Read Online You Are Mine by Jackie Ashenden - Free Book Online

herself together again. Her courage was one of her great strengths and one of the many things he admired about her.
    â€œAnd yet not so incidental that you’re not going to use it against me.”
    â€œI’m not using it against you. I’m just telling you what I want.”
    She was still plastered against the glass, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. God, the courage she must have had to approach him, to put her hands on him. That first touch in so many years …
    He curled his fingers into his palm almost absently, as if to keep the warmth of her skin from fading.
    If she noted the movement, she gave no sign. “Don’t be so fucking coy, Zac. You said you wanted something for you. So what’s that? A screw? Is that what you want?”
    He could. Oh yes, he could definitely demand that. But tonight he was after something far more important. Something far more valuable.
    Something that would break the holding pattern they’d gotten into.
    â€œIf it was just a quick fuck I was after, angel, believe me, there would be nothing coy about it. No. Tonight what I want is your trust.”
    She blinked. “What? But I do—”
    â€œNo,” he cut her off before she could feed him yet another lie. “You don’t. Because if you did, you would have told me what happened to you in that house long ago.”
    Anger sparked to life in her face. “Are you kidding me? That’s not about trust, Zac. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to have to talk about it. With anyone.”
    â€œDeny it all you want. But one thing’s for sure. We can’t continue doing this anymore. Or at least I can’t. Watching your life get smaller and smaller while your fear gets bigger and bigger. I thought after all these years you’d eventually start to trust me at some point, let me help you, but you haven’t. And now my patience is at an end.”
    Her jaw went tight. “So, what? You think you can waltz in here, uninvited, telling me you want me, demanding my trust, and expecting me to just give it to you?” The sarcasm in her voice was razor sharp. “Typical alpha-male shit in other words.”
    He ignored that. “I’ve spent years doing things your way, Eva. Never pushing you, never crowding you. Respecting your boundaries. And look at you. You’re absolutely terrified of me, even now.”
    â€œOnly because you showed up without any fucking warning!”
    At least she didn’t deny it this time. “You wouldn’t have let me in otherwise. Deny it if you can.”
    Her mouth opened. Shut again. “That’s no reason for you to go—”
    â€œI’m not arguing with you.” It was time to bring this little discussion to a close. Give her something to think about and some time in which to think it. “I’m laying out the facts. If you want my help with this situation, you accept a few rules to demonstrate your trust in me.”
    â€œRules? What freaking rules?”
    â€œYou don’t hide things from me. You do exactly what I say, when I say it. No argument, no protest.”
    â€œAnd why the fucking hell would I do that?”
    â€œBecause you trust me.” He held her gaze. “Because, Eva, if you don’t, then you’re on your own.”
    The long, pale expanse of her throat moved, the fury in her eyes making them burn as bright as stars. “Fine. I guess I’ll be doing this without you then.”
    He hadn’t expected her to give in—he already knew she was a fighter right down to her bones. But still, the fact that she didn’t want to hurt more than he thought it would.
    Good thing he wasn’t bluffing.
    He kept his gaze locked with hers, so she could be in no doubt. “Good-bye then, Eva King. It’s been an honor and a privilege to have known you.”
    Then he turned on his heel and walked out the