Page 52 of Unbound

“It’s rude to go through people’s drawers and break into their houses.” Walker’s eyes drift from me to where my suitcase is positioned close to the entryway hall. “Mind explaining what you’re doing?”

“I’d rather not.” I press my lips together. I don’t really have a good way out of this, but I’m not technically his prisoner. He can’t just keep me here. If I want to leave, I can.

And honestly, he should want me to go. Everyone else does.

I straighten my shoulders, determined to see this through. “Where is the fob to my car?”

“I’m not telling you that.” Walker says it simply. Like that’s the end of the conversation.

Like hell it is.

“Why not? It’s my car. You can’t just hold me hostage.”

Walker straightens away from the wall, his features harsher looking in the shadowy darkness. “I’m not telling you because then you would leave.” He steps toward me, movements unhurried. “And while it is your car, I think we can both agree it’s not in your best interest to be driving around in something that can identify you.” He continues closing in, his presence looming nearer and nearer. “I’m not holding you hostage. I’m keeping you safe.”

“But why?” He should want me to leave as much as everyone else obviously does. Including me.

“Because you will get yourself killed if someone doesn’t keep you from doing something stupid.”

Ow. That was hurtful.

Walker gets within two feet of me, and I try to dart away. Before I can get anywhere, one hand grabs the front of my shirt, gripping tight. He drags me closer, eyes flashing as they meet mine. “I’m not letting you get killed.”

“Let me go.” Now I’m just mad. Offended and embarrassed and sad and probably a whole list of other emotions I don’t have the capacity to name. “I just want to go. Then you can go back to your life and forget any of this ever happened.”

I feel like I’m selling this relatively well, but Walker doesn’t let me go. Instead he pulls me closer, his voice a low growl as he says, “What if I don’t want to forget this happened?”

I try to back up, but his question makes my feet stop working. “What?”

“What if I don’t want to forget this happened?” Walker enunciates each word, pausing between every one of them.

I don’t understand why that could be. What would make Walker want to do anything besides extricate me from his life so he can move on.

Walker’s nose is nearly touching mine, the look on his face almost predatory. Maybe it’s just the darkness, but he seems even more serious and focused than normal, and it has my feet abruptly getting back with the program. I wrench free of his grip and back away, uncertain if I’m misreading the situation.

“You should want to forget this happened. I’ve put your whole family in danger, Walker. Just let me go. Then you won’t have anything to worry about anymore.”

“That’s not true.”

Walker suddenly moves very quickly. Faster than I’m expecting. In the blink of an eye, he has me by the waist, hauling my body upward like I weigh nothing before plunking my ass onto the marble counter. Then he crowds between my knees, eyes aligning as he says, “I would still worry about you.”

“Because you think I’ll get myself killed?” I don’t try to hide the snark in my tone. I’m still a little butthurt about that assessment.

“Yes.” He doesn’t even hesitate. “You’re too smart and too brave for your own good.” His hands move from my waist to my hips, fingers sinking into the softness I carry there thanks to Hot Cheetos and Crunchwrap Supremes. “And mine.”

“But your family hates me.” My chin wobbles just a little bit at the reminder of how difficult it was to watch all of them together. “And I don’t blame them. They have so much to lose, and me being here puts all of it in danger.”

“They’ll get over it.” Walker’s eyes drop to focus on where he’s gripping me. “Why the fuck can’t I stop touching you?” He sounds pissed. Like he’s angry his hands are on me. His grip tightens, dragging me closer to the edge in a way that brings my body flush to his. He leans close, pulling in a deep breath. “You smell so good.” His chest grazes mine, teasing against my nipples through the thin fabric of my T-shirt and wireless bra. “I bet you taste even better.”

What.

Is.

Happening?

How in the hell did we get here? One minute I was positive Walker had no interest in me, now he’s touching me and sniffing me and wondering how I taste? It’s whiplash of the best kind, and I don’t know what in the hell to do about it.

But I’m not the sort of girl to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’m also not the kind of girl to discourage a hot guy from using his mouth.