He gazed down at me with the softest smile,his eyes wide with what almost seemed like adoration, and for somereason, my insides began to melt a little. It made me toouncomfortable, so I glanced away to break whatever connection hewas trying to force. But then his large warm hand gently gripped mychin and brought my eyes back to his.
“Don’t look away,” he spoke softly, histhumb tracing along my jawline as his eyes drove right into mysoul.
I felt the exposure of my vulnerability, andI didn’t like it. I wanted this to end. I gently placed my palmon his forearm, the same arm thatheld my chin in place, and almost pleaded with my eyes for him tolet me go. His smile seemed to soften even more as his handreleased my chin but then slid over my cheek and into my hair.Wrapping his fingers in my tresses, he slowly pulled me in for agentle but firm kiss on my lips.
His lips were soft, warm … welcoming. Mybody bending with his while myhands found themselves pressed against his chest, trying tomaintain some distance. Yet the feel of this kiss almost had mewanting more. Butterflies swarmed like a flaming tornado in mystomach as Darren moaned into my mouth, his tongue dipping in whilehis other hand gripped my hip and pulled me in closer.
I nearly whimpered from his touch, themixture of fear and heat swirling in my belly, and I didn’t likeit. His body heat warmed me, the hard muscle under my handsenticing, and his lips sent me into aworld I knew I should fear because if I wasn’t careful … Imight lose track of my yellow brick road.
When he finally released me, my heart waspounding, my blood was rushing, and I could feel the heat bloomingin my core. Fuck. I tried to conceal his effect on me by focusingon his response. It was clear from the hardened length in his pantsthat he very much enjoyed that. But I seriously hoped he wouldn’tact on it.
Finally breaking the connection I sodesperately wanted gone, Darrenreleased a heavy breath and looked up ahead of me at the perfectscene behind me.
“Do you like the view?” he asked me.
I turned around to take another look, but Ifound it very difficult to concentrate when his big arms came downto rest his hands on the railing, trapping me once again. His bodyenveloped me, and it made me feel uneasy. Darren was so muchbigger than anyone I had ever known, which made his presence thatmuch more threatening. I felt like a caged animal being toyed withby a menacing predator. I shook that thought from my head. Ifanyone was in danger in this situation, it was Darren because I wasthe snake in the grass waiting for the right moment to strike. Iwould still have the element of surprise.
“I asked you a question, Jaden,” he saiddarkly.
I shook myself from my train of thought andtried to focus on anything but killing him right now. “It’s great,”I said quickly. “But I thought you were going to give me a tour.” Ineeded to learn the layout of the house.
“Yes, I did say that.”
“And you say you're a man of your word,” Iprodded. He chuckled as I called him out. He knew I was right.
“That I am. Come on,” he said, taking myhand.
As we got to the bedroom door, I froze andDarren noticed my hesitation.
“What about the range?” I asked quickly asanger started to spread across his face from my suddendefiance.
“It was lengthened the moment I entered thehouse.”
“Oh,” I said, surprised a little.
“Jaden, as long as I’m home, the range willcover the entire house, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed toroam it. Not until I can trust you to follow my rules.”
Right. Every privilege had to be earned,didn’t it?
“Noted,” I said with a nod. He then pulledme from my room and commenced the tour.
Chapter Ten
Reality
Darren showed me all around the mansion,keeping my hand in his the entiretime. Even when I pulled to get a better look at something, herefused to let go or even let me walk any farther away from him. Ifelt like a dog on a leash.
The house had about a dozen bedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, and four offices.I learned that my room was on the east wing of the mansion andDarren’s was on the west wing. He did not show me which room washis, though. I guess I would haveto wait to find out. As we walked through the halls, I found it difficult to keep up withwhere we were. I had a feeling if I hadn't stayed close to Darren,I would have gotten lost. I also noticed how masculine all thefurnishings and decor was, as ifthe entire house was created in Darren's image. I was glad that myroom was lacking in that department.
The upstairs also had a built-in movie theater with lots of comfy couches andchairs. I was allowed to watch any movie or TV show I wanted, andif the selections were lacking, Icould make requests. There was even a little snack bar forpopcorn.
Every now and then, I would see one or twomen walking around the house dressed in black fitted military gear.Seeing them made me a little nervous for some reason, but I madesure Darren didn’t catch me staring at them by attempting to lookthe other way. No need to cause trouble at the moment.
As we went downstairs, I was finally able totake in the large living room with a spectacular view of the oceanfrom the wall of windows. A massive cobblestone fireplace stood offagainst the wall with sleek black leather couches, glass coffeetables, a large flat-screen TV, and a white Persian rug completingthe scene. The kitchen was a chef’s dream with all stainlesssteel appliances, dark marble countertops, and dark wood cabinets.
There was a basement down the hall that ledoff from the living room containing a fully stocked bar andkitchen, pool table, entertainment system, another fireplace, and brown leather couches.
Downstairs also contained a weight
