I ignored him. “When normal people have a crush, they ask the crushee on a date. Did that ever occur to you?”
“It did, but you were with that halfwit. And asking for a date wasn’t—I don’t know—enough.”
“So kidnapping was your only option?”
“It made the most sense.”
“Only for you.” I leaned away and glared at him. “Why couldn’t you think about me?”
He furrowed his brow. “You’re all I think about.”
“Does that seem healthy to you?”
He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. I knew it then, and I know it now. You belong with me.”
“You can’t decide that for me.”
“I haven’t. Don’t you understand? I’ve done all this so you can find out the same thing I already know. It’s like a shortcut.” The way he said it made it seem so rational, even though the words were far beyond the pale of reason.
I put my palm against his cheek, and he pressed against it. “I don’t work that way.”
“How do you work?”
I propped myself on my elbow and perused him from above. “You know that’s the first time you’ve asked the right question?”
A smile ghosted along the corner of his lips. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, it’s the same with my students. They’ll butt their heads against a wall over and over again while trying to understand a concept when all they have to do is ask the right question.”
“So what’s the answer?”
“I don’t work well with captivity.”
He smirked. “You just haven’t given it a real chance yet.”
“Psycho. I also don’t do well with deals.” I hastened to add, “though the one we just made still stands.”
“The captivity isn’t going to change.”
My hope sagged.
“But maybe I can work on my tendency to make deals.”
It wasn’t huge, but it was progress. I’d take it. “All right.”
“But I still want things from you.” He tucked his hands behind his head. “And if I can’t do deals, you have to make them attainable somehow.”
I eased down and rested my head on his chest. “What things?”
“Your body, your thoughts, your feelings.”
“So, everything. You just want it all.”
“Yes.” Once again, he said it as if it were utterly reasonable to demand all of another person.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
He draped his right hand across my shoulder, and we fell into a peaceful silence.
After a while, he said, “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. It wasn’t my intention.”
“I know.” But his words didn’t change the fact that I had to get away. His touch, his fiery kisses, and the passion he ignited inside me—none of it could ever grow into more unless I was free. The only way I could make him understand was to show him, and that’s just what I intended to do.
“The last one is sent.” He swiped across the screen of his tablet and the screen went blank.
“Will you tell me when they respond?” We’d spent the drive to the city sending carefully worded texts to Veronica, Link, and Mint. Anytime I tried to do something creative, he shut me down. “I’ve reviewed all your texts. I know your cadence. You can’t throw me off.” Despite the setback, I could have cried with joy to hear that my friends were worried about me.
I was certain Sebastian left out several details and texts from what he’d read me, but I could survive on what love they’d sent, even if it was relayed through him. I told Mint to stay strong and that things would be all right, Veronica that there were no hot men in the Amazon, and Link that I missed him. Sebastian had scowled as his fingers conveyed the message, but he sent it anyway. When we were finished, I could have sworn he seemed relieved.
The car maneuvered through traffic, the streets still busy even though it was a Saturday morning. Sunlight glinted from the high rises, and I stared at all the people walking along. They had no idea a prisoner sat inside a gilded cage only a few feet away. The doors had locked the moment I stepped into the car, and Sebastian wasn’t going to give me the chance to try and bang on the windows.
“What’s wrong?” Sebastian studied me.
“Aside from being held captive while watching the world go on as usual? Nothing.”
“If the city is making you unhappy, I’m more than willing to take you back to the house.”
“No.” I gripped my elbows. “I paid dearly for this, so I’m going to take my time in the city.” And figure out a way to escape.
“I didn’t think you minded the payment that much.” His smirk appeared. “When you moaned in my mouth—”
I put my finger to his lips. “Just let me enjoy my time here, all right?”
“Fine by me.” He draped his arm across my shoulders.
I should have demanded he stop touching me, but it wasn’t worth the effort. It wasn’t that I enjoyed his scent or the feel of him against me. Not at all. I just had to give him some room to hope I’d comply with what he wanted. It was all a part of my plan.