his clothing. He looked like a model for Armani about to hit the runway. His confidence permeated the air, slicing through it like a sword.
I sat up in bed and pulled the sheets over my chest to stay warm. I loved watching him move. He had the kind of grace that still seemed innately masculine. He carried himself like royalty with the air of pretentiousness. He owned everything in every room he walked into. That kind of power was sexy—even if I refused to admit it.
He spotted me in the reflection of the mirror. He adjusted his tie, making it perfect enough to display on a mannequin. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” The knife still sat on his nightstand. The steel glinted under the light of the lamp. The memory of last night came back to me. I came here to kill him, but instead, I fucked him like I needed him.
He came around the bed then leaned down to kiss me. He didn’t seem to care if I had morning breath. He kissed me just the way he would during our evenings together.
I melted at his touch, turning to butter on a hot roll. My hands gripped his arms because I didn’t want him to leave. I wanted to strip off those expensive clothes and pull him on top of me.
He pulled his lips away but kept them close to mine. “Return that knife to Lars. He’ll be looking for it.” Threat was in his eyes. He wasn’t happy with my behavior the previous night. “I’ll punish you when I get home.”
“Punish me?”
“Yes.” He grabbed the back of my hair and kept his hold on me. It was unbreakable, made of iron. “An assassination attempt on your master’s life won’t go unnoticed. I suggest you rest before I get back.”
I wasn’t worried about his threat. He could try to hurt me, but I would fight back. Just because I didn’t have any weapons didn’t mean I couldn’t throw a mean right hook. Growing up in the ghetto gave me a steel spine. It was difficult to intimidate me.
Very difficult.
He came home at his regular time and retreated into his room to shower and change. He didn’t stop by the bedroom to greet me. Without his saying a word to me, I knew he expected me to come to dinner dressed in something nice.
If I didn’t obey, it would lead to a fight, and I’d rather save my energy for whatever he had planned for me. When it came to Crow, I had to pick my battles. I may be a worthy opponent, but so was he.
I sat across from him at the dinner table, wearing whatever I found in my closet. Most of my wardrobe consisted of dresses. Crow preferred the classy look, a woman dressed in elegance that showed off her shoulders and legs.
He sipped his wine then started to eat. He didn’t make conversation with me. He didn’t mention what happened last night. Sometimes, he was in a talkative mood, and sometimes, he wasn’t. His moods were unpredictable. Being his captive for over a month wasn’t enough time for me to figure him out.
“So, when are you going to punish me?” I probably shouldn’t mock him, but I couldn’t help it. I liked to thwart him, to remind him I couldn’t be easily overcome.
“As soon as we’re finished with dinner.” He continued eating with upstanding manners. His elegant movements contradicted the darkness in his eyes. He was a gentleman, but he was the devil at the same time.
“And what exactly are you planning on doing to me?”
“It can wait until after dinner.” He always had to have the power in the conversation. He made subtle moves to put me down and raise himself up.
I kept pushing. “No, it can’t.”
“I don’t want you to lose your appetite.”
“I never have an appetite when I have to look at you.” I gave him a cold stare, hating him and adoring him at the same time. I loved it when he kissed me and fucked me so passionately. No man had ever taken me like that, like he had to have me then and there. It was the kind of attraction I’d only heard about. But I also despised him for keeping me as a prisoner. He treated me like a pawn in a game, a toy he liked to play with.
My words didn’t put him on edge. It didn’t seem like he cared. “All I have to do is shove two fingers inside