Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,57
his gorgeous eyes. Very slowly, I turned to face him, a new wave of desire sweeping through me and I hated myself because of it.
His eyes swept down the length of me and there was no doubt about his intentions.
“This is your special place,” I whispered.
He tilted his head before glancing from side to side. “Perhaps.”
“This is the real you, not the corporate mogul in expensive suits.”
“This is merely one side of me, Alessandra. Don’t mistake the fact that I enjoy quiet down times as an indication of weakness.” His upper lip curled into a snarl.
“You’ll never let your guard down.”
“Evidently I did,” he countered.
I shot a look at the weapon then to his phone. “A test.”
He finally smiled then eased a strand of hair from my face. “Perhaps.”
“What did you actually think I was going to do, Gabriel, shoot you in cold blood? Call for help when I have no understanding of where I am?” The twinkling in his eyes was my answer. He’d upped the ante on his dangerous game, uncertain of my reactions.
Maybe I should call the experiment a total failure. I was disgusted with myself all over again, uncertain who the woman was any longer.
“Does it really matter now, Alessandra? You made a choice. We all have choices in our lives. You aren’t a killer.”
“I already told you that but even you didn’t believe me.” My God, he’d freed me with his blasphemous contract, but he wasn’t certain I hadn’t shoved a knife into a living human being. I was sickened at the thought.
“Trust me, Alessandra. I will take care of the situation for you. You will never have to worry about Bobby Rivers again.”
The look in his eye was chilling, but the excitement I felt at knowing he would come to my rescue in some sick and twisted way almost gutted me. I could barely breathe, my heart hammering to the point I was fearful of a heart attack. Oh, God. What was wrong with me?
“You’re going to kill him. Aren’t you?”
“Don’t ask things that you don’t want to learn the answer to. I will do what’s necessary to right the injustice and nothing more. I’m not a killer.”
Somehow, I didn’t believe his stilted words, but I dared not delve into the darkness that surrounded him. I feared being sucked further into the nightmare.
“Ask me,” he whispered, the tone huskier than before.
I tipped my head, trying to figure out what test he had in store this time. Then I realized. He was giving me another gift, a privilege because I had passed with flying colors. I hadn’t called the police or shot him in the head. Hurray for me. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I was reminded just how controlling he truly was. I would never be free of him. “May I go outside, sir?”
“You may.”
I wasted no time, gripping both handles and sweeping open the doors. The light breeze skimmed the heat of my skin, tingles floating down my arms. I was able to gather an actual scent of night-blooming jasmine, the realization just as shocking as everything else. My steps were tentative as I walked outside, the coolness of the patio stone one of the best things I’d felt in months. I almost felt free.
Free to breathe.
To enjoy the moment.
To learn to live again.
Almost...
He didn’t follow me, allowing me a few moments to myself. I remained far too giddy, excited as if given the greatest privilege of all. Maybe I had. Maybe this was as magnanimous as the master could get. As I walked closer to the water, I folded my arms, sweeping my gaze up and down the length of the pool. I hadn’t noticed the group of rocks in the far corner, water tumbling over them and splashing into the pool, creating a series of bubbles.
From where I stood, I could tell it was a saltwater pool, even more enticing. I took a deep breath, holding it as I imagined being on a tropical island.
With the man I loved.
When I exhaled, the reality eased back into my mind. This was just a game.
Once his game but now one we both owned. Who was the better player? Only time would tell. Another wave of nausea formed in my stomach, even as my panties continued to dampen, the dichotomy not something I could understand. I folded my arms and gazed at the moon and stars, wanting nothing more than to place a wish. I laughed softly, placing my hand over my mouth