Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

I strode forward, closing the distance. She couldn’t get away fast enough, stumbling until she slammed against the wall. One slap of my hand on the wall beside her and I blocked her in. “Youwillshow me all of you.”

She jutted her chin higher. “Over my dead body.”

Dead?

No.

I don’t think so.

A different scenario came to mind. One that would suit me a helluva lot better and would thoroughly piss her off. I flicked my gaze to the bedroom. “I suggest you use the bathroom.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m handcuffing you to the bed.”

Her mouth dropped open before she murmured. “You wouldn’t.”

I lowered my hand and leaned down. “Try me.”

There was a twitch in the corner of her eye before she slowly stepped sideways, sliding along the wall away from me. I liked the sensation of stalking her, allowing her just enough space to turn and run. She was smart, doing exactly as I’d told her and made for the toilet.

Her lips curled as I stepped into the doorway, watching her as she peed, then wiped. My breaths moved deeper, invading her privacy like that. I wanted more. I wantedeverything.

She yanked up the boxers before turning to flush, those cheeks blazing as she moved to the sink. I saw the hesitation. The moment her brain screamed to fight. But she pushed that voice inside her head down, focused on washing her hands, and grabbed the towel.

“What did I do wrong?”

My breath caught. “What?”

She turned and met my stare. “I said, what did I do wrong?” She moved closer. “This is a punishment, right? I pulled my shirt down and now you’re going to punish me for it.”

I scowled. “This isn’t a punishment, Helene.”

“No?” She stepped past me and went toward the bedroom.

I followed, grabbing the cuffs. “No.”

She fought me, just like I knew she would. But she wasn’t strong enough to win…and in the end, I cuffed her wrist to the steel headboard before sucking in a hard breath. She jerked away when I brushed the hair from her eyes.

“Touch me again and I’ll bite.”

I smiled and nodded. “Just like I thought.”

I didn’t want to leave her. But I had to. As much as I enjoyed seeing her in my clothes, she couldn’t wear them forever. So I pulled on a shirt and sneakers, grabbed my cell and the keys, then headed for my car.

An emptiness washed over me as I backed out of the driveway. My hands clenched around the wheel, desperate to reach for the gears and drive back inside. But she wasn’t going anywhere. Not without me or the key in my pocket.

I forced myself to move, leaving her behind, and headed for a luxury shopping mall two suburbs away. I pulled in and parked near the entrance. If she wanted to hide from me, then I’d give her no option. I killed the engine and climbed out, locking the busted Audi behind me.

A glance over my shoulder and I winced at the dented grill and smashed headlight. That was another thing I needed to fix. But first…clothes. I headed for a clothing store I’d been in only once to purchase a top for a date. One she’d refused to wear, throwing it back in my face.

But that was different.

That was then.

And she wasn’t Helene Montgomery.

I stepped in and cast my gaze across the store. Heads turned my way. Even unshaven and in sneakers, they gravitated toward me, all smiles and shy glances. Until they came closer, close enough to stop in their tracks.