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And I’d liked it. A lot.
My core clenched with renewed arousal and the need for him swelled, but as much as I wanted to stay right here and wait for him, a tiny nagging voice in the back of my mind reminded me that I wasn’t here to find a boyfriend, if that’s what he was.
The truth is I didn’t know what we were.
Insecurity bloomed in my chest, and I bit my lip as a knot formed in my belly.
I needed to talk to him, and this time, I needed answers.
I wasn’t going to be able to move forward without them.
Quickly, I pulled the covers back, and as soon as the cool air hit my bare skin, goosebumps erupted along my arms. I rushed into the bathroom, fully intending to wash every bit of last night away so I could think clearly. As soon as the hot water hit my body, I relaxed.
Slowly, methodically, I showered, and when I finished, I brushed my hair and slipped into the closet, finding it so full of clothing that I was a little overwhelmed.
With a soft sigh, I decided to choose the most basic pair of white lace-edged cotton panties and a pair of yoga pants that hugged my curves, as well as a light pink t-shirt.
Once I was fully dressed, I felt more like myself. With a clear head, I headed downstairs and made my way to the kitchen. The house was so quiet, the only sounds the gentle ticking of the clocks scattered throughout the space.
For a long moment, I stood in the kitchen, not knowing what to do. Then, slowly, I walked over to the coffeepot. I set about brewing a cup of coffee and settled down with it on the comfy chair by the window in the breakfast nook.
As I sat there, I tried to wrap my head around the fact that I wasn’t a virgin anymore and to make matters worse, the man that had taken it was holding me captive. I didn’t know his intentions. Hell, I didn’t know what I was to him or even who he was to me.
Maybe I was just another one of his conquests and I meant nothing to him. Maybe there wouldn’t be anything between us other than last night, which was a terrifying enough thought that it sent a pang of fear through my heart.
I needed answers, so I decided to explore and find some of my own.
I wandered through the halls, my footsteps silent on the plush carpets, passing by portraits and expensive-looking vases that told stories of wealth and power but nothing of the man who lived here.
As I moved, I encountered several doors. Most opened to reveal ordinary rooms: a study filled with books, a guest room neatly kept, but there were also doors that were locked.
Visiting his office, I swiped a metal paperclip from his desk and knelt in front of one of the locked doors. After a few tense minutes, the lock clicked open, and I slowly pushed the door inward.
The room was dark, the only light filtering in through a small window. I reached for the switch and flicked it on. My breath caught as the light revealed rows upon rows of weapons. There were rifles and handguns, some sleek and modern, others bulkier and way more menacing. I didn’t know their names or types; all I knew was they were incredibly dangerous.
Which meant Maxim was even more so.
What would happen if I angered him? Would he kill me too? Would he throw me aside like useless garbage the way everyone else in my life had?
I needed to find out.
I swallowed hard, backing out of the room, but then my eyes caught a glint of something small lying on a table beside the door.
It was a switchblade, its handle encrusted with some dark, ornate jewels. It was beautiful, in a deadly sort of way. On impulse, I snatched it up, the cool metal comforting against my palm.
I slipped the switchblade into my pocket and hurried out of the armory, locking the door behind me as best as I could with my rudimentary skills.
I went back to explore his office and then his bedroom, thinking I’d find some answers about him there.
As I cautiously moved around his room, my eyes scanned carefully, searching for any personal mementos that might offer a glimpse into his private life. The drawers of his nightstand were slightly ajar, and without thinking, I pulled one open further.
Inside, amidst various odds and ends, was a photograph in a simple frame. It showed Maxim, looking younger but unmistakably powerful, his arm around a woman in a wedding dress.
My heart fractured a little bit at the sight.
He was married?
They were both smiling. My heart sank, a mix of shock and a sharp stab of jealousy piercing through me. Who was she? His wife? A past he had never mentioned?
