Page 52 of Survival

I nodded. I neededto reflect and show him I was willing to submit to him, but all Ireally wanted to do was soak for hours in that dreambathtub.

“Honestly, all I want to do right now is soak in the bathtubuntil the sun sets.”

I looked at him,almost pleading with my eyes that he wouldn’t object. The bathwould soothe the pain between my legs, and it was something thatcould take up hours of the day. He nodded andsmiled.

“I think that’s the girliest thing you’ve ever said.” Healmost laughed.

I shrugged.“Believe it or not, I do have my girly moments from time to time.They’re just rare.”

He gave me a smallsmug smile. “I can’t wait to experience them.”

I gave him aconfused look. Why would he want to experiencethat?

“I’ll tell you what. Go upstairs and take your bath. When I’mready, which will be well before sunset,” he said with a slightsmirk, “I’ll come and get you and we’ll have a picnic on the beach.How does that sound?”

Him? A picnic?Really? This man, who was dripping power and masculinity, wanted tohave a picnic with me on the beach?

“Sure. That actually sounds really nice,” I replied,completely shocked.

“Good, but it comes with a smallprice,” he said, hiseyes glittering with a kind of playfulness I didn’trecognize.

I turned my headto the side, my stomach churning with anticipation. What cruelthing would he subject me to now?

“And what is it going to cost me?” I asked, narrowing my eyesat him.

“I just want my good morning kiss.” He smiled brightly, buthis smugness was not far behind.

I gave him a lookto let him know I didn’t trust him. His impression of a goodmorning kiss might be very different compared to my impression of agood morning kiss. But whatever, a kiss was a kiss, and he wasgoing to get what he wanted anyway.

“Fine,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him as I began to riseuncomfortably from my chair. I could handle one fucking kiss. Itwouldn’t kill me.

Instead, Darrengot up and reached for my hand, helping me into his embrace. Ilooked up into his ocean eyes with slight fear growing in my belly.But what I found when I looked up was not what I expected. I sawsomething—something I didn’t recognize. It wasn’t excitement, orrage, or lust. It was soft andwarmlike he was really looking at me with something other thanpossessiveness. He was looking at me as if headoredme,as if I wassomething more than just his prisoner. Like a treasure, a precioustreasure he wanted to keep hidden away from the world lest someonesteal me away from him.

I felt the fear inmy stomach boil to a simmering warmth as his fingers traced alongmyhairline, tucking mystray strands behind my ear. His hand then lingered against mycheek, and I found my hand curling over his wrist, letting him knowI was there.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he whispered to me and gently placedhis lips on mine.

His kiss was softand sensual, unlike anything I had ever experienced with him. Hewas gentle in his touch, but firm enough for me to really feel him.Heat flared in my tummy as he cradled the back of my neck in hisother hand, our lips moving as one as we deepened our kiss. When hefinally released me, I felt dazed and confused, but I immediatelyshook it off as he stared down at me, a brightsmileonhislips.

I gave himasmall,timid smileback, not wanting to like what he just did, but I appreciated histenderness. He then kissed me on my forehead and gently scooped meup into his arms. I gasped at hisabrasivenessbut hadto force myself not to fight him.

“Allow me.” He grinned and carried me back into the house, upthe stairs, and to my bathroom. By the time we got to the tub, hewasn’t even winded and that was a long way to carryme.

God, I envied hisstrength. All my life I wished I could be strong, and I was, but itwould never compare to the strength of a man, especiallythisone. I hated my bodyfor its stupid limitations, but I reminded myself that speed orstrength had nothingonthe power of a semi-automatic.

Setting me down onthe edge of the tub, he ran the water and then pulled out someEpsom salt from one of my cabinets and poured itintothe filling tub. Holy shit? Who was thisman? Certainly not the same man who had beat the shit out of mycervix last night with his dick because he had severe jealousyissues. He seemed like he actually cared.

After pouring inthe salt, the tub was full, and he pushed a button to start thejets. My excitement was hard to contain. He even lit thesurrounding candles by the bay window next to the tub and the airimmediately bloomed with the scent of lavender.Wow.

“Do you need anything else?” he turned and askedme.

I could feelmyself getting whiplash at his sudden acts ofkindness.

“I should be fine. Thank you.”

“Good. I’ll see you in a fewhours.”

He then leaneddown, kissed my forehead, and left the bathroom, actually closingthe door behind him. What in the fuck just happened? I had gonefrom violent rape to soothing bubble bath? I was really going tohave to learn to anticipate his shit. It was just so hot andcold.