the view?” he asked me.

I turned around to take another look, but Ifound it very difficult to concentrate when his big arms came downto rest his hands on the railing, trapping me once again. His bodyenveloped me, and it made me feel uneasy. Darrenwas so muchbigger than anyone I had ever known, which made his presence thatmuch more threatening. I felt like a caged animal being toyed withby a menacing predator. I shook that thought from my head. Ifanyone was in danger in this situation, it was Darren because I wasthe snake in the grass waiting for the right moment to strike. Iwould still have the element of surprise.

“I asked you a question, Jaden,” he saiddarkly.

I shook myself from my train of thought andtried to focus on anything but killing him right now. “It’s great,”I said quickly. “But I thought you were going to give me a tour.” Ineeded to learn the layout of the house.

“Yes, I did say that.”

“And you say you're a man of your word,” Iprodded. He chuckled as I called him out. He knew I was right.

“That I am. Come on,” he said, taking myhand.

As we got to the bedroom door, I froze andDarren noticed my hesitation.

“What about the range?” I asked quickly asanger started to spread across his face from my suddendefiance.

“It was lengthened the moment I entered thehouse.”

“Oh,” I said, surprised a little.

“Jaden, as long as I’m home, the range willcover the entire house, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed toroam it. Not until I can trust you to follow my rules.”

Right. Every privilege had to be earned,didn’t it?

“Noted,” I said with a nod. He then pulledme from my room and commenced the tour.

Chapter Ten

Reality