Page 37 of Sweet Deception

The dangerous energy emanating off him doesn’t cease, even when his hand slides from my throat to my shoulder and squeezes.

“Any other calls you need to make?”

“No.” I meet his gaze head-on so he can see the sincerity in my eyes.

“Did you make any other calls before this one?”

I shake my head. “You can check my call log if you don’t believe me.”

Darren eyes me up and down with that same heavy once-over he gave me at the wedding reception. Fear and familiarity zip down my spine.

“What?” I demand, determined not to squirm beneath his analytical gaze. “You want to check my pockets too?” I gesture to myself with mocking, wide-eyed innocence. “Not exactly room for too many secrets in this outfit. I came up here to call my friend. That’s all.”

Unconvinced, Darren’s eyes continue to rake over me slowly, assessing. Testing. Scouring for lies. I hold his gaze, understanding this is a crucial moment.

“Prove it.”

I raise my chin, fighting the urge to jump back when he releases my shoulder and starts circling me again. “How exactly would you like me to do that?”

“Strip.” When my eyes widen, his lips curve into an unsettling smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You offered to let me check, princess. So let’s check.”

My heart hammers against my ribs, but I keep my voice steady. “Here? In the bathroom?”

“Problem?” Darren leans against the doorframe, blocking my exit. “Unless there’s something you’re trying to hide.”

Tired, annoyed, and knowing he’s already seen, touched, kissed, and licked everything, I quickly strip down to my bra and panties and do a three-sixty, dropping my hands to my hips when I’m done.

Darren stares at me with that terrifying, remote, appraising look—I’m really starting hate that—then says, “There are clothesin the drawers and in the closet. Feel free to shower and help yourself.”

He spins on his heel and stalks off, leaving me flabbergasted.

What the hell was that?Hospitality?

I drop back to rest against the wall, blood frozen, lips parted and panting.

Now what?He confiscated my phone and with it…any chance to contact the outside world. What’s he going to do with me next?

Sit me in a chair, bright lights blaring, and start questioning me again? Maybe tie me up and…

The door closes with a hardthud, followed by thesnickof an engaging lock. I shove off the wall and rush into the bedroom.

That bastard locked me in here.

I pound on the door while shouting his name.

Chapter Fourteen

I’m back in the car, speeding off the property as fast as I can.

Jesus, this woman ruins my headspace.

Leaving to go for a high-speed, head-clearing drive usually works, but tonight… No matter how many miles of dark, empty roads I put between myself and my problem, my mind just won’t recalibrate.

Two whole towns away from the safe house, the noise of her banging on that bedroom door and shouting my name still hasn’t faded.

If I’m not thinking about that, I’m trying to decipher the clipped conversation I overheard between her and her alleged friend.

Finding Lucy? What was that about?