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Authors: Aleatha Romig
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eyes never faltered from her, yet his body language looked relaxed, arrogant. He was a man willing to push Claire to the brink. It was like watching a poker game, pushing the odds. Would there be a payoff? Or would someone blink?
“I am aware.”
“You are aware that you must at all times obey my rules?” Anthony’s eyes penetrated.
“I am aware that I must do as I am told.” The words hurt her throat but sounded easily spoken. She was not going to let him fluster her. And damn, she didn’t need that skin on her palms anyway. Her smile remained steady and undaunted.
Anthony remained silent for an extended period of time, watching Claire. Finally, he spoke. “Very well.” He stood. Claire expected some kind of directive. Instead, he walked toward the door.
“Wait.” She proclaimed. He turned to look at her. His expression showed astonishment at her command. She immediately realized her words overstepped her bounds, but she couldn’t go on locked alone in the suite. Her tone softened. “I am sorry, but may I leave this suite?”
“As long as we are certain on the terms of our agreement and you follow the rules and orders given, I see no problem with you roaming the house.” He reached for the door handle. “It is rather large. I will be working from home tomorrow. Your services will be utilized then, so be prepared for my call. When I have a chance, I will give you a tour of the house and define your limitations. I think it is best that you do not roam tonight. I do not want you getting lost.” He started to leave. She heard the beep as he reached for the handle.
“Anthony? I don’t have any . . . duties tonight?” Her voice began to fail her. She sounded less like the strong, lighthearted woman she desperately tried to project and more like a child.
“I have recently arrived from a series of meetings in Europe and am quite tired. I am glad to know we have a mutual understanding. Good night, Claire.”
“Good night, Anthony.” He shut the door. She heard the beep and the lock.
Her thoughts swirled. He has been in Europe! I have been locked in here while he was on another continent! Okay, focus, the door will be open tomorrow. I engaged in a conversation, the first one in almost two weeks. He didn’t say anything about my appearance. All that work and not a word. Perhaps compliments aren’t his style, only criticism. That was all right, because tomorrow I am leaving this suite. And leaving the suite is one step closer to going home!
Tossing and turning, Claire had too much energy to sleep. It wasn’t just her body, her mind spun with the excitement of her impending release. During the past thirteen days her every need was met, except her need to be with people. She couldn’t remember a time in her life that didn’t include interaction. It was something she took for granted, until now. The isolation was unbearable. While it was happening, she wouldn’t allow herself to think about it, but now that the end was near her anticipation mounted.
She lay in bed and pondered Anthony Rawlings. What kind of man was he? He obviously liked control, complete control. What did he mean when he said, “Be prepared for my call”? Did that mean she should be up early waiting for someone to come and get her? He didn’t give her a time. She looked at the clock: 5:33. Should she get up now? What if she fell asleep and wasn’t ready when he called? Could she end up locked in her suite another thirteen days? She couldn’t take that. Claire needed companionship.
Her mind slipped back to college and recalled living in the sorority house surrounded by girls. She often longed for some alone time, away from the drama. There were always issues between sisters, with boyfriends, classes, or parents. She wished for a place of her own and time by herself. Another of Grandma’s sayings came to mind, “Be careful what you wish for.” She would love to have that camaraderie and even drama again.
At 6:00 a.m. she
“I am aware.”
“You are aware that you must at all times obey my rules?” Anthony’s eyes penetrated.
“I am aware that I must do as I am told.” The words hurt her throat but sounded easily spoken. She was not going to let him fluster her. And damn, she didn’t need that skin on her palms anyway. Her smile remained steady and undaunted.
Anthony remained silent for an extended period of time, watching Claire. Finally, he spoke. “Very well.” He stood. Claire expected some kind of directive. Instead, he walked toward the door.
“Wait.” She proclaimed. He turned to look at her. His expression showed astonishment at her command. She immediately realized her words overstepped her bounds, but she couldn’t go on locked alone in the suite. Her tone softened. “I am sorry, but may I leave this suite?”
“As long as we are certain on the terms of our agreement and you follow the rules and orders given, I see no problem with you roaming the house.” He reached for the door handle. “It is rather large. I will be working from home tomorrow. Your services will be utilized then, so be prepared for my call. When I have a chance, I will give you a tour of the house and define your limitations. I think it is best that you do not roam tonight. I do not want you getting lost.” He started to leave. She heard the beep as he reached for the handle.
“Anthony? I don’t have any . . . duties tonight?” Her voice began to fail her. She sounded less like the strong, lighthearted woman she desperately tried to project and more like a child.
“I have recently arrived from a series of meetings in Europe and am quite tired. I am glad to know we have a mutual understanding. Good night, Claire.”
“Good night, Anthony.” He shut the door. She heard the beep and the lock.
Her thoughts swirled. He has been in Europe! I have been locked in here while he was on another continent! Okay, focus, the door will be open tomorrow. I engaged in a conversation, the first one in almost two weeks. He didn’t say anything about my appearance. All that work and not a word. Perhaps compliments aren’t his style, only criticism. That was all right, because tomorrow I am leaving this suite. And leaving the suite is one step closer to going home!
Tossing and turning, Claire had too much energy to sleep. It wasn’t just her body, her mind spun with the excitement of her impending release. During the past thirteen days her every need was met, except her need to be with people. She couldn’t remember a time in her life that didn’t include interaction. It was something she took for granted, until now. The isolation was unbearable. While it was happening, she wouldn’t allow herself to think about it, but now that the end was near her anticipation mounted.
She lay in bed and pondered Anthony Rawlings. What kind of man was he? He obviously liked control, complete control. What did he mean when he said, “Be prepared for my call”? Did that mean she should be up early waiting for someone to come and get her? He didn’t give her a time. She looked at the clock: 5:33. Should she get up now? What if she fell asleep and wasn’t ready when he called? Could she end up locked in her suite another thirteen days? She couldn’t take that. Claire needed companionship.
Her mind slipped back to college and recalled living in the sorority house surrounded by girls. She often longed for some alone time, away from the drama. There were always issues between sisters, with boyfriends, classes, or parents. She wished for a place of her own and time by herself. Another of Grandma’s sayings came to mind, “Be careful what you wish for.” She would love to have that camaraderie and even drama again.
At 6:00 a.m. she
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