Angel in Scarlet (Bound and Determined #4)(22)

“I’ve only recently begun to fully appreciate her myself,” Colton replied, stepping away.

He was moving back? She was here for him. If he left the room, she really would run—and never look back. Locking her knees, she tried to hold herself still.

Something was wrong. Something was very wrong.

“I think she has questions, Colton,” Granderson said, dropping her chin. “Did you tell her about me? I hope you at least assured her that I am very good at keeping secrets.”

“Now, what would have been the fun in that?”

“But—”

“Don’t worry, our sweet little lamb has made it very clear that she’s up for anything. Haven’t you, my dear Angela?”

Stay calm. She needed to stay calm even if she wanted to flee. He couldn’t mean what it sounded like, could he? And if he did?

Was she prepared to leave, to end this game? How far was she willing to pretend?

She’d never even imagined this scenario.

Too many questions.

She turned her face to Colton, trying to read in his face what was happening. His eyes seemed almost lifeless. He was hiding from her—of that she was sure.

She swallowed, considering.

“I think she still does not quite understand what we want,” Granderson said. “Perhaps you should explain.”

Colton lifted a finger and beckoned to her. She walked to him, trying hard not to betray just how nervous she was. He reached out and stroked a cheek; his gesture was not that different from Granderson’s, but its effect was dramatically different. Despite everything, somehow he represented safety. Her whole body wanted to relax into him.

What was so different about him? Why did she feel this way? Focusing on this question, she tried to ignore all the others, tried to ignore what was happening. She knew that she should be horrified. Hell, she was horrified. But there was something about Colton that made her believe he would never hurt her—even after he had hurt her, even now when everything in her screamed to run.

She indulged in that momentary sense of safety, leaning into his touch, relishing the feel of his thumb brushing over her cheek.

His thumb moved up and down. “I sometimes like to share my treats. I’ve been that way since I was a child. Whenever I was given a toy or a sweet, I enjoyed it much more if someone else enjoyed it with me.”

The gentleness of his touch was in great contrast to his words and tone. His touch said, I care, I cherish, I protect. His words said anything but.

God, did he want what she thought he did?

Why had Ruby not warned her?

Ruby had given her plenty of warnings, though. Perhaps she had tried to warn Angela but she had been too na?ve to understand.

She pulled her face back. “I am still not sure I understand.” She whispered the words. It was necessary that she understand exactly what he was suggesting before she made up her mind.

He tilted her chin slightly, so that she looked up at him. “I want you to let Granderson touch you while I watch. It will not be so different from what you did the other night, except that he will be the one touching you.”

This seemed quite different to her.

“I am sure you will enjoy it,” Colton continued. “He is quite talented.”

No. She shook her head. She might have wanted him to think she would do anything for him. She might have needed him to think that, but nothing was worth this.

Nothing.

Colton moved his hand forward, held her chin tight. “Do you want to leave? I will not force you to do anything.”

He wanted her to leave. Sudden certainty filled her.

Why? What game did he play?

Questions. So many questions.

And then the answer. He didn’t want her. He still did not want her.

This was all one more way to get her to leave him alone.

But she would not let him make her feel worthless again.

She would not make it so easy.

She must be confident, must believe in her goals.

She had a plan. She would not be the one to back down. She would think of this as one more dare, one more obstacle to get what she wanted.

Steel determination filled her.

She tilted her chin up, pulling it from Colton’s hand. “Why would I want to leave? I have promised to do what you wish. I admit that this”—she glanced at Granderson—“was not what I had expected, but I can be flexible. I came to you to learn. I will accept this as one more piece of my education.” Her hand rose to the pins she had used to close her bodice, pulling one loose. “Would you like me to show you my breasts again?”

Twisting the pin in her hand, she pricked her palm, using the pain to clear her head, to keep her from showing just how shaken she actually was.

Colton turned to Granderson, lifting a brow in question.

Why did she feel she was missing an entire conversation that was going on between them?

Granderson appraised her again, his eyes returning to the swell of bosom above the edge of her dress. “I’ve always preferred to do the disrobing myself. It adds to the anticipation.” He took a step toward her. “You don’t look comfortable, my dear. Perhaps you would like to sit.”

Sit. She glanced toward the chairs that she and Colton had previously sat in, but Granderson nodded behind her.

She glanced over her shoulder.

The bed.

How had she missed the bed? It was huge. More than huge. Monstrous. Dark-wood posts against a dark-red coverlet, the white of the linen visible at the head. It was amazing that she had noticed anything else with that in the room—although she hadn’t really noticed anything besides Colton. Whenever he was in the room he seemed to draw her gaze.