Two more leaps, and I tackle her to the grass. Liesel tries to fight back, but she doesn’t have a chance. I overpower her easily, pinning her arms above her head as my weight holds her waist and legs down. She pants heavily with more anger than fear flickering in her hazel eyes.
She’s covered in dirt, sand, and grass. There is nothing sexy about our appearances, and yet my erection pushes against her stomach. There is no hiding it.
I growl instead of claiming her mouth like I want to.
“When I give you an order, you follow it.”
She grins. “No. I’m not afraid of you.”
“Liar,” I breathe against her neck. “I can smell the terror in your sweat, feel the speed of your pulse—you’re petrified.”
“I’m out of breath from running. Of course, I’m sweating, and my pulse is racing.”
I shake my head as I see my staff approaching to greet me. They pause, but Liesel glances up, realizing we have an audience.
“Do you see them?” I say, grabbing her chin and tilting her head up so I know she does.
Her eyes cut back to me.
“They work for me. They know exactly who I am, the evil I’ve done, and they still choose me. Their loyalty is with me. Every single one would die for me. Try to turn them. Try to run from them. Try, huntress.
“Heed my warning…don’t trust anyone here. Don’t think you are safe. Everyone here has done fucked up things—stolen, tortured, killed. That’s the only way they end up working for me. And I won’t stop them from hurting you…”
Liesel’s eyes widen.
“You are only safe by my side, following my orders. If you do as I say, if you tell the truth, then your life here will be easy.”
“I’ll still end up dead. What incentive is there to follow your orders?”
I stroke her face, and she turns her head, trying to get away from me.
“Your body might enjoy my touch, but would you enjoy theirs?”
She gasps.
Finally, I got through to her. She’s in danger when she’s not with me, not following me. It won’t keep her from fighting, but it might prevent her from seeking help from someone she shouldn’t.
Slowly, I inch off her, despite my body screaming to crush her. To have my way with her right here, right now in the grass in front of everyone. To show everyone that she’s mine.
She’s not mine. She never will be. Not truly.
I stand, but don’t offer her a hand. I watch her closely, waiting to see if she will follow my orders this time or not. When she stands close and doesn’t run, she’s agreed to be obedient—for now, at least.
I nod my approval at her change in attitude.
It’s fake. I’m not naive enough to think this will last, but it will for now.
“Stay close,” I say again.
She grabs my hand and squeezes, pressing her vivacious body against mine. “Close enough?” she purrs.
“Don’t test me, Liesel.”
She lifts our joined hands up to her lips and plants a kiss on the back of my hand. “I’m just doing as you asked.”
“Sir, would you like me to take your bag?” Shawn asks.
“Yes, thanks.” I realize I dropped my backpack when I was chasing Liesel down the hill.