Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 35349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35349 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 177(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 118(@300wpm)
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though it didn’t reach his eyes. He thought what I said was… humorous? “It’s not how your world works, Dolly. True. But my world? That’s exactly how my fucking world works.”
God, he sounded like everything and everyone bent to his will. He was a male used to getting what he wanted, no matter the cost.
I stared at him, frustrated. “What does that even mean? Who are you, Lars?” It was the first time I’d ever said his name out loud, and I could see it affected him on a physical, visceral level.
His breathing changed. His pupils dilated. And I was pretty sure he wasn’t even aware he growled low, like a beast who just sampled what he wanted.
All because of his name.
“The world doesn't work like that for anyone. I want to know what you really want with me.” I didn't keep the demanding tone from my voice.
His face was illuminated by the firelight, which cast shadows that made him seem more devilish and unyielding. And the sight of him made my heart race for other reasons, ones I wouldn't try to dissect.
But I couldn’t ignore that he was a handsome man, that he had this dangerous aura about him that attracted me.
I’m so fucked up.
“I’ll tell you what I want, Dolly, because it’s the simplest thing in the world.” He was silent for a second, letting those words sink in. “I want you to understand that you belong here with me. It’s the simplest answer, Dolly. There is nothing out there for you. There never really was. Isn’t that right?”
I tried to swallow, but I had no saliva to complete the nervous action. I didn't want to agree that he spoke the truth.
“And because of that fact, you don’t need to fight this or me.” He leaned back and took on a relaxed stance. “All you have to do is accept this is your fate, and your life will be perfect.”
A fat tear slid down my cheek, but it wasn't from fear. It was from the truths he was speaking.
“You’ll be my queen, little darling. I’ll take care of you like you’ve never been taken care of before. I have no other purpose in this life but to live for you.”
Another tear skated down my cheek, and I wiped it away.
My heart hammered in my chest, but there was something about the way he spoke, the honesty in his words, that made my breath catch. Because I could see how genuinely he meant what he said.
He was obsessed. Crazed by his need to take care of me. He looked at me like I was the be all end all. I was his world. His composure was unsettling, laced with a twisted concern for my well-being that terrified me even more… but had me yearning for what he promised.
Because I've never had that.
“And if I don’t… belong here?” I whispered, forcing the words out, because my throat was so tight from my tear-welled eyes.
His expression hardened after I spoke. It was clear that what I said pissed him off. “You’re so fucking wrong, Dolly. You do belong here. With me. Whether you accept it or not, you’re mine now. I’m not letting you go.”
I was staring at the fire before he finished talking, unable to wrap my head around everything he said.
“I’ll take care of you, little darling.”
“Why do you call me that?” I murmured, watching the charred logs slowly die.
“Because that’s what you are to me. My little darling who I’ll keep safe.”
I looked at him then, holding his gaze, refusing to turn away as I felt my anger rise right away with my confusion.
“But there’s no leaving, Dolly. No running. If you try, you know I’ll find you. I've told you as much, but in your heart, you know there’s no escape.”
I felt my face heat. “I know,” I pushed out through my gritted teeth. A shiver ran down my spine. It was a combination of every emotion a human could feel.
“And if you run and I catch you, you’ll regret it, Dolly.”
Lars wasn’t threatening me in the traditional sense. I knew that. I felt it. But his words were a promise in a cold and calculating way. Lars stood then and was right in front of me before I could react.
He reached out, and I was too frozen to do anything but let him touch me. He brushed his hand against my cheek, his fingers warm from where he’d just been holding his tea mug, the contents hot and heating his skin.
I was afraid, obviously, but his touch was surprisingly soft, and the look in his eyes ensnared me. It kept me in place as if he were claiming me with just that gentle press of his palm against my face and the emotions displayed clearly in his eyes.