CHAPTER 3

Amelia’s POV

My eyes flutter open as I take in my surrounding. Bare walls and the sound of dripping water.

I struggled to open my eyes, but as soon as I did, I immediately shut it back close.

A man about 6ft tall, broad shoulders and a long hair cascaded down his back dripping water had his back facing me.

He heard the creek sound and turned to me

“You’re awake”

I left my eyes shut pretending I didn’t see him but that didn’t last long as I felt water dripping on my face, I open them to see him hovering over me.

“Get away from me!” I screamed.

“Calm down angel, I’m not gonna hurt you” He leaned in closer, he smelled like strong musky Oud.

I kick him in the balls, but it felt like I kicked myself and I groaned loudly

“Fuck!” He groaned.

“How dare—”

“get away from me you perv or I’m going to scream.”

He came onto me, his hands covering my lips, as he stared into my eyes, inches away from my face

“You should be thanking me”

I stare at him confused.

“Wh— what do you mean you saved me”

He looks at me, like he was puzzled for a second then retreated.

“Hey!”

he ignores me again, I jerk up but fell back down almost as fast as I did, letting out a loud groan

“Easy there baby, you don’t want to hurt yourself now”

“Tell me why I’m here”

The towel that had been hanging loosely on his waist slip down revealing his cheeks and I gasp shutting my eyes as tightly as I could

he let out a loud laugh, he was having fun messing with me.

“You are so cute, you can open your eyes now.” he whispers into my ears, I jerk off of him quickly, almost landing on the floor, but he caught me almost immediately, he wore a black shorts, enough to conceal the bulk in between his thighs.

“Who are you?” I press myself against the headboard, gripping the thin sheet. My fingers shake.

“Where am I?”

He doesn’t respond immediately, his eyes not leaving mine not even for a second.

“You don’t remember.” It didn’t sound like question.

“Remember what?” My chest tightens.

Another pause. His jaw clenches, like he’s holding something back. “Your name?”

That should be simple. I open my mouth to speak but…

My name. What is my name?

I gasp. The sheet slips from my grip as I clutch my head. Pain shoots through me, like knives stabbing my skull.

“Stop,” I whisper to myself. “Please stop.”

The man moves closer, but I flinch hard.“Don’t touch me!”

He freezes. A flicker of hurt appeared on his face.

I can’t breathe. I can’t think. My memories are gone. I try to pull at them, but there’s nothing.

I start to panic.

The man exhales slowly. He steps back, giving me space. “You’re safe here.”

Safe? Locked in a room helpless with a naked man, and he calls that safe. I could feel the rage stirring up inside my chest.

“Who are you?” I ask again, sharper this time.

“Carlos.”

Carlos. The name means nothing to me.

“And me?” My voice cracks.

He doesn’t answer right away. When he finally does, it’s quiet. “Amelia.”

The name coils in my chest. Amelia? It feels like it belongs to me. It feels wrong that I didn’t know it until he spoke it.

“Why can’t I remember?” My voice trembles.

“Tell me!” I demand, louder than I knew I could be, this man had a way of making

His gaze meets mine again.

“You were hurt,” he says finally.

Hurt. I look down at myself. Bandages wrap my arm, my wrists are bruised, that explained the pain, I had been so caught up with being in the same room with a naked man that I didn’t even notice this.

“How?.. how long have I been here? How did you find me? Why am I here?” The questions kept rolling off my tongue.

“Does it matter?”

My stomach churns, I have had it up to here with this man! I slam my palm against the mattress, frustration spilling out. “I need to know! Why won’t you answer me?”

“hey hey calm down”

“don’t you dare tell me to calm down. Pervert!” I spat.

I was so done with this, I swing my legs off the bed, ignoring the dizziness that grips me.

“Where are you going?” His tone sharpens instantly.

“To find answers.” I don’t look at him.

“Your body was found by the creeks. And been here for a month now.”

I paused in my tracks.

“Someone tried to kill you, but we found your body before it was too late.”

i felt my stomach churn and my knees go weak, causing me to fall to the floor.

He hands catch me before I hit the floor. His arms circled around my waist as he picked me up, one hand under my thighs, holding me close, the heat of him searing against my cold skin.

“Careful,” he mutters, his voice low, almost a growl.

His chest presses against mine, My breath catches as I feel the taut strength of his body, the faint rise and fall of his heartbeat against my own as he slowly carries me back to the bed.

He lays me down gently, I could feel his hands linger longer than necessary.

“Amelia… you’re safe here.” His voice is rough, strained. His dark eyes softened as he looked down at me. Every inch of this man radiates power and control, and I can’t look away.

My muscles tense under his touch, my chest pressing instinctively closer. He leans slightly, his breath brushing my ear, warm and intoxicating.

I attempt to move away from his touch but my body betrays me.

“Don’t,” he warns softly, yet there’s a growl underneath, unrestrained. “Not yet. Stay still.”

My pulse races, the pounding of my heart loud in the quiet room. I can feel him. every muscle, every scent, every controlled movement. My own senses twist, confused between fear, relief, and something dangerously close to want.

His hand shifts slightly, brushing a strand of hair from my face, lingering just so. My skin tingles where he touches me, and I can’t stop the whisper escaping my lips.

“Carlos…”

His dark eyes snap to mine, burning with emotion he refuses to name.

A sharp knock at the door broke the tension.

Carlos instantly stiffens, his body still tight against mine. His head snaps toward the sound.

“It’s him,” the guard hisses through the partially open door. “He’s here.”

Carlos swears under his breath, and his grip on me tightens, not hurting.

His eyes burn into mine, i could immediately sense that something was wrong.

“Do not move from here, got it?” He says, withdrawing from me sharply before I could even respond.