Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63626 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 318(@200wpm)___ 255(@250wpm)___ 212(@300wpm)
“I’m not going to try to escape,” I mumbled. “And since you say you already know this, why can’t I leave?”
“Because we’re so isolated out here, there are a lot of wild animals, poisonous plants, and so forth. We don’t want you or Kit out in it until we have secured the premises. It’s a rule we expect you to follow. End of discussion.”
I walked toward the table, glancing around the room, annoyed with his tone of voice and the way he was just commanding my obedience. “So the women are to sit inside this cabin, fearing the forest, until the men decide what is or isn’t safe for us? Waiting for the heads of the household to tell us what to do?” Okay, so much for making the best of things.
“That’s right.” Banks stood up, towering over me. Crossing his arms, he smirked. “I like the heads of the household part. Nice that you are understanding.”
Rolling my eyes, I snapped, “You’re going to keep me in this house all cooped up?” I glared at Banks, ready to take him down a peg or two. “What if I get cabin fever?”
Closing the distance between us, he grabbed me by the arm, pulling me close. “Stop with the questions. Stop with the snark,” he nearly growled. “My brothers and I don’t have the patience you clearly think we have. This is not a democracy. We are the Kings, and this is our kingdom. We rule with a heavy fist. So if you know what’s good for you, stop with the questions.”
His scent of earthy spice and dominance permeated every sense in my body, shooting fear and a hint of arousal through my veins. His actions reminded me of Rye in the truck, and Jay in the woodshed, and my body seemed to respond in the exact same way. The touch of his hand nearly burnt my flesh, but as much as I wanted him to release me, I also wanted something more. Something I couldn’t understand or even try to make sense of.
His eyes darkened in warning… or was it something more causing them to morph before me?
If I kept pushing him, what would he do? Would the consequences be severe, or would they be welcomed? Fantasies swam in a current of confusion within me, and I didn’t know if I should try to flee or beg the man for more.
His hand slid to the back of my head, fingers twisting into my curls, closing into a fist. Yanking my head back so I had no choice but to stare up into his face, his mouth descended on mine without hesitation, without asking for permission, and without warning for me to see it coming. It was not a kiss from a lover. This was not a caress of intimacy or romanticism. This was a primal touch making it very clear what this man expected.
He was in charge, and he wanted to make damn sure I knew it.
His rules. Plain and simple.
Regardless how my body responded to his touch, and part of me wanted to respond in every way, I shoved against his chest. Desperate to push him away—in fear I would suffocate from the overwhelming heat coursing through me—his only response was to hold me even closer. Suddenly, his mouth left mine. My legs were shaking, and I was wondering what had happened when I heard a screech. From the corner of my eye, I saw the screen door being pushed opened to allow Kit and her brothers inside. A dislodged bobby pin fell to the table as Banks’ fingers slipped from my hair when he released his grip and stepped back so fast, I had to reach out to grab the back of a chair to keep from falling.
Kit looked from one of us to the other. “Did we walk in on something?” she asked quietly.
“It appears our brother is already making our guest feel welcome in her new home,” Jay said with a devilish smirk that I had grown to expect with his sick sense of humor.
“Just going over the rules,” Banks said, keeping his gaze firmly planted on me.
“Good,” Rye said, his expression dark as he looked at me. “We expect them to be followed.”
Kit slugged Rye in the arm and then glared at the rest of her brothers. She smiled at me warmly. “Ignore them, Goldie. They pretend they are bullies, but they aren’t. Don’t let them scare you.” She reached for my hand. “I’m so glad you decided to join us in coming to the cabin. I was so scared I would be lonely. I didn’t want to be the only girl and, well… I’m just so happy to have you here as part of the family.”
Family.
If she only knew.
If she knew her brothers had kidnapped me, forced themselves on me, and threatened me to stay…