"You know you'll have to untie me at some point, and I'm going to kick your ass, Archer!" I exclaimed, feeling the Jeep in motion as I struggled to remove the hood covering my head.
"There won't be a need for that," he replied, his tone noticeably calmer.
"Is this really necessary? And where are you taking me?!" I demanded.
"As for where I am taking you, you will soon find out. And I tied you up to keep you still. I wouldn't want you doing something stupid now, I mean you're Mark's sister," he explained.
"I never do anything stupid!" I retorted.
"Really? What about that time you said you were going to blow up my car?" he reminded me.
I couldn't help but giggle at the memory, but then I heard him chuckle, which only fueled my frustration. "I completely understand why people are always after you. You are infuriating! Right now, you're motivating me to make it a lifelong dream to get back at you!"
"Coming after me would be so much fun, Adele. The thing is, I wouldn't even run," he said, his voice laced with a strange affectionate tone that sent shivers down my spine.
"Stupid!" I growled, not knowing what else to say in response. "If you think I'm going to take it easy on you, you'll be grossly mistaken!"
"Now I'm looking forward to it," he rasped, sounding both amused and intrigued, further provoking me.
"And... And Mark is going to have your balls!" I yelled.
"I'd rather let you have them, Adele," he responded a tinge of humor in his voice. Frustrated, I kicked the back of his chair while finally managing to yank off the hood. He glanced back at me through the rearview mirror with a smoldering gaze and warned, "Behave, or I'm going to gag you." I gasped at his audacity, watching as his eyes seemed to darken with intensity.
"You wouldn't dare!" I exclaimed.
"We both know I'd love to, very much," he replied with a mischievous smirk before focusing on the road again. When I kicked his chair once more, he let out a sigh.
"You're pushing it, and you're going to make your punishment even more severe," he warned in a husky voice.
"Punishment? Punishment for what?" I inquired.
"You put yourself at risk by going to that club..." he trailed off.
"Don't be absurd! Your guards have been following me around for weeks, making me feel suffocated. The only possible risk was that they were making me anxious!" I argued.
"I'm sorry about that. It wasn't the intention. They were there to watch over you and keep you safe," he explained.
"Safe from what? I've spent my entire life here and even lived on the streets for a while. Trust me, I can take care of myself," I insisted.
"I know you can, especially because you know Mark was around. But he's not here now. I am," he replied, giving me a meaningful glance through the rearview mirror. While I appreciated his sense of responsibility to continue protecting me in Mark's absence, I didn't like the fact that it seemed more like an obligation to his friend rather than genuine care for me.
"You couldn't have just been concerned for my safety, could you? No, I have a feeling there was more to your overbearing, caveman act. Admit it, Archer. You were jealous!" I provocatively challenged.
"I wasn't jealous," he retorted, his voice filled with tension, yet a dangerous glimmer danced in his eyes.
"Oh, please!" I scoffed, unable to hide my amusement.
"Did you do it intentionally then? To provoke a reaction from me?" he questioned, a cruel twist forming on his lips. My heart raced, sensing the precarious territory I had ventured into, but the knowledge that he could feel jealous sent a thrill through me.
"How was I supposed to know you would be there?" I shot back, trying to regain some control.
"I don't know, Adele. Why don't you enlighten me?" he snapped, his anger palpable.
The need to placate him suddenly outweighed my desire to needle him further. "You're being ridiculous! It's like reliving that moment in the alley all over again. Besides, I am not yours, nor do I ever consider you mine. Trying to make you jealous would be utterly absurd!" I asserted, hoping to bring some sense into our conversation.
"Hmm..." he murmured, holding my gaze for a fleeting moment before turning his attention forward. I could observe the tension and anger gradually dissipating from his features.
After a while, I let out a sigh of resignation and pleaded. "Can you just let me go?"
"No," he said firmly. I kicked his chair again, and he chuckled. Looking at his face in the mirror, I noticed how his smile softened his features, making him less intimidating and more endearing. I silently admired his attractive appearance—the depth of his eyes, his straight nose, and his firm, pinkish lips. His well-groomed beard and styled hair gave him the look of a medieval warrior with explosive sex appeal. I quickly shut my eyes and looked away. I couldn't be alone with him. I needed to find a way to make him release me.
"Okay, if I promise not to do anything to put myself at risk—whatever that means—will you just drop me off at home? My friends must be worried about me," I said in a calmer voice, attempting to reason with him.
"I won't be taking you home," he declared with unwavering conviction.
"Archer..."
"Your friends are safe and know that you're out of harm's way," he reassured me.
The car gradually came to a halt, and I swallowed anxiously, attempting to catch a glimpse outside through the window. With purposeful steps, he exited the vehicle and swiftly opened the door on my side. As my gaze descended to the snowy grounds beneath his sturdy boots,
I couldn't help but marvel at the blanket of snow stretching as far as my eyes could see. In my curious state, I found myself too intrigued to resist him when he scooped me up. Surrounding the cabin at the heart of the premises, framed by wintry woods, was an exquisite one-story dwelling. Its exterior exuded a swanky charm, featuring log walls, a stone chimney, and a porch adorned with shimmering icicles. There was no other sight in view for miles around.
"Where are we?" I inquired, my voice laced with a mixture of wonder and trepidation. '
"Welcome to my private retreat," he rasped, his gaze penetrating mine. There was an inexplicable something in his eyes that sent a flutter through my heart. Alone in the wilderness with Archer Donovan, I felt a surge of anticipation entangled with fear.
Meeting his intense gaze, I reciprocated with a searching look of my own. "When can I return home?" I asked, aiming to dissipate the charged atmosphere enveloping us.
"After New Year," he replied, his deep, husky voice barely audible above a whisper. With just two days until Christmas, it meant I would spend over a week in his company. I was undeniably trapped. How could I possibly conceal my feelings from him during that time? I needed to find a way to escape.
His eyes fixated on my lips as I involuntarily moistened them, and a low rumble emanated from his chest as he growled, hastening his pace.
'Dear God,' I silently prayed, bracing myself for what lay ahead.