Raine - I Obey

“I know how many times you changed motels in the last four years. I know you stop breathing when men stand too close behind you. I know you haven’t slept properly in months, and I know you pick at the skin around your thumb when you’re anxious.”

His gaze drops briefly to my hand.

“I know more than enough, Bunny.”

Fuck. I curl my fingers too late. The archive walls are pressing in and stealing the air, the room feels too small to contain him.

“That’s insane.”

“It’s protective.”

“It’s stalking.”

“That too.” He snaps back without shame. "You are mine, I keep a close eye on my property."

Obsession is the most natural thing in the world to him.

“You can leave if you want,” Leon says finally, gesturing to the open doors.

“What?”

“You heard me.” He pushes away from the bookshelf and walks toward me slowly, each measured step making my pulse jump harder. “Nobody’s forcing you to stay here.”

“That’s not true.”

One dark brow lifts slightly. “No?”

“You dragged me into your car.”

“To stop someone grabbing you off the street.”

“You followed me for days.”

“Correct.”

“You act like you own me.”

Something dangerous flickers across his face at that.

“You want me to lie?” he asks softly. "I do fucking own you."

His words punch straight through the centre of my chest. He stops directly in front of me again, close enough that I can smell whiskey on his breath beneath the cedar and smoke.

“You can leave whenever you want, Bunny.” His voice drops lower. Rougher. “But know this, there isn't a hole on this fucking earth where I wouldn't find you."

He clicks his tongue. "But it's of no consequence, we both know no part of you, especially that sweet smelling cunt, wants to actually leave.”

My jaw falls open as a flash of heat and shame engulfs my entire body. Nothing will come out, no snap back, no retort. And when he leans in and inhales deeply through his nose, eyes falling shut, I'm in free fall.

Because the horrifying part is, he’s right. I should want to leave, any sane woman would. But standing here inside this massive dangerous house with this terrifying man talking about my soaking cunt, my body isn’t screaming run anymore.

It’s screaming something much worse.

Leon sees the exact second I realise it too, a rough satisfaction settles across his face before he steps back slightly.

“Come on.”

“What now?” My words squeak from my restricted throat.

“You look exhausted.”

I trail behind him, taking his outstretched fingers ignoring the spark of static at the moment we connect, and follow him upstairs. Because apparently survival instincts no longer exist in my body.

The second floor feels quieter than the rest of the estate, and the rest of the house is deathly still. Softer lighting glows against dark walls while thick carpets swallow the sound of our footsteps. Leon stops outside a pair of huge black doors and pushes them open.

The bedroom beyond steals the breath from my lungs.

It’s enormous.

Dark masculine colours, massive windows overlooking rain-soaked grounds, a fireplace crackling softly takes up almost a whole wall, shelves lined with books, opulent furniture and fabrics. Attached to it through an open doorway sits a bathroom bigger than my entire motel room.

“You’re joking,” I whisper.

“Nope.”

“This is your room?”

“Our room.” He turns to me with that look. "When you've settled that is."

He walks toward me slowly again while I stand frozen near the doorway trying not to look visibly overwhelmed.

“You’re staying here tonight.”

My head snaps up.

“With you?”

The corner of his mouth lifts slightly. “Relax, Bunny. There’s an adjoining room, I'm in there tonight.” He gestures to the bathroom.

I take a step and peer round the door. The huge bathroom has another door on the far side and two of everything with one huge, swimming pool sized bath in the centre, recessed into the floor. I hadn't noticed it was a Jack and Jill bathroom.

A lump is lodging itself in my throat, and I know its disappointment that he has a separate bedroom.

I'm snapped from my spiral when he reaches for the hem of my damp hoodie again, slower this time, giving me every chance to stop him.

I don’t.

His irises disappear as pupils blow.

“Arms up.”

The command sends another humiliating pulse of heat through me.

Still, I obey.